Thoughts From Greg Thompson

Getting free from bad labels

2012-02-02T17:30:00.005-07:00

lā-bəl a brief descriptive phrase or term. a word given to someone based on who they are, what they like, or their appearance.

Labels are powerful. Positive ones can be hard to remember. Negative ones can be hard to shake.

This past week we looked at the story of Rahab in Joshua 2. Rahab had the label "prostitute." She could have carried that label her whole life, but somehow it changed. She went from being on the “outside” to being part of God’s people. She was chosen, rescued from destruction and became a direct ancestor of Jesus. She ended up being listed with the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11. Wow!

It was very impacting to watch people on Sunday put their own past labels on the cross. The room was electric with God’s mercy and our own desperation, always a sweet combination...

Pondering the dynamic of changing labels got me thinking...

Initially responding by seeing the bad label and surrendering to Jesus is the first step. But then a new battle starts.

Labels are typically based on some partial truth. Maybe you failed at something and you were tagged with the label “loser" or worse.

One guy I know carried a label of being the victim. It all started when he was victimized. But it took over his identity. Everything was about how not only one person had wronged him, but how everybody else continued to do so. Anyone who didn’t give him what he wanted was seen as the enemy and he lashed out accordingly. That made healing and healthy relationships impossible.

Our enemy (the devil) is called the father of lies. He takes bits and pieces of truth and makes weapons out of them.

Just look at his strategy in the Garden of Eden, “Didn’t the Lord say…?” throwing in some doubt and questioning God’s motives. And even when trying to tempt Jesus he used partial truths and Bible verses.

It takes God’s love and truth to reveal the lies. It takes courage and grace to walk away from them.

In my next post we’ll look at how to fill the void of those past labels and embrace our new identity.

Be strong and courageous

2012-01-21T16:19:00.004-07:00

What does it mean to "be strong and courageous?"

You could insert "be fierce and persistent" and convey the same meaning.

I made the comment "Women don't need men to be more like women." I was surprised at the response as most of the applause came from women.

We're seeing an increasing void of fathers, and the resultant feminization of society.

A recent www.cnn.com editorial states:

So what's wrong? Increasingly, the messages to boys about what it means to be a man are confusing. The machismo of the street gang calls out with a swagger. Video games, television and music offer dubious lessons to boys who have been abandoned by their fathers. Some coaches and drill sergeants bark, "What kind of man are you?" but don't explain.

Author Bill Bennett, in his new release The Book of Man, reports that 48 percent of men between the ages of 18-34 are "the biggest users of video games," two hours per day. Add on four hours of television viewing and this demographic consumes six hours of amusement per day.

Three times in Joshua 1 God says to "be strong and courageous" along with "do not be terrified, do not be discouraged."

I take great comfort in those words, because it meant Joshua was prone to weakness, lack of confidence, freaking out and despair.

What was God's answer for Joshua? It was to be careful to obey the book of the law (God's Word), to meditate on it day and night.

Somehow God was going to "Father" Joshua through His Word. Interestingly, that sort of fathering produced direction and "stopping points."

A powerful aspect of fathering is to provide healthy stopping points. I was watching my grandson a few weeks ago walk over to the "gate" by the laundry room which marked a stopping point. He just stood there with that look "Can you see me? What will happen if I climb over this gate? (something he has been trying) What are you going to do about it?"

Sadly, many parents remove all "gates" (stopping points) and allow kids to run rampant. The logic is "You can make the right choices... Do whatever you want so long as it doesn't hurt anyone else... Whatever brings you the most benefit is most important... You are the center of the universe..." We fail to realize every child innately tests boundaries in order to determine where the shoulder of the road lies, and the ditch. Seeing and experiencing the boundaries brings peace and rest.

Yes, some may have experienced stopping points with no love or even abusively. But that doesn't make strength wrong, it underscores the need for it to be expressed through love and conviction over what is right and good.

Back to Joshua, imagine his daily meditation on God's Word being the stopping point and the launching point for His conquests.

We hear many messages on being humble and caring for others.

Sadly, we hear very few messages on strength and courage, or other verses like the following:

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

King David's final words to his son Solomon before he died

"So be strong, show yourself a man..."

1 Kings 2:2

I'm hoping as we travel through Joshua we'll see and experience more strength and courage! And I'm praying as a local church community we'll experience more of God Fathering us through His Word!

New Year's Resolutions and Community

2012-01-07T11:15:00.012-07:00

I was trying to remove a large portion of ice from my driveway last week, very frustrating... It was packed down after 2 snows and being driven on for 2 weeks. I didn't want to use ice melt because it would damage the concrete. I've got one portion of concrete that looks like the moon, "spalled" as they call it, from ice melt. The snow shovel was inadequate but I made headway with the ice breaker/scraper and some help from my youngest son :)

The lesson in all this: Take the right approach -- remove the snow when it snows (and before you drive over it). Some things are unnecessarily hard...

I was thinking about how this relates to New Year's Resolutions and following Jesus.

We know Jesus calls us to follow Him and that we can't do it alone (we need community). But for many the experience of community is like removing ice from your driveway.

Why is that? I'm convinced our approach is what determines success or failure. We can tend to view everything in terms of how it will benefit us. We can look at life and people as though they owe us, and that destroys community, something like this...

Family: "This is where my needs are met."
Work: "This is where I get paid."
Friendships: "This is where I have fun."
Social networking: "This is where I share what I'm feeling, thinking and doing."
Local church: "This is where I get fed."
Community: "This is where people listen to me, encourage me, serve me."

We wonder why the ice is so thick (and other people just don't get it). It is because our approach is self-focused and not other-focused.

Now think about HOW JESUS CALLS US TO APPROACH COMMUNITY:

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

What if we approached a small group (or local church community) in order to serve the people there?

"I'm going to pray for them. I'm going to ask questions, listen to them and get to know what's important to them. I'm going to look for what God is doing and affirm that. I'm going to be honest with them."

A side note on the subject of honesty.

Why does so much goofiness go on in community? Because people aren't honest. Have you ever had a friend point out you had food on your teeth? And told them "Whew! Thanks for being a friend!" For some strange reason people think love means smiling and tolerating (then avoiding any future contact). No, real love means being honest and walking together. Yes, we overlook offenses and bear with one another's weaknesses. But we also care enough to let people know when they repel, disrupt, dominate, self-destruct, or have spinach on their teeth.

Think about what it would be like to experience real community where you are doing life together with others -- sharing good times and bad, loving and being loved, knowing others and being known, accepting and being accepted, doing the stuff Jesus did together...

I believe 2012 is to be a year of growing in missional community at SHV. Let's take a step in this direction together, first and foremost taking the approach of coming "to serve and not be served."

Roll away the stone

2012-01-04T20:59:00.006-07:00

This past Sunday, January 1, my son Levi shared a word with us about "rolling away the stone" which he likened to getting out of our comfort zone and risking it in following Jesus. You can view the message online.

Levi pointed to the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in John 11, and to our tendency to say "but Lord..." and resist with all sorts of excuses, missing out on amazing things in our lives.

It was especially impacting to hear his own personal story of transformation.

For June and me, it brought back lots of memories, from heartache to celebration...

At one service dozens of people responded. I think the positive response was because people are hungry for something more and because we all need hope that God can turn things around.

One friend watched online and relayed to me how he and his wife received much needed assurance re: their own kids, esp where they had been struggling with doubts.

As I shared, I'm very proud of Levi for many things..., most of all for saying "yes" to Jesus again and again. Somehow everything else gets taken care of when that happens.

And what an exhilarating (and many times frightening) experience to "roll away the stone" in response to Jesus!

Surprised by Generosity

2011-12-21T12:27:00.007-07:00

Not a Christmas goes by without thinking about my grandparents (Fred and Margaret). Every Christmas Eve we would gather at their home, eat a great meal and anxiously wait for it to get dark (time to open presents). My sister and I would comment at least 10 times during the meal "I think it's dark outside!!"

My grandparents were super generous, delighting in the volume of presents given. Grandpa was a self-employed carpenter and Grandma stayed at home. They earned a modest income and Christmas gifts came from money they had saved during the year. Uncle Freddie who lived with them grinned ear to ear as the most presents were set before him. Freddie had Down's Syndrome and was just as excited as we were, even more so at simple gifts (like Brut aftershave...).

With every present my mom would comment "Oh, you shouldn't have done that Fred and Margaret, that is so sweet of you..." We were thinking "Oh yes you should have, thanks!!"

The highlight of the evening was after presents had been opened, my grandpa would sneak back into his bedroom. He would come out with a handful of Christmas cards addressed to each person, with green stuff inside. It was always just a bit more than you'd expect. My dad would smile, shake his head and say "Rabbit, I can't believe you." That is what my dad called him, still not sure why :)

We would open our cards to see a $5, or a $20, or later a $50. Always more than we'd ever had in our possession. Grandpa was beaming and nodding his head, more excited than at any other time I can remember. That was his way of saying "I love you and you know I'm taking care of you..."

Many years have gone by. Grandpa, Grandma, Freddie and my Dad have passed away and are with Jesus. Many times God reminds me He is just like my Grandpa in that He gets a kick out of surprising me with His generosity. It can come in many forms, but after all the presents have been opened, He still has a surprise... He gets a kick out of blessing us.

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 NRSV

A place for the non-religious

2011-12-10T12:43:00.004-07:00

“I’m not religious, I just love the Lord” Scott Wesley Brown, 2004

My wife and I were on a jam-packed flight back to Denver and the gal sitting in between us started talking about her work, her family and then matters of faith. She relayed (with great excitement) how her life had been turning around and she was wondering where it was all heading… But she was struggling with going forward because of her husband’s perception of “religious people” at church. He felt religious people were mean, judgmental hypocrites.

Interesting how the word “religious” has changed in meaning over the years...

About 100 years ago

To be “religious” meant you were devoted, focused and of good character. As one author explained, “he was an essentially religious person which is to say he was always possessed of an irrepressible sense of wonder at and passion for ultimate reality.” Dennis McInerny

Wow, that’s pretty awesome!

Rewind 2k years ago to the days of Jesus

The religious people like the Pharisees were considered heroes. They had guarded and protected God’s Word with purity of devotion for about 200 years. Pharisees came primarily from the Middle Class and were born out of a battle against corrupting educational forces:

The Pharisees . . . wished to embrace the whole people, and in particular through education. It was their desire and intention that everyone in Israel achieve holiness through the study of the Torah . . . (cited p. 93, The Maccabees)

However, in a short period of time the Pharisees had become corrupt themselves. Paraphrasing what Jesus said in Luke 12 "Watch yourselves carefully so you don't get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known.” Message Version

Check out Ephesians 5:6 "Don't let yourselves get taken in by religious smooth talk. God gets furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but want nothing to do with him. Don't even hang around people like that." Message Version

Fast forward to present

The term "religious" has primarily negative connotations. Ask anyone and you'll hear things like phony, bigoted, uncaring, hypocritical, uptight, political agendas, majoring on minor issues, etc.

So why would anyone want to claim the label religious? It’s not a hill (or word) we should be willing to die on.

How about simply calling ourselves followers of Jesus? And how about proactively making it all about what Jesus cares about – loving God and loving people? We get to join Jesus in bringing freedom to captives, hope to the hopeless and mercy to the undeserving. After all, that’s who we are and what we’re experiencing!

Galatians 5:4 says "…When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love."

Our new friend on the flight was blown away that you could attend a worship service with friends and drink Starbucks at the same time -- maybe a place her "husband could come and explore relationship with Jesus..."

Improvising

2011-11-23T15:14:00.008-07:00

Going through the letter of 2 Timothy in our "Good Soldier" series I've been struck with the obvious: preparation, faithfulness and discipline.

Phrases in the letter include "hold on to the right pattern...," "follow the Lord's rules for doing His work," "work hard so God can approve you," "do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life," "remain faithful to what you've been taught." (New Living Translation)

However, this is only part of being equipped. It would be tragic to miss out on the importance of improvisation in the battle. We are trained by God's Word so we can respond rightly in every situation.

My dad played trumpet in jazz bands and was amazing at improvisation. I tried to excel in the things that were important to him, including the trumpet. I could read and play the music, but really struggled with improvisation.

One day I asked him how he did it. He just smiled, shook his head and said, "You've got to play all the time, practice, do scales, listen to other great players, practice playing along by ear, build your 'chops,' work on your tone and range, a lot of stuff you don't like to do... Because improvisation flows out of discipline and hard work. There's a magical thing that happens when it starts to flow naturally in the moment." Pause. Another big smile, as though he believed I could feel and understand what he was saying. It only took me 20 years to figure that out, long after I put the trumpet away.

It is so easy to reduce our spiritual journey to right information and formulas -- if I can recite the right doctrine, check the experiential boxes, say the thing that sounds spiritual, pray the prayer that impresses...

The greater challenge is to put God's Word into practice. It is to step out of my comfort zone and exercise His love and gifts with people who are unimpressed (outside the walls). It is to view the unexpected as an opportunity.

It is very hard for religious people to improvise.

Jesus said it this way to a guy who had relegated it all to right information and formulas:

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 ESV

Improvising in God's kingdom is not about self-expression or desire, but instead responsiveness to Jesus. The wind is blowing, God is on the move.

You are invited to join Him and give yourself to Him. Remember the challenges of 2 Timothy to hold on, follow His Word, work hard, to remain faithful.

And be prepared to join Jesus outside the box when it is time to improvise!

