Faithful

I feel like this has been a lost week. I'm recovering quite nicely from last week's nose job, but had engaged in a weight loss program "the hard way" after getting food poisoning from one of our local eateries on Wednesday night. I missed work on Thursday and was completely miserable. I did some weeding yesterday, running errands with my wife, but staying pretty low-key. Today is sermon day. The humor is that Fridays and Saturdays are my normal days off, but usually wind up being sermon days anyway.

Yup, playing catch up...

It is always a mystery to me that I can be standing in the midst of a marvelous move of God's presence where people are being miraculously healed and I can't get rid of my boo boo. For those of us who have ever stood been in such a position, it is certainly difficult to understand. The problem is our mindset. We think that when someone has their hearing restored after thirty-plus years of being deaf is a bigger deal than having your bout of food poisoning healed. The fact is, healing in either situation is a miracle, one just as important than the other.

So, my buddy Bob can hear out of his left ear for the first time in his married life. His wife walks about the house yelling, because that is what she's been doing for 32 years so her husband could hear her. Quite a transition for her. And for me - who wasn't healed? I'm five pounds lighter. I hated the process of getting there, but I'm there.

I know, I'm wandering around here. The bottom line? At any moment, anything is possible with Christ! Whether I struggle, Christ is still able. Whether I'm healed, there are still other mysteries as to why others are not. In the end, I'm called to be faithful. There is no higher calling for the believer than that.

Mike Elledge Funeral Details

Mike Elledge died last Thursday, May 22nd, from complications with pneumonia. His memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 4th, 2 PM at Faith Christian Center. This will be a celebration of the life of a man who was faithful, who never sought fame or the front of the crowd but served his Savior with a marvelous sense of grace.

Wahoo

I'm playing catch up today. For all those faithful readers, I apologize for my absence. Allow me to take a few minutes to bring you up to date with what's going on around me.

I came through surgery last Thursday fine. I had a nose job that should have left me looking like a raccoon. Instead of looking like one, I felt like one who had been beat in the nose with a hammer. I know some of you were hoping, but my looks haven't improved. I had a bunch of bone chiseled away from where you can't see it. But boy does it feel great to breath again...

Our youngest son Kyle played five baseball games over the weekend while our oldest boy Zach umpired nine games. The only game I was able to get out to was Monday morning. Pastor Scott filled in for me on Sunday and by all accounts was used mightily of the Lord! I'm so pleased and exceedingly grateful that God has sent us such a quality servant to help us!

Tuesday was a blur. I was under the influence of prescribed narcotics and was only in the office for half a day. I started the day with my doctor removing two large plastic splints from inside each nostril. Without completely grossing you out, it reminded me of that scene in the Schwarzenegger movie, "Total Recall" (I saw the edited version on television) where the future California governor had what looked like a superball extracted from his nasal cavity through his right nostril.

Enough said...

I'm feeling much better today, and feel the prayer of the people of the church I serve.

I've concluded the day with something marvelous. We had a senior adult couple in our church get married this afternoon. It was sweet, fun and full of joy, especially after the bride let out a "wahoo" after I pronounced them man and wife.

I wish more weddings...and marriages were a whole series of "wahoo's."

Say it to yourself right now -- "WAHOOOOOOO!"

Yup, I feel better, just like you... May your day be a WAHOO day!

Mike Elledge With Jesus

I have some sad news to share. On Thursday my friend, faithful servant of God and usher at Faith, Mike Elledge went to be with Jesus.

For the past several months, Mike had struggled with a respiratory illness. Yesterday afternoon he checked himself into the hospital and almost immediately his body went into arrest. At the time of his death from pneumonia, the doctors said that he only had 10% use of his lungs.

For years, Mike was our faithful usher at the South entrance door at Faith. He was also active in helping at Friday Nite Hangout, our once a month outreach night for area students. He also was played a key roll in the cement yard division of Hooker Creek and was known throughout much of the construction industry here in Central Oregon.

Mike leaves behind a daughter and a son, along with many friends and co-workers.

I'll post the day and time of his funeral service when it is made available. Please be in prayer for Mike's family as they gather to make decisions during this hard time.

Mike joins our recently departed head usher, Joe Chotard in heaven. I'm wondering if it wasn't Joe who was there waiting for him, along side Jesus. We will all miss Mike, but steadfastly cling to our hope of heaven and seeing him again.

Way Too Hot to Handle

I've always wanted a GPS for the car. I'm the one that heads out to drive someplace, and then looks up to realize that I passed it five miles ago. I'm also ten times more likely to get lost than my wife, which makes that whole 'man can't ask for directions' thing grossly unfortunate.

