Westview Church » Uncategorized http://www.westview.org A House of Prayer, A Serving Church Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:59:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Copyright © 2010 Westview Church westviewchurch@gmail.com (Pastor Jay Braband) westviewchurch@gmail.com (Pastor Jay Braband) podcast 1440 http://www.westview.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/WestviewChurch.jpg Westview Church » Uncategorized http://www.westview.org 144 144 Starting Sunday, January 4, our worship theme will be Simple Church, based on the book by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger. The simple revolution has begun. From the design of the iPod to the uncluttered Google home page, simple ideas are changing the worl... Westview Church - Waukee, Iowa; www.westview.org; A House of Prayer - A Serving Church; Reformed Church in America Westview, Waukee, Iowa - RCA,Pastor Jay Braband,Simple Church,permission evangelism Pastor Jay Braband Pastor Jay Braband westviewchurch@gmail.com no no Justice http://www.westview.org/justice/ http://www.westview.org/justice/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:37:32 +0000 tclegg http://www.westview.org/?p=1765 So I was reading one of my favorite authors, N.T. Wright, last night and he is so…pardon the pun, right…when he writes about the need to make things right. In specific, the particularly human need to set things right in the world or as he puts it, the need for justice.

Where does that need come from?

How can it be explained?

While we, and certainly i don’t always live out justice, I do, none the less, yearn for it, strive for it, despise when it’s absent and cheer when it shows up.

I freely admit i cannot tell where this need comes from: socialization, genetics, education, religion?

I mean, if reality is that one day we all just creeped up out of the primordial ooze. You know, by just by chance. Without a soul, a creator or any trace of purpose. How can the need for justice possibly be explained? If we are all here only by chance wouldn’t the most natural desire or craving be for selfishness at all else’s expense?

In other words, wouldn’t injustice be the natural craving or desire?

If life is really about the survival of the fittest…then why does injustice hurt so much?

Is this another place where god reveals himself to us?

I dunno…but wow, it sure makes sense.

]]> http://www.westview.org/justice/feed/ 0 Braband Farewell Service and Brunch 7-25-2010 http://www.westview.org/braband-farewell-service-and-brunch/ http://www.westview.org/braband-farewell-service-and-brunch/#comments Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:42:15 +0000 Keith Willhite http://www.westview.org/?p=1590 As most of you know, Pastor Jay and his family are leaving Westview Church and moving to Portland, Oregon to begin a ministry in that very unchurched part of this country.
Their Farewell Service at Westview will be on July 25. Following the service will be a brunch.  You are all welcome and encouraged to attend as we remember and celebrate their ministry among us and send them off to their new ministry in Oregon.

In order to adequately prepare for the brunch, we would love to have an idea of attendance.  If you are planning to attend on the 25th, please reply to Gina Higbee at 229-9051 or ginaiowagirl@aol.com.

We look forward to having you join us in giving thanks to God for the Brabands and their ministry among us!   — In Christ, Pastor Susan Watson and the Planning Committee

]]> http://www.westview.org/braband-farewell-service-and-brunch/feed/ 0 Free to Obey http://www.westview.org/free-to-obey-2/ http://www.westview.org/free-to-obey-2/#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:19:12 +0000 Keith Willhite http://www.westview.org/?p=1455

]]> http://www.westview.org/free-to-obey-2/feed/ 0 Next Quarterly Elder Board Update http://www.westview.org/next-quarterly-elder-board-update/ http://www.westview.org/next-quarterly-elder-board-update/#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:20:50 +0000 Keith Willhite http://www.westview.org/?p=1400 Next Quarterly Elder Board Update, March 7th

The Elder Board will be having its next quarterly update on March 7 between worship services at 10 AM.  We will meet in the worship space to discuss the transition of Sr. Pastoral leadership, our finances, and other items of interest.  There will be time for questions and answers.  Please plan to attend!

