Oct
3
Turning Strangers into Friends
Filed Under Commentary | Leave a Comment
Most of us feel reasonably comfortable in conversations with strangers that stay light and superficial. But how do we turn strangers into friends? Better yet, how do we go beyond the superficial with those we think we know quite well, such as our family, friends, and co-workers?
The Bridge Builders Course equips and empowers people to gain excellence in building and strengthening relationships by teaching listening skills, cultivating the ability to start conversations, and developing skills to affirm and encourage others. From a ministry standpoint, Bridge Builders will teach participants how to make their church a warmer, more welcoming place for newcomers and how to create opportunities to minister to others, including how to pray with them. The training atmosphere of a Bridge Builders Course is fun, encouraging, and active. Participants leave refreshed and motivated to make an impact in the lives of others through relationships.
Community of Joy is hosting a Bridge Builders Course on Friday - Saturday, November 14 -15, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. each day. The training is offered by trained professionals from Tentmakers, an inter-denominational ministry that has skillfully trained thousands of ministry professionals and lay people since 1979 (www.tentmakerstraining.org). The cost for this event is a standard fee of $99/person, which includes lunch and snacks on both days. For attenders of Community of Joy, the cost is reduced to a very reasonable rate of $50/person for the entire event. Registrations are payable at the Community of Joy office by November 2nd. For further information contact us at office@cojlbc.org or call (651) 687-9010. Consider this an open invitation to attend.
Oct
2
The Best Prescription for Pain
Filed Under Commentary | Leave a Comment
Lately I’ve had several conversations with people battling severe pain from which there seems to be no relief in sight. “Why?” they ask. “For what purpose?” they query. “Where is God?” they wonder. Then to top it off, a televangelist tells them that God doesn’t want them to be in pain, so they deduce that in some sense it’s their own fault. From my own relatively pain-free position I try to empathize, attend to their needs, and offer words of support. But I can see in their eyes what they’re too polite to tell me, “You have no real clue about the magnitude of my discomfort and the grinding discouragement and despair that I’m feeling.” Their reaction to the suggestion that pain is “God’s megaphone” to get their attention, as C.S. Lewis suggests, has left them responding, “I’m all ears, but when will the answer come?”
What do I have to offer them in their suffering? It’s not “what” I have to offer them, it’s “Who.” Ultimately, they need, as we all do, Jesus. They need Jesus, who understands better than any other what they’re going through. The author of Hebrews says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). They need Jesus, who endured the pain and suffering of the cross, and provides the final and strongest answer to all our questions about the crosses we bear in life. According to Rev. Daniel Preus, in his book entitled “Why I Am a Lutheran, “When we suffer and can see no good in our suffering, no reason in our pain, no purpose in our anguish, the Holy Spirit leads us once more to look to Jesus. Who could have imagined that God could bring such good from such suffering (the cross)? … Out of apparent defeat came victory - victory over sin, death, hell, and all that could hurt us. Just as God brought the greatest possible good out of the greatest possible suffering, so will He also cause all things to `work together for good, for those who are the called according to His purpose’ (Romans 8:28).”
May God give us grace to look to Jesus, the Victorious One, when the megaphone of pain is blasting at full volume. -MAJ
Sep
30
Comments from Colfax
Filed Under Commentary | Leave a Comment
I’ve been conducting a Prayer Renewal Seminar at Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church in Colfax, WI, since Sunday. I’ve been impressed with the receptivity and expectancy of this group. Last night I had them write down prayer requests for their church and their individual lives. Their responses impressed me - “That my children would acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior,” “That God will show us how we can be a part of extending His Kingdom here in this community,” “That God will give us confidence to share our faith.” God is renewing His church in Colfax! Pray for them as they continue to seek God’s leading for their future and pray for Pastor George and Jacqui Schweitzer and their family as they become established in the community and their congregation.