So I bought one for my wife on her birthday...

A local sporting goods store had them on sale for $100. It's pretty neat too. She was kind enough to let me use it on Tuesday for my drive to Portland. I had to find a ball field on the West side of town in an old neighborhood. The ball field was located in a park that did not have a street address (that we could find). So we entered in the Mapquest (internet directions program) intersecting street coordinates.

I know, I could have printed off the Mapquest directions, but the new device is too cool to pass up...

C'mon, it's a guy thing...

Something funny happened. When we punched in the coordinates, the GPS wouldn't receive them. That was odd. Maybe we had an old map or something...I mean the thing was pretty cheap and this must be the reason why. So we entered in something that looked close. When I arrived in the area of the ball field, I discovered that one of the intersecting streets on Mapquest did not exist. Mapquest would have failed me. Furthermore, the GPS worked perfectly.

How many times have I started out for a destination but ended up in the wrong place because of a faulty beginning? We've all done that. A trip, a relationship, a business deal...if they don't begin on the premise of truth, they will eventually go sideways and reap unwanted consequences. That's why it is so important to start any journey on firm footing. If you want to get to heaven, that footing begins with the Bible and what it teaches about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That's one journey that you don't want to go sideways because the wrong destination is way too hot to handle.

Messing Up God's Work

I'm having a nose job today. Sadly, I won't look any different when it's over (and healed up). I have a deviated septum, along with polyps inside my sinus passages. Basically what it means is that they will break my nose to repair long damaged bone structure (high school football injury) inside my left nostril and then clean out the offending fleshly debris inside. I hear I'm going to look like a raccoon for a while.

I've had a cold for a year and a half...

I told my doctor that my Faith Journey Group has been praying for my healing, that when he got in there that he wouldn't have to do anything. First of all, while I'm looking forward to breathing again, I'm not excited about how to get there through the means of man. Secondly, something wonderful happens to the people around you when God heals. I like the second prospect much better than the first. He laughed that he could use all the help that he can get. I laughed in a way to communicate that I knew that there was a strong likelihood that I could be healed. I wanted to prepare the doctor for that eventuality so that he didn't mess up God's work...

Healing first and foremost is another means by which God receives glory. He alone is worthy! Should the Lord heal me, I'll be home for dinner. Should He not, I'll be overnight in the hospital. For those who are local, don't visit me because I'll be cranky. I'm a lousy patient. For everyone who reads this, pray for me because at the end of the day, I'm a wimp...which is the second reason why healing looks so good!

As I write, I'm reminded of another phone call I received, this one on Tuesday on my drive to Portland. It was about another dramatic healing at Faith, this one taking place last Sunday. NOTHING is too hard for Jesus!

It Matters

Like you, among my highest priorities in life is my family. Today that value is taking me to Portland and back, about six hours round trip, for a baseball game. It's the playoffs and my kid who is behind a senior on the depth chart will likely get in to bat, play or both by about the fifth inning. Why drive that distance for such a short appearance from my son?

Because it matters to him.

In the course of a day we can get terribly busy. I'm feeling that right now as I'm scrambling to get things done before my departure in the early afternoon. We are busy, busy, BUSY.

As I look with you at our walks with Jesus Christ, I wonder how often we miss those short periods of time when He calls us to take a break and be with Him?

You see, it matters to Him.

I know it matters to you and I too. I just wish I were smarter about that.

The Main Thing

Yesterday was another great day at Faith! The sun was out...and the Son was present!

We had two people share their testimonies of healing. The first was a woman whose grade-school son suffered from a severe case of warts on his body (imagine the cruelty of his classmates), which they prayed for and fell off. The other was the case of the man who had no hearing in his left ear for 32 years. He was headed toward that new surgery where they put in an implant. But now he hears perfectly after being prayed for a week ago Sunday.

Pretty exciting...now the man will have some explaining to do when his wife is talking to him and he's not listening...

I spoke on the understanding of the term, "in the river," in regard to modern revivals of the last 15 years. This led to the main point that 'the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.' If we lack a solid spiritual foundation, we will have no footing during a great move of God. This will create an implosion of the church. So I shared about the basics - worshipping God, giving glory to God and staying in step with the Spirit. We concluded with a somewhat chaotic time of prayer for the majority of the congregation -- kind of a consecrating time.

Oh yes, someone came to Christ! Just keeping the main thing the main thing!