]]> http://www.westview.org/next-quarterly-elder-board-update/feed/ 0 I am proud! http://www.westview.org/i-am-proud/ http://www.westview.org/i-am-proud/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:10:19 +0000 Pastor Jay http://www.westview.org/i-am-proud/ graceandglorylogoI am proud of my wife! Barb just finished her dissertation and defended it with her panel. One of the panelists who reads many, many dissertations, said that Barb’s was one of the best she has read.
Watching Barb go through this long process has made me think…what is my dissertation? What is my life’s work all about? What is it that I want to present and defend as a high accomplishment?
2 Corinthians 2:3 says, “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
I may write a dissertation someday…then again, I may not! But I know what I really want to accomplish.

]]> http://www.westview.org/i-am-proud/feed/ 0 7habits http://www.westview.org/7habits/ http://www.westview.org/7habits/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:36:04 +0000 Keith Willhite http://www.westview.org/7habits/ 7 Habits of a Visitor Friendly Church Brochure

August 29th, 2009

9am-3:30pm

Look for Westview and Group discounts! see brochure above.

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Please click on the donate button to pay via paypal, or mail a check for your registration fees to:
Westview Church
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1155 Boone Drive
Waukee, IA 50263

]]> http://www.westview.org/7habits/feed/ 0 Wisdom and Discipline http://www.westview.org/wisdom-and-discipline/ http://www.westview.org/wisdom-and-discipline/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:50:26 +0000 Pastor Jay http://www.westview.org/wisdom-and-discipline/ At the beginning of the biblical book of Proverbs, Solomon states his purpose by saying that his proverbs are…“for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.” Proverbs 1:2-3

I am thinking that wisdom and discipline are related but different. Discipline and the old word “prudence” refer to how I live my life. The Webster’s definition of prudence is “the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason”. This is what I hope for as I raise my sons from their teen years to their early 20s. I want them to be disciplined and prudent. I want them to be able to govern their own lives, to keep a balanced checking account, to do their own laundry, to get to bed on time so that they will be fresh for a day’s work, to write their thank you notes, to remember their mom on Mother’s Day. That’s discipline, and discipline is necessary for a successful life.

But Solomon wants to lead us through discipline and on to wisdom. If discipline gives me the “how” of life, wisdom leads me to the “what” and “why” of life. I know how to live, but do I know why I live? Many people have conquered discipline and have found a measure of success in life. But fewer people have latched on to the why. Solomon tells us that wisdom is the understanding of “what is right and just and fair” and doing these things, living in this way. This then moves us beyond a merely successful life, into a truly blessed life.

And how do we know what is right and just and fair? We come close to Jesus, as God the Father’s doorway into life, and we rely on the filling and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Here’s my prayer for you and for me today. “Dear Father, thank you for practical help in acquiring a disciplined, successful life. Help me to hear your voice and live the life of wisdom and purpose that you are calling me to live.”

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7

]]> http://www.westview.org/wisdom-and-discipline/feed/ 0 Psalm 27 http://www.westview.org/psalm-27/ http://www.westview.org/psalm-27/#comments Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:45:17 +0000 Pastor Jay http://www.westview.org/psalm-27/ Thoughts on Psalm 27
Lately, Psalm 27 has been very helpful to me as I wade through life’s muck. Here’s some thoughts, shared over the next few blog entries. David, the author, was apparently facing severe challenges, “evil men, enemies, war, armies”, people wanting to attack and kill him.
What is the one thing David wants from the Lord, during his severe trials?
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”
To dwell, to gaze, to seek. David’s first concern is not rescue from the hand of his enemy. David wants to experience God in the solitude of worship. This is my prayer today. God does not need our activity. God leads us to activity out of the meditation of our hearts.

]]> http://www.westview.org/psalm-27/feed/ 0 The Heart of Royalty, part 6 http://www.westview.org/the-heart-of-royalty-part-6/ http://www.westview.org/the-heart-of-royalty-part-6/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:34:05 +0000 Pastor Jay http://www.westview.org/the-heart-of-royalty-part-6/ He looked intensely into Simon’s eyes. Simon wanted to answer correctly, wanted to please the young Prince at that moment more than anything else in life. But he wasn’t sure what the answer was; the heart of royalty? “I’m not sure.” Said Simon.

David smiled. “You are not far from being sure, dear Simon. You think on that a bit more and we will talk again one day.” Simon thanked the Prince and walked out the front entrance. His thoughts carried him on the long journey home. He thought of the King, the Queen, the Prince and the heart of royalty.

