Quotes From Sunday

Yesterday was another great day at Faith! Our subject was holiness. A simple explanation of this term is to daily walk with God and please Him. Here are some of the main quotes from yesterday's message:

"We have actually convinced ourselves that slogans will save us. Shoot up if you must, but use a clean needle. Enjoy sex whenever and with whomever you wish, but wear a condom. No! The answer is "no." Not because it isn't cool or smart or because you might end up in jail or dying in an AIDS ward, but "no" because it's wrong, because we have spent 5,000 years as a race of rational human beings trying to drag ourselves out of the primeval slime by searching for truth and moral absolutes. In its purest form, truth is not a polite tap on the shoulder. It is a howling reproach. What Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai were not the Ten Suggestions." Ted Koppel of ABC's Nightline, Commencement Address, Duke University, 1987

If you live wrong, you can't die right." Billy Sunday, Early 20^th Century Professional Baseball Player and Christian Evangelist

"Resolved: that all men should live for the glory of God. Resolved second: that whether others do or not, I will." Jonathan Edwards, Leader of the First Great Awakening, 18th Century Pastor

Hebrews 12:14 - Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. NIV Unidentified human author under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

“While forgotten in our cheap grace and ‘I’m okay, you’re okay, we’re all okay’ American Christian culture, holiness is vital to our entrance into heaven.”

“To be holy means to live a life set apart and consecrated to God for His purposes.”

“Holiness is an outward expression of an inward work of the Holy Spirit.”

"I am a 1,000 times bigger on the inside that I am on the outside." Smith Wigglesworth, Early 20^th Century Evangelist

“This isn’t a game. This isn’t about coming to church so I can get a little grace over the things in my life that are not pleasing to God and then go on living like Jesus never died on the cross.”

“Without the inward work of the Holy Spirit, expressed holiness is mere legalism and religious vain glory.”

Zechariah 1:3 - Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the Lord Almighty. NIV Zechariah

"Our mandate is to live holy lives, that what is on the inside would be reflected on the outside…which would reflect Jesus Christ Himself.”

Sometimes little sayings, quips and quotes help us focus...

Laughing With You

I'm checking the calendar. It appears that we have 10 baseball games between our two boys this week. We have to remind ourselves that this only happens during a couple months out of the entire year!

This morning I was needing to print off a fresh copy of our Staff Policy Manual. It was at this point that I noticed that the master still had the old name of our church on it. It had been last updated in January of 2005. My how time flies.

There are certain things in this life that need our attention from time to time. Others things are seasonal, where we scurry around with great bursts of energy and then are exceedingly thankful when those bursts are over! Vehicles require tune-ups, tires require rotating and attitudes and emotions require rest. What have your done for your body, soul and spirit lately? I'm sure it's time to tweak...

This Sunday is our monthly "weigh-in" at Faith. 'Hope you're looking forward to it! Remember, you will be writing your numbers down ANONYMOUSLY from your "scale experience" at home.

Yes, I'm laughing with you!

Busting Loneliness

This has been some kind of week! I was not in the office for one moment. I am sooooo looking forward to get ting back and dive into my overflowing in-box filled with junk mail. I'm easily looking at 20 to 30 minutes.

Never mind. I can wait for that one...

The beginning of the week I was in the Seattle area for a meeting. I spent most of my in-between time on the computer. On arriving home Tuesday night, I visited some great people in the hospital. After that I worked on the computer. Wednesday I was 'under the weather' (aren't we all under the weather?'), and spent the whole day in sweats with my computer on my lap. Thursday I was in Salem for a meeting and spent two hours in the evening on my computer. And so far today I've been on the computer playing catch-up. Oh yes, you know what I'm thinking, "I need to get a life."

Funny, that's the point of the whole week - getting to Sunday to help folks, "Get a life!"

This week while thinking about Sunday I came across a recorded interview between H.B. London of Focus on the Family and Henry Blackaby, the notable pastor, Christian leader and author of the landmark book, "Experiencing God" (with Claude King; Broadman & Holman Publishing). They were discussing a Christian's devotional life. Blackaby made a challenging statement that many Christians, including pastors, only know God as a doctrine. His point was that it was quite possible that many who daily read their Bible may still fall in the "God as doctrine" category.

