Short Subjects

~~ Pastor Bob Rieth ~~

Dual Citizenship

I like to see the American flag waving in the breeze in front of the homes and businesses that fly them - Memorial Day - Fourth of July - Veteran's Day and all the days between. 

I think of what citizenship means to us. It means that we have all the rights and freedoms of our great country. It also means that we have all the responsibilities and duties of a citizen – loyalty, honor, taxes, military service. We are to "improve and protect" it against enemies – both outward and inward.

As a Christian we have dual citizenship - we are also citizens of the kingdom of Heaven. We are "children of the king," "soldiers of the cross," and "protectors of the faith." We are part of the body -  brothers with other Christians and servants of the Lord. 

We need to extend the bond of friendship and brotherhood to the larger body of Christians throughout the world. Yes, it is good to have a close relationships with your peers in your corner of the industry, but it is also important to be a part of the energy and enthusiasm of the larger Christian family. 

God's citizens come in all colors, speak all languages, work in all kinds of jobs and enjoy a colorful tapestry of customs.  But when the "Roll is Called Up Yonder" we will all gather at the feet of our Lord and give praise to our Ruler and King.  

Come on In, Welcome Home

Some of the best sermons are written in the lyrics of hymns and gospel songs. I'd like to quote a few lyrics from an album I've been listening to lately.  It's called "Come On In" by The Martins, and is on their new CD called Dream Big.    "Come on in. Welcome home. 
You are loved and you belong here now. 
No matter where you've been, 
Come on in. Come on in. 

You'll find a place of rest in the arms of Jesus. 
He's waited so long for your homecoming day. 
He knows the peace you need and the hurt you're feeling. 
He wants to hold you and to wipe your tears away. 
Well the door's unlocked, the lights are on. 
What are you waiting for. 
Come on in."

Sometimes people have the perception that Christians should have their lives in order - that somehow they should have risen above their past. I feel compelled to tell you that the life we live today is complicated by the life we lived yesterday. This is true not only in what we believe about ourselves, but in what others believe about us. 

Repairing broken relationships, restoring trust and confidence, setting new goals and purpose - these are the things that we must do to move ahead in our lives. Jesus says, "No matter where you've been, Come on in."

Unconditional love, willingness to look at the individual through the eyes of Jesus, and the commitment to come alongside those in need are some of the core principles of Media Fellowship. 

Wherever you are today - whether you are in need of unconditional love and forgiveness, or whether you are in a position to offer your support and encouragement to someone else at this time - make yourself part of the MFI family. If you have received help in the past, pass it on to someone else. If MFI has encouraged you, contribute to the budget to make it possible for this ministry to keep on serving you and your peers.

Partnership

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." Phil 1:2-5

Partnership: Coming together for a common goal or purpose.

Partnership implies a small, dedicated team. You can’t have a partnership with the masses. Jesus had only a small group of followers around him.  He preached to the masses but depended on his close followers to carry on His life's message. 

I am thankful for those of you who are working in partnership with us in the ministry of MFI to reach out to those in the media industry. When people ask me what MFI does, I sometimes put it this way, "We empower people in secular media to stand up for their faith and Christian values." 

Here are some of the things we share: 

• A personal knowledge of Jesus Christ and salvation through His sacrifice.
• The vision to reach out to those around us, especially those in our professional arena.
• A decision to join together to do in partnership what we couldn’t accomplish alone.
• A determination to support the vision of MFI with our prayers, our words and our actions.

If you have ever been a part of a CANDLE LIGHTING SERVICE, you know value of partnership.  One candle in a darkened stadium is insignificant in the darkness.  But when that light is passed on to another, and another, and another, the darkness is overtaken by the light. 

It seems that the 'darkness' of the world that we see in media and entertainment - film, television, expose programs, sensationalism in the news, print - is more than we could ever overcome.

But one light - joined to my light - and to your light - will make a difference!

Partnership: Coming together for a common goal or purpose.