Two Laned Path to Greatness

When it comes to making an impact for Christ, it seems there are two very important questions to ask.

1. Where are we showing up?
The ministry of presence is powerful. As a Church (as Christians) we have impact when we show up for events, outreaches, difference making gatherings in our community. So where are you showing up? Where you show up says a lot about what you care about.

2. What are we giving away?
Impact is made by our presence and what we leave behind in those places. The greatest impact on this world came through Jesus. And the coming of JEsus meant that 1) God showed up and 2) He gave himself away. God came to earth in the incarnate Son and gave his life as a ransom for sin for the entire world. His Church that continues to exists as the hands and feet of Jesus are at its best when it shows up and gives away compassion, grace, love, food, clothes, money.

So where are you showing up? What are you giving away? The way you answer those questions will largely reveal your impact for Christ in the world.

I'm grateful to pastor a church that shows up and gives away in our community! I'm convinced those two questions make up the two laned path to greatness in the Kingdom of God.

SOAP BOX: Too many of us in churches get it backwards. We judge our impact by how many show up for our stuff (our own church/denominational events, progams, services) and give us stuff (tithes, offerings, time). While gatherings have there place in accomplishing impact, I think this view is at best woefully inadequate.

DONE! ...Our Challenge

QUESTIONS-> Do you ever want to say “I’m done!”? Does your life seem stuck? Do you feel like you’re on a plateau? Are you tired of the spiritual rut? Are you eager to see your life, your family and your church achieve a deeper devotion to, and impact for, Christ? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions then you will be very interested in the NEW sermon series and small group semester starting August 28th.

DONE! -> “I’m done!” This is a phrase we often use in exasperation to declare we are closing one chapter and beginning and new one. The reality is that advancement in any endeavor, achievement of any goal, growth in any area of life demands that we say “I’m done.” We must forsake certain things and replace them with others. To achieve a goal, old habits are forsaken and replaced with new ones. You’ve probably noticed that most people remain stuck in unfulfilling patterns of life because they are unwilling to forsake useless, even harmful ways and replace them with healthy, life-giving ones. They haven’t yet come to the place of saying “I’m done”, so their misery continues. We must give up to go up! Improvement means declaring an end to lesser things for greater things.

JESUS‘ EXAMPLE -> Christ was done with people lost without salvation. So he forsook the previously unbroken fellowship with the Father in Heaven, to come to Earth to die on the cross for our sin. He gave up “equality with God” for a greater mission, the mission to redeem people far from God.

SMALL GROUPS -> I urge you to come hear the messages AND to participate in a small group. In our small groups, we will discuss in greater depth the previous Sunday’s message and corresponding challenge. Every member of our church family serious about Jesus should be participating in a group. Groups are forming now and will start the week of August 28st.

BACK STORY -> I read a book and I prayed. In the fall of 2010, I read a book entitled Radical written by David Platt. I knew God wanted me to preach on the topics covered in the book so I waited for the right time. In the meantime, I have been praying a radical prayer for our Church, including you! Because of Radical and Jesus’ words in places like Luke 14, I’ve been praying that all of us would take up the challenge to forsake spiritual mediocrity and replace it with whole-hearted devotion to Jesus. I’m praying every one of us will say “I’m Done” with spiritual mediocrity.

August 28 DONE! with Ignorance of the Bible
September 4 DONE! with Spiritual Apathy
September 11 DONE! with Complacency
September 18 DONE! with Materialism
September 25 DONE! with Isolation

Wisdom -- Follow Me

Street smart, common sense, has a clue, intuitive, emotionally intelligent... these get close to what the book of Proverbs means when it calls us to gain wisdom. Technically, wisdom is the right application of knowledge. We tend to admire knowledge and neglect the critical value of wisdom. Now the Bible celebrates knowledge. Smarts is good! But horse sense is even better! Knowing how to apply said knowledge, having wisdom, is the real treasure. We all know really smart people who do really dumb stuff! Knowledge acquisition is no guarantee that a person will have any clue how to relate to others, order their finances, manage time, or speak with tact (for example).

The ancient sages of the Bible esteemed wisdom highly because they saw a created order in the universe. They rightly perceived that certain moral principles governed human life. Therefore they implored their youth to know those laws (knowledge) and properly apply the principles (wisdom)so that they would have success in life. "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers" (Prov. 19.8).

It's frustrating when we smart folk consistently find our lives hitting the "proverbial" brick wall. Here's the truth. It may not be because we lack knowledge, it may be that we are futilely attempting to defy wisdom. The Lord promises to instruct us, if only we will listen.

June 12 we will begin a series on the book Proverbs. Each Sunday through the summer we will be talking and learning wisdom from Israel's wisest King Solomon. The school of wisdom is now enrolling.

When We Pray

Two things are true of prayer. (1) Never is a Christ-follower STRONGER than when s/he is praying. (2)Nothing in the Christian life is HARDER than praying. We desire to pray but honestly we fail so often at it. Prayer gets misunderstood. Evidence of this is seen in how much time is spent discussing and debating postures and volume - sit or stand, quiet or loud, hands up or folded, eyes open or closed, written or spontaneous. Which is the right way? Which is better? Which way works?

Did you know the original disciples of Jesus were just as curious about prayer as we are? They once asked Jesus (the master pray-er), "how do we pray?" Jesus told them, WHEN YOU PRAY say...
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

You've heard it before. It's been called the Lord's Prayer, the Our Father, even the Disciples' Prayer. What's important to remember is that the words of this prayer are not a rhetorical rabbits foot, or spell or incantation, they contain the Lord's insighful teaching on prayer. And the prayer is POWERFUL!

In the next few weeks at Breiel Church we are going to plunge the topic of prayer by looking verse by verse at the Lord's Prayer found in Matthew 6. We're not going after pat answers or evidence to defend our preferred method of prayer. We are seeking illumination into the power of prayer and inspiration to do it! I'd love to have you join me in this study of prayer. The series runs from May 1 - May 22.

Re:Presenting Christ

"Better"... that is the one word that sums up the book of Hebrews. Twenty-five times the cluster of words, 'greater', 'better', 'more' appear in Hebrews' 14 chapters. The book, which really functions and reads more as a sermonic letter, reveals how much greater Christ is than... well than everything! The Supremacy of Christ is a powerful biblical truth that Christ reigns over all. This doctrine is a deep and crucial one that every follower of Jesus must understand and be convinced of. It has practical implications for our lives. Understanding that Christ is above and over all impacts our worship, our understanding of suffering, our understanding of the cross, our decision making, even our understanding of the history of the world. Just to name a few.

This letter was originally written within the first few decades after the resurrection of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews provides encouragement to a weak, scared, confused and intensely persecuted church by pointing them to the truth of Christ's Supremacy. He heads off their fear fed temptations to turn away from Christ, back to false religion by reminding them of the greatness of the One that saved them.

So, if you are a Christian who is questioning your faith; or if you're not a Christian and wondering what's the big deal about Jesus; or if you're simply unfamiliar with the doctrine of the Supremacy of Christ then this preaching series will be of great benefit to you. The series, RE:PRESENTING CHRIST, continues each Sunday from February 20 through Easter (April 24).

One Outstanding Student Loan

With our 16th Anniversary just days away I thought I'd re-post this in her honor. This was written to my wife Kristy upon OUR graduation from Asbury, 13 years ago.

From May 22, 1998
At times I am overwhelmed with gratefulness for the wonderful person I have married. This time in my life, when the sentiments are running high, I can’t help but express in words how much you mean to me. These past three years of our marriage have been nurtured in a place we have both grown to love. We have had celebrations –September 20th, and we’ve had disappointments- like when the couch wouldn’t fit! But through it all we have maintained our sense of humor and been willing to adapt to each situation.

As I prepare to walk the stage this Sunday I want you to know that you will walk with me. You, probably more than me, earned this degree. You deserve to be celebrated. It takes an extraordinary person to delay his or her own plans and dreams for someone else’s, like you have for me.

So as we look at paying back the monetary loans, let me assure you that I realize that there is yet one other outstanding debt to be paid. I hope that this down-payment of gratitude is a good start to my lifelong payment plan: a plan that includes honoring you, serving you, and never forgetting the hard work you have done to make this graduation from Asbury so meaningful.


