I have a love-hate relationship with reading. I love to read and I hate that I never seem to find the time to read. That being the case I have found some time to read recently and wanted to share a few quotes from a book and some of my own convictions/reflections.
The first quote is:
“Today, both the world and the Church have entered what is perhaps one of the most dramatic periods in all history….In the minds and hearts of Christians yesterday, the Church was a rock of safety and stability. Now it has become an open arena for every kind of contest, profound or superficial…Many people take refuge in inaction or isolation. Many take up any kind of hobby just to pass the time… the Church resembles Mary and Joseph traveling from Egypt to Nazareth on a donkey, holding in their arms the weakness and poverty of the Child Jesus: God incarnate.”
I don’t know about you, but this string of quotes rang so true for me and was very convicting. Have I become inactive or sought isolation because of the state of the world today? Do I look for other things to do to avoid fully living into the Great Commission? I was so struck by the words of the author that I went to the copyright page to see the date of publication. Obviously this book was written recently. It is speaking directly to what we are experiencing around the world as the church today. Much to my dismay, I discovered that the publication date was the year 1974.
I was confused…
…disappointed…
… and then encouraged.
Let me explain. I was confused and disappointed that here we are 44 years later and we seem to be in a similar situation. In some ways that is disheartening, but then I was encouraged… why?
Well, because I read on.
The author went on to say:
“But is this situation wholly bad? Is there not a good root, a life-giving principle, in today’s torment and crisis? Can we draw something constructive from the ruins of our past? In short, are we witnessing the beginning of the end or are we seeing a new birth of history and of the Church?”
That is encouraging… what if we could be a part of the “new birth” out of the “ruins of our past?” What does that look like?
The author, Carlo Carretto in this book, The God who Comes, concludes the introduction (I only made it through the introduction and had to share this many quotes with you all! It’s really good!) with these words:
“This is why I believe in personal prayer…To pray means to wait for the God who comes. Every prayer-filled day sees a meeting with the God who comes… And His coming and His presence are not only the result of our waiting or a prize for our efforts: they are His decision, based on His love freely poured out.
His coming is bound to His promise, not to our works or virtue. We have not earned the meeting with God because we have served Him faithfully… or because we have heaped up such a pile of virtue as to shine before Heaven.
God is thrust onward by His love, not attracted by our beauty. He comes even in moments when we have done everything wrong, when we have done nothing… when we have sinned…. I cry out in all faith, ‘Come, Lord Jesus.””
I am encouraged because…… God is still the God who comes.
… God still draws near to us even and especially when we don’t deserve it.
… we are still called to share the love of God that we experience with everyone around us!
… we can continue to pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
… “he has come and has yet to come.” Thanks be to, God.
______
These have been good and challenging words for me today. Thank you for letting me share them with you all. It is a joy to do life alongside you all.
May we be people who seek God in times of personal and corporate prayer. Calling out, “Come, Lord Jesus, pour out your Spirit upon us!”
May it be so!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Cara
***
Shawnee Church of the Nazarene Weekly E-News in Shawnee, Kansas, United States for Thursday, February 22nd, 2018
TEAM Day
Training Every Available Minister — Saturday, March 3rd, 8:30am-1:00pm. Registration is due TOMORROW (February 23rd). If you are interested in registering make sure to call or email the church office by tomorrow morning!
For a full list of workshops please click here
Ladies Retreat April 6-8
Pick up information sheet at the rear of the sanctuary this coming Sunday morning or register online using the link below. Registration and payment are due by March 25th. Cost ranges from $125 to $155 (includes all meals except dinner on Saturday). Activities include group sessions, quiet time, play/together time, and free time. We hope that all ladies will prayerfully consider attending this time of rest, renewal and relationship!
To Register for Retreat Click Here
www.shawneenaz.org
***
Pastor Cara Shonomon's Weekly Email -
Shawnee Church of the Nazarene in Shawnee Kansas United States
Greetings Shawnee Family!
On Wednesday night Pastor Amberlee read one of the passages of Scripture for us at the beginning of our Ash Wednesday service. She read from Joel 2 and right before she got to verse 16 I could hear my youngest, Alice, make a loud noise almost in anticipation of verse 16.
Verse 16 reads, “Gather all the people— the elders, the children, and even the babies.” (Joel 2:16 NLT)
I smiled as I heard Alice vocalize and also paired that with the passage calling for the gathering of people of all ages.
Following the service both my girls roamed around the sanctuary and the foyer with such belonging. They flitted from person to person laughing and playing. They can tell that they have a place where they belong.
This week has been busy for both Justin and myself and in the busy weeks we have to heavily rely on others to help us with our sweet girls.
Justin is a teacher and this week he had parent teacher conferences on Wednesday and Thursday nights. So, he could not be at church for the Ash Wednesday service or be at home with the girls during board meeting last night.
