Art Fulks

Writing on Facebook

2010-09-30T05:59:00.000-07:00

I have started writing on a regular basis on my Facebook page instead of in the blog environment. So if you care, I would love to be Facebook friends. I have found two benefits:

(1) I have more friends there than those who read blogs.
(2) I am limited to 420 characters.

Maybe I'll come back later...but feel guilty having a blog and not writing regularly. So I will just re-direct where I am more faithful at the effort.

Am I Rescuable?

2010-08-23T06:27:00.000-07:00

Wierd thought today. We are about to recognize the 5 year anniversary of the hitting of Hurricane Katrina. The video clips from New Orleans are popping back up again on the news. Pictures in my own mind of working in the shelters and rebuilding houses are pretty vivid again.

For some odd reason, it brought back the story of the man who was on his roof as the flood waters rose. He was crying out to God to save him. A boat came, a helicopter came...yet he would not take their offer of help. You know the story.

I was reading this morning in Psalm 22 and there was a repeated phrase that struck me, "Let Him deliver him; let Him rescue..." I was just wondering if there have been times in my life when I was crying out to God for deliverance and God sent it. However, in my own stubborness, I would not let God work out my rescue.

Wow! I hope this makes me more discerning and humble next time.

Do my attitudes and actions match?

2010-05-17T05:34:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder why that just at the moment when you feel that you are not doing so well in displaying Christ...God puts another opportunity in your journey to let you try? And sometimes you know that you blew it (at least in your heart)...but what God let other people see was His grace.

I spent Friday and Saturday with our basketball team in Columbia. Friday night, we played with 5 guys...at least for the firsts 3 minutes of the game. That is when 'The Rev' (Billy Graham) got hit in the face and was put out of the game because the blood in his eye may him unable to see. Of course there was no foul called. We played the last 29 min. of the game with 4 players (against the other team's 12)...and at times against 2 stripes and a score keeper who refused to count all of our baskets. But we finished the game (eventually with only 3 players)...losing only by 6.

Saturday morning...with 6 kids (one of whom still cannot see very well)...still battling a hostile environment against an older team...I honestly thought that I crossed the line of a good witness a few times. I felt really bad about it all afternoon. But then showed up for the 4:00 p.m. game to have a parent from another team compliment me and our team on how we displayed a great Christian witness. I still had to repent and thank God for allowing something good to be seen, even in my horrible attitude.

We played the 4:00 p.m. game...at one point down by 16 points. We had a lot of frustration. But because of what had been said earlier to me, I felt the need to challenge out team to display character (really challenging myself). There was visible animosity left from the morning game. But we ended the game with only 4 players on the court...a 7 point win...and what I thought was our first decent witness. And just when you think the story ends...there is more.

I drove the 2 hours home Saturday night in order to preach Sunday morning. I left immediately after the service to drive the nearly 2 hours back to the northeast side of Columbia to play for the championship against the team we had played on Friday night. Less than a mile from the gym, I received a call from one of our players saying that they were at the gym and the other team had forfeited...4 hours earlier (but without a call to me or anyone from our team who had paid for another night of hotel).

My wife who was traveling with me on this venture asked me if I need a few minutes to 'chill' in the van before going in to get a 'clarification'. Honestly, I was so ticked...(the time and gas of a 300 miles round trip...with meals for 4 people). But as I walked in, there was the coordinator holding out the championship plaque...greeting me with a sincere apology. Now what do I do? All my team are standing there with their parents...and grand parents. I simply asked why I had not received a call and calmly expressed my disappointment due to the expense and time invested by out team (and their families).

He again apologized...and one of the grand parents said that it was all right because they had a great time at the hotel the night before. And then the coordinator said that he (and a local college coach) had watched our team for two of our games. They were so impressed with our effort, play, and attitudes that the coach was planning to follow-up with some of our kids.

So what was I to do? Take a crazy picture on the playground outside with our team...holding up their championship plaque...then get back in the van for the 2 hour drive home...confess my bad attitude...repent...and then stand in amazement at how God could show Himself (protecting His name) even when...

Well, it really challenged me to think about how much glory God could get out of my life if I actually had the Christ-like attitude that I know He really desires from me (even in adversity).

Friends, Foes, Partners, and Statistics

2010-04-07T06:48:00.000-07:00

I know this may come as a complete shock...but I realize that not everyone likes me. There are those who actually do not like me, some who tolerate me, a few who like me, and a few who are my friends. And as this goes for me, I am sure that it is the same for the church that I pastor.

There are those who do not like our church, some who like our church, and some who are friends of our church. However, it is my understanding from God's Word that just as I am supposed to love people (no matter what their affection for me)...we should also love other local bodies of believers (churches) regardless of their affinity for our own ministry. Further, it has become so apparent in this current world culture that one church or even a group of church will never reach the world with the Gospel alone. We not only need to love other individuals and churches, but we need to partner wherever possible for the furtherance of the Gospel and God's Kingdom.

This requires that each of us do our part...not trying to do the part of another. It means that we celebrate what God is doing in and through others. But for this to be effective in a world that sees through hypocrisy...it must be genuine, even when we wish the seeming success of others could have been our own.

It was rather confusing this week for me to read about my own denomination claiming to have had greater success in this past year than in any in the last 50 years for reaching people with the Gospel and seeing them profess Christ through baptism. Don't get me wrong. I am very excited to be partnering with a movement that is striving to reach the world...including the 3.5 million people in South Carolina who do not have a relationship with Christ. And I agree with the article that states that newer churches tend to be more effective...thus the need to plant more church. Just look at the fact that over 1/2 of the top 20 SCBC churches for baptisms are less than 12 years old.

But here is what I do not quite understand. We utilize the statistics of these churches in order to make us look increasingly effective. However, it was not that long ago when a major event in our state was cancelled due to animosity over the fact that two of the top 15 churches' pastors speaking. And there are so many church planters who cannot plant SBC churches because local association pastors will not step up and sponsor them...even in name. I frequently hear some pastors of established churches talking about how we do not need new churches or how the contemporary models are irreverent.

As a church planter who came from an established church that dropped sponsoring us when it became unpopular, I have my own emotional struggles at times. God delivered me from any animosity toward those who do not like us...or me for that matter. Truth is...we need established churches and new churches. That is why our five year old church helps and partners with both. God has helped me appreciate more all of my pastor brothers more...and their churches.

But what does the lost and unchurched culture think? We cannot have it both ways. We cannot publically criticize our brother pastors (and church planters) and their churches (and their church plants)...and then claim their statistics. The lost and unchurched see right through it, making us more ineffective and that 3.5 million number will continue to grow.

So with that little frustration vented, Praise God for Perry and Newspring Church...Don and FBC Spartanburg...Perry and Brookwood Church...David and Rock Springs Church...Artie and Cornerstone Community...Don and Northside Church...the ones who have Baptist in the name and those without it in the name. And by the way...Thank God for Jeff Doughty and Total Praise Church (our Church of God brothers) and Covenant Presbyterian and Bethesda Methodist and my Church of Christ friends who are shining the light of Jesus at the local coffee shop. I wish I had more friends and partners like you.

2009-09-01T10:15:00.001-07:00

The reality that a refurbished computer is just that made me grateful that God makes us new...not just a refurb.

A Blogging Slacker

2009-08-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

What's the point of having a blog is you don't...well...BLOG? It could, I guess become a place to journal your thoughts - to be able to look back on the journey. But it's been over 2 months since my last entry. Some people asked me to upload my sermons to they could read them. But now they are available at our church website (www.connectionfellowship.org) where they can be watched and heard.

Life has been crazy. I began keeping up a bit with facebook...in addition to emails...

So what's the point? I guess as I prayed this morning I realized that NOT blogging every day or every week is NOT a sin...so I should not necessarily feel bad or sorry about it. I'm not even sure who (if anybody) reads it. Of course, no one is going to read it if you don't write it.

I am a bit envious of my friend Chris who writes on his facebook wall (seemingly) every morning that 'blog is up'. I know that it is an incredible tool. Maybe I'll take bit more time to invest in it. But God certainly is giving me liberty to not beat myself up for lots of 'stuff' that is the most important priority.

Is there anything God needs to give you liberty about letting go of so that you can focus on the most important things? I have not been blogging frequently...but I have been writing notes to my wife more frequently...of course you can't read those.

Full Adoption

2009-06-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Connection Fellowship
June 14, 2009
Full Adoption
Galatians 4:1-9

If you have your Bible this morning, I would invite you to turn again to the Book of Galatians as we continue our series of messages entitled, “Living in Freedom”. In this letter to the churches of what is now modern Turkey, the Apostle Paul has been refuting the false teaching that has infiltrated the churches. Jewish legalists who were telling these new believers that they needed convert to being Jews and follow their religious rules in order to be right with God.
After laying out the issue in chapter one, Paul defends his God given authority and then spend chapters 2-4 laying out the case for GRACE, and not LAW. In a sense, chapter 4 is redundant by addressing the same issue…just utilizing more illustrations. But there are two things I want you to understand this morning, as we focus just on the first 9 verses:
(1) If we don’t get the point that our relationship with God is based singularly on faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross as payment for our sins and not on our works…your belief system (or doctrine), your foundation is based on a faulty human foundation and not on God’s perfect plan.
(2) The freedom that God desires and intends for us to live in is not just a status that comes from being made right with God by Christ dying for us, but it is also an experiential freedom that comes from God living in and through us.

[Galatians 4:1-9]

TEXT
1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. 8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

Paul’s illustration of a child was familiar to his readers. But it may not be so evident to us. In their context, children of the most powerful and wealthy were raised by servants or slaves…almost as slaves themselves. Although everyone (including those in charge of him) knew that the child was the rightful heir and would one day not be subject to their supervision…they served the purpose of raising them to the point that they would be able to handle receiving their inheritance. But through the entire process, they understood that they were subject to the authority of the Father until the date he set to turn over control of his assets to the son.

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law,…

God’s purpose for the Law was to guide the Jewish people until the time He had set in eternity past for His Son to come into the world (fully human and fully God) to provide the only acceptable sacrifice for the eternal redemption of mankind.

God sent the Son so we might have the status of Sonship.

Rules were never meant to bring eternal life or to make us more tolerable to God. He is not focused on changing your behavior…He is focused on changing your heart, the core of your worship. That’s what He desires and deserves. As MacArthur reminds us, rules may keep us in line, but “rules don’t change the heart.”
So how does He change us so that we can live in real freedom and live the transformed life that He desires for us? Look again starting in verse 5:

5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

We not only receive the gift of salvation by being redeemed (or bought out of slavery to sin) and become a child of God. We also are given full adoption as sons. This may not mean much to us, but it did to the Galatian people. In their culture, adoption not only meant possibly being brought into the family…but it meant that you were given the full inheritance rights and allowed to enjoy them…as a mature son. And as a mature son, we are no longer under the bondage of legalistic rules, but rather we have received the person of God Himself (the Holy Spirit) into our hearts to guide us…and to confirm in our spirit that we are truly a part of the family of God by crying out for us the most intimate of Fatherly addresses…Abba Father (or Daddy).

God sent the Son so we might have the status of Sonship. But He sent
the Holy Spirit so we might have the experience of Sonship.

In verse 8, Paul reminds them that because of their faith in God’s gracious gift, they have received the status of a right relationship with Him. In verse 9, he asks them why, knowing that they have received this gift and an intimate fellowship with their Creator, would they return to something that brings no life, but only bondage?
In our church, we need to focus on helping people connect with God’s grace and then encouraging them to engage in the process of having their heart and life transformed as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives. We must be careful not to promote standards that are perceived as some check-off list for good standing with God. Instead, we are to paint a picture, in word and deed, of what we the Bible teaches a life transformed and surrendered to Christ looks like as we actively follow Him. The truth is that any standards we would set would be so far short of full surrender to God.

One of the most beautiful pictures of grace and love in our culture today is painted when children are adopted by into a family. They are received into the family and into the home. But, I’m told that there is an even greater moment when the reality of their status reaches that child’s heart and they, with sincerity and passion, say those personal, intimate words to their new parents: “Mommy” and “Daddy”.

God is not and will never be satisfied with a simple change in your spiritual status…that comes from accepting Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. That is the place to start. And if you have never accepted Christ personally…I want to encourage you to do that today.
But for followers of Christ, the message today is this: God wants you to live in more than just the status of being His child. He desires for you to live in the freedom of experiencing following Him and enjoying the intimate relationship for which you were created…that He has provided…not by rules…but by His Grace.

Why don’t you take a few moments and allow Abba Father
to speak that reality into your heart and life right now.

Get Your Belief System Straight

2009-06-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

Connection Fellowship
June 7, 2009
Get Your Doctrine Straight
Galatians 3:1-29

For the past few weeks, we have been talking about Living in Freedom as we study the Book of Galatians. Yesterday I played golf. For me, golf does more than provide a few hours of recreation or fellowship. It provides sermon illustrations. And for this series…it proved a testing ground for my own response to this teaching.
(1) God wants us to live in grace and not under legalism – so I took a mulligan.
(2) The best defense for the Gospel is a changed life - I didn’t cuss this time (out loud).
(3) We are to die daily to our selfish desires – so I died to the idea of ever going pro.
And when I gave up on ever playing golf professionally and grasped the reality of my inabilities, I began to enjoy the recreation and fellowship that God provided through this round of golf so much more. It was so liberating!
Let me ask you a question. How have you been doing at living in the freedom God desires and provided through Christ? Have you laid aside any legalistic, non-biblical expectations of yourself or others? Has the reality of your changed life in Christ made a difference to anyone? Did you follow through on what God showed you last week about surrendering and dying to any attitude or thing?
As we come to Galatians chapter 3 this week, Paul sounds a bit parental. He tries to convey to these dear people how they can live in the freedom of God’s grace and not by the legalism of the Jewish Law. And he approaches it like a the greatest Teacher…Jesus…with lots of questions. And here is what he says:
“What are you are basing your life on?
Get your doctrine straight…It is so liberating!”
TEXT
1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched [duped] you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? [You have experienced it & seen it lived out!]

2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
[Did you start this Christian journey by the Law or by faith?]

3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? [You received the gift of salvation by grace through faith, but now you think that there is something you can do to earn it in the flesh?]

4 Did you suffer [experience] so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
[Does God, who transformed you life, do all this by works or by faith?]

6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
[The Scripture says in Gen. 15:6 that even the father of the Jewish nation was declared right with God because of his faith, not works.]
7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
[You cannot say I follow the true Jewish faith and still depend on works.]

8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
[God told Abraham – Gen. 12:3 – that this good news would bless all people, not just the Jews. This message of faith and the promise of the Savior-Messiah would come through the Jews, but would be for all the people…not just those who convert to Jewish traditions.]

10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.”
[If you want to live by Law, you have to keep it all to perfection in word, action, and attitude. And no one can do that…we all know it!]

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
[Christ delivered us from this impossible system, bearing our curse so we could enjoy the blessing of God’s covenant promise to Abraham.]

15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.
[They understood that covenants were not like contracts. They were permanently binding…even among men. How much more with God?]

16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.
[The covenant did not end at his death. And God provided for the completion of it through Abraham’s descendents, all the way to Christ.]

17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
[The Law was given 430 years after God’s covenant was last restated to Jacob, Abraham’s grandson. If Law was the means to a relationship with God, then it would do away with God’s faith covenant of salvation through the Messiah. That makes no sense. You would be following a Law based on a faulty beginning and a faulty God. If God is faulty, then the Law, that He gave, is also faulty. So why then the law?]

19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
[It was for the sake of defining transgressions until the promised Messiah would come. Remember, when the Law was given, the Jewish people were struggling. They were wondering in the wilderness after a long captivity in pagan Egypt. Not unlike many in culture today, they were struggling to find their faith…and it was easily misplaced.]

20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.
[This is a one-way covenant that God Himself made and delivered. And He works for the good of both parties…sinful man and His holy glory.]

21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
[Does God contradict Himself with Covenant and Law? No way! If keeping Law could provide life, then a right relationship with God would come by keeping that Law. But rather, what it did was show men that there was no other hope – in ourselves – so when Jesus Christ came, it would be made evident to those who would themselves and believe.]

23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.
[This is a picture of a corral, keeping the Jewish people on the right path until their faith could be revealed in the physical reality of Jesus.]

24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
[Like a traditional schoolmaster, who was hired to keep watch over and teach the children until they were mature, the Law was to keep the Jews on track and lead them to recognize the promise completed in Christ. But it no longer serves that purpose, for Christ is now the guide for life.]

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
[Remember, Paul is writing to believers, and is not making a universal declaration that everyone is right with God. But those immersed in Christ…by faith…are now identified as a child of God. In God’s eyes, we are ‘clothed’ in Christ and when He looks at us, He sees His Son. And seeing His Son, there are no longer distinctions among believers concerning His faith covenant…now delivered to the entire human race.]

