The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Pastor whose house was struck by lightning…

Luke 1:78 A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful.

Today is a new day. The trucks are beginning to move our belongings back into our home. Since our house fire 6-months ago it has felt at times like I was living out some kind of a parable. If Jesus were telling the story he would begin it this way. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a pastor whose house was struck by lightning…

Here’s what I’ve learned through living this parable.
Things are often worse than they first appear. Looking back it seems hilarious the way we were thinking the night of the fire. I mean we literally thought we would be back in the house in a day or two. No one told us that, call it coping, denial, or whatever but we actually thought we would clean the place up, patch a few holes and be back to life as normal in just a day or two.

What we discovered is that the more the walls got peeled back the more damage there was and the more work required to restore our home. Seriously, for the first month it seemed like we were receiving daily updates that things were ‘worse than we initially thought.’ By the time the peeking was done, it would be discovered that several roof trusses were compromised and must be replaced.

You know we are all damaged goods. Life has dinged us all. And it’s when we dig below the surface that we discover the real structure problem that exists. And it is deep within, for own safety, that the real work must take place. Things are often worse than they appear on the surface.

The Hope of ‘Better’ helps when things get ‘Worse.’ Early on in the demolition of our house, even though we couldn’t visualize it (at least I couldn’t) we were promised that when the project was over our home would actually be better than before. Now, I can tell you when I first heard that I was like, I don’t want better I just want what we had. Just give me back what we had. In fact, if someone would have made this offer - Terry you can have ‘better’ in 6 months or ‘just like it was’ right now. I would have picked the ‘like it was (worse), but right now’ option. That is human nature. Most of us will choose familiar over better every time. That is why we need leaders, that is why we need God, (acts of God) to push us toward better.

I remember vividly one day last fall when the dire reality of the situation hit me. It was in October and it had been a few days since I had been to check on the progress of the house. I remember opening the front door and everything was gone. No furniture, no dishes, no cabinets, no interior doors, no flooring, no walls! It then hit me… this is bad. I know. I’m sharp, right? But in a cascade of emotions the severity of what had happened and the enormous scope of the rebuilding project pounded me. Things were at their worst. It was the flickering promise of ‘better’ that brought light in my moment of darkness. When things look bad it is the hope of better that carries us through.

Immanuel Kant, philosopher of a few centuries ago said that three keys to happiness are having something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for. I think Kant is on to something there and we can’t underestimate the third, something to hope for.

Over the past several months, mirroring our house rebuild has been some significant rebuilding at Bayside too. Things have been good but God is calling us to great. And there were days over the past few months that things looked worse rather than better. The more we dug the worse it looked. Deep change and deep hurt. But it was the Holy Spirit whispering to us the promise of better that carried us forward.

Today there are moving trucks bringing our belongings back!  Today, things are better. The house is incredible! God has blessed us beyond what we could have imagined. Our house at Norris Way is better today in practically every way than it was before the fire. I’ve learned that the journey from good to great is actually one from good…to worse…to great. Most people quit when it gets worse.

And there will soon be moving trucks heading to Bayside bringing the dear Stamper family to us - Kevin, Marie, Jane and Oliver. We are so excited about adding the Stamper family to our ministry team. Pastor Kevin is great friend, a tremendously talented young leader that will be our Creative Arts Pastor. They will make us better! We are excited to welcome them.

The smoke has cleared, the worst days are behind us, and we are moving toward awesome days ahead! A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful. Amen!

You are Loved,
Pastor Terry

Known and Counted

Back in the summer, I went out for a long bike ride. I had been riding for a while when I turned down a road with one of those digital signs that displays vehicle speed. You’ve seen those signs, right? It’s a speed limit sign that, through a radar beam, registers then flashes the speed of each car that passes by. If the vehicle is exceeding the posted speed limit, it will yell in pulsating yellow lights the words “SLOW DOWN!”

So one day last August I was peddling away when I looked up and the sign posted the speed of my bicycle. I was pretty excited about this. It caused a smile sweep across my sweaty red face. Mostly I was glad to know I was moving fast enough to be noticed. Right there, eight feet high in lights for the world to see my velocity, “14 MPH.” That was me. That was my speed. I was noticed. I was doing that! Ok I’m humored easily, but here are some principles to take away from this.

1. Known.
It feels good to be known. I was humored by a speed limit sign that acknowledged my speed because frankly I didn’t expect it to. For a sign made to monitor motor vehicles, I didn’t figure a plumb peddler’s velocity would even make a blip. But it did. It saw me. It’s a powerful thing to be seen and to be known.
You may feel sometimes that you are not noticed. You may even think that no one sees you or knows you. Perhaps there are moments when it seems like God doesn’t see you. I’ve met people that feel like that. They feel like a T-baller playing in the Big League. They feel as if no one notices what in their estimation is a miniscule contribution. It’s a game changer for a person when they realize that God does notice us. God knows us. God sees you.
(Sin causes us to hide. Sin drives a person away from the God who sees. An example of this the story of the Fall in the Garden of Eden. Adam hid from God after he sinned. But God still saw. Acknowledging that God ‘sees and knows’ draws us out of condemnation into redemption and reconciliation.)

2. Counted.
When we know it counts we want to do more.
A strange rush of adrenaline came over me when I saw my number displayed. I wanted to make the speed go up. When I saw that what I was doing was being noticed and displayed, I wanted to turn that “14” into a “15.” When I saw that it counted I wanted to do more. And I did.