As a result we had to rely on others to be with the girls. We are so thankful for all those that care so deeply for our kids. We are beyond blessed by this amazing community. There are days for full time working parents it can be very humbling to welcome others into helping raise our kids, but we are blessed to have a great group of people (you all!) that join with us in caring for our kids.
I am so thankful to be a part of church where kids are welcome. Where my kids are so excited to be at church with you all. I am so thankful that on the days that we need extra help there are people to sit with our kids in the pews while I preach. I am so thankful for the fact that we can call on a great group of teens to come and watch the girls during board meeting in the church nursery.
It really takes a group of people working together to raise kids and we are beyond thankful that we get to do it with all of you.
Just as my kids feel so loved and welcomed at church, my prayer is that we continue to grow and be a place where everyone feels loves and welcomed.
We desire to be a church and a place where people feel they can belong and be a part of the family of God.
May we continue to welcome and love people in the same way God loves us.
I can’t say it enough: thank you all for how you love my family. It is a joy to minister alongside you all.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Cara
***
Pastor Cara Shonomon's Weekly Email - Shawnee Church of the Nazarene in Shawnee Kansas United States
Greetings Shawnee Family!
I wanted to share with you all what the Lord has been working on in my life recently. This is from my devotions this morning:
Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:8-14 (CEB)
8 So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, share the suffering for the good news, depending on God’s power. 9 God is the one who saved and called us with a holy calling. This wasn’t based on what we have done, but it was based on his own purpose and grace that he gave us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10 Now his grace is revealed through the appearance of our savior, Christ Jesus. He destroyed death and brought life and immortality into clear focus through the good news. 11 I was appointed a messenger, apostle, and teacher of this good news. 12 This is also why I’m suffering the way I do, but I’m not ashamed. I know the one in whom I’ve placed my trust. I’m convinced that God is powerful enough to protect what he has placed in my trust until that day. 13 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you heard from me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Protect this good thing that has been placed in your trust through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Observation
Suffering was expected and Paul was inviting others into it for the sake of the Gospel. He was in prison and had been through an awful lot. If anyone had reason to be frustrated with God... it was Paul. If anyone had reasons to stop spreading the Gospel because of all of the suffering they had endured... it was Paul. Yet... he pressed on "depending on God's power." In verse 14 he reminded Timothy that God placed the Gospel in his hands and that the Holy Spirit "lives in" him. Paul reminded Timothy that the Holy Spirit compel him in this "good thing," which is sharing the Gospel of Christ!
Application
We do not suffer in the same way Paul did. We are not thrown in jail for sharing the Gospel. Yet we need this reminder that sharing the Good News is counter-cultural and not always comfortable. We put ourselves out there when we invite people to church or share about our faith. Being rejected once we have done so is not fun. I learned from a very wise person that if we do NOT ask we are automatically saying NO for the other person. When we ask... we get to be the presence of God in the lives of others. When we ask our posture is that of arms open wide just like the Father in the story of the Prodigal Son. People have the opportunity to choose how they respond. We simple have to be faithful to ask...with loving arms open wide. Just as God did for us and continues to do for everyone!
Prayer
Lord, May we at Shawnee Church of the Nazarene be people who live with arms wide open... welcoming people into love and fellowship that can only be found in you. Fund us faithful! Amen.
Last Sunday we introduced our new Interim Worship Arts Pastor. Rev. John Mathias will begin leading us this Sunday. If you get the chance please welcome Pastor John and his wife Ginger to our Shawnee Family!
Rev. John Mathias is an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene and comes to us from most recently serving as the Worship Arts Pastor at Central Church of the Nazarene in Flint, Michigan. He has moved back to the Kansas City area to be the Director of Events & Conference Services for MidAmerica Nazarene University. He and his wife, Ginger, are originally from Ohio. They have lived and served in churches in Ohio, Kansas, Florida, and Michigan. Pastor John and Ginger are no stranger to the Kansas City area and have children and grandchildren in the area. Pastor John was the Director of Lillenas Publishing Company and at that time lived in Shawnee, KS! We are excited to welcome Pastor John and Ginger back to the Kansas City area and to welcome them to be a part of our Shawnee Nazarene family.
***
Shawnee Church of the Nazarene Weekly E-News in Shawnee, Kansas, United States for Thursday, February 22nd, 2018
Training Every Available Minister — Saturday, March 3rd, 8:30am-1:00pm. Registration is due TOMORROW (February 23rd). If you are interested in registering make sure to call or email the church office by tomorrow morning!
For a full list of workshops please click here
Ladies Retreat April 6-8
Pick up information sheet at the rear of the sanctuary this coming Sunday morning or register online using the link below. Registration and payment are due by March 25th. Cost ranges from $125 to $155 (includes all meals except dinner on Saturday). Activities include group sessions, quiet time, play/together time, and free time. We hope that all ladies will prayerfully consider attending this time of rest, renewal and relationship!