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.
[No matter your nationality, your status in society, or your gender, all of you are recipients of the covenant of salvation through faith in Christ. Some today have used this text to say that in the New Testament there is no longer heterosexual or homosexual. But that is not what it is saying at all. No, under the old Law system, there were all kinds of distinctions between people in how they relate to God…but no more. All approach God by the same WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE…Jesus Christ…by faith.]

UNDERSTANDING
You might say, “I’m not a Jew,” or “I never tried to keep some religious system to get to heaven. So, what does this all mean for me?” Glad you asked!

Everyone follows some belief system, whether established by a religion, a country, a church, or even yourself. God would have us know that there is only one WAY to a right relationship with Him...and it has never changed. It is by faith alone in Christ alone [Martin Luther]. Anything belief system that would contradict or attempt to add to this central truth is not of God. Don’t be duped!

Freedom comes from following Christ…not Christians. [J.D.M.]

And why is there such liberty for our lives when we get this central doctrine or belief straight? First, because we no longer live in bondage to a performance based process of trying to please God or others. Second, our identity & security in Christ becomes the anchor for our life. So we are no long tossed about by any little thing that comes our way. If you are struggling with the bumps of the journey, I want to encourage you to search God’s Living Word to help you understand His Character and Promises so you can live in the freedom God desires and has provided for you.

CONCLUSION
A friend has challenged me for the past four months with this question: “What would happen in our community if everyone person came to the reality of the freedom that comes from a relationship with God through faith in Christ.”

What would be different? What would it look like? I have asked God to give me a vision for what it would look like and an inescapable passion to see it happen. But I want to leave you today with an even more personal question that God asked me while I was struggling once again this week with my friend’s challenge:
“How can I bring this reality in your community, your church, or your family… or use you to impact the world if you are not living in this freedom each day?”

How would my life and your life look different if we were to live
each day by faith in the liberty and reality of our identity in Christ?”

Vacation is a Lot of Work

2009-06-02T11:40:00.000-07:00

I'm really tired! I know that I need a break. But this year seems extremely difficult to get planned...camps, mission trips, projects, practices, family reunions, etc.

Here is the paradox in the situation. If you have children, especially mulitples, summer vacation can often provide an opportunity for making you really tired (in a good sort of way). Family reunions really are no vacation at all. I've heard so many people say that they had to go back to work in order to get any rest. I understand. But I've never had quite the experience as with this year.

No, I haven't gone on any vacation. But I realized today that in the planning process to try to figure out the best place and best deal, I have spent at least 30 hours. I'm so worn out that I really need that vacation...yet it has still not been finalized. What is a dad to do?

Maybe I could just string together 3 weeks straight of taking an afternoon nap, combined with one round of golf each week...and maybe a few nice dinners out at my favorite restaurant?.?.?

Crucified With Christ

2009-06-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

Connection Fellowship
May 31, 2009
Crucified With Christ
Galatians 2:1-21
Introduction

“My chains are gone…I’ve been set free” may be the most liberating lines in a song that I’ve sung in a long time. Chris Tomlin wrote this chorus in conjunction with John Newton’s ‘Amazing Grace’. If you have not seen the movie, by the same title, I would encourage you to see it. It is incredible that during the struggle for people to be liberated from ‘men’s law’, spiritual liberty came to William Wilberforce from the bondage of personal sin and guilt. The song is monument to it.

In the late 1800’s, another monument, the Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by France to represent the freedom associated with our country. Millions of people have come to our country and been greeted by this impressive statement of liberty. When you look see it, there is an incredible sense of the freedom that it represents. It has become a picture synonymous with liberty.

But today, we are faced with a picture that may not…on the surface…appear to be the most liberating. But in fact it is the most liberating picture for any single person to have ever lived on the planet. Galatians 2:20 may be the most quoted Bible verses about living the Christian life.

20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

This may be one of the most quoted Bible verses about living the Christian life. It is generally taught in the context of ‘dying’ to our old, sinful life of bondage and allowing Christ to live in and through us in this new liberated life that we have because of Him. That is so true. But the context of this liberty also comes from not being bound to a religious system of legalism and trying to please God (or men) through our behavior…before and after personally receiving the Gospel of Christ.

This is a summary statement of Paul’s personal story.

Acts 15 tells the narrative of this story, but here we have the editorial details. It had been 14 years since his initial visit to Jerusalem recorded in Chapter 1.

Paul took Barnabas (a Jew) and Titus (a Greek convert) to visit the leaders of the
early church to stop the false teaching that a group of Jewish teachers (from Jerusalem) were spreading among the non-Jews that after placing their faith in Christ, they must be circumcised and live by the Jewish traditions.

He met with them privately to keep from making a public spectacle of the issue. They affirmed Paul’s teaching as the TRUE GOSPEL and evidenced it by not
requiring Titus be circumcised. His doctrine of grace through faith was right.

But living it out daily is often difficult. Even the most devoted followers of Christ
can get sucked into the pressures of performance based religion. In verses 11 – 21, Paul shares an example of how Peter, the same leader who walked with Christ and preached the Gospel so effectively, got sucked in.

Peter had visited the Gentiles in the city of Antioch [Acts 12] and was hanging out
(fellowshipping and eating) regularly with the locals. However, when Jewish friends began to visit from the Jerusalem church (with their prejudices about religious rituals and practices), Peter began to withdraw from the locals. It caused such an impact, that even Barnabas was sucked into it.

Paul confronted their hypocrisy. It was not a debate over condemning the Jewish
lifestyle of not eating pork (or anything like that). Go ahead and live that lifestyle if you want. He may have said, ‘be a vegetarian if you want’. But do not equate a legalistic diet (found in an Old Testament ritual system) with a personal relationship or requirement for receiving the grace of God in Christ.

Paul reminds them that the doctrine of salvation by God’s grace through faith in
the sacrifice of Christ on the cross has already been settled…and is not found in works of the law. In verses 17 - 18, Paul lays it out:

17 “But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18 “For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.

Paul says, “You cannot have it both ways!” That applies both to what you say
you believe and how you live that out. By preaching unmerited grace, then
saying or acting as if something is done to earn God’s favor, I become a living contradiction. There is no freedom in being a living contradiction.

20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Paul says that he did not just change religions…he died to it.

I did not know it until this week, but there are multiple statues like our Statue of Liberty…like this one in Tokyo, Japan. There is one in London…one in Paris. You can choose to live and try to find freedom in any of these countries under a similar, yet not identical, banner of liberty. You could also choose to try freedom under the banners of many similar, yet not identical religions. You can even try to mix some Christianity into your own viewpoint and create your own personal religion.

But just like Paul encountered, although many have tried to mix some form of Christianity with their own set of religious rules or rituals, there is no TRUE FREEDOM to be found under any other banner than the CROSS of Jesus Christ.

There is no freedom in living a contradiction.

I invite you today to choose to live in the Freedom of God’s grace found in Christ.

The Best Defense is a Changed Life

2009-06-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

Connection Fellowship
May 24, 2009
The Best Defense is a Changed Life
Galatians 1:11-24

Revelation [Ch. 7] tells us that there will come a day when people from every tongue, tribe, and nation will bow before the throne of God and cry out in praise to the Lamb of God Who brought salvation to the world. This is a very foreign message to those in our culture who find it very difficult to see past their present circumstance, or find it impossible to believe that the God of the Universe could provide salvation by grace, through faith [Eph. 2:8] in a gift, without doing something to earn it or keep it.
This difficulty is not just found in the faculty club on an Ivy League college campus. No, it has been (and is still) found in religious movements and in churches all around this country and around the world…and it is called legalism.
Last week, as we began our series of messages in the book of Galatians, we saw that the Apostle Paul is refuting this false teaching (by Jewish traditionalists) that has infiltrated the churches in the area now known as modern Turkey. He began by reminding them that GRACE and PEACE only come from knowing Christ. They are not experienced through keeping a human standard, but by pursuing a Holy God. The true freedom that Christ desires for us to experience, (from our sin) is not found in either the bondage of frustration in religious exercise, nor in the guilt of living for self. Instead, GRACE and PEACE come from a life daily surrendered to God.
As Paul was delivering this message, he was also under attack from those who were in both camps: religious legalists and personal freedom fighters. Both would try to discredit him, as well as those who would genuinely try to follow Christ. If we are not careful, we can end up in personal bondage because of the pressure of others. For some of you today, that pressure can come from unbelieving family, friends, or co-workers. It could also come from religious acquaintances who try to get you to live in the box of their legalism. Either way, we can feel trapped in our desire to Live in the Freedom that Christ died for and that God intends for us.
So how are we supposed to Live in Freedom among those who would try to have us live under their personal bondage or religious pressure? Let’s read together:

TEXT [Galatians 1:11-24]
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. 18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; 23 but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they were glorifying God because of me.

One of my favorite types of movies is a ‘lawyer’ movie. And one of my favorite lawyer movies is “A Few Good Men”. Tom Cruise has made a career of negotiating and settling cases privately. But in this movie, he is faced with the pressure of the military to ‘settle’, while battling the fears of his past and the principles of right to fight for justice. At one point in his preparation, a friends says, “I think I just heard you make an argument.”
There are times in our Christian life that we need to ‘make an argument’. But see how Paul makes his argument for the reality of Living in Freedom through Christ. Just like surrender does not seem to make sense, Paul’s approach may not make sense to most people either.

First, he argues the case of his ‘got it from’. In vs. 11-12, he says he got this message, (not from school or teacher), but from Jesus Christ Himself. He says, “They did not teach this where I grew up and went to school. In fact, they taught just the opposite…and I was a really good student.”
In vs. 13-14, he argues the case of his ‘used to be’. He had a reputation as an excellent, legalistic Jew. And he was so passionately committed to it that he works with all his influence to destroy the very thing that he now so passionately advocates and teaches…the Gospel of Christ. But how could this zealous persecutor of Christians change? It’s in the ‘but’.
V. 15 begins with the words, “But God…” Then Paul tells what he was ‘made to be’. God’s intersection and collision with Paul’s life revealed to him Who God really was and turned him into a messenger of the Gospel to the Gentiles (those despised by religious Jews of whom he had been a part.)
In v. 16-22, Paul that who he was ‘made to be’ was not just a philosophical change that came about through study or reflection. It was not through an education received from other believers. He says, “Check out the history…it can be verified…God as my witness…I am telling you the truth.” We have this whole story in the Book of Acts – Chapter 9.
Then in v. 23-24, he ends with the case of ‘because of me’. It is not an argument of, “because of me there are all of these churches or converts.” No, he says, “because of the change they have seen in my life and the fruit that this life-transformation is reaping…they are glorifying God.” The same man who tried to destroy the Gospel is now preaching that same Gospel…to the point of being persistently persecuted himself. Only God could do that!

My parents are here this morning and they may have a bit different perspective on what I am about to say. But, honestly…I was a pretty good, religious person when I became a follower of Christ. The difference in my life, behaviorally, may not have even been that noticeable to many people. I used to envy people who may have had a more ‘dramatic’ life transformation than I did. But listen to me!
My ‘got it from’ was the same as Paul’s. The Holy Creator God intersected and collided with my life and revealed Himself to me…and in me and gave me His PEACE by His GRACE through my FAITH that, (by the way) He gave me as well.
And He turned my ‘used to be’, which was a religious, legalistic kid who really only cared about getting my way and doing thing my way…because I thought it was the best way to make me and everyone else happy with me. And for the past 31 years, the same God has been putting me through ‘me, myself, and I de-tox’.
And just like Paul, the same holds true for me: “But God…” But God who knew me in my mother’s womb [Jeremiah 1:5], has taken my ‘plan to be’ and has been working out His plan for me (which, by the way, is much better than my plan for me) [Jeremiah 29:11]. And anyone who knew my plan can see that my ‘plan to be’ is certainly not what I was ‘made to be’ because of that phrase, “But God…”
And the truth is that my plan…and what I ‘used to be’ had quite a bit of focus on ‘look at me’. But any credibility that I could make for my life, my ministry, or my presentation of the Gospel is held in this argument: For those who know me, just possibly, ‘because of me’ there are others whose lives have been transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ…and (just like Paul)…‘only God could have done that.’
Just as living in freedom comes through surrender and not by accomplishment, we gain confidence and credibility in that freedom by the fact that only God could have changed our lives like that.

Living in freedom is verified by the fact that only God
could have made that change in your transformed life.

Has there been a change in your life that can only be attributed to God? If not, then you have not met Christ personally…because He will change you. It is inevitable. And I am praying for that collision to happen today. And if He has, are you living in the freedom of that verified change, or are you still trying to prove it by yourself? Stop living in that bondage and live in freedom today - every day of your journey in His grace and peace.

LIving in Freedom

2009-05-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

Connection Fellowship
May 17, 2009
Living in Freedom
Galatians 1:1-10

Introduction
Today, we begin a new series of messages in the NT book of Galatians. As we begin, it may be helpful for us to understand a bit of its context. This region, settled by immigrants from France (Gaul), was conquered by Rome around 189 B.C. It is now modern Turkey.
Its divinely inspired author, the Apostle Paul, started multiple churches here on his 1st missionary journey [Acts 13-14]. Written about 50 A.D. to multiple churches, it refutes the religious bondage being taught by Jewish teachers who were to mixing faith and grace, (in the Gospel), with the works religion that Judaism had become.

Warren Wiersbe writes, “This is a very dangerous book.” Why? Because, “It exposes the most popular substitute for spiritual living that we have in our churches today – legalism.” I was vividly reminded of this at lunch on Tuesday after my grandfather’s funeral.
A man I loved growing up said he asked his wayward daughter to go to church with him. She told him that she did not have a dress. He responded, “Then you won’t be going with me.” At one time, I would have kept his mouth shut. But studying this text, I responded, “She could come to our church, I have even preached in shorts.”
Does the Bible teach an absolute freedom to do whatever we want? Nothing could be the further from the truth. [Galatians 5:13] Look around you. That philosophy (or religion) leads to a whole different type of bondage. So how are we supposed to Live in Freedom? Let’s read together.

TEXT [Galatians 1:1-10]
1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

How does being a ‘bondservant’ allow you to live in freedom? That does not sound very liberating? But look at what he says.
Understanding
Paul begins by emphasizing that his calling, or commission in life was not through a human agency, but rather by the living Creator of the Universe. One of the most difficult circumstances in life is trying to please multiple people. One of the greatest difficulties in my former career in human resources is that I reported to multiple people who each had their own agenda. Ministry can be the same way, especially in the church. But Paul knew he was called and sent by God.
God normally calls us to serve Him in the context of an organization (a business, a church, a family). Paul often modeled this for us. But the way we can experience incredible freedom on our journey is a humble confidence in the fact that our identity and commission actually comes from God.
In verses 3–5, Paul describes the basis for our freedom in God: Grace and Peace. “Grace is the source of salvation and peace is the result of salvation. Grace is positional and peace is practical. The law offered no grace and no peace.” [MacArthur] Paul was careful to make sure that he clarified that this grace and peace came solely through the gift from God, which is the heart of the Gospel…that Jesus died for our sins. [1 Cor. 15:3-4]
It amazed Paul, (v. 6-7) that people who were dramatically impacted by God through believing the Gospel message could so soon and quickly turn away from Christ to an alteration to the message that had changed their lives.
But this is the most used tool of Satan to render believers impotent… distraction. If he can get believers, or a church, to focus on keeping some human standard instead of pursuing a holy God, he has succeeded. But before we get too critical of the Galatians, I would remind us that throughout history there have been many such slides that have caused courageous men of God to stand up and help us refocus on the truth that is The Gospel.
But look what Paul says in verse 7: “this is not really another” Gospel. You can tell it because instead of experiencing peace, you are experiencing agitation. In the world, there have been and are many religions. Even among those who call themselves Christian, with our many labels, Paul reminds us there is true freedom in only one Gospel - faith in Christ alone.
His introduction to Galatians ends with a speech so passionate that he says of himself, if I ever teach something different…I should receive a curse of eternal destruction. It sounds a bit as if he is angry. But that is not true. As we will discover next week, Paul vividly remembers the bondage of trying to keep a religious standard. So desperate is his desire for these beloved people to live in the freedom that is found in Christ that he is willing to risk offending them. Just like Christ, he loves them too much to leave them where they are - living ineffectively for Christ in religious bondage.

CONCLUSION
We live in a culture that emphasizes personal freedom. Whether abortion, homosexual marriage, or the over 70% of South Carolina high school seniors who are having sex before marriage, people generally accept your personal standards, as long as you do not impose them on others. But the truth is that the freedom our culture promotes leads to spiritual bondage…bondage of internal emptiness and agitation…with chains of frustration and guilt…and NO PEACE.
The opposite is often promoted in many religions and churches. Some call it legalism. It is just as much bondage…with frustration and guilt in our failure to maintain the given standard…with NO GRACE.
Both keep us from living in the freedom Christ came to bring. It is spiritual liberty that comes from being forgiven from the debt and guilt of sin, combined with the supernatural ability to live in that same grace and freedom each day as we surrender as a servant of Christ.
I know that this surrender does not make sense to most people. But its logic is not found in a people concept…it is a God concept. It also makes no ‘people sense’ that the God of all the Universe would come in human flesh and die (personally) to pay the sin debt and rescue His rebellious creation from an eternity of separation in Hell.

