Sacrifice

I received word this morning that we have a new addition to our congregation. A young couple has given birth to their first child, a son. How excited they must be!

I remember the birth of our first, a son. Today he is 16. On Friday he was in Husky Stadium throwing footballs in front of the UW coaching staff (he was at a camp). I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or start thinking how much more this kid is going to cost me!

It's pretty amazing how far we'll go and what kind of sacrifices we'll make to help our children get into position for success. God did that when He sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of the world...

Today's Video Clip

Here is the clip that I showed this morning. It originates from Bethel Church in Redding, California, a place that we've been stealing ideas from...and enjoying every minute of it. Today's message was the second in our series, "Gold in the Pews, Miracles in the House." Our focus is having our people be God's hand extended. We have an expectation of miracles and healings taking place...wherever the people of Faith are!

Here's the clip:

A Little Perspective

Today was another great day at Faith!

Great music, wonderful participation, AWESOME sense of God's presence, manifestation gifts in operation, a spotlight by nationally known cross-carrier Bob Hanus, introduction of interns...by all measurements, an incredible day.

But it's really hard to remember what I've just shared...

Someone came to Christ this morning. It's like a trump card whenever God's people get together. If one or more people come to know Jesus Christ as Savior, it is worth it all, and everything else pales by comparison. I'm just so glad that we've been blessed at Faith to have that happening a lot lately.

Funny what a little perspective will do...

Dogs and Beavers

Have you ever wondered how a fight would go between a dog and a beaver? A dog has one "business" end while a beaver has two. I would probably suggest that the dog would be a whole lot quicker though. It's kind of all about what kind of dog and how big of a beaver are in the fight. Maybe what really matters more is how many dogs and how many beavers...

My youngest son showed up at a football camp at the University of Washington (Husky's) with his Oregon State University Beavers sweatshirt on...completely oblivious and totally outnumbered...

I must admit, I was just as distracted as we were about to enter the registration area. Of course the registration area was arrived at after walking through Husky Stadium, past the coaching staff and about to officially interface with the support staff who were running the camp. It was actually an OSU alumnus who brought the situation to our attention. She said, "Wow, you sure are brave wearing that shirt here..." My youngest moved pretty quickly at getting the offending item off his body. I turned it inside out and had him carry it on his arm. Hilarious and somewhat dangerous at the same time!

The late evangelist Vance Havner, master of the funny quip once said, "A bulldog can whip a skunk any day, but it ain't worth it." Kinda reminds me of dogs and beavers...

Possibilities

I drove with my boys this afternoon up to the Seattle area. The oldest is here for football camp the next two days; the youngest for a good time. As I was driving up, I called a friend whose church is without a pastor. Our church is doing pulpit fill for them. He sounded like he was sitting in my car. He was also on his boat, 10 hours away on Lake Shasta.

Technology today is amazing...

I have a bunch of pictures on my computer of family, friends...and exotic locations, of which I don't know that I'll see too many of. I'm thankful for the pictures because they help me remember good times and dream about the possibilities. When I think of talking with God, He is nearer than the sound of a voice on a cell phone from 10 hours away. He is nearer than talking face to face with someone because His presence resides within the believer. Prayer reminds me of good times and impossibilities that become possibilities.

Prayer, talking with God is the best technological idea in the universe.

Touching a Solitary Life

During a meeting today I was marveling with the rest of our staff at the transformation that has taken place in the lives of a number of people whom God has recently touched here at Faith. So many today are coming to our churches with deep rooted hurts in their lives. There are only two options for these folks, the first being to hurt other people. Yes, the axiom is true, "Hurt people, hurt people."

The second option is much preferred. It is to allow Jesus Christ to change one's heart. The response is often heartfelt and emotional when the good news of Jesus Christ and impact of God's love invades their soul. For a person who once felt that too many were against them, now they realize that the Creator of the universe is for them. I see their tears and feel them in my eyes as well as I marvel at God's grace...and pleasure in touching a solitary life.

Yes, Jesus loves you...and me. And that makes a life...whole!

"Who Am I" by Casting Crowns

I received this video clip yesterday from one of our key people here at Faith. It's fabulous! I'm still trying to figure out a way to use this one on a Sunday, but it was so good I knew I had to pass it on right now. Hope you like it! It's an amazing use of black light and the hands of a drama team at a local church. The song is, "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns. Enjoy:

Fireworks for Sale

Hi Friends,

It's fireworks season, the time of year we celebrate our nation's birth, eat hot dogs and take dollar bills out of our billfold and light them on fire... Whoops, forgot the 'invigorating display of color, sounds and sparkle' that lasts for as little as five seconds to as long as 30 (remember, the 30 second experience means taking out an Abraham Lincoln and burning it).