I truly believe that one of most de-motivating things in life is to be busy with matters that we feel are insignificant. Nothing takes the passion out of an activity like realizing (or feeling like) it doesn’t ultimately matter. It has been said that one of the three major characteristics of a miserable job is insignificance. A job, activity, or ministry begins to feel miserable when it seems futile.
On the flip side of that, what energize any volunteer or vocational effort is to know that what you’re doing is making a difference. And like my bicycle speed, when we see that it is noticed a motivation deep within propels us to do more.

So, today I hope this note serves as a reminder (a digital display of sorts) that you are known and what you do counts. You are deeply loved by God and all that is done as “unto the Lord” counts.

Ancient Israel, who at one time was held captive to by an evil Babylonian oppressor, was given this great promise that they were known and mattered so much to God that he promised to sustain them. Isaiah 46:4 “Even in your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

You’re known. You matter. You are loved.
Pastor Terry

Slight Adjustments Make a Big Difference

Running has been a fitness hobby of mine for years. Cycling not so much. Until recently. Last February, I pulled the old mountain bike off the rack and started peddling. It stuck. So for Father’s day, I got a new road bike. With rekindled motivation (and monetary investment) I’ve been pushing through new distance thresholds. All of these have been firsts for me in the past three months: 10 miles, 20 miles, 30 miles and just last week 37 miles.

I’m energized by jumping into a new pursuit, getting introduced to and experimenting with new gear and gadgets. Even my vocabulary has been expanded with new definitions for “clipless,” “cadence,” “cartridge”, “chamois,” and “watts.” I’ve also been reminded of a few valuable life lessons. The most important of which is, ‘Always look both ways before you cross the street!’

Another life lesson I've learned is that slight modifications make a big difference when you are going to be at it for a long time. If I’m out for a quick ride around the block it doesn't matter too much how much air is in the tires and at what height the seat (saddle) is. ‘Close’ is good enough for a casual spin. However, if I’m going to be at it for an hour or two then slight modifications make a big difference. A ¼ inch difference in saddle height, on a short ride is barely noticeable but on a long ride can be the difference between walking normally and bow legged after you dismount (think “City Slickers”). Improper alignment not only causes pain but can actually cause serious injury. Slight modifications make a big difference. So it pays to be dialed in.

Let’s merge a little spiritual application here. Spiritually, the summer months afford the time to let go of the routines of life, at least for a few weeks here and there. Wisely, we use this season to take breaks, gear down, and mix up the routine with shots of recreation and play. There are still a few weeks of summer left, but very soon we will once again saddle up for the long ride. We make our annual tour through Pumpkin patches, be refueled by a Thanksgiving feast, peddle under mistletoe, around the hairpin turn of year’s End, then the steep climb up to Calvary’s hill and peak at the Empty Tomb. It’s no sprint.

As we saddle up for the long ride ahead, it is important to make adjustments now. This is the time to readjust things that have fallen out of alignment this summer.

So let’s do a quick 3-point Tune Up.

1. Check Your Worship
Are you daily engaging in private worship and weekly engaging in corporate worship? How’s your personal bible reading and prayer feeling? How’s your church attendance look?

2. Check Your Community
How’s your connection (unity) with the Body of Christ? Are you in a small group where you can give and receive encouragement, accountability, and care?

3. Check Your Mission
Are you using your gifts inside and outside the walls of the Church top bring glory to His name? Are you giving financially to the mission of the church? Where are you serving?

Ratchet up any inconsistencies. Readjust. Know that little fixes make a big difference when you’re planning to go the distance.

Gowns, Mountains, and Tony Dungy - June 10 Weekend Wrap Up

1. Graduates Sunday. Awesome job Harbor Student Band leading us in worship yesterday. And a special "congratulations" and "God bless You" to the class of 2013!

2. VBS WEEK! The Children's ministry department has been hard at work for weeks preparing for hundreds of kids that will flood our campus each night this week. Please be praying this week that children's hearts will be touched with the message of Jesus.

3. Men's Study, Wednesday June 19th 7pm. - Men, I invite you join me in a study I'll be leading called "Dare to Be Uncommon" (a curriculum by Head Coach Tony Dungy).

4. Sermon in Sentence - Be certain (not like a fog but like a mountain) that there is inherent danger in being the "most excellent" anything, except being the Most Excellent Friend of God.

Four Beats of Rest

Though summer doesn't officially start until later this month, Memorial Day feels to most of us like the beginning of summer. Kids will be out of school, friends will gather around gas grills and at the beach, and family reunions will be taking place around the country. My hope for you is that this summer will provide the opportunity for rest and fun.

You know God has hard-wired rest and play into our very being. He created us to joyfully experience the world he created. Like a Father that enjoys watching his children play, God has fun when we have fun. I mean after all, he gives us taste buds! The very fact that we can be entertained by food is remarkable and speaks to the joyous nature of our Lord! Additionally, God gives us the ability to marvel at colors, hear various pitches and harmonies, appreciate beauty, savor aromas, and through touching discern textures. And he allows us to laugh! What purpose does laughter provide other than as an outlet to express joy. What a great God we serve!

The rhythm of life God created began on the downbeat of play, fun and recreation. Play is Godly and good. God created it and created us to experience it. But lest you think this rest and play thing is a fluke. Check this out. There are four examples of God beating the drum of rest and recreation (play).

1. God Took a Personal Day
Genesis 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
The first thing God does after created everything is to take a personal day. On the seventh day, God called off. Literally from the beginning the rhythm of life began on the down beat of play, fun and recreation.

2. Let my People Go…Celebrate.
Exodus 5:1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’”
After 400 years of hard labor, God says to Pharaoh, “Let my people go.” Not, let them go to a construction conference or a trade show to hone their craftsmanship. No Six Sigma training here. Instead, God says let them go play! Let them go hold a festival (party), and have fun and laugh and rejoice and rest. God wanted his people free so they could experience joy in the world he created. During slavery, the rhythm of play and rest had been stolen from them. This is not what people were created for.