His point is intimacy with Christ, drawing near to the person of Christ in an un-timed manner. Blackaby spoke about devotional experiences that were as short as 30 minutes and as long as two hours (I know, it sounds like spending time with a friend). It was all about connecting with Christ in relationship and building that friendship by spending time the person of Christ.

He was talking about that whole talking and listening deal...

If you look at my schedule this past week, it would appear that the most important relationship in my life is with my computer.

Ouch...

I know, it's a silly example and illustration. But I challenge you to take time to look at where you're investing your time. For the parent, spouse or Christian, it will tell you pretty much what you value in this life.

Hopefully your schedule won't make you lonely, now or in eternity...

Misdirected and Unintended Focus

It's a long ride.

We drove back from Seattle yesterday, making it in six hours instead of the drive-thru-with-no-stop five. I'm thinking that I don't do the 'five' very well anymore. I paid for my own overconfidence on Sunday, making the long drive in my best time ever. Basically I had to stand for the next hour to get the feeling back in my hind quarters.

Nothing like misdirected and unintended focus...

Being with my folks was awesome once again and our two youngest who came with me had a marvelous time. Grandma doted on them, taking them shopping and then to a movie. Yes, she bought them stuff. But what I appreciate about my mother is that she understands what we're trying to do with our kids. We're helping them to manage their own money and to spend it on things they've planned for. For example, Kyle loves baseball caps. He bought two designer MLB models at a good discount. I don't know what he liked more, the caps or the price he paid for them. The point is, he's getting it and grandma gives him room to make his own decisions.

If we are wise, we are always learning. If we haphazardly stumble through life, we'll continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. I'm not driving straight through on any trip over three hours (I know, as I get older, the time will get shorter). Kyle is figuring out the value of a dollar and how to make his resources go farther.

It's Wednesday and we're both wiser...

The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom. Proverbs says,

17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
I teach you today, even you.

Proverbs 22:17-19 NIV

The primary point of godly wisdom is so that our trust will be in God. We know from Scripture that God's ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). The very nature of walking with God dictates that we draw near to Him, allowing His ways to be our own.

These facts remind me that a life of misdirected and unintended focus is the long pause that keeps us away from what we can become.

Easter Reflection

After yesterday's AWESOME Easter service I packed up our two youngest kids and headed to the Seattle area. I'm here for a meeting tonight (Monday), up North near Everett. We're spending two nights at my parent's home, the one I grew up in. Lauren and Kyle are thrilled as this is their Spring Break and grandma took the afternoon off from work. Their older brother, at a baseball tournament, is green with envy!

On the drive up (five hours is plenty of time to think!) I was reflecting on God's goodness from the morning's events. I made phone calls of gratitude to several who participated in the service, one that was marked by God's presence and a tremendous response to come to know Jesus Christ as Savior.

We were so blessed...by the nearness of God's presence!

I must not forget to share about Good Friday's "Drive Through Prayer" event at Faith from 2 PM to 5 PM. We had a large group of people out participating on the prayer team. Many from the church drove through for special prayer, and many more from the community drove in to be prayed for as well. What we discovered was that those from the community who stopped in had huge, crisis kinds of issues in their lives. Our people gladly prayed for each one. We're looking forward to receiving back the self-addressed and stamped postcards with answers to prayer.

As I sit here in my parent's family room working on this weekend's message, I'm reminded of how much easier it is to "sermonize" when we come off such an outstanding weekend! It is in moments like these that I learn in a fresh new way, the fullness of God's grace.

God is so good, all the time...

Hey, It's Easter!

I'm looking forward to Resurrection Day this weekend! Christians around the world will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. On the flip side, backslidden family members will be tolerating the event, a reminder of what they once were, or continuing to take up some past offense against someone from some church long ago.

What brings non-church goers to God's house on Christmas and Easter?

Guilt over what they've done with their relationship with Christ.

The invitation of a family member to "come see our cool Easter gig."

The turning over of a "new leaf" to see what church is all about.

The realization that church isn't about the people who've hurt them, but about drawing near to God.

