Things I am Thankful For

As I sit here on the couch and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving  Day parade I am thinking about two things- #1. Things I am Thankful for this Thanksgiving  #2.  It is time to set up the Christmas Tree.

So here it is, “Things I am Thankful For This Thanksgiving”:

- I am thankful that I am no longer a slave to sin, but am free in Christ!  Thank you Jesus for rescuing me!

- I am thankful for my wife!  I still wonder why she said “yes” to me all those years ago ! She is my best friend, loves me no matter what, and I would be lost without her.  On top of being a loving, caring, wonderful wife and mother, she makes daily sacrifices to not only support me being in ministry, but to be  involved in ministry herself.  I could not dream of a better, more beautiful, gracious, loving, caring, and committed wife!

- I am thankful for our family!  It is hard to believe that about two years ago our immediate family consisted of just Audrey and I.  I am thankful for our “little man” Shane.  He is a joy and makes me smile daily.  It is a blessing to start each day with the words “Hi Dad” and end each day with “Night Dad”!  Love that kid!

- I am thankful for our wonderful friends and family. I am truly thankful for our friends and family that are part of our “inner circle”, know all about us, and stand by us in the mountain tops and in the valleys.  Thank you for your friendship, I would not be the person I am today without your love and support.

- I am thankful for Meadowland Church!  I really believe that Meadowland Church is like no other church in the world.  We may be a young, growing church that meets in a Red Barn, but we love Jesus and have seen Him show up in big ways this year. Thank you for your passion love of Jesus, your desire to take the next steps on the journey through faith, relying on the strength of God!

- I am thankful for the ways God has provided for us. When Audrey, Shane and I stepped out a little over a year ago, we had no idea how everything would work out, but if God was telling us to step out and follow Him,  He would also provide for us financially.  We have a place to live, there is a positive balance in the bank, and although there have been times we nervous, God has always taken care of us.

- I am thankful for the men and women who willingly and sacrificially serve our country and defend the freedoms and  value and enjoy.  THANK YOU, for your service!

- I am thankful that we are all healthy this Thanksgiving.  In a world where “Swine Flu” has become a household name and the Health Care System is under scrutiny and possible government reform, I am thankful for the availability of healthcare and that we are all healthy.

- I am thankful for my mother-in-law who has more than likely been up all morning preparing food for the Thanksgiving Meal she is hosting today.  Paula knows how to cook!  I am thankful for her, the food she is making, and for hosting all of us today.  One word=STUFFING!!

- I am thankful for indoor plumbing! Life would be so different without it!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!  What are you thankful for?

Sunday in Review 11.22.09

- Sunday was another beautiful day weather wise.  I think October and November got confused this year!!

- Our whole family was sick last week, so I was resting and trying to save up my voice for Sunday Morning.  The first worship set ruined me!  By the last song, I realized my voice might be in trouble for preaching, but the worship was too good not to join in!!

- I am so thankful for the men and women that serve at Meadowland.  I am amazed each week at our volunteers who clean the Ministry Center, set everything up, and make everything happen. THANK YOU!

-  This week was part two in our current series called “iForgive”.  This week we studied Matthew 18:21-35 and discovered the A.R.T of Forgiveness as we learned how to “Forgive the Debt”.

- I brought in my favorite travel bag this week, packed just like I would for a trip.  That bag was packed, including my favorite pillow.  I know how to pack that bag for a trip. The problem is, I pack that bad so full that it gets to heavy to carry around!  Many of us are good packers, when things happen in our lives we pack it away nice and neat, and try to zip it up so no one can find it. The problem is, the burden becomes to heavy to carry and begins to cause problems in our lives.

- We we are unleashed to unforgiveness, Heaven is at stake- Matthew 18:31-35.

- The ART of Forgiveness:

Ask Yourselves:  What do I think those who have hurt me, owe me?

Realize: They can never pay the debt

Trust in Jesus: Cancel their debt

- We saw people respond to Jesus on Sunday!  It is time to start unpacking our Baggage!!

- After worship on Sunday, we had a “Meet The Pastors” Lunch.  It was a great time, got to know some great people and answer their questions about Meadowland Church, Myself, and talk about what the Lord is doing in all of our lives.  It was an awesome lunch!!

- I got home Sunday, spent some time with Audrey and Shane and then crashed for a bit.  Nothing like the Holy Hangover on Sunday!

- I watched the Bears Crash on Sunday.  Audrey is thrilled that the Packers won, I once again am loyal to a team that continues to break my heart!

- I was reminded of a great lesson while watching the Bears game.  We need to surround ourselves with people we trust and are on the same mission.  It is helpful to have people around you like Robbie Gould, who can come through on 4th and looooooooong!! Who is the punter on your team?

Some Thoughts on Forgiveness

At Meadowland Church we are currently talking about forgiveness and how to forgive others in our current series “iForgive”.

This Sunday we will be studying Matthew 18:21-35 as we discover how the “ART of Forgiveness”.  As I was preparing for this message I found it interesting that it is difficult to find a definition of forgiveness.