Worship, prayer & spiritual battle

2011-11-09T11:30:00.005-07:00

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts 16:25-26 NLT

What a mind-blowing picture of spiritual battle. Paul was provoked day after day by a girl who was annoying them (following them around and shouting that they were awesome). The girl who was a fortune-teller was under the influence of some evil power. Finally, Paul had enough and commanded the evil spirit to STOP, and the girl was set free.

Interestingly the girl was able to bring in lots of money through her fortune-telling and this stopped when she was set free. The guy who benefited most was furious that his source of income was cut off. He rallied a mob who almost killed Paul and Silas, eventually throwing them in prison.

So here they are on a "mission from God" with supernatural power bringing freedom to people. Sounds exciting. Then the counterattack. The devil is never happy when people get set free. And people aren't usually happy when their source of income dries up.

So what did Paul and Silas do? They prayed and worshipped.

They weren't praying the people who hurt them would be struck down by God. They weren't praying anything manipulative -- "God put all these people in prison so they can feel what we're feeling."

I think they were praying something more like Acts 4:29-30

"And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Have you experienced backlash when following Jesus? Are you in some sort of spiritual or emotional prison, locked up, hindered, afraid? Have you been unjustly treated, even when your actions have been noble?

Take up your greatest weapons -- prayer and worship! Turn your focus to Jesus. Begin to pray for His kingdom to come. Pray Acts 4:29-30.

Pray "Lord take this situation in my life and be glorified. Come and have Your way. Break through so Your name is lifted up. Set even more people free from the power of evil. Forgive those who have attacked me."

Can you imagine Paul and Silas praying for their friends, at midnight in jail, crying out for God's blessing on each of them by name.? Think of being in the cell next to them, "What's up with these crazy guys? I'm trying to get some sleep. Why aren't they angry? What are they doing praying for all these different people, sounds like they're going to pray all night..."

And whenever we add worship to our prayer, watch out! Your perspective is changed to thankfulness. You can't really worship AND pray without being changed. You'll be filled with faith that God is good and He is in control.

And who knows but God will bring an earthquake and the prison doors will fly open.

And even if they don't, the ones worshipping and praying are already free...

The Battle for what's most important

2011-10-29T10:16:00.006-06:00

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:4 NASB

How does this picture translate in our day?

The parents were exhausted, running on fumes.

"Our 9 year old plays football on a team with other 9 year olds. In the weeks leading up to the season they practiced 2 hours a day Monday through Saturday.

Now they practice three nights a week plus a game on the weekend. After practice it is homework for at least a couple hours, which requires one of us to basically do their work. BTW, I really resent having to do the homework. We seem to be going through the motions in our marriage and everything else. Help!?!"

Time is our most valuable commodity. And is it any wonder the enemy of our souls would bring "good things" and "the American dream" to entangle us?

Jesus addressed this in his Parable of the Sower. "The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it." Mark 4:18-19 MSG

Do you ever feel strangled or choked out by activity? Is your relationship with Jesus just kind of "there" but never in focus?

First of all, we need to continually lay everything before God in prayer asking for wisdom.

Secondly, we can ruthlessly evaluate our calendar and cut out things that keep us from health and wholeness. One family I know put a moratorium on kid's sports for a year and instead planned a weekly family fun night. Another family decided to serve the poor together once a week and then go out for dinner together. One couple told their kids that they were going to work on their marriage and start having a date night but that meant the kids could only be involved in one activity outside of school. Another couple established three family nights a week at home in which nothing would be planned.

Finally, don't be surprised there is a price to pay. It is much easier to "do what everyone else is doing" versus suffering the backlash of "Oh my gosh, your 9 year old isn't playing on the team this year? What kind of freak are you?"

It is a challenge to find ways to facilitate friendships while saying "no" to some activities. It isn't easy to sit down with your spouse and kids to discuss the best and healthiest plan for an upcoming season. Praying together about it can also be hard.

I'm not saying to avoid all sports activities. Nor am I saying to stay at home and do nothing.

I'm saying let's raise our kids to make hard decisions because they've watched us do it. Let's teach them to sacrifice the good for the best. Let's train them to understand you don't always get what you want and you have to deal with it. Welcome to the real world.

Let's raise them to know marriage is something we protect, prioritize and build for life. Let's teach them to reevaluate everything in the light of what is most important. When they hear the words of Jesus they'll have a reference point because they've watched us "seek first the kingdom of God" and heard us reframe our lives with that as our goal.

Running on fumes? Entangled? You've been enlisted by Jesus, the One who was more "in demand" than anyone else. He understands. If you seek to please Him, He will guide and refresh you!

The Battle Within p. 2

2011-10-20T20:37:00.005-06:00

"the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart" 1 Samuel 13:14

God made this statement to Saul. It was in the context of Saul losing the battle within. And it was in reference to David being that man who wanted to please God more than anything else.

The similarities between these men in their circumstances were profound.

Picked by God
Anointed by the prophet
Instructed by the prophet
Given tremendous favor
Hated by some
Victorious in battle
Miserably failed

So what was different about them?

David had an extraordinary respect for authority. When he could have vindicated himself he refused. He entrusted himself to God when being attacked and waiting.

On the other hand, Saul rejected counsel and he couldn't trust or wait.

When David sinned he responded by crying out for mercy and accepting God's discipline. Saul instead rationalized and covered his sin.

When David sinned we got Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

When Saul sinned we got 1 Samuel 15:12

“Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor."

It seems the battle within is won by a humble heart that seeks to please God. That heart is formed by yielding to God's training over a long period of time.

David was trained in the fields watching sheep, by being the least of his brothers. His inclination to turn everything into worship was was formed in those same fields.

He learned to fight in those fields, killing the lion and the bear. Little did he know the lions and bears he would face in the future (and neither do we).

And David wasn't perfect, which shows you can come back from huge mistakes. God didn't give David what he deserved but instead showed him mercy.

We can take courage in the battle by reflecting on David's example and asking for the same heart. And we realize the school of hard knocks is God's training program.

The battle within...

2011-10-14T13:18:00.000-06:00

The stories of King Saul and King David are told in 1 and 2 Samuel. Two likeable guys. Two gifted guys. Both with great opportunities. Both made serious mistakes but one was accepted and one was rejected.

No, God didn’t accept either one because they were good people. So why did God accept David and reject Saul? Why did King Saul ultimately lose the fight? Why did David win?

Saul was marked by pride. Here he is in the middle of battle, enemies pressing in, the people freaking out, God had given strict orders to wait on the prophet to offer sacrifices before fighting.

It was the waiting that surfaced his unbelief. God allowed it to go way past 11:59. Saul took matters into his own hands, thinking the end justified the means. He thought being king meant he could do stuff reserved for the prophet. Wouldn’t you know it, right when he offered the sacrifice the prophet Samuel shows up -- oops!

Another time Saul is told to utterly destroy everything under the ban, people and animals. Instead he thinks he’ll show more compassion than God and spare the best of the sheep, oxen and the opposing King. It is never good to think you are more compassionate than God, let alone to try and show it.

We all have a bit of King Saul in us. For sure we are tempted in the same ways though the context is a bit different.

We take matters into our own hands when waiting gets uncomfortable. We may not be offering sacrifices, but we might use the force of our personality to “hurry things up.” We might do something stupid because we feel ripped off. Just a few weeks ago I heard about a “Christian” businessman who went to jail for defrauding investors. It is amazing how easily the human mind can justify terrible things when the heat gets turned up.

Sometimes people in our lives are about to get to the end of the rope and turn around, but we are there to rescue. God knows real change can’t happen until they hit bottom. But we’re there to “help” and keep them from facing the music. They start to feel pain and we can’t take it. We pridefully think we’ll show compassion where God isn’t.

So studying the life of Saul can bring insights to the battle we are engaged in. We can justify and rationalize. We can live in many forms of denial.

Or we can allow Jesus to “bring to death” our own “Saulish” tendencies by confessing them and humbling ourselves.

Next post we’ll look at King David.

Fighting the good fight

2011-10-07T17:44:00.000-06:00

"The relationship had deteriorated, I had followed the Bible's instruction in Matthew 5 and gone directly to him. But he couldn't let go of the offense. As I prayed I was reminded to be quiet and entrust it to the Lord. So I've been silent and not sharing the junk with anyone else."

I was pretty blown away as you don't hear something like that very often, wow!

The pathway of victory is humility and trust and this guy was on it!

In this spiritual battle we fight in three arenas: our own stuff, the world and the devil.

Re: our own stuff we are called to honesty, sorting things out directly with people in humility (Matthew 5 & 18, Ephesians 4). That may be the greatest struggle for some - having the courage to go directly and to be honest (in humility).

Then we are called to let go- to pray, cast our cares on Him, forgive and trust.

Both avenues go against the grain of our inclination. Both are vital to spiritual growth. Both require grace. Both reveal our spiritual maturity.

How is this part of the spiritual battle we are engaged in? We open the door to evil influence when we wage war as the enemy does.

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Baptism Celebration!

2011-09-23T16:03:00.000-06:00

54 people were baptized this past Sunday in an all-out celebration!

One guy staggered and almost fell over as he came up out of the water. I asked him later what happened and he said "I'm not sure. I was so overwhelmed with God's presence, my family and friends there, something amazing happened... I wish I could do it again this week!"

Another guy relayed his struggle with addictions and believing this was the next step in dying to his past and going forward with Jesus and the support of community.

Here is a sampling of the personal responses to "Why are you getting baptized?"

"I gave my life to Christ a few years ago and want to seal my promise I gave to him."

"I want to get baptized because I don't remember when I was baptized as a baby and I want a closer relationship with God."

"I am re-dedicating my life to God. Without him I am nothing and can do nothing."

"I have been serving Jesus for a couple years, and was baptized when I was younger, but it was my parents choice. I feel this will be a great opportunity for me."

"I am being baptized today to show my friends and family that Jesus is in my life and always has been."

"I was baptized as a baby. I want to be baptized as an adult by my own choice to show my dedication to Jesus."

"I am getting baptized because I want to let go of the past, feel closer to God and lead a faithful life as a follower of Jesus."

"I want to live my life in a way that is closer to God."

"I am getting baptized because I am obeying God's direction this time to demonstrate my love for him and to put to rest the "old man" and raise up the new."

"Because the first step for me is acknowledging Jesus is the TRUTH and without him you have nothing."

"To be cleansed of past sins and to freely move forward with all that God has planned for me in the service of others."

"I just want to give my life to Jesus!"

"I want to be cleansed from my sins and be closer to God."

"I want to live a life for God and nothing else so it is the first thing people notice about me."

"I have finally learned who I am because Jesus has loved me and I feel His presence. I want to acknowledge my commitment to His purpose in my life."

"God has transformed our family and I want to show everyone how important He is to us."

Is that cool or what?!!! What a privilege to share this milestone together!

The teaching function of worship, p. 4

2011-09-17T13:22:00.000-06:00

John Newton used to write worship songs to go with his messages. He wanted to reinforce the truths he was teaching, and for the people to express them in song.

Of course Newton is best known for writing "Amazing Grace" and that song has done pretty well...

Worship historically served to “teach” in that people came away with expanded understanding and experience of God’s nature.

Expressing some revealed aspect of God’s mercy strikes a chord in our hearts and minds. It sets our feet upon a Rock, taking us above our circumstances where we can see more clearly. Just think about coming away having expressed and experienced the revelation of God as Provider, or Peace-Giver, Healer, Deliverer, Comforter, Forgiver, God of Heavenly Armies (what’s up with that?), Defender, Safe House, All-Knowing, etc.

I remember singing some worship songs dozens of times, then to be blown away by some of the words I'd never noticed before. It was as though they were being highlighted by the Holy Spirit. We were singing "Your lovingkindness is better than life" (Psalm 63:3) and I was hit right between the eyes. An issue I was struggling with quickly faded into the background as I saw His lovingkindness permeating everything.

Expressing those words to God versus just about Him is also central to worship. It is like prayer in song (kinda like the Psalms...).

Worship leaders have an obligation to instruct. They are leading God's people into His presence, in spirit and in truth. The songs can be used to make the worship leader feel better by impressing people with their skills. Songs can make the people feel better in the moment through self-expression and catharsis (see last post). Or they can bring people into an awe-inspiring encounter with God.

I'm all for creative expression and for using musical styles people enjoy. It is vital to use language people can relate to, and keep it simple (being out of breath trying to sing 20 words in 5 seconds isn't so helpful).

Bottom line: there is a way to be profound and simple at the same time in worship, and that is the challenge. That's when teaching really happens.

About God and not about me, worship p 3

2011-09-09T14:03:00.000-06:00

Why does worship (and worship leading) so easily degenerate into self-expression as the highest priority?

I remember the first time attending a large Vineyard Conference in Southern California. While everyone was worshiping, the worship leader stepped back from the microphone, weeping, composing himself, then stepping back up to lead. I was blown away because I’d seen leaders “milk their experience” to rev everyone up. He didn’t draw any attention to himself. I doubt very few even noticed what was going on with him.

Afterwards I approached and told him how much I respected him for not “working it” when God was touching Him. He said “Seriously?? I can’t even imagine people doing that…” all of which just furthered my respect.

Maybe self-expression dominates today because so many worship songs are marked more by “How I’m feeling” than by Adoration.?

Adoration is "the intense admiration culminating in reverence and worship, together with the outward acts and attitudes which accompany such reverence." (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

Richard Schmidt in his book “Glorious Companions” points to Isaac Watts’ ‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross’ as the first English hymn written in the first person. He says “Many at the time considered it vain because it called attention to the author rather than focusing entirely upon God.” Wow, seriously!?! Things have changed...