3. “Fun” makes the Top 10.
Right in the heart of Exodus 20, the fourth commandment is ‘Take a Break.” Remember the Sabbath as a day of rest, worship and recreation. It’s a command to remember our Creator, who formed us with the need for recreation.

4. Party, Party, Party.
The Jewish calendar, with its 3 times per year, multi-day festivals created a rhythm of work and rest. Passover (spring), Pentecost (summer) and Tabernacles (fall) were multi-day celebrations. They were parties. God mandated parties. They were not evening events, but rather weeklong festivals of fun, shared stories, laughter, and the reconnecting with family of God. The festivals were meant to disconnect the child of God from obligations, duty and work. These festivals were never meant to be weighty religious obligations, but sources of joyful worship and play. That is why they were called festivals. Not fasts. Big parties, holy fun!

I pray you will take time this summer to disconnect and refresh. I pray for God to give you some frivolous and unproductive holy days this summer…all for the glory of God. Don’t let your rest become work. That’s a sin.

You are Loved,

Pastor Terry

April 21 Weekend Recap

Four Cool Things From this Weekend

1. "Kallos"
All day Saturday student ministry volunteers spent pouring into the lives of dozens of middle school girls. The girls were primped and pampered and made to feel very special...because they are! Great job everyone involved in that great event. As a dad of one of those girls I say a special 'thank you.'


2. If you like this you'll love the 11:59 service
Great gospel centered worship this past Sunday in all three services. A refreshing, extended time of quiet reflection in the 9 and 10:30 services, and an energetic passionate offering of worship in the 11:59 service. Let me encourage you, if you haven't yet, come and check out the 11:59 service. Yes, its a little bit louder, its a little bit later in the day, and it's a little bit more rockin'. If you like Passion worship you'll love it. Invite a friend!

3. Leader's Gathering
We shared several yeah God stories from the Easter season. All I can say is God is on the move. If you want to be 'in the loop' don't miss the next Leader's gathering this summer.

4. Sermon in a Sentence
"You were chosen to bear (not produce) fruit for your overflowing (play-ro-o) joy and for the Father's glory."

A Good Day’s Lesson from Elijah

Good days and bad days. We all have them. I was reading recently about Elijah in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings. This guy may have the record for the most dramatic 24-hour emotional swing in history.

1 Kings 18.
At the time when this story took place God’s people were losing. Jezebel’s false prophets far outnumbered the prophets of God. Each passing day more prophets of the LORD were swallowed up until Elijah is the only prophet of God left. Elijah, who tended toward the spectacular, had seen enough so he calls for a showdown between Baal’s prophets and himself. It’s a winner-take-all, king-of-the-mountain duel. The Deity who answers his prophet(s) with fire on the mountain will be proven as the one true God.

The showdown was on and all the prophets rallied on Mt. Carmel. The prophets of Baal frantically and ferociously attempted, but failed to awaken their gods. The climactic moment came when Baal’s prophets are pushed off the stage and Elijah steps up to call upon YHWH. Elijah’s God answers in force by sending fire from heaven. And the Scriptures tell us that “The power of the Lord came on Elijah” (1 Kings 18:46). A really good day.

Oh the joy of spectacular moves of God! The joy of “chapter 18” seasons of ministry and of life. Easter season 2013 at Bayside was a spectacular season. More than 1600 in Easter attendance, 20 people baptized, 50,000 meals prepared. These are big, bold, “power of the Lord” kinds of moments. We celebrate and are grateful that this season has turned hearts toward the Lord (1 Kings 18:37).

BUT ELIJAH'S STORY PROVIDES A HELPFUL CAUTION.

I Kings 19.
“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life” (19:3). My how things changed. From public triumph to private fear. In the previous chapter he stood on a mountain in victory. And the next day he dove into a cave of depression. In chapter 19 he’s not eating, he’s angry at God and hoping to die. He finally gained enough strength to straightaway hide himself in a cave. God rebukes (19:9) him because Elijah has acquired a thirst for the spectacular and is pouting because God is not giving him more. He wants his God to be in the big, the loud, and the mass production.

God revealed Elijah’s idolatry by refusing to display his power through the windstorm, earthquake, or fire. God instead spoke through a gentle whisper. Disgusted the prophet covered his face in his cloak (blanket maybe) and ran away like a spoiled child. Elijah’s hope had drifted from God, to God’s mighty works.

Even mighty men and women of God, who warn others against idol worship, are not immune from idolatry themselves. Elijah allowed the grand to supplant God as his heart’s first love.

In our personal lives as well as in our community life together we will have days when we stand on the mountain top with hands raised (chapter 18). And invariably there will be those “hide me deep in the cave” (chapter 19) days. Whether on the summit, in the cave or journeying between the two lets always remember The Lord - The Lord he alone is God. May we never mistake the grand for God or His mighty works for Him.

'Do Something' Weekend

Weekend Recap
What an amazing weekend! Special thanks to the "Do Something" team for organizing a great event Sunday.

50 Thousand Healthy Meals on their Way to Nicaragua
Thanks to everyone who helped to prepare meals. The event was a tremendous success! Not only did you accomplish the goal of 50K meals, you did it with a great servant attitude. Thank you for enduring with patience the packed hallways, and at times a little bit of chaos, to make a big difference in the lives of children in Central America. Bayside, you rock!

Local "Do Something" Projects
Thank you to all who planned and showed up to volunteer Saturday for local projects - mission smile, Pinellas Hope, and Matie Williams.

