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Category: The Milk Can (Page 6 of 17)

What do you want to be when you grow up?

February 22, 2018 /

man and child on railroad tracks

What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a fun question when you are four but by the time you reach my age the question gets a little annoying. I recently asked a group of kids how old they thought I was. Most put me in my sixties. Aren’t kids great? I am NOT that old! While I may not like being asked what I want to be any more the truth is I still have the same heart of four-year-old that dreams of what could be. We all do. It’s just as we get older we push it down deep out of sight. Wherever, you have stuffed them it is time to drag out those dreams and dust them off.

If you want to achieve your dreams or become someone or something there is a basic principle of life you need to follow: act like those who have it. It is really that easy.

Do you want to be wealthy? Then find out what wealthy people do and do it. I.e. don’t have a car payment. Pay cash for everything. Don’t buy what you can’t afford. Never use a credit card.

Do you want to be an Olympic snowboarder? Then find some snow and start practicing. You won’t get there surfing the cushions of your couch. Potato chip grease makes a terrible board wax.

Do you want to run a marathon? Then train like a marathon runner.

Do you want a college degree? Then go to class. Complete the assignments. Do the work.

Do you want to run your own business? Then find a successful business owner and learn how they did it and what they do.

Do you want to lose weight? Skip the midnight infomercial products and find someone who lost weight and do what they did. Hint: It probably involved eating less and exercising more.

Do you want a marriage that lasts a lifetime? Don’t ask your single friends what to do. Don’t get advice from your neighbor who has been divorced eight times. Go find that couple that’s been married fifty, sixty years and find out how they did it and then do what they do.

Do you want to have a vibrant spiritual life? Find a saint. Someone who has lived through life’s best and worst and do what they do.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Whatever it is there is someone who is already there.

Blessings,
Stephen

 

Hone Who You are For God’s Glory

February 15, 2018 /

So I will admit it. When I am reading through the Bible I do great at the start, but around about the middle of Exodus things get rather bogged down and crawl to a near halt at the descriptions of skin diseases and bodily discharges of Leviticus. My morning coffee begins to taste funny and quickly I decide it might be just best to skip breakfast.

Toward the end of Exodus, the people of Israel are starting to be formed into a self-governing nation. Their existence as slaves is being peeled away and they are taking on their identity as children of God. Essential to this is the construction of the Tabernacle along with the tents and articles that will used in this place of worship and sacrifice for the nation.

Reading these descriptions I was suddenly struck by the words at the opening of Exodus 31.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. (vs 1-5 NIV)

Jeweled HeartBezalel has been given by God the gifts and abilities to fashion the articles needed for the worship of God. When were these gifts given to him? When did he hone the craft? It must have certainly been while he was living as a slave in Egypt.

Had Bezalel built a successful business designing exquisite pieces of jewelry? Did his work sit on the tables of Pharaoh and his officials? Did the young women say of their betrothed “He went o Bezalel’s?” We will never know, and it all might be a little bit of an exaggeration to think such, but I do wonder. What gifts and talents have we been given? Perhaps God has a grander purpose than we could ever imagine.

Prior to his becoming the leader of World Vision, Richard Stearns was the CEO of Lenox China. He had built a career on selling luxuries to the world’s wealthiest. God used him and the wealth of his position in amazing ways to support the work of his kingdom. Richard thought this was his purpose in life. What he did not know was that God was honing and equipping him to serve the world’s poorest.

What about us? What talents and opportunities has God given to us? Are you in a place of leadership? Do you have musical abilities? Can you fashion things of beauty? Are you able to build the tallest buildings and widest bridges? Whatever you have been given and wherever you are, hone those skills for God’s glory. Become the very best of the best but don’t be too surprised to find that the path you thought you were on to use these talents is not the one God actually has you on.

What do you think?

Blessings,
Stephen

Are you having fun?

February 8, 2018 /

Are you having fun in church?

Funny Goat with GlassesThe more important something is, the more serious and life-altering the reality, the more essential it is that we are able to laugh at it. Do you know who is more likely to survive a cancer diagnosis? The one who can laugh at the absurdity and indignity of the disease and the treatment regimens.

Ultimately, is there anything more serious, more important, more significant than eternity? No. At the end of the day, the decision is pretty simple: smoking or non-smoking.  Follow Jesus and submit to him or not.

