Pastors’ Blogs

April 14, 2008

Fear of the Snowman

Filed under: Pastor Jim — covenantchurch @ 10:31 am

DeeDee the snowgirlSnowmen. You see them often where ever you go during the winter.

The ones you see in the stores (on cards, wrapping paper, in figurines, etc.) always look so perfect…impossibly perfect. Three smooth round balls joined together forming the body. Beady little eyes, carrot nose, and buttons like an overcoat. Some have scarves, some have hats, some have arms and hands. Some look like men, some look like women but they’re always perfect.

The ones you see around town in people’s yards, however, are…well…let’s just say they’re usually less than perfect. The bodies usually look like mangled mounds of snow smooshed and packed together that are then cut with hand chops to look like rounded sections. The smiles are usually lopsided and the eyes a bit off kilter. And the whole body is usually drooping to one side looking more like a snow-geezer and less like a snow-man.

I’ve always had a fear of making a snowman. I just felt like my efforts could never measure up to the expectations that are set by those perfect figures we see in the stores. It would take too long; be too much work. The finished product, even if I took the time and put in the effort, would still be less than desirable. Besides, it’s gonna melt anyway! So why bother?

I think that fear of making a lopsided snowman is a picture of our own fears of so many other things in life: committing to relationships, building healthy friendships, deepening our spiritual lives, making courageous choices, doing the right thing, etc. We fear that it’ll be too much work; take too long. We fear that even if we put out the effort, the end result will be too disappointing. Besides, it won’t last anyway and I’ll just have to start all over again.

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity [fear], but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Last Sunday, was a day of victory for me…I made a snowman. I conquered my fear of disappointment and put the time and energy into taking my two little girls outside and we made a snowman! Well, actually, a snowgirl…named DeeDee. We carefully rolled each ball separately and, of course, the first one was the biggest and hardest to make. But, after that it was actually pretty fun! Together, we smoothed out the sides and placed the rocks for eyes, raisins for the mouth, a carefully carved carrot for the nose. We gently wrapped her in a pink scarf and topped her with a pink stocking cap. When she was done, we were proud and heartily satisfied! She doesn’t really measure up to the ones we see in the stores (in fact she leans a little to the side and she’s already melting) but in our hearts, she’s perfect!

It just took a little confidence & courage, love for my daughters, and self-discipline to say to myself “Get out there and just do it!”

Are you afraid of making that “snowman” in your life? You know what I mean. Let this remind you that God has not given you a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. So go ahead…get out there and build that snowman! It’s worth it.

February 5, 2008

Building Strong Families

Filed under: Pastor Doug — covenantchurch @ 3:02 pm

Photo of Doug Geise, Pastor of Family LifeLandscaping, gardening and lawn care are some of my hobbies. A well manicured lawn, meandering flower beds, ponds, picket fences, majestic trees and rolling terrain catch my eye every time. But, what we see on the outside doesn’t always reflect the real picture of the family living inside the home. The truth is that the lives inside many of these well-ordered homes are in shambles. Relationships are neglected, communication is ignored and Jesus is left in the big Bible that is collecting dust on the coffee table.

If your home were turned inside out, what would your neighbors see? Healthy, growing relationships? Open and honest communication? Parents modeling authentic Christianity? What about qualities like trust, humor, affirmation, and responsibility? Only God can make our families stronger by rearranging the inside of our homes according to the wisdom of his Word! Deuteronomy 6:5-7: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commands that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Building strong families is a value of the Covenant Church. We believe that families are nurtured through the study of God’s Word and by instilling values that promote strong family life - values such as unconditional love, commitment, serving others, forgiveness and grace. We want to do everything that we can to encourage spiritual growth in your family.

Strong Christian families are not protected from troubles or disappointments, but a strong faith will give them a framework for coping and even thriving in adverse circumstances. Your faith will be nurtured at the Covenant Church.

We want to do everything we can to touch your heart and impact your home.

