Light of The World

Having preached on the light of Christ Sunday, I thought you all would appreciate this blog from a dear friend of mine. His name is Terry Hudson and he is head of Bold Pursuit Inc.

Light My Way
Psa 119:105 Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Back in the days of my teenage years, I learned a valuable lesson about paying attention. One night I drove out of a mall parking lot full speed and forgot to turn on my lights. All of a sudden, without warning, it became very (very) dark. By the time I realized I forgot the lights, I felt a crashing thud.
When I turned on my lights I was sitting in a ditch. Without the cars headlights it was like I was driving in a pitch-black tunnel. Anyone who has gotten up in the middle of the night and walked in their house without shoes has discovered the same thing on a smaller scale. Stubbed toes should have taught us the value of light. What’s funny is our ego in that situation leads us to try to get our eyes adjusted to the dark rather than just turning the light switch on.
The Psalmist stated that God’s Word was a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path. That same Word became flesh in Jesus Christ and became the light of the world. We are assured that He orders our footsteps and lights our path. Without His light the world seems like a really dark place. It causes us to be paralyzed by fear.
So rather than come out of our comfort zones we become appeased to letting our eyes become adjusted to the dark. One thing I’m learning more and more every day is that Satan will tell us things that work to appease us. Satan is the father of lies. He’s like a politician telling you what you want to hear. However, God’s way is to challenge us. He is the Father of light. He tells us what we need to hear. However, coming out of our comfort zones is part of the challenge.
Our nature is to not like any surprises. We try to scour the dark to look for the obstacles on our own. God’s way is for us to submit to him to order our steps and follow His light. He never said that the path would be so lit that we could see 10 miles in front of our face. It might only be 2 inches in front of our toes.
However, we have to trust Him, to take it step by step and let Him reveal His plan. He is the creator and knows what’s best for us. He has our best interest at heart. Without His light we are guaranteed to settle for less than the abundance He offers. We are guaranteed to grope and stumble in the darkness.
When we forsake all distractions to follow His way then just as He did in Genesis He says…”Let there be light!”

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Christmas Treasures of the Past

December 13th, Joyful Noise will be presenting for your Holiday enjoyment, "Christmas Treasures of the Past" a fond look at what makes Christmas so special to so many of us. Tickets are $5 with a family ticket for $20. A dessert and coffee buffett will be served during the performance. Ticket will be available at the church or by contacting Tim at 631 8413 or pastor@geringzion.com Performance times are 3:oo and 7:00 p.m.

A FRESH WIND!

Greetings brothers and sisters of Gering Zion Church! First let me start with an apology. The blog got off to a great start last April and I’m afraid I let life get in the way of keeping it going. I’ll do my best to not let that happen again.

What a busy, busy summer it was! Alesa and Caleb both decided to get married the same summer. The Hebbert Family is very blessed to welcome Geoff and Emily into the family. God’s blessings are endless.

Also, what an awesome time to be part of the Gering Zion family! God is truly blessing us at GZ.

After a two year journey, Krystie Hohnstein and her staff opened Joyful Noise Daycare on August 31st. I’ve been volunteering some time everyday to come and cook lunch for the kids. What a blast! It’s exciting to see the number of children attending JN grow every week. It’s equally exciting to know that they’re being loved and cared for by an incredible staff but also are learning the lessons of Jesus love for them at such an early age. If you have the time and would like to be involved in this new ministry, I’d encourage you to visit with Krystie about spending a little time loving on these beautiful children. I promise you the rewards will great!

Last month we kicked off GZ Family Night on Wednesdays. I sat last night and just soaked in the events. I couldn’t help but think that this is what God created the church to be. A group of people both children and adults, coming to together, breaking bread, worshipping, studying, praying for one another and playing together! If you’ve not had the chance to attend a Wednesday night, I can’t begin to tell you what you’re missing. We kick the evening off with a $2 meal followed by an evening full of events. Kitchen opens at 6:30. Set just one Wednesday aside this month to come to the family night. I promise you it won’t be your last.

I’ve spent several weeks reflecting on my 30 plus years at Gering Zion. Not a time goes by when I don’t bow my head and give thanks to God for my church family. I’m thankful for those men and women who so many years ago answered God’s call and founded our church. I am humbled by their sacrifices and challenged by their vision. I think often about the leadership of the church when my Dad became pastor 32 years ago. Godly men and women continuing God’s vision of love for our church family. I think of my dad and his love for this church and what it stands for in our community. I think of my mom and the many saints of our church who have taken their seats in the heavenly realm.

So much history, so much to be on our knees thanking God for.

I am driven to see the vision of Gering Zion church continue. A community of believers bound together by a love for the Savior and a love for one another.

As we press forward together and continue to give our best to the Lord, let us never forget those who came before us and did the work. Let us honor their work by making a difference in each others lives and in the lives of the lost in our community.

We are Gering Zion Church, a community fellowship of believers. Celebrating our heritage by building God’s kingdom!

