Category: Uncategorized

Fort Hood

Like all of us I was shocked by the tragedy at Fort Hood recently.  I was on my way back from Dallas as I was hearing it on the news.  As the information unfolded before us many thoughts came to mind.  Why, is almost always the first.  I am not sure we can ever identify why when a senseless slaughter happens like this.  I have a tendency to just think that evil seems to have won for a moment.  Acts like this have a source in evil as far as I’m concerned.  But there are other thoughts as well.  Two Police officers, one a female who was on traffic duty, running into flying bullets, risking their own lives when they don’t have to, facing that evil, and taking it down.  How many lives had to have been saved.  And then soldiers all around risking their lives for their friends, pulling them away form the gunmen, bandaging, encouraging, and many surely praying.  And then a base, a city, a state, and a nation coming together in support, prayer, and help.  Evil can make its vain attempt to win, but good, especially good based in faith and our blessed American Way, will always win.  Our prayers are with the many who lose loved ones, family, spouses, parents, children, and friends.  At our Veteran’s Day service this Wednesday, we will find a moment to mark this tragedy facing it with resilient faith.

Carry the Light

Sunday evening Rhonda and I had a chance to attend the “Carry the Light” celebration c0ncert and CD release party at our Church in the Sanctuary.  Our music and worship arts folks, directors, singers, orchestra, choir,  Bands, all joined together to offer a time of celebration and inspiration that impacted everyone present and I am sure honored God.  Not only was the music amazing, but the Spirit of God was tangibly in present in the participation of the congregation, both in awe and in singing.  There was a 1,00o CDs available of the music that had been previously recorded, almost 700 went out immediately, folks wanting to take the Church home with them in this special way.  I am continually amazed and inspired by the folks in our Church who lead us in worship week in and week out.

Rethink Generosity

This weekend and for the next four weeks there will be an emphasis, Rethink Generosity, Jesus was the most generous person who ever lived.  Knowing God, loving God, serving God, walking with Jesus in Generosity is one of the most important teachings of Biblical faith and one of the hardest to embrace;  often the last step, and a step some never take in their Christian life, is the jump off into sacrificial generosity.  We pray, go to church, try to help others, and do our best to be good, but generosity of self, money, and time can seem like a way of life for others;  people like Mother Teresa, the rich who seem to have money to spare,  those with more talent and time, someone else, the hope of living as Jesus did seems unreachable,  somehow we can leave one of the greatest gifts of Jesus, generosity, on the table.  A generous life is a full, happy life that connects to God, others, and life itself in a way that engages the very soul God has given us.  1.  knowing, loving, and serving God, as simple as these ideas sound are rooted as deep in God’s plan as the very cross that is the most generous act of all time.

Knowing God

When we think about who God is we are thinking the most important things in all of life.  Who is God?  How does Jesus reveal God to us?  Can we know God?  Some of the things the Bible tells us about God might help us flesh out this person we must get to know;  a God who desperately wants us to know Him:

Holy, sovereign, Almighty, creator, redeemer

Loving, gracious, merciful, faithful, Good

Omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent

Transcendent, immanent

Alpha and omega, the beginning and the end

King of Kings, Lord of Lords

God who was, is, and is to come

The Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate, counselor

The door, gate, the good shepherd

The bread of life, the Living Water

The way, the truth, the life

Savior, Lord, friend, author and perfecter of our faith

The soon and coming King

The lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world

(From Patrick Morley;  Pastoring Men)

I believe the first and last step in having Faith in God is Knowing God.  If we don’t know fully who He is, it is difficult to trust Him in the full ways we are asked to.  The more I know who God is, the more I know God personally, the more I am willing to place my life in His hands.

What’s a Nail Worth?