Sunday's Worship Services
We are greatly encouraged by the three worship services. God continues to bring new people each week. And all 3 services increased this week from last. God is working through our prayers. The third service is providing more room at the 10:30 service and is offering a more guitar-driven, "passion-style" worship experience. People who attend are loving it....the pizza afterwards is a plus too
:-)

Reminder: Leaders' Gathering this coming Sunday 5-7pm.
Sunday night we will recap some of the big wins God has done though Bayside throughout the Easter season. You'll hear "yeah-God" stories from each of our pastors. The purpose of these gathering is to be reminded of the vision, encouragement each other, and celebrate what God is doing.

Message Recap
Sunday we talked about remaining in Jesus, who is the true vine. The points we covered from John 15 were:
1. Jesus is the true vine.
2. God the Father is the Vinedresser.
3. We (Christ-followers) are the Branches.

God wants us to bear fruit for the Father's glory and for our complete joy! May your joy be "play-ro-o" (filled to the brim, overflowing) in Him, today.

>Pastor Terry

The Gospel Coalition

3 Observations and a Concern from the last few days at TGC.

1. They aren't Coming cuz' they are Already Here.
There is now here a young mutli-ethnic generation of (tens of thousands) Pastors who are passionate about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are from every US state and continent around the globe. And they are committed to the gospel.

(So many young diverse pastors. I personally spoke to or saw Africans, Chinese, Koreans, Europeans, Candadians, and Brazilians). And when's the last time you saw at a pastor's conference -a large area reserved for nursing mothers! Imagine a pastors conference with more babies crying than hearing aids chirping. It's happening!)

2. Mission Passion.
There is a rekindled fire for missions that is driven by a belief that the (Gospel) Good News is the joy of all nations. There is a desire to see the world reconciled to God in Jesus Christ.

3. The Cross Before Me.
There is an unashamed, unapologetic resolve for the proclamation of the literal death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. There's no percieved need of trying to conceal the cross, rather to lift it high for all peoples to see and believe.

My Concern.
I am concerned for the tribe I most often rub elbows with- Wesleyan/holiness people. Most of us are still working on perfecting our worship styles, and being missional (which too often only means being nice). And sadly many in our tribe still avoid 'preaching.' We prefer "relevant talks with overarching moral principles." I pray my tribe doesn't miss the renewal taking place. There is a wave of the Spirit that is lifting up the proclamation of the simple and most effectual Gospel. That message our great grandparents spoke about. Remember it? -The Glorious Greatness of God. -The Depravity created by and result of Human Sinfulness. -The All-Sufficient Redemption brought through the atoning cross of Jesus Christ. -And God's guaranteed Promise to Restore of all Things under the Feet of Christ.

Thank God for the move of his Spirit on the Gospel. Please God, awaken my tribe.

Weekly - April 4

Weekly

EASTER PRAISE
Outstanding job by all of our staff and volunteers on Easter Sunday! We are blessed with so many gifted and passionate servants of Christ. You shined BIG last weekend! It was a long day but an incredibly fruitful one.

Some of the Fruit
1. 1647 people worshipping at Bayside on Easter Sunday. Among the highest Easter attendance numbers ever.
2. 20 People baptized (19 on Easter, 1 on Palm Sunday)
3. 22 First-time Guest Response cards turned in. Each card often respresents an entire family.

THIS WEEKEND
Three services will continue. 9:00a, 10:30a, and 11:59a. With the 3rd service offering a more contemporary worship style. I heard them rehearse...it's going be rockin' :-) .

NEW SERMON SERIES - "Overflow." This Sunday in all three services, we begin a new series that will continue throughout the month of April. Because of the miracle of Easter we are called to live as ambassadors of the resurrection bringing hope and new life everywhere we can. Our joy and gratitude should overflow.

PASSION
This Sunday we get to hear some of the remarkable ways God is stirring the heart of our very own Bayside college students and 20 somethings. What God is doing in this generation is truly exciting stuff!

DO SOMETHING WEEKEND
Choose to Overflow. Make a Difference. An integral part of Overflow will be the 'Do Something' Weekend - April 13 & 14, so get involved.

Bayside family, I want to encourage you. God is at work in our community! I spoke with several pastors today at the National Day of Prayer planning meeting who also were rejoicing with record Easter attendances. God is on the move, stirring people's hearts! These are exciting times.

Have a great week. Hope to see you around campus this Sunday for one of our three services.

Joyfully,
Terry

Love from Leviticus

Leviticus is not usually the book to turn to for a passages on love. So I was surprised to see God's love expressed so clearly there. In one sense it should not be a shock to see love expressed anywhere in Scripture, since God (Scripture's Source) is love. I was reading this morning in Leviticus 26. It's a pretty serious text, where God promises blessing for faithfulness and warns against unrepentant disobedience. Here's what I saw today.
1. Obedience is noticed and rewarded by God.
God rewards by blessing those who act in love towards Him and His people.

2. Disobedience to God's law always has a consequence.
Willful disregard for God's standards result in discipline.

3. God is a loving, not a push over, parent.
God loves his children and wants their best. But he is not a push over so sinful deeds do not go unpunished.