Living in freedom is the reality found by knowing God and in experiencing His grace personally, everyday of your journey.

RESPONSE
I want to leave you with two questions:

(1) What is one area of your life where you are demanding or insisting
on your personal rights? Surrender it! [Mine = ___________]

(2) What is one expectation that you place on yourself or others that is
outside the context of the Gospel? Surrender it! [Mine = ____]

If you are not yet a follower of Christ, the typical answer to Question #1: It’s my life! But remember who gives you life. The typical answers to question #2 are either: I’m not good enough! or “I’m as good as other Christians! Remember, it’s not a standard that any human can meet. That’s why Christ died…to bring us grace and peace…so that you can live in freedom. But real freedom takes surrender.

Why not surrender today?
With God, there is incredible freedom in surrender.

Thoughts Before the Funeral

2009-05-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

It is a difficult day as I prepare to travel to Ohio for my grandfather's funeral. He was the last of my grandparents...so I guess I cannot pretend to be young any longer. The difficulty arises on many fronts. He is my mother's dad...and she (along with her 4 sibblings) loves her dad. But perhaps the most difficult is that he spent the majority of his life (the part that we all knew him) without any interest in a relationship with God.

For you who may read this and begin thinking about emoting something about 'the sovereignty of God'...I get it. It is not up to me to pass judgment. Thank God it is not up to me. But it seems a bit strange. Though (of my grandparents) he was by far the least engaged in my life through the years...it seems as though I am experiencing the greatest sadness and sorrow in my heart.

I know that God could call me today...whether I believe I am young or old. But the overwhelming thought that has dominated my mind over the past 2 days are the simple words of a song recorded by Karen Wheaton some years ago (the words of a parent to their child concerning eternity in heaven with God)... "JUST BE THERE".

A Proverbs 31 Mama

2009-05-11T09:23:00.001-07:00

Connection Fellowship
May 10, 2009
10:00 a.m.
A Proverbs 31 Mama
Proverbs 31:1-31
Introduction
A recent study revealed that if moms were paid by the hour, the average annual salary would exceed $131,000. Just when I think that I get my arms around all that my wife does…and begin to get a little confident in stupid ideas like, “It’s not that tough,” I generally experience some unique revelation that reminds me why dads are not moms.
Recently, I learned a great truth from God’s Word while working with single or widowed moms and dads. Here it is: No matter what anyone ways, there’s no way to be both ‘mom and dad’…and God doesn’t expect you to try. Just be the best you can be, and leave the rest to God.
Just for the record, I think my wife is the best wife and mom on the planet. My only regret so far is that I don’t tell it to her enough by the words that I say and the way that I treat her. A wise man told me that there are two things that your wife needs. #1 – She is the most important person on the planet to you. And #2 – She is the most important person on the planet to you. For those of us who fail at multi-tasking, just try to get #1 right.
If you are of the male species, let me encourage you to not shut your hearing off right now. If you are single…let me exhort you to listen and begin to develop a picture of God’s ideal wife for you. If you are married, let me beg you to listen so that you can encourage (not criticize) your wife as she strives to be a Proverbs 31 Mama. If you are a child, let me encourage you to listen and learn to appreciate the godly qualities that your mom has.
Although I believe my wife is the hottest babe and the most incredible woman on the planet, there has been another woman (not Miss America) that…for 3,000 years… has been the frustration to every woman who strives for God’s ideal. And that is the Proverbs 31 Mama. Lest you think I believe myself adequate to explain that ideal to you, I will join the writer of Proverbs 31, King Lemuel, by not interjecting many words. But, as verse 1 tells us, he shares the insight and wisdom of his own mother for us.
Understanding
1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: 2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? 3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Verse two (2) tells us that Lemuel was a mama’s boy, but also that she had made a vow to dedicate him to God. But this vow took action. She takes time to invest in teaching her son. She does not just teach him negative lists of don’ts, but also the positives…the do’s. She taught him not to give himself to chasing women or to lose his sense of judgment through drinking.
She also taught him also to plead the case of the unfortunate and the helpless. The Bible tells the church that this is one of our functions as well. One reason we do not see more people helping others is because they were not taught…by word or by example. But look at his mother’s example -v.10.

10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
This is not saying that this is impossible, but rare…more rare than the jewelry you got for Mother’s Day.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
She is submissive, supportive, and never subverts his endeavors. She understands as her husband prospers, so does the family does, and proves it.

13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. 14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. 15 She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.
This mama works hard. She seeks out the best for her family. She sacrifices, not just for her family, but also for those who invest in her family. Sure, she is wealthy. But in our context, there are those who invest in our family, like teachers. [Illustration – Teacher appreciation / volunteering]

16 She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
This is not a woman who is afraid to get the oil changed because some guy might talk her into $1,000 of repairs. She can deal in business.

17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. 18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
She takes care of herself, physically. Not a weakling, but strong. And she has confidence in herself. Let me tell you this, mama who is a bit insecure in your physical appearance. Your husband realizes that he out married himself. He can’t believe that you love him and that you would wake up next to him each morning. He does, however, like it when you exude a bit of confidence in who God made you to be.
As was reported on James Dobson’s broadcast a few weeks ago, he is not attracted so much by the beauty of that blonde on TV. But what draws his attention is the confident look in her eye…the one that tells him (although erroneously) that she is interested in him. He longs to see it in your eyes.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
She is not just generous, but engages personally with those in need.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
The Proverbs 31 mama thinks ahead. She has a plan for the good days and the bad.

22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
And unlike most mamas who only think about their kids wearing the best acceptable clothes, she is keeping herself up in fashion. “What Not to Wear” would never accept her…not because she is extravagant, but regal.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
When we have children, most moms become known as ___’s mom. They lose their identity. But for a Proverbs 31 mama, her husband is known as ________’s husband.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
This kind of concludes the physical and activity picture. But then the text changes to the more important qualities.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
Character…inwardly and vision for the future of her family. Let me ask a question: Mom’s, do you have a vision for what God wants your marriage, your children, and your family to be like? Unless you do, you will never achieve it. It does not just happen. But it starts with God building His character in your personal life. Let me encourage you to begin with what God wants your life to be like. When you do, this next verse happens:

26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Every child goes through some level of rebellious attitude. It starts when they are born. But they will eventually see God’s wisdom that you give them. But remember, that in the same sentence here is ‘kindness’. What amazes me most about my wife is her patience and love even when our kids seem not to listen to sound advice or instruction. I lose way before her.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31 women do need to take a vacation to renew and refresh. But they are always intentionally striving for the good of their family.

28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29 “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”
Moms, let me just tell you that this will probably not always happen when you are in need of encouragement. But it will happen if you stick to it.
And this is where the rest of us come in. If we want to encourage our wives and mothers to strive for this ideal, we need to bless them as they make progress…not when they arrive.

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
But remember this moms. You are not striving for your husbands approval or your children’s love. That is settling way too short of the best. You will do best when you strive for God’s approval. He is the rewarder.

31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
But let me encourage you dads and kids…let mom enjoy the fruit of her labor. Don’t take the last chocolate cookie. Offer it to her first…at least today. It is Mother’s Day for heaven’s sakes.

If you are frustrated by this 3,000 year old ideal, please don’t be. But allow that holy discontent to help you strive first for God Himself…then that will lead you on the foundational steps to being a Proverbs 31 Mama.

The question is: Where are you today on your journey? The first step is your relationship with God. Start there.

Dad, the best gift you could give your wife this morning is to follow Christ…because you will never love her the way God intends without Him loving her through you. And you cannot do that unless you experience Him in your life personally.

A Convenient Faith

2009-05-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

What is 'convenient faith'? It is a faith that shows up or comes up in conversation only when it is convenient for accomplishing the agenda of the day. In the past few weeks, I have noticed a few notables in our culture who seemed to throw their faith around when it is beneficial. One covered up a symbol of Jesus and then proceeded to quote Jesus in his own speech. Another threw out his Southern Baptist heritage and his belief in death bed conversions in a response to a prominent politician changing political parties very late in his career.

Lest anyone think this is a political message, they just happened to illustrate the point on the national news. I also heard a homeless person in our city throw out multiple religious / Bible phrases in an attempt to relieve someone of some money. Then I heard a pastor throw around some 'out of context' scripture phrases to justify his position. The reality it, culture gets their prompting to use a 'convenient faith' mostly from the church.

However, what put me over the edge...and prompted me to write this...was a sign in our community. It is one of those new digital billboards (which I think is pretty cool). One of the messages on it this week has been a partial Bible verse: "All things work together for good...Rom. 8:28" What an encouraging and positive quote for those who drive by.

However, it stopped without saying the rest, "...for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." It is a pretty convenient faith that believes the first part (from the billboard) without the truth of the rest. I'm not saying that the person who put the words up on the screen lives a convenient faith. However, we are pressing toward avoiding anything expression of faith and truth that would potentially cause a conflict.

Believing in God, having faith in God, and loving God inherantly entails accepting the truth that this God is and proclaims...all of it. It is a convenient faith that believe only the parts that help our cause or helps us to gain favor with others. What does convenient faith lead to? I believe it leads eventually to having no allowable expression of real faith and truth.

As I look at the Bible, it is full of people who could not afford to have convenient faith. Like many around the planet today, their faith was grounds for persecution and possibly death. They could not afford a passive phrase choice in the middle of a speech or conversation.

This past weekend I had the privilege of hanging out with some of my heroes...missionaries. Many of them cannot afford to possess a 'convenient faith'. As I watch what is happening in the world today...and even in our own country...I am wondering how long it will be before 'convenient faith' even dissappears because its concequences? And when that happens, how many people will be left who have the courage to express true faith?

2009-05-01T05:13:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I don't Blog because I'm away from my computer. So I'm trying something new by texting to it.

Its mission. Conference weekend. My favorite of the year.

And I'm thanking God for coffee oasis.

It Really Happened...Now What?

2009-04-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

Connection Fellowship
Sunday, April 19, 2009
It Really Happen…Now What?
John 20:19-21

When I finished the worship guides this week, my father (who was visiting from Ohio) sat in my office and began to fold them. My mother has done their church bulletin for as long as I can remember, so my father has proofed well over 1,000 of them. And as he folded ours, he began to proof read my work. He found two errors. (Now I’ve fixed it, so don’t go looking for them.) But one of them was a simple typo. The other was in the schedule for Sunday. I forgot to remove the word, “EASTER” from the morning service.
I did what any good son would do…and that is to rationalize it. Then I did what any good pastor would do…and that is to spiritualize it. I said, “It fits with my sermon. By the way, do you only celebrate the resurrection one day a year? Our church is more spiritual than yours. We at least give it two weeks.”
I really made the error. But there is a point to it. Do we only celebrate Easter one day a year…and then just go on with our lives? Or does it really make a difference in our everyday life? This morning we come to the Gospel of John 20:19-21. Jesus had already appeared to a few, but now makes a public appearance to a whole group of His followers. He answers the question:
“It really did happen…but now what?”

TEXT: [John 19:19-21]
19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Why were they afraid? First of all, their leader had been killed because of the message He spread and they were identified as His followers. Second, now that He was not in the tomb, they were being blamed for stealing the body. And third, as if that were not enough, some of them had seen Jesus alive…the One most of them had abandoned or denied. Let’s give them a bit of a break about having a lack of courage.

Let’s look at the rest of the text. What does Jesus teach them?
UNDERSTANDING
First, in verse 19, Jesus declares PEACE to be with them. What does that mean? Jesus wants His disciples to know that because of His death and resurrection, the peace of Holy God is now with them individually. A lack of peace resulting from their sin and separation from God has now been dealt with on the cross.
Because of His holy sacrifice, Jesus had a legitimate right to declare judgment on all of them (and all of us). But He instead declares that the way of perfect peace – a right relationship with the Father – was accomplished for them. Peace is a certainty.

Second, in verse 20, Jesus displays His PERSON to be with them. Jesus had died…they watched Him. Jesus had been buried…they saw that too. Even if it was Him, certainly things would never be the same. No one had ever done this before. But Jesus took the time to reassure the ones that He loved that the same Savior they had followed for 3 years was still their friend.
Third, in verse 21, Jesus reassures them of His declaration of PEACE, but in a different tone. It is as if He says to them, “I don’t want you to hear me say it, I want you to experience it.” Just as they were again experiencing His person, His peace could be known in the same way…and with the same personally touch. But notice that in the same statement, Jesus says, “as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Finally, we see that Jesus teaches His followers that with His Peace and His Person comes His PURPOSE. The purpose of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not end with a cross, a tomb, and a coming back to life party with a few guys who had hung out with Him. No…it was to be the launching point for the entire world to hear about and experience of that same peace.
Would Jesus have died for just His disciples? I believe that the character of God displayed throughout history – especially in the case of Noah – says the answer to that question is “YES”. However, John 3:16-17 tells us that God loved the entire world and that His Son did not die to save a few and declare judgment on the rest.

No! Thanks be to God, the good news says He did it for all of us.

I don’t think that there is a more clear word picture that explains the content of this text better than 2 Corinthians 5. In verse 14:
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

It is saying that we now live in the PEACE of that right relationship with God. And it changes us. In fact, the PERSON of Christ now lives through us. And His PURPSE of making known His available peace and reconciliation is our purpose…as His ambassadors.
I’m not sure if the disciples really knew what this would hold in store for them. As for us, we may not know all that being sent in the same way as Jesus was sent will hold in store for us. However, there are two key things about every ambassador:
(1) They represent the person and purpose of the one sending them.
(2) They cannot represent that person by staying at home.

CONCLUSION
A few minutes ago, I mentioned NOAH. In just a few moments, as we take time to respond to this message, we will commission our NOAH team that will leave Sunday for New Orleans, exhibiting their response to ‘so send I you.”
But each of us…right where we are on our journey…need to answer the question: Jesus has risen, now what? So here are some possible responses based on where you are personally:
(1) Know His peace…believe and be reconciled to God
(2) Know His person…experience letting Christ live in and through you.
(3) Experience His peace…by not allowing fear to hold you back.
(4) Answer the call to be sent…across the street or around the world.

Jesus is risen from the dead. It really happened…now what?

Did It Really Happen?

2009-04-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

Connection Fellowship
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009
Did It Really Happen?
Matthew 28:1-15

Two weeks ago, I attended a funeral. A friend of mine was presiding over the casket of his mother. As he read the passage of comfort from John 14, I thought to myself, “This is the time when you find out if you really believe what you say you believe.”
Today, I want you to know that I do not consider myself an apologist. I no longer thrive on making an argument to convince people of anything. But this morning we come to a critical text and we will deal with the question:
“Did It [The Resurrection] Really Happen?”

TEXT: [Matthew 28:1-15]
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” 8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” 11 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.”15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.
It is a story recorded in all four (4) of the New Testament Gospels. It is proclaimed multiple times in the Book of Acts and in 1st Corinthians chapter 15. In verse 14, the Apostle Paul, in one of the most pointed statements says, “…if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.” He goes on to say, (v. 17-19), “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished…we are of all men most to be pitied.”

It’s been argued that Jesus did not really die on the cross. It has been argued that Jesus was not really buried in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimethea (John 19). It has been argued that Jesus’ body was stolen or that the women came to wrong tomb. It has also been argued that the appearances of Jesus Christ were really hallucinations.

Honestly, I have heard all of these arguments made and refuted by atheists and theologians for quite a few years. I could even make the arguments. But for the first time, in preparation for today, I researched the evidence for myself. And if you want to read it in a concise place, I would suggest: Lee Strobel’s – “The Case for Christ”

For today, I want to focus on just one argument that is pervasive in our culture as I did some personal searching. As we just read the account here in Matthew’s Gospel, you can read the accounts of the other 3 and they are not exactly the same. Let’s look at the text.

One key example is found in verse 1. It says that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. Mark 16:1 says that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome came to anoint the body of Jesus. Luke records the name of Joanna as well. John’s Gospel only records Mary Magdalene. So who was right?
Some argue that the accounts of angel, or angels, or the ‘young man’ are inconsistent. So who was right? Some argue that some accounts say the women were silent because of fear and others say that they ran to tell the disciples. So who is right?
Some argue why Matthew is the only writing of the Guards’ interaction with the priests and the false story. Why do the others leave it out? Is the Bible really true?

You may be thinking, as I did on many Easter Sunday mornings, “I don’t really care about all of that. Let’s sing ‘Victory in Jesus’ and go have some dinner.” But I want to challenge you with 2 thoughts: First, when you are standing over the casket of someone you love dearly or in bed with an incurable disease or in an overturned car that’s on fire…you will care if it’s true.
So who is right?