The drawing of God's Spirit in their life to come into relationship.

The list goes on and on.

It's Thursday, and it's not too late to invite someone to church this weekend! If you attend Faith, yes, we're having "something cool." And no, it won't be so out of the ordinary that when they come back the next week they will wonder what happened to that "cool thing" they came to the week before! If you don't attend Faith (about half of you), get your family and friends in church this weekend! They are expecting for you to ask, and are more likely than not to come.

Hey, it's Easter!

Auditory Ugliness

I am working on it...

Last night at my high school son's baseball game, he was trying to make a hustle play by going from home to second on an outfield bobble. He slid in headfirst, well before the subsequent throw and tag...and was called out.

I wasn't Mount Vesuvius, but was at the very least a significant air vent on the side of that thing...

I was fortunate that another parent standing next to me did a "St. Helen's" on the field umpire, so I wouldn't feel compelled in any way to make the point myself. Talk about a desperate need for glasses and a clue... But I digress (it's the next day and I'm still ticked about it - WHY?).

Something I've noticed about myself that I never thought would happen is that my emotions are more involved in my kid's games than I realized. I remember while in college we were playing another church team in our city softball league whose pastor began to swear at the top of his lungs after a bad call. I remember how ridiculous it was and how little respect I had for him in that moment.

Okay, I'm sooooo not there, but at least now I have some empathy for the guy...

I'm struggling with the concept of saying nothing, like it is no big deal, to the place of where I should be so that I demonstrate at least some semblance of passion for what's going on without becoming a poster child or calender boy for "Ugly Parent of the Month" (I know, long sentence, but I'm on a roll).

At least my boys aren't in Little League anymore, whose parents at times are in a completely different hemisphere of auditory ugliness. It's the whole, "My son is eleven, and you're blowing his chance for a scholarship," syndrome.

No joke.

There are things that I can do to overcome my struggle:

I could not attend the games (which would be really sad because SOMEONE has to keep the officiating in line!).

I could go to anger management classes, which would have been really helpful about 11 years ago when I went through my mid-life (church was growing, everything going great and I was mad at ALL the time. Obviously a problem...).

I could sit next to my wife at games...who I think doesn't like to sit with me anymore - either because of my few outbursts or because I like to wear my ugly (she says) green Australian hat. Moss green...every guy's dream...

Maybe, just maybe I could give it to God, asking Him to take control of my emotions. Maybe if I become more like Jesus in this area of my life, everything will change.

Hmmmm...

Yup, I think that's what it's going to take, because what I'm doing on my own isn't working. There are some things that just can't be helped by repeating, "Serenity now! SERENITY NOW!! The truth is there are a ton of things in our lives that are only going to change when we come to God and ask for His help.

Look, I'm not embarrassing myself at these games (however an investigative person would check out, November 6, 2007's, "About Malicious Bloviating" in my archive - it was a bad day!). I'm just aware that this is not the way that I want to respond to these kinds of situations. Whether I bother anyone else or not is an important issue. But the bigger deal is that it bothers me. So I'm giving it to God because this is not the way I want to live.

So, He's working on it...

How do you want to live?

Have to Be There

We had a remarkable prayer meeting this morning here at Faith!

On Sunday and Tuesday mornings we have prayer meetings. I've mentioned them before in this blog, that they have been increasing in fervency and a sense of the nearness of God's presence. The meetings are growing in attendance as well, which shocks me because of Tuesday's being part of the work week. People arrive before and after work, or even take their lunch break early. Some of our business owners show up regardless. It's hard to describe. I guess you just have to be there to take it all in.

I've often thought about how fortunate we are to be in this kind of season at Faith where the amazing and incredible seems so near...

Last Sunday we opened the front altar area for people to experience God's touch at the conclusion of service. For those who attend Faith, you know we do this nearly every Sunday in some form or another. But of note, this week there was a greater sense of expectancy that some impossible things were going to happen. We surprisingly had a number of people come forward with knee problems. Of humor, three of them were on the prayer team and were there praying together...for others to receive healing. When everyone else had been prayed for, the irony of their comparable situations set in and they began to pray for each other. It actually was quite a sight and a little hard to describe.

