What Glenn Writes

When I was searching for a church about thirteen years ago, I called the number for our church to ask some direct questions. I had visited many churches over the course of the previous three-year period and had grown increasingly tired of weak doctrines, spiritually dead gatherings, and religious law. My pastor’s wife, a good friend now but a stranger at the time, had the unfortunately luck to take my telephone call.

I grilled her on doctrine. I asked specific questions about creedal values and community life. I wanted to know where they stood on the Trinity, how they worshiped, and what was their structure. Mary Ann, in her calm and discerning way, patiently answered every question and explained the church values.

I still remember the comment that sparked a true interest in the church, the one point setting this church apart from every other church I had called with similar interrogation tactics, and this was the small group structure coupled with the Sunday celebration. I immediately loved the idea of taking Sunday’s teachings and putting them into life application conversations in a small group setting during the week – the philosophy that church is not just a Sunday event, but also a lifestyle throughout the week.

Over the course of the last thirteen years, the small group structure has proven to be an awesome time for personal ministry, group ministry, personal worship time, and a method to live out the Acts styled church in Scripture. Religion has little place in this gathering, as each meeting is under the direction of God and is for His purpose. › Continue reading

It is important to know you are safe, especially when concentrating.  When I am attempting a mind-consuming task and safety is questionable, my stress level escalates to the red line and the emergency lights start blinking in my head. 

This is why I am so appreciative of the anti-tamper screws in restroom privacy stalls.  Have you ever noticed these little miracles of steel?  Some are the type that can be turned one way during assembly, but cannot be removed; others are the type that require a special tool for installation or removal. 

We know we are safe, and therefore we can face our challenges without hindrance. Distractions can constipate our activities, no matter where we are or what we are doing.  › Continue reading

I have a usual routine to my day, at least to my morning. Can you relate?

My first priority in any morning is to get that terrible taste out of my mouth and brush my teeth. This is like the ultimate concern, most often taking rank before anything else, including the concerns of the bladder. I know, too much information, but I’m just relating my morning practice and routine.

I’m sure you have a first priority in your morning. You are thinking about it as you read these words, and you’re like, “wow… how did he know that?” Don’t think about a pink elephant and we can move on.

What happens when something interferes with your morning priorities? I mean, if we put an obstacle in your way in the morning, how does this make you react? In fact, we are going to take away your ability to complete your highest priority in the morning… brushing your teeth, drinking your coffee, smoking your cigarette, putting on your make-up, or eating your Danish; forget about it. Your routine is not only derailed, but it has come to a screeching stop with your day slamming right in behind it. › Continue reading

I was just in the coffee shop a few minutes ago… yeah, I know… no surprise for too many people. Some people might have the impression I am at the coffee shop all the time, and really, that’s just silly. Where would I sleep?

The reality of the impression is I am only over there a couple times a day – a little bit of the truth paints a bigger picture of the impression. I catch my morning coffee and an afternoon refill. There are some days I might catch a second one in the morning, but who can resist when you have an excellent coffee house like the Red, White, and Brew, with awesome baristas, great tasting coffee, and a place (as the song goes) “… where everyone knows your name.”

In the afternoon, I walk from the coffee shop to the post office at the other end of town (two blocks) with my coffee in hand. This is usually my second coffee, but some think I drink coffee all day long. I even have a nickname at pharmacy store in town… they call me the Coffee Guy.

Ok, I admit… my coffee cup is large. › Continue reading

I was ordained yesterday.

The church was filled with our church community, my family, and many friends. To my surprise, there were several prominent members of the Alliance for Renewal Churches (ARC) attending; the ARC is the association of churches where Grace Community Church is membered.

I was humbled.

As part of the ceremony, I asked if my Dad could give a Father’s Blessing before the ordination. For me, this was a substantial moment in the entire evening. I knelt before him and received his blessing.

God overwhelmed me. The Lord continued to bless me through the words and prayers of many; I was honored and I was humbled. › Continue reading

I receive an email almost every three days with the subject line, “I know why you are fat.” This email is from the same guy and I ticks off every time. His email goes on to tell me about my failed commitment to diets, my anxiety over my appearance, my lack of willpower, and how I am fed up with being tired all the time.

How ridiculous is that? I am not tired all the time!