I am enjoying this season in the life of life together at Faith. But I'm reminded of the train-wrecked lives of those who became immersed in revival movements who had little to no grounding; when the intensity of the move of God left, they walked away from the faith.

This must not be so.

I gave a somewhat silly and yet poignant definition of revival on Sunday. I went like this:

"When God's people start doing what they should have been doing all along."

I'm thinking that what is poignant about this definition is that true followers of Jesus Christ have their identity in Him regardless of the season a church is in...and live like it.

Quad-Shot-Double-Mocha

I came across a great quote yesterday from a theologian who writes in terms that only the studied-on-that-subject can even hope to understand (yes, big words, five to ten dollar variety). While I enjoy reading his material, most pew sitters high on a quad-shot-double-mocha espresso would be bored to tears...and soon a blissful sleep. Here is the quote and yes, it invigorates me! I hope you enjoy it too:

"There are occasions on which God, as it were, comes forth from His hiding place and shows to men that He is a living God, that He is still on the throne of the universe, and that He is sufficient for all of man's problem's."

Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, p.11 (Eerdmans)

Amen!

Can't Wait

Our kids arrived home late again last night from youth group. It was another night of what we call a 'move of God.' Basically it means that God is moving by His Spirit upon (in this case our students) His people in such a manner that there is a tangible manifestation or sense of His presence.

I've never been keen on our kids being out late, much less on a school night. But times like these are excused due to their excursions into the presence of God. What a privilege for us as parents to have our kids pursuing God!

And you know, it is always a privilege for the parents to sense God's presence as well...

This past Monday I was over at one of our Faith Journey Groups (adult small group meeting) watching the "Great Florida Healing Revival" in Lakeland, Florida on GodTV (see blog dated Thursday, May 1, 2008). They are on about day 45 of this move of God. Thousands are streaming in from around the world as ailments of all kinds are being healed. The best part is that this move is spreading across our country and around the world. We could sense God's presence in our midst as we watched the power of God on display in remarkable ways. We prayed for people in the room, prayed for people on the television who came forward for prayer and prayed for our church.

I'm in that whole, "I can't wait for Sunday," mode right now. Each week has been building up for the next...

This Sunday at Faith we are going to have a testimony of one healing from last Sunday. We rejoice in the handful that we've been experiencing, but we know that an overflow is coming. I am looking forward to the near future when these healings will be grossly multiplied!

We cry out together, "Come Lord Jesus, Come!"

Before He Speaks

My lovely, sweet and kind wife Tami sent this to me and figured it would help correct future indiscretions when it comes to the use of her in my sermon illustrations. Hope you enjoy this...a lot more than I did!



Blessings!

Prayer Request and Answer

This is an edited blog. Due to the timely nature of answered prayer, I have made an addition at the end:

My brother called last night and told me about the terrorist bombings in Jaipur, India earlier that day. And then he shared the hard news that his son Jorden and a team from North Central University are that same city doing missionary work. As of 9:15 this morning, neither my brother Mark, his wife Julie, nor the university has had contact with the team.

And no, I can't imagine the not knowing...

I received an email at 11 AM today from my brother, via NCU that contact has been made with the team and that they are physically safe. As you can imagine, a great relief! Thank you for those who prayed!

The city is basically in a lock-down with a curfew. Please pray for the team's safe return.

Thanks...

Hunger and Humility

In my small group meeting this morning the issue of hunger for God came up. In our study using Bill Johnson's book, "When Heaven Invades Earth," he makes a phrase that ties together hunger and humility. If you think about it, when a person is truly pursuing God, there is a humility that must be in place in order to connect. Many have their own made-up forms of religion that make them feel good. But authentic followership of God means that we are to bring Him pleasure. Any blessings we might receive as a result are merely by-products of this most important relationship.

I love it that we are experiencing a deeper hunger for God at Faith in recent months...

We had a couple in church on Sunday, visiting their daughter from out-of-town. They had previously been with us at Christmas time. It was so pleasing to hear their report about how much they saw how our church had changed.

I'm so glad they weren't talking about cosmetic changes to the facility...

They grabbed hold of the greater level of God's presence in the place and the severe increase of our congregational hunger for God. What a blessing to hear that kind of report to help encourage us to continue on this journey.

I'm looking forward to Sunday. One of the men in our church was healed last week and he will be sharing his testimony during the message this weekend.

God is so good...