...I guess you had to be there!

This Friday (Good Friday) from 2 PM to 5 PM our prayer team will be in the church parking lot, praying for individuals as they drive up...in their cars! I know, it's a little outside the box. Imagine for a moment, pulling up at a fast-food restaurant and ordering up "a healing, a monetary provision and a relationship reconciliation." You're right, it's not going to happen in the drive-thru at McDonalds...unless maybe if the cashier attends Faith...

If you have a need, drive through the church lot to receive prayer. Invite your friends who have needs as well, regardless of their relationship with Jesus Christ. Perhaps God will do something incredible! When God heals, provides and restores, it will give a whole new meaning to Good Friday for those that receive! I guess you'll just have to be there...

New Place to Eat

For all those loyal readers living in Bend, I thought I would drop a line about a new eatery in town that my wife and I have been enjoying. It's called "Aloha Cafe Hawaiian BBQ" located next door to China Sun in the Forum complex on the Eastside. It's REALLY good!

We've had our emphasis at Faith on "The Biggest Winner" which included healthy eating. This place may not completely fit that category. But if you like your lunch quick and relatively inexpensive ($6.50), you'd better check it out. If you get there for your first visit with a spouse or family member, try the "Big Kahuna". You'll get two plates full of a sampling of all their food items. Share with your family member - you'll both be stuffed.

Temporary Things

My buddy Vance called this afternoon. I always enjoy his near-weekly calls or visits because he asks me those important questions that I need to hear and contemplate. Those few verbal ques help and lift up instead of drag me down, for which I'm exceedingly grateful. Part of today's discussion was the realization that my location in the building at my work literally dictates what kind of day I'm having. If I'm in my main office, it's catch up day. If I'm in my study, I'm bearing down on Sunday. Two completely different mind-sets.

Today is catch up day.

I had a couple of hilarious experiences, finally getting to some periodicals that have been rotting in my inbox for a while. I saw advertisements for some excellent conferences that I would like to attend, but then realized that the dates had already passed. Basically, I am three months behind. To make matters worse, I have a drawer in my desk with material I need to look at...from further back.

My how the tyranny of the urgent crowds out the important.

This afternoon both our sons have baseball practice, we need to shop for groceries and there are two separate parent meetings at the high school for different subjects. Busy evenings are not so bad when it's every once and a while, but with three kids it's EVERY night!

So, what's important?

Just because events get on a schedule weeks in advance doesn't make them important. It's all about the outcome. A rule of thumb I attempt to follow is all about investing my life in things that are eternal. What's eternal? The souls of people live forever. Do whatever you can to make your most significant investment there. If you have a spouse and children, start there FIRST. Never relent, never give up.

How tragic it is to be wildly successful at our jobs but completely lose our family because we've invested ourselves in temporary things...

Doing the Right Thing

The news today is a little unnerving. One of the larger investment banks on the stock market nearly went bankrupt and the pastor of one of the presidential candidates is being unveiled as some sort of anti-American kook.

These are some interesting times we live in...

The President spoke this morning to an economic society in New York City. It was quite timely as our economy is struggling right now, and today's news was pretty difficult. Regardless of what you think of President Bush, he said something that really stood out in my mind as something to hang on to. He said that it didn't matter what political pressure there was from one side of the aisle or the other, but that he will act on and do what he believes is the right thing to do.

Regardless of our political leanings, we love leaders who are decisive and principle driven. While these kinds of leaders fuel the fires of those who dislike them, you have to admire the fact that there is no cow-towing, no waver in resolve. Future history will applaud them for their courage, and laud them if their decisions turned out to be right. We can only pray that this will be the case of any president who leads our country.

This weekend is Palm Sunday, the day we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. It began what is known as 'holy week' to Christians around the world. The events of that week radically altered the course of human history, touching nearly every culture under the sun. While He has His detractors, history lauds Him as the Savior of the world.

If you'll take time to read the events prior to Palm Sunday, you'll find that Jesus was a man of principle and conviction. While He knew that it would lead to His crucifixion, He continued with His head up, jaw straight and whole being focused on going up to Jerusalem. As we look back, it wasn't politically correct. It wasn't wise by the standards of the world. But He did what was right.