He then goes on to tell me how he, and only he, can turn my life around and be the answer to true thinness. Whoa… perhaps I’m happy in my plumpness? What then?

He continues with presenting his “low cost” solution… yeah, yeah, yeah, and blah, blah, blah, and don’t forget the money back guarantee, satisfaction guarantee, and his personal guarantee.

How about this: I have a better guarantee, a better answer, and better satisfaction - and the Source carries far more authority:

Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

When He speaks change into our lives, it costs only our faith:

Matthew 8:6-13
“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith… Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

You see, I have a decision here: I can trust a man who sends me emails telling me I am fat, who doesn’t know me, has never seen me, and wants my money, or I can trust Someone who knows me better than I know myself.

I know, this is a bad comparison… even a child could make this decision.

Can you?

John 4:49-53
The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.

I believe there is a specific word for someone reading this article right now. One of you is dealing with or has been dealing with an issue of healing, whether it is emotional, physical, or even a healing of your memories. The world would come in and confuse you with emails and unbelievable offers, but God has something else in mind for you.

Let me encourage you to read the following passage as if you are looking for an answer in His Word. Pray before you read it, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s truth for you in His Word.

Stop! I meant it! Ask the Holy Spirit right now - say the words in your mind if you’re not comfortable speaking them, but don’t skip this step!

Psalm 145

1. I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
3. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
4. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
5. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8. The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
9. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
10. All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.
11. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
12. so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
14. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
16. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.
18. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
20. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21. My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

I put the verse numbers in this passage on purpose; I want to ask you to do one more thing. Would you go back and read verses 14 and 19? There are many more promises in this passage, but those two seemed to be something we need to grasp today.

Let me encourage you to read them a few times and think about them throughout the next few hours… maybe another verse touched you in this passage. Think on it. Let the words come back to you and sink in on whatever struggle you are enduring.

These words are His words, not mine. His guarantee backs them up.

Glenn Sasscer

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In yesterday’s article, I mentioned I had prayed about a relationship for over a year. Some might try to claim God didn’t answer my prayer for a year if it was only recently answered. How foolish! This only shows how little we know of the unseen. In this case, I am confident God was answering the prayer throughout the year in preparation for the day when we would actually see it or realize the reward of the prayers.

Just because we do not see something happening does not mean it is not happening, it only means we cannot see it.

I could pray for four years about my daughter graduating from high school, but it will still take her four years to graduate. Is God only listening to my prayer at the end of the four years or is He faithful to hear my prayers all four years, helping her through her classes, and opening her mind to wisdom? She will need all four years to prepare for the graduation, so isn’t the prayer also being answered in the preparation? › Continue reading

I recently learned one of my cousins has labeled me a fundamentalist. Now, here is a word with an interesting history of meanings and usage, although not always in a positive light. For the most part, this word has been in reference to people with a narrow focus or strict adherence to religion.

Ouch! Call me religious if you’re trying to pick a fight. I do not see the branding as a compliment.

For me, religion is all about the rules created by man to govern our relationship with God; religion is not about the relationship, it is about control. I believe Jesus died on the Cross to reconcile us into the freedom of a relationship with God, not bleed us into a choreographed routine of legalism, judgment, and domination. › Continue reading

I learned awhile back that what other people think of me is none of my business.

I’m not sure too many people will agree with this statement, but I can tell you this little bit of wisdom has greatly improved my relationships all around and given me a depth of peace I find very reassuring. As I have been less concerned with the judgment of others, I find myself less concerned with judging others. There is a freedom in being able to accept others, in being able to receive them without judgment, in being able to think, “God takes them just as they are without asking them to change… why am I being any different?” 

Yes, our relationship with God causes us to change, but never does He require we change before He accepts us – He takes us just as we are at that moment, at every moment. If God does not require we change before He accepts us, why do we expect something different from those around us, especially family and friends? › Continue reading

I am pleased to present, “What JoAnn Writes”:

Dung Happens

By JoAnn Wegert

Oh Brother!

There was NO WAY I was going to let those boys get away with ignoring me again! I was tired of my brother ditching me when his friends came over. I was more valuable than that! As they set out on their adventure, I was right on their trail. 

They didn’t notice me at first, but I kept trudging along following their every move. When they went into the granary filled with cow corn still on its cob, I went in right behind them. If they saw me they acted like I was invisible. They climbed the mound of corn, checked out the antique equipment in the rafters above, and then headed back toward the door.