Pastor Doug
Pastor of Family Life Ministry

December 20, 2007

Dentist Dilemma

Filed under: Pastor Dean — covenantchurch @ 8:00 am

Dentist DilemmaI hate dentist offices. Don’t get me wrong; I have friends who are dentists. Dentists are good people. Regular dental care is important to good oral health. I know all of this and yet, since I was a little boy I have been afraid of the dentist office more than any other practice of medicine. I associate dentistry with pain. Maybe it was too many drillings with insufficient anesthesia. Whatever, I learned to avoid visits to the dentist until the last possible moment, like when a tooth chipped or filling fell out.

But thanks be to God, I have a good wife who is on me about my avoidance behavior and the need to take care of my mouth. I remember my long journey back to dental hygiene like it was yesterday. Thirteen years ago, I sat in the dentist chair for 3 hours, getting two fillings repaired/replaced; a crown done on one old, mangled molar; and finally, the hygienist, rubbed, scraped and sandblasted away about 5 years of stains. It’s amazing what they got done. I felt better; I remember the anesthesia working well this time.

Since then my visits have been pleasant – we talk hockey –my fight or flight instinct no longer sets in. My teeth are cleaner and whiter than I ever remember them being. Why did I put it off so long? I now have a long and regular relationship with them.

In a sense, that whole dentist visit 13 years ago was kind of spiritual. I know people who are avoiding God and church, like I used to avoid the dentist. They come up with all sorts of good and bad reasons. Just like my childhood experience kept me from the dentist, a painful experience in the past may be keeping them from getting the spiritual care they need, and they wait until their lives are falling apart. They may fear what this spiritual hygiene may feel and look like.

I hope I am as gentle with them as the dental staff was with me. I want them to have a long and regular relationship here at Bemidj i Evangelical Covenant Church.

Who do you know that needs some spiritual hygiene?

December 6, 2007

Welcome to Christmas at the Covenant

Filed under: Pastor Mark — covenantchurch @ 10:56 am

This is such a special time of the year in the life of the church. I pray this season will have a profound and life-changing impact on your life. I am particularly excited about the Sunday morning services. It is important to “Recapture the Wonder of Christmas” in our lives.

We began the Advent season with the children’s musical, which was an important part of our Christmas celebration. The musical was entitled, “No Wonder.” It challenged us to consider being generous to those in need at this time of year.

On December 9th we will look at “The Wonder of the Promise.” I encourage you to study Isaiah 7-14. This is an excellent place in the Bible to find the predictions of the coming of the Messiah.

On December 16th we will focus on “The Wonder of the Season.” I encourage you to take time to consider the special people in your life. We have a great deal to thank God for during this Christmas season. Consider the wonder of the Christ child during this time of year.

On December 23rd we will reflect on “The Wonder of the Story.” The coming of the Messiah impacted the lives of those who were part of the Christmas story. Consider the thoughts of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi. They will help unfold the message of Christmas.

Finally on December 24th we will celebrate “The Wonder of the Manger.” As the shepherds and the magi came to worship the Christ child, we too can bow in reverence and worship because Jesus Christ came into this world to rescue us and give us hope and a future!

May God bless you in a special way this Christmas season.

Pastor Mark
Lead Pastor

October 1, 2007

Welcome!

Filed under: Pastor Mark — covenantchurch @ 10:26 am

I would like to introduce you to the Covenant church. /files/Staff Photos/mark.jpg

Our purpose is to provide a spiritual home. Our theme for this fall is “The Great House of God.” We want you to know that the Covenant church wants to be a home for your heart. Our mission is to help you belong to Jesus Christ, establish meaningful relationships, grow in your faith and serve others.

This is what a spiritual home is all about. Maybe this is what you are looking for. If so we would love to have you join us. Each ministry year we establish goals to give our ministry focus.

This year our goals are:

    1. To place a greater emphasis on prayer.

    2. To be a welcoming place for new people.

    3. To improve an understanding of stewardship of our lives and resources.

    4. To better reach our community with the message and love of Jesus Christ.

    5. To develop future leaders.

    6. To continue to improve and develop our campus.

As this new ministry year begins in the fall, let me encourage the active ones in our spiritual home to give generously, pray for our church and use our gifts in service to others as we seek to influence people to come to personal faith in Jesus Christ.

In Christ~
Pastor Mark
Lead Pastor

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