Funny, but He asks the same of us as well...

Come Lord Jesus, Come

I've just finished the book chronicling the first three years of the Sunderland, England renewal titled, "The Sunderland Refreshing" by Ken and Lois Gott. I love the thought of the subtitle, "How the Holy Spirit Invaded One British Town."

The renewal at a local church, Sunderland Christian Centre, in the mid-90's spread across their community into nearly all of the churches. Dividing walls were torn down, fences were mended, people in the church started getting along for a change... Okay, the last one was for humor's sake, but you get the picture. It was a remarkable season in Northern England where revival and renewal came to this coastal community.

What is interesting is that in 1907, Sunderland was the birthplace of the Pentecostal movement in Europe. They literally "re-dug the wells" of that time for such a time as this. Here in Bend, there have certainly been high seasons of God's favor and visitation in the past. But never has there been (to my knowledge...and yes, I've asked) such a shaking that the entire city was touched.

What would that be like?

The Sunderland Renewal has subsided today. But the changed lives left behind in its wake continue to this day. The pastors of the church, Ken and Lois Gott travel around the world, sharing about what God did not long ago in their church. And the good news is, these things are still happening in many places in the world today.

At Faith, as part of our worship service we will sometimes say together in unison, "Come Lord Jesus, come."

Please Lord...come!

Anything Can Happen

Another baseball game yesterday, this time in Redmond. We froze our tails off as a chilly wind blew through the clothing of too many unprepared parents! Our oldest is playing pretty well, still batting 1,000 after two games (six for six, one walk, twice struck by pitch - I'm the dad, I'm supposed to know this stuff!). Will he make it the whole season being perfect? Nooooo!

There is a confidence and swagger that a good hitter needs to have when they get to the plate. The good ones believe they are going to hit the ball every time. You can see it in their eyes and demeanor. Guys like that scare opposing teams because they know that ANYTHING can happen.

It's kinda like the function of faith in our lives...

Yup, another sermon day is upon me and I'm getting ready for this weekend. Once again I'm focusing in the areas of revival, healing and experiencing authentic faith through only what God can do. We did a survey of our congregation two weeks ago, asking those with life-debilitating physical conditions that we live with to write those malady's down and consider giving them to God for healing. Too often we live with and accept too much of this garbage, kinda like gossip magazines at check-out counters.

According to our survey, we need some serious breakthroughs! We've discovered that we have a diabetes epidemic in our own congregation. Our wellness focus was probably five years late, but it certainly helps right now. We have need for healings, miracles and divine intervention.

This Sunday, we're going to pray for these kinds of needs at the conclusion of service. I'm praying that we experience the amazing! But even if nothing happens, we must not give up or give in. Christ is the healer, the Great Physician. Nothing is too hard for Him. May our faith increase, may their be a spiritual swagger of expectancy...so that we know ANYTHING can happen, increasing our faith all the more!

Dream Away!

I've been pressing our church staff for a while and now I'm moving outside the walls of our church building. I'm dreaming about and looking ahead to our 'next big thing.'

I know we have building issues that we continually need to address (new restrooms floors anyone?), but it is time for us to dream wildly about what is on the horizon for our local congregation in reaching our community. I'm not speaking about a change in how we're structured, just taking a step back to dream about what is possible in the days ahead with God.

I invite you to pray with me about this question. I invite you to have 'bodacious, big, hairy thoughts.' Let's consider those 'crazy-it-will-never-work' and 'are-you-kidding(?)' thoughts. Sometimes those wacky perspectives can quickly lead to the creativity that opens up the door to hearing from God about what we need to do in the days ahead!

I'll be making the 'rounds at our small groups in the weeks ahead and pose this question. Dream away!

Drive-Thru Prayers

We have something really interesting coming up here at Faith. On Good Friday we're hosting a "Drive-Thru Prayer Meeting." From 2-5 PM on Friday, March 21st we'll have our prayer teams set up in the parking lot to pray for people as they drive up in their cars. That's right, like the drive-thru at a local burger stand. Art and Donna Adams, our Prayer Ministry Leaders are putting this one together. Anyone in the congregation or the community who is in need of prayer are welcome to "Drive-Thru."

