“DETAILING” FOR ETERNITY

By Geoff Seidel

When I was in high school, I worked at a Chevrolet dealer in Ephrata. My job was to pump gas, change tires, change oil and lube chassis, and detail cars. Detailing was my favorite job because it made the car LOOK good. The car was washed, polished, waxed (there is a difference), the wheels washed and the tires dressed, the interior vacuumed, the dashboard and upholstery wiped with Armor All, and the windows cleaned inside and out. I’ve carried my detailing skills into adulthood…it makes my ride LOOK good. I’ve taught these detailing skills to our kids. Lauren can detail a car well and will point out if a car has not been detailed well.

As we prepared for Momentum, I did my annual detailing of our van. The van has been to every Momentum (except California and Wisconsin) since we purchased it in 2000. I washed the car with my Ice Car Wash. I pulled out my Turtle Wax Liquid Clay Polish to take off the surface imperfections, the stains, the oxidation, and the dullness that had accumulated over the past year. Then I got my buffer and laid on a coat of Meguire’s Nano Liquid Wax. WAX ON, WAX OFF…my buffing with my detailing cloth was perfect. I took my touch-up paint and touched up the little nicks, scratches, and minor rust spots that had accumulated over the past year. I applied Rain-Ex to the exterior windows. I cleaned the interior windows and took Armor All over the upholstery and the dashboard. I touched-up the woodwork. I cleaned the door jams. I applied wheel polish to the wheels and dressed the tires. I even hung a new Pine Tree air freshener on the dashboard. IT LOOKED (and smelled) GOOD !!!

BUT, there was something I was neglecting. I knew I had to do it but really didn’t want to bother. It would mean getting under the hood and looking into the GUTS of the vehicle. It was dirty and greasy; it was hot and smelly; it was something simple that I had to do, but it meant going under the hood. So what was it I had to do? I had to check the oil, check the transmission fluid, check the brake fluid and power steering fluid, and check the windshield washer fluid. These are essential parts of the inside of the van that must be checked/changed in order for the van to run well. BUT no one would SEE that my fluids were all topped off, my oil changed, and my front end lubed. I need to keep the engine lubricated so it runs well; my transmission fluid topped off so there is movement when I put the van into gear; my power steering fluid level topped off so I can keep the vehicle on the road; my brake fluid topped off so I can slow down and stop if necessary; and my windshield washer topped off, so I can see through the dirt on the OUTSIDE of the windshield. But no one can SEE this part. It is essential, but can’t be seen.

I realized that I cared more about the OUTSIDE of the van, missing the priority of maintaining the internal workings of the van…the parts that keep the vehicle on the road, safe to operate, and dependable. In almost an audible voice, God reminded me that that is how I sometimes operate my life…it looks good, it smells good, it is shiny, it can sparkle. But on the inside, my life is not ‘topped off’ with the love of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This lack of internal maintenance manifests itself in my thinking, my responses, my interactions, my motives, my love for others, my sin, and my ministry.

Father forgive me for focusing on the outside of my life rather than my heart. This week at Momentum, I’ve had the opportunity to focus on ‘topping off my fluids’ with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We have been reminded of the need to daily manifest HIM in our lives. This involves responding to the Holy Spirit as we read and study His word and interact with others. It is the INTERNAL condition of my heart that drives my life. It’s about what’s on the inside that brings the “shine” to the outside. Lord forgive me for getting this backwards. Thank you for your patience with me and the grace you extend to me daily. Teach me daily to ‘top off’ my fluids in You. I need the detailing of Your love on the INSIDE. I love you Father.

Time-Out

By Erin O'Hara

“I’m going to eat you, Jonah!”

Those words start a game that Isaac and I have played in the pool this summer. Of course, the theme song to “Jaws” is hummed as well. He shrieks and tries to swim away but with one huge “gulp” the whale (me) says, “Oh Jonah, you taste goooood!”