If we are really going trust in the Forgiveness Christ unleashed for us on the cross and secured for us in his resurrection, and if we are really going to forgive one another when we experience relational conflict or grievances than it seems important that we would know what we are really saying when we say “I Forgive You”.

One of the best definitions I found regarding forgiveness came from Thomas Watson in the book Body of Divinity, forwarded by Charles H. Spurgeon. John Piper was instrumental in helping me form this description of forgiveness by providing his thoughts on Thomas Watson’s definition of forgiveness by providing free resources at Desiring God.  His article “As We Forgive Our Debtors” contains the same quote from Thomas Watson and my following list is built off of his list in his article, while some minor changes.  In other words, I give full credit to Thomas Watson and John Piper for this article! Thank You!

Watson commenting on the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus says,”Forgive us our debts as we for give our debtors,” asks the question “When do we forgive others?”

His answer:

When we strive against all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our enemies mischief, but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve them. (Thomas Watson, Body of Divinity, p. 581)

We forgive others when:

1. We resist taking revenge: Romans 12:19, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

2. We no longer seek to repay evil with evil: 1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See that no one repays another with evil for evil.

3.  We sincerely wish them well: Luke 6:28, “Bless those who curse you.”

4.  We grieve at their calamities: Proverbs 24:17, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.”

5.  We Pray  good for them: Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”

6. We seek reconciliation with them: Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”

7.We are willing to come to their aid: Exodus 23:4, “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him.”

What Forgiveness is Not:

8.  Forgiveness is not a lack of anger towards sin.

9. Forgiveness is not blind trust

10. Forgiveness is not lack of consequence

11.  Forgiveness is not remaining in an unsafe, unstable, hostile environment.

Sunday in Review 11.15.09

- This week was interesting.  God really got my attention this week and changed the message for this Sunday entirely. So on Thursday we decided to go a totally different way than previously intended. A little scrambling, a lot of prayer, and with the cooperation of our great team, we were going where God was telling us to go!

- On Saturday night, Shane came down with something.  He was up most the night not feeling well and having a fever.  Suddenly both Audrey and I were feeling sick as well, so as of 4:30 am sickness fell on the Reardon house!

- It would have taken more than a cold to keep me in bed this morning, I was PUMPED for what God was going to do at Meadowland Church.   Thanks to coffee, medicine, and the prayers of our friends, family and staff, I was up and moving this morning!

- I have to give a shout out to everyone who serves at Meadowland.  Our teams were on this week, and we could not have pulled off today without every one who serves!  THANK YOU!!

- We blew the parking lot attendance out of the water this morning.  We had more cars than ever before at The Ministry Center!  The Parking Lot Team got everyone parked safely and effectively.  I even saw a little valet service going on !!

- We asked our Veterans to stand up and be recognized. Thank for for your service and for protecting our freedoms with your lives!

- We studied Matthew 7: 13-14.  Jesus says there are 2 gates, that lead to two roads that have 2 very real eternal destinations.  The decided factor in all of this comes down to where you stand with JESUS!

- Before we can think about forgiving others, we must first know and receive the forgiveness Jesus unleashed and secured for you and I on the cross!

- It was amazing to see God move this morning.  We saw people respond to Jesus this morning, and I believe lives were changed because of the Gospel of Christ.

- I always try to give it my all when I preach, but today I did.  At the end of the service I was out of energy, just about out of voice, and was ready to crash.  What better way to spend Sunday Morning!!

- After service today, I went home spent some time with my sick family and then we all crashed and had “family nap” time!!

- This evening we all laid around fully medicated and with kleenex near by.  We watched the Packer vs Cowboy game…..talk about a battle.  Great game!

- I am excited about what Jesus is doing at Meadowland and am thankful to have a front seat!!

- This is my challenge for everyone at Meadowland-  Starting Monday, think and pray about who you should invite to Church this Sunday!  This Sunday we begin our Journey on learning how to forgive others, just like Christ forgave us!!

Posts You Should Read

Here are a few blogs posts I have read over the past few weeks that I highly reccomend:

1.  “How to Fight Twitter Span” by Ed Stetzer.  You have a twitter account, this is a must read!!

2.  Perry Noble’s Sunday Reflections on New Spring’s current series, “Don’t Get Married Until..” This week was a call to action for the men, LADIES you should listen to this message.  Don’t marry a boy, marry a MAN WHO LOVES JESUS! If you are single, or are in a dating relationship, or are thinking about getting married, you should watch all the messages HERE.

3. If  you are in Ministry, are a Church Planter, or are thinking about getting involved in Church planting, Gary Rohrmayer is giving away some free resources on HIS BLOG.

4.  If you are a Bears fan and are in need of a little hope, the Bears think they can turn things around on Thursday Night. “The Bears Haven’t Lost Hope”

5.  If you are any time of leadership role, you will receive complaints.  Steven Furtick gives some insight on how to “Convert Your Complaint” into something constructive.

Thats all for now, hope you enjoy!