George Kreger

Delayed Adulthood

A couple of appointments this week caused me to search for some information on what sociologists describe with the terms, "Delayed Adulthood" and "Prolonged Adolescence."  I came across this article by Al Mohler that does a great job of detailing the phenomena as well as sharing the challenge the church faces.  

The Ground Zero Mosque Controversy

Headlines everywhere are touting stories about the Ground Zero Mosque Controversy. This article by Doug Wilson though shares a point of view that I have seen nowhere else. 

The Reality of Two Worlds

More than a decade ago I read a quote from Peggy Noonan, former speech writer for President Ronald Reagan that has stayed with me.  She wrote, "Our ancestors believed in two worlds, and understood this to be the solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short one."  As I study history, I regularly see the truth of her assertion confirmed.  As an observer of this present time we live within, sadly I most often see the reality of two worlds ignored.

As a preacher of the Gospel, I certainly desire to help people live well in this life.  But a far greater responsibility is to prepare people for the next life, the second world. That's a significant challenge as those who are youthful and healthy have a difficult time imagining the comfort Jesus Christ provides for precious Christians in their last days of life.

John Newton told about going to visit a young woman who was dying.  She had lived a very simple existence in the years she had been granted.  While she had read her Bible faithfully, her education was minimal.  Newton stated she had never traveled more than a few miles from her home.  Shortly before her death, he prayed with her and praised God for the wisdom of this young woman in never having followed "cleverly-devised fables".  The woman then responded with these words to Newton:

"Sir, you are highly favored in being called to preach the gospel. I have often heard you with pleasure; but give me leave to tell you, that I now see all you have said, or can say, is comparatively but little. Nor, till you come into my situation, and have death and eternity in full view, will it be possible for you to conceive the vast weight and importance of the truths you declare. Oh! Sir, it is a serious thing to die; no words can express what is needful to support the soul in the solemnity of a dying hour."

In the world in which we live, people are heavily focused on their daily bread and the latest self-help techniques.  And the reality is they may not even realize the importance of the truth of the Gospel until the end of this life catches their attention.  But at that time, I guarantee you they'll be eternally joyful they were told about and received the "Bread of Life".

Thank You!

I want to take a moment to thank everyone for the many kind comments and notes related to our announcement that I have received over the past two weeks!  The combination of your expression of sadness coupled with your endorsement for New Hope being proactive about this important reality is very much appreciated.  While there's a lengthy transition and future ahead of us, we're off to a great start on this journey together.

This coming Sunday, Deb and I will be away spending time with my childhood friend Tim Hughes and his wife Martha.  Tim and I were called to ministry the same summer night of 1971.  He now pastors a growing church near Indianapolis.  I'm looking forward to spending time together.  God has been so good to both of us since that pivotal evening 39 years ago.

Larry Carter will be returning to share God's Word with us this Sunday in my absence.  I know he was well received in April when he preached at New Hope and he shared with me how much he enjoyed being here.  Larry will be sharing with us four times beginning this Sunday.  He will be here once in June, once in July and then once in August.  Those four Sundays will be combined into a study of the book of Jude.  I know you'll be blessed through Larry's ability to handle the Word of God!

A Great Day!

Yesterday was a beautiful day!  Yes, that partly refers to the weather, but what took place inside during the morning at New Hope was beautiful as well!

Despite Easter falling on the tail end of Spring Break in our area (and many families away traveling as a result) we saw around 1100 people in attendance for our three morning services.  I had the opportunity to meet several who were visiting with us.  Some were from out of town but others were from our area.  I know many of you invited friends and family for Sunday.  Great job!

Thanks to all you served throughout the morning!  Big crowds always produce a greater load on those serving.  You did so wonderfully!

I especially want to commend our worship team.  The worship time and closing songs were both very inspiring.  I have found myself singing the special number at the close of the service many times over the past 24 hours.

We'll continue our "Hostage" Series this coming Sunday.  I encourage you to reach out to all those you're with every day that you know can be helped by the truth of God's Word.  Have a great week!

One Sunday in March

Yesterday (Sunday) was a long day.  Three morning worship services, an early afternoon memorial service, and a late afternoon/evening "Explore" Class were all part of my schedule.  When I returned home finally Sunday evening, I was tired but invigorated by the day.  I was so tired I didn't have much energy and desire to catch up on the NCAA Tourney Scores or even the "health-care" votes of the day.  I went to bed before 10:00 which is very rare for me.

This morning, refreshed by a night's sleep, I stopped at Season's Bistro for a couple of eggs and coffee. In a matter of minutes I was asked about the "health-care" votes four times. Since then, some of you have asked me for my reactions and thoughts as well.  Obviously this subject is on many minds.  As I reflect late Monday evening, here are some brief thoughts.

There are several niceties about National Healthcare that will appeal to many.  There are people I know who will now have coverage that have not been able to qualify previously. That's appealing to me sentimentally. And I also understand there are those within the national church community who are declaring that Jesus would be for "National Healthcare".  I'm not sure how they know that, but that's the assertion they seem to genuinely believe.

But overriding those niceties is my belief that our government which has attacked the unborn by ruling it legal to take the lives of 50,000,000 babies over the past three decades, will now attack the born in a similar manner. The legislation will provide ample opportunity for the government to withhold whatever care for the elderly and weak among us they would choose. 

The church of Jesus Christ has always cared for the poor and the feeble, because as we do so, we serve Jesus Christ.  With the passing of this legislation, decisions on the sick and the dying will become more and more the jurisdiction of the government, the same government that has already exhibited its lack of value for the lives of the unborn and newborns. 

Our Last Financial Peace Group Meeting

For the past thirteen weeks, Deb and I have met each Thursday night in New Hope's North Campus with our Financial Peace Group.  We've had a great time!  Our group is made up of a number of people from New Hope as well as a good representation from our community.  It's been fun to watch this group of more than 30 develop relationships with each other.  It been great to see Thursday night become a time not just when we get together to learn about finances, but a time that's valued and looked forward to because of those developing relationships.

This past Thursday was our final meeting, so Deb and I decided to host the group at our home.  We met an hour earlier than normal so we could eat together.  The interesting thing was we also ended up meeting later than normal.  While the idea of having Thursdays open again appeals to most of us from a time standpoint, the reality of not being together with people we enjoy being with saddens us simultaneously.  That's a positive by-product of being part of a group.  People did not want to leave!

Our practice has been for our large group to break into two sub-groups for discussion, one led by Jack and Amy Brace and the other by Kevin and Stacey Bock.  Toward the end of the discussion time, Kevin asked his group for some overall thoughts about the past 13 weeks.  The responses I heard were so encouraging to me.  Those from the community could not have been more appreciative about our willingness as a church to open FPU to them, to care for them in this manner.

I asked the group out of curiousity how they came to be aware of this opportunity.  One couple shared they read about it in the newspaper which encouraged the person who wrote the article since she coincidentially was in our group.  A couple others shared how they had heard about it from someone who attends New Hope and invited them to be a part.  Another gal shared through tears how a caring person from New Hope had reached out to her and funded her registration fee.  All were so thankful they had followed up on the opportunity and become a part.  Did I mention it was a great night!