I am honored to have such a good older brother. His heart is toward the Lord's work on Cape Cod and the world. And he knows how to tell us what is on the Heart of God. Earlier this month, Ed said something like this:
We are asking God to help us build God's church God's way. The Lord has been using our worship services to prepare us to grow in our understanding of what it will mean for us to become a biblical, New Testament-inspired fellowship of believers.
I'm sure you have heard the testimonies of Christian believers who live in countries where persecution is a real and daily possibility. When asked if we should pray for God to cause the persecution to be lifted, such disciples of Jesus often respond that it is hard and painful circumstances that keep them on their knees and growing in grace. In our own world today, a hard time is frequently no more than not finding your favorite coffee shop open for business. Although many Believers may live in poverty, most of us have experienced very little of the hardship that much of our world lives in every day. Indeed, it is the grievous sin of passivity that holds us in bondage and keeps us focused selfishly on our own ambitions and blinded to the priorities of the Kingdom of God.
Therefore, given the lack of difficulty that might encourage us in growing toward maturity as children of God, I want to ask a few questions: are you developing in grace? Are you growing in fruitfulness? Are you taking what you are learning to help another to find peace in God? Or, do you find yourself so incredibly busy that God will just have to be satisfied receiving the leftovers of your life? If that is truthfully our condition today, then how will our church ever succeed in becoming the Biblical and New Testament-inspired fellowship of believers God has called us to become?
And I added: This Sunday, November 8, we will turn our attention to Luke 19:41-44, looking to God's Word to both encourage and challenge us. Vidar Aronsen will return from his ministry to a closed country where “persecution is a real and daily possible” and share what the Lord is doing there. As we need to be doing, please take time before you come to ICCS to pray for our church and for friends and members of our families that we believe God is inviting to personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Yours in Christ, Pastor Stan (in LA)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
In contact
Greetings!
I am so pleased that you visit this site. Glad to have you with us. While it had been my desire to add new entries more often than I have, I will try harder to do just that in the weeks ahead.
While Pastor has been away, still people find that the Gospel is good for the soul. From what I understand, New Life is still being offered to those who come to ICCS. This is very good.
Since being in the LA area, I have come to re-understand a simple truth. Transformed lives speak loudly!
I have a friend here who lived on the wild side of life for a season. He grew up with a Christian upbringing, but left it to sample life without Christ. He worked very hard in business and was on call all over the globe to settle business deals. His nick-name was "Big Money." "Bring Big Money in to settle the issues!" "Big Money" would come in and in no time at all, the deal was cut. His company was ready to promote him to become VP-head the North American division. With this raise, he would need to lie. He had to fire a young person who was in the right, but the system was set in such a way that to let him go was their only recourse. My friend said no. That would be dishonest.
By the end of the next week, he was no longer working for the world-wide company. He was on his own. He felt good about not telling a lie but he was not making any money. He knew inside his heart that he had made a painful yet right decision. Now what?
In a few days, he was walking through a home center when a lady asked for help. Store workers were no where in sight yet she was waiting for a long time for some help. She asked my friend what kind of materials would be used for a certain job and he said he could help her. After the material was found, she asked: "Do you know anyone who could do this work for me?" He replied he could do it himself. By the end of that first small job, she hired him again for some more work and a neighbor asked him to do something in her house and by the end of the month, he realized that he could make a good living doing what he had been doing since he was fired.
Now, he is an independent home builder. He pulls a 30 foot trailer with all his 'stuff' around to each work-site. He is busy--even in this economy.
Why share this story? Because this friend was in contact with the One who could hold him up. It had not been easy and it has not been easy. (Two years ago, his 30 foot trailer was stolen and ALL his tools were gone. Within a week, he had enough tools given to him to restart working again. The trailer was found and he fixed it up and now he is more careful where he parks the rig.) His Fellowship surrounded him. He had other men come stand with him during this hard time. He now helps other men who may need a job, gives advice and offers friendship. "Iron sharpens iron," is his favorite line. Last week, he had me helping him with some new cabinets he had been working on. In two months, we are in a play together.
New life. Transformed life.
Speaks loudly.
