Williamston FMC

Questions without answers

dougf — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:18:28 +0000

Why is it that the older I get the more questions I have? I thought that part of the aging/maturing process would help me be more in the know. This week I am again involved in the big questions of life. As I journey with people down this difficult path I find myself having to practice what I preach. So for a few moments I need to preach to myself and you can listen if you want.

First. Don’t try to answer a question or be an expert on things above your pay grade. Big life questions need careful consideration and contemplation. Don’t talk before you think about the question from more than your point of view. I have found that admitting that you don’t have the answer allows God to be God. The Bible says that His ways are above our ways and His thoughts above our thoughts.

Second. Ask for wisdom from God and others. The Bible says that if we lack wisdom we should ask God for it. My experience is that sometimes God has shown His wisdom to other people who have walked a path that we haven’t and they can bring light into our darkness. There is a lot of good that comes from listening to others before we try to answer on our own.

Third. Remember that not having an answer is not a sign of weakness but rather may be an open door to faith. You see faith is the “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” If you and I had all the answers we would have our own tv show, sell millions of books and be worshipped by all. Ok, maybe I just put my spin on that, but, lets be honest, none of us has all the answers. In moments when the question is to big for us it is good to know our faith points us to the only source that is credible. The pressure is off. We don’t have to have the answer, we can trust that the one who does knows what is best for us. After all, if we had the answer to the big questions would there be any need for God?

Ok, the sermon is over you can wake up now. As I walk among people who ask big questions I don’t get discouraged but rather I thank God that He is God and I am not. So much time and energy are spent trying to do what God alone can do. It would do me good to trust more and answer less.

When the little things become the big things

dougf — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:55:56 +0000

Many years ago I went on a fishing trip with some of my closest friends. With great anticipation we made the plans, got the gear together and headed out. When we arrived at the fishing spot the wind was blowing so hard that we couldn’t fish. We passed the first few hours inside the camper playing games and enjoying each others’ company. But, as the hours passed we became more and more uneasy until we reached the point were playing games was a chore, and we began to pick at each other. What was happening? Why were we so excited to fish and then getting on each other? The answer I found was simple. When fisherman don’t fish they pick on each other, argue and make little piles into huge mountains. Does that ring a bell? When you are frustrated and quick to make a little thing into a big thing, could it be that you are not doing what you were put on this earth for? I have found that when I am worrying about what other people are doing it is because I am not doing what I was put on this earth for. When I am doing the things that meet the call on my heart I let small things go and I focus on me and what I am doing. I just wanted to help you think about doing what you were put on this earth for. I believe that when you focus there the other things don’t matter so much.

Men’s Golf League

Amanda Miner — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:06:29 +0000

WFMC Men’s Golf League
The league begins April 17th and runs for 18 weeks.
Tee times are from 4-5:30 p.m.
The total cost for league fees, prizes and closing banquet is $250.
Please contact Robert Proctor at
655-2484 or Dave Krueger 449-2786 to join!

Get me off this ride!!

dougf — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:35:03 +0000

Yesterday I had one of those days. You know the type. The type that every phone call brings bad news. The type where you try to use your phone to change the channel on the TV. The type where not only did the sun not shine but it was your fault that it didn’t. Am I making myself clear here? I mean it was so bad that I didn’t want to go back to bed for fear that the house would catch on fire while I was sleeping. And then…

Did you know that “and then” is one of God’s specialties? Right in the middle of my day of darkness and despair God sent an “and then” moment into my life. I don”t know why I was so surprised because it is not the first time this has happened and I am sure it will not be the last. My life has been an awesome journey sustained in all the bad times by God’s “and then” moments. So here is what happened. In the middle of my “stuff” I see a message that my friend and his wife have just had a baby. This was the first child for my friend and I sent him a quick text saying congratulations. His response was my “and then” moment. My friend brought the good things of God to the forefront of my life when he text me about the birth of his daughter, “coolest thing EVER”. In that moment God showed me that He is never asleep and always is on point to show me His love. My friend went on to fill my cup by telling me of just how awesome it was to see his daughter come into this world. Of course I went back to the days when I too saw my daughters born and remembered how I felt. God had shown me an “and then” moment and I was seeing life from His view and not mine. I would like to say that I will grow up and not need His “and then” moments but I can’t. For as long as I live I will need God’s “and then” moments and the cool part is He lives to show me them over and over.