Our theme on Easter Sunday is, "Our Hero Lives." There are many heroes in this world, but only one who has conquered death and the grave. I'll be sharing a special "illustrated message" that morning, which will included music and video clips. We'll also be having a continental breakfast that day instead of our normal Faith Connection classes as part of our celebration of Jesus' resurrection. It all starts at 9:30 AM for the breakfast, and 10:30 AM for service.

Change of Season

Baseball is in full swing and I was at our first Johnson family game of the year yesterday. I came to the office early and then traveled to Salem, where it was my privilege to stand in a downpour for two hours.

I'm so glad I don't live in the Oregon rain forest that we so affectionately call "the Willamette Valley!"

There is another game this afternoon, and also a practice for the other son at the same time. This is how our lives work this time of year. At least with our oldest in high school we don't have the 125+ games in a season.

The weather is changing. Brisk, sunny mornings have been giving way to beautiful, warm sunny afternoons. I've been thinking about the changes that have taken place around Faith the last year. It's very much like the change of seasons. One thing leads to another, and suddenly you're enjoying a new time where the sun seems to shine more brightly than before.

Isn't that what we all crave, that the Son will shine more brightly than before in our lives?

Mumbling is Way Overrated

I coulda, woulda, SHOULDA!

I'm kind of kicking myself right now. I had an opportunity a couple weeks ago to buy two one owner cars, that got good gas mileage and were in excellent shape for cheap. I just didn't have the discretionary cash to pull the trigger (okay, I've probably never had discretionary cash -- we have children!!). Sadly, I could have re-sold both cars about four times each already.

Opportunities in life come and go. The bold ones grab on to them for all they're worth and try to wrangle something good out of them. The rest of us? We mumble, "Coulda, woulda, shoulda."

Mumbling is way overrated...

Sunday I preached a message on revival from the Book of Acts. I noted how we need it in our church and community. I also shared the correlation of God's presence and living a holy life. In study last week as I was wrapping up the message, a thought hit me that I'm still thinking about this morning. Here is the direct quote from yesterday's message, "Breathtaking Breakthroughs" as I was sharing from the context of the importance of prayer:

"The only way that this happens is that we connect with God on a daily basis. Pray for your family, your neighbors and co-workers. Pray for your friends. Live your life in Christ before them. Share the good news that Jesus Christ loves them and has an awesome plan for their lives. Begin living His plan for your life if you haven't already." [bold added for emphasis here]

A passing thought in the body of a much larger message, the last sentence continues to capture my attention. Am I living His plan for my life already? Am I living it to the fullest?

I can argue the choices that I've made about where my life is headed. I can argue that my vocation as a pastor makes me...whatever. I can say, "I've done this and this and this." The Bible says something scary about this line of thinking:

21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

This is a passage about bearing spiritual fruit in keeping with our relationship with Christ. Yes, it's painful. Yes, it exposes the fatal flaw of self-sufficiency. And yes, it separates the sheep from the goats which is another discussion...

The answer is knowing who we are in Christ and functioning from that position. The more we step out from under the shadow of God, the more convinced we become in the fallacy of thinking that 'our ways are higher than His...'

It is a dangerous way to live.

The phrase 'Carpe Diem' is Latin for 'Seize the Day.' My greatest hope is that I would do this more often (daily anyone?) in my walk with Christ. Perhaps I would mumble less...

The cars? I would have sold them to others that needed them for what they cost me. Sometimes being an instrument of God's provision means being kind to others. Stop mumbling and seize the day!

Little Fires

It's my day off which means that I still get to work. Yup, it's the 'honey-do' list, all the things I can't get to during the week when I'm in the office (I know guys, it works the same at your house too). It was pruning day at our place, just before the flow of nectar begins moving up through the limbs and vines. It was also time to cut off all of the debris and stems from last year's miscellaneous flowers and plants. I'm sure I cut something I wasn't supposed to (it's a gift), but we won't know that for a few months...