I LOVE YOU,
Terry
May 22, 1998

A Simple Plan to Become More Like Jesus

At Breiel Church our mission is to see “more people become more like Jesus.” If you want to be more like Jesus, here is a simple plan to follow. Commit to the following plan and you will be more like Jesus by the end of 2011.

1. Worship (Love)
Practice: Devotions
Frequency: Daily
Make a habit of doing devotions (Bible reading and prayer) every day, or at least most days. This will make your relationship with Christ personal and authentic. The daily devotional can be as simple as reading a few verses from the Bible and praying on your way to work. Making this a daily habit is vital to your maturation as a Christian.

Practice: Community Worship
Frequency: Weekly
Go to Church each week. Grow in your love for God by worshipping him along with the local Body of Christ. Weekly large group worship will lift you up and keep you encouraged.

2. Discipleship (Learn)
Practice: Small Groups
Frequency: Once Every Six Months
Participate in two discipleship sessions per year. This will deepen your knowledge of God’s Word as well as help you connect with other Christ-followers. Attend two discipleship classes per year (10-20 meetings). This will look different for each person depending on their needs. For example, your two discipleship sessions might be a (1) Fall Financial Peace University course and (2) Spring Bible Study. Or it could be an eight-week (1) Sunday night ULearn elective in the Fall and a (2) Summer small group. Or it could be two sessions of a Sunday morning class (Sunday School).

3. Serving (Live)
Practice: Serving
Frequency: Once a year
Obviously there will be times to serve more often than once per year. But make it a point to participate, at least annually in an outreach event. This could mean involvement in a local outreach event like serving the homeless or volunteering at a block party outreach. Or it could mean that you go on an overseas mission trip to Peru or Ecuador. Another option would be involvement in a special outreach production like a Christmas or Easter outreach event

There you have it, a simple plan that can help you become more like Jesus.
"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
2 Peter 3:18

Never Waste a Crisis

No one likes a crisis. I know I don't. Actually, I like to avoid them if possible. But here's my suggestion, if avoiding a crisis in not possible then for heavens sake don't waste it! I discovered that a crisis, though hard and treacherous at times to navigate through, provides golden opportunities. Some times these are once in a life time opportunities! Here are three good things a crisis can give you.
1. A crisis zooms us in what is most important. When you're in a crisis, you discover very quickly what is really important, what the real mission is, what the real purpose is.
2. A Crisis cuts through the bull. Few things reveal true attitudes, thoughts, feelings, movitations quickier and as clearly as a crisis situation. Often what we call crisis is merely bringing to the surface what has been lying below the surface all along. Thus, a crisis gives you the opportunity to deal with what's really going on and to understand what is really happening in the relationship, family, or organization.
3. A Crisis provides the opportunity for systemic change. A crisis, a real good one, will provide the opportunity to address and change long-standing, deep-rooted and systemic dysfunction in your relationship, family, or organization.

My advice, never waste a crisis!

The Season for Getting

Christmas is the season for giving! At least that's what we are told. But really? Well really... it's not. Now I like giving and recieving gifts as much as anyone. But Christmas doesn't begin with what we give, it begins by getting. Christmas is really the season for getting (receiving). This is not a call for unbridled greed nor is it a grinch like stiffling of the family gift exchange. What it is, is a call to a humble acknowledgement that we need what God came to offer - the way for reconciliation with God. God gave first. We recieve. The mandate of the gospel is “Get it!” Get what God gave through the incarnation of Jesus.

The pressure to give is largely to blame for the anxiety (and debt) that drains the joy of this season. Receiving what money could not buy, but what Jesus purchased by giving his own life, that is the gift humanity gets through Christmas. Christmas is about getting the good we did not, indeed could not earn nor deserve. Christmas is about getting grace. That’s what it’s all about. So by all means, if you haven't, get it!

My 100 Words on 100 Years

My hundred words on a hundred years…

- a pastor giving his boutonniere to a little girl
- a boy invited to stand on a pew to sing "This Little Light of Mine"
- a dollar given a young man for a 'good job' singing a song he couldn't finish

Reaching out while encouraging within. It feels right to celebrate our past when our future burns bright with promise. Dozens of young leaders receiving batons Sunday morning assure us of that! Should Jesus tarry, they will celebrate the 150th, and their children the Bi-Centennial. Find us faithful, God we pray.

Sin Cheats

In 2 Samuel 12 Nathan the prophet, confronts King David regarding his adultery and murder. Nathan makes the point to show David how much God had graciously given him. David had been blessed. Nathan declares that God was willing to give him even more. But instead of seeking God, David chose to have his desires met outside the will of God. The results (as always) were devestating.

This text makes me wonder how often sin is the result of greed and selfishness. Like a spoiled child David wanted more and he wanted it now. He was unwilling to wait or seek God for what he needed. Greed and selfishness led to his sin.

Sin is often our attempt to meet our own wants/needs outside the will of God. Sin not only cheats us, it also cheats God. Selfishness, impatience, and greed cheats the "God who wants to give us more". Sin provides what we want but adds destruction. Conversely, God's Will provides what we need, multiplies joy and takes away the (minus) destruction.

Man Up = Serve God

The Scripture indicates that King David's middle son, Abonijah, was raised to do his own thing (1Kngs 1.6) without direction or correction from his father. This left Adonijah with a squishy middle, without the strength and depth of a godly man. What C.S. Lewis would call "a man without a chest." Abonijah's chestlessness plays out when David is near his final days. Abonijah takes the opportunity to crown himself king of Judah and Israel. With partying, celebration, and self-indulgence he proclaims his paper crown. It was all done without God, by a man without a chest. And it all failed miserably. When Solomon, the rightful heir calls Abonijah to the mat Abonijah quickly wilts and cries in fear because he (to his credit) realized he acted thoughtlessly and without God. In humilitaion he bows before Solomon and spares his own (miserable) life.

The Bible shows that men (and women) who serve God prosper. Those who 'man-up' succeed. In Biblical terms to "man up" is to be a man with a chest, a strong man who serves God.

Shortly before his death, King David gave Solomon this advise. "Be strong, show yourself a man (man-up) and observe what the Lord your God requires....so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go." (1 Kings 2.2-4)

The Bible is clear, Man up = serve God.

Proximity is not Reconciliation

God does not take away life; instead he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him" (2 Samuel 14.14)

From this text I am reminded of how much God values genuine reconciliation. King David, for all his success as a military and political leader, was not an exemplary father. In fact, he stunk! Absalom, David's son, murdered his brother. David forgave him, but never communicated that forgiveness. In place of the confrontation that might have led to genuine reconciliation, he merely ignored the sin. He allowed Absalom back in Jerusalem but never addressed anything to do with Absalom's bloody offense. The guilt of Absalom, and the silent treatment of David combined to create an explosive mix that would rip a family and kingdom apart.

I think David mistook proximity for reconciliation. People can live in the same town and still be estranged from each other. Shoot, I've known people who slept in the same bed but could not have been further apart. The Scriptures reveal to us the God who devises plans to reconcile people. And as his followers, he leads us away from estrangement toward reconciliation. God is a master reconciler! He devised a plan of reconciliation for sinful people to be reunited with their Holy Heavenly Father- the plan of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. The Bible is filled with stories of reconciliation. A few examples- Jacob and Esau, Jesus and Peter, Paul and John Mark.

I guess I am just reminded today that closeness is not intimacy, proximity is not reconciliation. And ignoring a persons problem (sin) is not the same a offering forgiveness. Ignoring leads to destruction, forgiveness leads to healing.

Preparing to Hear a Sermon

How to Listen to a Sermon
by George Whitefield

Keys for getting the most out of what the preacher says

Jesus said, 'Therefore consider carefully how you listen' (Luke 8:18). Here are some cautions and directions, in order to help you hear sermons with profit and advantage.

1. Come to hear them, not out of curiosity, but from a sincere desire to know and do your duty. To enter His house merely to have our ears entertained, and not our hearts reformed, must certainly be highly displeasing to the Most High God, as well as unprofitable to ourselves.