This is a photo of a nail that was once in a sailing ship from the 17th century.  They were pretty valuable.  Back in the day when these ships would dock at south sea islands, sailors would occasionally pull them out of the boat to use to purchase items and favors  from the islanders who would use them for fish hooks and other things, a very valuable commodity in a society that had no iron.  The problem was that the sailors had to decide “How many nails can I pull out before the ship becomes unsafe!”, one, two, one hundred;  and even then it might be safe in the harbor, but would it be able to sail back home, especially if a storm came up.  I think people sometimes today do this with sin,  thinking “Can I  do this one time, two, or one hundred before bad things begin to happen in my life, in my friendship with God, my family, Etc”.  In other words, how many times can I do “This” before I began to break apart;  how many drinks, how many flirting moments, how many abusive words,  how many angry acts, how many white lies, unethical financial choices, unhealthy time on the Internet,  underhanded acts that may benefit me personally and hurt another, taking amazing grace for granted. (you can name these as well as I can for we each know what we might be tempted to exchange a nail for, the very nail that is holding the ship together).  There are too many of us facing a storm we are unprepared for because we have exchanged too many nails that are of great value for things that are not of value at all.  What does the devil want to get us to believe?   That something is nothing, and something is nothing.  Hammer the nails back where they belong.

Faith Quiz

1.  When I pick up my Bible do I put on a hard hat and get ready for reconstruction?

2.  When start my day as a Christ follower do I put on my seat belt and get ready for adventure?

3.  Am I letting Christ guide me through the conversations, obligations, and journey of the Day?

4.  Do I experience God’s amazing grace in my heart and in my relationships?

5.  Do I have expectations of people benefiting and serving me or am I the servant benefiting others?

6.  Do I pray about my decisions, seek Biblical direction, and then accept responsibility?

7.  Does Jesus make a difference in my life or is He a default when trouble comes.

8.  Am I defined by generosity, faith,  love, and selflessness, (Christ Centered)  or am I self centered willing to sacrifice others on the altar of my own happiness?

9.  Is my live a monument to Jesus (what I believe)  or is it a mission for Jesus (what I believe, how I live, and what I do?

Rethink Church

Just began our fall emphais “Rethink Church”  a denominational wide theme.  The Church is not just a building, where you go, or what we call ourselves.  It is not a monument to Jesus, but a mission for Jesus.  Rethink Church with us each weekend for the next few weeks.  It might change your life, your relationship with Jesus, and maybe your relationship with the Church.  This coming week I am preparing the message, “Rethink Amazing Grace!” 

Patriots Day, 9/11 A picture says a Thousand words

Remembering

This Sunday: Life-Check Sermon

The Leading Edge 3

This morning, Wednesday, we begin the last day of  “The Leading Edge”.  We were late last night talking about the major issues that divide the Church and hope to make a recommendation for the 100 largest churches at next general conference that might allow us to more effectively do the real work of the Church, bringing people to Christ and serving the world.  I went to a seminar yesterday with Mike Slaughter;  it was on stewardship.  His blue collar Church in  Tipp City Ohio has given over one million dollars to Darfur, even with the decline in this area fueled by the auto industry.  But he did say they needed new Audio Visual equipment badly but could not afford them at this time.  He had a lot of great ideas how a Church can focus on the importance of generosity, generosity that reflects one’s faith in Christ.  One idea I have long believed,  generosity is a spiritual gift, coming from the same place as Love, Joy, and Peace.  Also spent two hours with John Ed Mathison from Alabama.  He led the same Church, Frasier Memorial, for 36 years.  He was talking about longevity and effectiveness in the same Church.  I hope I can, at least come close, lead First Mansfield effectively for 20 plus years as well.   One thing he said I especially remember is the important idea  that churches must examine themselves regularly, as must their pastors, and then change and grow as needed to continue to be effective. The church can’t, and the pastor can’t just maintain things,  they must continue to be innovative in reaching the world for Christ in faith and mission.This is exactly what we are doing this year with our “Reveal” survey, strategic planning, and “Rethink” Church that begins next week. I have been both inspired and challenged by this amazing event.  Rhonda, also for the first time, met with Pastor’s wives form the large churchs;  met with Lynn Hybels, the spouse of Bill Hybels.  I know she was encouraged a great deal.   Hope to be back in Mansfield this evening if the thunderstorms don’t hold off.