Because of Jesus,
Pastor Tim

The story of Deborah is a wonderful story of someone who was committed to the work that God had placed in her heart. Is God calling you to a rare work? Have you ever considered doing some thing special for the Lord? I will give you five chapters of your own story of how God has used you. Pray to the Lord about this, listen to you heart and start writing. Chapter One. Control Issues. For Deborah--leadership was not about being "in charge" Chapter two---My place in God's Space. To find meaning and significance in life is one of our strongest impluses Chapter three---God is on Patrol We worry too much about outside stuff. God doesn't care about any of that, He seeks the heart Chapter Four---The Availability Factor It's easy to get too busy with life and get disconnected from people and their needs. When we become disconnected for any reason, we are walking away from what God desires from us. Chapter Five---Stop Talking and Start Walking Deborah had total confidence in God, she did not wonder or worry, she knew God was in charge, she could not loose. To help you get going on your story is a prayer, repeat it every day, it will help "Generous God, in your providence you have given us abundant gifts and abilities. You call us to be bold and generous in our love for you and for our neighbor. But we have squandered your gifts, burying them, hiding them from sight. We would rather be safe and comfortable, giving little, serving without much sacrifice. Change our hearts, O God. Transform us into disciples willing to embrace the gifts you have given us, to serve you with gladness, and to love generously, in Jesus name. Amen It is indeed a wonderful thing when the family of God shares with one another. Write your own and share it here with your brothers and sisters in Christ. We'll be waiting to hear from you. blessings, Pastor Paul

My maiden blogging experience. Technology truly expands our vocabulary. I would suggest that we create some form of a glossary to help those of us born before the computer age.

I had many thoughts running through my mind Sunday after service and continuing through out the day and on into Monday.
I believe God has placed a burden on my heart to encourage, push or pull on the hearts of the faithful. I believe too many times the phrase of choice is "I'm not qualified" or "someone else is much better at this" or something along these lines. Jesus was a teacher to many, they represented a cross section of culture, belief sytems, economics and varying levels of education. But if we take the time to notice he took the time to teach them all using what ever methods necessary. I believe through his example, none of us came claim that we lack the qualifications to do God's bidding.

I am currently reading Traveling Light by Max Lucado. He breaks down the 23rd Psalm into small sentences or even word combinations. The underlying theme is simple. We carry too much baggage and most of this baggage is coupled with fear of failure. My friends we have nothing to fear when living a life for Christ. Max Lucado is an amazing writer who has reached out to 10's of thousands through this gift. My question for myself is "can I share what I've read with someone else?" The answer is yes and quite easily at that. God calls people to serve in the jungle, God calls people to preach from the pulpits. God call us all to share what we've learned and what these lessons have done for us in our daily lives. I have a strong fear of failure, it runs deep iside of me, but in truth if I do nothing or find someone who is more qualified, I have already failed.

"God lead me today, show me a way that I can serve. You have filled my cup to overflowing. Give me the strength to do what you would have me do with out fear. Amen."
Matt

Psalm 96
1 Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
4 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
He is to be feared above all gods.
5 The gods of other nations are mere idols,
but the Lord made the heavens!
6 Honor and majesty surround him;
strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.
7 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord;
recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him.
10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
He will judge all peoples fairly.
11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise
13 before the Lord, for he is coming!
He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with his truth.


What a great weekend of events we had this week at Gering Zion. Our youth kicked off the weekend with a 30 hour Famine sponsored by WORLD VISION. I was both encouraged and challenged by their perseverance and commitment. As the hours wore on and they realized that this was not going to be fun, they banded together and encouraged one another. THAT my brothers and sisters is the church. In a world that continues to be more difficult to live in, I was once again reminded just how much I need the church. I need my brothers and sisters in Christ to strengthen and encourage me. I need their love, prayers, compassion, words of encouragement and Godly example in my life. Even though I know Jesus as a personal friend and savior, it’s still awesome to see Him in my family of believers.

I was also reminded just how much the world needs us. Dr. Harold Pope was with us Sunday morning and shared his missionary journey. I was struck by the awesome things God will do in our lives when we totally surrender to Him. I was challenged by the reality of the hunger for the truth in this world.

I’ve heard it said that we have enough problems in this country to deal with. We need to take care of those before we start looking to the rest of the world. It’s true, there is tremendous need in our own community and in our country. But God has called each of His children to see the whole world through His eyes. We are called to love and care for each other in our church family. We are called to be difference makers in our home community. We are called to stand for the truth in our country. And we are called to reach out to a lost and dying world that has not yet encountered our loving Father.

This weekend I had to ask myself one difficult question, AM I DOING ENOUGH!. I have to tell you the answer was no. I challenge you today to ask yourself the same question

Blessings,
Tim.

Welcome to the Gering Zion blog. It is my hope that we can use this site to encourage and develop a sense of community throughout the week for those of us at Gering Zion Church. As we explore life issues and their answers in the word of God, I want to encourage each of you to actively participate. Sharing with one another is what the church is all about! Blessings, Pastor Tim