The answer is, “All of them”. What would be questionable is if all of them were identical. Watch a major news story on all four of our local networks and they will each cover it from a different perspective. This week, a small plane crashed in Spartanburg Co. Each network included different details, but all included the two most important facts: (1) a plane crashed and (2) the pilot died. In case you still doubt it, I personally saw the wreckage on Wednesday.

In the most memorable moments of history, the best, most credible sources commonly recorded different details. In our case all of the key factors are unanimously reported: (1) Jesus was crucified and died; (2) He was buried in a tomb; (3) He was raised from the dead; and (4) Many people actually saw Him.

We looked at 1 Cor. 15. Paul is commonly accepted as the writer and it has been dated only a few years after the events.

3. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5. and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7. then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8. and last of all, as it were to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. [though I had even persecuted the church of God].

Paul is not focusing on the reported surrounding details, but on key facts. He says plenty of people could verify the story. The details are important in helping us understand the dynamic of the story and to helping us understand how people responded to the events. But remember that the key to the Gospel message is found in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior.

Finally, there are people all around us - here and all around this globe – asking legitimate questions like this that we need to answer so that they may believe. There are a lot of ‘theological’ or ‘church’ or ‘behavior’ types of questions that may or may not be worth spending time to answer. But this one is most critical.

I read a true story this week that helped me understand this point:

In 1990, a brilliant man - Mike Bryan [who considers himself an atheist] was led by his curiosity to Dallas, TX and Criswell College for the purpose of living within an evangelical community and writing about his experience. His book was entitled, Chapter and Verse: A Skeptic Revisits Christianity.
After almost 6 months of going to classes, conferences, and going on a mission trip, it was time for Mike to return to his home in New York City. At dinner before he left, a professor asked Mike this question: “Thinking about all you have studied and experienced, what is the bottom line as you see it?”
With no hesitation at all Mike responded, “That’s easy. It’s the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.” Mike then proceeded with his logic:

“If Jesus rose from the dead then: 1) there is a God and 2) He is that God. Furthermore, 3) the Bible is true because He said it was true and believed it was true. And, 4) that means there is a heaven and a hell, and 5) one’s relationship with Jesus is the deciding factor as to which way you go.” [Daniel Akin – “The Centrality of the Resurrection of Christ”]

I have often thought that there is no greater witness for God in our culture than that of a changed life. I still believe that is true. But as I read this week about a believer – a newspaper writer who covered the religion page for several years – who became an atheist as a result…I realized that our lives may have both positive and negative impacts on whether others believe.
I am not, nor will I ever minimize the importance of living our lives so they are a walking billboard for the love and grace of God. However, when it comes down to the most important, critical times of our lives…the circumstances and choices of life and death, there is only one fact that actually matters:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ really did happen.

It is true. You can base your life, now and for eternity, on it. But it is only engaged to change your life and your eternal destiny if you believe it. It really did happen. Jesus has, and is [presently] risen. Others had been raised from the dead...but all eventually died. But not Jesus. This had never happened before. He did not die again. HE IS RISEN. The question is: Have you believed?

Are We NOT a Christian Nation?

2009-04-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

I was deeply troubled by the remarks of our President in Europe this week as he stated very insistently that "America is NOT a Christian...nation" but rather a nation of citizens. I would certainly agree that in the truest sense of the word, we are not representing 'Christian' in the way that our culture thinks or behaves in general. However, President Obama was not addressing our attitudes or behaviors compared to the Biblical description of a Christian.

The context of his speech was trying to portray the United States as a secular nation that does not have a particular religious influence in order to make us (or him) more attractive to those nations who have to this point been unreceptive to dealing with us on international issues. In general, because they would prefer to destroy us...mainly because of the Christian foundation upon which our nation was built and the supportive role that we have played against their never-ending attempt to rid the planet of the Jewish state of Israel.

It is pretty clear that for the majority of the past two centuries it has been a popular title to put on America - a Christian nation. But I guess as we are thinking this week about how the world crucified the Messiah 2000 years ago, we are getting back to the original context of the title of Christian - which was not a popular label for those who were turning the world upside down as they represented the love and purpose of Christ the Savior whom they followed.

Jesus' Prayer for Us On the Way to the Cross

2009-04-07T06:29:00.000-07:00

Connection Fellowship
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Jesus’ Prayer for Us On the Way to the Cross
John 17:11-26
INTRODUCTION
As I was planning my messages for this year, I looked back over the past 4 years at the messages I have preach around the Easter season. I noticed that when I taught through the Gospel of John last year, I skipped chapter 17. And on my recent personal journey, this chapter has continued to reappear in my reading.
As we approach the week of the Passion, I have been reading in the Gospels. And an old song came to me… “When He was On the Cross, I was On His Mind.” I have read this passage many times. But I did not realize how close it was in proximity to the cross. Then I was gripped by this thought: I know Jesus loved me and to died for me. But as He was on the last steps of the journey to the cross, what was He thinking about? And so this morning, we listen to His thoughts.

TEXT
13 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

As Jesus was on His way to the cross, His thoughts were focused on His relationship with His Father [as is recorded in the first section of this prayer] and on His disciples. He knew the difficulty they would face, and that most of them would even die for the sake of the Gospel. But it was not just the 11 that were with Him physically at the time, but He thought about all of us that would one day believe. So what is heart of His prayer to the Father for us? Let’s look at the text.

UNDERSTANDING
In the first verses of the chapter, Jesus’ burden was for the glory of the Father. In verse 3, (although we cannot unpack it today), there is an incredible definition of what is meant by ‘ETERNAL LIFE’ – [knowing the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ.] And Jesus longs for to once again live in the glory He had prior to coming to earth.
In the v. 6-10, Jesus declares He has finished the task for which He was sent and because of that, He carries the faith of His followers to the throne of the Father. But how could He declare that He had finished the work when He had not yet died? [It is because the view of eternal God is the perfected present.] In verse 11-12, Jesus asks for the Father to KEEP His followers united under the name given to Him by the Father.
In verse13, He says that the purpose for His prayer is that the disciples would have His joy made full in their lives. He goes on in verse 14 to say that He has given His them God’s Word. And then He does not ask the Father to quarantine or remove His followers from the world, but to protect them from Satan’s power.
In verse 16, Jesus declares that HIS followers are no longer earth citizens. So (v. 17), would He set them apart with Truth, acknowledging that God’s Word is what sets us apart.
In verse18, Jesus says that He is reproducing missionaries to carry the message of the Kingdom of God into the world, just as the Father has sent Him to do. Jesus knew that was His purpose. (v. 19). That’s why He lived as He did.
But in verse 20, we find that this prayer was not only for the 11, but all who would believe as a result of their spreading the Gospel. Who would have known that it would be so widespread? Who would have known that it would reach you and me?
In verse 21, Jesus asks for the Father to bring His followers unity – literally – that they would be one unit…just as the Father and Son are one unit. Why? Because it is a picture of the God we claim to know.
When I came to verse 22, I have a bit of difficulty understanding it. It seems as if Jesus is saying that the glory that the Father declared on the Son…that He experienced before coming to earth and would enjoy upon returning to heaven, Jesus declares upon His followers. How is that?
It is the same reason that Jesus’ declared His work completed earlier in the prayer. To Him, the perfected future of Heaven and the glorification of His followers were as much a reality at that particular moment as it will be in eternity.
Again, in verse 23, Jesus asks the Father that His followers would live in perfected unity…as a unit…which declares the love of the Father for the Son and the love of the Son for His followers.
He goes on (v. 24) to express His desire for His disciples to be with Him in Heaven to experience His glory as it was in eternity past. (v. 25) He then declares that He knows the world [in general] has not known the Father. But He does and His disciples have declared their faith in the Father because of the Son. That’s security…Jesus Christ Himself declaring our faith to God.
Jesus ends His prayer (v. 26) with the realization that there is one more thing to do that will display the love of the Father to His disciples. One unquestionable statement, an unfathomable picture of the Father’s love to paint for them…the cross.
Jesus would declare in the most amazing, remarkable way, the love that the Father has for Him…and that He expressed to us. Why? So the love of the Father could be in them…in us.

CONCLUSION
Jesus is still interceding for you and me [Hebrews 7:25]. He knows exactly where you are on your journey with the difficulty you have, are, or will be facing. His purpose in coming to earth was to show us the Father’s heart and love for us by dying on the cross to pay our sin debt. But His desire for us is much more than just a ‘get out of hell free’ card.

ILLUSTRATION: Monopoly, like most board games, is not
about winning the game. It’s about being able to enjoy the journey together.

This Easter season, as we thank God for the victory that comes through the sacrifice of our Savior and His subsequent resurrection, listen to the heart of the Savior for you as He walked the journey to the cross.

* He has a great desire for you to know the love of the Father.
* He has a great desire to protect you on the difficult journey you walk.
* He has a great desire to watch you grow in Truth and to be set apart for
His purpose in a world that is no longer your native land.
* He has a great desire to see believers united in heart and purpose which
will cause others know God and believe in Him.
* And He has a great desire for the Father’s glory and for the day when we
gather around the throne and experience His full glory in the company of every believer who will gather in that place where perfected worshippers will worship Him forever.

Remember that His prayer is for those who believed. So the first question today is: “Have you believed?” Jesus has made the greatest display of God’s love for you. Will you believe?
And if you have, as we celebrate this special time of the year, and this special time of communion, will you take time to appreciate not only the sacrifice of our Savior, but also the prayer and desire of our Redeemer who took the time to think about you in the midst of the most difficult journey ever walked?

The Planting of a Cypress Tree

2009-03-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

Connection Fellowship
4th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Planting of a Cypress Tree
Isaiah 55:6-13
INTRODUCTION
Thanks, Dana, for investing your life and ministry with us today. We are honored you would come today. We are honored that all of you came to share this day with us. This is a very special day. I tend to be a very driven person who likes to get to the next task. But I am learning the importance of remembering what God has done. Near the end of the service, we will see a presentation to help celebrate the past four years.
But before that, I want to share with you something that God has been doing in my heart for the past few months in regard to the church. Not only for this corporate body, but for us individually and for the body of Christ in general. Last week, we finished our series in Psalms by talking about our greatest personal desire…which should be God Himself.
But what is God’s desire for us? We talk about ‘making disciples’ as being God’s call on our lives. We believe that this is captured in our vision of ‘Connecting the World to Christ…on person at a time.” But what impact can it have on a whole community? Our text this morning gives a brief prescription, but then paints a beautiful picture of what that can look like as we join together…as a community of believers…pursuing our greatest desire…God Himself…and making Him known to others.

TEXT
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. 12 “For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 “Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, And it will be a memorial to the Lord, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.”
The prophet, Isaiah, speaks to the Jewish people who have been in captivity for over 50 years. It was not all bad. They had been allowed to obtain property and even own businesses. But now they had to make a choice to either stay in Babylon or go home to Jerusalem and start over. They could stay where they had become comfortable in this land of pagans…or return to God’s promised land as God’s promised people. Many were having trouble with the decision, so Isaiah exhorts them with a spiritual prescription and then paints a picture of what could be.
UNDERSTANDING
First, they were comfortable where they were…in captivity. We can often convince ourselves that we are O.K. being O.K. But Isaiah says [v. 1] to seek God…with great desire… while He may be found. God was near, He would hear, and would come through on His promises to His people. But they were reluctant to call on their heavenly Father.
As a college student, I occasionally needed help. I knew that my Dad could provide it. However, I knew that if I called or went home, I would have to live under my Father’s rules. The Jews were not surprised with the next step of the prescription: Live right…think right! And even if you haven’t been living right or thinking right, God is ready to forgive.
God tells them, through Isaiah, that what He has for them is so much greater than they could ever think or envision. We so often try to put God into the box of our limited ‘thinking’ and our limited ‘methods’. He reminds them He is God and they are not. He is God and we are not!
He goes on to tell them that the Word of God is not like our human effort that often gets wasted on fruitless endeavors. No, God’s Word never fails to accomplish its purpose. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reminds of the same thing…but goes on to tell us that it is not only effective, but that it is also sufficient for every area of life. I shared with someone this week that as I listened to their circumstance, all I knew to tell them was what God’s Word said. It would work when human advice falls so short. It’s the only thing in life that always works.
In v. 12, Isaiah begins painting a glorious picture of what could happen if the prescription were followed. He says they would experience great joy. Then he begins to speak about nature’s response to their decision to follow God and live by His Word. This was a bit puzzling to me. But then I read it in the context of Genesis when Adam lived in the garden with his wife and all of nature seemed to be working with him. When he turned to his own way, nature started working against him. When we get in line with God plan…we get in line for God’s blessing.
Then look what he says will happen. He says that I CYPRESS will come up instead of thorns. Could we all agree that everywhere we go in culture there is desert and thorns? Our culture is full of dry places with annoying briars that rip us up…no matter how thick our skin is. But when we seek God and follow His prescription, a Cypress tree grows.
As I considered the Cypress tree this week, I found a few things out. First, a Cypress can grow almost anywhere…on a rocky cliff, in a swamp, in a field, or in conjunction with a forest. Second, they almost always have roots exposed above the ground.
As we consider allowing God to plant us as a Cypress tree, we realize that if we followed the prescription, this beautiful tree can grow where God has placed us. And as some of the roots are exposed, we cannot hide that it is the root of Jesus Christ and the Truth of His Word to which we are grounded and through which we receive our nourishment.
When this tree begins to grow and becomes stable in its foundation, it will provide shade to many who will gather beneath it or pass under its branches. And as it continues to expand both upward and downward, the language here says that it will transform the dry desert in which it has been planted…and it will be a banner for the name of God who planted it and caused it to grow where nothing else would.

CONCLUSION
We are left with these questions:

Are we too comfortable in this culture that holds many captive? Or will we allow God to plant us as a Cypress Tree in this community that will transform the desert of our culture and replace the thorns that are tearing up and destroying the lives of people all around us?

And if we desire to be that beautiful Cypress Tree in the desert that becomes a banner and a testimony to the name and grace of God, will we follow the prescription of seeking God diligently, of living and thinking righteously, and by speaking and living by the Word of God that has the ability to change a life…and a community into an oasis of hope?

May each of us individually and corporately be the people (and the church) through whom God will grow a cypress that will transform this dessert of sin, emptiness and thirst into an oasis of righteousness, refreshment, and restoration. But this starts with responding to God’s invitation to come and seek Him while He is near. And He is near…listening for you to call upon Him. Would you do that this morning?

Whatever you need it (for salvation, for God’s intervention in your life, or for Him to prune you into the strong shade tree you need to be) call on Him now.

What is a Barrio?

2009-03-25T05:35:00.000-07:00

For the past 4-5 years I have heard this term, but had never even heard a definition. But if you read the definition, as I did this morning, it would still not be as clear as if you visited one like I did last week.

The dictionary definition is: [an urban district or quarter in a Spanish-speaking country]. The urban district or quarter that I visited was called Paradise outside the city of San Benito in the Central American country of Nicaragua...which is definitely a Spanish-speaking country.

Certainly, it was a defined area. There is only one road in and out...dirt. There were over 200 homes, each with a fenced yard. The yards were little squares of cracking lava rock surrounded by make-shift barb-wire fences. The houses were made of sticks, card board, plactic, and tin (if you had money to acquire it). They had dirt floors and were normally about 100 sq. ft. [smaller than your average Marriott hotel room]. The average occupancy was 5 [higher than your average Marriott hotel room].

In another month, the dry season will end and they will see 3-4 inches of rain each day for a month. It will make the dead vegegation come back to life...but will wash away almost everything they own. The parents will sleep at night on top of their children to keep them dry.

Sounds pretty terrible? Physically it is. We had the priviledge to help build 9 block houses (16' x 12') and to provide plastic for 11 more houses to keep them dry. We also were able to provide food for the 1,000 residents that should last them nearly a month. So maybe we were able to help the barrio a bit. But Paradise is not just an 'urban area'...it is a community.

Life Changing Observations:

I watched many people who were not the recipients of a block house or even plastic work for 5 days straight in 95+ degree temperatures for 10 hours each day so that a neighbor could have a better home. I assumed that they were going to be the recipient of one of the homes...but most of them were receiving no immediate assistance. How many of us would see our neighbor out installing sprinklers or building onto their home and just help with no expectation...just because they are a part of our community? I would say few of us.

On day one, I had an 8 year old child persistently asking me for money. Although I wanted to just give him something, I had prepared myself for the begging. But that was only one of about 3 instances of requests for money. What I was not prepared for was the steady stream of little kids who just wanted a drink of clean, cool water. That broke my heart...so much evidently that by the 4th day I watched a few stealing bottles of water [and I could not bring myself to stop them.]

After sharing the gospel message with a young mother in a small 'hut', we asked if there was anything she needed for her family. Although there was no evident food in the house, all she asked for was a notebook, pencils, and a book bag so that her younger daughter could join her older daughter in going to school. When we took back some school supplies and a Spanish Bible the next day, she wept. After asking if she had thought about the story of Jesus that we told her the day before, she said that she knew that she should begin seeking God. After a little more conversation, she prayed and received Christ. Over the next few days we saw the change in her.