So next Sunday, go ahead and have some fun, because eternity and Jesus are deadly serious:

  • bring a water balloon to church and threaten to throw it at the band, to see if you can throw them off.
  • wear silly glasses during the sermon to try and confuse the pastor.
  • send a text message, to everyone in the church, asking what that bible reference was the pastor just said, to see who didn’t put their phone on vibrate.
  • color your hair and put on face paint to show your support for your favorite team.
  • slip some candy and a triple-shot espresso that kid who just won’t sit still.
  • fill the offering plate with Monopoly money.
  • during the greeting time, jump up and steal a microphone, and start leading everyone in Father Abraham.
  • stand in the parking lot and give a balloon to every kid as they come in.
  • did you know you can sing Amazing Grace to the tune of any song? For offeratory, do it to the tune of Gilligan’s Island . . . as an instrumental.
  • laugh, smile, relax and have fun together with your church family.

Yes, I know, there are times for quiet reflection and moments for deep contemplation. Order and structure are good things. God also made us with the capacity for pleasure. Let’s put it to use!

Blessings,
Stephen

We need each other

January 31, 2018 /

Perhaps you saw the recent announcement from Britain’s Prime Minister, Theresa May, of the appointment of a Minister of Loneliness. The announcement was met with significant contorting of faces. Despite a study coming out at the end of last year indicating as many as 14% of Brits battle chronic loneliness the idea of an official government appointment to address it seemed just odd.

empty chair

Even so, some studies indicate as many as 43% of Americans suffer from regular loneliness. The impact of this reality upon us are not hard to miss. Exacerbated depression, premature death, isolation, hopelessness, and so much more. What’s the cure? Really only one thing: face-to-face community. We can send all the birthday greetings on Facebook we want or mail an “I’m thinking of you card,” or even send a quick checking-in text. But nothing is really as effective as sitting across from another person and sharing a cup of coffee (or tea for our British friends).

What happens when we are across from one another? Life is transferred. A parent hears they are not crazy for the incredible frustration they are feeling. A widow senses she is not alone. A child hears they are loved. A man knows he has what it takes. A woman is empowered to speak truth. New skills are gained. Life is lived when we share who we are with those across from us.

Blessings,
Stephen

On Mission

January 25, 2018 /

the mission launchesThe Milk Can returns! After a needed break we are back. In 1 Corinthians Paul says some things are spiritual milk and other things spiritual meat. The Milk Can remains a quirky look at life and an encouragement for your week.

 

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As Christians, our calling is to live as Jesus lived demonstrating and proclaiming that the Kingdom of God has come and is coming. God is always making things new. We are engaged in the mission to alert the world to the rule and reign of God through Christ. Therefore,

  • We feed the hungry because in the world to come there will be no starvation.
  • We release the captive because in the world to come there will be no prisoner.
  • We give sight to the blind because in the world to come there will be no blindness.
  • We welcome the stranger because in the world to come there will be no strangers, no one unwelcome.
  • We mourn with those who mourn because in the world to come there will be no more sadness and grief.
  • We call for justice because in the world that is to come there is no injustice.
  • We share Christ because in the world to come there will be no unbelief.
  • We speak hope to those who have no hope because in the kingdom to come there will be no hopelessness.
  • We are pro-life, in every way, because in the kingdom to come there will be no death.
  • We are generous because in the world to come there will be no shortages.
  • We celebrate different languages spoken because in the world to come all languages will be spoken around the throne.
  • We love because in the world that is to come there is no one unloved.

The challenge for each one of us is to ask, in my job, how can I alert the world to the rule and reign of Christ? What would it look like for a person doing my job to demonstrate the rule and reign of God through Jesus?

Blessings,
Stephen

Do something new

January 11, 2017 /

Start something new this year. Go where you have always wanted to go. Try what you always wanted to try. Failure isn’t fatal. You may not have everything you need. You may have more fear than faith. You may not have a functional plan. There may be more doubts than answers. Your friends may try to have you committed. But do it anyway…

Anything worth doing

Blessings,
Pastor Stephen

40 Days of Christmas!

November 15, 2016 /

Blue Dancing Reindeer

Dear Friends

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, the stockings are lurking in boxes waiting to be hung, and the chestnuts are roasting on a silent night while reindeer chase grandma. Few things define Christmas more than the variety of songs unique to the season. In honor of these seasonal harmonies, we will be celebrating 40 Days of Christmas music. What are your favorite songs of the season? Each day from now until Christmas we will be enjoying a new lyrical wonder of the holidays. Follow along on our Twitter and Facebook feeds and share your favorites.