Something About Sponge Bob Square Pants

So there I was last Friday, in line at Rite Aid...in front of the Mother's Day card rack among a crowd of men who had unwisely waited until then to procure the blessed item that would maintain household bliss. In the midst of more than a couple anxious fellows, I nudged my way to the front. There before me amongst a menagerie of colorful creativity I found the perfect card (really!) for my wife...from me. I then focused on grabbing one from my kids (I have two sons who are not married yet and therefore untrained in the fine art of bringing the card home in a timely manner; the daughter on the other hand has this issue mastered...it's genetic for the female of the species...). I found one that I knew my wife would appreciate from them...something about Sponge Bob Squarepants.

I then proceeded to pursue the Mother's Day gift. I went to the big-box-bulk-purchasing store (you know, Costco) where they had some really nice outdoor barbecues. I liked the one with the refrigerator. But the freezer on it wasn't the right size so I decided against it. Then I went past the big screen televisions, but realized they didn't have one BIG enough to be the perfect gift.

I was soooo depressed...

Alright, that was sarcasm, but a guy can dream a little can't he?

Then I headed over to another store where they actually had the item that I knew she would really appreciate, an anti-gravity chase lounge. I know, weird name but it describes the item perfectly. The store of course was all out. I think stores like that order in about three of them and put them in their ad as a week-long sale to get you into their store. I feel bad for the sales people having to repeat the same line over and over again, "We're all out but here is the substitute." The substitute was a sorry piece of junk. It was like going from a Porsche to a Pinto. But to their credit, the salesperson offered to special order the one that I wanted.

I was so bummed out that I didn't do it. I flunked that whole "immediate gratification" test...

I called my mom on Saturday night to wish her a happy Mother's Day in case Sunday was too crowded that I wouldn't get to it. We had two baseball games after church. We figured to be home around 8 PM. I was actually able to call her during the game as the wind was howling and we watched out youngest play from the confines of our warm car just beyond the center field fence...

Mother's Day is a whole lot less about stuff than it is about relationship. Loved talking to my mom...twice in two days - a new record since moving away. It was great to hear her voice and remember...

I spent most of the double-header talking to my wife, the mother of our kids while in the car. We laughed and cheered and talked. Pretty nice.

Yup, liven' the dream...

And yes, the oldest son bought his mom flowers...and made the youngest pay for them. Smart boy that one is...

And so today, I'm in my Quiet Place, thinking about that one most important relationship that has brought me to this place in life - Jesus Christ. Love the gifts, but the walking and talking changes me...everyday.

An Incredible Sight

The Faith Journey marches on in many quarters of church life here at Faith. Last night was our 'transition' youth service where Pastor Scott Stair made his first introductory appearance. Our interim youth pastor Donnie Waite spoke for the last time in his role as well. What is of greater importance is that the service concluded with a marvelous 'move of God' as the majority of the students came forward to the altar area pursuing more of Jesus. What an incredible sight to see our young people calling out to God! What an awesome opportunity for them to tangibly feel God's presence in one of their services. The best days are ahead for our youth ministry!

Last Monday another one of our Faith Journey Groups experienced the power of God as well. They shared their 'Cinco de Mayo' dinner together and then went to prayer.

It didn't stop for another hour and a half...

Adults calling out to God, praying for one another, some falling down under the power of the Holy Spirit. What an incredible sight to see our adults calling out to God, without having to be in one of our Sunday morning services!

These kinds of experiences outside of Sunday services have been happening with more frequency. We are so blessed to be in the middle of what's God is doing. Our motto at Faith is, "Experience Authentic Faith." We recognize that there are seasons where we experience authentic faith when God's voice seems silent. It is a blessing to have what seems like a 'roar' right now.

And yes, I have read the Chronicles of Narnia, saw the first movie...and am looking forward to the next...

Last Sunday (and the one before that and the one before that and...) was simply awesome. I can hardly wait until this weekend to see what God is going to do! So what's up? Why is this all happening now? We've sure prayed a lot. But again, we've been doing this for years...and sensed very little to at times nothing going on. But we were consistently faithful. It's like the story of the well diggers who were digging the necessary pit by hand. They dug for days and days and found nothing but dry sand. Then one day, they noticed that the sand was getting some moisture to it. They began to dig harder and faster until they found water. The deeper they went, the more water and less sand they found.

We're getting there...

Oh yes, what an incredible sight...

A Good Dose

The church was broken into last Saturday morning and we're still cleaning up the mess. I can't give too many details out with the exception that we have an interior door problem, due to the intruders' feeling the need to kick in as many locked doors as possible. It's just like your home if you've ever been robbed. The people who did this created multiplied times more damage than the items that they took were worth.