A last memory for today is a vivid picture of my 14 year old son and a 13 year old Nicaraguan girl. After handing a man enough plastic to cover his house, my son began sharing his salvation testimony with him. Needing a translator, a 13 year old girl who spoke pretty good English, was introduced to us and offered to help. As I watched, I was so proud of my son. But my thoughts went to the girl and what a great tool she could be for God in reaching this barrio for Christ. As I told the story to one of our teammates that night, Bart shared that he had the privilege of leading that 13 year old girl to faith in Christ the day before. What a neat picture of making disciples. Come to Christ one day...translate a witness to your neighbor the next. What potential!

Some personal thoughts:
(1) We cannot individually rescue an entire community in a week, but we can bring some hope.
(2) We cannot individually save an entire community in a week, but we can reach one at a time.
(3) I figured up an estimate of the cost of this trip, including: [Between $45,000-$50,000]
a. travel, meals, etc.
b. building 9 homes
c. renovating 11 homes - putting them in the dry
d. feeding 1000 people for a month
e. materials for teaching 45+ women a home business
f. Pastor conference / training for 3 days.
g. Helping to keep approximately 10 Nicaraguan believers employed by the ministry.

I would like to see any government program in the U.S. accomplish this for that dollar figure.

Some might say, "Could that money not be spent better by just sending it to Nicaragua?" My answer is, "Possibly." But when you look at the spiritual investment of 27 team members' lives who have been effectively changed by the experience...the investment for the future could be worth it, especially since it was not made in AIG...but rather in God's Kingdom which will not fail.
Oh, please allow me just one more analytical thought. We saw and recorded at least 15 people who's lives were changed by making Jesus Christ the Lord of their life. If none of the physical ministry took place, the spiritual fruit may have been less. But let me compare with a typical southern church with 600 in attendance and a $1,000,000 budget. They would have to lead over 300 people to faith in Christ and grow by 50% in the next year to get the same return on the monetary investment made in this one week.

I'd say that the trip was worth it! This BARRIO changed my life and the lives of my two sons. We are already talking about going back and where else in the world God might want us to invest in His Kingdom work of connecting the world with Christ...one person at a time.

My Desire

2009-03-24T05:40:00.000-07:00

Sermon Preached at Connection Fellowship
Sunday, March 22, 2009

My Desire and Blessing
Psalm 37:1-5

INTRODUCTION
Today we come to the last message in our series, “Hope for the Journey”. We started in Psalm 1 with Pastor Steve helping us to get lined up for encouragement. Then we found hope in knowing that God was our Shield and Sustainer in difficult times; He is our Pathmaker as we search for the right direction; and in Him we find our eternal Identity. He is our Sovereign who is always in control; and because of this, He is the Rock upon which we can build our lives.
He is our Deliverer in times of trouble, our Shepherd to guide and feed us every step of our journey, and our King who knows us personally. He is the Forgiveness that we can not only know, but personally own. And, as John David told us last week, God is our Provision that can be tasted…and found most satisfying.
With this in mind, we should certainly be able to find hope in this journey called real life. But as we approach chapter 37, we are left with a piercing question: “What else could you want?” But we are a society and a people who always seem to want more…and more. The Psalmist knew this and writes in the first 5 verses of chapter 37 these words:

TEXT
1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. 2 For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Let’s look at these verses in the context of what we have learned:

UNDERSTANDING
First, he says, “don’t fret about others that could hurt you.” Fretting is the opposite of faith. Remember, God is our Shield. He says, “don’t envy those who seem well off by doing things the wrong way.”
Envy is when we begin to focus on what others have with a strong desire, even jealousy, to have it also. It is not wrong to strongly desire some things…but not that which has been obtained by wrongdoing.
Not only is envy unhealthy, but it is not wise. You see, verse 2 tells us that whatever is obtained through wrongdoing will only last for a short while. We should focus on desiring the things that are of lasting value.
We are in the middle of March Madness and I really like basketball. As a kid, I used to watch the Kentucky Wildcats. At half-time, in the middle a January snow, I would go outside and shovel the court off so I could practice the moves I had seen. But I really like the commercials that the NCAA is running now about the fact that so few college athletes will actually ever make a living playing their sport. I wish I had spent a bit more time when growing up on things that did not just last a short while.
In verse 3, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord. This is the opposite of fretting and envy. And the Bible says that truth faith is always acted upon in obedience to God. God’s promises have always been based on obedience that is in direct response to faith. When we do this, we are promised to dwell in peace and to be fed by the Shepherd’s faithfulness.
There is a great promise here in verse 4 that struck me years ago as I was praying about vocational ministry. I grabbed on to the idea that God wants to and will give you the desires of our heart. However, it was not until later that I began to grasp that it comes with the condition of ‘delighting’ in God. But what does that mean?

[Warren Wiersbe] explains: “…delight comes from a root that means ‘to be brought up in luxury, to be pampered.” This speaks of enjoying the Lord Himself, not just what He gives to us.
“This is not a promise for people who want things, but for those who want more of God in their lives.”

When that becomes our reality, God’s desires for us become our desires for ourselves…which are best, and much better than what we could envy from someone else.

I always thought verse 5 was some set direction that we were to follow or some set of actions that we were to do in order to show that we were delighting in God. However, as I have studied this text, I have found that the verb here [commit] actually means to ‘roll off your burden’ to God.
So what does this have to do with ‘committing our way to God’? Everything. Because as long as we worry, we carry a weight that distracts us from following Him. His way is the way of faith. Do you see how the verse ends? TRUST in Him and He will accomplish that desire.

We have to escape or relinquish this mentality of self-dependence. Let me summarize what God’s Word is saying:

* Faith is the opposite of fretting or worrying.

* Envy is caused by a lack of confidence that God has and will provide all that we really need. That lack of faith is also rooted in the idea that this life is all that there is…and what others have will last.

* Our obedience is our display of faith. Our faith is evidenced by our feeding on what God provides and not trying to fill it with what others have…or what Satan offers.

* Faith is when we express to God that we know that He is all that we need and all that we desire.

* Rolling our burdens onto Him and trusting that His path is best…and making it known that He is all we desire…He will deliver.

CONCLUSION
So we are left with one question:

What is your greatest desire?

If the answer is ‘God Himself’, upon the promise of the Word of God…you will receive it!

You and I will find our greatest hope for this journey of life when God Himself becomes our greatest desire.

Real Kingdom Partnership

2009-03-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

Real Kingdom Partnerships are filled with willing disciples (followers of Christ) who listen to God, communicate with each other (without fear or selfishness), and share in the celebration (of what only God could do).

Today, I got a call from another church planter / pastor to celebrate a chain of events that began a little over two weeks ago. Here is the chain:

* A family moves to our area a few years ago.
* A father dies suddenly leaving behind a beautiful family.
* One of the daughters calls their financial planner in another part of the state.
* The financial planner calls his pastor to see if he knows a pastor in my area who might help.
* The church planter / pastor refers him to me...so he calls me.
* He has the daughter call me.
* I have the privilege to work with the family and do the funeral...15 miles away...just down the road from another church plant that is pastored by a friend of mine.
* On the day of the funeral, that church planter calls me about something else and I tell him about the family I am working with in his area.
* He tells me that he believes that his son knows one of the daughters.
* His son and youth pastor visit the funeral home that night.
* I speak at the funeral...share the Gospel...and then talk to the financial planner the next day.
* The financial planner says he is going to take bibles for the girls on his visit the next day.
* The church planter's son keeps in contact with the daughter who attends his school by email.
* The girl returned to school.
* The church planter's son invites her to his small group last night.
* The youth pastor shares the Bible story which leads naturally to the Gospel message.
* The daughter of the deceased father decides to follow Christ as Lord and Savior.
* The church planter calls me today to share and celebrate.
* I called the church planter / pastor in the other part of the state who referred the financial planner to me to share and celebrate.
* The church planter / pastor then calls the financial planner to share and celebrate.
* The youth pastor and the other church plant people follow-up in loving her and disciple-making.

* Real Kingdom partnership builds momentum because we are all amazed at what God did. No one can take credit...so all of the glory goes to God. And we are all incredibly humbled and grateful that we just got to see it and be a part of it.

My Forgiveness

2009-03-10T11:28:00.001-07:00

A few people have asked me to print my sermons. I'm not sure why, but I thought I would give it a try.

Connection Fellowship
Hope for the Journey
Sunday, March 8, 2009
My Forgiveness
Psalm 32:1-11

INTRODUCTION
Last week as I continued studying through the Psalms, and realizing that we are in week 10 of our 12-week series, I changed the message that I had originally planned for today. If we were to spend a week in each of the Psalms, it would take us 3 years to complete. So for the purpose of this series, I want to focus today on Psalm 32 and on a topic that is certainly a key to finding Hope for the Journey.
Forgiveness has been defined in many ways. It is the noun, or the substance, of being forgiven. Being forgiven is to be the object of ‘to forgive’. And to forgive is defined as giving up the right to feel resentment, to relieve of a debt, and to pardon. While some of us struggle to forgive, I believe that one of the greatest obstacles to finding hope in our journey is realizing forgiveness for our own lives.
A common question people ask is, “Can I be forgiven?” The Bible teaches that the answer is certainly, “YES!” Most followers of Christ do not struggle to believe this in principle. But we often struggle with OWNING this Truth so that it becomes ‘MY Forgiveness.”
King David surely experienced both great personal sin and forgiveness. He writes this Psalm in response to a commitment that he made in Psalm 51:13 to share what he had learned during the painful journey of personal sin, confrontation about that sin, and the period of confession and restoration that followed. Let’s hear the Word of God.

TEXT
1 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin
is covered! 2 How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! 3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah. 5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. 6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him. 7 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, But he who trusts in the LORD, loving-kindness shall surround him. 11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

I was confronted this week with the reality of a pervading thought in culture today resulting from observing those who claim to be followers of Christ. Here it is: “The good news of the Gospel doesn’t seem to be that good.” Non-believers do not see that the forgiveness that we receive from God makes that big of a difference in our lives. But listen to David as he writes about his experience in owning forgiveness.

UNDERSTANDING
I. Owning God’s Forgiveness Makes Us Happy (vv.1-2)
Happy is the person whose transgression, who’s willful crossing of the line in rebellion to God, has been pardoned; and who’s filthy personal attempts at pleasing God have been permanently covered by the blood of Christ. How happy is the person who’s twisted, selfish way of thinking is not credited to the ledger sheet of life; and who’s heart has been transformed at its core from deceitfulness to righteousness.
Most people are really miserable. They are miserable because of guilt and emptiness…because of frustration and a lack of purpose. And the thing no one wants to talk about that makes us that way is SIN!
Owning God’s forgiveness makes us happy because we dealt with it.

II. Owning God’s Forgiveness Makes Us Healthy (vv. 3-4)
When David got a real grasp on God’s forgiveness, it caused him to see how miserable he was as he held on to his sin. He just kept it all inside. And honestly, in [2 Samuel 11-12] we see that he thought he was going to get away with sin. “But God does not allow His children to be successful in sin.” David says that God’s hand was heavy and his mental, emotional, and spiritual strength was gone. He was miserable!
But when he was confronted with his sin, (by the prophet, Nathan), he says that he confessed it and the weight was gone. There was immediate relief. However, we have to get real about a few things:
(1) God is much quicker to forgive us than other people are.
(2) God is much quicker to forgive than we normally are ourselves.
(3) These are Satan’s tools to keep us from owning God’s forgiveness.

Owning God’s forgiveness makes us healthy because the guilt is gone.

III. Owning God’s Forgiveness Makes Us Witness. (vv. 6-11)
When we read about David’s forgiveness and restoration to fellowship with God, it seems like a pretty incredible story. Personally, I’m not sure how most of us would respond to betrayal, adultery, and murder. I talk to people who say, “I know they said they were sorry and that they have asked God to forgive them, but that doesn’t make everything all right.”
I can imagine some of the people around David who read this Psalm saying, “Who is David to lecture us?” Sure, David says that when we sin we should confess it…quickly. He tells us not to be stubborn and defensive…not to justify our sin; but to humble ourselves before God.
But David did not just tell the people they needed to own God’s forgiveness. And he did not just tell them how to get God’s forgiveness. No, David became a witness as he began to live as a witness of it! In the days following his experience of God’s forgiveness, David exhibited forgiveness for (1) the rape of his daughter, (2) the murder of his son,
(3) high treason, and (4) the cursing he took from one of his enemies.

Owning God’s forgiveness makes us a witness because we forgive!

CONCLUSION
The ‘good news’ of the Gospel truly is incredible news. We can really experience God’s forgiveness from our sin. [YOU can experience God’s forgiveness.] Confess your sin to God…or agree with Him about your sin. He already knows about it. And ask Him to make YOU right!
Then own His forgiveness. The pardon is issued…the stain is covered…the debt account is clean…the messed up heart is fixed…and God takes the weight of guilt away. Believe it and own it! Don’t let Satan play a guilt trip on you. The Bible says that he is the great ‘accuser’, but there is no truth in him. Don’t believe him. Believe God!
And finally, be a witness of God’s forgiveness. Tell people about the forgiveness you have found and that they can find in Christ. But look, let’s not try to act so spiritual. This is all so hard to do! Confessing our sin goes against all that is normally in us. Not living under the guilt of our failures nor listening to the accusations of Satan is abnormal. Certainly, forgiving others is not easy. Pride, guilt and the pain are very real.
You may be here today and be thinking, “Sure, this may be all true. But you don’t know me. And I am surely not King David.” But notice that David does not give us some personal prescription for how to work our way into the reality of God’s forgiveness. Not at all. Instead, here’s what he says (the Message, v. 6) Every one of us needs to pray; pray to God while He is working in your heart and life.

Owning God’s forgiveness is a supernatural process that occurs as you allow God free access to all of your pride, guilt, and pain.

RESPONSE
Will you give God the access to your heart and life so that you can experience…own…and be a witness of His forgiveness today? Then you can experience what David expresses in verse 11,

11 Celebrate GOD. Sing together—everyone! All you honest hearts, raise the roof! [The Message]

Totally...

2009-01-03T06:52:00.000-08:00

It is 10 a.m. on January 3rd and I am sitting in a lecture hall on the campus of White Oak Conference Center listening to a group of very talented teens play and sing about the how much God loves us. They are totally rockin' and incredible.

As proud as I am of my son who is clicking off the band right now...I am more overwhelmed about the love and goodness of my heavenly Father. 21 1/2 hours ago, that same son called me on my cell phone and told me that he had wrecked his car. He said that he was all right but that the car was probably a total loss.

Two miles from home, I drove to the scene and found him standing beside the car as it rested in some soft weeds in the woods just off the side of the road. He had crawled out of the window. The air bags deployed, the front bumper gone, the rear windshield destroyed, most of the contents of the dashboard laying in the floorboard...and...I could go on.

I could see where he slid off the damp road and into a tree. But how did his car make it across an 8 ft. deep ditch that was about 10 feet across? There was another dead tree in 3 pieces...yet the car was sitting on its wheels and my firstborn was walking around with what appeared to only be a bleeding finger.

The gravity of the situation hit me in two phases. When his mother arrived and saw the car...her reaction to our son reminded me how totally fragile life is. The other was when I arrived at the body shop and walked around what was left of the car and he said, "I thought I might be getting a vehicle to work on." There was not enough left to work at repairing. He was letting me know how blessed we were to have our son still walking around...at all.

Listening to the words of this song is simply too much. Oh, how HE loves us!

I Believe in You...Really?

2008-12-27T18:39:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that ECU actually won the game? And convincingly.

I am learning so much more about believing in people. Some from the very complex processes through which people prove themselves. Some from the storms of life that you watch people persevere through on their journey. And sometimes, I just learn from watching a single mom speak confidently into her autistic son's open heart and his incredible response of love and respect.

I think that I might need to believe a bit more. Sometimes I think that I become synical (I know I do), even with respect to ministry. But I am seeing that when I believe in people...openly...they tend to come through more often.

People will always have the ability to disappoint you. And they may even have a tendency to do it. However, everyone wants you to believe in them. And when they think that you really do...they exhibit more confidence and try very hard not to let you down. In that case, they then to have a greater success rate.

Interestingly enough, I wonder how Mrs. Holtz expressed her "I believe in my son and his team at ECU" before their game? Was it done with the parenthesis of no real confidence or with genuine belief? I am betting on the latter. And I need to give a bit more of the latter. No one wants to compete in a game where no one believes they can win. Someone has to believe. I need to openly believe in people more. How about you?

I Believe...by Dr. Lou

2008-12-05T18:57:00.000-08:00

I feel as though I get so pessemistic, so quickly these days. I'm not sure why. Part of it, I think, is being frequently dissappointed by people or circumstances.