Stay in contact with Him. Stay in contact with those who know the One who gives life. That Man is Jesus!
I am so pleased that you visit this site. Glad to have you with us. While it had been my desire to add new entries more often than I have, I will try harder to do just that in the weeks ahead.
While Pastor has been away, still people find that the Gospel is good for the soul. From what I understand, New Life is still being offered to those who come to ICCS. This is very good.
New life.
Since being in the LA area, I have come to re-understand a simple truth. Transformed lives speak loudly!
I have a friend here who lived on the wild side of life for a season. He grew up with a Christian upbringing, but left it to sample life without Christ. He worked very hard in business and was on call all over the globe to settle business deals. His nick-name was "Big Money." "Bring Big Money in to settle the issues!" "Big Money" would come in and in no time at all, the deal was cut. His company was ready to promote him to become VP-head the North American division. With this raise, he would need to lie. He had to fire a young person who was in the right, but the system was set in such a way that to let him go was their only recourse. My friend said no. That would be dishonest.
By the end of the next week, he was no longer working for the world-wide company. He was on his own. He felt good about not telling a lie but he was not making any money. He knew inside his heart that he had made a painful yet right decision. Now what?
In a few days, he was walking through a home center when a lady asked for help. Store workers were no where in sight yet she was waiting for a long time for some help. She asked my friend what kind of materials would be used for a certain job and he said he could help her. After the material was found, she asked: "Do you know anyone who could do this work for me?" He replied he could do it himself. By the end of that first small job, she hired him again for some more work and a neighbor asked him to do something in her house and by the end of the month, he realized that he could make a good living doing what he had been doing since he was fired.
Now, he is an independent home builder. He pulls a 30 foot trailer with all his 'stuff' around to each work-site. He is busy--even in this economy.
Why share this story? Because this friend was in contact with the One who could hold him up. It had not been easy and it has not been easy. (Two years ago, his 30 foot trailer was stolen and ALL his tools were gone. Within a week, he had enough tools given to him to restart working again. The trailer was found and he fixed it up and now he is more careful where he parks the rig.) His Fellowship surrounded him. He had other men come stand with him during this hard time. He now helps other men who may need a job, gives advice and offers friendship. "Iron sharpens iron," is his favorite line. Last week, he had me helping him with some new cabinets he had been working on. In two months, we are in a play together.
New life. Transformed life.
Speaks loudly.
Stay in contact with Him. Stay in contact with those who know the One who gives life. That Man is Jesus!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Lord is my Shepherd
That’s Relationship!
I shall not want
That’s Supply!
He makes me to lie down in green pastures
That’s Rest!
He leads me beside the still water
That’s Refreshment!
He restores my soul
That’s Healing!
He leads me in paths of righteousness
That’s Guidance!
For His Name sake
That’s Purpose!
Yes, though I walk through the valley of Death
That’s Testing!
I will fear no evil
That’s Protection!
For He is with me
That’s Faithfulness!
His rod and His staff comfort me
That’s Discipline!
He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies
That’s Hope!
He anoints my head with oil
That’s Consecration!
My cup runs over
That’s Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
That’s Blessing!
And I will live in the House of the Lord
That’s Security!
Forever
That’s Eternity!
That’s Relationship!
I shall not want
That’s Supply!
He makes me to lie down in green pastures
That’s Rest!
He leads me beside the still water
That’s Refreshment!
He restores my soul
That’s Healing!
He leads me in paths of righteousness
That’s Guidance!
For His Name sake
That’s Purpose!
Yes, though I walk through the valley of Death
That’s Testing!
I will fear no evil
That’s Protection!
For He is with me
That’s Faithfulness!
His rod and His staff comfort me
That’s Discipline!
He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies
That’s Hope!
He anoints my head with oil
That’s Consecration!
My cup runs over
That’s Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
That’s Blessing!
And I will live in the House of the Lord
That’s Security!
Forever
That’s Eternity!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Word from Pastor Stan
I have been thinking a great deal about the Folks at ICCS while I am in LA. One of the things I think about is friendships.
I really miss the friends at ICCS. There are great people there and there has been plenty of history with many of them but… There is something very special about ICCS friends.