Schmidt goes on to describe Charles Wesley’s hymns (also in the 1700’s) as being “marked by their warm, personal tone.” That was awesome! A positive transformative shift was occurring, leading the worshiper out of dry formality.

Fast forward and it seems our worship is in need of a radical movement out of self-absorption into revelation of God’s greatness.

We could say the same thing as they did in their critique in the 1700’s, not because the word “I” is used a handful of times but because the rest of the words are mostly about us. The same song would more typically be “When I survey my desperate heart, I’m feeling dry and needing You…” Can we keep the warmth and change the focus?

Can we write more songs with authentic lyrics from the heart, but primarily God-focused? Can we write songs that describe God with vocabulary beyond “amazing,” “wonderful” and “awesome”? The Bible is full of God’s self-revelation, anything but boring or redundant...

There are encouraging signs... a movement is stirring among artists to rework hymns keeping the rich language but adjusting the music. Some are writing new songs along these lines of being more God-focused. Greg Russell (our worship pastor) and I share this burden and have been talking with worship leaders and songwriters who are pondering the same stuff. We're charting a course in this direction, looking to join others in training a new generation of worship leaders.

Surely God is up to something.

Worship p. 2

2011-09-01T21:17:00.000-06:00

Growing up I had very little understanding of worship (I still feel like a novice). Over the years I’ve experienced some insights; mostly from being around people who love to worship, from studying the Bible, and personal and corporate worship.

In our little church in Southeast Kansas, the numbers for all the songs in the hymnal were posted up front. The organist played, the choir sang, it seemed like the most important thing was to look like you knew what you were doing (at least that is what I thought).

On more popular songs people would look up from their hymnals during refrains they knew. A few people would sing extra loud and I always wondered if that was to show off. I’d catch my dad glancing at the person and then doing a little eye roll to my mom, and smiling at me.

On the positive side there was plenty of reverence (yes, positive). This wasn’t a time to goof off and there were no “Jesus is my buddy” type songs. We were there to worship a holy God, and that meant an attitude of absolute respect (which my mom was quick to remind me).

However, I never really knew what many of the words meant, and can’t remember anyone explaining them. We never talked like this around the house (King James English) even in respectful conversation, and I had no idea what the “Royal Diadem” was, but we were bringing it forth…

Years later when I first experienced God’s love, most of the words began to make more sense. Even if I didn’t understand them I got the gist of what was being said. I couldn’t get enough.

Then we started attending other meetings where the songs were simpler, the leader played guitar, and words were ones we sometimes used in conversation. But we still weren’t singing the “Jesus is my buddy” songs. They didn’t come into vogue until the 90’s.

Many times I wonder if we’ve lost something in the area of reverence…

How could John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” considered by many His best friend, record this of his encounter with the Risen Christ: “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.” Rev. 1:17

Opposite reverence we can get overly familiar, especially when we sing mostly about how we’re feeling or how we want to feel. But I’ll save that for a future post.

Thoughts on worship p. 1

2011-08-23T13:55:00.000-06:00

Worshiping together...

"Worship" is used to describe everything from a gathering to singing to an experience. Some view it as the "warm up" to a message. Others view it as an opportunity for creative expression.

Jesus talked about God looking for worshipers, those who would worship Him in spirit and in truth. That seems to indicate worshiping from the core of who you really are on the basis of who He really is.

The Bible also paints the picture of ALL our lives being worship - offering everything we are and do to God.

A friend used to say "pray with your eyes open and worship with your eyes shut." He was encouraging us to look for what God is doing when you are praying (quickly answering), and to look to heaven when worshiping.

I've been pondering the purpose of worship, specifically getting together to worship with other followers of Jesus. The early church primarily used the Psalms as their "hymnbook." Have you ever tried singing the Psalms? It can be pretty awesome and it can be pretty awkward... Can you imagine everyone singing a song with a couple hundred lines? At the same time the richness of singing something from God's book is unequaled.

Worship could be defined as declaring who God is; what He has done, is doing and is going to do. That can take quite a bit of time and opens the door to endless creativity.

Whenever people gather to worship God a strange thing happens, He actually comes near. The Person of the Holy Spirit draws near. The Bible says He inhabits or is enthroned upon the praises of His people. Have you ever experienced getting together with others to worship, only to find God's peace settling upon you and anxiety disappearing?

We can tangibly experience His peace, His joy, and whatever else we need from Him in times of worshiping together. You can't get that on your own. Yes, you can experience God's presence on your own, but there is an aspect or element of His grace that only comes when we worship together -- broken people in imperfect local church communities expressing their love for God, declaring His greatness.

All over the world wherever people gather to worship, lives are transformed, communities and nations are impacted, if we only knew...

That is one of the reasons God tells us in Hebrews to not forsake getting together as His people. It isn't just to hang out together. Something meaningful and transformational happens when God's people worship Him in unity.

A significant void develops when we stop getting together with other followers of Jesus to worship Him. We can fill it with other stuff. We can avoid the imperfections of local church community.

But the fact remains, we were made to worship together, and the church (and earth) suffers in the absence of one person who detaches from this wonderful calling.

I'm looking forward to the next time of worshiping with other followers of Jesus, no matter where they are in the journey, to expressing our love for Jesus and appreciation for His profound mercy. I may just close my eyes and imagine what is going on in heaven. And I'll glance around the room to be reminded that I wasn't made to walk or worship alone.

Vacation, golf and Psalm 107

2011-08-09T16:55:00.000-06:00

Every August we try to take some vacation, a mini-sabbatical of sorts. Sabbatical is defined as a year or shorter period of absence for study, rest, or travel, given at intervals (emphasis on "shorter period")

Interestingly, when we fail to take a day of weekly rest along with periodic longer periods of rest, we burn out and end up resting not of our own choice.

I usually go into this time thinking it will involve lots of golf. For some strange reason I equate golf with rest. Isn't beating someone in a highly competitive activity (where you are "having fun") the definition of rest?

This year the biggest thing has been fixing broken stuff around the house. I get a strange sense of enjoyment in that, especially working on something that gets fixed. Someone once told me how therapeutic mowing or shoveling snow can be for a leader, because you actually get to complete the task in a concrete way. Of course electrical, plumbing and appliance repair don't compare because I don't get them fixed very easily.

Finally, I've been reflecting on Psalm 107 this month. What an amazing Psalm! Taking a few verses every day, reading, thinking, checking out what Charles Spurgeon says, praying about it, seeing how it applies, etc.

The Psalm paints the picture of 4 groups of people, all of which 1) stray away from God, 2) suffer consequences, 3) cry out to God, and 4) God shows His incredible mercy. He shows that mercy in different ways to each group.

The first group for example He "leads in a straight way" as part of His deliverance. Ever feel like you're on a circuitous route (indirect and lengthy)? Boy I do. That seems to be at the core of following Jesus. Probably not because He is going the indirect and lengthy route, but because we do.

I was just talking to a guy who has a really hard time listening. He is used to doing what he wants, when he wants, and gets rather offended when others don't fall in line. But he also has experienced some brokenness, crying out to God, and then God leading him "in a straight way." He'll experience that mercy again, as we all do, once he reaches the end of his own resources.

A time of rest where we are listening -- whether hanging out with family, golfing, or fixing things (not necessarily in that order).

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! Psalm 107:1

When everything is shaken

2011-08-02T11:19:00.000-06:00

Jerry had lost almost everything -- his wife and kids, many friends, he no longer enjoyed his work..., he had always been a "glass is half-full" kinda guy.

We talked about world events, natural disasters, poor decisions, betrayal and faith gone cold.

Staring at his drink he said "Man, what is going on? Where is God in all this mess? It is like the radio dial is in between stations -- I hit the "seek" button and there is no signal strong enough to land on..."

How can you be hopeful when uncertainty colors everything? Thankful when facing loss? Clear-minded when confusion permeates?

I listened to Jerry, didn't offer any insights or answers (beyond reminding him that God still loves him). We did pray and invite Jesus to comfort and restore. An amazing peace seemed to settle upon him in that moment. Yet I knew it would be gone by the time he got to his car if he didn't hold on to the truth.

Someone once told me "Remember God is closest when He seems the most quiet."

He brings peace whenever we yield to Him, time and time again!

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" Hebrews 12:28

Hold on to this truth today. Though everything else is being shaken, let Jesus have what He wants. Let His unshakable Kingdom come into every area -- and let go of the things you can't control.

Running like Jonah

2011-07-23T14:18:00.000-06:00

Jonah didn't like the people who lived up north. They were outsiders -- they didn't share his beliefs, they were brutally violent, and his religion had taught him to despise them. He believed they should be wiped out and he wanted to see it (from a distance).

Fast forward 750 years and Jesus, the anticipated Messiah has come. The people wrongly expect Messiah is going to annihilate all their enemies, after all, God is pretty ticked off at them... There is an underlying fear and suspicion of anyone who isn't a Jew.

Jesus hangs out with sinners. He doesn't obliterate the outsiders but instead says God's kingdom is open to them (Matthew 5:3-12). Wow, this infuriated the religious folks. Imagine the most popular teachers of the day telling horror stories of the half-breed Samaritans and unclean Gentiles, answering questions on the radio (well, maybe not the radio), aligning with political factions (Zealots) and figures (Herod and Pilate) to further their agenda.

The Zealots were a Jewish political group who believed force was the way to establish God's kingdom. Jesus picked one of them to be in His small group!! Talk about stirring the pot.

Jesus reminds everyone that God so loved "the WORLD" not just their corner of it. The Messiah has come to break down the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles. God has sent His one and only Son, the perfect Jew, to fulfill every requirement of the Law, and by His death to tear the Temple veil in two -- opening access to all. The Gentiles, who were not even allowed beyond certain boundaries, were given full rights and blessings through Jesus the Christ. Talk about GOOD NEWS!

But what happens when people hate you and would like to see you dead? What happens (shock) when your enemy; acts like your enemy? What happens when God shows mercy to your enemy and calls you to the same? Oooooh, scary.

My first tendency is to run like Jonah did, from perceived enemies and from God's heart. My second tendency is to complain like Jonah did. Somewhere way down the list I hear my Mom's words "You will never be free unless you forgive and show God's love where it is hardest..."

God is patient. He waits until I make my way down the list.

I knew You were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness! Jonah 4:2 Message Version

No coincidences on the golf course

2011-07-16T15:52:00.000-06:00

We were standing on the first tee and this young guy who worked for the course was telling us the basics, "Keep up the pace" and "Have a good time" stuff.

Someone asked if he was a real golfer, said he looked like one... He said he was trying to make the tour but had blown out his hip. Slowly but surely he was rebuilding and gonna try again, but his hip was in lots of pain and it was a long road.

We all hit a variety of shots off the tee, some of us hitting two as we sprayed them all over, then it happened. The question from one of the guys -- "Do you have any spiritual belief?"

It was in that awkward moment that Jesus was about to show up...

The guy mumbled something about being "spiritual but not very religious." I laughed and said we were the same.

Then we asked if we could just pray for him, for Jesus to touch him and to heal his hip. He said sure, that would be fine.

As we prayed for him (for about 20 seconds) I noticed the tats on his arms, the weathered look on his face as he closed his eyes, and had the overwhelming sense Jesus really loved him.

Nothing dramatic happened that we could see. The prayer ended, he was lit up (maybe because the prayer was over), said thanks and that he really appreciated it.

I don't know what happened or will happen with his hip, but I do know something happened.

Maybe God was delighted for us to hang out and play golf, and to touch an unsuspecting guy on the first tee with His love. No coincidences on the golf course...

What about small groups?

2011-07-08T14:24:00.000-06:00

I've been pondering the present struggles of small groups. It seems like people know they are essential, but aren't sure why or how...

What used to work in small groups doesn't seem to anymore. I remember meeting one night a week for 2-3 hours. Then our first-born son was part of our group, crawling around the room, people distracted, and loving on him. They didn't even complain that we were aware of (they kept coming back). Wow, those days are long gone...

Then groups were revived with a focus on purpose and mission - discovering God's purpose for your life, and then adopting a need and taking care of it together. Great friendships developed in the context of serving.

Recently a friend voiced "I need to be back in a small group." They said small group was the place of greatest growth in their life and they were spiritually dying without it. The biggest obstacles in their mind were scheduling conflicts, busyness and being with the right people (or "wrong people" as the case may be).

It seems the best groups have a sense of clear purpose, and it always involves being outwardly focused. That can be in the form of prayer/worship (God-focused), or service/mission (other-focused).

Small groups can probably take many different approaches and be successful.

And it always helps to look back to the model of Jesus for inspiration and direction...

So what was Jesus' small group all about?

1. Deeper relationship?

Nope, this was a by-product of being together all the time (and working through their junk).

2. Ministering to each other?

Nope, a by-product of being with Jesus and being on His mission.

3. Growing in knowledge?

Not the point, but a result of following Jesus.

4. Social justice?

Another by-product of being with Jesus but the description falls short.

5. Bible study?

Closer still, but they were more about "Bible doing" over study. Jesus would teach, explain and model -- "show and tell" if you will. Then He sent them out to do the same.

The small group of Jesus was about God's kingdom breaking in to the present evil age.

They were joining Him in His mission to change the world by bringing Good News in every way!

In the name of Jesus people were fed, healed, delivered and reconciled to God. That is Good News!

Is there anything more exciting than that??? What would it look like in this day and age? In the context of smaller group relationship with others? During your week?

Definitely worth taking some time to pray, reflect and discuss with others... and try!! Maybe Jesus will give us just what we need if we ask Him.

A place for nonreligious people to connect with Jesus

2011-07-01T12:38:00.000-06:00

What does that mean? It means nobody is perfect, and if you know that, you are a prime candidate to be part of local church community.