2. Give diligent heed to the things that are spoken from the Word of God. If an earthly king were to issue a royal proclamation, and the life or death of his subjects entirely depended on performing or not performing its conditions, how eager would they be to hear what those conditions were! And shall we not pay the same respect to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and lend an attentive ear to His ministers, when they are declaring, in His name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?

3. Do not entertain even the least prejudice against the minister. That was the reason Jesus Christ Himself could not do many mighty works, nor preach to any great effect among those of His own country; for they were offended at Him. Take heed therefore, and beware of entertaining any dislike against those whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers over you.

Consider that the clergy are men of like passions with yourselves. And though we should even hear a person teaching others to do what he has not learned himself, yet that is no reason for rejecting his doctrine. For ministers speak not in their own, but in Christ’s name. And we know who commanded the people to do whatever the scribes and Pharisees should say unto them, even though they did not do themselves what they said (see Matt. 23:1-3).

4. Be careful not to depend too much on a preacher, or think more highly of him than you ought to think. Preferring one teacher over another has often been of ill consequence to the church of God. It was a fault which the great Apostle of the Gentiles condemned in the Corinthians: 'For whereas one said, I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos: are you not carnal, says he? For who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but instruments in God’s hands by whom you believed?' (1 Cor. 1:12; 2:3-5).

Are not all ministers sent forth to be ministering ambassadors to those who shall be heirs of salvation? And are they not all therefore greatly to be esteemed for their work’s sake?

5. Make particular application to your own hearts of everything that is delivered. When our Savior was discoursing at the last supper with His beloved disciples and foretold that one of them should betray Him, each of them immediately applied it to his own heart and said, 'Lord, is it I?' (Matt. 26:22).

Oh, that persons, in like manner, when preachers are dissuading from any sin or persuading to any duty, instead of crying, 'This was intended for such and such a one!' instead would turn their thoughts inwardly, and say, 'Lord, is it I?' How far more beneficial should we find discourses to be than now they generally are!

6. Pray to the Lord, before, during, and after every sermon, to endue the minister with power to speak, and to grant you a will and ability to put into practice what he shall show from the Book of God to be your duty.
No doubt it was this consideration that made St. Paul so earnestly entreat his beloved Ephesians to intercede with God for him: 'Praying always, with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and for me also, that I may open my mouth with boldness, to make known the mysteries of the gospel' (Eph. 6:19-20). And if so great an apostle as St. Paul needed the prayers of his people, much more do those ministers who have only the ordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.

If only all who hear me this day would seriously apply their hearts to practice what has now been told them! How ministers would see Satan, like lightning, fall from heaven, and people find the Word preached sharper than a two-edged sword and mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the devil’s strongholds!

This excerpt is adapted from Sermon 28 from The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield. Published by E. and C. Dilly, 1771-1772, London. George Whitefield (1714-1770) was a British Methodist evangelist whose powerful sermons fanned the flames of the First Great Awakening in the American colonies.

Reflections for BoB (Blessing of the Bikes)

Last Sunday (May 30) was an amazing day. Such unity, love and Kingdom impact. Here are just some of my quick reflections on the day. When God does great things I too rarely take time to physically note it, and too often forget God's amazing work. This is a way to just give God praise for a breakthrough day.

What I noticed...
1. God clearly had a plan.
2. Visitors felt embraced and welcomed BECAUSE the church (we) looked outward.
3. Our church family invited their friends and family members.
4. There was Tangible (you could feel it) unity and love for each other that welcomed (and fanned) the Holy Spirit.
3. Christ followers from every generation served side by side. Beautiful sight!
4. Powerful worship in both services. Did I mention God was there!
5. We celebrated with freedom in Christ. It was a time free from that stifling religious spirit of dos-don'ts and judgement.
6. God stretched our outreach bandwidth. God helped us see we could reach even more types of people with the good news.
7. We met some amazing Christian brothers and sisters in the motorcycling community.

If you were there, I'd love to hear your reflections. If you're up to it, feel free to add how God blessed you last Sunday and what God might have been teaching you and/or our church.

Church, the Soil is Ready for Planting

Breiel, the soil has been turned over. A hardened layer has been broken, the moist soil beneath has been brought to light. The work before us now is remove the weeds that have held us back, and in their place plant God's good seed. Last Sunday, God moved powerfully at Breiel Church. Because we confessed and repented, God turned over the soil. It was painful, but incredibly refreshing. Everyone there knew that God had done a work. Now is not the time to remain idle, instead we must get busy planting the seeds of unity, peace, righteousness.. you know, all the Galatians 5 - Fruit of the Spirit stuff. Remember that turned soil left untended will quickly be over run with aggressive weeds and thorns.

We plant the Fruit of the Spirit through prayer and through righteous actions. To see the harvest God has dreamed for us, we each must understand who we are- Commissioned Holy Spirit farm hands called and equipped to tend this field. God has done the hard work, now let us each do ours for the glory of His name. You in? I am.

Choosing and Leading Wisely

I journal occassionally. Several times each month. I find it helps me process what God is speaking into my life. And it serves as documented proof, that I do actually pray :-)

Many months back we (our leadership team) were facing a series of tough decisions. The desired outcome was the will of God and ultimately the glory of Jesus. While still on the front end of those decisions, I reflectively wrote down the following three questions and statement. God must have provided this insight, because I don't think I'm smart enough to have thought of this on my own.

Three Questions
1. What are the various outcomes of this decision?
2. What is the worst outcome of this decision?
3. What is the best outcome of this decision?

Statement: If God is leading then go courageously.

The Big Switch of Easter

If a person were to change religions, say from Islam to Judaism it makes sense that one would willingly change from worshipping on Friday to Saturday. However, one would have to have an incredible powerful revelation (knowledge) to remain a Muslim yet change to a different day of worship. For a religious person to make such a change would make an interesting yet isolated story. But now consider hundreds of people simultaneously changing, not their religion mind you, but the day of worship. This would be a bit more than interesting.

And this is exactly what the early Jewish followers of Jesus did, practically overnight. Shortly after the death of Jesus, they instantaneously began to gather to worship the same God (still very much Jewish) on a different day. From Saturday to the first day of the week (Sunday).

To make matters more interesting, it was not as if those Jewish Jesus followers had joined a group that was already worshipping God on Sunday. No such group existed. No, they continued believing in the same God, but the Empty Tomb had proven to them (given them knowledge) something so powerful about their God that they instantly began worshipping Him on a different day (They would come to call it the Lord's Day).

Isn't it reasonable to believe that something incredibly powerful must have occurred after the death of Jesus to cause this monumental change? There is only one logical conclusion to explain how hundreds and then 1000s of devoted Jewish believers could have changed a sacredly held, 4,000 year old worship practice overnight. They witnessed God do something so astonishing on the first day of the week, shortly after the death of Jesus, that it warranted a new day of worship. Only seeing first hand the Empty Tomb and the Resurrected Jesus would have had that kind of power. From Saturday to Sunday, this is the Big Switch.

He is alive.

Life Cycle of a Church or Christian Movement

Remember: The curve is common but not inevitable. Both growth and decline can be stopped at any time.

1. Birth- Begins with a founder and/or founding group who burns with passion to make a difference in the lives of others.
2. Infancy - Group expands it's external focus and almost exclusively works to bring others into the cause.
3. Adolescence - Programs and services are added to take the strain off the Founder and founding group.
4. Prime - ministry and action is being done through a variety of people. The movement is "in the zone." Ephesians 4.
5. Maturity - Movement/church begins to lose momentum and begins to develop an "our way of doing things." Subtly becomes more inwardly (us) focused.
6. Aristocracy - Momentum takes an even greater hit, marked by less energy and less effectiveness. Status quo is maintained. Cliques form. Turf is protected.
7. Bureaucracy - The birth story and accompanying passion are forgotten. The activity of administration substitutes the accomplishment of the real mission. Disgruntled members begin to look for someone to blame for ineffectiveness.
8. Death - The skeleton is all that remains. Survival continues until the door is locked for the last time.

Jesus' Three Habits

Jesus had three simple habits. He "stood up to read the Scripture" as was his custom. Second, he "went into the mountain to pray" as was his custom. Third, "he taught them" as was his custom.