To Register for Retreat Click Here
www.shawneenaz.org
***
Pastor Cara Shonomon's Weekly Email -
Shawnee Church of the Nazarene in Shawnee Kansas United States
On Wednesday night Pastor Amberlee read one of the passages of Scripture for us at the beginning of our Ash Wednesday service. She read from Joel 2 and right before she got to verse 16 I could hear my youngest, Alice, make a loud noise almost in anticipation of verse 16.
Verse 16 reads, “Gather all the people— the elders, the children, and even the babies.” (Joel 2:16 NLT)
I smiled as I heard Alice vocalize and also paired that with the passage calling for the gathering of people of all ages.
Following the service both my girls roamed around the sanctuary and the foyer with such belonging. They flitted from person to person laughing and playing. They can tell that they have a place where they belong.
This week has been busy for both Justin and myself and in the busy weeks we have to heavily rely on others to help us with our sweet girls.
Justin is a teacher and this week he had parent teacher conferences on Wednesday and Thursday nights. So, he could not be at church for the Ash Wednesday service or be at home with the girls during board meeting last night.
As a result we had to rely on others to be with the girls. We are so thankful for all those that care so deeply for our kids. We are beyond blessed by this amazing community. There are days for full time working parents it can be very humbling to welcome others into helping raise our kids, but we are blessed to have a great group of people (you all!) that join with us in caring for our kids.
I am so thankful to be a part of church where kids are welcome. Where my kids are so excited to be at church with you all. I am so thankful that on the days that we need extra help there are people to sit with our kids in the pews while I preach. I am so thankful for the fact that we can call on a great group of teens to come and watch the girls during board meeting in the church nursery.
It really takes a group of people working together to raise kids and we are beyond thankful that we get to do it with all of you.
Just as my kids feel so loved and welcomed at church, my prayer is that we continue to grow and be a place where everyone feels loves and welcomed.
We desire to be a church and a place where people feel they can belong and be a part of the family of God.
May we continue to welcome and love people in the same way God loves us.
I can’t say it enough: thank you all for how you love my family. It is a joy to minister alongside you all.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Cara
***
Pastor Cara Shonomon's Weekly Email - Shawnee Church of the Nazarene in Shawnee Kansas United States
I wanted to share with you all what the Lord has been working on in my life recently. This is from my devotions this morning:
Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:8-14 (CEB)
8 So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, share the suffering for the good news, depending on God’s power. 9 God is the one who saved and called us with a holy calling. This wasn’t based on what we have done, but it was based on his own purpose and grace that he gave us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10 Now his grace is revealed through the appearance of our savior, Christ Jesus. He destroyed death and brought life and immortality into clear focus through the good news. 11 I was appointed a messenger, apostle, and teacher of this good news. 12 This is also why I’m suffering the way I do, but I’m not ashamed. I know the one in whom I’ve placed my trust. I’m convinced that God is powerful enough to protect what he has placed in my trust until that day. 13 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you heard from me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Protect this good thing that has been placed in your trust through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Observation
Suffering was expected and Paul was inviting others into it for the sake of the Gospel. He was in prison and had been through an awful lot. If anyone had reason to be frustrated with God... it was Paul. If anyone had reasons to stop spreading the Gospel because of all of the suffering they had endured... it was Paul. Yet... he pressed on "depending on God's power." In verse 14 he reminded Timothy that God placed the Gospel in his hands and that the Holy Spirit "lives in" him. Paul reminded Timothy that the Holy Spirit compel him in this "good thing," which is sharing the Gospel of Christ!
Application
We do not suffer in the same way Paul did. We are not thrown in jail for sharing the Gospel. Yet we need this reminder that sharing the Good News is counter-cultural and not always comfortable. We put ourselves out there when we invite people to church or share about our faith. Being rejected once we have done so is not fun. I learned from a very wise person that if we do NOT ask we are automatically saying NO for the other person. When we ask... we get to be the presence of God in the lives of others. When we ask our posture is that of arms open wide just like the Father in the story of the Prodigal Son. People have the opportunity to choose how they respond. We simple have to be faithful to ask...with loving arms open wide. Just as God did for us and continues to do for everyone!
Prayer
Lord, May we at Shawnee Church of the Nazarene be people who live with arms wide open... welcoming people into love and fellowship that can only be found in you. Fund us faithful! Amen.
Last Sunday we introduced our new Interim Worship Arts Pastor. Rev. John Mathias will begin leading us this Sunday. If you get the chance please welcome Pastor John and his wife Ginger to our Shawnee Family!
***
Contact:
Shawnee Church of the Nazarene
***
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