“July Spiritual Botany” As you probably know, July is our hottest month of the year in the Twin Cites with the average temperature for the month being over 83 degrees. We can often experience several weeks in July of above 90 degree temperatures with little or no rain. Botanists (those who study plants) tell us these conditions can be very hard on plant life. Our lawns, the farmers’ crops, flowers and other vegetation can be greatly stressed by the weather conditions of July in Minnesota. Several things are crucial for plants’ survival in our July environment: the quality of the soil, proximity to a lake, pond, river or stream, the depth of the plant’s roots, and access to irrigation. If a plant has one or more of these things going for it, its chances of surviving and producing abundant fruit rise dramatically. But without access to any of these things, a plant can easily shrivel up and die in July. Did you know that there are similarities with what plants face with our July weather and our spiritual life? Look at Jeremiah 17:5-8, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. 6They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. 7But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. 8They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit’” (NLT). The prophet Jeremiah compares our spiritual condition to plants. If our hope and confidence is rooted in humans or things, if we turn away from God - the true source of life and nourishment, we become like unproductive, dried up dead plants. God calls such people “cursed.” He says they have “no hope for the future.” But if we put our hope and confidence in God, we are like plants by a river. Our roots go deep and we are not bothered by the heat or drought the evil one brings our way. We produce abundant fruit for God and His kingdom. Are you feeling spiritually far from God? Are you feeling spiritually dry and lifeless? Are you bearing little or no fruit for God? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, take a lesson from the plants this July. Pause for a moment and see how some plants seem to be doing fine and others are wilting under the heat and dryness. Use the plants as a reminder of your spiritual life. Are you placing your life’s confidence in God or in other people or things? Don’t wither and die spiritually like an unwatered plant in the dry July heat. Put your hope and confidence in God today. Draw spiritual nourishment from prayer, bible reading, discipleship, and attending and participating in the life of church. If you do, God promises that no matter the heat and dryness life throws at you, you will prosper spiritually and bear much fruit for our God!

“Making the Most of Summer!” It’s June and summer is finally here. Many of us in Minnesota look forward to summer all year long. We Minnesotans get three months of warm weather to enjoy the outdoors. We tend to make the most of these three months by diving into vacations, BBQs, picnics, camping, going to the lake or river, fishing and various outdoor sports. Summer here is so short lived that many of us try to hang onto and savor every moment. But inevitably, before you know it, September is upon us and soon after that we know the snow will be flying. Many of us feel a sense of sadness and disappointment that the excitement and anticipation of summer has passed so fast. Recently I read Psalm 37:3-4 which says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (NKJV). God will give you the desires of your heart! How could anyone not be drawn to such a promise? The promise of summer often leaves us disappointed but God never does. I think there are several important lessons in these two verses that we need to apply to our lives. If we do, we’ll find the keys to contentment and fulfillment in our walk with Christ. The first lesson is to “trust in the Lord.” In good times and bad, in peace or in strife, don’t fail to trust God for every need whether it’s big or small. Trusting in yourself or your finances or in your family and friends will eventually fail you. But if your trust is in the God who created the universe and who loves you more than you can imagine, you will never be disappointed. The second lesson is to “do good”. An old hymn does a good job of putting this second key together with the first. It states, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus." In addition to trusting the Lord in good times and bad, if we want to live a contented Christian life, we must obey Him and do what we know is good. This secures for us a closeness in our relationship with Him which is a wonderful blessing. The third lesson is to “dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” We must abide in Him, determined to dwell where He has placed you, and be satisfied there. Know that He is with you, wherever He has placed you, and choose to be content in that for as long as He keeps you there. While "in the land" that He has given you, enjoy the blessings of God. Feed on His faithfulness in protecting you and providing for your every need. Give thanks always to Him for that faithfulness, provision and protection. The fourth lesson is to "Delight yourself also in the Lord." As you truly delight in the Lord, He transforms the desires of your heart so that they’re in line with His heart. Many Christians are thankful to the Lord for His presence, His protection, and His provision, yet they have not learned to delight themselves in the Lord Himself. The result is that their joy becomes increasingly dependent on their circumstances and on how much comfort they can acquire. But those who worship - those who adore the Lord so much that they long to be in close fellowship with Him, admiring Him and praising Him just for who He is, in good times and bad - they have a source of delight that never fades. This summer, may God help us to always trust in Him, to obey Him, to dwell in the security of being where He want us, to feed on His faithfulness, and to take sheer delight in Him. Then He will grant us the desires of our hearts. - Pastor Dan

SPIRITUAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:
Once there was this young couple in their early thirties. They had two children, good careers, had just bought a home and were settling into middle class American life. Soon they began to think about investing for their future so they would have money set aside for college for their kids and for their retirement. As they researched investments, it came down to two choices: one offered a quick and big return on investment but a sketchy long-term return and the second offered a modest initial return but a huge guaranteed return after retirement. What will this young couple do? Which option will they choose? Which one would you choose if you were this couple?
This investment scenario can be looked at as a parable for our lives on this earth. Our lives can be viewed as an investment strategy. How we choose to live shows which investment strategy we have taken. Like in the story, we also have two basic choices on how to invest our life. The first investment strategy belongs to the world. The world dangles tantalizing and tempting returns if we go for its quick payoff. It tempts us with things like materialism, success, pride, knowledge, sex, fun, popularity, etc. We invest in the world’s strategy by giving in to its values and spending our gifts and talents pursuing its returns. The problem with the world’s investment strategy is that it is a ponzi scheme! It promises a big payoff, but you end up bankrupt and losing everything, including our eternal destiny. Jesus said in Luke 9:24-25 “Any of you who try to save the life you have will lose it. But you who give up your life for me will save it. 25It is worth nothing for you to have the whole world if you yourself are destroyed or lost” (ERV).
However if we choose the second investment strategy, the outcome is entirely different. The second strategy is God’s. He invites us to give up the things of this world and the temporary payoff they offer and invest our time, talents and treasure in the Kingdom of God. At first glance, giving up the quick payoff of the world seems too much to ask for many people. But even this is a deception. Yes the Christian life is full of hardships. We have to take stands against the evil of this world that can bring ridicule and persecution. We make difficult choices like going to church and Bible studies, giving our tithes, and using our gifts and talents to glorify God that the world simply doesn’t understand. But God offers us an inner peace and joy in this life that the world can’t offer. So in reality, the payoff in this life for the Christian is better than what the world offers. And then there is the big payoff at retirement time (when we leave this life) with God’s investment strategy – eternal life in God’s presence with the curse of sin and all the evil that comes with it removed forever! It will be so much more incredible than any of us can image. Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (NLT).
Which investment strategy are you currently enrolled in? Maybe you are in the “in-between strategy” where you are trying to get the best results from both investments. Bad news – this never works. You will end up with the benefits of neither and the consequences of the world’s strategy – eternal destiny in hell! If you need help with your spiritual investment decisions you can always call your spiritual brokers at the investment firm of New Heights. Their names are Pastor Dan and Pastor Sherry. We are always willing to give wise spiritual investment advice. May today be the day you become a wise investor of with your life.

Are You a Cracked Pot?
A water bearer in India had two large pots—each hung on opposite ends of a pole that he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it. The other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of the water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, but the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself and I want to apologize to you.” “Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaw, you have to do all of this work and you don’t get full value from your efforts.” the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot and in his compassion said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.” Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw and took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path and every day while we walked back from the stream you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father’s table. In God’s great economy, nothing goes to waste. Go out boldly knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes." - Author Unknown

It’s November and in case you haven’t noticed – it is getting colder. Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees and January’s bitter sub zero winds blowing the snow across the road are just around the corner. But November does offer some warmth and promise. With all due respect to Veteran’s Day, November brings to mind Thanksgiving Day. I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. Why? Let me explain.
It has been said, “the key to happiness is a heart of thanksgiving” and I believe this is a profound truth. But why is this so? Great insight into understanding this truth is given by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4-7 when he says, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (NLT) Paul encourages us to not worry. Instead he says we should bring everything to God in prayer with a heart of thanksgiving. The result of this is an inner peace that is beyond our ability to comprehend.
Why does what Paul says in these verses work in us? I think it is because a thankful heart leads to a changed perspective on life. We humans basically have two choices: (1) look at our lives from the point of view of what we are lacking. In other words, dwell on the things that are depriving us of true happiness, or (2) look at our lives with a heart of thanksgiving, thanking God for all the blessings He has bestowed on us. Choosing to be thankful breeds an attitude of appreciation which changes our entire outlook on life and draws us closer to God.
Thanksgiving Day gives all of us an opportunity to pause, reflect and express to God what we are thankful for. But God doesn’t want us to stop there. Make this and every day of your life from this point on an opportunity to practice having a heart of thanksgiving for all God has blessed you with. Make a conscious choice to be thankful. Resist the pressure from our culture and media to always be looking at what you are lacking. It’s just an illusion anyway. Numerous personal stories and studies show that those who have the most things are among the most miserable. If this is true, then why do we continue to pursue this false illusion of happiness? True happiness comes only from a heart of thanksgiving towards God. God wants to challenge us: Start living today with a heart of thanksgiving and see what a difference it makes!