1. Daily Read the Bible. Spiritually mature people know the Bible and apply the truth of the Bible. Knowing the Bible comes from reading and hearing it. If you don't know much about the Bible you don't know much about Jesus.

2. Get Alone with God and Pray. The depth of one's relationship with God will remain shallow without private prayer. Intimacy with God grows through conversation with Him.

3. Pass it on. A proven way to retain a lesson is to teach it to someone else. A lesson learned but not taught is often forgotten. And therefore must be relearned.

(adopted from E. Stanley Jones, Conversations)

Refresh

Have you ever tried to search the web on an old computer. It can be pretty annoying. Webpages half loaded. You know the look. Content illedgible. Boxes with little red x's litter the screen. The hour glass is laid out in the "infinity" position. It's stuck. You get frustrated. So maybe you wait (some can wait much longer than others) until you can take it no longer then you click refresh or renew. And if you're lucky the page displays, the content is ledgible, the hour glass disappears. Happy surfer.

People get stuck. Christians get stuck. Churches get stuck. Stale. Frustrating. Renewal is usually what's needed. But for renewal to happen the page has to be cleared. Yes, I know it's scary, but what other option do you have? Merely staring at 'stuck' doesn't 'unstuck' it.

That's what God was telling Israel through the prophet. You're stuck, time to refresh.

Habakkuk 3.2 Lord I have heard of your fame. I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. RENEW them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy."

Indecisiveness is Failure

I was a boy scout in Troop 456. Once during a Scout-a-rama relay, my tenderfeet carried me up a 20' repelling tower. I was the most novice in the troup. When I reached the top, I took one look down at the earth below and froze with fear. We lost the relay. An early lesson that indecisiveness is failure. Patience and sober judgement- good. Indecisiveness (especially when the clock is ticking)- bad.

Frozen? Then decide, and the thaw will begin.

About that Sex Talk Pastor

When you talk about Sex from the pulpit you get guaranteed feedback. One of the widows of the church met me at my office yesterday (Monday) morning. The Sunday talk was on her mind, and she had something to 'share.' Surely I had offended her. At least that's what I thought at first. But then she expressed how much she appreciated the sermon. She told me in precious terms how much she missed her late husband. The words are too dear, too sacred for me to disclose here. She just said how she missed everything about him. About how greatful to God she was for their love, for the many years they shared it. How she missed everything they did together. It was very touching. We both shed tears. God bless those who long for the special touch of their beloved.

I bought my wife flowers yesterday.

I'm an Artist that Can't Draw

I encountered this notion in a book I'm reading by Seth Godin called Linchpin. You see, I have never been able to draw very well. I suck at spelling too. But that's beside the point, back to drawing. Stick figures with smiley faces is about it for me. Ok, maybe a house too (a simple square with a triangle on top with a chimney, with squiggly lines for smoke). So I never considered myself very artistic. I can't really sing and sure can't dance. The Zumba class I attend with my wife on Thursdays is humilating proof of that. But not all artists draw. But they do all see. They see the world, they see people, they see hope, they see pain, they see how things are. They see how things could be better or at least that they need to be better. The artist's art is the ability to communicate what they see, to others. Conversing, painting, writing, singing, building, dancing, giving, serving- all canvases used by artists.

Are you an artist? Jesus came to open our eyes. He also said, he who has "eyes to see let him see." And he who can see let him draw or dance or speak or give or build or sing... It seems then, that Jesus came to make artists of us all.

Graduating from Trials

If you've ever been through an extended period of trial and testing, then you know the indescribable joy that breaks through when you see that first ray of light at the end of the tunnel. The wash of relief and joy at the end of a long trial soaks all the way through you. Not only when we personally experience it, but we feel this vicariously as friends come through trials. We feel their joy, we taste their relief. We smile too.

I have a friend who's been in a good 2-3 year period of trial. It has been hard for him. All of 'trials' companions were there -frustration, disillusionment, saddness, loneliness, emptiness, even cameos of dispair. But recently God has opened up an adventure for him, a light at the end of the tunnel. It's a calling that, if it works out, will bless many lives. He is now entering that place where the the fear of missing out is stronger than the fear of staying put.

I think trials and tests are part of the basic training God uses to prepare us for life's next adventure. They are transitions where we are cleansed, healed from the past and equipped for the future. When trials have done their work we are ready, even excited for the next challenge. It feels like a graduation because it is. So even you've just come through a trail go ahead- wave to your mom, move your tassel and throw your cap.

BIG Institutions are in BIG Trouble.

In 2010 institutions are in trouble.
Don't believe me? When's the last time you waited until ABC Worldnews Tonight to find out the latest headlines? Been a while? Or if you want to know the score of the game from last night do you wait until the sports segment of the evening news (remember those)? What about the institution of the music industry? I can't remember the last time I bought a CD, how about you? What about the institution of education? More people are learning online (from home) than ever before. Many schools have twice as many 'distance learners' as on campus students. Do I even need to mention what has happened in recent years to big financial institions? Big Institutions are in big trouble. What about the Church. Ummm, here's what I think and here is what the facts seems to suggest. Churches that function as institions are in BIG TROUBLE TOO. The more a church or denomination functions and feels like an istitution the more trouble it is in. Big institutions, secular or 'sacred' are in big trouble too.

What does an institution feel like? Here's a few.
Centralized power and committed to preserving it (own power/control).
Status Quo
Resources disproportionally spent on survival (us) rather than mission (others).
Slow to Change and often Fearful of It.

Some might be surprised to discover that when Jesus called 12 men to follow him he wasn't beginning an institution (people built that). Jesus started a movement. Unlike institutions, the future of movements looks good, real good. More about this later (this Sunday).

Χριστός and Xmas

There is much unwarranted fuss about Xmas as 'taking Christ out of Christmas." Let me explain. In Greek, the language the New Testament was written in, the word for Christ is Khristós, (Χριστός). As you can see, the first Greek letter in the word Christ is a "Chi" or an "X". For centuries Christians have used the "chi" or "X", as shorthand for the whole word, Christ (Χριστός). So does everyone who writes xmas understand this? Probably not, but now you know and can explain it to them.
Merry Christmas/Xmas!
Terry

Come here, 1,2,3...

How many parents have said this to thier running toddler? "Come here, come here, okay that's it, 1...2...3...4...4 1/2....4 3/4..."

Today I read Hosea 11.1-2 and it reminded me of a stage my son was going through a few years ago. There was a time when he had about 5 months of walking under his belt that he enjoyed running away from us. He thought it was funny. He especially liked to go to the end of a long aisle (like at a supermarket) and play run around. When we'd go one way he'd go the other. HE thought it was funny, we thought it was VERY frustrating. It can also be a very dangerous game. I remember vividly a time when he was in that stage that we were leaving a restaraunt on Virginia Beach Blvd, a very busy street, and as soon as we walked out the doors he took off toward the street. He was laughing and thought this was fun to run from Dad. The more I called the faster he ran, until I took off running. His foot was about to step off the curb and down onto the blacktop, when I reached him and snatched him back. Cars whizzed by.

"When Israel was a child, I loved him...the more I called them, the more they went from me....Yet I was to them like those who lift infants to thier cheeks." I am reminded today of how much God loves us, and how uninformed and immature our running from him truly is. Instead of running from, today I choose to run WITH him!

Falling Into Mercy

Okay so this morning I'm reading about David in the OT (1 Chron. 21). And he messes up and takes a census of Israel. Presumably an excercise of doubt, which neither David's right hand man Joab, nor God found appropriate. So David must choose his punishment for disobedience- three years of famine, three months of being overcome by the sword Isreal's enemies, or 3 days of plague (sent by the LORD). David takes no time in choosing the 3 days of the Lord's 'sword' saying, "Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but let me not fall into the hands of men."

I can relate to David at this point because I've found that God is alot more merciful than human beings are. Some people are kind and compassionate, but many can be quite vengeful and uggg-ly! I get David... he's like, given the choice I'll go with the mercy of God everytime. It's not worth the risk. I'll go with the One I know is consistently loving and merciful and good. I'll go with falling into the hands of God. Trusting some people is like a Benny Henn altar call gone bad, when you swoon you think they're gonna catch you, but to the floor you fall like a brick. I choose the mercy of God.