"to connect with Jesus" is being connected to Jesus AND His mission, the most vital element of spiritual growth. To connect with others in that mission is what you could call missional community.

It doesn't mean drawing lines on nonessential issues in order to determine who is "in" and who is "out" -- that is religion.

And it doesn't mean "meet my needs or else."

Jesus says "Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me." John 15:4 Message Version

Recently at a party a guy told me how he had gone from church to church, and had always found something wrong in their theology, politics, etc. Pretty sad, not that he had found something wrong but that this was his story. I shared about trying to keep it simple, all about following Jesus..., and that he probably wouldn't be happy at Smoky Hill Vineyard.

And honestly, being connected to Jesus in American culture has often degenerated into just getting our needs met. We spend lots of time trying to keep people happy, instead of leading people into the mission of Jesus.

“. . . Our motto degenerated from ‘We are the church, here to serve a broken world’ to ‘What does the church have to offer me?’. . . are we too much about us getting fed and too little about us exercising our faith?” -From “An Unstoppable Force” by Erwin McManus, Pastor of Mosaic Church in Los Angeles

People often see the church primarily as a means to meeting our own personal needs and wishes, instead of seeing the church as a supernatural community and family serving one another and on a mission together, here to serve God and serve others before ourselves.

“The church is the only institution that exists solely for the benefit of nonmembers.”
- G.K. Chesterson

Interestingly, the more we focus on getting our needs met the less happy we are. The more the church focuses on keeping people happy, the less fruitful she is.

But the more we gather around serving God and others, the more we experience God's pleasure, our needs are met, and we bear fruit.

Nonreligious people are drawn to this type of missional community.

I'm thrilled to be part of a local church community where this is our spiritual DNA, and to be connected with many other local churches in the Denver area with the same DNA!

When Repair Costs More Than Replacement

2011-06-23T15:40:00.000-06:00

"The dryer isn't working and we've got lots of laundry." One of my favorite things to hear...

So I got out the manual and started reading again. After checking the obvious, there were several possibilities, all of which involved opening up the dryer and meticulous research.

I'm what you would call "electronically challenged" when it comes to the inner workings of an appliance. Typically I read the manual about 14 times, check a few things that don't work and I'm off to Home Depot for a tool I don't have. In this case my voltmeter was busted and I needed another one.

Side note: I had already called the manufacturer, a local appliance repair, compared prices and had a guy scheduled to come out for $129 (service call, labor included, parts extra).

You know you're in bad shape when the guy at Home Depot's parting words are "You do know to unplug the appliance before you start testing stuff.? I don't want to see on the 10:00 news, some guy, whatever your name is, was electrocuted tonight working on his dryer..."

"Uh, no sir, don't worry. I know to unplug it cause I read the manual 13 times already. Are you really that concerned about me?"

So after getting home (unplugging the dryer) and checking the various possibilities I still couldn't figure it out.

I got a local appliance repair guy on the phone and walked through several typical things to check with the voltmeter but nothing... Finally I narrowed it down to a $208 part.

So I could have the guy come out and pay a minimum of $350 for the service call and parts, or go buy a brand new dryer for $350. Hmmmmm

Life lessons from appliance repair include:

The greater the technology, the less chance you have of fixing it yourself
More technological options = more things that can go wrong
New appliances are made to work until right after the warranty expires
There are some things that bailing wire and duct tape can't fix
Replacement can be cheaper than repair, and that is totally counterintuitive
And the biggest lesson in this (and other areas of my life), I can't fix everything

I went and got the $350 dryer with no heat sensor. I can't imagine running the dryer and depending on setting the accurate time so our clothes don't catch on fire, but somehow we'll get by like we used to. And I won't ever have to replace anything connected with a heat sensor.

Intentions versus Actions

2011-06-11T10:48:00.000-06:00

Last week we looked at “live in an understanding way” with our spouses (1 Peter 3:9). Here are some further thoughts…

Check out these negative examples:

“You don’t care about anyone except for yourself.” “You’ll never change.” “I know you’re only trying to get back at me.” “You don’t even want to understand.” “You care more about work (shopping, sports, friends, hobbies, etc.) than you do about your family.” “You’re lazy and selfish.” “You’re so stupid.” “All you ever do is think about…”

Once you start judging the motives behind your spouse’s actions it can only produce a defensive reaction.

The couple was “discussing” some of their struggles over lunch with a friend/counselor. It was at Macaroni Grill, where they have paper tablecloths (and crayons).

Their friend drew the picture (something like this) – wife and husband on 2 sides with 2 lines on each side, “you can only see your spouse’s actions, never their intentions. If you want to work on your communication, you’ve got to learn to ask for clarification of intentions behind those actions. Stop blaming. Stop jumping to conclusions. When you get upset at him working late, instead of saying ‘you don’t care about me or the kids,’ say something like ‘when you work late I feel like we’re missing out on connecting with you and it is very hurtful.’”

Point out the action (working late) and how it makes you feel (missing out and hurtful) versus judging the intention (you don’t care…).

Over the years we’ve learned in situations of conflict to hit pause and ask for clarification of intentions, avoiding the trap of blaming and attacking. It isn’t always easy, but opens the door to understanding.

Most married couples actually have good intentions and want to please their spouse. Think about it. Your spouse really does want to make you happy, can’t you see it in their eyes?

When conflict hits and you slip into judging intentions you’re not giving your partner a way to respond. The walls get built one brick at a time, and before long hearts are walled off from each other. If you can’t see that love, then seek out some help with someone who can coach you through these elements of communication.

We can start over by asking forgiveness and taking the time to be honest without assigning blame. And when your spouse gets up the courage to be honest, try to reflect back what you hear them saying and clarify your intentions without defending yourself. I’ve found that “I’m sorry for how that has been affecting you” (without defending) along with effort to change my actions is much better than “Well, you’re missing the boat and these are all the reasons why…”

2 halves of the pearl

2011-06-04T13:02:00.000-06:00

"You are like 2 halves of the pearl. Who you are together is much better than who you are apart. And only when you come together will you have the wisdom you need..."

Someone shared those words with June and me early in marriage and they have proven to be true in every season.

They rang in my ears through the years, confirmed in every season. Sometimes like a bell calling for my attention. Other times like a safe harbor in the storm. When resisted or ignored, like a firecracker going off -- ringing, annoying and painful.

(from Wikipedia) "the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable."

In every decision we both have necessary perspective. Without her I'm shortsighted. I'm too slow to act. I can be focused on immediate impact or ramifications versus long-term benefit. She is just what I need, even if it takes me a while to figure it out...

We were wrestling with what to do with one of our sons. You know the arguments you have re: your kids where you take sides, one tends to be more lenient, the other strict. BTW, we can flip roles quickly depending on the kid... What's up with that?

Anyway, praying together about it and talking some more we came to a great conclusion. We both had elements of the truth (2 halves of the pearl). We had to go forward together in a unified way. Once that was decided everything worked out.

Funny how kids sense division and can play off parents against each other. They know just who to text depending on the answer they want. We've learned over the years to defend and stand with each other and not play the game. Initially it can bring conflict (to your kids) but in the end it brings peace. They may test it with every trick in the book. But their hearts will ultimately be settled when mom and dad are unified.

So many things will test and threaten unity in marriage. But the testing is what makes the pearl beautiful and costly.

Think about the metaphor

(from Wikipedia) Pearls are formed inside the shell of certain mollusks as a defense mechanism against a potentially threatening irritant such as a parasite inside its shell, or an attack from outside, injuring the mantle tissue.

In your marriage you can reframe your differences and irritants. Allow the tests to bring you together. Recognize you only have 1/2 of what you need. You are better together!

Tribute to Cal

2011-05-26T17:34:00.000-06:00

Someone asked the boy "So what struck you most about Cal? What are you going to remember?" The boy replied "He didn't serve when it was convenient."

Wow, what a lesson and life message!

I first met Cal back in the 80's, when he had a full head of red hair (and red beard). He had been radically impacted by the love of God, to the point he couldn't get enough. He enjoyed praying for people, worshipping, serving, seeing God set people free from stuff like fear, addictions and brokenness.

People were coming from all over to the worship services, just to get set free. There were business men and women, the successful but dissatisfied, homeless, married, divorced, single, oppressed, neurotic, medicated, ritual abuse victims, you name it. Whenever Jesus is setting people free, people come out of the woodwork.

And Cal was always right in the middle of it. He would get that excited look as though his eyes were smiling, to see one more person being transformed by God's powerful presence.

Cal served in many areas, mostly alongside his wife Phyllis and sometimes on his own. In later years, he loved to see people get the right resources in the bookstore, asking what they needed, praying for them on the spot or after they left.

Jesus said "the meek will inherit the earth" and that was Cal. In a spiritual sense he possessed all things because he was totally given to serving Jesus. On the contrary, pride and "serving when convenient" means you pursue something you can never fully possess or enjoy.

Funny thing, Cal never lost that passion he had gained in the 80's.

Those who knew him are better for it, and will not forget the faithful and humble warrior who is now in heaven...

The Grass is Greener

2011-05-11T14:41:00.000-06:00

"The grass is greener on the other side of the fence..." comes from the idea of looking at a neighbor's lawn and seeing it as better looking, healthier and overall greener then your own when in reality you’re just ignoring anything negative about it and downplaying everything positive about your own. (urbandictionary.com)

One climate and environmental expert explains this picture of the cows -- "The most likely reason the grass is greener is it has more water for some reason." Brilliant!

For marriage this holds true - the grass is greener where you water it!

A friend turned down a job promotion, telling his boss his family was most important and the new job would have him traveling too much. The boss sat in disbelief, muttering that he respected the decision but couldn't quite understand. Then he came back later and said they'd like to give him the position and remove the travel requirements...

Another guy took a promotion that involved moving to another state for a few months, away from his wife. He shared his struggles with addictive behavior and how he'd tanked in the same situation before. Several strongly cautioned against going, but he went ahead. Sure enough, months of recovery and rebuilding were required after returning.

One gal was getting bored (with marriage and motherhood), and about that time was invited by old friends to go "clubbing." What may seem harmless to some, can be a trap to bring destruction. Thankfully, after a few weeks, she ended up responding to some other friends who cared enough to warn her of the potential dangers.

A dangerous temptation is vividly described in Proverbs 5-7.

While I was at the window of my house,
looking through the curtain,
I saw some naive young men,
and one in particular who lacked common sense.
He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman,
strolling down the path by her house.

Proverbs 7:6-8 NLT

Strolling down the wrong path is watering the wrong lawn.

I think this truth applies to anything that would draw a person away from watering their own lawn, not just adultery but even something that may appear good like a promotion or opportunity; or greed, ambition, obsession, addiction, etc.

Rather than spending all our time avoiding the "other side of the fence" we are called to pursue what is good, to actively serve and love.

I'm excited to explore how we can water our own lawns in this series.

An Atheist's "lighthearted rant"

2011-04-26T17:01:00.000-06:00

A popular (self-proclaimed atheist) celebrity recently wrote an article in which he says:

"I do believe I am a good Christian compared to a lot of Christians... It's not that I don't believe that the teachings of Jesus wouldn't make this a better world if they were followed. It's just that they are rarely followed."

He says "So many Christians think that because they believe in the right God, they are automatically good and have a one-way ticket to everlasting life."

Speaking of Jesus he says, "His message was usually one of forgiveness and kindness. These are wonderful virtues but I have seen them discarded by many so-called God-fearers when it suits them. They cherry pick from their 'rulebook' basically. I have seen such cruelty and prejudice performed in the name of Christianity (and many other religions for that matter) that it makes me wonder if there has been a bit too much selective reading and reinterpretation of the doctrines."

He then goes through the Ten Commandments and basically checks the box on each one claiming he hasn't broken any of them, and concludes "Not bad for an atheist. I make that 10 out of 10. How did you do? Even if this doesn't prove I am a good Christian it does prove that the Bible is a bit inconsistent, open to interpretation, and a little intolerant."

First of all, I appreciate the honesty and the issues he is raising. Although later he claimed it was only "A lighthearted rant for entertainment purposes."

Jesus said the world would know us by our love, and it is obvious that we're not doing the best job of living the message.

I totally agree that the world would be a better place if the teachings of Jesus were followed, and I believe we have a serious credibility problem in this area. We can focus on believing all the right things (checking all the right boxes) but fail to put His Words into practice.

Almost every day we are faced with decisions to respond to Jesus and our batting average isn't so good. Many times we're not tuned in to what Jesus is doing (or what He might be doing) in conversations with people or with our focus and attention.

In all this, we know we are not perfect but forgiven. But before rushing out to get the bumper sticker, we must wrestle with the call of Jesus to put His Words into practice. Not to prove anything to anyone, but to become more like Jesus. I can see God working that into our lives when we yield to Him, progress being made, and for that we can be grateful.

Re: the Ten Commandments, funny how this guy is doing exactly what the religious people were doing in Jesus' day -- seeking to check all the boxes and then thinking everything is okay.

Jesus brought great clarity re: the commandments in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). There He masterfully explained that the true measure in keeping each commandment was in the heart, our motives, our desires, and our actions.

Finally, listen to the words of Jesus beautifully interpreted in the Message Version

"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."

When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard. Matthew 7:24-29

It is great to be challenged and encouraged to follow Jesus, even by an atheist in a "lighthearted rant."

Passion Week Timeline

2011-04-21T20:51:00.000-06:00

I really enjoy going through the timeline of what happened to Jesus this week in history. It makes everything so real - pondering what was happening every hour.

