Ultimate Concern. That's how one theologian put it, an Ultimate Concern (Paul Tillich). We all have it. Something that we place before everything else. It's our greatest motivator and supreme goal. For some, it is money and power. For others it is personal pleasure and enjoyment. Still, others would say that their Ultimate Concern is their family or the work or their reputation.
What is your Ultimate Concern?
Without saying it, the devotional today reminds us that our God is a jealous God. Not like some jilted, jealous boyfriend, but that he does not tolerate any Ultimate Concern that usurps him. First Commandent--You shall have no other gods before me. Greatest Commandment--Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.
God is our Ultimate Concern. Anything else, anything else, anything else is idolatry
What is your Ultimate Concern?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 30
We are growing!! We now have about 175 people committed to this daily devotional for 40 days. There are probably more but those are the only ones who have let me know. Ready to commit and add to our numbers? Please e-mail and say, "I will!" suskovic@christelca.org
Today's reading captures our limitations. Too often we begin with deciding what we are capable of doing. This reading pushes us to see what God is capable of doing through me! If we fully grasped that the Lord of the Universe literally broke the mold when he made each of us, our sense of worth in his eyes would multiply. And what's more, no longer would we measure our impact to change the world by the length of our reach but rather through God's reach.
Look at the last question. It's a good one. The answer that comes to my mind is from Philippians 4:13--"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Today's reading captures our limitations. Too often we begin with deciding what we are capable of doing. This reading pushes us to see what God is capable of doing through me! If we fully grasped that the Lord of the Universe literally broke the mold when he made each of us, our sense of worth in his eyes would multiply. And what's more, no longer would we measure our impact to change the world by the length of our reach but rather through God's reach.
Look at the last question. It's a good one. The answer that comes to my mind is from Philippians 4:13--"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 29
As of last count, we have 75 families/individuals who have committed to the forty days of prayer. How about you? Let me know if I can count on you. Simply say, "I will" and e-mail me at suskovic@christelca.org
Today's devotional is all about relationships. We were created to be in community. None of us knows how long. In reading the devotional for today, I was reminded of the senior high youth who are raising money for the new youth space, knowing that by the time it is built, they will be gone. But for them, it doesn't matter. They are thankful for the community they enjoyed at Christ Lutheran. Their best friends are at church. They want to see it continue and expand for those to come. It's not just about them. It's for the sake of the Kingdom. And maybe, just maybe, some of them will be able to enjoy it in the future as their own children, the next generation, will benefit from the foundation that they help build today.
Today's devotional is all about relationships. We were created to be in community. None of us knows how long. In reading the devotional for today, I was reminded of the senior high youth who are raising money for the new youth space, knowing that by the time it is built, they will be gone. But for them, it doesn't matter. They are thankful for the community they enjoyed at Christ Lutheran. Their best friends are at church. They want to see it continue and expand for those to come. It's not just about them. It's for the sake of the Kingdom. And maybe, just maybe, some of them will be able to enjoy it in the future as their own children, the next generation, will benefit from the foundation that they help build today.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday, September 28
The 40 Days of Prayer begins today. Make a commitment. Set aside the same time everyday. Read the Bible passages. Think about the reflection questions. This is important.
On Sunday, I asked for commitments from you to do this prayer journey together with me. I had many leave me a note saying, "I will." If you didn't respond on Sunday, I invite you to do so today so that I have a complete list of those who are committed to prayer. Simple respond to this blog or e-mail me at suskovic@christelca.org.
On Sunday, I asked for commitments from you to do this prayer journey together with me. I had many leave me a note saying, "I will." If you didn't respond on Sunday, I invite you to do so today so that I have a complete list of those who are committed to prayer. Simple respond to this blog or e-mail me at suskovic@christelca.org.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Right Time, Right Place
Last Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dallas, N.C. at the invitation of Pastor Sherrill Curtis for their homecoming. Sherrill was a member of Christ Lutheran for years and taught at Providence High School until he heard the call and in his 50's and entered seminary. Sherrill has served at St. Paul's now for six years and, in his own words, this will be his first and only parish. He is 63 years old and having the time of his life.
The church is located in a rural part of the state and worships about 160 people. Behind the building is a cemetery that dates back to when the church began in 1893. I could go on and on about the differences between St. Paul's and CLC but the similarities were even more striking--the people sat in the back of the church for worship, they love to gather for food after the service, and they love their church. That last part was very evident to me. They love their church and they love their pastor, Sherrill Curtis.