A Baking Story

Matthew 13:33 He told them still another parable, "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount[b] of flour until it worked all through the dough."

The Kingdom of Heaven is a baking story. It permeates, like yeast in dough. Case in point, the number of Christians in Africa in 1900 AD only 9 percent of the whole population. In the year 2000, it was the largest segment of the population, 48 percent of the whole population of Africa claim Christ.”

God is at work all of the world, bringing his purposes and plans to fruition. His Reign, The Kingdom of Heaven, is expanding and it will not stop until the ancient prophecy, penned by the old Testament prophet Habakkuk, 2500 years ago is fulfilled.

Habakkuk 2.14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

So does it matter? It is it worth to live this life, to share this message of Jesus Christ. Yes indeed it's worth it. It is worth it because God will not stop until this world is made right, until justice flows like an never ending stream, until goodness and grace permeate the whole world. He will not stop until every wrong is righted, until every bruise is healed, and every broken heart mended. He will not quit until every suffering is turned to joy, until every impoverished stomach is filled, and every good deed done in his name is rewarded.

Justice and truth will prevail, as surely as yeast permeates a loaf of unleavened dough. The Kingdom of Heaven will permeate the world. It is worth it, the Kingdom of this world is winding down, but God’s Kingdom will never end!

Misguided Concern

"Should I not be concerned about that great city- God." (jonah 4.9) This rhetorical question is really resonating with me today. It speaks of what is important to God and should therefore 'concern' his people. If you know the story, Jonah was far more concerned about his personal comfort than he was for the 120k souls who were completely unaware of the love, grace, and justice of God. In fact what triggered Jonah's anger was not the prospect of judgment falling on this sea of wayward husbands, wives, children, grandfathers and aunts...but rather he was infuriated that he would not be comfortable WHILE they were reduced to soot.

What a selfish mistake it is in the church when we get most outraged by our lack of comfort (it is not the music style, decor, dress codes, etc. that makes us comfortable)! It is sad but true that many churches spend the bulk of their energy and resources making themselves as comfortable as possible for the "light show." Instead of really have a concern for the poor, the lost, the lonely, they fret like an unruly guest at a customer service desk-demanding 100% guest satisfaction. Today I'm reminded that God's concern is more for the lost of the world, than he is about my personal 'comfort.' In fact it isn't even close.

Surprise Doping Test

I'm following Lance Armstrong's tweets. During this 2009 TdF, this has provided an interesting perspective on the anti-doping methods of pro cycling. For example, one tweet describes Lance and the Astana team eating breakfast, the next moment he's peeing in a cup for a screener. Interesting after each test, Armstrong says of these random screenings...this is good. He says that in light of the horrid reputation cycling has had with performance enhancing drugs, well cheating. So to that degree it's good, to keep people honest. This got me thinking about what it would be like if Christ followers, those claiming to be competing on Jesus' team...what if we were random screened to see if we were for real or not. Are we really living out this life we claim to live or are we cheating. I mean the church too has been blemished through the years by people cheating. So random testing..who knows this could be good. Problem is there's no one qualified to give the test, because we've all cheated at one time or another...all of us except one.

Game Changer, Play of the Decade

The Game Situation.
The Canaanite king- King Jabin and his commander, Sisera were kicking the Israelits butts- intensely, regularly. Brutalizing them. It was not good. And this had been going on for some 20 years. For some two decades Sisera had been just beating the Israelites down. Until the day God said to Israel's commander, “Go! This the day the LORD will give you victory...the LORD has gone ahead of you.” So Barak and his ten thousand men went down and defeated the Canaanite army. But Sisera the evil commander escaped (crap).

But there was someone waiting on Sisera...Jael stood at the entry of her tent and invited Sisera in, he assumed, for protection. She comforted him and told him not to be afraid. When he asked for water, Jael went the extra mile and gave the commander milk. Sisera felt safe, and so tired from battle he fell asleep in Jael’s tent.

Jael picked up a hammer and a tent stake and drove it right though his temple -dead. (insert ESPN music here) That was the GAME CHANGER PLAY OF THE DECADE. Now let’s see that again in super slow motion.

This was the turning point for a generation. “On that day God subdued Jabin, the Canaanite king, before the Israelites. And the hand of the Israelites grew stronger and stronger against Jabin, the Canaanite king, until they destroyed him.” Judges 4.23

This is the kind of fun stuff I get to talk about this Sunday! I'm fired up about it!

The Irony about Living

What if the health of a person was directly proportional to their willingness to die? What if a church's health was directly proportional to its willingness to die? Here's what I think...I think both statements are true. The most alive people, the most spiritually alive persons are those who are willing to lay thier lives down for that which ultimately matters. Churches that are laying themselves down are the most vibrant communities on earth- feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, sharing the gospel, healing the hurting. Show me a sick, self-consumed (i want to be comfortable and happy), enemic, impotent church and I'll show you a church that has stoppped giving itself away. THey have shifted into survival mode. Here's what I think, I think we have been tricked. Tricked to believe thier really is a survival mode. But I don't really think there is a survival mode. Perhaps survival mode has really been mislabeled all along. Survival mode is more appropriately called burial mode. Here's the irony- be willing to die to yourself and live, or continuing living for yourself and you will surely die. Same for individuals, churches, communities, nations, ... Oh it's what Jesus said(ref. Matthew 16.25).

Bible 101: a sin ISN'T a sin

a sin is a sin, right? well no. this common quoted statement, "a sin is a sin" is false or at the very least misleading. i heard a woman say recently, doesn't the bible say that a "sin is a sin." to which the preacher's daughter to whom she was speaking speaking responded, 'yes.' hmmmm, where does it say that? i don't know of a single verse in the bible that says a sin is sin. people use this phrase as a way of saying there are no big sins and little sins. but i've got be honest, i totally disagree with that. while the BIBLE does teach that the RESULT of all sin is seperation (rom. 3.23 and 6.23) from God, i do not think it is true that a rolling stop at a country intersection is the same as premeditated murder. to say they are the same is an affront to common sense, and densies the obvious and differing scale of impact. i mean come on! all sin seperates us from God, true. but the folk religion that teaches that all sins are totally equal is misleading and perhaps even heretical. there isn't a single verse in the bible (i'm still looking) that says 'a sin is a sin.' it's just not there, maybe because the statement isn't true.
okay...i feel better now. you can tell me what you think...

healing and Jesus

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus does not heal impersonally or arbitrarily, but relationally and personally.

Have you ever wondered why there are no records of Jesus randomly emptying out hospitals or asylums with the wave of his healing hand? The reason is because God does not heal arbitrarily or impersonally. God’s healing is the result of being in relationship with him. The great physician heals us, the closer we get to him the more whole, thus healed we become. That is why death for the follower of Jesus is a great victory. It is the ultimate healing for the believer- because it presents the opportunity to be the closest to God.

an experience, not a title

I ordered a new Smartphone last week, and I asked if there were color choices for the phone. "Yes", i was told by chirpee (his/her chat name) "you can have the phone in any color you would like as long as it’s black."

Jesus once told a man that no one will see the kingdom of God unless he/she is born again. There really isn’t any other kind. I suppose its unfortunate that this phrase has become so distasteful to so many- the phrase born again. I must admit I don’t use it very often.

When someone says 'born again Christian,' thoughts of some loony, bizarre, dogmatic, judgmental person stock piling explosives waiting to blow up an abortion clinic after Wednesday night study on the book of Revelation comes to mind.