I know, I know, a complete waste of money...

But now, back to reality. Your kids want you to buy them. You're grand kids want you to buy them. Your pyromaniac husband wants to buy them. They will make you miserable until you get some. You know how it is. You say, "No" so they beat you down until you give in somewhere mid-afternoon on July 4th. And then there is no selection, only the big packs. You wind up spending twice what you wanted to. So instead of just taking your hard-earned cash out and burning it up, bill by bill, why not come down to our fireworks stand at Faith and buying your combustibles here? The money raised by our youth group is for missions - half here and half outside of the area. That way when you light your match on the fourth, it won't seem like such a waste!

The stand opens on Thursday, June 26th. Faith is located on the corner of Greenwood and NE 11th in Bend, Oregon. Thanks for your support!

More in a Moment Than in a Lifetime

Yesterday was joy-filled at Faith. Even though we had a good number out of town (the end of the school-year scramble!), it was a great service with a good crowd for summer. I began a new series and preached the introduction.

Some remarkable happenings occurred both prior and during the service. One of our intercessors handed me a 'word'. I don't read such things, notes, cards, anything, right before service. So I put it in my Bible. Service went on, the music was awesome, the message well received, along with two excellent encouraging manifestation gifts of the Spirit taking place. This morning in my office I read the message given me before the service. It's contents were an encouragement to the congregation for the very purpose behind the new series that this person would have known nothing about.

What a great day!

The written message this person handed me was prophetic in orientation. This is a new area that the writer is stepping out into, reminding me of spiritual growth taking place in their life...and that of others. It makes being a pastor fun and brings joy to my heart.

The title of this blog is "Pastor Mike Johnson's Faith Journey Adventure." The faith journey that we're on leads us to a variety of situations, location and experiences. It is always humbling to see others move forward on their journey when you've been part of it. Even more humbling is when God's presence shows up during your service and does more in a moment than a pastor can do in a lifetime in a person's heart.

I love being in God's house on Sundays...

Voices

I spent most of yesterday writing for Sunday. From time to time (and lately, with greater frequency) I find myself "preaching" Sunday's message through my fingers. It is a strange phenomenon for me, but my fingers get into a rhythm. If I listen, I can hear the cadence of the message as it potentially would flow from my lips this weekend.

I know, I'm weird...

We had our last meeting with Ebo Elder last night, this time a men's event. He did a great job, challenging our guys toward a move of God in our lives. We bring in guests to do just that - to challenge us from where we are to where we can go. Even if a guest says the same thing I've been saying for weeks, a different voice is often helpful.

There are many voices that we listen to on a daily basis. We have a variety of influences that include our families, co-workers, pastors, politicians and newspapers. Throw in ESPN and that space between our ears and capacity of our hearts can get pretty crowded!

As I write messages for Sunday, I'm trying to tune into one voice. Some sermon-writing days are hard while others flow freely. I love the latter, but understand and appreciate the former. Sometimes I have to work things out with the Spirit in my own heart - which means growth - in order to hear with clarity what I'm supposed to share.

So, what voice(s) are we listening to today?

So Few Like This in Our State

Ah yes, there we were in the great outdoors of Central Oregon, urging one another on to good works. It was difficult, it was tough, but we made it. After many trials and much trepidation, we outlasted the elements and survived, but only after many failures and shortcomings exposed...

I played golf yesterday with two other members of our staff and a key guy in the church.

I have officially been out golfing this year as many times as the last three combined. Yesterday's excursion marked outing number four. We played 18 at Meadow Lakes in Prineville. The course was really quite lovely. But while there was beauty all around us, the undulating green was marred by numerous obtrusive bodies of water...which swallowed up about 10 of my golf balls.

Wow, am I bad...

I enjoyed the day. I actually had a couple of pars, which is pretty good for a not very good golfer. I came in last. Again. I would like to say that my problem is that I golf with the best and should consider going with others who are lousy like me.

But there are so few of those people living in the state...

Who cares about golf? That's not why we went! The best part was being out with men from Faith. I love our missions trips for the same reason - a shared experience tends to bind people together. Being in God's house together makes a huge difference. Following Jesus together matters, as does walking together through life's faith journey adventure.

I think about things like, "Whom have I encouraged today?" (usually I say, 'who,' but I'm trying to get a little better at writing) When we give a little of ourselves away like this, we build others up in ways we might not ever know...