I read this morning about the complaining ways of the Jewish people just 2 1/2 months after being liberated from Egypt and seeing their enemies defeated so powerfully by the hand of God. It was so dramatic that no other people dared to attack them as they were gripped by fear of these God endorsed people. I wanted to scream into the past, "Can't you believe any longer than that?"

Not that I look to ESPN for my inspiration on a regular basis, but I was inspired by the old coach (Lou Holtz) tonight. Each week I hear him give opinion and counsel, without seemingly being afraid to speak realistically. In making his 'picks' Lou picked his son's ECU team to win, but then explained why they probably would not. Somehow, he always finds a way to be positive about believing in individual people.

God taught me that lesson today. You can speak the truth and live in reality...even in difficult circumstances, while still believing in individual people. May God help me never to get so pessimistic that I stop believing in people.

Self...Stop Worrying and Focus.

2008-10-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

I spoke this Sunday from Jesus' teaching at the Sermon on the Mount about stress, worry and anxiety. It is amazing how much I am more aware of how much I worry about stupid stuff.

Then, last night, I heard a guy on the radio ask a couple of questions that helped me focus a bit...

"Do we really believe that good people can go to hell?"

and

"How much do I really value a soul?"

Discovering how much God values a soul is not difficult...except to place a quatitative value on His Son...Jesus Christ.

So I said to myself, "Self...stop worrying and focus."

QUOTES - Sinking In

2008-10-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

I heard and read this quote last Friday.

"To reach people no one else is reaching, we must do things no one else is doing."
[Craig Groeschel]

I'm not sure what it means for my life yet, but I sure cannot get it off my mind.

Am I Asking for An Ostrich?

2008-10-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

I read a story about a man who found an old lamp in his attic. He rubbed the lamp, a genie popped out, and he was offered 2 wishes. First, he wished that every time he needed money for something, he could reach into his pocket and pull out exactly what he needed. That's a little different from asking for a million dollars...and probably a wiser choice.

When he made his second wish, he wished for a tall chick with a large butt who would always agree with him. The genie answered his request...and an ostrich appeared.

As I watched the Presidential debate last night, I kind of felt the same way about followers of Christ in America. As followers of Christ, we say that we pray for God to provide our daily bread and that we believe [Philippians 4:19] God will supply all of our needs. Yet many who say that they follow Christ focus so intently on those issues that we forget that there are more important things like the values of life and family [Matthew 6:25].

We should be careful and not take our eyes off of Kingdom values. Should we work and care about the physical needs? Sure. But we can focus so much on what WE think we need or WE want that we could, without even knowing it, end up asking for an ostrich.

Do I Really Have Economic Policy Convictions?

2008-09-24T05:34:00.000-07:00

Politics has often intrigued me. To say that I have political aspirations would be a great overstatement. (Although I used to have them.) I have always tried to maintain a grasp of the candidates and major issues. I am trying to understand more about the way things work in our country and around the world. I want to be better equipped to interact with people in semi-intelligent conversation.

This past weekend I had a great visit with my dad. He has served in two different offices over a period of about 12 years. I must say that during those days, I grew tired of small town politics. But I did see in him a passion for doing the right thing for the good of the community...and not afraid to stand up for it.

I have a preferred candidate in this year's election. But when my dad asked me what I thought, I told him that I was troubled by what I have been observing. Like most other people, I have found myself speaking with as much or more conviction about economic and strategic differences as I was about core values.

Yesterday, it smacked me right in the face. I was listening to Dave Ramsey and was confronted with the truth. Myself, like most in America, are speaking with great conviction about economic issues with little or no personal understanding of the subject. Yet, that is the focus of most conversations today. When, in reality, what I know as absolute truths from God's Word have become back burner issues.

Last night on TV, I saw a U.S. Congressman speaking from the floor of the House. He was reading Benjamin Franklin's speech to the Continental Congress. Maybe we have missed it. If we, like then, could focus on the core values of upon which we were founded...upon real convictions that can be confidently held through mutual faith in God and the Truth of His Word...we might be more apt to come to more productive solutions about the other issues over which we spend so much time waxing so passionately.

Sure, I have an opinion about economic policy. I even have them about foreign policy strategy. And I am praying that we elect leaders who know a whole lot more about economics and foreign policy than I do. But there some things about which I confidently hold covictions...issues about which I have read what God says.

I think I'll be more careful about what I speak about so passionately.

If Satan can get us to focus on our opinions rather than the Gospel and our convictions, He wins the battle by distraction. People with different core values, whether in politics or in the church, will never effectively reach consistent solutions on everyday issues, no matter how major.

Football is Back...But How's Beanie?

2008-09-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Gosh, was this weekend the greatest for a football fan. It started on Thurday night with a dead heat until half-time at the South Carolina game and some national spotlight for Charleston Southern (a Baptist School) at the University of Miami. (Obviously they lost.)

One of my favorite local H.S. teams, the Byrnes Rebels won in a tough game in Atlanta Friday night and our own school (Wren) pulled out a comeback win over rival Palmetto.

Saturday, my Buckeyes romped. But my favorite game was the ECU win over Virginia Tech (Sorry Pastor Phil). What an exciting way to win with a special teams punt block against the master of special teams, Coach Beamer. It hurt Saturday night to watch the Clemson Tigers get so dejected on national TV. North Greenville got to play Saturday night at Liberty. (Great exposure in an incredible environment.)

Sunday, there were games...and the NFL doesn't even start until next week. UK took it to Louisville. And then Monday, even the Rutgers game was exciting. And UCLA's new QB started so rough with 4 first half interceptions...only to win in overtime. And if that was not enough, my two sons had a 4 hour live fantasy draft on Monday morning and another one on the internet with some friends last night at 10 p.m. It seemed like ESPN's College Gameday was a perpetual program.

So what is my point? I'm not sure I have one. But after every commercial on the halftime shows and pregame shows and postgame shows promised (and never delivered) an update on Ohio State's Chris 'Beanie' Wells' foot injury...I just want to know if he is expected to play in 12 days at USC (Southern California)?

I wander if that is how people feel about Christians and our church? Is it an endless supply of 'stuff', but they still are left with the question they started with?

Below My Pay Grade

2008-08-26T06:06:00.001-07:00

Last night, while Michelle Obama was speaking at the DNC in Denver, Sen. John McCain was on The Tonight Show. When asked why he did not run for public office, Leno said something like, "I can make more money with one show in Vegas." For most Americans, becoming President of the United States would be a pay increase. But it is certainly not the highest paying job in the land.

Leno went on to say that the working conditions of being President are very difficult, especially for the 'relatively' limited pay. He was certainly not saying that the job was not difficult or 'below his pay grade' in importance. However, it did bring back to my memory an answer given to the question asked by Rev. Rick Warren last week to Sen. Obama.

When asked the question, "When does a baby receive the right to protection under the Constitution?" He answered that on many levels this question was 'above' his pay grade. The question that then came to me was this, "Would he think that it is a question in Jay Leno's pay grade?" I know what many pastors make and it would obviously be above their pay grade in financial terms. Or at least that's what most must believe in American culture because they do not accept pastors' answers either.

That was a lot of verbage to really say something that has nothing to do with politics. The point is this: When we receive Christ Jesus as personal Lord and Savior, we are adopted into the family of the Most High God. That makes us joint heirs with Jesus...which puts us in the highest eternal pay bracket. And He has given us His Word with the answers to the most difficult questions in this life and culture. So whether you are a presidential candidate, a national celebrity, a pastor, or someone who has time enough on your hands to read this blog...if you know God personally and have His Word accessible to you...no important question in life is above or below your paygrade.

Build a Bridge or Throw Them in the River?

2008-08-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

Last week I was blessed to spend about 30 hours with some church planters from SC and my home state of Ohio. God did some incredible things in my own heart during that time, and I wanted to share them. But everytime I would start to do that, God reminded me of the words of the Gospel writer who spoke of Mary's experience at the manger...[But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.] Luke 2:19.

So, though is much in my heart there is little to say...except one very encouraging thing. This was the first time I have met with a group of pastors that large of any sort where the #1 concern was the Kingdom of God, #2 was the health of the pastor and his family, #3 was strategies for advancing the Kingdom of God while maintaining the priority of our families, and #4 was bashing others [just kidding...because I cannot even remember any person bashing anyone.]

It reminded me of the words of one of our great pastors, Adrian Rogers, who described why we have conflict in the church. It is because we are not locked arm in arm, headed the same direction, and fighting the same enemy. We fight when we think the battles are won and we are in the barracks looking at each other.

I learned that lesson yesterday on a more personal note at home. Yesterday, we had some people over at our neighborhood pool. The kids were throwing each other in the pool, wrestling...sometime rough...especially my kids. But when someone suggested a relay race (Olympic Style), they did not fight for almost an hour.

When my kids are working together on something, they don't fight. My problem is that I do not intentionally engage them in common purposes or tasks. That takes thought and effort. I have got to do a better job at putting intentional thought into my home...so we will spend more time building bridges instead of throwing each other into the river.

A Generation of Builders

2008-08-14T05:13:00.000-07:00

This week has been so interesting, moving, confusing, and inspiring. Sometime you get what you plan for...and other times [as learned in my study of 'life interruptions'] you get more or less. In this case, I got more.

Sunday afternoon, I watched my family engage in helping a missionary move into their home. I am learning that I have a few leaders [builders] among the children. It was interesting to watch them.

That day, we met a few young 'builders' who are not satisfied to just rest in the comforts of their father's tents. And they were willing to get out from under the comfort and security of that umbrella to build what God had called them to build. It was so moving to hear them.

Tuesday, I heard two young men speak about building some more in a city where they had not historical roots. [or did they?] How could someone speak so passionately about something with which they were relatively unfamiliar? They had not really started building anything yet. [or had they?] I was a little confused.

But as I met with them again on Wednesday morning privately, I realized that they were talking about starting to build something physically noticeable...but the truth is that they had already started building something. God was building in them and they were already building for God, though others may not have realized it yet. That was so inspiring.

Certainly, we all build on the work of others before us and we should never think we had begun something from scratch. I read this morning how King David [Israel] wanted to build a physical house for God. But God told David something incredible. God said that His presence and His Kingdom were not dependent on David building a physical house for God. Rather, it was about being a useable builder in the hand of God for building His Kingdom on earth in the hearts of people.

We have a generation of builders coming...and some have arrived...who seem to get it. They are not concerned about building a physical house for God. They are concerned about building places where God can dwell in the hearts of people.

Would Jesus Discriminate?

2008-07-14T09:36:00.001-07:00

Last night I was watching C-Span. No, it is not my typical bedtime ritual. But last night I was captured by the words of an author who wrote a book entitled, "Would Jesus Discriminate?" A few years ago, I would have my stomach turned by what I heard. But last night, I just felt sad.

To the average church goer, it may have sounded like a good explanation of a Biblical text. To a non-church goer, I'm sure that it sounded like a logical interpretation. However, this leader of an international denomination that caters to the gay and lesbian community took the Word of God totally out of context to make it sound like the sexual preferences of non-heterosexuals was not only allowed, but encouraged. (Galatians 3:28) This text has nothing to do with sexual preference, but with a religious system that tried to restrict people from coming to God through faith in Christ.

I have heard this and other arguments before...but not on national television...and certainly not as a promotional piece for that line of thinking. Unfortunately, this is only one area where we are bombarded with un-biblical truth and thought. I think that it made me more aware of the fact that culture in not just trying to get Bible believers to be more tolerant, but are trying to invade the church with unbiblical thinking. They are intentionally storming the church to destroy it.

No, I am not surprised at any of this. But it makes me more convinced than ever that we must be diligent at teaching the Word of God...and teaching people to read, study, and know the Word of God themselves. Secondly, instead of being mad at the people who were speaking...I have become increasingly angry at the one who has blinded their eyes to actually believe this stuff.

Finally, to answer the question..."Would Jesus Discriminate?" Well, with the understanding that He is God, "Would God Discriminate?" Yes! All the time! From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is full of discrimination. The difference is that God does not discriminate on the basis of petty things like people have...for centuries. God's discrimination takes place based on the our acceptance of Him as Sovereign and our trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Life Interruptions

2008-06-09T13:26:00.000-07:00

Last night, we began a journey group study in our home entitled, "Life Interruptions". We had such a good time with our new summer Bible study group and were moved by the message from Louie Giglio about the way our plans get interrupted...sometimes by God and other times by the normal course of life. Our response in those times really does show what we believe about God, even in the minor distractions. Just when we think we have life all under control, BAM! God reminds us that we really control nothing.

It really prepared me for this morning. I came into the office early and planned out my day...and my week. But within an hour...BAM! I ended up spending the majority of my day at the hospital with a dear saint of God and her family as she is facing what appears to be her home going. Here I am near the end of the work day (like there really is one in ministry) and I am looking at my list...my plan. Well, it's about half completed. But it really doesn't matter that much.

So, I think I'll turn the computer off and run back to the hospital and check on my dear sister in Christ. What a privilege to have your day interrupted with something so important...so eternal...to remind us that the stuff I planned to do today was not as important as I thought.

Somethings Take Time

2008-06-05T06:53:00.001-07:00

I was reading this morning in the Bible about a period where the nation of Israel had strayed from God. They took the first step of inviting God back into their lives, but it took 20 years of being sorrowful before God spoke to them in a way that helped them to move on. Then they were given instruction on what to do and as they were obedient, they saw God do incredible things...including restoring all of the territory that had been taken from them by their enemies.

Two things stuck out for my life, as well as for our country and our church. First, life did not stop while they were 'lamenting' the error of their ways and their rejection of God. They still had to go to work, feed their kids, etc. Life went on...everyday. Secondly, God did not tell them to 'lament' for 20 years...it was just the time when God knew that they were ready to hear from Him and ready to be obedient. But they had to wait...a long time.

When it comes to our relationship with God, we so often get in a hurry (or hurry others) to 'get on with life'. We have a false sense of life, as if it stops while we work on restoring our relationships. Life does not stop when relationships are strained or broken. Most broken or strained relationships don't just happen in a moment of time. We need to be careful to allow Godly sorrow to run its course in our lives...sometimes it just takes time for it to do its work so that we do not quickly make the same mistakes again.

Based on this story from the Bible, the nation of Israel (in time) was ready to corporately move on in obedience to God. Yes, everyone was 20 years older and it may seem to have been wasted years in their lives...and it was to the extent that had they been obedient in the beginning it would have never happened. But to an infinite God who is not on a calendar, it was just a speck in the course of eternity. But their first step was to invite and allow God to dwell with them again.

When we have broken relationships, the first step is to sincerely invite that person back into our lives. However, we cannot expect that everything just moves on immediately. We need to give it time. Maybe you have been away from God for what seems like a long time of wasted years...there is hope. God can restore your life. The first step is to invite Him into your life...to dwell in you, your home, your heart. He desires it. Do we?

(1 Samuel 5-7)

Communication

2008-06-02T05:42:00.000-07:00

This has been one of the busiest seasons in the life of our family and ministry. And as we do more in the lives of our children, our church, and community, it seems so easy to fail to communicate effectively or in a timely manner. The interesting thing that I am learning is that as I put off focusing on communicating better, the more stressed I become and the more appologies I have to make.

Why? I am reminded that our lives are about glorifying God (for certain), but they are not lived or lived out on an island. But rather, they are lived out with and through other people. I have to do a better job.

All week, last week, I knew that I needed to confirm the use of our neighborhood building for a small group fellowship...and then communicate that to the people who were going to be a part of our small groups. However, I kept putting off locating the number to call, and did not do it until Saturday night. Sunday morning, I made a quick announcement, put out a sign-up sheet, and was a bit dissappointed when only 2 families signed-up. That was not the big 'ahah' moment. It was when one family called at 6:00 p.m. and wondered where we were meeting. (We weren't until next Friday.) Another family called as well. I really blew it.

The really sad part is that this was not the only blunder for the week. So I am confessing that I will do better...because people matter. It even forced me to clarify a few things within our family last night about our week. Heaven help us to communicate and not to procrastinate. If you think we think we are too busy to communicate effectively, the reality is that we are too busy to communicate with anything less than full effort.

Flood From the Past

2008-04-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

It seems like such a long time ago that Hurricane Katrina survivors came to Greenville and our church had such an opportunity to hear their stories and minister to them in our city. Today, I spent day 3 hanging sheet rock / drywall in a home still devastated by the storm...and a family still living (almost 3 years later) in a small FEMA trailor in their front yard.

Yes, I'm in New Orleans with 3 guys from our church and 7 guys from 7 other churches working through the NOAH rebuild project. Today, we met Leavy...a 70 year old woman who has been living 3 hours away until her home is repaired. When given a small gift card to Home Depot by our group, she asked if she could make a donation to our church...not your common response.

We also met Kimberly...a single mom who just moved back into her home 2 weeks ago with her daughter. Some guys from the team drywalled her home a year ago. She invited us over to see the results. What a long journey home.