But like the phrase or not, there is only one type of Christian- it’s the born again ones. Maybe you’ve heard this- “I’m a Christian but I’m not one of those born again Christians.” That is kind of like saying, I’m a guy but my feet down smell. It’s not really possible. Or like saying I’m from the south and I don’t like tobasco sauce. Not possible.
You don’t have to call yourself one, becuase Jesus wasn't giving out titles, he was describing a requisite experience. To be a Christ follower one need not use it (born again) as a title, but you gotta have the experience. (rf, John 3.1-21)

Mixed Feelings

I've heard people say, in justification of their actions, well it feels/felt like the right thing to do. I've done that, and said that myself before. But here's the deal...sometimes our feelings are right and led us to right actions. But sometimes the heart is wrong, leading to disastrous results. It’s not that we are bad people, it’s just a fact that the heart is not always a trustworthy source of truth, of what is right. The heart gets mixed up. The heart is filled with mixed feelings. When it comes to living what is true, we need something more. We must look UP, not IN for truth.

the difference making conviction

When I read the epic MADE story of the book of Nehemiah it seems that on each page (at times plainly written and other times you just feel it there)is this passion. In the backdrop of this extraordinary story is a passionate conviction, and that conviction keeps them moving forward, keeps them in the game, keeps them working and pressing on, fuels their pit-bull like tenacity.

I think when we have this same conviction, then it will do wonders for us too. The conviction that stood as a backdrop to Nehemiah’s work; the gut level, the heart level belief was this- this was God's work!

I really don't think its possible to overstate how critical this is. When we know that we are doing the work of God, when God is in it, it makes all the difference in sticking with it and following through. Nehemiah and the people were absolutely convinced this was the case in their work on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and they finished the work- in 52 days!

influence is up close

A good coach gets close. It has been said you can impress from a distance, but influence happens up close. The people of God in the 5th century BC needed to be MADE. They needed a coach. Nehemiah was their chosen coach. He might have wooed the people with his grand vision for Jerusalem from a 1000 miles away in Susa, but to really influence the work and influence the people so that they captured the same vision that captured him, he had to be close to do that. Near the people. For any dream that we have, any area of life we want to see made over, it would serve us well to do the research ourselves about what it will take to do that. Not just hearsay.This principle of leadership applies to all relationships as well. If you want to know what the real condition of something check it out yourself. If you want to know if the car needs an oil change sometimes you’ve got to go pull the dip stick out yourself and look at it. Check it out for yourself.

A good coach gets close, s/he may impress from a distance, but influence happens up close.

03.22.09

Beginning on March 22, 2009 Breiel Church of God is making a dramatic shift in the way it approaches worship. For years Breiel has offered a blended worship experience.

Understandably, if you haven’t been around church the term “blended” sounds like something having more to with a frozen beverage than a worship experience. Basically the blended service has been the Christian Church’s attempt to mix traditional with modern elements of worship. Across America churches have had varying degree of success (and failure) with this approach. Honestly, Breiel has done better, for longer than many. But we want to do better, and we are certain we can do better. We be honest we want to be the best in the WORLD at offering our community HOPE. It is this calling that has convinced us that now is the time to become a church that will reach more people by giving persons a choice between two experiences.

So beginning 3.22.09 at 10.40 am we begin the adventure of faith. We will begin offering simultaneous yet totally unique worship services.

The Experiences

#1 The Annex will be our more laid-back worship environment. This venue will be located in gym, have a coffee bar and chair seating, with music led by our rockin’ house band. Worshipers are free to enjoy some coffee or snacks during service.

#2 The Sanctuary will be a top quality worship experience utilizing an array of traditional elements. Musical selections include choir pieces, classic hymns, gospel favorites, and cherished choruses. This worship venue is located in the main sanctuary.

If you’re tired of the same old, you have found a community that shares you’re feelings. If you think it is absurd that grandparents can’t worship at the same church as their grandkids, we’re with you. If you think the argument over what is appropriate to wear to church is a tired, irrelevant, and annoying discussion, we’re with you. If you just want to seek God without the drama, then we’re with you. If you don’t like church, but think Jesus is pretty cool. We understand. And we are with you.

You are invited to join us on this journey, be a part of the next chapter of Breiel Church. Let’s all see if we can become a community of unparalleled hope and optimism. Prepare for launch, 3.22.09!

guinea pigs with capes

my preschool son loves this nickjr show, he watches its regularly. i on the other hand, am rereading a good little book called the way of the shepherd. in the book the authors point out that there are two main questions followers ask of their leaders. 1. does s/he know what s/he's doing (knowledge and competence)? 2. Can I trust him/her? People will forgive a leader who fails from time to time with the first, but failure to establish and maintain the second (trust) means a person's leadership is basically over. Of course trust and competence are connected. if a leader consistently proves to have knowledge and skill, then trust goes up in thier ability to deliver. if on the other hand the leader can cast life-like vision, but doesn't deliver the goods, then it won't take too long before the vision stuff starts to sound like a Wonderpets episode. "wonder pets, wonder pets, we're on our way to save _________ and save the day..." blah blah blah i suppose the point is that a leader without competence and trustworhtiness is little more than a guinea pig with a cape.

its just that simple

i think it’s a consistent human mistake to make simple things overly complicated while complicated things overly simple. nowhere is this more applicable than to the issue of poverty and wealth. as Christians, our theology has to be sufficiently inclusive (complex) to see God’s special love for the righteous poor, and the special place the righteous rich play in God’s plan as well. it seems to me that it is too simple (and untrue) to believe that God loves the poor and hates the rich, or that God loves the rich and that poverty is God’s curse. That’s too simple.

the gospel is good news for all people. good news for those who work under me, and for those who sign my paycheck. the gospel is for those who can afford a Bently and is equally extended to the one who peddles a bike with a basket, on a dirt road. Christ is good news for stock broker on Wall Street and the stock boy at Walmart; the employer, the employee; the underemployed, and the unemployed. The gospel is for broke carpenters and raw and uncultured sheep herders, and the gospel is for powerful kings and prosperous magi. The gospel is for the outcast and for the privileged, its just that simple.
from a weekend service at www.breielchurch.org

chip, remember the block

all who hope for deliverance-all who seek the LORD! Consider the quarry from which you were mined, the rock from which you were cut (Isa 51.1-2). remembering where you're from is important don't you think? i mean most folks think so. as a chip, its helpful to remember the block. you can tell a lot about a person by discovering where they come from. but not everything. some times people surprise us. i had a friend one time, he was really down to earth. as young boys we played sports together and hung out at school. i went to his house one time for a party...it was a very big house, biggest house i'd ever been in. i would have never guessed where he came from, but then again at 7 years of age a pedigree wasn't that big of a deal to me (except for our doberman pinchers, we even had a blue one). i guess the point of this passage of Scripture is to remember where you came from, and remember that God can make more out of our lives than we could imagine for ourselves. that's God's point to Isreal. Abraham was alone, pretty much a nobody. God blessed him, and he became the father of a great nation. Pretty cool, huh?

it's amazing what God can do, i mean it wasn't until i was 22 that i lived in house without wheels. living that long on wheels does something to a person, it's got to. i don't know what it does but i'm pretty sure it messed me up somehow.

Destructive Impulses

Four destructive (leadership) impulses

1. the impulse to believe the doubters

When times are tough, the voices of the troublemakers in our lives seem to get louder. When things are hard, it is good to know when to just ignore the criticism, the critics, the nay-sayers. When an area of your leadership or life is struggling, and the nay-sayers are telling you to throw in the towel, to give up, to quit, you have to know when its time to ignore them. Even, especially if the source of those voices comes from somewhere inside of you.

2. the impulse to make things happen

Have you ever had the pressure to make something happen? During difficult times, especially if you are in an area of leadership or responsibility, you feel the pressure, the expectation to make things happen. Do something. What are you waiting for? Just go. And people will even say, we don’t care what the rules are, just do something. Just go ahead. Avoid the impulse to make something happen.

3. the impulse to delight in another persons failure

In today’s economic climate there are many people who are suffering, who have lost jobs, lost positions, lost homes, lost pension. A lot of losers and not many winners in today economy. A sure way to displease God is to delight in someone’s failure or loss.