4. Persistent sinfulness brings an intensification of discipline.

5. At every step along the path of disobedience grace is extended to those who repent.

6. Total loss is the inevitable result of life in rebellion against God.

7. Even when sin destroys every good thing in our lives, God in love offers to us grace to start new again. "But if they will confess their sin...then I (God)will remember..." Lev. 26.41-42

The Gospel of John

Irony. Paradox. Sarcasm. Symbolism. Double (and Triple) Meanings. Juxtaposition. With these John retells the events of Jesus’ life. One thing you can be sure of from the Gospel of John, there is always a deeper meaning beneath the surface. Always more going on than first meets the eye. John invites us to dig, uncover and ponder the Truth that permeates the actions and teachings of Jesus. You see the purpose of the Fourth Gospel is primarily theological, not historical. The main point isn’t the precise chronology of events in Jesus life, but the theological significance of those events. So John’s main point is not to merely detail where Jesus went and what he did when he went to a certain place. His main objective is to get his readers (us) to have our souls nourished by the bread of life and living water. He bids us into the spiritual deep in search of the life-giving (eternal) meaning behind Jesus’ words and actions. Ironically, John’s goal in highlighting all of the irony, paradox, and double meaning is crystal clear. His purpose for writing is so that all may believe in Jesus and by believing enjoy life in his name. Join us as we wade into to the deep for a truth search through the Gospel of John. Each week a diffent chapter. Each week a new discovery!

Lime Tree Miracle

The start of a new year always provides a fitting time to examine the trajectory our lives are taking. It’s a good time to review the past, examine the present and consider the future path of our lives. A helpful question I often ask is something like this, "Where are my current actions, attitudes and behaviors invariably leading me?" This is helpful because isn’t it true that our current actions, behaviors and beliefs largely determine our destination. Or to say it another way, your current direction determines your destination. In nearly every area of life, where we end up is based on the path we choose to take. Let me illustrate by telling you about our Christmas lime tree miracle. True story. As you all know, a few months ago we moved here to Florida. In the back yard of our new home is a tree. Not knowing much about horticulture generally, and even less about plant life in Florida specifically I had no idea what kind of tree it was. It’s about 10 feet tall and over the summer it was producing a bright green fruit. Someone told us it was a lime tree. So out of the limes we made guacamole, we squeezed its juices into our water, we even drank the juice of a few limes right off the tree. Over that last few months our limes started to turn yellow and shades of amber. On Christmas Day my brother in law gave us an unexpected gift. He brought in one of our rotten limes and told us that we didn’t have a lime tree at all, we had an orange tree. It’s an orange tree! For the record, orange juice in guacamole isn't so bad… a little sweet, but not awful. Over time the type of tree was proved by the fruit it produced. Given enough time the tree would inevitably be shown for what it is, not a lime but an orange tree. The outcome (oranges) was determined by what it was (orange tree). Jesus once said “a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matt 7:18). Who we are (our current beliefs, actions, attitudes and values) determines what fruit will be produced in our lives. Now at the beginning of the year, I encourage all of us to make a life course evaluation. Is your life - spiritually, financially, relationally, vocationally, physically- heading in the direction you want it to end? Our direction determines our destination. If all is on track then I pray you'll be encouraged to press on toward the prize. But if your direction is aiming toward a bad ending then know there is hope. The good news is that Jesus always allows course adjustments, even all out U-turns. You can turn around at this New Year, adjust your course and Christ will help you. May the Lord be a light for your path in 2013 illuminating the way that leads to life... life in abundance!