In our group devotions tonight, we were reminded that our sacrifice to come here (including that of our families) is only for a week...then we will go back to our regular routines. But these people are still dealing with the physical, spiritual, and emotional storms from this tragic flood.

I was reminded of how our family live through the great flood of Hurricane Floyd some years back in North Carolina and the damage that is still visible there. The memories of feeding trailors and Baptist disaster relief workers has come back so vividly.

Events often leave scars in our lives, not just the physical storms, but also the relationship storms. And if we are to look, we can see the devistation all around us. Some people need help to move out of the FEMA trailor to which they have been confined for so long and back home again. Not back to the same old home...but to one that has been touched by the hand of God. And often that happens through the lifting and attaching of a piece of fresh drywall by a willing servant of the Master...maybe like you and me.

Coming Home

2008-04-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

It seems as if the older I get (now passing the 40 mark), the more often my trips home to Ohio are marked by funerals. On Thursday my older brother and I had the privilege to conduct the funeral of our last remaining grandmother. And all of the things that we tell people in our ministries literally have to be proven in our response to death in our own family.

I was once again reminded of the impact of what many would consider a very insignificant life. My grandmother lived 'up the hollow' in a farm house a few miles from where she grew up. She never had a driver's license, but seemed to know about everyone in town. And when the memorial service was about to begin, the funeral director had to get more chairs as it was a standing room only crowd. Nearly everyone there had been affected by this life and family in a significant way.

Leave it to a funeral to bring out the best and worst in a family...but all we got to see was the best. So many friends told us how proud my grandma (Nonnie) was of us grandchildren and how she was always speaking a kind word about us to her friends. But I think the most moving thing that happened was seeing our usually 'less than affectionate' grandfather (now 86), walk up to the casket time and again to pat her hand and say some of the most beautiful words.

Life seems to keep us so busy that I saw family members that I had not seen in at least 10-15 years. We get so engaged in our lives and families that our trips 'coming home' are now few and far between. However, when we come for these sacred occasions, there seems to be less small talk. The conversations seem to quickly turn to what really matters. I'm not sure why that does not happen more often...but funerals seem to bring out the urgency and brevity in life.

This morning, the phone rang early telling us that my grandmother's sister experienced the death of her husband during the night...so there will be another memorial service before I return to South Carolina next week. I guess it is now just the reality of coming home.

Praise You In The Storm

2008-02-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

There is a popular contemporary song playing regularly on the radio by this title. For me, this has been the season of watching people do exactly that. In 3 years as a church planter, I do not think that I have witnessed so much struggle with physical, emotional, financial, and relational circumstances. Yet in the midst of many questions and tears, I am watching most people in my circle praise through them.

Sometimes it is difficult to speak a word of encouragement, while at other times it seems as if just being there is what is needed. Sometimes, a physical act of a hug or being used to help provide for a need or convenience. But one thing is for sure, it is difficult to watch people you love go through difficulties...while it is a real blessing to watch the praise in the midst of that storm.

A lady at the bank asked me the other day if difficulties in her life were spiritual battles or just a part of the human experience. After some thought on an appropriate answer in this public lobby, I answered, "Yes". I am learning that some of our struggles are just the normal course of living in a decaying body and in a sinful world, while others are a direct battle to see whom we will worship.

I know that the battle for our worship is not passive. And whether or not all of the struggles I am facing or watching others face are the result of 'life' or 'war', the reality is that God's grace is so proving enough to keep us glorifying the Creator right in the middle of the storm.

Lessons from a Simple Life

2008-01-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

Lesa and I received a call late Tuesday evening that Lesa's grandmother's long fought physical battle had ended as God decided that Marie Harding had finished her course here on earth. Her life on earth ended without much fanfare, nor (thankfully) with much physical pain.

We also learned that Mrs. Harding had requested that I do her funeral service, so we have been making plans for Lesa and I to travel to NE Ohio for the service. The burden that Lesa senses for her family and for her father's health (who is still recovering from a stroke and open heart surgery) is apparent. And I am sure that the flow of memories, including canning peaches in Grandma's kitchen and running to the outhouse at the last second, will increase in the coming days. We are glad that our last visit to Ohio included a rare instance of what seemed to be coherant conversation with Grandma at the nursing home where she lived the past year or so.

As I have prayed this morning and read God's Word, the thoughts that come to my mind seem to focus on the fact of how a simple, yet faithful person who lived in a home without an indoor toilet until the late 1980's could have a profound impact on the world. As I have tried to come to a personal summary of my perception of this wonderful lady's legacy, it is wrapped up in the first 30 seconds of any conversation that anyone ever had with her. If you were to greet her with a hug and ask her how she was doing, within 5 seconds the conversation would ALWAYS be turned to the you...and she was genuinely interested.

She was always asking when we might be able to come and visit. But it was not in a way as other family members might ask. It was never laden with guilt for not being there more often, but you sensed a genuine desire to be with you. But it also included an understanding that life is often busy and she appreciated the effort of your travel.

Maybe it was the consequence of a simple life. But maybe it was more the result of a selfless life that was truly interested in others more than herself.

Finishing By New Years

2007-12-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

I don't know about any of you, but I seem to struggle at finishing stuff. Things sound like good ideas, but life is so busy with good ideas that I often find it difficult to complete one good thing for something that may be perceived as better or more pressing.

A few weeks ago, one of my friends asked me to read a book. I really did want to read it...so when he gave it to me, I committed to do it. I did it for two reasons...I wanted to and I knew he would ask me about it. The same thing has happened with a guy in my church. I began a study some months ago...but stalled after chapter 30. The other day, this guy (who also was reading along with me) asked me if I had finished. I had to admit that I had stalled in the process, but was grateful for his challenge...(he also had stalled at around chapter 25). I re-started where I left off today.

This process has left me with two thoughts: (1) My New Year's resolutions for this year are to finish a few things before New Years and before I commit to start others. And (2) I need people to hold me accountable...even for some things that may seem trivial. And if I need to be reminded of some of these important things, maybe you do as well. Hope this helps...it does me good to confess occassionally.

Life Begins

2007-12-05T16:57:00.001-08:00

Tonight, I had the honor of visiting the newest person in our congregation. Little Sawyer was born this morning at around 10:30 a.m. So many times I (as a pastor) get to visit the sick and comfort the grieving. But for some reason, I was blessed today to see life the same day that the first earthly air was breathed. It sure was refreshing...and inspiring...and caused much reflection.

It is an incredible blessing from God to be a parent...4 times over. I met a grandma in the elevator who was visiting her 4th grandchild. The dad of the little guy I went to see just looked at me and grinned. Each of us had now had the privilege to parent 4 children of our own.

There is so much potential...and so much risk in living (whether you are the parent or the child). As I prayed over the parents and the child, it seemed that all I could focus on was an incredible need to see and sense God's hand in our lives, and my incredible desire for people (including myself) to know the awesome plan of God for our lives. Even though life in this atmosphere has just begun for one little guy, thank God we get the chance to put today behind us and begin again afresh tomorrow as we breathe in the new mercies of our heavenly Father.

A New Day

2007-11-18T17:30:00.001-08:00

It has been almost a month since I have blogged...to my shame. For the past 3+ weeks it has been a mad dash to renovate a new facility for our church...but today was our first meeting time in the new building. It's a new day...for us...for me...a new chapter in the life of our church and my ministry. No, we did not change churches. Nor is it about the building. But it is about turning a page on the journey and with each new page comes new excitement and energy to keep pressing on for the Kingdom.

This morning I spoke about integrity from Genesis 39 and the life of Joseph. As I studied, I realized that our integrity is not lost when we are falsely accused (as was Joseph). However, the effect of public perception is normally the same as if we had actually 'done the deed'. I learned that our integrity must be intentionally protected on a daily basis in order for us to be consistently used by God for His glory and purposes.

But there was one truth that really struck me between the eyes. Potiphar's wife was consistently pursuing Joseph. Yet her intent was not to ruin his reputation. Rather, it was for her own selfish desires. Most people are not enticing us to ruin our integrity...but to serve their own purpose. So what's the point? The heart of temptation and testing of our character is really a part of a battle that has been going on for thousands of years...between God and Satan.

The cause of our temptation is Satan's attempt to embarrass God...through His children. He cannot get to God directly...but he can discredit Him through our actions. So how does that impact you and me? We should resist temptation under the motivation that is greater than our personal reputation. God's reputation is at stake and our effectiveness in His plan. And Satan's tactics have not changed.

Most of us can resist testing in the very adversarial times when we are 'loaded for bear' and 'prayed up'. However, Joseph was tempted when things were going well and he was left in charge. We must actively pray and act to put a wall of protection around our hearts, minds, and bodies so that we don't mess up our own lives...but more importantly we will not tarnish the Father's name.

Change Makers

2007-10-22T17:37:00.000-07:00

I am always envious when reading my friend Dino Senesi's blog as he is hanging out with superstar church planters and influencers. For a couple of days, I am experiencing it for myself in Phoenix, AZ with coordinators for a student church planting experience called PowerPlant. Next summer, we will watch what has recently been upwards of 2000 students spend a week of their summer not being entertained, but engaged in this experience known as church planting. These people I am with are visionaries...not just for a particular church...but for movements in who areas and in individual student's lives.

In the process of think about this though, I am reminded that each day I wake up (at least when I am home) next to one of those people...my wife. And I pack lunches for 4 of these people...my kids. And each week, I have the honor to preach and invest in a congregation of these people...my church. I am a blessed man.

Practical Words

2007-10-12T07:42:00.000-07:00

It has been amazing in these past four weeks of physical therapy (following my knee surgery) how difficult it has been to maintain my disciplined routine of writing. However, I have been so blessed to make some new friends and learn an incredible amount by hanging out 3 days a week with people facing physical challenges such as surgery, injury, and chronic illness.

Today, as I went for my Friday visit to the gym (therapy punishment arena), I was greeted by darkness in the room. I was plenty dissapointed, but was somewhat relieved that another guy showed up as well...so I wasn't the dense guy who missed the announcement that they would be closed today. But on to the point...

We found ourselves in the parking lot talking about a topic that had come up on Monday. He shared about what had happened during the rest of the week in his life and, on at least 4 occassions, I was able to share a Biblical truth from the text of my sermon for Sunday. Now I know that I cannot use his life as an illustration on all 4 points Sunday morning. However, it sure is great to be reminded that the Word of God is so practical in our daily lives and that it can make a difference, not only in our eternity, but in the joy/satisfaction of our every day journey.

Humbling Experiences

2007-09-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

God has a funny way of keeping us from getting too excited about ourselves...an incredible way of surprising us with people...and perfect ways to keep us humble and grateful. Why? So He gets all the glory.

While hanging out here in rural eastern North Carolina this week, I met a coffee shop owner who is quietly sharing the love of Christ. I thought I might get the opportunity to share with him, but in my attempt he turned the tables and became the minister of God's grace.

While having lunch today with some old friends who have overcome a few obstacles in their lives, I found myself trying so hard to encourage them...but they were used of God to move me.

And last night, when I thought everything was a loss because no one responded to the message (which everyone told me was pretty good)...in my self-pity I looked to see a young lady waiting for the well-wishers to leave. She asked if I would pray with her. She, too, has lived through some very difficult circumstances. And as I was about to pray, she said that her circumstances were not why she had come...but rather to surrender her life to be a missionary.

God help me to remember that YOU are the only ONE who can change a heart.

Old Friends

2007-09-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

I remember, some years back, when Bill Gaither put out one of the first 'gospel' videos called, "Old Friends". Well, that's kind of how I felt last night singing and preaching at an old friend's church in a rural community in Eastern North Carolina. The congregation was splattered with people from the little country church and a slew of old friends from a place where I served while in seminary.

It did not take long for the 'request line' to form for all of the old favorites for which I was known to them. However, it did not take long for me to realize that these people held so many special memories in my life and their role in the formation of God's character in us. I had help bury some of their relative, I had ministered with others, and I had even led people to Christ paired up with a few. What investment they made in my life and family.

I am grateful for Pastor Ron believing in me enough to bring me here to preach and minister this week. He is the epitomy of a servant of God and a great friend. But also, after leaving here 7+ years ago, it sure has been awesome to touch some 'old friends' with some mutual love and appreciation for God's grace and sovereign providence in allowing us to become friends at all. I should never underestimate the importance of an encounter or place of ministry...as someday they may be 'old friends' too.

Being Served

2007-09-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

It may be one of the most difficult things for a type 'A' personality to go through...recovery from surgery. But it does reveal some incredible things about life. Being served is tough because you so desire to serve others. Seeing your kids get out of bed in the morning and they want to know what they can do to help you. Having your wife get out of bed to help you to the bathroom and then hook-up your cooling pump...and then rubbing your feet. Seeing too guys from church show up at the hospital at 6:30 a.m. to pray with you...and harrass you instead of getting a few extra winks of sleep. Having one of your golfing buddies take your kids to a football game and then bring you a set of crutches. And then hearing the people call to check on you...even if you are on 'crazy' pills and cannot speak coherantly. (I just took more so this should be short.) And then having a doctor who calls.

When you are on the receiving end, (this is my first surgery - knee injury), it certainly does encourage you to see the value of serving others even more. Thanks guys for helping through this little valley and showing the love of Christ so practically.

Better quit now. The 'pills' are kicking in.

Definitions

2007-09-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

As school for my kids is nearing the end of week 3, the quizzes and tests have begun to arrive with some consistency. It seems that, with some regularity (including last night) that I am being asked, "What does the word _______ mean?" And like the good spelling bee winners, I often ask, "Can you give me a sentence with the word in it?" It seems that so much of our verbage is dependent on context these days.
In these past few days, I have been confronted head on with the reality that, even in the church, we can use a lot of similar terms and yet mean something totally different. As I was finishing up writing my sermon for this Sunday (a missions day at another local church), I realized that the words we use in our church planting context may be misunderstood. I also realized while talking again this week to a young dad today who is involved an incredible faith ministry...that we often can get comfortable in our own 'word culture'.
Then...as if to put an exclamation point on the thought...I was listening to a song and I realized something so incredible. God, who is so infinitely indescribable, sent His Son so that we could have picture of His love and grace in order that we might understand and wrote the Bible written so that we could know Him...at least as much as our finite minds could. If that be true, don't others deserve for me to put into their context my definitions.
They may not ask the exact question, but it may sound something like this: "Can you use that word in a sentence that I can understand?"

Wasted Time

2007-09-04T18:19:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like the feeling at the end of a day, a week, a month, a season...or even a carpool line...that you have just been wasting your time. I've got to admit that is how I felt a little while ago when I realized that it was 8:30 p.m. and I was not sure what I had accomplished since 6:00 a.m. when I woke up. It did not just hit me at 8:30 p.m., but about 10 times during the day. Just what have I been doing?

I woke up this morning and prayed for a half hour...then kissed my lovely wife good morning (a few times). I hugged all of our children, then took 3 of them to school. I stopped for coffee and made someone smile. I stopped to turn in a mission trip form and fellowshipped a few moments with some cool people. Got the mail and said good morning to a few 'grouchy' looking people. Went to the bank and was met by a 2 smiling tellers. Read some news on my e-mail, then prayed some more for people in our congregation, missionaries, a seminary president...etc.

A little later, I paid some bills and then read the Bible (something I did not understand very well). So I picked up a book on the passage from the desk that the author had given me and began to understand what I had read. I got to help the vending machine guy fix the machine in our building and prayed with a woman (whom I did not know) who had just lost her husband last week. Then I spent 2 hours with a neat young couple who are following God's plan for their lives.

Rushing to my next thing, I stopped (at 1:45 p.m.) for a quick combo at Jack in the Box that wasn't so quick. I let a guy go in front of me...who proceeded to ask for 2 'Jack' toys to give to his parents who were visiting from out of the country. I learned patience. Then I sat in a carpool line...talked with some old friends...and then sat in another car pool line...talking to my kids. I got to come home and start dinner, then go exchange my son's tennis shoes, buy 3 kids some ice cream (I resisted), and buy my (almost) 7 year old her first piano book (for me to teach her).

Then it was a rush to gymnastics class where we met mom who had been working...then off to the skating rink so Kara could go to her school's first outing. Quickly, we zipped to the High School to pick up the oldest...on the way to which I got to have a great conversation with Jared. Few words came out of the 15 year old after 10 1/2 hours at school, then home to finish dinner and sit down with 5 out of 6 around the table. Cleaning up...then a few minutes reading e-mails and then explaining my blog to a 13 year old who thought my picture was distorted.

Well, it's 9:30 p.m. and I hope to have a few minutes with 'mama' if we can get the last of math, algebra, Spanish, history, and English out of the way. I guess it was a 'wasted' day. I only spent time with God, my wife, my kids, a widow, a missionary, and some guy buying dumb toys for his international parents. I hope I can waste some more time tomorrow.

Just Another Hurdle on the Journey of Life? Really?