4. the impulse to make up (create) a word from God

During difficult times we must be careful because our internal fears and doubts, and static can interfere with our hearing from God. We can want God to speak on a particular issue so bad that we start creating a word from God. You want a certain job real bad, and all of sudden you hear God say, “yes that job is yours.” Or you want a certain thing or gadget real bad, “and you start hearing God say yes go get the iphone :) ” Or you want a certain outcome so desperately, you start using spiritual words to defend your very human desires. God told me… God wants me….God has promised me… God spoke to me. If untrue it can be destructive.

from a weekend message at breielchurch.org

character barks

have you ever had an annoying cough, that tickle in the back of your throat that wont go away? yes...i've got one of those right now. and i've been playing this little game this morning... a little war between me and my cough. (i'm wierder than you think) this the game: i see how long i can keep from coughing. limbs squirming... eyes watering... neck pounding... it a sick and painful little game, and i'm really irritated because the cough always wins. doesn't matter how long i hold out the cough EVENTUALLY yells "i win" in the tone of a bark.

but i was thinking, our character is kind of like that cough. we can try to choke it back, hold back what's inside , but it will eventually come out. some folks are good at hiding it for a very long time, but good (and bad) character always finds an escape point. character barks!

who built this machine?

i woke up in a funny mood this morning. one of those moods when i feel outside of myself. it's one of those days when i think of Christ, and the relationship with Christ that Scripture encourages and then contrast that with churchianity and wonder, 'who built this machine?' i mean how was the simple, personal, relationship with jesus christ, and believers in fellowship with one another turned into such an impersonal machine? i told you i woke up in a funny mood, and days like today my soul craves the simple love of god and love of the people of god. only the misguided could have turned the manger into a gearbox. but it has happened, all over the country and world. what do we do with this machine? do you have thoughts...i do.

shadow boxers and finishers

i arrived early for the race. earlier than necessary i would discover, but i wanted to be sure to get a parking place. so i arrived at 6.40a for the 8.00a race on thanksgiving day. this provided plenty of time to watch other people. one guy provided great entertainment. to observe him you would have thought this was the boston marathon and he was an elite runner. while i sat in my warm car, sipping my hot coffee, he bounced around outside his minivan stretching and jogging in place. at one time i might have been impressed by all of his activity, but i've seen enough of this that now i just chuckle. i just wanted to tell him to relax. did he really think he was going to win? not to pass judgement, but i could tell by looking that was not going to happen. so why all the anxiety and 'rocky-balboa-like" air boxing going on? in my mind only one thing could be more foolish than a middle-aged man jogging in place, in sub 20degree weather, beside his MINIVAN at 7am. only one thing more foolish, that i could think of...that woud be a middle-aged man at 7am, in his truck, WATCHING 'rocky' bounce around his minivan. i did see 'rocky' in the race, and passed him... but didn't say a word :-)

do you ever see people get all worked up over things that don't matter? it's really kind of funny, and sad. do they really think thier shaddow boxing will make a difference? in the race, the race to glorfy christ and make the world a better place, the mature will always pass the shadow boxers.... no need to say a thing, your finish will speak for itself.

ascent

"i was stoked when my peeps told me it was church time!" that's how i translate psalm 122:1 "i was glad when they said to me, 'let us go to the house of the Lord!". this ancient psalm is a song of ascent. it is one of the songs the Hebrew faithful would sing as they made one of the tri-annual trips up to jerusalem for worship. they literally ascended to a place of worship, climbing the 'hill of the Lord.' but even more powerful was the spiritual and emotional ascent the journey provided. it was uplifting, an ascent. our dream for breiel church is that it will be the most positive, uplifiting, hopefilled place in this entire region- the best in the WORLD at offering our community hope. our dream is that going to breiel, being around breiel people, is an ascent- spiritually, emotionally uplifting. i think we're getting there, just keep climbing. hope is stronger than fear.

thoughts on the election

regardless of one's political affiliation, it seems to me that one would have to be totally unplugged emotionally not to be moved by the outbursts by the masses following tuesday's presidential election. particularly moving was the hope in the eyes and voices of african americans who now can believe that possiblities really do exist for all people in america, a nation with the ideals of christiainity embedded deeply in its frabric. we will not all agree with the decisions our new president will make, that is for sure. some of us may be cautious, even suspicious of him. but as christians we must all pray for him, and i think as christians and americans we can be proud of what having an african american reach the hightest office in the world represents. america has come a long way...from abolition, to voting rights for all, to electing a black president. that is positive. that is maturity. and the church has played a pivotal role each step of the way.

on a personal note....growing up in milton louisiana i went to grade school with Derrick. He was the only black kid in our grade and he was my friend. we grew up together. he got me my first job bussing tables at the Landing restaraunt. I haven't seen Derrick in 20 years, but today my heart is glad for Derrick.

anything else would be uncivilized

i think john the baptist used right guard deodorant (i'm sure he would need it). no really, i think he did. because all the crazy dudes do. i've come to this conclusion because i remember the old commercials, when they use to have all those ruthless football players, dressed up in tuxes, telling me that using anything else would be "uncivilized." i've read about john the baptist, and look, he was really different. i suspect he never even tucked his dress shirt in. in fact, i would be surprised if he even wore a shirt half the time. and yet as eclectic as he was, he was totally dialed in to what God was up to. he was a step ahead of everyone else when it came to sensing the activity of God in the world. jesus himself said of john that no other person got it, understood it, pursued it like john the baptist did. john was an example to others. i'm not sure how i feel about a shirtless wild man being my example. but then how i feel about it, really doesn't matter. it just matters that my opinion line up with God's opinion..."anything else would be"uncivilized."

stuck in second gear

my first car was a 78 cutlass calias, 4-door.. cracked windshield, baby blue, wagon wheel mags. o yes it was awesome! the batmobile, as it was affectionally called, also had a little transmission problem. when it rolled off the assembly line it was an automatic, but by the time i picked her up she was barely a semi-automatic. it would stick in second gear so i'd have to manually shift her into third. but over time i didn't even notice this little quirk. but friends would hop in the car and they notice right away that my ride was broken. even to a parachute-pants-and- RATT-t-shirt-wearing kid, this semi-automatic thing just couldn't be right. but somehow i had gotten use to it, so use to it that i didn't even notice it was semi-broken.
our lives get like that 78 cutlass sometimes. things are broken, but the longer we live with it, we just assume broken is normal. this happens in marriages, in businesses, and even in churches. one of God's great gifts to us is to bring truth into our lives, often through other people, to help us realize what is broken around us- and that broken isn't normal. Jesus came not primarily to tell us that things were broken (a reality most were thoroughly convinced of already) but that broken didn't have to be normal- that wholeness could replace brokeness, we could finally shift out of second gear.

Leader's Go First, even in the Rain

Ezra was not happy it was a rainy, overall cruddy day. from the words in his book it is obvious this brother was not having a good time. he was grieved by the spiritual condition of the Israelites who were exiled from their homeland. as a symptom of their lost identity and broken connection with the LORD the men had intermarried with women who did not follow the ways of the LORD. and consequently were conceiving, birthing, and raising children that were altogether spiritually confused. and the we learn that it was the leaders to took the lead (surprise) in this act of unfaithfulness (ez. 9.2). to remedy this situation, after prayer and consultation, it was decided that the leaders would go first in making it right (ez. 10.14). the people would not change until they saw that the leaders were willing to submit themselves to the pain of change first.
what a lesson on leadership! leaders are those who go first. i mean as far as i can tell a person is not leading if they go second....ummm....because the person who went first was/is the leader. it seems to me that when it comes to change, its really important that those with positions of leadership go first even when the change means (as in the case of Ezra's people) the first to repent. As far as i can tell, leader's must go first...even if its raining!