Full Message

This morning during devotions I came across one of those passages in the Bible that I've read many, many times, but finally caught something new. It's found in Acts 5 where the narrative talks about the disciples preaching Christ and the city of Jerusalem filling up with their teaching. This is where we pick up the story:

17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducee's, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." Acts 5:17-20 NIV

Okay, I think you know what caught my attention. Is is the last sentence you see in bold, and it's really never caught my, "Oh yes, now I see it," meter before. It really is a bold statement, "full message." It means that the disciples didn't leave anything out. They talked about the life of Christ. They talked about sin. They talked about fruit and gifts of the Spirit. Just previous to my revelation today, we see the story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira. They sold some property to give to the church and then lied about what they sold it for. Both were struck dead by God...

Bummer.

Think about the American Church culture if this story were the norm...

In chapter seven we see that Stephen preaches from Genesis through the content of the gospels. I'm quite certain that this was probably one of his standard messages that he would have preached in the temple courts. Yes, he didn't leave much out and left very little to the imagination for his hearers. They knew exactly what he was saying. That is why he was literally stoned to death because he ticked off the religious leaders of the day.

I'm thinking about the different options we have today in regard to church. I'm thinking about the places in our communities and on television, where the gospel has been reduced down to a 'feel good' message that doesn't confront sin. I'm thinking that it's not a 'full message.' I'm wondering what kind of price we'll all pay for that message?

Toss my pastor role out for a moment here. I am a Christian man. I am a carrier of the good news of Jesus Christ. I don't beat people over the head with that news. But I will tell the truth - the whole truth. The disciples pointed out to the Pharisees and Sadducee's (religious leaders in the New Testament) their role in the crucifixion of Christ...over and over again. It does not sound like a candy coated gospel.

I know what it means to be culturally sensitive. I try to be. Even the music at Faith is culturally sensitive. When I speak I try not to use Christian terms that people can't understand. I know what it means to give information in spoonfuls. And please understand that I don't do all of any of this perfectly either. But I know when the truth sets us free (John 8:31ff).

How free is the American Church...from sin?

Ebo Elder at Faith this Week

Former boxing champion and television series, "The Contender" participant, Ebo Elder will be speaking at Faith Christian Center in Bend, Oregon the following two dates this week:

Youth Rally
Wednesday, June 18th, 7 PM


Men's Rally
Thursday, June 19th, 7 PM

Ebo is passionate about his relationship with Christ and has a refreshing message will stir your heart. If you live in the Bend area, you're invited to come and be part of these two great events! You can contact the church office at 541-382-8274 for more information.

Half Cooked?

Yesterday was another great day at Faith! Our special Father's Day guest was former boxing champ, Ebo Elder. Ebo did a great job, encouraging the people in their walk with Jesus Christ, especially during the hard times in life.

The barbecue and family event afterwards was very well received. Children and parents both enjoyed the activities from our youth outreach, Friday Nite Hangout. They had less than half of the activities set up, including the rock climbing wall, joust, sumo suits and the video game room. It is always good to see parents playing with their children! We had a number of people gone for the holiday, but also a number of new ones whom we hope will return.

The guys used the church barbecue for the after church event. It is a wonderful tool, that takes an expert hand to run. I've come to realize that I'm basically an expert "flash cooker." That means the meat is dark and crunchy on the outside, and raw on the inside. Obviously this doesn't help when you're eating chicken or hamburger. I'm thinking that I might be expert at Ahi tuna, but then again a grilled white meat on the outside has never been appetizing to me when you cut into the red middle...

During devotions this morning I was focusing on what my spiritual insides were speaking to me. I've been running some lately, with a few too many things on my plate (perpetual brain freeze problem). Frankly, sometimes we need to slow down and do a check up, which I did this morning. A sure sign of burn out in our lives is when we are charred on the outside and raw in the middle. Somewhere along the way there needs to be balance, where the inner life compliments and sustains the outer. As I write, I understand that saying these things and doing them are two separate issues. It's always nice to have truth in our grasp, but our greater need is to take hold of it and allow there to be a dwelling place for it in our souls.

So, is my soul raw today? Am I half cooked?

I've thought I've been half-baked at times, but that's another issue...

Life can be a pressure cooker, but being in a pressure cooker has a preserving effect. Just like canning jam helps keep the flavorful concoction fresh for a future date, we too are made better - perfected more and more for the longer term journey that we're on...no matter whether we are in the midst of the good or the bad...

Recalculating

For Father's Day, I received my gift about a week and a half early. I knew it was coming and was waiting at the door when UPS dropped it off. My family got me a GPS for my vehicle. You know, the electronic device that gives directions to your intended location, along with other points of interest, food and gas.

It's pretty nifty.