Glee, Lady Gaga and Girls

dougf — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:03:16 +0000

At lunch today I watched an episode of Glee with my daughter Allison. The episode was entitled, “Born This Way”. The main theme of the episode, at least for me, was that all of us are born with things we don’t like. In the show, all of the Glee club students were asked to make a t-shirt that stated across the front of it what the student didn’t like about themselves. Students wore shirts that read, “can’t dance”, “bad attitude” and”nose”. I found myself cheering on the inside when the Glee club sang “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga as the students danced and revealed what was written on their t-shirts.

Now before you jump to conclusions and think I have given up Toby Keith/country for Lady Gaga/pop, hear me out. In “Born this way”, Lady Gaga sings, “there’s nothing wrong with who you are… cause He made you perfect babe.” I could not agree more. We are all perfect in the way God made us. Later in the song the lyrics are, “I’m beautiful in my way ’cause God makes no mistakes.” I can’t believe I am saying this… but Lady Gaga is right. God doesn’t make mistakes and we are all beautiful.

I am writing this on Valentine’s Day, a decidedly girl focused holiday. Starting yesterday my facebook and twitter sites reflected those who had a special valentine and those who did not. You could “feel the love” and “taste the hurt”. This day is so rewarding and so tough. My two daughters were showing off what they had gotten for Valentine’s Day and I was hoping there was still something left at the store to get my wife. Ladies, young and old, long to know they are the special love of someone. Let me say to all of you that there is One who made you perfect and He went beyond roses and flowers to show you how much He loves you. His symbol of love for you is a cross, and there He let the world know that you are loved.

It’s All About Sports

dougf — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:06:20 +0000

When a certain professional quarterback kneels on a football field it becomes a topic of conversation on ESPN and every radio sports show. When a college quarterback gives a speech at the Big Ten pre-season meetings he is lauded as a great role model. Both of these men are being used by God and I believe witness the growing hunger in our world to see and hear the things of God. When I first felt my heart warming to sharing the love of Christ with people, I remember hearing something about how people were more willing to hear the message than most God-followers were to share it. I felt that was a little harsh but sadly I have come to realize there is a great deal of truth in it. So naturally I ask why? What would cause one who has come to know the love of God to be uncomfortable in sharing that love? This is a bigger question than I can hope to answer but I would like to offer some food for thought.

Sports are life to many people. When sports stars like Tim Tebow and Kirk Cousins use the gifts God has given them they are modeling one of the first and most basic ideas about evangelism. That basic idea is for us to take what God has given us (interests, gifts, personality) and use them to share the love of God. What God has given you and I (interests, gifts, personality) is the bridge to carry the love of God across to a seeker. Don’t make sharing your faith more than that. Through the love of education a teacher shares the love of God with other teachers and students. Through the love of the outdoors an outdoorsman shares the love of God with those who share his love. Through the love of reading a reader shares the love of God with those who live to read. Do you get it? God has not only given you His love, but a way to share it. Don’t make this too difficult. Be who you are, doing what you love and God will provide the audience. In short, do all that you can do and let God do what only He can do.

Today I will go to a basketball game with the girl’s varsity team here in Williamston. I was asked to be an assistant coach this year by the head coach. When I look at those faded newspaper clippings my mom saved for me I see a younger me in short shorts and high socks caught in the moment of playing the game I loved. Today when I go to the game with my team I am not dreaming about playing again but using the love of the game of basketball to share the love of God. Is that too hard to understand?

Winners and losers?

dougf — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:14:46 +0000

Yesterday the NFC and AFC championship games were played. In both games there were players who today are the subject of much conversation. There were players who did great things and are being hailed as winners and those who didn’t have their best game and are being called losers. The labels given to players who excel or fail should remind us of how easy it is to label people based on a small sample of their life. When I see this happen to people it makes me so glad that I know someone who has seen all of my life and doesn’t label me. Instead, what God does for me is love me same on my worst day and my best day. What that does for me is assure me that what I do is not who I am. I am, because of my relationship with God, free to live life “all in”, not worrying that failure will define me. Only God loves this way, and today I am so glad that I have discovered that. If you haven’t discovered that, look for a cross and there you will find your answer.