Some of them have been with us for all the time ICCS has been. Some came to the very first Sunday and have been faithful ever since. Some of the people who started with us are no longer with us. John writes about some of them in 1 John 3:11.
My first reaction to that is “Of course we are to love one another. That is a no-brainer.” And, of course, I would be wrong to say that. That is not easy-in the flesh. We really want to have our way in which we are to love. There are some people—you know who they are—who are not very loving. The Lord does not mean them, does He?
You guessed it! He does and He even loves them AND He even loves the likes of you.
So end of discussion. We should love one another.
But that sounds like there is a way out. We “should” love. Does that mean we might not have to love certain people after all? No. We are to love them because the Lord has told us to. It is THE way we KNOW we have eternal life! If we do not love, then the Love of the Father is not in me. I cannot afford that position. I need His love so I guess I need to love.
Why not? It is the Way of the Cross. Not that it is a cross I need to bear. No, it is our joy to do so.
We are not to act out our lifestyle as Cain did. He was jealous of his brother so he killed him. We don’t like someone so we EXCLUDE them from fellowship and that is the same thing. We kill relationships all the time and God does not want that of His Children. We are to love.
Just a few things about these verses. ONE: John always hits the button right on the hot spot. Our actions and the way we use money affects our relationship with Him. If we say one thing and we do another, the Love of the Father is not in us. Again with the Love of the Father!
Verse 19 says how things should be IF we walk in the Truth. We know when we belong to His Truth. It is reflected in our hearts and in our actions. There is REST when it ‘works’. After all, there is no thing we can hide from our God. He knows it all anyway. Why try to hide-- like Cain?
Do you know this? Do you act this way? Are there areas of your life that do not match up with what He wants of us? I am not talking about works vs. faith. I am talking about walking in His Truth and letting that way of life show how much we love the Father.
So I miss those people because I have seen them walk this way. “…this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.” This unity shows us (and the world) that we are in Him. United in Him.
I really miss the friends at ICCS. There are great people there and there has been plenty of history with many of them but… There is something very special about ICCS friends.
Some of them have been with us for all the time ICCS has been. Some came to the very first Sunday and have been faithful ever since. Some of the people who started with us are no longer with us. John writes about some of them in 1 John 3:11.
11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
My first reaction to that is “Of course we are to love one another. That is a no-brainer.” And, of course, I would be wrong to say that. That is not easy-in the flesh. We really want to have our way in which we are to love. There are some people—you know who they are—who are not very loving. The Lord does not mean them, does He?
You guessed it! He does and He even loves them AND He even loves the likes of you.
So end of discussion. We should love one another.
But that sounds like there is a way out. We “should” love. Does that mean we might not have to love certain people after all? No. We are to love them because the Lord has told us to. It is THE way we KNOW we have eternal life! If we do not love, then the Love of the Father is not in me. I cannot afford that position. I need His love so I guess I need to love.
Why not? It is the Way of the Cross. Not that it is a cross I need to bear. No, it is our joy to do so.
We are not to act out our lifestyle as Cain did. He was jealous of his brother so he killed him. We don’t like someone so we EXCLUDE them from fellowship and that is the same thing. We kill relationships all the time and God does not want that of His Children. We are to love.
John goes on and touches our hearts: 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.
Just a few things about these verses. ONE: John always hits the button right on the hot spot. Our actions and the way we use money affects our relationship with Him. If we say one thing and we do another, the Love of the Father is not in us. Again with the Love of the Father!
Verse 19 says how things should be IF we walk in the Truth. We know when we belong to His Truth. It is reflected in our hearts and in our actions. There is REST when it ‘works’. After all, there is no thing we can hide from our God. He knows it all anyway. Why try to hide-- like Cain?
TWO: We need to obey the Truth because … 23 And this is His command: to believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. 24 Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.
Do you know this? Do you act this way? Are there areas of your life that do not match up with what He wants of us? I am not talking about works vs. faith. I am talking about walking in His Truth and letting that way of life show how much we love the Father.
So I miss those people because I have seen them walk this way. “…this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.” This unity shows us (and the world) that we are in Him. United in Him.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
When the fire comes!