Mary, Andrew and Rebekah greeted him when he got home and excitedly showed him the new roof on their aging cottage. The roof had been leaking for some time now, but it seemed to Simon that when he had the time to fix it he didn’t have the money, and when he had the money he didn’t have the time. But the roof had been completely rethatched and repaired. Mary told Simon of a kind man who came shortly after Simon had left for the city. The man arrived early one day with materials and said that a friend had hired him to fix their roof. The man had worked all day and then stayed the night in their barn. He left the next morning after breakfast with Simon’s family. Simon asked about the man. He was older, with a beautiful smile and large hands. He wore a denim work jacket.

The days and weeks following Simon’s visit to the city were different in Simon’s house. Simon found many ways to do things, unexpected kind things, for his wife and children. And, as he served them, they began to act more kindly toward each other. He also found that he now noticed that his neighbors had needs. He had always been busy with the demands of his family and farm, but now, for some reason, as he looked for extra things to do to serve his family, he also had more time to help a neighbor pull a stump or to repair a stranger’s broken wagon wheel. He changed and his family changed. Mary found time to take bread to a family in need and Andrew and Rebekah were excited to clear the rocks from the yard of an elderly woman.

Simon talked often and with enthusiasm to anyone who would listen about his trip to the city. Everyone who knew Simon commented on the change in Simon and in his family. One person would say, “Simon was always a good man, but ever since his trip, he’s been different.” Another would respond, “It’s like he has a new direction in life. He’s more noble somehow.” Another would say, “He has seen the King.”

And Simon would hear the comments and agree to himself. He knew that he was different. And he knew that he had seen the heart of royalty.

the end

]]> http://www.westview.org/the-heart-of-royalty-part-6/feed/ 0 The Heart of Royalty, part 5 http://www.westview.org/the-heart-of-royalty-part-5/ http://www.westview.org/the-heart-of-royalty-part-5/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:21:49 +0000 Pastor Jay http://www.westview.org/the-heart-of-royalty-part-5/ And as they talked, sometimes trying to include Simon, and sometimes talking between themselves, Simon came to another startling realization. King George had fixed the widow’s step! And it sounded like he did these things regularly! His work clothes, his dirty hands, the sweat on his brow were a normal part of his life. And as they talked, the picture became clearer to Simon that Queen Anne and Prince David were just as accustomed to performing these acts of service. And their love for each other was clear. They enjoyed each other and found many small ways through out the evening to communicate their affection and respect. They would serve each other. Queen Anne would rub the King’s shoulders to ease his work soreness. Prince David would move a chair so that his mother could find a spot close to the fire. And the King would get up to get more tea when the cups were empty. The acts of kindness continued through the evening.

As the evening grew late, Simon began to excuse himself to leave, but was prevented from doing so as all three royal family members assured him that he was to sleep there in the palace that night. He was showed to a bedroom where he immediately fell asleep and woke in the morning to smells of coffee and bread.

When he had eaten and dressed, David came to the room and walked with him down the corridor toward the front entrance of the palace. Simon had much he wanted to know but was finding it hard to put his questions into words.

They stopped at the entrance. “How is it, that…that…well, that you do what you do?” asked Simon. “That we do what?” said David. “Well, how is it that you do so many things for people. You, and the King and Queen Anne, you go out and do things for people. And they don’t know it! They don’t know who you are!” “Yes, that’s true,” answered David, “But they do appreciate what we do. The widow yesterday was very grateful to Father for her new step.” “Yes! I’m sure she was, but she didn’t know it was him, did she?” “I don’t know.” And Simon could tell that David wasn’t really concerned.

“Please, my Lord,” Simon continued, “Forgive my questions, but I must ask…Why do you do this? Why do you and the king and the queen…why do you…you don’t have to serve these people…me.” David smiled and looked beyond Simon, forming the picture in his mind. “Have you seen him smile?” he asked. Simon stopped, thought, “you mean the King? Oh yes! He has a beautiful smile!” “That’s it!” David grinned, took Simon by the arm with a firm grip. “To see him smile! I live for that!” David thought some more. “You see we are royal. We are the royal family. Father reminds me of this every day. And we must live our royalty! And do you see what is at the center, at the heart of royalty?”

(to be continued)

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