Ministry in Motion

#minmchurch Churches were overflowing with attenders this Christmas Eve. Service schedules were tweaked and chairs were added for the excess people, but I wonder how many folks will be back next Sunday? Church attendance is a hot topic in pastoral circles. In response, many churches offer cooler bands, hipper worship, edgier programming and uber impressive technology. While these aren’t innately bad ideas and may be effective, are they really what will draw someone back to God in a lasting and meaningful way? So what will bring you back to church next week? I bet it’s not frothy coffee, trendy speakers or contemporary music. I’m leaning towards authenticity. The sacraments. Things like baptism, confession and meaningful communion. Relevant preaching from the Word, anointing the sick and community prayer…you know, those strange rituals and traditions that Christians have been practicing for the past 2,000+ years.  So get a cup of coffee with your friends at Starbucks. But in chur

Toys for   Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Bank sharing our time and treasures  friends of Ministry in Motion joined in too Real Life Church  added even more toys Santa's sleigh is overflowing with gifts of love (corgi's not included)

I suppose that the angels, who announced His coming, were the only ones who truly knew what was going on. And, I find it interesting that besides some curious shepherds and adventurous astrologers that almost everyone else missed it. It is - Immanuel, God with us; God beside us; God in us. For many, the time between Thanksgiving and New Years can be so busy, so hectic, that we too miss the magic and the mystery that surrounds each December 25th. Christmas, by its design, was intended to change the world. There are simple acts of love and compassion, that we can perform right now, that will embody the Christ in Christmas. As we head into the final week before the holiday, birth Gods love to a cynical world - make someone’s Christmas memorable, be "The Gift" #minmchurch

Christma$ $pending (click here) Christmas, for all its wonders, can be a pretty exasperating, not to mention an expensive time of year. Here are a couple of questions to consider: What was the one gift you remember giving or getting last Christmas? Truth is many of us don’t remember because gifts have become one more thing from one more person. Now I like getting presents on Christmas morning; I love giving gifts, too. But how often do we exchange presents for no other reason than obligation - when is enough, enough? The problem is not American capitalism, but rather our inability to spend compassionately. “… whenever you saw a brother or sister hungry or cold , whatever you did to the least of these, so you did to Me…” Consider where you’re spending your time, talents and treasures this holiday season?...pkes #minmchurch #churchpearland

Hanukkah or Chanukkah is probably one of the best-known Jewish holidays, not because of any great religious significance, but because of its proximity to Christmas. The miracle of the one-day supply of oil amazingly lasting eight days is first described in the Talmud and also preserved in the books of the First and Second Maccabees , which describe in detail the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the lighting of the menorah. Each night, throughout the eight-day holiday, a candle or oil-based light, is lit. The number of lights lit is increased by one each night. “… The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it...” For Christians, Hanukkah represents a perfect time to kindle the lights of our faith, in the hope and confidence of the things not yet seen. Shalom…PKES #minmchurch #Churchpearland #GatherGrowGo Click Here

“…Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be…” One of, if not, the most valuable resources on earth is...time. It’s a gift from God. It can’t be renewed or recycled, nor is it for sale. You can’t earn, steal, or otherwise acquire even an instant of extra time.  Time comes to us all at the same rate, never in surplus or deficit. As I grow older in my faith I’ve come to realize that not only is time a God-given resource, it’s one that I need to better manage. Charles Darwin wrote: “A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” As we get deeper into the holiday season and closer to Christmas, consider this question: Why has God given you His generous gift of time?   #Psalm39   #minmchurch #churchpearland

I did a Google search of “What are Christians against” The inquiry netted about 83,400,000 results. Eight-three million! I want to be known by what I'm for, not against. I think many Christians are getting wrapped up in what they’re against and are truly loosing sight of what they stand for. For some reason Christians are not very effective at explaining to non-Christians why they believe what they believe. They can tell unbelievers what they shouldn't do, but ....This can’t be all that hard, it’s not rocket science. God’s love, not His judgment is what really transforms people’s heart. Not arguments. Not proof-texting or using scripture out of context to establish a point. What changes lives are encounters with a living God and with those who are close to Him. Make it a point today look beyond the things that separate us and rally together to take care of the important: the poor, the orphan, the widow, and the oppressed…Shalom, Pastor Keith  #minmchurch #churchpearland

Diversity and tolerance are hot topics in societal circles these days.  I think God delights in the plethora of differences His human creatures possess. John the Revelator wrote: "...I looked, and there was a great number of people, so many that no one could count them. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language of the earth...."   Here the Book of Revelation describes the final gathering of God’s people, all are different.  Human differences are to be celebrated, tolerated, and incorporated in our goal of being “one” in our maker. However, when diversity is misused or distorted; when it becomes a political slogan; when it's treated as sacred; when diversity itself is revered rather than the One who created diversity, then it's time to reexamine our fervor. Is your motive for tolerance and diversity motivate by love, forgiveness and grace or selfishness and hatred? Going a little deeper this Sunday. Peace...Pastor Keith #minmchurch #churchpearland

“… what is man that You are mindful of him…” Who is God that He should be mindful of you? This is the question that King David the psalmist asked in Psalms 8 . Here, m indful comes from the Hebrew word zakar , which means to mark or remember continually, as perpetual incense rising; to set ones heart upon. In this Psalm, we see that God is alert, He's focused and He's paying attention to you. He is the one who notices and cares for everything in your life. No one can do this better, no one. But I bet there days when you feel that God has overlooked you and even forgotten you . If you ever feel this way take heart, He’s totally aware of you. Choose this Sunday to remember and to proclaim His awareness of you in a short prayer: Eternal Father, thank You for being uber mindful of me; thank you for loving me in a way only you could, especially when I’m not lovable; Thank you for your great mercies and remembering me by name. Amen . #churchpearland #minmchurch

" A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper" and “Gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses” According to the Wisdom of Proverbs , gentleness soothes many personal conflicts. It disarms critics. It’s persuasive and attractive. It communicates love. It’s what's inside of us that can’t be manufactured. Consider the saying: What's in the well comes up in the bucket . The metaphor of the well is what's deep inside of us. Our tenderness ought to surface when we get stressed, tapped-out, or pushed to the limits. Gentleness is the fruit of God’s Spirit inside of us bubbling up when circumstances say otherwise. I think a gentle spirit during trying times is a true mark of maturity. Wise, mature people are pleasant, kindhearted and in control. Fools and dunderheads are rude and uncouth. What's likely to come up in your bucket when things in life get a little weird?  Proverbs 15:1 & Proverbs 25:15 (MSG) #minmchurch #churchpearland