My little guy calls this “Jonah’s time-out” in the belly of the whale. As his water-wings hold him steady, he lifts his face toward heaven and prays, “Dear God, I’m sorry for disobeying, please let me out! I’ll listen and go to Ninevah!”

After a time, I spit him out with a big, “bllaahhh,” and he responds, “Eww, whale spit-up!” But his determination and obedience come next and he’s off to Ninevah to tell the people about God’s love!

I love to view the Bible through my child’s eyes. Some of the stories in there seem like fairy-tales and can be scary. (Ask me about Isaac’s version of the Tooth Fairy and the Angel of Death!) Reading the Bible stories, acting them out and reassuring our children about the nature of God can be effective and rewarding as they start to understand and apply Biblical truths.

Last month, we were able to take Isaac to the Aquarium. One of the very first things that we saw was the mammoth jaws of the largest fish/whale in the ocean. As you can see from the picture below, a man could very well have been swallowed whole through that mouth! It was neat for Isaac to be able to see that and again be reminded of God’s great power, protection and His grace. It’s the same grace that extends to us all periods of “time-outs” for a second chance.

It’s easy to see the times when our children need a time-out to rethink their attitudes and actions, but what about for me and you? Do we recognize and appreciate “time-outs”? Do we take the opportunity to confess our sins, our selfishness, need for control, temper-tantrums and rebellion? I wonder if Jonah ever “got” it… He had a few time-outs that we read about but after the last one recorded, we don’t know if his heart changed…

Lord, help me not to miss Your ways of discipline and redirection!

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.

What won’t you do for God?

By Brenda Rota

One month ago we started a sermon series on Jonah: God’s Heart for the World. Our elder over Global Outreach, Shawn Wolf, challenged us to read through Jonah on our own. It is only four chapters and takes less than 10 minutes to read: that is my kind of challenge!

I have read and reread Jonah several times in the past month, and every time God shows me something new about Himself, His Creation, and of course, my own heart attitude.

1) God – there is an easy principle to remember about God. God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good. Nineveh, one of the most important cities in Assyria, was full of evil. Nahum 1:9 says they plotted against God Himself. And yet, God in His goodness, mercy and grace sends His prophet, Jonah, to preach there.

2) Creation – another easy principle to remember about God and His Creation. God has created all things; therefore, all things are under His authority. Jonah did not believe the people of Nineveh were worthy to receive God’s compassion. He probably hoped they wouldn’t believe his message of repentance (Jonah 3:4). But only God knows the heart condition of His own creation.

3) My own heart attitude – I have to confess: I can so relate to Jonah. I, too, have heard from the Lord and walked the other way. I’ve come up with some good excuses too: “I’m not qualified”; “I don’t believe it is in my gifting, Lord”; and “I truly just don’t think you mean me”. Thankfully, like Jonah, I received a second chance to be obedient to a holy God.

Several years ago I received this challenge from God: “Write down everything/anything you are not willing to do for me.” I quickly got to my feet, and I told Him then “I’ll do anything you ask.” I will admit, this has not always been easy! It requires my eyes to stay focused on Him and a heart surrendered to His will.

How about you? What are you not willing to do for God?

the Mind Filter

By Dan Haffey

Have you ever been around someone who it seems says whatever comes into
their mind? Like the filter is missing? These people say what is on
their minds and its pretty revealing….but not good stuff. Some of us
have been really wounded by careless and thoughtless words. The good news is that
most of us don’t say everything we think……we have a filter. But what
filter do we use? Philippians 4:8 gives us a Mind Filter for testing our
thoughts before they roll off our tongue and hit the air. It says:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything
is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." So truth, nobility, rightness, purity, loveliness, admirability,
excellence and praiseworthiness are the criteria for screening our
thoughts. It’s a pretty high bar. How do you “filter” your thoughts? What would you
allow to go from your mind to your mouth if you used these criteria? I’m
guessing a lot less……..and that would be a good thing.