I am sure you have all heard the statement: "None are so empty as those who are full of themselves." Do those words describe someone that you know? I regret to say that all of us have this disease to a certain degree - some much more than others.
Our first thoughts tend to be of ourselves and we are inwardly jealous when not given due attention. Our conversation centers on ourselves. We can hardly wait for a person to complete their story before we begin our "story" that is so much bigger and better. Our favorite prefix is "self", "self", "self". We all have "I" problems.
C.S. Lewis put it this way: "Pride is essentially competitive - is competitive by its very nature - while the other vices are competitive only, so to speak, by accident. Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only not of having more of it than the next man."
Or as one old preacher stated it, "Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it."
As far as I know, there is only one cure for this disease - to fix our eyes on Jesus, studying His life, following His example and letting the Holy Spirit reproduce His life in our hearts. One reason we shy away from humility is because we picture humble people as unimportant, weak and insignificant.
But none of those words describe the One who perfectly practiced this grace. He was assertive when the occasion demanded it. He was courageous in the face of danger. He was decisive when He had to confront evil. He is described in Matthew 11:29 as "lowly in heart", but far from weak.
How then can we overcome this disease of "I" trouble? Let me suggest a simple plan. Become familiar with Christ’s actions in the Gospels and try to pattern your responses and reactions to be like His. Make a conscious effort to be humble - put others first, listen with interest to others remarks, etc. Be sensitive to moments when you find yourself being too self-assertive. Watch out for times when you’ve been proud or selfish, confess it to God and ask Him to help you put others first.
"I" trouble can be healed and the "Disease of Me" needn’t be fatal when we put ourselves in the hands of the Great Physician. Remember: "None are so empty as those who are full of themselves."
- Pastor Kuns
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The date was sometime in August of 1963. The place was Prescott Pines Baptist Campgrounds near Prescott, Arizona. I was a junior camper attending a CMA camp. I remember the recreation hall, the dining hall, the cabin and the chapel. I remember accepting Christ as my personal Savior every night of that camp, just to make sure. I remember that Bob Johnson was the young man who shared God’s Word with me. I remember sending mom and dad a postcard early in that week telling them of my decision. And I remember my brother catching me "borrowing" a little money from my counselor towards the end of the week as I was quite low on spending money.
Fast forward several years. I don’t remember the date but it was sometime during my teens - I think about my junior year in high school. The place was Big Bear, CA. It was another camp and another decision to be made. This one involved the dedication of my life to the Lord. I didn’t know much of what that would involve but God was doing something very special in my life. I remember that was the year I hoped to play varsity football in high school, but a broken ankle at the camp during the rough sport of volleyball ended that dream.
A few more years and I have said goodbye to high school. I am now involved in the Scottsdale Baptist church singles group. I am being challenged to serve the Lord in various ways. We are on a wilderness outing during the summer of 1975 involving about 7-10 days of backpacking in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. It is our final day of the outing. The altitude and beauty of this pristine wilderness are breathtaking. We are camped next to the Animas River and I am standing on the walking bridge that spans the river. It is evening and I am by myself with time to unwind and reflect. For two years I have been studying at the local community college, pursuing a career in Forestry. I love the outdoors, enjoy being by myself and have learned to appreciate and admire the various ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains. It is while standing on this walking bridge over the Animas River that the Holy Spirit places the question in my heart and mind: "Will you spend your life working with trees, plants and animals or will you dedicate your life to Me and go to Bible college?" Wow, there’s the dedication thing again. The answer to that question would involve a lot of letting go, letting go of dreams, securities, goals and a very good job. Yet I would end up at Liberty Baptist College, now Liberty University, in Lynchburg, VA. I would soon sense God’s call upon my life for vocational full time ministry. I would be married and graduate in the same weekend in May of 1979. And, and, and...
Six years after the experience of God giving real direction to my life, I am now a husband, father and youth pastor working in Denver, CO. I would again be standing on that same bridge that spans the Animas River in Colorado. As a youth pastor, I have organized a wilderness experience into those same mountains in Colorado. I am now helping young adults face the same decisions that I faced a few years ago. As I stand on that bridge to reflect a second time, I now realize the reality of my decision a few years back. A special picture of that trip hangs in my office to this day. I am still moved with emotion when I stop and think of how God has worked in and through my life. That is my greatest privilege, God at work in and through me. It is also my heart’s desire.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body."
I Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
- Pastor Paul
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It’s hard to put into words the appreciation I have for all the people who took part in our Vacation Bible School program last month. When we first started putting the pieces together in March, I never realized the amount of momentum and excitement we would see generated. Over 100 people from our ministry partnered together to make this summer’s VBS a great success. I am humbled by your generous support. To those who prayed, brought cookies, paper towel rolls, coffee cans, and more - I thank you.
To those who were able to be here through the week, serving as crew leaders, leading games, doing crafts, teaching Bible stories, and much, much more - I can only hope that you were as impacted as I was as we touched the lives of children and families with the message of Jesus’ overflowing love for them. Mahalo!
With the week of VBS behind us, we now look ahead to our time at Word of Life’s West Coast Camp! Over 60 children, teenagers and adults will be attending the "Summer Safari" at Lassen Pines Christian Campground July 19-24. This is always an extraordinary time to "get away" from the distractions around us and focus on God and His Word (with water slides, paintball, beach volleyball, and more - it’s pretty fun, too!). Please be in prayer as we get ready to make the trip and that life-impacting decisions would be made for Christ
"What will be available to the kids this summer?" While the primary focus in the month of June was to prepare for VBS, we are now looking forward to a great time on Wednesday nights for the kids in Pre-School through 6th Grade. Summer J.A.M. (Jesus and Me) will begin on July 7 and run through the rest of the summer. This will be a great time of praising, preaching, praying, and playing! We will be building upon the foundation laid during our VBS for a summer-long season of impact! Be in prayer that a number of the children who attend our VBS will also be a part of this summer ministry. Summer J.A.M. will meet at 7:00 PM every Wednesday night.
Let me conclude by thanking you for the way you have embraced our family and our ministry here at Grace. It has now been a little over a year since we arrived in Yuba City. My, how time flies! As I reflect back on our first year of ministry here, I rejoice in the relationships that have been formed and in the opportunities that we have had to minister to children and families. It has been such a joy. We look forward to all God has in store in the years to come. May the Lord richly bless you and your family.
- Pastor Greg
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Grace Christian Academy & Preschool
June 28 - July 4
Raley’s Center Parking Lot
(near Wendy’s Restaurant)
Easy & fun way to help raise funds for GCA.
Pre-sale coupons can be purchased now in the GCA office.
Volunteers (18 or above) are needed to staff the booth for two-hour shifts during the hours of operation. A sign-up sheet is available in the school office.
Tell your family and friends to get their fireworks from the friendliest booth in town!!!
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Sunday, July 4
One Service from 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Picnic on the Grounds following the service
Featuring the "All-American" meal: hot dogs and apple pie! The hot dogs and fixin’s will be provided but each family is asked to bring an apple pie. There will also be a MEN’S APPLE PIE BAKE-OFF! Prizes will be awarded for the best apple pies baked by any of the men that wish to participate!
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From the Pastor's Pen...
July 2004