I cut rose bushes in half, made our ponderosa shrubs look like...well, shrubs and severely lopped an unruly 'tree-bush-thingy' in the back yard. I've had that thingy ever since we moved in. I've tried to make it look like something remotely identifiable as a yard accoutrement, but to no avail. I guess it's long past time that I dealt with it.

I'm kinda hoping I killed the thingy...

Pruning doesn't take very long. Picking up the pieces does. That's why about 17 years ago my wife and I decided to have children...

Pruning works the same in our spiritual lives as well. We get our wings clipped from time to time in a variety of ways. Sometimes through a friend who tells us the truth, sometimes through business, through reading the Bible, hearing a sermon or any number of life's circumstances. God uses these lopping-off times to mature and grow us up. Funny, but the pruning part, while painful, usually takes place in a moment. It takes a lot longer to pick up the pieces, especially when we don't even realize that God wants to use it to make us better.

How many times have I moped around and complained when things didn't go my way? Way too many. It's that whole tunnel-vision thing where I can only see me and nothing else.

I know, it never happens to you...

I train the plants in our yard to do what I want them to do so they will look the way that I want them to look. God does the same in our lives. The quicker we make a pile out of the pieces and set a match to them the better. The Apostle Paul writes about something interesting that happens when we arrive in heaven. Here is the passage from 2 Corinthians in its context:

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV

Oh yes. That tree-bush-thingy burns just fine, thank you. I've learned that it's much better to have a bunch of little fires here on earth than one big one in heaven...

Our Hero Lives

I'm thinking about Easter. It is coming up much sooner than usual this year, March 23rd. For a church this means that we need to have everything ready a little earlier than usual.

Our theme this year is, "Our Hero Lives." My sons really like Spiderman and Superman. It is humorous how many places these two fiction icons show up. I mean my oldest even has a Superman phone cover for his Razor. Basketball player Shaq O'Neal has a Superman tattoo on his arm.

Funny thing about that tattoo...no one argues with him.

In our pursuit in this life of someone to hang onto, someone we can rely on in a moment's notice, we make all kinds of people and things the object of our affection. Sometimes it's a car. Other times it is a politician who is riding in to save the day (I know, ARGH!). Sometimes it is a parent, overseer or loved one in our life that we look to. The Scripture is clear...and reality bits. We are all appointed to die one day...unless we find our way in the rapture of the church. On that day it WILL matter who your HERO is.

Lord, help me to never forget what the word, "Hero" means...

Come and join us for Easter if you don't regularly attend another church in town. Our hero lives!

The Weigh-In

We had our first 'weigh in' at Faith on Sunday morning. Well, not exactly. We basically asked everyone who has gone on a diet at Faith in keeping with our theme, "The Biggest Winner," to write down how much weight they've lost so far. I'm pleased to share that over 40 are participating and the average weight loss exceeds seven pounds. We're doing great! We'll have our next 'weigh in' next month. Keep it up the hard work!

Look for the Surprises of Jesus

The last two Sundays I've spoken on the topic of hearing God's voice. God speaks to His people in a variety of ways. The 'language of heaven' includes visions, dreams and manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit. I encouraged my listeners the past two weeks to begin keeping track of those 'God moments' that we sometimes have by writing them down in a journal.

I was cleaning my desk this morning, getting ready for this week when I came across one of those 'God moments' where I sensed His voice speaking into my spiritual heart. It was written last fall...and described the current stage of life at Faith RIGHT NOW.

Oh yes, chills...

I have a friend named Don Argue who once told me to, "Look for the Surprises of Jesus." I've found that the more I immerse myself in the business of schedule, the less I have any surprises. When I pause to find my rest in Christ, that's when possibilities happen.

Oh Lord, for a little more rest in You!

Big Week

It's a big week.

I'm interviewing several excellent couples this week for our open youth pastor position. The irony of this week began this morning when Pastor Brian and Barbara Eno (our former youth pastors) greeted me at the office. They were 'picking up and dropping off' some things while on their way to Pendleton for a meeting. That is what their lives are these days...meetings, meetings, meetings all over the state.

I love these guys...but I'm glad it's not me!

For all of the folks at Faith who read this, please be in prayer for this process.