The Foundation

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 17
Dear Friend, The Washington Monument was in the news recently. After suffering some damage in the earthquake of 2011, it now appears the majority of the damage was near the top of the Monument and far above its sound foundation.  A sound foundation is key to the quality of anything you build. I watched a large multi-purpose building being built from the ground up. I was intrigued that the builder took what seemed like a quarter of the total time of construction to dig a huge hole and pour a tremendous amount of concrete in and around the solid rock underneath. I asked him why. He made it clear that the key to a sound building is a truly sound foundation. Upon what foundation are you building the work of your life? On what foundation rests the results of what you say, what you do, what you think and what you are? “Each builder must choose with care how to build on it [the foundation]. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 3:10b-11* Anything we do in life that does not have Jesus underneath it isn’t going to last. It’s that simple. One of the great hymns of the church is, “The Church’s One Foundation.” Another way to sing it is to insert your own name, “The Jenny’s one foundation…, “The David’s one foundation…,” “The Marty’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord…”
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Smile

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 16
Dear Friend, After Oscar Pistorius ran in the 400-meter race in the recent Olympics, he told TODAY’s Savannah Gunthrie, “When I got on those starting blocks, I knew 400 is always a tough event. But I had these cramps in my cheeks, I was smiling so much.” He knew he had a tough race to win running through the challenge of legs made of spring steel. He also knew he was having an experience that felt beyond remarkable and utterly wonderful. And just think – our Lord has even more wonderful experiences in store for Oscar – and for you and me – not on a racetrack – but in the immediate presence of a loving God who actually cares. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian people of Corinth is this extraordinary word:     “What no eye has seen,          what no ear has heard,                and what no human mind has conceived                    the things God has prepared for those who love him- these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.”                                                                 I Corinthians 2:9b-10a* The God who loves you has immense plans for you – plans you cannot possibly imagine – plans far greater than anything you may have ever seen – plans for your future and your hope. So may your smile be so wide you have cramps in your cheeks!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NIV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Boast

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 15
Dear Friend, I have loved watching the recent Olympics in London. There were so many poignant moments. While there were a few athletes who boasted of their deeds, they were dwarfed in numbers by the countless winners whose humility, gratitude, and grace were utterly infectious. Sprinkled throughout the events we saw many athletes win their contest and immediately look upward or point upward or make the sign of the cross and you realized they were expressing gratitude and honor to the God who made them. The Apostle Paul offered a direct word to the Corinthian church that speaks to all of us.  “He [God] is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” I Corinthians 1:30-31* May our “boasts,” our celebrations of life’s large and little victories always be an affirmation of the reality and work of the Lord who loves us. “To God be the glory, great things he has done!”
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Grasp

Building One Another - Vol. 11, No. 14
Dear Friend, During the 2012 Summer Olympics we have watched Gabby Douglas grasping the parallel bars, Serena Williams grasping her tennis racket, and rowers grasping their oars, all seeking to grasp an Olympic victory. These pictures remind me of William Barclay’s wonderful translation of Paul’s words recorded in Philippians 3:12, “I seek to grasp that for which I have been grasped by Jesus Christ.” You and I are in “The Grasp” of Jesus Christ.  His powerful loving embrace never lets us go as he tightly holds you and me to himself. At the same time we are encouraged by the apostle Paul to practice our own version of “The Grasp” as we hold on to that to which our Lord holds us – a personal relationship with him, a life worthy of him, and a life offered in the service of others. May you hold on to the One who holds you and know our Lord’s strength and encouragement this day!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Grasp

Vol. 11, No. 14
Dear Friend, During the 2012 Summer Olympics we have watched Gabby Douglas grasping the parallel bars, Serena Williams grasping her tennis racket, and rowers grasping their oars, all seeking to grasp an Olympic victory. These pictures remind me of William Barclay’s wonderful translation of Paul’s words recorded in Philippians 3:12, “I seek to grasp that for which I have been grasped by Jesus Christ.” You and I are in “The Grasp” of Jesus Christ.  His powerful loving embrace never lets us go as he tightly holds you and me to himself. At the same time we are encouraged by the apostle Paul to practice our own version of “The Grasp” as we hold on to that to which our Lord holds us – a personal relationship with him, a life worthy of him, and a life offered in the service of others. May you hold on to the One who holds you and know our Lord’s strength and encouragement this day!
With joy- E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2012 E. Stanley Ott
To view archived issues and to subscribe: www.buildingoneanother.org

The Pressure of Present Demand

A wonderful resource for we who long to see our congregations grow in vitality ishttp://churchnext.tv. The mission of ChurchNext is very much the same as the Vital Churches Institute:

The ChurchNext Mission is to act as a counter-weight to an increasingly secular society that is trying to convince us that the only option for the Christian church today is decline. The Church has made it through tougher times than these and will continue to flourish as followers increase their knowledge and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus.

Chris Yaw, who leads ChurchNext, regularly posts interviews with church leaders on a variety of issues relevant to growing congregational vitality. His recent interview with Stan Ott touches on a variety of topics including:

• The real vision of a congregation is rarely in its mission statement.
• The biggest challenge for church leaders today.  How are you coping?
• How well does your congregation show true hospitality?
• Navigating change in today's frenetic culture.

To watch or listen to the entire interview view below or click here.