Along with the maps comes a soothing (usually) voice of some paid actor who tells you to turn right or left. Fortunately, the model that I have has several voice options, so I picked a male voice of some guy who sounds like he lives in London. Very British and very smooth.

When the GPS gives directions and you don't follow them, the voice flows through your vehicle saying, "Recalculating." What follows is a link up with the satellite, a new route selection and another series of messages from the soothing British actor, giving directions for getting back on track.

I think we all from time to time have "recalculated" when we lose direction in life. The key issue is that we are wise enough to choose to get back on the right path. Jesus said,

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

I am certain that there will be those who read this and scoff, something about, "You're trying to control me," or, "It's just too hard." I've thought the same thing at times. It's true, following Christ isn't the easiest life that you'll ever entertain, but it is the most blessed. The whole gig of 'doing it my way' bears the fruit of its actions. While we may even do well with 'our own way,' we will never know the blessing of the road that leads to life. Few find it because so few realize the truth of the matter - Jesus died on the cross so that we could have life. He rose again so that we would have fellowship.

'Recalculating?' If you're like me, I would suggest starting daily at first...

Biggest Storehouse in the Universe

In staff meeting on Tuesday we were looking at the demographics of our community (again) and noted the need to begin podcasting and videocasting from our website as quickly as possible. This would require an upgrade/overhaul of the website (long overdue anyway), along with the purchase of new equipment. 'Only' 20k brand new.

It's always 'something'...!

Regardless of the times and the seasons, there is always something about our lives and church that we find need to run to. Sometimes it is a fire that needs to be put out; other times it is a fire that needs to be started in our hearts. So we run here with a bucket of water and run there with a lighter.

It seems to me if we could all spend a little more time running to Jesus, there wouldn't be need for firemen or pyromaniacs! And so, once again, I run to Jesus today to meet the needs that I have...and we have.

Nothing like having access to the biggest storehouse in the universe!

Mittens

I was answering e-mail earlier today and was thinking about the subject of the singing part of our worship service here at Faith. I'm really excited about how God has been using our worship team to lead the congregation into a holy place with Him. I also thoroughly enjoy the guitar driven, bass pounding, synthesizer flailing and at times, drums wailing sound the team makes. The singers have been working hard as well, to experience Christ's presence for themselves so they have something to give the congregation.

I really enjoy an awesome sounding, well-tooled worship team. I like that our musicians are trying their best to get better at serving Jesus from this area of ministry.

At the same time, I'm also thinking that while I appreciate good music, I don't ever want our worship team coming off as 'slick.' That is when the performance is more important than the meaning of why we are singing these songs in the first place...for Jesus.

I'm thinking that having the presence of God in the place with "an older woman playing the organ with her mittens on" beats the best sounding worship band without God's presence ANY DAY.

EVERYTHING Changes

During prayer this morning I was thinking of how blessed I am to have the Word of God, the Bible. I have 26 translations in my library. I also have over 2,000 commentaries, Bible dictionaries and miscellaneous other resources that help me in my walk with God and ministry of being a pastor. I also have four file cabinets full of articles, messages and outlines at my disposal.

Yes, I am blessed.

'Love the Word. 'Love my library. 'Love my files. But something awesome happens within a disciple of Jesus Christ when the presence of the Lord is near! I often pray that we at Faith are a needy people. Our greatest need is for more of the presence and power of Christ. We have need of our emotions, bodies and spirits to be a habitation for His presence. We can read books that talk about these things. We can read articles that say the same thing. But when we 'experience authentic faith' in a tangible way, EVERYTHING changes.

Oh Lord, in the midst of all of our head knowledge about You, let us be wise enough to be needy for more of You!

Cultivating

Sunday was so surprising.

Near the conclusion of the singing part of our worship service, our head intercessor informed me that there was a sense that God wanted to heal people during the service, and that specifically that healing would be of bad backs.

Immediately my heart leaped as I felt the 'word' was right on. So I to the pulpit, shared the information and asked people with back ailments to step out into the aisle's. What happened next was completely shocking to me. The aisle's filled up with people struggling from this affliction.

I stood there in utter amazement...

At the beginning of this year we took a survey of the congregation as to what ailments they had that they needed to be healed of. Over half said, "diabetes." I was with a friend at lunch today and noted that statistic, saying that probably half of the people eating in the restaurant we were in had the same problem. We are a needy people, a needy culture, too dependant on processed foods and anything else we can blame or shirk responsibility for our many ailments. Sadly, reality has set in for me as my 'diet in a box' should arrive sometime tomorrow. No more Chinese food for a year. No more brawts. No more burgers. I do get steak from time to time, about the size of a deck of cards. At that rate it will take an entire week to go through a decent t-bone. And worst of all, no Sonic Drive-In. Ever.

