From The Pastor’s Desk:
Finding God Bigger
One of the themes of my ministry and my preaching is a belief in a Big God. I frequently refer to myself as a “Big-Godder.” I like to say that there is nothing I can do that will ever take God by surprise. I believe that God is in control of everything that happens.
This creates problems for some. “If God is all-powerful,” they’ll ask, “then why didn’t He stop the tsunami, or the earthquake, or the killer tornado?” “If God knows everything that’s going to happen, then why didn’t He see that mass shooting in advance and do something to stop it?” Those types of questions can create a crisis of faith for some. If God is so big, why doesn’t He do something about all the bad?
But I look at it another way. If God really is too weak to do something about all the tragedy in the world, then what sort of hope do we have? If He is taken by surprise when terrorists attack or buildings collapse, then we are all in trouble. Because then I’d have to believe that evil is the strongest force in the universe, and we’d all be doomed.
While I don’t always understand the purposes behind the tragedies that strike this world, I believe God does. I believe He is bigger than earthquakes and tsunamis. He’s in control, even when there is a social unrest. He’s a Big God.
And belief in the Big-ness of God is important for our faith. A professor of mine used to phrase it like this: Strong faith in a strong God makes strong Christians. The more we trust in God’s control over all of life—even in our worst circumstances—the more confident we will be. Psalm 62 puts it like this:
My soul finds rest in God alone:
My salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
When your view of God is big—when you believe He is an immovable rock—then you can live an unshakable life.
And so I challenge you to have a believe in a Big God. Learn the Bible’s descriptions of His strength and majesty, His splendor and power, and build your confidence in Him.
In Prince Caspian, part of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia Chronicles, the Pevensie children
return to Narnia after a long absence. Aslan—the great lion and Christ figure—is
nowhere to be seen. Lucy, the youngest of the children, particularly aches to see him. Then, one night she wakes to a voice calling to her and follows it through the woods to a clearing. There she sees Aslan and runs to him, burying her face in his mane.
“Aslan, Aslan. Dear Aslan,” sobbed Lucy. “At last.” The great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell, half sitting and half lying between his front paws. He bent forward and just touched her nose with his tongue. His warm breath came all round her. She gazed up into the large wise face. “Welcome, child,” he said. “Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.” “That is because you are older, little one,” answered he. “Not because you are?” “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
That’s a great description of those who train themselves in the Big-ness of God: every year you grow, you will find Him bigger.
July Sound/Projector Operator Schedule
July 6 - Ryan Fleshner
July 13 - Parker Merritt
July 20 - Matt Eberline
July 27 - Ryan Fleshner
Video Operator Schedule
July 6 - James Seehusen
July 13 - Michael Shafer
July 20 - Lucas Junker
July 27 - Jodi Bangasser
July Praise Team Schedule
July 6 - Praise Team 1 (Denise)
July 13 - Praise Team 2 (Ruth)
July 20 - Praise Team 3 (Kelly/Greta)
July 27 - Praise Team 4 (Denise, Airyn)
Greeting & Refreshments for Fellowship Time
July 6 - Daniel Shafer, Brent & Dawn Janssen
July 13 - Troy & Kristol Ulrich, Colton & Ellah Klingenborg
July 20 –Gary & Merrie Krukow, Arlin & Greta Eberline
July 27 - Gary & Denise Abbas, Darrell Folkerts
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
July Birthdays
7 Vada Shreve
9 Eden Wix
10 Joyce Meyer
11 Bridget Meyer, Oakley Quario
18 Gabriel Kramer
20 Stephanie Quario
21 Judy Koenen, Kathy Smith
27 Marie Senne
29 Sandy Cooper
July Anniversaries
5 Gary & Denise Abbas, Stan & Marie Senne
19 Larry & Darlene Slocum
29 David & Kelly Thorne