2007-08-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

I was troubled this morning to read that another ministry marriage is breaking up. Interestingly, the couple are both televangelists / pastors in a Florida megachurch (22,000 members). It seems that over the past few months, they have been drifting apart...partly due to his beginning a new ministry effort on the west coast and her new ministry in New York. It is incredibly sad. Their announced divorce leaves me with more than the inevitable questions about causes...but drifts to the rest of the story. He is planning to remain as the leader of the megachurch and she is planning to continue her television preaching. Of course, a little statement at the end of the story reminds us that both were previously married and divorced.

It could bother me that they were previously divorced and in ministry. It could bother me that a woman is the pastor. It could bother me that ministry seems to have driven a wedge in their relationship that an all-powerful God is seemingly unable to fix. It could bother me that a church or denomination does not rise up and say 'enough'. It could bother me that a television network would continue to air their sermons. (And all of this does bother me.) But what bothers me the most is that this just seems to be another hurdle in their life journey and their personal minsitries will just continue as usual...instead of a being a traumatic earthquake in the lives of two people who made a loving, permanent covenant with God and each other.

As Christians, we've all been disappointed by 'televangelists' and pastors before. But what does it say to a lost world about what we believe about God and his thoughts about marriage? We need a better picture. I pray Lesa and I can / will paint a much better one for them that will demonstrate the grace, love and power of our incredible God.

Fantasy Football - Part 2

2007-08-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

After writing about the influence of a dad and a fantasy football league yesterday, I came home to find my son (Jared) figuring out how to start a league of his own. (It was free...and pretty easy to set-up.) I was initially resistant...but then it hit me. Instead of being resistant, why don't I play. Right now, he's on the phone contacting some friends/relatives with whom we normally are not able to be engaged on a regular basis, about playing with us. Something we could do together...even across the miles. What a great tool the internet could be...playing a weekly game with some folks you love. Thanks again Mr. K for your timely influence as I could have missed the incredible opportunity with my kids...and more. Now, I can't wait for the draft this weekend...GO HORNETS! (My team)

Fantasy Football Lessons

2007-08-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

I am a firm believer that God ordained the family...and that parents are responsible for raising their own children. However, though I would not agree with Chelsea's mom about it taking all of society to raise our kids, I was reminded yesterday about the faithfulness of God to place great men in the lives of my kids to influence them for the good of the Kingdom.

This Saturday, our boys will attend their 4th Fantasy Football draft...just in time for the NFL season to kick-off. Yesterday, in the middle of an afternoon when most dads would be on the couch, one dad/son was touring the homes of previous league participants to interview them for a video his son was making. We watched the end of the Little League World Series together with some incredible interaction. I was reminded of God's soveriegn grace in helping us to prepare our kids for adulthood...even though I realize it is our responsibility. Thanks Mr. K.

Carpool Lines, Guidance Counselors, and Politicians

2007-08-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

It has been an interesting week as our kids began public school for the first time in South Carolina. We are blessed to live in one of the best districts in the state...so remind Lesa and I of that while we're sitting for 2 hours in carpool lines each day. There must be a better way to pass the time...reading almost got me in a bumper bender already. But we survived and look forward to seeing / hearing our incredible son, Nathan, play in the band at his first home football game tonight. He has displayed so much maturity these last few weeks.

Working through class schedules, open houses, registrations, etc. did not used to be so hard...at least not until college. However, I am grateful for one especially nice guidance counselor who took time for us this morning...even when the front desk was ready to turn us away. Thanks Mr. K for helping a 15 year old adjust. Maybe that helped me decide to spend a little extra time today with a mom and daughter who wanted to tour the 'Ballet' (Church) today to help a little girl adjust. They also got invited to church.

Finally, can I say that I was deeply impressed by two meetings I attended in the past 24 hours. Last night, a town hall meeting with my State Senator, Kevin Bryant. Great guy...great values...great discernment...great patience. I would like to have smacked the old guy who ranted for 20 minutes to the audience about the water problem in his yard on a county road. (...like KB could do anything about it.) I guess it made him feel better and showed the patience of a public servant.

This morning I was blessed to sit with Dr. Jim Austin, our new SCBC Executive Director. He too was all of those good things. I was encouraged by some of the other servants of God in the room who really have a heart for people, the church, and God's Kingdom. However, before things got too positive, we listened to a few tell us how to make our 'church' people feel more love and care, with no mention of leading them out of their comfort zone to reach their JJSE.

If I hear the term 'mission minded' one more time... (I might be tempted to go back and smack the old ranting guy at the town hall meeting.) It was a clear reminder of why Steve Sojourn quotes stats (today in Christian Report) that now show 98% of U.S. churches are plateaued or declining. If all we had to do was help 'church' people feel loved and meet their needs, pastoring would be much simpler. But the last I read in the NT, shepherds were not just to keep their sheep fed, loved and happy in the fold. I was glad to see and hear both a State Senator and a Baptist leader who were not stereotypical politicians. Lead on!

Hot and Cold

2007-08-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Lesa and I are both natives of the Buckeye State (Ohio) and know something about weather 'flexibility'. Yesterday, she saw that the temperature in northeast Ohio (her home) was 68 degrees, while my father (southern Ohio) said it was 91 in my home town. I am sure that there were people in each location who would have preferred the temperature of the other...based on their personal perspective or situation.

This morning, I read about two adjacent cities who each had a special water supply, one a 'hot' spring and the other a cold, fresh mountain spring. Surely there were some who would have preferred the temperature of the other's water...based on their personal perspective or situation. To meet the need of an individual would take intentional effort.

As I read, God reminded me that every person is not going to be touched by the same approach...based on their perspective or personal situation. And the same is true in a house (like mine) with four incredible kids and a wonderful 'snow belt' beauty. I must discern their individual perspectives, situations and needs rather than being a husband and father who does everything in the temperature with which I am most comfortable.

As If Cultural Pressure Was Not Enough...

2007-08-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

I read this morning of a church being sued in New England for not allowing a same-sex marriage ceremony to take place in their facility. After a short cheer in my heart, I went on to read of what troubles me much more. Seeing conflict within the church, especially in days when around the world His Kingdom is expanding so rapidly, really bothers me. Experience has taught me in very practical ways what the Bible teaches...that although Satan cannot destroy the church, he surely can distract her.

The headlines about churches and denominations split over doctrinal and moral issues is not new. As I read this morning again, the early church dealt with the same stuff. It's not new in our setting. But even as I was reading this morning about the early church and, as well, of those today who are taking a stand for what is right, I was struck in my devotions about the promise of God to protect His church and her purity.

Although He recognizes outside persecution and promises to bring eventual judgement, our Lord goes quickly inside the church to uncover heresy and immorality. His exhortation was this: "Repent or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth." (Rev. 2:16) I pray today that our church and our denomination will stay to the Word of God in doctrine and morality...but not just the SBC. May Satan have no place in God's church who is His planned agent to take the good new to the entire world.

Toxic Peanut Butter

2007-08-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, I had the incredible opportunity to join six members of our congregation in serving at a camp for children whose parents have Multiple Sclerosis. Man, was I impressed. (Not just with the camp, though it was pretty incredible.) What incredibly mature, and mostly postive, kids ages 9-12.

One of the goals of the camp is to help the children experience what people with MS go through when their symptoms 'flair up'. So as all 18 kids were attempting to get across the 'pool of toxic peanut butter' without stepping off the small wooden discs, they also had to help about 1/3 of their team members who were wearing ankle weights, or 'blurry vision' glasses, or oven mits on their hands. It would be hard enough to make it over the 30 ft. pit without barriers, but give me a break. That toxic peanut butter is pretty nasty stuff.

What amazed me most is that the kids were so supportive of the ones with the barriers...as if they somewhat understood them already. Maybe it was because they dealt with parents who had hinderences on a daily basis. Either way, it challenged me to plow through my little knee injury from a Friday night tennis match with my son...and not complain about it too much.

Most of all, it challenged me to think about those who are going through life...all around me...with the weight of life burdens around their legs, and vision that is blurred by culture and sin, and hearts that have become so insulated to the pressures of life that they cannot feel the incredible love of God that is trying to touch them. Maybe I can help a few across the 'toxic peanut butter' this week.?.?.?

I Want More Pictures

2007-08-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

Last night, while watching NCSI (obviously my wife was not home), I was reminded again of an important life lesson. One detective's team was rescheduled from weekend duty and the replacement team members were all killed by a bomb. As they were investigating the crime scene, the reality hit as another this detective was reminded that he should never pass up the opportunity to say, "I love you."

Earlier this week, as I was glancing at some pictures of the mission trip I took last year to Jinja, Uganda, (for 3 weeks) I was reminded of the incredible experience in several ways. But as I sat on the sofa next to my wonderful wife, I remembered how much I missed her during that time. I shared that with her and her smile was worth a million.

I would like to say that I do that all the time...or even enough of the time...but I don't. "God, would you please send more pictures in my life to remind me to tell those that I love how much I care for them...while I have the time? I need...want...more pictures."

Building Community

2007-08-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

This morning I read an article by Mark Tabb (www.onmission.com) entitled, "Just Add People". He tells the story about 'Dan' who attended a Baptist church, but had been disconnected for some time from religious affiliation and had never connected in a relationship with Christ. Although he sensed no great personal desire to re-connect in church, he and his wife had some sense of need for a religious experience for their children.

I guess the thought that kept hitting me was the constant need to work at building community in our church(es). Sometimes, like building a house, the process moves quickly while at other times it moves slowly. Sometimes there is fast building and other times there are inspections. We must continue to make progress, but allow for time when people are making inspection. As well, some of the most favorable inspections take place while the inspector sees positive progress in other areas of the project...many times with the inspector's involvement.

Tabb states what most of us know, but can forget in the fray of the week-to-week of 'church': "...often they are converted to our community before they are converted to Christ." In our context, 'Dan' is more often the norm than the exception. Community is not something we can 'CREATE' and expect to be effective for the long term. It must be continuously cultivated and 'BUILT' as we serve the Kingdom.

I Want to Learn It...NOW

2007-08-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

I had an incredible opportunity to see one of my kids take a major leap in maturity last week. It is an awesome thing to see your kids begin to make difficult, yet positive decisions. What was really difficult for me what that I was not totally sure of the correct answer or response. I hope that it was as positive for building his faith as it has been for mine. I hope all of my 'teen' issues can go like this...because not knowing the right answers will start making my gray disappear.

Part of my greatest frustration is desiring to learn the answers, explanations, reasons...NOW! God has been teaching me that many times the only way to really learn something that will impact my life or ministry is to experience the learning in steps or processes over time. This goes against every fiber of my being. It also seems true...what I already knew...that the learning process often occurs during the difficult times in life.

In my personal devotional journey, I have begun an adventure into a book of the Bible where I have yet to tread for an extended period. Lest any (including me) think that I become an instant scholar, I will refrain from telling what the location is...until the process has time to prove my ability to stick with it. I have started this one many times before. I'll let you know how it is going.

Gotta Lose Weight

2007-08-02T04:36:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like the feeling you get when you say, "I really need to lose 10 pounds." Only to have your wife verbally agree. As I was recovering from the shock of this scene, she reminded me of the facts.

A year ago, I thought there was something seriously wrong as I was experiencing blurred vision, chest pains, and severe headaches. One primary care physician, a cardiologist, an opthamologist, a neurologist, an MRI, and a bunch of blood tests later...the diagnosis was STRESS.

After being cleared to travel, I then went on a 3 week mission trip to Uganda. Life is a little slower paced and simpler there...and it has an incredible impact on your perspective. The every-other-night power outages also give you more time to pray and to hear from God. As I reflect, it may be time for another trip...somewhere. After further review...and my next mission trip not until September 22nd...there is only one thing left to say:

"But Thou, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head!" (Psalm 3:3)

It's Not That Important...or Is It?

2007-08-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

I saw the election headline this morning...a war of words between Hilary and O'B...mainly about the War. Bill is even getting in his 2 cents...and is still revered as a great President. One South Carolinian even said it this morning on the news...with the stipulation that he might not have been the greatest moral leader.

When I got to the office, I read the CrossWalk.com headlines that are e-mailed to me each day. O'B states that he thinks we are putting too much emphasis on faith and religion in the '08 race. As I was thinking about the impact of his statement, it was very frightening. Without faith in God and the foundation of the Bible, would we (America) turn our back on Israel? Would we care about injustice in the world (or here)? Would we be even less concerned with the value of life? Would we nationally accept homosexuality as normal? I read this morning that it is at the top of the NEA agenda to teach it as the norm in every school. (It's happening right now in a school near my rural, small hometown.) Would the next leader who has an affair commit murder to cover it up? (i.e. David)

I may not be the smartest brick in the wall, but it sure does seem important to me. I sure wish I could hear someone stand up (like another great leader did 3000 years ago) and say, "I have installed my King." (Psalm 2:6) Or like another great leader, someone would say, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15) But as I dream, maybe unrealistically, for this person to arise; God seems to speak to me, "You be that man, wherever you are, who will care about what I care about." Faith does matter. It does not just inform us, but it drives us. But it is not going to matter in Washington...or Columbia...or in Greenville until it becomes of paramount importance in my life, my home, my church...

It's not that important...or is it?

Communicating with Questions

2007-07-31T06:35:00.000-07:00

I had a neat experience this morning. I had to go to a difficult meeting. I struggled to go to sleep last night and awoke at 5:00 a.m. and could not sleep. So I began to pray...and analyze what I should do. I don't know about you, but I tend to spend more time trying to figure it out than listening for God's answers. Finally, around 6:00 a.m. I gave up trying to figure it out and fell asleep...only to hear the alarm 45 minutes later.

As I got to my meeting early this morning, God seemed to speak to me and tell me to be slow to state anything, but to rather to ask questions. The truth was that questions were really all I had to offer. So I had to resist the GUY thing of having answers. Amazingly, the person with whom I was meeting responded incredibly and communicated the fact that he tried every way he could think of to figure out a solution and was only left with questions. By communicating our questions, however, we were able to arrive at a possible solution to the difficult situation.

A little bit later, while reading God's Word, I saw the story of a group of people who were perplexed in a serious situation. Their questions were of the 'life determining' nature. Then enter Jesus...and rather than proclaiming how stupid they were (which He had the right and position to do), He asked questions. His questions helped the people figure out the answers themselves. What a novel idea...or not?

Souveniers

2007-07-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

Have you been watching Barry Bond's chase for the Major League Baseball homerun record, currently held by Hank Aaron? Especially since moving to Atlanta Braves territory, I have seen the Aaron replay so many times. However, the media (rightly or wrongly) is struggling to focus on Bond's potential accomplishment...but instead is focusing on the stories surrounding it. One that has caught my attention is the crew of kayak paddlers in the McCovey cove outside the park awaiting the souvenier of a lifetime.

If the ball were to go into the water, then who would get to it first? Would they value it so highly that they would keep it, or would they sell it for a profit? Mark McGwire's single season record ball is worth a ton of money...even though he is also facing personal scrutiny. It makes me wonder if I will finish well enough for anything that I have touched to be valued by anyone.

But today, I was reading about an item that was not auctioned off on Ebay, but was instead gambled for at the foot of a cross. It was owned and worn by a pretty popular guy in history who's life was also ripped with scandel. I am sure that someone would love to have it today. I wonder what it would be worth? But I am left with a penetrating question: Would we spend more time focused on the garment or the accomplishment of the One who wore it?

Cultural Paradox

2007-07-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

In my studies today, I came across a statement by Warren Wiersbe that says something like, "Life is meant to be enjoyed and used to bring glory to God." It struck me that our culture would say that these two would be mutually exclusive. However, the reality of the thought hit me. The thought that we cannot enjoy life while pleasing God is a lie straight from the pits of hell that we often buy...just as it was first sold in the Garden of Eden. It has been sold to some of the greatest minds and wealthiest people in history...but it is purchased by the lowliest people as well. The truth is that the greatest enjoyment we can have in life is when we are living out our God desired purpose.

Increase Our Faith

2007-07-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

Recently, in my personal study, I was reading in Luke 17 as the disciples of Jesus were asking Him to "Increase our faith." I have been asking the same of the Master. Jesus responds with a message about the exercise of our faith in what may seem small acts of service that should be the natural outflow of our love for Him. He then goes on His way...healing ten (10) men.

Sometimes I find myself looking for some major sign that God is at work so that my faith will grow. Jesus responded to the disciples in verse 20-21, "The Kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There is it!' For behold the Kingdom of God is in your midst."

After spending the last four (4) days working with 24 teenagers in various mission projects here in the Greenville, SC area parks; I am very encouraged. These 'kids' opened up their lives with us to a community they did not even know through simple acts of service. I must say that the future of the church is bright if these are a picture of our future leaders. But most of all, I saw so plainly that God is at work all around us. He is changing lives...here and around the world. I found my faith has been increased just by stopping long enough to see it. By doing what should just come naturally...and noticing the the great healer of the soul is actively at work.