We begin our journey toward Christmas with a classic to set us in the mood.

Enjoy,
Stephen

It’s Election Day

November 8, 2016 /

Keep Calm and Kingdom On

Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. (NIV)

As Christians, we go through life differently than others. We can go through life with an impenetrable optimism. Jesus is King. He was yesterday. He is today. He will be tomorrow. Whatever happens, as Christians let us “Keep Calm and Kingdom On” and never lose our eternal optimism for the Kingdom of God until, as the song says, “earth and heaven are one.”

Keep calm and do the work of the Kingdom!

Pastor Stephen

 

The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Print.

When our heros are watching

November 1, 2016 /

crowd of fans cheering you on

What would it be like to be the quarterback of the high school football team? The ball is on the fifteen-yard line. Unfortunately, it is your fifteen-yard line. Your team is down by four points. There is a 1:47 left in the game. You have to get in the end zone to win. Your coach calls a timeout to regroup the team. And as you approach the sideline the person standing there, waiting for you is Payton Manning. He looks at you, tells you he believes in you and what you have to do to win this game and as you are walking back on the field to the huddle you can hear his cheering for you.
It’s great to have your parents on the sideline to see you at the moment. Your coach’s confidence in you means a lot. Even your teammates telling you they have confidence in you iwonderful. All of these are more special than can be described, but there is something extra special about having your hero, the best of the best, saying you can do it. Someone who has been there and knows what it is like. Who knows how many hundreds of times Manning has been in this place where the game came down to his ability to execute and lead his team down the field. He knows what the pressure is like. He knows the hunger of the defense and seen the fire in their eyes. Every profession has its unique challenges, and we all know, despite people telling us they know what it is like, they really don’t. If they have not been where you are, they really don’t understand. So it means something extra special to have a person who has been there, who understands the pressures and challenges encouraging you on.
Hebrews 12:1-3 says to us:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
This comes at the end of a long list of great heroes of faith from the Bible. These men and women who comprise the “great cloud of witnesses” are not only witness of us but they are witnesses to us. Witnesses of the character and faithfulness of God. They are heroes who have been where we are, and they call us through the cloud of our temporal perspective to press on with perseverance. They cheer for us to put aside our doubts, fears, and struggles to grasp hold of the promises God has given to us. They have been there and understand.
Think about this. You might be saying to yourself that you have screwed up. You have disqualified yourself from every achieving your hopes and dreams. Your failure is too great. But let me ask you:
When was the last time you committed adultery?
But not only that, when was the last time that adultery led to a child being conceived?
But not only that, when was the last time that you used your power and authority to try to cover-up up what you had done by having the women’s husband killed?
But not only that, you take the women to be your wife in hopes of covering the whole thing up?
But not only that, when was the last time child conceived because of your failure dies because of your sin, and you have to live the rest of your life with this burden?
Hopefully, not of us has screwed up this badly. But even if you have there is a man standing before you as a witness of God’s faithfulness and forgiveness, David, saying to you today to put aside your sin and experiences God’s love.
When was the last time you faced an utterly impossible situation? You didn’t know what to do and even if you did you lacked the resources to make it happen? Two men call you to step into the impossible. Moses and Joshua, men well acquainted with impossible barriers, whether they are a sea, a river, or a walled city, they witness to you of God’s deliverance in the face of the impossible and they call to you to put aside that which entangles you, all those doubting thoughts, and step out in faith.
The list could go on and on. I would even challenge you to sometimes read the stories in the Bible and ask yourself what these men and women would say to you if there were on your sideline coaching you through whatever situation you are facing in life.
For we are surrounded by a great cloud of witness to God’s grace, forgiveness, and character and they call us to step up.
Blessings,
Pastor Stephen

Votes in the ensuing election . . .

October 25, 2016 /

John Wesley

Dear Friends,

In light of our being in the closing days of the presidential campaign I want to share with you words of wisdom penned before our country was even birthed. May they challenge us to be people of integrity in all we say and do in these days ahead.

From the journal of the Rev. John Wesley

Thursday, October 6, 1774

“I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election and advised them,

  1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy:
  2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against: And,
  3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”

 

Blessings,
Pastor Stephen

 

Source:

This quote has been making the rounds of the internet lately. I did look it up to verify its authenticity from the writings of John Wesley.

Wesley, John. “An Extract of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley’s Journal from September 13, 1773, to January 2, 1776.” The Works of John Wesley, 3rd ed., vol. 4, Baker Books, 2007, p. 29.

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