Practice #2: Hearing from Jesus

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We’re in Week 2 of “Joining Jesus On His Mission,” the book by author, Greg Finke, that pulls out the truths of God’s Word in a simple way that we can engage as everyday missionaries.

Our Theme Verse from June 28 was Matthew 17:5, “While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!”

One of the most valuable learnings from Week 2 is this:

“In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus is moving us beyond information (hearing His words) to transformation (finding out what happens when we put them into practice).  Finding out what actually happens when we put the teachings of Jesus into practice transforms us.  This is what Jesus means when He says the wise person is on the rock and the foolish one is on the sand.  One is changed, the other is not.”–Joining Jesus On His Mission, pg. 109 

Here are some tips for hearing from Jesus in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John):

1.  Early morning is a good time to listen to Jesus…set a specific time and stick to it!

2.  Invite the Holy Spirit to open your eyes, ears and heart to what Jesus is going to give you as you read!  (Actually read and wrestle with the words of Jesus for yourself.)

3.  Don’t read to get through the words of Jesus.  Read to get the words of Jesus through you.

4.  Don’t settle for simply “studying about” what Jesus did and said.  Ask Jesus this simple question, “What would you have me believe and do as a result of your words today?”

So…there you go!  Keep practicing…keep at it!  How is Jesus messing with you personally?  What is it that He wants you to recognize and respond to within your sphere of influence?  How has He been speaking to you through His Word?  What has He been teaching you?

Jesus is still speaking to us, teaching us, showing us things that He is up to, as He brings the kingdom of God to others, through you and me.

Rock News

Dear Friends:

Here’s some Rock news for the week:

  1. THIS SUNDAY:  Join us this Sunday at 10am at the Lied Senior Center for Week 2 of Joining Jesus on His Mission.  Last Sunday we looked at seeking Jesus where He is working.  This week we’ll examine how we hear form Jesus.  Does He still talk to us and how do we hear what He is saying?  Come relax and learn with us this week.  Also, don’t forget to pick up a copy of the book, Joining Jesus on His Mission, by Greg Finke.  They will be available on Sunday.
  2. NEW WEBSITE!  Check out the updated web site for the Rock (www.therockseward.org).  It has a great new look and lots of information with more to come.  Big thanks to Megan and Seth Boggs for all their work getting it set up!
  3. FIREWORKS:  We have an opportunity to help a little with two fireworks stands this year.  For anyone who would like to help, the stand at Pac N Save and the stand at Fast Mart need some help selling fireworks in the afternoon/evening on July 3 and all day on July 4.  This is a great opportunity for youth planning to attend the National Youth Gathering next summer to earn some funds to help fund the trip.  Interested?  Respond to this email or sign up to help at the Rock this Sunday.
  4. ANNUAL VOTER’S MEETING:  Mark your calendars for July 19.  We will have our annual voter’s meeting in the afternoon on that day.  We’ll elect leaders, adopt a budget and consider a number of other items.  Please plan to attend.  Everyone is welcome to attend, but only voting members of the Rock can vote.  If you aren’t a voting member and want to be, or if you aren’t sure if you are a voting member, contact Bill Schranz (Bill.Schranz@cune.edu) and he can help get you set up.
  5. CHAIR-IT-ABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.  We’re making great progress on funding chairs for the worship area at the new Rock.  If you haven’t participated yet, please consider doing so.
  6. BLUE VALLEY PANTRY:   One more week for Pancake Mix (the pantry prefers the “just add water” kind).  July is canned meat month!

Blessings on your weekend.

Tim Moll

Rock News

Dear Friends:

Here’s a bunch of Rock news for the week:

  1. THIS SUNDAY:  Dr. Christianstein is safely back in his home country so it’s time for a new series.  But before we go whole hog (or whole mountain goat) into something new, this Sunday will be a stand-alone Sunday focused on “Speaking of Jesus.”  Want to get a jump start?  Read the story of Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3.  We’ll gather at 10:00 a.m. at the Lied Senior Center, but you can also come early at 8:45 a.m. for some bible study time with Pastor Mike.  The group is currently working through some video bible study sessions.
  2. NEWTON FAMILY BENEFIT ON THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 14:  Plan to stop by the Sparetime Lounge in Seward from 11 am to 2pm on THIS SUNDAY to help the Newton family.  Sparetime will be serving a Pulled Pork Sandwich & Sides and there will be free will donations, items available for a Silent Auction and more.  It’s all to help the Newton family deal with medical bills and transportation costs.  Before he turned 1 year old, CJ Newton, son of Chris & Cosi Newton, was diagnosed with Craniosynistosis, a premature closure of the sutures of the head. When CJ was 9 months old his skull bones were completely closed but his brain wasn’t done growing. In April 2015 CJ had a Frontal Distraction procedure at Children’s Hospital. A second surgery is scheduled for July 9th at Children’s Hospital. They are not sure if any further procedures will need to be done since he has again been experiencing headaches. He is currently being treated for migraines and we pray that this will help alleviate the pain he is feeling.  If you have questions or would like to help, contact Denny Erks at 402-641-4993 or stop by Sparetime and speak with Cosi.
  3. LCEF:  Don’t forget, you can help the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (“LCEF”) and the Rock at the same time!  Sign up for a new account for you or your kids or your grandkids and the Rock gets a rebate on its interest on our building loan.  Information on how to sign up is available at the info table at the Rock and here:  www.lcef.org.  A young investor steward account can be opened with $25 and the interest rates are great.  Thanks again to Paul Petit and Gene Gierke, our local LCEF representatives, for being with us at the Rock last week.
  4. VOTER’S MEETING:  Thanks to all who stayed for the voter’s meeting last Sunday.  A 5% increase in the construction budget from $785,000 to $825,000 was approved.  NOTE: Our next voter’s meeting will be our annual meeting on July 19, 2015.  At that time we’ll do all kinds of stuff including, electing leaders, adopting the annual budget, reviewing updated bylaws, considering moving forward with a comfort dog.
  5. IT’S (ALMOST) TIME TO PAINT AT THE NEW ROCK:  Thanks to everyone who signed up to paint this week.  Unfortunately, some contractor work didn’t get finished up in time so the painting session has been delayed to next Saturday, June 20.  If you are available to help on that day starting in the morning (probably around 9am), please respond to this email or sign up at the Rock or contact Dave Kumm.
  6. CHAIR-IT-ABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.  Praise God!  We’ve raised enough for 86 chairs!  That’s 28.666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666% of our goal of 300.  I can’t stand repeating decimals.  They just don’t sit well with me so please help us move that number up to a nice even 100%.   Thanks!
  7. BLUE VALLEY PANTRY:   Pancake Mix (the pantry prefers the “just add water” kind).
  8. NEBRASKA DISTRICT CONVENTION:  The Nebraska District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is holding its convention this Friday and Saturday(June 12-13).  Churches and schools from all over Nebraska will be sending representatives to Kearney to gather for worship, elect leaders and make important decisions regarding how the LCMS will help spread the Gospel in Nebraska.  Pastor Mike and I will be attending on behalf of the Rock and Pastor Mike and Pastor Scott Bruick from St. John Lutheran in Seward will be serving as chaplains for the event.  Please pray that God’s Hand of guidance would be upon all the delegates and the event.

Blessings on your weekend.

Tim Moll