Fire is seen on the top of the mountain. There is smoke everywhere. Ash covered our van and the air—even 20 miles from the fire is filled with uncomfortable smells and debris. As we drove by the homes of people who are just yards away from the fire line, some of them are standing outside with water hoses. They are trying to do what they can do to keep what they have. From the TV coverage, one woman said, “They say take out what is important and move away. What? It is ALL important to me!”
Another couple returns to their home. It is the only one left in the community. ALL the houses on their street are in ashes. Nothing of theirs is even hurt. When they saw what their neighbors had lost, they feel they could not return…not when all the rest lost so much.
While talking with the manager of our apartment complex yesterday, he asked the same question of me. He had seen us move in with eight suitcases. Friends of one of our supporting churches brought in the things in the apartment. Beds, dishes, linen, lamps. The manager and myself agree. Those are only things. There are more important things to be concerned with in life. Ready the heart for His Return. Open the heart to His love. Receive the forgiveness only He can give.
Not that those in the way of the fire were wrong, mind you. When it comes to push and shove, I’d be hard pressed what to carry out. I guess my MacBook because on it are so many photos of friends and many memories. Important documents. Contact information of friends. I would take my Bible. Maybe a shirt I just bought. I would be sure my children and my wife were safe. Then I would drive away and look back only once—not in the wife of Lot sort of way, but to see how close the flames were.
How about you? When the fire comes, what will you do?
We are told to look up and see Him as He really is. That should scare some! It did for John when he saw Jesus—his close friend—as he wrote the last book of the Bible (Revelation 1:17). There is a change in life we may not be ready for. I would suggest we get ready. It starts with a personal relationship with God’s Son. Read about it in John 3:16, Romans 3:10-18, Romans 4:24-25, (well, in fact, Romans 6-9.) We are asked to submit ourselves to God and allow the Maker of our souls and giver of our life to take control.
Because the fires in our lives are way out of control. He is the only one who can put the fire out. (Some of the firemen near this fire tell us they have seen flames over 100 feet high!) Once that fire burns out, many many acres of mountain brush and pines will be no more. Some will loose their homes. Some may loose their own lives. Two have already died. Is it too late to make preparations for the fires of life? No. Is there a way to keep us from being destroyed? Yes. Go to Jesus.
Another couple returns to their home. It is the only one left in the community. ALL the houses on their street are in ashes. Nothing of theirs is even hurt. When they saw what their neighbors had lost, they feel they could not return…not when all the rest lost so much.
What would you carry out of a house that will be burnt down?
What is important to you?
What is important to you?
While talking with the manager of our apartment complex yesterday, he asked the same question of me. He had seen us move in with eight suitcases. Friends of one of our supporting churches brought in the things in the apartment. Beds, dishes, linen, lamps. The manager and myself agree. Those are only things. There are more important things to be concerned with in life. Ready the heart for His Return. Open the heart to His love. Receive the forgiveness only He can give.
Not that those in the way of the fire were wrong, mind you. When it comes to push and shove, I’d be hard pressed what to carry out. I guess my MacBook because on it are so many photos of friends and many memories. Important documents. Contact information of friends. I would take my Bible. Maybe a shirt I just bought. I would be sure my children and my wife were safe. Then I would drive away and look back only once—not in the wife of Lot sort of way, but to see how close the flames were.
How about you? When the fire comes, what will you do?
We are told to look up and see Him as He really is. That should scare some! It did for John when he saw Jesus—his close friend—as he wrote the last book of the Bible (Revelation 1:17). There is a change in life we may not be ready for. I would suggest we get ready. It starts with a personal relationship with God’s Son. Read about it in John 3:16, Romans 3:10-18, Romans 4:24-25, (well, in fact, Romans 6-9.) We are asked to submit ourselves to God and allow the Maker of our souls and giver of our life to take control.
Because the fires in our lives are way out of control. He is the only one who can put the fire out. (Some of the firemen near this fire tell us they have seen flames over 100 feet high!) Once that fire burns out, many many acres of mountain brush and pines will be no more. Some will loose their homes. Some may loose their own lives. Two have already died. Is it too late to make preparations for the fires of life? No. Is there a way to keep us from being destroyed? Yes. Go to Jesus.
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