Counted, but Not Fully Accounted For

Luke 2:1 - The powerful Roman Empire wanted to take inventory of its power. So they required that all the inhabitants of their world, return to the home town, to register. Register so that Rome would know that you existed. Rome had to know if one existed, so that they would know that you could pay taxes. That was the real purpose for the census, to count heads and to make sure they were getting all the tax revenue that was coming to them. Caesar Augustus took a census. He wanted to take a look at the numbers. How many people do we have in the empire, how many do we control? How many do we rule over? How many owe us money? So they counted. The numbers were important. While this massive count was going on, a hard working carpenter and good citizen named Joseph took his family to his hometown of Bethlehem. The city was packed, for the required homecoming. It was a homecoming of sorts, as people that had moved away were required to return home. So in Bethlehem were people Joseph hadn’t seen in years. Back in Bethlehem, back to the hood for the census. And he with all the inhabitants of Bethlehem came to be counted. Sometimes I like being counted. Like when I vote, I like to know that my vote counts. I like to know I’m being counted. In fact whenever I have an opinion about something, I like to know mine is counted taken into consideration. When people are handing out pecan pie for dessert, I like to be counted. Sometimes I like to be counted. When I go to lunch with friends, I like it when there is a chair there for me. I like to be counted for dinners. When I go to my kid's performances or events at school and they want to know how many parents are in the audience, I want to be counted. I want them to know that I’m there, sometimes I lift two hands. When I was in school and the teacher would ask, how many read your assignment last night. I liked to raise my hand, look around with a shot of superiority, and be counted. That didn’t happen very often. Sometimes I like to be counted. One September, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of 9/11 a human flag was assembled on Mount Trashmore. It was a Monday at about 9:00am, JT and I went. We were part of the second red stripe. We held a red 4’ square. We were five rows from the bottom, and four from the end. When they counted how many were there I wanted to be counted. Sometimes I like to be counted. Some times you like to be counted too. You like to know there’s a chair at the table for you, you like to know that you’re voted counts, that your opinion is taken into consideration, that your presence matters. But sometimes I don’t like being counted. Sometimes I get mad when people tell me to take a number and seat. Sometimes I don’t like it when people ask me for my account number before they address me by name. Sometimes I like to duck when people are counting heads. Some times when I’m told to take number...I take two and double my chances. Sometimes I don’t like being counted. Some thing about being counted...some times it makes me feel kind of empty though does it you? Being counted kind of doesn’t feel right, it doesn’t feel quite appropriate. I mean who likes to be a number. Some people quit jobs, and they tell us it’s because they felt like a number. And we all know what that means. Some people get disgruntled with churches because they feel like they are just a number. Being counted can feel like being used. We’ve all been in situations where it seemed like people were more concerned with who wasn’t there, than the fact that we were there. I’ve been both criminal and victim in that deal. And it doesn’t feel good. That happens at Christmas gatherings doesn’t it. Sometimes we gather, and all everyone can talk about is who isn’t there. Who could have come but didn’t, because they’re too selfish or lazy or whatever. Sometimes worse than being counted is, to be in the room but not counting. I bet you don’t like that much either. I don’t like being counted some times. I bet that’s how Joseph felt. He probably didn’t like being counted by Rome. He probably felt used. All of his friends and family probably felt a little like property. Because the empire was only interested in “who are we missing.” Like counting subjects...funny thing about counting subjects...it can make you feel like an object. I bet that is how Joseph felt, like an object of Rome. He and his wife and the baby, they were counted. But didn’t feel like they much counted. People still like to do a lot of counting at Christmas. At the Christmas play we like to count the wise men, to make sure it’s biblically accurate and has three. People like to count gifts. And if their gift count is less than another’s, the its is perceived that the other is loved more. They think it means they count, or don’t count as much. Parents count how much other parents spend on their children, and say rude things about them. People count pounds at Christmas too. They have given up on counting calories. A lot of counting still goes on for Christmas. Retailers like to count at Christmas. They rely so heavily on our materialism to survive. They depend on our indulgence to make it through the trying days of seasonal change. So they count. They calculate revenue, the count sales, they count shoppers, they count profit margin. A lot of counting goes on at Christmas time. There was a lot of counting going on the night of the first Christmas. Rome was counting. People were being counted. And the census was going well. The numbers were up. Leading indicators suggested Rome was strong. But numbers can lie. Well numbers don’t lie, but people do. I think that’s why I don’t always like being counted. The numbers didn’t tell the whole story. You see that night in Bethlehem the numbers didn’t tell the whole story. You see according to the census there were two in Joseph’s family. But a baby was born...so I guess that counts as three. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. You see the census told Rome how many were in the kingdom, it told them how many were in Joseph’s family...but the numbers didn’t tell the story. According to the numbers there were just three. Nothing significant, nice small family. Rome’s census could count the birth of Jesus, but it could not account for the one who was born. Because as anyone who has ever been in a meeting knows, it’s not how many are far a decision, it matter who many are for it. I guess what I’m saying is that what was significant on Christmas night, was not how many were in Joseph’s family, or how many were in Bethlehem that evening. You see counting, could not account for WHO was born that night. ON the spreadsheet he was just one. But he was so much more than that. Each year we come back to Christmas. And we gather for Christmas eve, and in our homes, and remember that the world can’t fully account for the impact of Jesus’ life death and resurrection. While the numbers are impressive....millions of devoted followers of Jesus all over the world. But the numbers, as impressive as they are, don’t account fully for who Jesus was, and who he is. And so we come to Christmas eve, and we light the candles, and we sing the songs, and marvel. Because who he was and what he has done can’t be calculated. There is not a spreadsheet long enough, or calculator complex enough that it can explain what this baby has meant to our world. The lives changed, the hope that he has restored, the strength that he has given, the goodness that he has brought to this world. Nations have risen and fallen because of him, people have been healed because of him, and relationships have been restored because of him. All of this, from just a “1” on a Roman spreadsheet. We come again and again and marvel, because the impact of his life can’t be counted. The empire had no idea what the child born in Bethlehem would accomplish, what he would teach us about love, righteousness, goodness, faith, sacrifice, and victory. He taught the world a side of those things it had never known before, and would have never figured out on its own. All from just a number 1, on a Roman Spreadsheet. He could be counted but not fully accounted for. No one here knew what his life would become. That’s why there was no room for him. That is why no special arrangements were made for him, no VIP accommodations. Just a feeding trough on the backside of a Bethlehem inn. No one here could imagine what he would become, how could we? But heaven took an accurate account. Heaven knew what he was and what he would be, and what he would make possible for the earth’s inhabitants. And the announced it publicly on the first Christmas night “I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior is born to you: he is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger.” ..... “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Lk. 2. 10-14) It wasn’t how many were in Bethlehem or in Rome. I’m sure there were other babies born that night...but there was none like him. There never has been, there never will be. It wasn’t how many were born, it was Who was born. The inventory, the census missed that. Here’s the strange twist to this story. There was an important inventory being taken in the days of Caesar Augustus. But it wasn’t a physical inventory of heads. No in those days, a spiritual inventory was being taken. And the one taking inventory wasn’t Caesar, it was God. An inventory, a census of the hearts and souls of human beings was being done. And to those whose hearts were found hungry for truth and righteousness and redemption, well to them good news was headed their way. To those who were too at home in this world, too at ease with its wisdom and wickedness, well to them the news wasn’t so good. There was a census being taken. But the important census was being taken by God...and he is still taking it. He is still searching for hearts that long to be made whole, lives that long to be restored, people who have sinned and who want to be forgiven. And to those who receive him and believe in his name, they find themselves in the Book of Life...the book that lists all those who have become children of God. We discover that in God’s book we count. The inventory began during the reign of Caesar August, in a manager in Bethlehem. The numbers are in, and the result is clear, there is just one appropriate response Jesus: Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. God, born as a baby and became a man- we FALL DOWN BEFORE HIM AND WORSHIP HIM AS GOD. Whether you do or whether you don’t, the census has begun. Amen