Pretty amazing to think that from the time Jesus celebrated Passover/Last Supper with the disciples (Thursday evening) until the time he was crucified at 9 am the following morning there wasn't a break.

I'm hit with what must have been the utter exhaustion of Jesus - going non-stop from about 6 PM through 3 PM the next day (21 hours in all) - having his "last night" with his friends, being betrayed, sweating drops of blood in agonizing prayer in the Garden, being arrested and dragged off, carted around between different religious authorities, denied by his friends, mocked, beaten, tortured, sentenced, crucified, hanging on the cross for 6 hours, darkness covering the earth, "it is finished," earthquakes, Temple veil torn in two, graves splitting open and dead people rising...

One resource that I use in my prayer times is an old copy of "Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah" by Alfred Edersheim which puts all the different Gospel accounts together (and sheds extra light on the history).

There are plenty of other resources out there. Here is a link to a great article that gives the timeline and more

http://biblewise.com/archives/2009/april/overview/passion_week_2009.pdf

Just to think of what Jesus endured (all on purpose), willingly yielded, knowing that His sacrifice would bring the greatest victory of all time!

He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:14-15 NLT

I am so thankful, wanting to join Paul in his prayer (though I wrestle a bit on the "suffer with him" part):

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians 3:10

Jesus is amazing.

Righteous!

2011-04-08T19:14:00.000-06:00

According to urbandictionary.com righteous means "awesome, amazing, cool and exciting." "A state of extreme perfection bordering on divinity that bestows moral authority upon the subject." "Dude, did you see Chuck Norris kick all those guys in the head ? That was righteous!"

Obviously a wide variety of meanings in our day and age...

"Righteous" is used a lot in the Bible. We are presently studying through 1 John where we get some insight the meaning.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:21

If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. 1 John 2:29

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 1 John 3:7

My favorite definition of righteous is "to be fully conformed to God's will." That is why Jesus is called the "Righteous One."

That makes it so much easier to connect with. Think about your life right now, what would it look like to be righteous - fully conformed to God's will?

The first step is to simply recognize His will.

You might be getting hit with something like the following:

I can't shake this urge to help kids caught in child trafficking...
I'd love to get connected with a group of people who are being real and growing...
If I keep going in this direction it is going to destroy me and the people I love...
I'm drifting away from God and need to get things right with him...

The second step is to respond

What steps can I take right now to pursue this burden on my heart?
What practices can I engage in to live the kind of life Jesus lived?
Where can I get the support and strength I need to get free, to follow Jesus?

I grew up thinking righteous was all about trying to be good. What an exhausting perspective.

Now I see it is so much more about responding to the Righteous One!

Free From Evil

2011-03-30T09:51:00.000-06:00

We are studying through the letter of 1 John, looking at the theme of ENGAGING fully with God and others. This past weekend we studied one of my favorite verses – 1 John 3:8 “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” What an encouragement to be reminded of the greatness of His power to free us, no matter what the situation.

One person shared “You know, whenever I open a closet door, the darkness doesn’t pour out into the room. The light from the room fills the closet.”

In 1969 Malcolm Muggeridge, a British journalist and the editor of Punch, a satirical magazine, went to Calcutta to make a documentary movie about Mother Teresa for the BBC. She was serving in what appeared to be a very dark place, a hospice for those who were dying. She didn't want to do it, but church leaders finally persuaded her. When she finally agreed, she said, "Let us do something beautiful for God."

When they began filming, a strange thing happened. Even though there was not enough light in the hospice for filming, the finished film was bathed in a particularly beautiful soft light. Muggeridge figured it was the power of love he sensed there. Later, he wrote a book about Mother Teresa and used that phrase, something beautiful for God, as the title. He eventually became a follower of Jesus as a result of that relationship.

The Son of God working through Mother Teresa, opening the closet door where suffering was crammed in and bringing the light. We could all relate to her because of her humility -- she was an ordinary person, just showing extraordinary love.

Let the Son of God bring His light, His mercy and His power into your life. He can and will free you. And let Him use you to bring the light of His love right where you live!

Training to "walk as Jesus did"

2011-03-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

Jeff had been exploring relationship with Jesus for several months, and now the words of Jesus were hitting him right where he lived. "I've always been judgmental. Hardly a moment goes by when I'm not judging someone else..." Another guy asked "Why do you do that?" "Well" he said, "it's just a bad habit I've never been able to break. But something has been changing. Now at least 20 times a day I'm aware when it happens, I pray, ask Jesus to forgive me and to help me. I'm still struggling but it is getting better. I really am starting to see people differently..."

1 John 2:6 says "Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived." Message Version

Wow, what a great verse! This probably gives us the most insight into Jesus' last words before He went to heaven "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

To be His follower we are immersed (baptized) into His life - equipped to be an authentic follower of Jesus.

To be judgmental (or whatever the issue) is something we turn from, give to Jesus, we keep giving to Jesus, while we keep getting immersed in the kind of life Jesus lived (which is where transformation happens).

Jesus was always "getting His team onto God's agenda" (and revealing their own). BTW, that's a great definition of leadership (coined by Henry Blackaby).

So if we are going to effectively BE a training center, that means we learn to walk as Jesus walked by hanging out with Him and getting immersed in His life. That means getting onto His agenda and letting go of our own.

Jesus isn't looking for perfect people, and He isn't obsessing over imperfections. He is calling us into this kind of life where we are set free from sin and it's effects, and His power is made perfect in our weakness.

I can't imagine anything more amazing or worth giving your life for!

Hospital or Training Center?

2011-02-21T17:36:00.000-07:00

What is the identity (or mission) of the local church community?

Ask that question and you'll get lots of answers. It's like the parable of the blind men who touched an elephant and tried to describe what it is like. Each one touched a different part, but only one part, such as the side, the ear, or the tusk. Then they compared notes and learned they were in complete disagreement.

We all come with our own needs, desires and preconceived notions, not to mention the wide variety of descriptions given in the Bible.

But the beauty of the local church IS its diversity. The Bible likens the church community to a human body, with every part having a different function, all under the leadership of Jesus (the Head).

Ephesians 4:11-12 says all these gifts (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher) have been given in order to "EQUIP the saints for the WORK of the ministry." (caps mine)

"Equip" carries 2 primary meanings, to set a broken bone (healing), and to mend a net that is torn (so you can keep fishing). My tendency in early pastoral ministry was to focus on mending what was broken. It was wonderful seeing God heal people and reveal His love. He's never stopped doing that.

But when we started Smoky Hill Vineyard we were challenged to NOT build the church on those gifts of healing. Jesus was going to keep healing people, but we were called to train others to bring healing, and He was giving us the net to throw out (reach out and train). Kind of uncomfortable (to put it mildly) when God puts you in a place where everything feels unnatural.

When the church functions solely like a hospital, everyone looks to the doctors and nurses (staff). There may be a few "residents" around, but by and large the only people in the game are the wounded and the healers. And people learn that the only way to get attention from "the staff" is to be sick. Once someone is healed, where do they go?

But if the church is a training center, all the people are invited into the game. The purpose of training isn't to sit in the locker room and go over the playbook. The purpose of training is to study the playbook, hit the field and to score = bring God's kingdom rule into our own lives and to the places we live.

His love transforms us and becomes the Good News to others. Families become healthy, fractures are healed, communities experience life, and injustice is eradicated. That is the "work" we are all called to.

Jesus is calling all of us (including you) into the game. It's time to embrace both aspects of "equip" - healing and training. Jesus is coming to set captives free and bind up the brokenhearted. AND, as the Message Version translates Ephesians 2:10 ...He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

Flashlight Etiquette

2011-02-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

My wife and I were out on a walk before the recent snow storms. It was dark and we were on a rough road with cracks and failed asphalt patches. June asked me to turn the flashlight on which I did.

Then she told me to try aiming it at the road. I muttered something about knowing what I was doing, only to have her say "Please try pointing it where I'm walking so I don't hurt myself", then "Oh, just let me hold it."

For me the flashlight was for warning oncoming cars of our presence. I was clearly not up to speed on the latest and most important flashlight etiquette which includes the following:

It is most helpful to hold the light as close as you can to the pathway in front of you
This may appear to be of no consequence until you encounter rough conditions
The conditions may worsen if you don't follow flashlight etiquette
Keep the batteries fresh, a dim light gives false confidence
Flashlights are of little use when you are standing still
When someone talks to you, don't shine the light in their face
Younger drivers don't seem to know a flashlight means veer away from people
If you don't follow flashlight etiquette you may lose the right to hold the flashlight

Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

So many parallels, here are just a few...

God's Word has it's best impact when closely applied to everything in our lives
His Word guides, directs, and reveals God's will
We don't need His Word to guide us if we're standing still (not risking and out of our comfort zone)
How we apply the Bible can either blind people or help us walk forward together

During this 40 Days of Renewal we're learning about some of these things as we encounter God. Thankfully I've got a couple months to work on my flashlight etiquette until the snow and bitter cold passes.

When the Furnace Goes Out

2011-02-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

Just last night, coldest day of the year, our furnace goes out. We like to sleep with it cold, but waking up to high 30's in your bedroom is a bit chilly. Thankfully we have a fireplace and were able to keep the coals going through the night in our living room.

After looking at the furnace panel, cleaning the filter, reading the manual, pushing reset buttons, it still wasn't working. Typically I'm thinking "Oh great, service call, something really wrong, $$$..."

So Curtis from the Heating and Cooling company calls me back and I tell him the red light is flashing twice then going off. He says "That's a problem with the pressure switch. Have you checked the pipe coming in to the house, cause it's usually just a bit of snow blocking things up."

"Uhhhh, no. It is colder outside than it is inside, just a bit (and I'm not smart enough to figure out something might be blocking the pipe...)"

So I walk outside and sure enough, a thin layer of snow is on the screen covering the pipe which I brush off. Back inside, turn stuff back on, voila, it works.

I've found this to be true of many things in life. Asking the right questions, recognizing I'm not very smart, and sometimes the problem isn't very complicated and neither is the solution.

During this 40 Days of Renewal, we're drawing closer to Jesus by reading His Word and praying. When we get closer to God, many times the things that aren't working are flashing a warning code to us. We can put duct tape over the light and ignore it. Or we can wrongly assume it must not be God if negative things come to our attention.

But chances are, it is Jesus. He shines His light on what isn't working -- because it hinders our relationship with Him and keeps us from His good plans.

I'm committed to let Jesus teach me about stuff I don't understand. It isn't always easy and it can get rather complicated. But sometimes it's pretty simple. And God is good.

Pacemakers, "Trenta" and Renewal

2011-01-18T21:39:00.000-07:00

A friend of our family recently had bypass surgery. Afterwards they installed a pacemaker and a defibrillator. He was struggling with light-headedness and his doctor advised that he could tap on his pacemaker. It would make the pacemaker think he was walking and get his blood pumping. Wow, what a trick!

In the news this week Starbucks is rolling out their new Trenta size, which means "thirty" in Italian (the drink is actually 31 ounces).

Amazingly 30% bigger than the Venti… Check out the diagram. The Trenta will simulate a pacemaker and defibrillator.

In our 40 Days of Renewal we’re seeking to be refreshed, revived and reinvigorated. We’ve got Starbucks in the café, but we’re seeking renewal from God through daily prayer and reading through Psalm 119.

One person shared with me how they’ve been hanging out but never really prayed and don’t understand all this stuff, but they WANT TO! They are joining a 40 Days group to explore and to experience.

Another person told me of being stuck in his spiritual journey, after many years of doing well. He is experiencing new hope.

There are plenty of ways to get refreshed, many of them have been created by God. But there is one way He has given that is to be central in our lives. That’s what we’re looking for every day!

“The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes." Psalm 19:7-8 Message Version

Questions and Random Thoughts

2011-01-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

Watching the news can be sickening: many are quick to use tragedy for their own personal or political agenda…

At the same time I’ve got lots of questions from the shooting in Tucson… My big question, how does a young man get to the point of wanting to kill somebody and think it is okay? It seems like “political hate speech” is a definite problem, but not the source. I doubt he was thinking, “Oh man, I never thought about shooting somebody until I heard so and so talk about it.”

Interestingly, many people in recent years were freaked out by this kid and his potential to hurt others. One teacher said she had commented “This kid could show up at school one day and start shooting people.” Another educator reported the same warning signs.

Why wasn’t anything done? Where were his parents? Surely they knew of his violent tendencies? Why didn’t teachers and faculty have any recourse?

It seems like our society is too bent on making everyone feel good about himself or herself, and afraid of offending anyone. Parents don’t draw lines between right and wrong.

“Do whatever makes you happy” which is translated into “Whatever you feel like doing.” Of course the proviso is “As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.”

But whenever personal happiness is worshipped, others have to bow at the altar where common sense gets sacrificed. And when common sense gets sacrificed, abusers become the victims and fear rules the day.

There are limited consequences if any for destructive behavior. If children are allowed to terrorize their siblings and friends, why are we surprised when they do the same to others?

I don’t have any great answers, just a desire to see common sense return to families and to the public square.

My dad used to say, “This is going to be good for you in the long run…” I hated hearing that. And my mom used to say “You have to put others before yourself.” Didn’t like that one either.

But you know, they were right. The hardest thing to do in the moment was usually best over the long haul. And putting others before yourself does result in true happiness.

Hope for 2011

2010-12-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

Robert has not been in church for several years and was telling me his story, "Not a day goes by that I'm not thinking about God and what He wants me to do. Church is hard because I'm turned off by the legalism, all the talk about change without doing anything..."

