Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Recent Connections and Reflections

On October 4th it was my privilege to speak for Pastor Jim Gangwish at Bread of Life Assembly of God in Nucla, CO. Jim and Connie Gangwish are very involved in the community and the church is doing well. God has placed a great vision in Jim’s heart going forward.

I accompanied Loretta to the Colorado Women’s Ministries retreat in Keystone October 9 – 11. The retreat was a success with good attendance and a wonderful work of God. Thanks to Peggy Vawter and her fine leadership team.

On Saturday , October 10th I visited with Pastor Jeff McElhattan of Elements AG in Silverthorne, CO. This unique church is making inroads in the community and reaching many. As Jeff and I visited in Starbucks there were three people from the community who spoke to Jeff and one inquired about visiting one of their gatherings. Maybe Jeff set that up for my benefit – just kidding.

On October 11th I ministered for Pastor Dan Matney at New Life AG in Avon, CO. Dan and Bilinda were on sabbatical at the time and I had a great time with the congregation and several visitors. The church building has to have one of the most beautiful views of any in our beautiful states of CO and UT.

On October 18th I spoke for Pastor Larry kettle at Bridge to Life AG in Canon City, CO. Larry serves as our Presbyter for the Southern Section and is doing a fine job pastoring in Canon City.

On October 25th I installed Pastor Rex and Amy Adams at Ordway AG in Ordway, CO. Rex and Amy are off to a great start and the church is doing well.

On November 1st Loretta and I worshipped at Living Hope Church (our home church) in Colorado Springs, CO. It was nice to take a break from my weekend travels and take in the ministry of my son, Phil Steiger.

On November 8th I installed Pastor Joe and Sharilyn Berry at Bethel AG in Burlington, CO. The Berry’s and the church are doing well.

On November 15th I spoke at Restoration Church in Colorado Springs, CO. Pastor Mike and Rebecca Bellanti did an excellent job leading this church for the last several years. In August Mike resigned to take a church in Wisconsin and Restoration is now engaged in a pastoral search. The church is doing very well with over 400 in attendance. This church is close to my heart. We planted Restoration out of Radiant Church in 1993 and it was great to see some of the original congregants who were strategic in the birth of this church.

RECENT HEARTACHES:

I have noted some of my more joyful experiences in the last few weeks. In addition we have experienced some deep heartache in our district. Two of our ministers fell as a result of moral failure. As I made my way through these scenarios I was reading in Genesis and was taken by God’s word to Cain after Cain’s offering was rejected. “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Genesis 3:6-7.

The Lord noted two problems in Cain’s life. One was attitude and the other was action. Cain did not offer a pleasing sacrifice to God, however, that was an easy matter to correct. If he had changed the sacrifice to what the Lord desired, he would have been accepted by God. Instead he became angry and killed his brother Abel who offered the acceptable sacrifice. His unwillingness to address what was wrong in his life led to serious sin and a lifetime of regret.

Misplaced anger never bears good fruit. Cain should have looked inward and responded with obedience to the Lord’s correction. Instead, he became angry with Abel (and probably God) and compounded his problems. I can imagine there was considerable rationalization in Cain’s mind and some finger pointing at others to justify himself. An attitude of complete surrender to God is the pathway to spiritual health and enjoyment of the benefits that come from obeying our all-wise God.

Addressing sinful action is critical. The more we allow wrong actions in our lives the more sin is crouching at the door. We must master the wrong that would invade our lives. We cannot do that in our strength alone. We need to walk close to God with dependency on the Holy Spirit, God’s word, and a readiness to immediately repent when we sin. We need the accountability and support of our immediate family and Christian friends to add further protection.

My heart is breaking for the two men I mentioned and their families. Though I will not mention their names, please pray for them and their families. As you pray for them, be renewed in your commitment to live an overcoming life. These situations are devastating to all involved and I earnestly pray we will live righteously in Christ.