What’s in a Name?

dougf — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:02:08 +0000

For the month of December I have been speaking about how much a name/title can mean. In the Old Testament the prophet Isaiah gives 4 names/titles to the baby who will be born hundreds of years later in a manger. “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Each of these names/titles is huge, but maybe the most personal to me is the “Eternal Father.”

I am one of the fortunate who have an amazing father. My dad is my friend, hero and the one person who I always want to earn his respect. My dad is not perfect but he is what I want to be. I admire his commitment to my mom. I am blessed by his generosity to his kids. I am proud of his reputation in his community. I marvel at his unwavering service to his church. I want to follow God like I have seen him do for his entire life. My dad is the greatest, but there is one thing he is not. My dad is not “eternal”.

Recently I was talking to a friend who just lost his dad. We were talking about how much our dads meant to us and how we both loved having our dads be a part of everything we did. As i listened to my friend’s voice crack with emotion I knew he was facing the reality of life without his dad. I have to admit that I fought back the tears as I thought of the unthinkable day when I too may not have my dad around.

John Wooden said, “Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.” As much as I love my dad for all he is, I love him most for preparing me to be ok without him. I don’t know that my dad did this intentionally, but he showed me and taught me that there is a father who is eternal that I will never be without. In life and in death I will always have a father.

Born in Bethlehem, Jesus came to introduce us to his father. Do you know God as your heavenly father? The bible says that, “but as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” In one of my favorite movies, “the Blind Side”, the Touhy family has decided to ask Michael Orr to be a part of there family. When Mr.Touhy asks Michael if he would like to be a part of the family, Michael says, “I thought I already was”. Today I fear many people believe that they already are a part of God’s family but they haven’t said yes to God’s invitation. That is all you have to do, say yes to God’s invitation to join his family. Saying yes is admitting that you want a heavenly father and want to be one of his family. He does not turn any away, and loves each one unconditionally. Open up the best gift this Christmas, the gift of adoption into God’s family!!

A little child shall lead them.

dougf — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:52:58 +0000

Yesterday there was a full-house to witness the children’s ministry Christmas production. If you were here you will not soon forget the day, and if you were not let me tell you the kids hit it out of the park. The singing and the passion from the kids was amazing. Pastor Lori and here team had the kids ready and the kids were awesome. It is so great to see that Pastor Lori is taking our kids ministry to places it hasn’t gone before!! If you get a chance, say thank-you to Pastor Lori and her team. Yesterday we saw again that kids often lead the way for the church and for families!!

Core Values

dougf — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:23:21 +0000

I just don’t care! Those words are hard for some of us to say. We feel that if we say them we are not doing all we can. Well, I am learning that none of us has the capacity to “care” about everything. I was told some time ago that I would have to choose which battles to fight and that has become a necessity for me. So let me tell you what has helped me to choose my battles. Very simply, what has helped me is the commitment to knowing and carrying out my “core values”. There are other definitions of “core values” but I think of them as things that raise my blood pressure to the point that if I don’t get involved I will suffer. These values are ones that over time I have come to know that I cannot live without.

Core values are what God made us for. Core values are not to be compared. Core values cause us to live beyond ourselves. Core values help us rise above criticism. Core values give us a reason to live. Core values match our giftedness. Core values are the driving force behind world changers.

So, how do you know/discover your core values? I would suggest you ask the following questions: 1) What problem makes my blood boil and keeps me up at night? 2) What thing that I do brings me peace in my inner being? 3) What do I do that if I couldn’t do it I would be devastated? 4) What would I take a bullet for?

While we all have some similar core values, I have found meaning in knowing that I have some that are unique to me. I believe that the only way a man could die for people who mocked and spit on him was that he had found his core values and was willing to die for them. How could I follow such a man and not aspire to know my core values in that way?