He shared a desire to find a place that is real, to make a difference in the world, and to personally make some progress in his marriage and relationship with God.

As I pondered his words, the opposite reality of most people's experience hit me - local church community marked by pride and pretense, self absorption and spiritual stagnancy (known by the simple "h" word).

Jesus hates hypocrisy, always did. Maybe because hypocrisy always chokes out hope...

Yes, He comes to make wrong things right. And thankfully, Jesus is merciful because every local church community is imperfect, because we are all imperfect.

I've seen glimpses of HOPE in recent years. We've made some progress but have a long way to go. Humility and love are still the twin victors over pride, pretense, self-absorption and stagnancy.

Another friend shared how his life started to change when he humbled himself and started letting Jesus deal with his stuff. That humility was in response to God's love.

I love the way the Message Version translates Romans 2:4 "God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change."

That is the place where HOPE is found! ...relationship with Jesus together with imperfect people, all of us experiencing God's kindness, taken firmly by the hand and led into radical life-change!

As we walk into 2011 may we at SHV and other local church communities experience more of this kind of HOPE and LIFE! And may we be the people where guys like Robert find a place.

December memories

2010-12-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

We were shooting baskets after school at my grandparent’s house, something we did most every day. The air was crisp and the competition fierce on that December afternoon. I was in 3^rd grade and playing “horse” against my uncle.

Fred was my dad’s brother, about 20 years older than me. With Down’s syndrome, he was mentally and emotionally at a first grade level. Fred was a fierce competitor. Every time he made a basket I would yell “Swish!” and he would gleam. He loved to shoot the ball, and didn’t like to pass (ever).

His fingers were webbed together at birth, and they had only succeeded in partially separating them. As a result, he held the ball in the palm of his hand and kind of shot-putted it toward the basket. He had grown quite proficient after countless hours of shooting.

If I ever commented on one of my shots, or shot more than once, he would grunt and ask me to pass him the ball. Whenever we finished the game, I would tell him he was the “CHAMP,” something he never grew tired of hearing.

Fred wanted to play ball even when it was freezing. He had an unbelievably high pain threshold. And he had a knack for inflicting pain if I teased him too much (and he caught me).

Those were amazing times, hour after hour shooting baskets, chasing the ball down the driveway. Just thinking about Fred’s smile brings tears to my eyes.

Every Christmas was a special time, as Fred got way more presents than everyone else, and no one was jealous. There was a particular joy in seeing him happy. Almost like the best of God’s creation was getting a small portion of the treatment he would receive for all eternity.

Fred went to be with Jesus a couple years ago, as my mom was singing over him “Jesus loves Fred, this I know…”

This Christmas I’ll reflect on the gift of Jesus, and how He was so present in those times of shooting hoops with Fred.

The Rock that is Higher

2010-11-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt basically unsettled...?

Like whatever can be shaken is being shaken? It can be exhausting. Things that used to matter become insignificant when fatigue takes over.

Over the last few months it seems like everyone I know is going through it... I've been hit with it and sometimes don't know whether its my stuff, or just the storm rolling through.??

Finding strength and comfort in times like this, that's the challenge!

Psalm 61:2 says "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe."

I've pondered the phrase "lead me to the rock that is higher than I." A rock speaks of strength and stability. I love what Charles Spurgeon relays about this in the Treasury of David:

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. I see thee to be my refuge, sure and strong; but alas! I am confused, and cannot find thee; I am weak, and cannot climb thee. Thou art so steadfast, guide me; thou art so high, uplift me. There is a mint of meaning in this brief prayer. Along the iron bound coast of our northern shores, lives are lost because the rocks are inaccessible to the shipwrecked mariner. A clergyman of one of the coast villages has with immense labour cut steps up from the beach to a large chamber, which he has excavated in the chalk cliffs; here many mariners have been saved; they have climbed the rock, which had else been too high for them, and they have escaped. We have heard of late, however, that the steps have been worn away by the storms, and that poor sailors have perished miserably within sight of the refuge which they could not reach, for it was too high for them: it is therefore proposed to drive in iron stanchions, and to hang up chain ladders that shipwrecked mariners may reach the chambers in the rock. The illustration is self interpreting. Our experience leads us to understand this verse right well, for the time was with us when we were in such amazement of soul by reason of sin, that although we knew the Lord Jesus to be a sure salvation for sinners, yet we could not come at him, by reason of our many doubts and forebodings. A Saviour would have been of no use to us if the Holy Spirit had not gently led us to him, and enabled us to rest upon him. To this day we often feel that we not only want a rock, but to be led to it. With this in view we treat very leniently the half unbelieving prayers of awakened souls; for in their bewildered state we cannot expect from them all at once a fully believing cry. A seeking soul should at once believe in Jesus, but it is legitimate for a man to ask to be led to Jesus; the Holy Spirit is able to effect such a leading, and he can do it even though the heart be on the borders of despair. How infinitely higher that we are is the salvation of God. We are low and grovelling, but it towers like some tall cliff far above us. This is its glory, and is our delight when we have once climbed into the rock, and claimed an interest in it; but while we are as yet trembling seekers, the glory and sublimity of salvation appall us, and we feel that we are too unworthy ever to be partakers of it; hence we are led to cry for grace upon grace, and to see how dependent we are for everything, not only for the Saviour, but for the power to believe on him.

It would be hard to say it any better than that.

Father, lead us to Jesus, our Rock, every day and every hour. And help us drive in the iron stanchions of faith and diligent prayer, to hold the ladder for others and for ourselves. Thank you for your goodness! Lord have mercy...

Handel's Messiah

2010-11-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

I always thought classical music was something you endured in the doctor's office, I never enjoyed it (nor appreciated it). My wife liked it and actually played it on the piano. She had a few songs memorized and it was amazing she could play them by ear, but I still didn't care for the music itself.

Then in 1993 we traveled to Germany where we were doing a conference with some friends. I was beginning to have a new appreciation of history. Many houses and buildings were older than the United States...

We were staying in a small village with windows tilted open, when on a crisp Sunday morning we were awakened by the sound of church bells. Then a string quartet began to play. It was beautiful! Now I had done a 180, and was wondering if the people in the village were appreciating this music.

Fast forward a few years and we went to a performance of Handel's Young Messiah at the old McNichol's Arena in Denver. As June and I sat in the nose-bleed seats, I was overcome by the words being sung.

The music was beautiful, but I felt as though a bolt of lightning pierced my soul when I heard the words "But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire..." The words from Isaiah 40 were describing the coming of Jesus, and the music reflected the tone of awesome reverence. Tears streamed down my face, thinking about the unmatched glory of Jesus.

Since that evening, I've fallen in love with Handel's Messiah. It tells THE story in music, the most popular oratorio of all time.

I'm looking forward to sharing about it these next 5 weeks at Smoky Hill Vineyard.

Coincidence?

2010-11-06T11:29:00.000-06:00

The doorbell rang, wasn't expecting anyone, didn't want to answer it (being the introvert). The guy asked if I was Blake (my son), said he was here for the piano advertised on craigslist...

Blake had picked up this piano a couple months ago for free, it has been sitting in our garage, and now was giving it away for free. Blake wasn't around so we went out to the garage to have a look.

Turns out he is a musician, short version - was playing on a cruise ship for over a year, met his future wife there, got married and they are pregnant with their first child. And he is excited about teaching his kid the piano.

I was immediately struck by his positive attitude, smiling, recounting the struggles of a musician's life. I commented "You seem to be so positive, what's up with that?" He said "Well, everybody's got it hard and you have to look on the bright side..."

So we loaded the piano into the back of his Subaru, just the two of us. It is small but easily 500 lbs., I'm wondering about the possibility of a hernia, but we get it in okay.

As we talk, I'm praying "Lord, do you want me to talk to him about you?" We talk some more, and I pray "Lord, is this you doing something? I know you love this guy but do you really want me to bring it up. He's a musician, and even though positive is probably jaded toward anything religious." Yes, all this is going on in my mind during our conversation...

So I finally get the courage to ask him "Do you have any spiritual belief?" He says hesitantly, "I'm kind of a Christian..." He went on to talk about attending church sporadically as a kid, doesn't go anymore cause he is usually playing gigs late on the weekends. His wife attends regularly and comes home to tell him "I prayed for you today."

Then he shared about his mom being hurt by her church years ago, they had condemned her when she divorced, and it made him angry. Recently, he had played with a band hired out by a small church on the west side of town. That church was the same denomination as the one his mom had been hurt by - creeped him out and upset him.

By now I'm seeing how much God loves this guy and wants to break through all the junk and show him. All my discomfort has quickly faded in the intersection of God's love and a young man who is longing to know his life counts, and that God sees him.

So I said "I don't think this is a coincidence, you coming out here for this piano.... Can I pray with you?" He said "Sure!" (which always surprises me), and I just invited God to touch him and lifted him, his family, passions and gifts to Jesus. Pause. God showed up with His peace.

As he drove off, I thought someone has been praying for this guy. How many times has he been around followers of Jesus who shied away from talking with him about what really matters (just like I do in soooo many situations)??

Craigslist, cruise ships, pianos, doorbells, musicians, stories, etc. What a privilege to see and experience God breaking in with His love.

This wasn't a coincidence for him, and it wasn't a coincidence for me.

Noah

2010-10-19T19:51:00.000-06:00

We just returned from 3 wonderful days with our first grandson Noah Gregory, born to son Levi and his beautiful wife Katie on October 8. Wow, what a time! Exhilarating, refreshing, staggering, invigorating, revitalizing. Felt every one of them. Katie took this pic of Levi, June holding Noah, and me.

On our last night Levi wanted to have a time of worship together. As he banged out a passionate worship song on guitar in

their small living room, tears streamed down Katie's face, June had her arm around me, I was holding Noah, doesn't get much better. Levi sang part of Psalm 84:

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God..."

The singing and guitar were delightful, and reeeally loud... What amazed me was Noah just slept peacefully against my chest.

I thought... Noah has heard Levi and Katie worship before - for nine months of pregnancy and every day at home after his birth :)

Thank God for the gift of Noah, for life, and the amazing ways He revives us!

Healing and Community

2010-10-02T14:29:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine, Gerald Martinez, is in the middle of the greatest challenge of his life...

You may know of Gerald from Extreme Home Makeover where they helped rebuild and renovate their home and outreach center. He and his wife Leisa have given their lives to serving the poor in an area called the "WarZone" in Albuquerque.

Just this year Gerald discovered he had Hepatitis C. His liver was almost completely destroyed and from a blood test found his viral load (number of viruses in the blood) was at 5 million. The church prayed for him that week, and the count went down to 500k. He then started an experimental drug treatment along with intensive prayer.

For several months he was wiped out during the treatment. He was averaging 20 hours of sleep a day. He went through lots of soul searching, looking at what is most important in life and thinking about what would happen to his family if he were to die and go to be with Jesus.

Every Sunday he went to worship services and people would gather around him and pray for healing. What an amazing picture of community. He told me they would lay hands on him, plead with God for healing, worship together, and weep. Gerald told me how hard it was to be weak and to receive when he had always gone 100 miles an hour and taken care of everyone else.

Just 2 weeks ago Gerald was scheduled for a blood test which would determine his progress and whether treatment could continue. His viral load needed to be below 5k...

On the Sunday before, they celebrated communion in which they prayed the blood of Jesus would cleanse and heal Gerald's blood...

The tests came back, and his level was at 24. Two-four! The nurse said "I've never seen anything like this before..."

What a powerful picture of God's healing love through community (the real life Extreme Home Makeover)! Gerald poured in to community his whole life, now those people were there for him. They prayed for him, worshipped with him and wept with him.

Sadly, I see many people in crisis who are isolated with no faith community, no one to pray, worship, weep and walk with them.

Gerald isn't out of the woods and wanted me to ask for continued prayer, especially for his liver and kidneys to be healed and restored. Please join us in praying for complete recovery!

And THANK GOD for His healing which flows through community!

Yelling Kids

2010-09-20T20:40:00.000-06:00

Last week we were walking out of Wal-Mart, and immediately heard the shrill cries of a boy around 5 years old. He wasn’t in any danger, he was mad at his dad who clearly was not giving him something he wanted. The dad was putting groceries away, glancing at his son with a mix of irritation, exasperation and learned helplessness…

I see this almost every time I’m at the store. Kids screaming, yelling, pouting… Parents many times seem oblivious, having long ago hit the “off switch,” sporadically shushing and snapping back “you stop it!”

I find it interesting to observe just how long things will go until the inevitable takes place – mom or dad GIVE IN, to everyone’s delight. Some times I want to give in for them, just so it will stop. Sad thing is the child is learning WHAT THEY WANT IS MOST IMPORTANT, and the way to get it is MANIPULATION.

Whatever happened to learning the virtues of respect, patience and “you don’t get everything you want”?? When I was growing up, yelling always got me something, but never what I wanted...

It is true when it comes to parenting (and most of life) the most loving thing to do is usually the hardest thing to do.

Methods of discipline have changed with the advent of more empathy and encouragement. Typically more love and understanding is a great addition! Sadly, discipline is all but missing from the equation. And discipline is what brings humility - prerequisite for maturing into the person God made us to be. As such, it is a sign of real love.

Check out these verses from Hebrews 12 (Message Version) “At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.”

A few months ago my wife was reading a quote to me that blew me away. It was from William Law’s classic “A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life: the Spirit of Love.” If you want to take a few moments to ponder these words (and wade through the language differences from 1728), you might be blown away and motivated anew as I was.