“10th Anniversary of 9/11”

In only a few weeks, America and the world will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the infamous day in which airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, triggering a global war against terrorism. The coming anniversary got me thinking, “How should we honor this anniversary?” It’s certainly not a joyous event so celebration is definitely out of the question. At the same time, this is a profoundly important event that has impacted each of our lives and deserves some sort of reflection and commemoration. So what can we New Heighters do on September 11th to honor the 10th anniversary of this event that has changed each of our lives in profound ways? Let me suggest a few ideas:
1) Reflect on 9/11 and the impact it has had on you as a person and how it has changed your life. Also reflect on the impact the events of this date had on our nation. What has God been trying to communicate to our nation through this event? Have we listened? If not, what does God want you to do to help our nation hear and obey what God is trying to tell us?
2) Pray for our nation’s churches – Many of us Christians were uplifted in the swell of church attendance after 9/11. The unchurched saw the events of 9/11 as a call from God to return to Him. Unfortunately, after several weeks, when life seemed to return to normal, the unchurched returned to normal also – not attending church. This saddens God profoundly. We need to pray that God will do whatever it takes to encourage people in America to join a church body and attend faithfully in the manner that the Bible commands us to do.
3) Pray for the families that lost loved ones in 9/11. This will be a difficult time for the thousands of families that will be remembering the loved ones who perished during this awful attack. They need our prayers for comfort and peace that can come only from God.
4) Remember those around the world who live with terrorism daily. There are Christian missionaries and others around the world, like the citizens of Israel, who face the threat of death and violence each day. Pray for their safety and for the Gospel to spread to these people who see violence and death as a means to their goals.
5) Use this as an opportunity to better understand Islam. Over one billion people in our world follow Islam. We have over 60,000 Somali immigrants living right here in the Twin Cities, most of whom are Muslim. Unfortunately, many of us know little about this religion. If we are going to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ and engage Muslim believers in dialogue, we must have a basic understanding of their religion and a strategy of how we can reach them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Let’s make this anniversary of a horrible event an opportunity to be used by God to make an impact on the future of those we know and our nation!

Are You Tantalized?

In Greek mythology, King Tantalus offended the gods and was punished in the underworld. He was placed in a lake of cool, fresh water up to his chin, but whenever he attempted to satisfy his burning thirst, the water receded. Over his head were branches full of delicious ripe fruit, but when he tried to satisfy his hunger they eluded his grasping hands. The things he desired were right there in front of him but yet were unattainable. Tantalus, therefore became the symbol of utter frustration. Even today, his name is remembered in the English word tantalize.

Many of us, if we look at how we live our day-to-day lives, find an appalling similarity between King Tantalus and ourselves. All people have a deep hunger and thirst in our souls and we spend our lives trying to satisfy it. We are tantalized by many things in this life: materialism, sex, power, leisure, sports, popularity, or just a comfortable and peaceful life to name a few. Although they may give us some temporary satisfaction, the inner peace and joy we ultimately long for remains out of our reach.

Solomon, the author of the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament, was perhaps the richest, wisest, and most powerful man that ever lived. He pursued happiness through knowledge, pleasure, riches, and work, but nothing satisfied the hunger in his soul. So he wrote in Ecclesiastes 1:2, “Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” Later in Ecclesiastes, he writes that trying to satisfy his soul’s hunger through earthly things is like “chasing after the wind.” It was only when he focused on knowing and pleasing God (12:13-14) that he found life’s true purpose - what he was searching for.

The Bible says God created us to have an intimate, personal love relationship with Him. This is our purpose in life. However our sin has separated us from this relationship with God and gotten us off track from fulfilling our created purpose. The only way we can restore this relationship and have true satisfaction, peace and joy is by putting our faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. Then our relationship with God can be restored and the satisfaction we long for can be found forever.

The things this world dangles in front of us are tantalizing but unfulfilling. If you are among those who have been tantalized by what you thought would bring you happiness and peace, and you feel worn out and tired of “chasing after the wind,” come to Jesus. He promised in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” You will discover with joy that He has everything you’ve ever hoped for - and so much more!