It is so frustrating to see what we've all come to...

And another thing, who in their right mind is dumb enough to steal from God?

While I'm sad and frustrated, I long ago came to the realization that there are way too many people out there without a conscience, completely lacking in dignity and without hope. This is due to a variety of factors, of which would take too long to list...so we won't (yes, you're welcome).

I'm really saddened by the lack of respect for God...and others.

And so we pray for those who created this mess. And when the police catch them we will offer forgiveness...and no doubt offer to walk through the legal system with them. Somewhere along the way I feel a little responsibility for this situation as well. Unfortunately the church as a whole has not influenced the culture as much as the culture has seemingly influenced the church. If our corporate response is to get even, then we're not full of the Spirit and have learned very little of the life of Christ. While I believe in justice, I also understand mercy...having received a good dose of it myself at the foot of the cross.

I had a sobering thought: "Who is dumb enough to steal from God?" Christians do it all the time with their time, talent and treasure.

Nothing like casting the first stone...

Zoom and Boom

We're in our transition here at Faith with our new Associate Pastor, Scott Stair. Pastor Scott will be making his first "official" visit to our youth group tomorrow night, where our interim, Donnie Waite will be passing the baton. This will be a new season for us here at Faith. The season of His presence that we are currently in will be greatly influenced by our youth ministry. Pastor Scott is the right person in the right place at the right time.

I'm looking forward to Mother's Day this weekend as we will be honoring ALL of the women who attend Faith. Each one is so precious in God's sight!

For those who attend Faith (and anyone else who feels led), please be in prayer for our children's ministry. We are looking for someone to pastor the group. We have great kids and a much improved facility! We're ready for growth, to zoom and boom!

So Many Sweaters

It was another great day at Faith!

Yesterday we had a wonderful time in God's presence. We also showed a video clip of our upcoming event with former World Lightweight Boxing Champ, Ebo Elder. Those are going to be some great meetings during the week of Father's Day.

I was reading during devotions this morning about of the New Living Translation. It is interesting how some of the modern translations of the Scripture help us to see the meaning of a passage in a new way. Basically it is a fresh perspective.

I'm thinking that is what I need to have everyday...fresh perspective.

I use a toothbrush everyday. It's one of those Sonic brushes that massages the gums and scubs away the debris over a timed-two-minute-whirlwind of minty freshness (yes, it really works). With the breath I've had the last six months, I find myself brushing as many as three times a day with two rounds of mouthwash - industrial strength (nasty stuff). If I didn't brush at all, I would have the sensation that we're all acquainted with of wearing sweaters in our mouths (I know, it's disgusting - the thought and the illustration in print - but soooo true). We've got to get the gunk off everyday for that 'fresh perspective.'

I need that fresh perspective...that only comes from heaven. When I read the Bible and pray I'm encouraged and gain a new vantage point. When I don't, I get bogged down under so many...sweaters.

Yuck.

Expectancy

This is a warning. This is not an ordinary "folksy, funny Pastor Mike post."

For the past several weeks there has been a healing revival going on through Ignited Church in Lakeland, Florida. Powerful healings, miracles and salvations have been flowing through those people with God using a heavily tattooed servant, Todd Bentley, to steer this thing. They've already outgrown the original church facility, another large church, the local convention center, and now will be meeting in a stadium this weekend.

Awesome...

I received word today that another revival has broken out in Charlotte, North Carolina at a Christian School (which is part of a larger church ministry complex) among the students, and then spread to the adults. The meetings have continued and God has been moving on these people in remarkable ways.

There is a greater hunger for God that many multitudes around the world and in our church at Faith are now experiencing. These hunger pangs can only be satisfied by more and more of the presence of God. For those who attend Faith (where I am the pastor) I will readily admit that I don't know what the days ahead will look like for us, whether we will enter into a season of revival that is highly demonstrative, or if we will simply function from all the promises and power of Jesus. What I do know is that we must not shrink back, we must not shy away from the power of God and His desire to radically touch our communities. We have great expectation of what God will do in the days ahead. Many of our people have told me that they can hardly wait for the next Sunday to come. Our corporate heart must be that He leads us and that we are wise enough to follow. Be encouraged and let us not sit on our hands, but be about the Master's work!

Here is the address to the Lakeland, Florida Healing Revival:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/great-florida-healing-revival

Here is the address to the Charlotte, North Carolina Revival:

http://www.morningstarministries.org/

Don't let what you see scare you. May what you see help you long for Jesus all the more!

Hungry for Jesus,

Pastor Mike