Sherrill is at St. Paul's at the right time, at the right place. Put me at St. Paul's or Sherrill at CLC and those dynamics would change dramatically, and not for the better. God has a way of making those matches made in heaven at the right time, the right place.
I thought about that last night at Council. We met for four hours! So much to talk about and discuss and decide. Somewhere in the midst of that marathon, I thought, "These are good people who love their church and have the right skills for the important job that has been placed before them. God has raised them up at the right time and at the right place."
I also believe that God has brought you here to CLC at the right time and at the right place. We are at an exciting juncture in the life of our community. For a brief time, you are a part of it all. Have you discovered why you are here at this time? Have you found the place where your gifts shine? God has a way of making it all work. . .for his glory.
The church is located in a rural part of the state and worships about 160 people. Behind the building is a cemetery that dates back to when the church began in 1893. I could go on and on about the differences between St. Paul's and CLC but the similarities were even more striking--the people sat in the back of the church for worship, they love to gather for food after the service, and they love their church. That last part was very evident to me. They love their church and they love their pastor, Sherrill Curtis.
Sherrill is at St. Paul's at the right time, at the right place. Put me at St. Paul's or Sherrill at CLC and those dynamics would change dramatically, and not for the better. God has a way of making those matches made in heaven at the right time, the right place.
I thought about that last night at Council. We met for four hours! So much to talk about and discuss and decide. Somewhere in the midst of that marathon, I thought, "These are good people who love their church and have the right skills for the important job that has been placed before them. God has raised them up at the right time and at the right place."
I also believe that God has brought you here to CLC at the right time and at the right place. We are at an exciting juncture in the life of our community. For a brief time, you are a part of it all. Have you discovered why you are here at this time? Have you found the place where your gifts shine? God has a way of making it all work. . .for his glory.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Countdown!
You may have never done it before. This may be something brand new for you. You might be wondering whether or not you can do it or complete it or benefit from it. Don't let that stop you.
I'm talking about the 40 Days of Prayer. Every day, you will receive via e-mail a devotional reading for The Master's Plan. It won't take long--five minutes (ten if you actually give it some thought!). I want to encourage you to commit to these next 40 days beginning Monday, September 28th.
And I will do the same.
To keep you on task, I'm going to post a daily blog with my personal reflections about the daily devotional. It won't be much. A thought. A comment. A tangent. Something that you can click on after reading the daily devotional to see if we are on the same page for reflection.
Put it on your calendar. Commit to it right now. And let's do this together.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
I'm talking about the 40 Days of Prayer. Every day, you will receive via e-mail a devotional reading for The Master's Plan. It won't take long--five minutes (ten if you actually give it some thought!). I want to encourage you to commit to these next 40 days beginning Monday, September 28th.
And I will do the same.
To keep you on task, I'm going to post a daily blog with my personal reflections about the daily devotional. It won't be much. A thought. A comment. A tangent. Something that you can click on after reading the daily devotional to see if we are on the same page for reflection.
Put it on your calendar. Commit to it right now. And let's do this together.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A word about the Master's Plan
Knowing that each church cannot be all things to all people, God has laid on my heart a plan for Christ Lutheran since I arrived in 1998. It is a vision with four dimensions captured in our mission statement:We welcome all people, connect them to other believers, equip them with God’s Word and send them into all the world.
Welcome, Connect, Equip, Send. THE MASTER’S PLAN does this by unifying our church and focusing our ministries. We do a lot of things well at CLC. However, with THE MASTER’S PLAN we will focus on what we do best: worship, foster faith in our children and youth, build community and serve others.
That’s the vision—a unified church worshipping and gathering in the same place with the goal of making disciples. It is about transforming those who are here in order to reach those who are not here. It is about making a difference in our world.
Toward this vision, we are not raising all this money just for ourselves. As many of you know, many local organizations have been hit hard because of cutbacks at The United Way and reduced private donations. Christ Lutheran will stand in that gap. We will give $400,000 to local and international agencies who minister to the poor and with whom we already partner such as Urban Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, McClintock Partners In Education, Crisis Assistance and the Smiles Foundation in Romania.
THE MASTER’S PLAN. It is more than a building. It is not just a program. It is not even for us. It is God’s overarching vision of gathering in the lost, making disciples and sending them into all the world. . .for Jesus’ sake.
Building His Kingdom,
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