Wise Guidance for Christmas

As we approach another holiday season, my thoughts take me to Matthew’s gospel and a few guys who knew a lot about making a successful Christmas journey. Here are some facts from their story I found very helpful. I trust they will be enlightening to you too. 1. Be Wise. The Wise Men were, well… wise. This not only describes their job as magi or wise men for Persian Royals, it also says what was true of them. They were men of wisdom. At Christmas time it seems wisdom is always called for but too often buried under a month of feel good, impulse decisions that too often create in its wake eleven months of regret. At Christmas, financial wisdom is needed to spend appropriately. Relational wisdom is needed to deal with that one relative (or a dozen) that seems to know just how to turn your egg nog. And spiritual wisdom is needed to keep the focus on Christ through all the many festivities that will call for our time and focus. May we be wise people. 2. Approach the Season as a Journey. The magi journeyed a long way to find the Christ Child. It is helpful to approach the season of time from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Day as a journey. The celebration of Advent is the way Christians have historically reenacted the anticipation that preceded the first arrival (advent) of Christ. This is why I love advent calendars. They help me savor this Season as a daily journey and not just a one day event. May we enjoy and fully experience the Advent journey. 3. Remember the Search is for a King. What raised the intensity and excitement of the magi’s journey is for whom they were searching. They were not combat shopping, better known as Black Friday shopping. I am assured by many that there is an adrenaline rush that comes with combat shopping though personally I do not have that Black Friday adrenaline gland. The Magi were not driven by the quest to land the latest toy or gadget. The thrill of the wise men’s journey was what was at stake. What waited at the end of a successful journey would change their lives. May we search as those searching for a living King, not merely for a historical figure. 4. Be Willing to Learn. The magi were really smart guys and yet their humility is what made finding Christ a possibility for them. Intelligence alone never leads anyone to Christ (or away from him for that matter). The journey always eventually requires faith and humility. The Magi first went to Jerusalem thinking they would find the king there. They were wrong. He was born in Bethlehem. Yet, to their credit they didn’t try to make an argument for, "The Rightness of Israel’s King Birthed in the City of David.” No, in joyful humility they turned and traveled to Bethlehem. We get the most out of any experience when we are willing to learn. Willingness to learn means, in part, being open to truths we don’t know and admit that some assumptions we hold may be wrong. May we be humble enough to learn and to change. 5. Spontaneously Worship. These smart worldly men spontaneously worshipped when, at the end of their search, they found Christ. The first gift they gave Christ was not gold, frankincense nor myrrh. They first offered their search, then their worship, then their treasures. Their worship was spontaneous and full of joy! May our journey to Christmas Day be sprinkled with divine encounters and may it culminate in spontaneous overflowing joy at the feet of Christ the King. This Christmas season will provide the opportunity to once again journey toward Christ. Enjoy the Season and learn from the journey.

MapMyRoute

I enjoy running. Yes, I run even though I’m not being chased. Anyway, I use this I-Phone app when I run called “mapmyrun.” It’s a neat little tool that lets me know through my earphones in an unemotional and direct female voice, how long I’ve been running, how far I’ve gone, and how slow my minute per mile pace is. One of the coolest aspects of the app is that when my run is finished I can see a picture of my route. I like pictures. It’s always interesting to see what the route looks like. Usually my route resembles some state. Sometimes it makes a big state like Texas or Alaska, sometimes an Oklahoma or Illinois. And sometimes when I’m tired a Hawaii or Rhode Island. Two Biblical passages come to mind when thinking of routes. The first one comes from the Old Testament. Just imagine Israel’s route in the wilderness. Can you say scribble scratch!? Remember Israel was freed from Egypt and traveled through the wilderness on their way toward the Promised Land. A journey that should have taken about two weeks was stretched into forty years! If we were to look at that route, it would tell a story. It would tell the story of a people who weren’t sure where they were going and who were not prepared to enter the place God prepared for them. Their map was a tightly woven circular route of cleansing and preparation. It was a painful, extended, and redundant journey that eventually prepared them for crossing the Jordan River. As a church staff, we have been in the process of prayerfully sketching out the route God wants to take. Strategic ministry planning is challenging but exciting work. We have been inspired to think and dream about where God wants to take the Bayside church family. We know this. We do not want to be Israel wandering in the wilderness. The other Biblical route that comes to mind is from the ministry of Jesus told in the New Testament. It is found in John 4. Jesus was in Judea in the South on his way to Galilee in the North. We are told that Jesus ‘had to go through’ Samaria. Interestingly, what we know from history is that during that time period Jews intentionally avoided going through Samaria to avoid being defiled by a people considered unclean. But Jesus ‘had to go’ through Samaria because Samaritans had to be reached with the gospel. His route tells a story. That journey tells as story of fearless love for all people, “even the least of these.” As for our church family, Jesus’ example tells us that a route that is faithful to the mission of reaching people will often be unconventional and rarely safe. I’ve often wondered what my personal route would like if I had an application called “map my spiritual route.” I think it would be filled with straight lines, a few big loops, and even a few well worn dots- places where it looked like I wasn’t moving at all. What would your route look like? Today wherever you are on your route, step toward Jesus. That, you can be sure, is never a wrong move. And one day we will see what shape our completed route took. As a Christian, regardless of the final shape we know where our route ends. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9

