Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Now and not yet

Susie and I are planning a trip to Ireland in August. As the date for our departure gets closer our level of anticipation rises. The reality of all of the details we need to attend to begin to take more and more of our attention. Long ago I came to the realization that the planning and anticipation of the trip are an essential part of the process of the adventure.


In our lives we are pretty familiar with the "now" - our daily surroundings and habits...Ah, but the "not yet?" That can captivate us! What will the place I visit be like? Will it live up to my expectations? Will it be worth the time and money we're investing? What will we see and do? What memories will come home with us? What will the experience be like?


When we get to Ireland I'm sure we'll find high adventure. We'll see things that'll take our breath away. I am also confident there will be memories that will walk with us through the remainder of our life journey.


So my friend, what is it you're looking forward to? A move? vacation? A reunion? A promotion? What is it that has your focus and attention?


The future is bright with the promises of God. We are to "occupy until HE comes" . Make the most of the now--- and get ready for the "not yet" when we as Christ followers share eternity in HIS presence. Now that is something worth preparing for!!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Tribute to Dads

A special video tribute for all dads!



Have a wonderful Father's Day!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Idol Worship

You may know that I am a sports fan. You hear me occasionally make reference to my favorite teams in New York. I enjoy sports, but my life doesn't revolve around if the Mets beat the Braves.

Last night, the Boston Bruins beat the Vancouver Canucks to win hockey's Stanley Cup. After the game, the people of Vancouver took to the street and started fires, vandalized stores, clashed with police, and many other outrageous acts. All of this over their hockey team losing?

Do we take our sports that seriously as well? Watch this video to put things in perspective-



Enjoy your sports. Go ahead and root for your teams. But, get more out of the events than just the score. Enjoy the relationships you have that come from sports, whether it be with teammates, fellow fans, or close friends. Be extremely grateful that we live in a land that gives us the freedom to enjoy sports. Live in God, not in the Dawgs, Yellow Jackets, Tigers, Mets, Falcons, etc...

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Friends are Cool!

We got the news Monday afternoon from our son- Our AC at home was NOT working! We were hours away, on our way back from out of town…and unsure what steps to take. We started out by calling an AC company. We were told they could not come out- presumably too many calls. We were also told they would charge us $98.00 to diagnose what was wrong- even before doing any repairs.

Without being asked, a good friend of ours (who knows a good deal about air conditioning) stepped in after his full day of work- came to our house- diagnosed the problem- got the needed part-and made the repair.

By the time we got home (three hours later) the AC was on and the house was in the process of cooling down. Obviously our friends (who live about 30 minutes away from us) had other plans for their evening besides coming to our house and fixing our AC

However, They chose to change their plans in order to solve our problem. They unselfishly put our needs before their own.

Another vivid reminder that friends are one of life’s greatest gifts!

Friday, June 10, 2011

My Chains Are Gone...

Yesterday, a friend of mine asked a question that made me stop for a moment to really think. It was in an email to our worship leaders at Community Christian Church in Sharpsburg. Is there a song that really moves you when you sing it while leading worship?

It took me a while to think of one, but one song that really moves me is also a Chris Tomlin song "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)". The thought that our loving and forgiving God frees us from those chains of sin and guilt. Every time I sing that song, I just get filled with emotion to know that despite all my faults, and all my wrongs, He forgives me and still loves me. I sometimes don't feel deserving of a love like that, but He truly does!

Take a moment to watch and listen to this wonderful song.




What song moves you? Is there a line in a song or hymn that just blows you away? Feel free to share.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

A meeting at my front door

It happened Wednesday evening. The dog barked ( he only does that when the doorbell rings). When I got to the front door I was greated by two twenty-something members of a local church. When I stepped out on to the front landing and closed the door behind me I was wondering if I had made a mistake in answering the door at all. Both ladies had stern expressions- both had green plastic nametags - "Sister ____________" and "Sister ___________". Neither introduced themselves but instead launched in to a well rehearsed speech about my spiritual needs.

In rapid fire succession- at times talking over each other the words flowed and the speech went on. I stood in almost complete silence- the two short comments I had made were neither acknowledged or responded to. After several minutes- though it seemed much longer- I managed to hear my own voice.

Miraculously, there was a gap in the speeches and I plowed ahead with these words: " I find it amazing that you come here claiming to know my spiritual needs. You say you're motivated by the fact that you love me. That seems very strange to me since you never even asked my name." After moments of silence I was offered a small piece of literature. It was handed to me with the warning- "Now be sure to only take this if you plan to read it. We only have a limited number of them." As I turned back to the door, my uninvited guests began their walk to the next recipients of their pre-planned talks.

All of this has me thinking about all of the times I talk with someone- only thinking about my words- perhaps not even knowing the name of the person I am talking to (this happens even at church).

What is my motivation?
1) to LISTEN?
2) to HEAR the needs of the person I am interacting with?
3) Something else entirely ?

I am praying God will help me be truly motivated by love to serve those he brings me in contact with. If you truly love someone and want to share something that matters, be sure to know their name. Yes, it matters!

Steve Swanson

You Are More

I saw the video to the Tenth Avenue North song "You Are More" the other night, and it truly hit home. I love the analogy they use of the blackboard filled up with all of our mistakes, and God washes it clean. I can fill a blackboard with all of my past mistakes, but the love and forgiveness of God through our Savior Jesus cleans that slate and makes us new.




I hope it gives you encouragement as it did for me.

Until next time...

Rob Langer

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Humility in our Christian Life

I know I am not the only one who has seen people from different denominations bicker about their differences, and believing that their way to salvation is the only way. I came across this opinion piece.

Five Words That Could Save the Church- Fox News

The writer has a very good point. Christians should be working to unite the church, not divide.

You know what.. those five words words may work in every day conversation, too...

Hoping your news is good news...

Rob Langer