The first temper that we try to awaken in children, is pride; as dangerous a passion as that of lust. We stir them up to vain thoughts of themselves, and do everything we can to puff up their minds with a sense of their own abilities. Whatever way of life we intend them for, we apply to the fire and vanity of their minds, and exhort them to everything from corrupt motives. We stir them up to action from principles of strife and ambition, from glory, envy, and a desire of distinction, that they may excel others, and shine in the eyes of the world. We repeat and inculcate these motives upon them, till they think it a part of their duty to be proud, envious, and vain-glorious of their own accomplishments.

And when we have taught them to scorn to be outdone by any, to bear no rival, to thirst after every instance of applause, to be content with nothing but the highest distinctions, then we begin to take comfort in them, and promise the world some mighty things from youths of such a glorious spirit.

And after all this, we complain of the effects of pride; we wonder to see grown men actuated and governed by ambition, envy, scorn, and a desire of glory; not considering that they were all the time of their youth called upon to all their action and industry, upon the same principles. You teach a child to scorn to be outdone, to thirst for distinction and applause; and is it any wonder that he continues to act all his life in the same manner? Now if a youth is ever to be so far a Christian, as to govern his heart by the doctrines of humility, I would fain know at what time he is to begin it: or, if he is ever to begin it at all, why we train him up in tempers quite contrary to it?

Haiti Trip

2010-09-08T16:25:00.000-06:00

We flew into Port Au Prince a little over a week ago, with everyone craning their necks to see the city. I think almost everyone on the plane was there for some sort of relief work. Some had t-shirts marking the occasion, like “Village Community Church – Haiti Mission 2010.”

I was traveling with 7 other pastors, hosted by Convoy of Hope, the organization we had partnered with since the earthquake that had killed 220k and left 1 million homeless on January 12.

Back in January I did some research to make sure we partnered with someone in Haiti who could do effective work for the long haul. I found Quisqueya Chapel, a local church, had become a DAILY distribution point for Convoy of Hope, serving 4k meals, water, tarps, tents, hygiene kits, etc. I was powerfully impacted finding several old clips of Pastor Carl and Ann Olssen and the church faithfully serving and praying for Haiti and equipping people to follow Jesus. I hoped to meet them on this trip.

One of the most impacting stories we encountered was of Ernst, our security guard. In the earthquake Ernst had lost his 10-year-old daughter Gabrielle in the rubble. After frantically searching and yelling out her name he heard her cries from under the collapsed concrete and rebar. Ernst reassured her he would get her out, as they talked back and forth. He dug for 72 hours and finally pulled Gabrielle to safety.

We met Ernst at the airport along with the team from Convoy of Hope. He was surprised when we told him we’d read his story. He lit up at when we mentioned his daughter’s name and said “Yes, that’s my daughter!” (photo: Ernst at right, Kelo on left)

Traveling throughout Port Au Prince and surrounding remote villages in the mountains we saw so many desperate people. We visited several orphanages and schools (all connected with local churches). We got to talk to people, hear their stories and pray for them. The poverty rate was above 80% before the earthquake so you can imagine the scene of thousands standing around all day every day with nothing to do…

Ernst’s story symbolized to me what God is doing in Haiti (and in Colorado). His kids are trapped beneath the rubble of brokenness and separated from Him. Some of us don’t even know we are trapped. He is doing all He can to rescue us. He will not stop.

And if we have become “free” He is calling us to join Him on His rescue mission to others

Yes, I did get to meet Pastor Carl and thank him for the work he has faithfully done over the years. (photo: Carl on the right) He was so filled with joy. It was as though I was meeting a modern day hero - humble, unassuming, who has given his life to serve Jesus on His rescue mission.

We'll continue to send teams and resources to Haiti, as well as the other places we are working with in the world.

For more info on how you can be a part, connect with our Missions and Outreach Pastors Kenny and Carla Kneezle and/or go to our "support the mission" link on this website.

Catholic/Jewish Wedding

2010-08-24T18:53:00.000-06:00

We recently attended our neighbor's daughter's wedding, unusual in that a Catholic Priest and Jewish Rabbi shared the officiating.

Basically everyone was Jewish on the groom's side and Catholic on the bride's.

We walked in 5 minutes before the wedding and they were installing the Chuppah (Hoopa) which is the canopy used in Jewish wedding ceremonies. One website describes the Chuppah as a symbolic reminder:

The Chuppah reminds us of the events on Mount Sinai when the Jewish people received the Torah from God. Even though the Jewish nation accepted the Torah wholeheartedly, God insisted that they also keep the Torah out of fear, as well as out of love. This was done by lifting the mountain over their heads and stating that if the Jewish nation does not accept the Torah, the mountain will be dropped on them.

So too, one must enter the wedding covenant with immense love and also a sense of fear. Not a fear of what's coming, but rather a sense of reverence for the holiness of marriage.

Pretty cool! Rabbi Buzz communicated this reality very clearly and with conviction.

The guy next to me let me know he is Jewish and gave a little commentary throughout the service...

The first part of the service was led by the Catholic Priest, a very gentle-spirited man who was personable. He explained what was going on as the service progressed.

I found it interesting that during the responsive Scripture readings and prayers, no one on the groom's side participated (except for Rabbi Buzz and the groom's mother who was visibly praying the Lord's prayer).

A small boy in front of us spent most of the ceremony trying to annoy the teenage girl sitting next to him. He did a great job.

Rabbi Buzz was very direct with the couple, challenging them with the sacred nature of their vows and commitment. He was the kind of guy you'd love to have over for dinner and hear him tell stories.

It was beautiful to see people from 2 backgrounds come together and honor one another's traditions.

On the other hand it seemed like an impossible charge - to be totally devoted to their faith and to honor and respect one another's faith???

Both Catholicism and Judaism call for absolute devotion to their central tenets. How can you do that as a couple? Maybe it can, but I've never seen it work (in couples who are devout). Each faith calls for followers to be a part of their community, training, rituals, traditions, raising of the children, etc. It just seems logical that one partner would have to yield to the other and not be devoted to their own tradition for this to work.

Toward the end of the ceremony the guy next to me let me know that Rabbi Buzz didn't have his own congregation so I would have to "calibrate accordingly." I think he meant Rabbi Buzz was "less than" a real Rabbi but I was impressed.

The service concluded with the drinking of the cup and breaking of the glass by the groom, a symbol of renouncing everything of the past and entering a new life together.

Meaningful vows, powerful symbols, new beginnings, new challenges. Lord have mercy...

Equipped to navigate hardship

2010-08-18T20:58:00.000-06:00

It seems like in every season of history, a particular aspect of God's nature is being highlighted. You can't go anywhere without hearing that same theme. Some 40-50 years ago, a sweet emphasis on the goodness of God began to ring out. It was like cool, refreshing water for a people tainted by extreme legalism. God was reminding us of His great love and His care for His people. He wanted us to know that He provides, He can be trusted, He has your best interests at heart and He answers prayer.

Like anything God highlights, we tend to take it to extremes…

One of the early “preachers” of the message of God’s goodness used to say “The LACK of money is the root of all evil.” “Forget about the pie in the sky, get yours here and now.” “God wants to get you out of the ghetto and into the getmo!”

This fit right in with prosperity messages about God wanting to give you ALL the desires of your heart. Missing was the Biblical call to align ourselves with the desires and will of God, and to abandon selfishness and greed.

I remember complaining to a wiser old man about things not going according to the desires of my heart and he said "Whatever made you think this was all about what you want?" Ouch! But I desperately needed to hear it.

Many begin to believe following Jesus was about getting an upgrade into a faster, prettier, more popular version of you. Faith became a magic formula - "just speak it and it will happen!"

I heard one guy teach if a child died, it was because the parents lacked faith. SICK!

Over the years I’ve seen many disillusioned people bail out on their faith because of beliefs like this when encountering hardship. One person I know wasn't physically healed after praying "the right prayer" and gave up on praying.

Sadly, we’ve done a poor job of equipping people to follow Jesus through hard times. We’ve equated God’s blessing with lack of hardship, rather than nearness of His presence. We’ve wrongly judged people by their possessions versus their depth of character.

We do need reminders that God is good. And we need His Word to provide beacons of truth in dark times.

When I think of being equipped to navigate hardship, I am reminded of the following:

He is intimately acquainted with our ways.
He loves to answer prayer (though not always in the way I'd like).
He works everything together for good.
What the enemy intends for evil, He turns to good.
He uses suffering to teach us He is WITH US in the valley of the shadow of death.
He uses hardships to bring to bring to death our pride.
He uses blessing to awaken us to His goodness and love.
He blesses us so we can in turn bless others.
He brings His glorious presence into our imperfections and brokenness (versus eliminating them).
He provides peace when anxiety over possessions would rule us.
He gives joy when the ashes of defeat are still visible.

Finally, a steady diet of reading larger sections of Scripture (versus select passages) can provide great comfort and a sound mind. I'm think I'm finding both...

Looking at Job

2010-08-02T19:31:00.000-06:00

In times of suffering where can we look? Many look to the story of Job, as he obviously suffered greatly and wrestled with the hard questions.

BTW, many of my thoughts on Job come from reading Gregory Boyd's observations in his book "Is God to Blame?"

Here are a few of those thoughts:

Job was written to highlight the encounter in heaven while leaving characters and events on earth in the dark, showing that suffering is sometimes caused by things about which people know nothing.

Job and his friends were of the "blueprint worldview" - that God is behind (rather than against) Job's losses and suffering.

Job's friends therefore state that he should actually be happy and accept his plight as discipline from God (5:17-18)

They insist that if Job "learns his lessons" that he will get back his protection and blessing (5:19-20, 22, 24-27)

You can see why we use "Job's comforters" to indicate people we'd rather not have around =)

Job views God as being his adversary rather than his advocate (10:8, 16, 20; 16:7-9, 30:21)

God answers, never acknowledging He is the one behind Job's suffering, but rather, appealing to factors in creation to explain why Job can't understand suffering (chapters 38-41)

Job spoke honestly in the middle of his suffering, and God answered with what Job needed to know - mostly addressing why Job couldn't understand his suffering and perhaps most importantly correcting Job's image of God.

When God is done talking Job confesses "I have uttered what I did not understand", states that he can now see God clearly, "You instruct me... no my eyes see you", and repents (42:3-4)

What if...

Job's repentance was connected with his faulty perception of God and the causes of his suffering, including his original confession "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away" (1:21)??

God wants us to view suffering as not always caused nor desired by Him?

There are factors we will never understand?

Suffering is not always a part of God's discipline (compare Hebrews 12:7-11 and John 9:1-3)?

Some suffering is the horrible reality of living in a fallen and broken world (John 16:33)?

Some is caused by poor choices (Galatians 6:7-8), some a part of ongoing kingdom conflict (Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Thessalonians 2:18), and some a precursor to blessing (John 9:1-3)?

I gather from looking at Job that God is not always the author (nor desirous) of our suffering. And that no easy answers await us. Our sin marred all of creation, we're in a spiritual battle, and as a result this world is largely messed up.

About the time I think I’ve got some aspect of suffering figured out, I discover I’m wrong.

What I hold on to is that God is good, and works everything together for good.

Responding to Suffering

2010-07-17T11:25:00.000-06:00

Patti was in her early 30's, married with a five year old daughter, and in the final stages battling a brain tumor. We were specifically asking God to heal her, many were praying, but her physical condition was worsening.

She said to me, "The way I see it, I have 2 choices. Either I can believe God is good, or I can believe God is really good and worship Him." I sat there stunned at her faith and refusal to do anything other than trust.

We watched her battle the cancer. She wrestled with the thought of leaving her family behind, but she expressed comfort in knowing it would be temporary. And she worshipped.

There were so many evidences of God's nearness and comfort, and at the same time there weren't many answers. Why was God allowing this? Why take her at such an early age? How could He be touching her so powerfully with joy and peace and not with physical healing?

Right at the very end, Patty's sister and parents were staying at the house, all helping care for Patty along with her husband. Patty's sister was struggling in particular with her own faith in God. She was awakened one night by the sound of singing. She thought it was a stereo outside but got up to look around and there was no one there. She tried to go back to sleep but heard it again. As she lay there in bed it just got louder.

She then saw, like a vision, some of her loved ones who had died and gone to heaven were on the other side of a shoreline, they were the ones singing. She ran down and awakened her parents to describe the scene and the song. They were overwhelmed with joy as she gave descriptions of loved ones, some she had never seen before. She hummed the song she was hearing and they told her it was from the hymn Ring the Bells of Heaven. These are the words:

Ring the bells of Heaven! There is joy today,
For a soul, returning from the wild!
See, the Father meets him out upon the way,
Welcoming His weary, wandering child.

Glory! Glory! How the angels sing:
Glory! Glory! How the loud harps ring!
’Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea,
Pealing forth the anthem of the free.

Wow!!

A few days later Patty passed from this life to join those awaiting her arrival in heaven.

Though questions may remain in suffering, I want to have an attitude like Patty - "God is really good and I'm going to worship Him." And I want to be more in touch with the reality of eternal life - where the kingdom of heaven is breaking in...

Unhelpful responses to suffering

2010-06-16T09:13:00.000-06:00

I was a teenager when my grandfather was in the hospital for the last months of his life, struggling with emphysema, never quite able to catch his breath. His eyes were darting around, never comfortable (like anyone who can't breathe). I kept asking him if he needed anything and he would look at me, shaking his head slightly, obviously irritated.

Finally, I asked if he just wanted me to sit quietly with him. He smiled and nodded, as though I'd come across the secret he'd been wanting me to know. A sense of relief overtook me. It was as though my anxiety had been taking some of his breath away. And I can still remember just looking at him. It was as though I was beginning to see him - his desperation, his loneliness, his heart. And I began to be aware of how much God really loved him and was so near.