As I trailed them into the barn, I saw their feet entering the hay-filled loft. I wasn’t going to let a little thing like my fear of heights allow those boys win this one! Up the ladder I went; across the stacks of freshly baled hay into the old side of the barn.

By this time I knew they were aware that I was their shadow. Their pace increased, as they slipped through the recesses of the rafters into the oldest, most rickety part of the loft. On the south side of the barn was a cow feeder. It was built so hay could be taken from the loft & dropped directly into the feeder. The bulls in the pasture could eat at their leisure w/out us ever having to go into their territory. I never minded feeding the bulls this way.

What had started as a determination to be included had turned into a fear-factor type competition. My brother knew my fears all too well. He knew the surest way to get me to head back with the girls up at the house was to go where the bulls dwelt.

That is exactly what he did.

He and his friend slipped from the second story loft down the side of the feeder; directly into the pasture. By this time I was more angry than frightened. I verbally made my presence known; challenging his attempt to leave me in the dust.

“You can’t get away from me!” I stated indignantly!

“Oh yes I can!” was his firm reply.

His friend laughed as they headed toward the shed in the middle of the barn yard. I stared at the bulls as I hung from the feeder’s edge deciding what to do.

“They shouldn’t be allowed to treat me this way!” I thought as I swallowed my fear and chased after them again.

I had never been to the bulls shed. Any work needing to be done in this barnyard was assigned to the boys, and THAT was just fine with me! This is the shed where the cows hung out in a rain storm, or on a hot summer day; covered under its shade and protected from the elements.

My brother and his friend entered the shed with ease. They stepped onto the ledge between the building’s footer and the wooden structure. They began to walk around the edge in an obvious attempt to send me back to the house.

I was determined to follow. As I got closer to the shed I realized the cow manure was getting deeper and deeper. I had to jump to avoid getting stuck in the cow-mud. I was able to make a leap toward the shed.

My foot reached the ledge as I grabbed with my hand for something to steady myself. Nothing. I began to loose my balance. I had no choice but to come off the ledge, into the knee deep cow manure. Both feet sank deep. As I tried to pull them up the vacuum-like swish sound could be heard as I made several attempts to remove my feet from the thick smelly stuff.

Finally I gave a strong heave upward with my one leg; only to loose my balance. Now, not only were my feet in the manure, but my bottom and hands as well. Sinking deep into the manure, I cringed at the sound of the two boys laughter. Covered in manure I had no choice but to end my pursuit.

Sticking to it, even when it life is difficult is a good thing, is it not? Didn’t James 1 teach us that though our faith is tested, we walk away more mature and complete if we persevere? I’m telling you; I felt neither mature nor complete after that episode! The first 12 verses of James tells us the why’s and how’s of perseverance. But sandwiched between verses we find these words:

“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.”  James 1:9-10

Keeping life in perspective is important. Our strivings WILL at times produce success. Some will succeed in a more notable way then others. For the student it is demonstrated with a grade point average and a class rank. For the athlete success is seen in a personal or team victory, a school record, or a trip to a state competition. For the employee it might be a raise or even a promotion.

How easy it would be for those successes to give a feeling of ‘deserving’ special treatment. James 1 teaches us to see this position with humility; recognizing how quickly such a roll can fade away. Romans 12:10 reminds us to “. . . Honor one another above yourselves.”

On the other hand, there are times when the successes we attain do not manifest themselves in such a visible ways. There is the friend who stayed up late helping another through a difficult circumstance instead of working on their own assignment. There is the coach who puts all his earnings back into the program because he cares so much about his athletes, and the parent who works an extra job to pay for private lessons. God wants us to see the greatness in those who quietly work behind the scenes; so often helping others to succeed.

Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you. Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

When our strivings are motivated out of sense of ‘I deserve better’ rather than striving to please God we just might find ourselves stuck; stuck in a pile of cow dung.

Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.”

Once again, my thanks and appreciation to you, JoAnn.

If you have something you would like to add or if you would like to write as a guest blogger, please send your comments or article to me at glenn@sasscer.com, or mail them to me at PO Box 711, Elmore, Ohio 43416. If your article fits the theme, direction, and style for my blog, you may be the next guest blogger.

Glenn Sasscer

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