Thoughts on 1 Cor 10.1-5

I read this morning about the phenomena of a group of people sharing similar experiences yet ending a different points. the apostle Paul points out that Israel (1 cor 10) all together experienced the miracle of the exodus, they all were benefactors of God's provision in the wilderness, and yet they did not ALL honor God with their lives. Some did. Others did not. They ended up in different places at the end. That is always a puzzling thing isn't it? We see this phenomena with children raised in the same home who come out of the teenage years very different. We see it in churches, where people share experiences (sometimes for decades) but overtime become very different people. There are many reasons for these variant end points, but I think it must have a lot to do with the individual and his/her heart before God. Christianity is a community faith for sure, but it is also deeply personal- between the individual believer and God. And if this vital link, the personal walk with God, is not sustained and fostered the "community faith" will never be enough to save us.

from one to many

a few weeks ago we had an installation service here at Breiel. and installation service is sort of the official 'wedding' of new pastor with congregation. it was a very special day. in that service, a friend Brent, shared about how God had worked things out on the church's side to lead them to offer me the position as lead pastor. it was very comforting to hear and sense god's orchestrating events and the process, but the comfort soothes at an even deeper level. becuase if I am convinced that God led in one area of life, could I not also find it believable that he would orchestrate events in another area of life. and if God were working last year to bring this together in my lifie, could it not also be possible that he is working right now to bring future events to fruition in my life. and if god is working right now in my life could he also be working in the lives of a few others to bring to fruition his plans for thier lives? And if God's is doing that in a few lives could it not also be possible that god is working right now to bring about his purposes in your life....is it possible still that he is working to bring about his purpose for the lives of every person who calls on his name, greater still that god is working to bring his purposes for the entire world?

olympic hangover

this whole deal is starting to catch up with me. i'm tired. i'm toting around an olympic hangover everyday for like two weeks. and its all from staying up late every night. its crazy. i got of bed this morning, tried to chip the sleep out of my eyes, and avoid tripping over the cat, but...lets just say i'm wearing my glasses and she didn't yelp too loud.
i think i have a problem, i think i'm like literally addicted to the olympics. i mean shawn johnson, i've watched enough hours of her that it feels like she's family, like my little sister (no i'm not old enough for her to be my daughter, at least in most states). anyway it will be good when china kicks us all out again, so i can go back to sleep. i am tired of sporting my gold medal hangover, even if they do play the national anthem at my award ceremony. this was random...i know...i told you i'm tired.

tater tot or french fry

really what is the difference between a french fry and tater tot? i mean as far as i can tell, the difference is when you eat it. if its before 10.30 its a tater tot. after that its a french fry. and oh yes...one is round-ish.

bride, not a prostitute

yesterday was my last message at water's edge. i really love those people, and i really love the bride of christ. which got me thinking about something...

okay, i was thinking about how the consumer mindset has invaded (in some places taken over) the north american church. and this is exemplified by people (many so called christians) who use the church for what they want and then dump her. these consumers (or johns) go from church to church treating the bride of christ like a ***** (prostitute). and after they get what they want, they dump and go carousing for another. have they forgotten that Christ's church is his bride...not a woman of the night? or do they care?

sticky dots

i've got this stuff in my hand. i've never seen it before and it's hard to describe. it came to me in a promotional packet from the Catalyst conference. it looks like dip n dots ice cream. at least the little dots are about that size except these are kind of like styrofoam, but i am fairly certain, for the sake of the baby whales, they are not styrofoam. the little dots stick together, buts its not sticky on the outside...like it doesn't get your hands sticky. and so you can form this clump of dots into anything you want. that is, if you had any skill for that kind of thing...i make mostly snakes.

but i was thinking...that little clump is like the body of christ. all these members sticking together, able to morph into what ever god needs done in or for the world and for the glory of his son. and we aren't even sticky, no yucky residue and we're environmentally friendly ;) (ref.. 1 Cor. 12)

give and take away

its april 15th, tax day and pay day. it brought to my mind the popular song, "blessed be the name of the Lord." a line in the song says 'you give and take away, my heart will choose to say blessed be the name of the Lord,' that's a timely word for today.

big announcement

after much prayer and a clear call from god i have accepted the lead pastor position at Breiel Blvd Church in Middletown Oh. i am very excited about this opportunity to impact that community in creative and relevant ways with the power of christ.

of course, it is terribly hard to leave a people and place that i love here in vb. in weaker moments, i feel like abraham leaving isaac on the altar a little bit...but god goes before and he stays behind (he's like everywhere!) and he will take care of things here and there. water's edge chruch is an amazing, exemplary church in so many ways. i know god will use them in even greater ways in the years ahead.

pop goes the ..

You’re all invited to a day some time soon when I utterly annihilate a household good. I don’t know... I may blow it up.... or I may shred it into itty bitty bits...oh, I know I might run over it with my 4x4 Expedition... or even burn it with lighter fluid. The possibilities are endless. I don’t know if I’ve ever detested anything more. Being a person of the cloth, I know its risky being so honest about my feelings here. But you are probably going to find out when I blow it up anyway, so you might as well take cover now.

Okay so really, I hate (for your more spiritual ones remove “hate” and insert “strongly dislike”) our trash can. It’s a cheapo junk pit with an attitude. It’s not so much her body, it’s her face! The can is okay, but the lid really chaps me! It just WILL NOT stay shut. Literally, I throw my Mill Stone grounds in, push the lid down, and it pops right back open. Some days I stay there for hours trying to get it to shut up.

You know me...I see metaphors in cream of wheat so it shouldn't surprise you that I see one in annoying trash cans...see if this is a stretch.. Our junk just never stays concealed for long. Junky attitudes, stinky prejudices, slimy speech....if it’s in there, it has a way of being revealed. So when the lid pops, make sure its good inside.

Now please, back up....she’s about to blow!

hand stand push ups

a few months ago a friend turned me on to this workout program/philosophy (crossfit.com). now crossfit is awesome and i’m probably in the best shape of my life but i must tell you...there are some exercises in there that, if not done properly can turn boys into girls in a quite literal way or if you are lucky enough to survive an exercise done wrong you can still, and likley will have the baheegees embarrassed out of you.

okay so i’m working out this morning....and look i’m at a point now where i’m starting to feel pretty confident with it. but there are a few excerises i’ve been reluctant (okay scared) to attempt for the above mentioned reasons. and one of those i’ve been avoiding is the hand stand push up. it is exactly what it sounds like, you do a handstand with your legs braced against a wall, and you push up with you hands. kind of like a shoulder press standing on your head. so today i wake up and say what the heck its good friday, i’m going to give it a whirl- the hand stand push up. i completed my warm up and found a wall where I could lean my legs into.

Okay...break for a moment...have you ever been swimming laps and attempted one of those underwater rolls when you got the end. you know like the pros do. yeah...have you ever done one of those and been a little too close the edge of the pool and then like bang the happy out of your feet? yeah...do you remember how embarrasing that was? do you remember maybe looking around, after you choked the water out of you lungs, to see if anyone was looking...yeah- that’s basically what happened to me about an hour or so ago. i was a little too close the wall when I did my roll, and nearly put a hole in the dry wall. the echoing thud got everyone’s attention and concern. i went on to something else after that...i was tired of doing hand stand push ups.

you know sometimes in our walk with Christ we try new things. like serving in a new ministry, attempting a spiritual discipline like fasting or meditation, or sharing our faith, or whatever...and sometimes we are little too close to the wall. but don’t let the thud discourage you...i will get another chance to do hand stand push ups, and i will do them!

ordinary today

man i'm tired this morning. between the cat stirring around my head, and the crazy wind/rain storm we had overnight, i slept maybe three hours. and then my three year old son wakes me up <6 screaming my name like he's on fire or something. i'm like, dude you have got to stop yelling my name like that...it is not right. he said okay, but i'm not sure he's ready to give up the rebel yell.

i did meet a friend for coffee this am. that was good. good friends make bad days better. god speaks about the importance of friends, friends pick us up when we stumble, trip, or kick the dog. friends help us on days when we wake up getting yelled at.

win or lose

i stumbled across some notes from a talk a heard a few months ago from ed hyatt. he posed the question to church leaders about what drove their churches. he asked whether the motive was to "win the world", "win one or two", or "not lose too many." if i'm honest, and why not be...i know there have been seasons when our focus has been on not losing too many. and i admit it is a miserable state to be in. but at least we knew it was miserable and that an inward focused church is an oxymoron. it simply should not be the norm for christ-followers. sadly, i know churches that have spent decades in the don't lose too many mode. and the consequences have been, and continue to be, tragic. because the irony is you lose when you focus on not losing people- you lose the "win the world" people, and you keep the people (many of whom) you really don't want. it makes me smile to know that water's edge church is an outward focused community. i wouldn't be so presumptious as to claim we are winning the world...but then again maybe we are...one or two at a time. my prayers this morning are for those church leaders who are afraid to lose too many... i hope they are empowerd to lead their communities in following the master's mandate to go and make disciples.