How we respond to suffering can be quite unhelpful, as I've learned the hard way...

Here are some of the worst things we can say to others:

"God only gives us what we can handle, so He must've known you were a strong person"

"The Lord gives us grace to handle whatever comes our way"

"I know exactly how you feel"

"I know somebody who went through something like what you're going through" (followed by sharing someone else's long story)

"God must have needed them in heaven" or "God must have needed another angel"

"It must have been the Lord's will" which implies He desired this to happen.

Again, none of these is helpful.

Our sincere desire to help, mixed with the need to alleviate our own discomfort produces responses like this. We mistakenly think correct information will remove suffering.

Like if we could only "download our file" into someone else's grief, their "operating system" would be greatly improved. People don't need downloads or forwards, they need someone to be with them.

Think of the most quoted Psalm, the one most people pick in their time of loss. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.... Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You help me understand all the reasons why I'm here." No! It is "for You are WITH me."

The Lord my Shepherd, Jehovah Rohi in Hebrew. What a beautiful picture of His tender care when we like vulnerable sheep are in desperate need.

We need to experience Him being "with us" so we can "be with" others. We need a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

The most helpful response to other's suffering is just what we need - "I'm so sorry" without trying to fix people. Healing comes from the Good Shepherd. Just reading the Scripture out loud to another without trying to explain it (it is amazing how the Holy Spirit can bring comfort through His Word).

The depth of love in a relationship can sometimes be seen in what is unsaid, savoring closeness without being invasive, asking questions, listening, being un-rushed and tuned in.

In the next few posts I'm going to keep looking at the issue of suffering...

s p a c e

2010-06-04T14:07:00.000-06:00

I've been pondering the value of space...

Not just physical space, but mental, spiritual and emotional space. It seems such a rare and unexplored commodity, it could be seen as the final frontier.

Recently I read "a life of hurry can become superficial. When we rush, we skim the surface, and fail to make real connections with the world or other people." (Carl Honore)

According to one poll, the average working parent spends twice as much time on email as playing with their children.
In Japan, parents now book their kids into twenty-four hour "child-minding" centers.
In a poll of British adults, 1/2 said their hectic schedules had caused them to lose touch with their friends.

Alexis de Tocqueville blamed the shopping instinct for messing up the pace of life: "He who sets his heart exclusively upon the pursuit of worldly welfare is always in a hurry, for he has but a limited time at his disposal to reach, to grasp, and to enjoy it." He said that in the 1830's, scary!

It seems that Sabbath has more benefit than just a day off work. We have been wired to operate most effectively when we have space. If we miss out on sleep, down-time between activities, regular days off, and stuff that renews us, fact is, we simply miss out and our bodies let us know by eventually getting sick or crashing.

I know my levels of creativity and effectiveness suffer greatly when there is no space.

I'm all for the latest in technology. But sadly I can find myself enslaved to "time-saving" devices. Many times I've started to unscrew something only to spend 15 minutes looking for my cordless drill (hidden away in one of my son's "projects"). I could have used a regular screwdriver, but why do that when I can be saving time.?!

One thing I've worked on this past year is spending some time alone with God when I'm not doing anything. I am focusing on Him and thinking about Him, but I'm not reading, talking or writing. To "be still and know that I am God" is not very easy, and to just "be with" Jesus can be quite uncomfortable.

However, I never come away from those times without being more aware of God's transcendence and feeling refreshed.

I can't imagine the branch on the vine producing any more fruit by stressing out.

Father, help me to understand the way you've made me so I can bring glory to Your Name.

You are the Good Shepherd. Empower me to sprint when I need to, to lie down when you're making me lie down. Help me to muse upon your goodness during every activity, by quiet streams of water and in heavy traffic. Help me to be still and know that you are God. And grant me courage to say "no" to busyness, so I can say "yes" to your leadership. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Fishing, friends and refreshing

2010-05-22T11:51:00.000-06:00

I just returned from a great week with my friend in Missouri. We grew up fishing farm ponds in SE Kansas, painting houses, golfing and learning how to follow Jesus (not necessarily in that order).

When we moved to Colorado in 1983, he and his wife bought a little fishing resort in Branson.

Here are a few things I was hit with in hanging out with him:

he loves to fish
he's the kind of friend who would do anything for you
he enjoys helping others - taking young people in to their home, guiding on the lake, caring for his family, serving at church, championing the less fortunate
his family is one of the kindest and closest knit I know
he's a great cook who always has the latest techniques for making fish and wild game taste amazing
and he loves to fish

When we were in high school he wanted to buy this lake property (great fishing lake) so he could build some places for people to stay and get refreshed. That didn't work out, but the dream came true shortly thereafter. He loves to build "places" for people to enjoy.

The other interesting thing about my friend is that he is an off the charts introvert. He doesn't like big parties. He would just as soon take one person out on the lake versus sit around in a group and talk.

Just imagine what it is like when we're in a boat together. Long and extended periods of silence :) We eventually get around to talking about what is going on, and we rarely leave any topic untouched.

It seems like that is true of every great relationship when you're comfortable with someone. Like music, sometimes it is the notes you don't play that make the music awesome.

We caught lots of fish, over 100 in about 15 hours of fishing (it helps when your friend becomes a fishing guide).

And just like old times, one of us was typically exclaiming "oh man, I can't believe I missed that bite. I think he was huge..."

Here is to friends who follow God's dreams -- serving others by using their gifts and making a place for them.

Imperfect people

2010-05-10T10:19:00.000-06:00

After our first week in the Book of Esther, a friend asked me “So what’s up with Esther having 75k people killed at the end of the story?” He had read ahead, specifically referring to chapter 9 in which it states, “They gained relief from their enemies by killing 75,000 of them.”

What a great question, and it begs for more than I can respond to in this blog. But here is a short reply.

One of the things we have to realize when reading the Bible is that human weakness is portrayed throughout. Even the heroes of the Bible (like Esther) were imperfect. They do great things for God, then, they do something off the wall.

Many times the Bible is silent in terms of commentary. In other words, the author of Esther does not say her actions were over the top, that power got to her head and she should not have pushed for an extra day of killing her enemies. We’re left to wonder about her motivation, and what God thought about it.

Esther was an imperfect Jewish girl, elevated to the position of Queen of Persia. Against Jewish laws she had sex with a pagan king, married him, did not practice many ritual laws, and kept her faith private. I’m guessing she wrestled with all of this but I’m not sure how much.

However, God used her in a mighty way to spare the Hebrews from annihilation.

The Bible is still a story of redemption history, how God was and is intervening in this imperfect world and ultimately will set everything right.

When reading the Bible, we have to be careful to avoid interpreting silence on a matter as validation. We have to guard against putting people on pedestals as though God were endorsing their every action. Only when it clearly states they were doing what God asked and it is consistent with the overall teaching of the Bible do we embrace it as an example to follow.

We look to Jesus, who was in himself the exact representation of the Father. He fulfilled the law of God perfectly. He also reinterpreted much of the law, revealing the intentions of God (“you have heard it said…, but I say unto you…”).

So in the Esther story, we read through the lenses of “loving your enemies” and “praying for those who persecute you” and “entrusting yourself to God.” We rejoice in God’s deliverance and we leave judgment in His hands.

We can learn from Esther’s courage, from Mordecai’s character, and from God’s sovereign hand in working everything together for good. And with God’s help, the whole counsel of Scripture, and being in loving community, we can sort through understanding what applies to us.

And we can avoid putting people on pedestals by realizing gifting does not validate behavior. What a hard lesson to learn...

Incompatible?

2010-04-26T09:30:00.000-06:00

Recently I updated my computer’s operating system, only to result in my printer not working. Come to find out the printer company had not written new drivers to coincide with the release of this new operating system. I discovered this after researching computer forums (fun stuff), several tech support calls (my most favorite thing), buying a new printer that was compatible (supposedly), returning that printer, doing more research, and finally getting a printer that works splendidly.

BTW, I am the IT guy in my house. The hours are long and the pay not so good.

Technology is such a time saver, until it doesn’t work. The reality is that in a time of diversity and rapid change, incompatibility is standard fare.

In our current series in the Book of Esther I’ve been reminded of this reality in following Jesus. Jesus was incompatible with 2 groups of people – the people who thought He was taking this God thing a bit too far, and the religious folks who thought He should join them in being mean.

It seems we get to engage in the same struggle… The Bible clearly points to this.

Peter said “Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.” 1 Peter 4:4 NLT

Paul said “The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 Message

On the other hand Paul said “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.” Romans 14:1 NASB

And Jesus said (the Message Version paraphrase) "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.” Matthew 7:1-2 Message

It seems to me that the challenge is to live in the radical middle: so in love with Jesus that people accuse you of being foolish, and so in love with people that others accuse you of being too accepting.

Living in the radical middle means you will be incompatible with those content to live a life lacking in love (for whatever reason). The drivers just won’t work.

However, Jesus understands and is able to resolve the hardest of situations. He did that with me, as I originally believed loving God shouldn’t go too far…

At the very least (and most important) He gives a peace which surpasses our understanding and helps us endure incompatibility.

So the next time I find myself in a similar conflict, I purpose to keep moving toward the radical middle. I want to let my love for God and my love for people grow to uncomfortable depths.

And I will keep praying that everyone updates their software to work with MAC.

Uncertainty

2010-04-07T19:44:00.000-06:00

It was 1988, and we just found out “we” were pregnant. We’d been married for 6 years and had a four-year-old son. The timing just didn’t seem ideal…

I was in the middle of a “God, what are you doing in my life?” season. I was agitated, frustrated, filled with self-doubt, afraid of making a wrong decision, feeling pressed from every side. You know, one of those times everything looks okay outwardly but inwardly you feel like you're sinking?

I had been in my job for a few years - counseling, pastoring, training lay people to counsel, learning the ropes in ministry… I was getting acclimated with bizarre as the standard fare.

I was fresh out of seminary where we were taught to “integrate” psychology and theology. I had 3 counselees who were satanic ritual abuse victims, and several others in serious condition. They weren’t much in need of what I had written about integration, but were desperate for some relief and healing.

There was some progress in people’s lives, which was very gratifying, but at the same time I had this nagging sense something wasn’t right. It wasn’t what I was doing that was wrong, it was that God was preparing me for new orders (little did I know).

I learned that God uses the air of uncertainty to draw us into a place of readiness to hear His call. It is amazing how disarray precedes order.

Most of the time it has meant staying put and reordering us internally.

But this time was different...

With the mounting internal struggle, June and I began to pray daily for God to show us His will, "Was I missing something?" I felt like the young eaglet being taught to fly by the mother bringing back thorns to the nest.

So we started the process of exploring other options for a ministry position. Then June got pregnant. If we were to change positions we would lose our insurance and surely God wouldn’t want us to do something that could put us in a place of risk or cost us financially.?

But as we stepped forward everything came together. A new position opened miraculously. We were able to transition rather smoothly.

We got on the “We have no insurance baby plan” - a flat rate of $1,700 at Rose Hospital for prenatal care and birth ($10 a diaper at the hospital not included).

We were freaked out but excited. Everything went surprisingly well and we had a new beautiful blond-haired blue-eyed boy (recessive gene thing).

Our small group leadership team shocked us by collecting a special offering that paid for the birth of our son. Wow. At every turn God provided.

After 3 years we were launched again back into the area of Aurora we had left. Everything that hadn’t made sense about the timing and our struggles now made sense.

Sometimes we’ve navigated uncertainty pretty well. Other times, we’ve done more freaking out… But God has always been faithful. All three of our sons were born in a time of uncertainty, and coincided with great blessing. And every season of uncertainty has brought a strengthening of what matters most.

We don't plan on having any more babies, but we do plan on trusting the Lord with all our heart, not leaning on our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledging Him, knowing He WILL direct our paths.

10k pushups challenge

2010-03-19T18:14:00.000-06:00

On March 3 my old friend told me he was doing 10k pushups for the month of March. He issued the challenge for me to join him and “hundreds” of other people. I was pretty skeptical, as I sat there trying to figure out in my mind how many pushups a day that came out to. And as I sat there looking at him I had to ask “What kind of pushups are you doing?” He said “I’ll show you on the way back to my apartment…” I couldn’t wait.

He proceeded to tell me about a guy who was almost 70 years old who was taking the challenge. This guy hadn’t done any exercise in almost 30 years but was going to try this. I asked if he was going to feel guilty if anyone died.

When guys get together there can be a lot of friendly banter and trash-talk. Any challenge tends to be directed at your manhood and can easily motivate where "lesser encouragement” can fail.

On the walk back to his apartment, he drops down on the sidewalk and demonstrates with 40, bringing the elbows to 90°. I figure 10k of anything is a whole lot.

Just a few years ago my mom was visiting her Aunt Lela who was 92 yrs old. Lela proudly announced she could do 5 pushups and proceeded to do them. I was provoked when I heard and started trying to do 40 a few times a week.

So I decided to jump in and am trying to finish by the end of March. It is amazing how many push-ups you can do if you space them out with a couple minutes in between sets. And in the back of your mind that you’re a wimp if you can't…

I told my oldest son and he said “What? How many is that a day? Are you seriously going to do that?” I think he was thinking the same thing I was thinking about the 70 yr old.

So he decided to join us in the challenge. He seemed to be motivated that if his dad can do it, surely he can. He asked if I had taken before and after pictures and thought that would be cool. No, I didn’t.

If Aunt Lela can do 5 at 92, and Scott can do 10k at 49, then I can do 10k.