ChurchApplied

Rainbows

The Psalmist says, "The heavens declare the glory of God." Traditionally we associate this passage with sun, moon and stars. But if we look a little closer to earth we see that rainbows provide "heavenly" expressions of glory that are just as spectacular.

Rainbow Umbrella - Photo by Stockexpert. All rights reserved.

When the directional light and atmospheric moisture is just right, spectacular displays of refracted light occur. From a distance these particles of moisture appear to the human eye as illuminated bands of color. Typically, the eye sees only red, orange, yellow, green, blue and maybe violet. But actually, between the visible colors there are many more gradated shades of color that we miss. Even so, the colors we see usually draw an awed response.

The first rainbow ever recorded is mentioned in Genesis 9:13, when God promised to never again destroy the earth by flood. From then on rainbows have become symbols of hope and renewal.

Next time we are tempted to complain about the rain, let us praise God that He can use it to remind us of His promise to bless our lives.

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services

Walking By Faith

Years ago I traveled to New Mexico with a youth group for a mission project. Our destination was a desolate mission on a Navajo Reservation in the high desert. At night the sky looked like someone had used an ice pick to punch millions of holes in a black dome. The stars were awesome!

Flashlight - By Stockxpert. All rights reserved.

One night, a young lady who worked with the mission, volunteered to take us on a hike to her favorite spot. After walking a distance away from the compound she asked for our flashlights and told us to carefully follow her lead. It was so dark the ground was hard to see. We gingerly picked our way over boulders and nervously stumbled along in the dark. At various points we squeezed through passages and crawled over huge rock formations, careful to follow her every command.

Finally she stopped, returned our flashlights and told us to stay where we were. When we turned our lights on we were standing on the edge of a deep, smoky canyon. She explained that in the bottom of the canyon were coal fields that had been smoldering for years. It was a strange, eerie sight.

As we walked back to the mission, I was struck with how our safety had depended upon having a trustworthy guide with a light. She knew the pathway and kept us from being harmed.

The Psalmist says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

Having God as our Guide and His Word to illuminate our path gives us assurance as we travel life's dark passages.

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services

Grow Your Own Ministry

Do you feel the tug to embark on a new mission for God? Our fulfillment in life is directly related to our willingness to venture out and respond to the promptings and ideas God sends our way. 

The problem is, so many of us are on auto pilot with our unending to-do lists, we seldom have time to hear God’s invitation to adventure though service! A unique kind of joy awaits each one who is ready to accept God’s challenge!

Small Group - Photo by Lisa F. Young. All rights reserved.

Here are some tips to help you listen, identify and follow God’s call: 

1). Be still. Read Psalm 46:10 and allow it to permeate your heart. Make a list of the things in your life that presently give you a sense of unrest. Conclude your meditation by reading Mark 4:39.  

2). Listen carefully. Read Luke 9:28-35. Listen for signals from God. For a period of time, avoid television, radio and Internet media outlets so you can clear your mind. As you go through the day, pause to jot down your thoughts. Listen more carefully to the people around you. At the end of your prayer times, be quite for a while before you finish. 

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long" (Psalm 25:4,5, NIV).

3). Look at the trend of your life. What areas of interests do you have? How has God led in your past? Make a list of the things you like to do. 

4). Seek input from a friend. Ask a friend to give their perspective on your strengths as they relate to starting a ministry.  

5). Make a decision. Starting a ministry need not be frightening or permanent. Don’t be afraid to experiment. You may go through several ideas before you find one that fits you. You may also want to establish a particular time frame for your efforts.  

6). Think big, start small. One man decided to start a ministry of encouragement by sending out cards and notes to people in need. If there are others who share a similar interest this could be expanded to a team effort. An academy chaplain and some students decided to send letters of encouragement to local church leaders throughout their conference. The ripple effect from such efforts is unending. 

7). Give it Time. Whether you’re starting a small group, sharing your music in a coffee house setting, creating uplifting graphics for a web page, or visiting shut-ins, give it time. Ask yourself, “what am I expecting to get out of this?” Ultimately, ministries are about touching lives to share grace. Bathe your life and ministry in God’s grace and give it time to grow.

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services