SMART JESUS

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 Benny was a really smart kid I went to elementary school with. I was smart for a while too, but then for some strange reason in the fourth grade I got a “C” on my report card. I wasn’t smart anymore. Benny didn’t stop in the 4th grade, he just kept getting smarter. The saving grace in my unspoken competition with Benny was that I was much better basketball player than him. So I was usually eager to get out of the classroom and onto the court for practice. The court provided me opportunities to put it in Benny’s face (in the love of Christ of course). My dominance was assisted by the fact that he was about 4 inches shorter than me. But one day in the third grade, Benny beat me at my own game. Our coach had the team doing layups at the end of practice. In the course of doing the lay ups, everyone had missed at least one layup except for Benny and me. A teammate noticed this and began to provoke the competition. Who would miss first? So it went back and forth. He would make a layup and then I would make one. He made one. Then I made one. Then him. Then I, with a little bit too much confidence, went to the basket too strong. The ball ricocheted off the backboard, grazed the front of the rim and bounced onto the hardwood. The thud of the basketball was a dagger. He had beaten me at my game. I always respected Benny as the smart kid in the classroom, but from that day on I respect him a bit more as a ball player. I’ve met a lot of people who respect Jesus as a compassionate and caring person. On the field of kind words and warm hearts many people respect Jesus. Many even admire him because they know that in the compassion arena no one has a game like Jesus. And that is true. Jesus has exemplified for the world much about kindness and compassion. What many miss is the “smart Jesus.” I don’t know that we speak enough about how smart Jesus was. This is important because if we doubt a person’s intelligence it’s very unlikely that we will heed their advice, much less obey their direction. Very few talk much about the intelligence of Jesus. Some talk about his courage. Many laud his grace, his mercy, and even his devotion to God. But too few talk about how smart he was. People seem comfortable talking about his spirit and heart, but not as much about his mind. That to me is a missing link in much of our understanding of Jesus of Nazareth. If you’re a thinker, if you are a brain, let me just say it. Jesus was really smart. He was indeed the smartest person to ever grace this planet. The apostle Paul was one of the most well-educated, fiercest debaters, and sharpest minds of his day. And he found no problem bending his intellectual knee to the superior mind of Christ. In fact, Paul would pray that people might have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:1) and he marveled at the knowledge held in the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). I want to encourage you to continue to love the Lord with all your heart, with all soul, with all your strength and with all of your mind. It could deepen your worship of Jesus more than you thought possible. Jesus invites us, “Come let us reason together.”

Time To Shine

In a few weeks the Games of the XXX Olympiad will begin. We will watch young Olympians compete at the highest level. Young athletes we’ve never heard of before, with success in their disciplines, will become household names. Yet, what we know is that these overnight successes have been years, sometimes decades in the making. Countless hours of training and preparation has gone in to ready them for peak performance in their “moment.” That moment for some will begin with fingertips on a starting line, for some toes on the edge of a diving board, for others hands raised on the corner of a gymnastics mat. With the pride and support of their homeland, each individual’s ability will be on display for the World to observe. It will be their moment to shine. Everything they have worked for will matter in that moment. As Christians we resonate deeply with such Olympic themes as training, perseverance, honor and victory because we too are in a great competition. Our Apostolic trainer, St. Paul called on the themes of sport to inspire and instruct Christ-followers toward the worthy prize of godliness and the ultimate reward of heaven. God’s Word teaches us that now is our time to shine. “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…” (Phil 2:15). On August 5th we will be starting a sermon series through the book of Philippians. Philippians is a training guide for how we can compete with joy at the highest level. Join as at Bayside as we seek to apply its principles and win the most important prize of life…and have fun doing it! August 5 Finish What You Start / Philippians 1:1-11 August 12 Live Up To the Hype / Philippians 1:12-29 August 19 Be Remarkable / Philippians 2:1-11 August 26 Time to Shine / Philippians 2:12-21 September 2 Understand the Scoring System / Philippians 3:1-11 September 9 Dig Deep / Philippians 3:12-21 September 16 Joy in Everything / Philippians 4:1-7 September 23 Contentment Always / Philippians 4:8-23

Leader Check List

Eight Questions in Identifying a Leader

1. Are they discontent?
A person with the leadership gift usually thinks s/he could do it better if only they were running things. Leaders are always looking to improve things and are often discontent with status quo. A constructive spirit of discontentment is found in the heart of Godly leaders.

2. Do they bring ideas to the table?
There is a difference between critics and leaders. Criticism is easy. Leadership is not. Like a critic, leaders see problems but unlike the critic the leader chooses to be part of the solution. Leaders find practical solutions to the problems they see.

3. Is anybody listening to them?
If people are paying attention to what "x" is saying. Then "x" is a leader. Identify those that others are listening to.

4. Are they respected by others?
Some people talk but are not respected. They are not leaders. Find those whose opinions and ideas carry weight because the person voicing them is respected.

5. Can they create and/or catch vision?
Not all leaders are able to cast vision, but all leaders get jazzed about possibilities. Their eyes widen when vision is spoken.

6. Do they show a willingness to take responsibility?
Leaders step up.

7. Do they finish the job?
Good leaders get-'r-done. They show perseverance and determination, not stopping until the job is complete. A quitter is not worth following.

8. Can they handle Criticism?
All leaders face criticism, doubt and questions. Leaders learn not to whimper every time people talk negatively about them. Followers are suppose to talk about leaders... you're the leader! If they aren't talking about you then you probably aren't leading them any where. Criticism is part of the price tag of leadership so tough mindedness is a must.

(adapted from Multi-site Church Revolution)

Gospel of Mark

Click Here To View Series Video Introduction.

Fast. Raw. Razor Sharp. Unrefined. Urgent. Poignant. Each an appropriate characteristic of the gospel of Mark. No shepherds, no manger or silent night, Mark blasts out of the blocks with, "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
"Immediately" is one of the most used words in Mark. Jesus is presented as the Son of Man who has a mission to accomplish, an urgent job to do. Namely, crush Sin and set Sinners free through the Cross.
Written to a Church facing intensely unjust persecution, literally being burned as living torches for Rome's perverse entertainment, Mark wants to make powerfully clear that Jesus Christ is Sovereign and therefore all suffering for his name is worth it and will be rewarded mightily.
Like a top fuel dragster off the line, Jesus accelerates throughout the book of Mark until he takes the Roman Centurion's checkered flag, "Surely this man was the Son of God" (15:39).
Experience the thrill ride of Mark's gospel with us. Fasten your seat belt, the green flag drops February 26th.