Depression anyone?

You know, I became overweight, not because someone invented foods that were bad for me, but because I ATE THEM. I was sharing an illustration yesterday about sins of the flesh such as smoking and overindulgence of alcohol. I should have said overeating because it is the same.

So, I'm doing something about my problem. What gets me are all the people who responded to the back injury appeal, whom I've never seen down front for prayer at the conclusion of service. It really is the point -- we get so used to our 'stuff' that we get comfortable and just live with it. And the truth is, I've been on a lot of diets, but am preparing to do one that costs a chunk of change - something that I should have done a long time ago.

That's how people die way too young...

Oh yes, yesterday's result? I asked during the message how many had been healed. A little over half of those who responded for prayer raised there hand and said they were completely well.

Wow.

I wish I could be made well from my situation in a moment's notice. Funny how the things we cultivate over a life take so much of our lives to overcome. Only Jesus can change things in a moment's notice. Sadly, I'm thinking that diet is one of those things that we get to experience both the up and down so we'll remember how important it is to stay 'down.'

Outcomes Can't Be Legislated

The following is something that one of my key guys here at Faith sent me a little bit ago as I was preparing to write today's blog. It struck a cord with me. While not necessarily the kind of writing or content that normally appears on my blog, I found it to be poignant from a non-Christian perspective and something needing to be shared with others. It is written by Addison Gardner and appeared in the Aspen (Colorado) Times. I hope you enjoy it:

Outcomes can’t be legislated

Addison Gardner
Aspen, Colorado
June 3, 2008

Of all the lessons we learn as children, perhaps the most important is that life is often unfair.

Life’s randomness is reenacted every spring, when tornadoes snake down atop American farmhouses and, suddenly, it’s “moving day.” We can face misfortune with resoluteness and optimism — and many storm survivors do — or we can wail about our plight and blame government for its slow response.

It might seem perverse, but I like living in a world where I need to bounce on my toes and dodge punches. Life in this valley deals us chipped windshields one day and double rainbows the next.

Less prosaically, my best friend — and wife of 33 years — had a brush with serious illness last May. This random vortex arrived like an unscheduled train in the dead of night, sucked her up and deposited her, via life-flight, in Denver’s University Hospital.

A year has passed, and she has battled back, but our routine has been unalterably changed — in almost all ways for the better. Calamity kicks complacency in the ['be-hind’]. It made us take stock and shuffle priorities. It also made sage smell sweeter, our valley rivers more beautiful and our tree swallows more riveting than Obama’s latest church renunciation.

Mathematicians have expressed life’s vagaries with statistical modeling called Chaos Theory: No matter how tall or well-electrified the fence, inevitably — given enough time — the Tyrannosaur will escape and make somebody his lunch.

Probably the most famous pioneer of chaos theory was Edward Lorenze. In the early ’60s, while modeling weather systems with room-sized computers, he discovered that it wasn’t possible to predict weather behaviors more than a week in advance.

The tiniest mathematical variable, introduced early enough into any system, produces incalculably large deviations downwind. In the vernacular of Hollywood film, this phenomenon was reintroduced to moviegoers a few years ago as “The Butterfly Effect.” If this paisley-winged insect flaps its wings just so today, a tornado might visit you tomorrow.

Similarly, if Al Gore’s computer modeling of a 21st century global meltdown is an atom’s width awry, then the Styrofoam ice floes that he borrowed from Hollywood for his film “Inconvenient Truth” can be safely remolded into coffee cups.

Accepting, then, the unpredictability of life — and the fact political wizardry is still mostly about pulling levers behind a curtains and scaring the gullible into ranks on Election Day — we should regard our political doomsayers with a jaundiced eye.

We should look again at America’s founders — those imperfect, slave-holding, women’s rights-denying, Native American-bullying [the writer then used a bad word here, not appropriate in any conversation] — and wonder whether they didn’t get at least one thing right: Americans are individuals, first, and our freedoms flow from our Creator, not government.

We are not millipedes with single heads — a “Barack head” or a “McCain head” — and lots of syncopated feet for well-choreographed marching. We are free agents, and not indentured to any political party. I’m affiliated with one group only: my family.

Walt Whitman said, “There is no week nor day nor hour when tyranny may not enter upon this country, if the people lose their roughness and spirit of defiance.” He added, “The whole theory of the universe is directed unerringly to one single individual.”

Our Constitution — particularly the amendments of the past century — attempts to enshrine equality of opportunity in America. But we can’t legislate equality of outcome, no matter how desperately we try. Life makes the rules — not politicians — and life is a daily storm of uncertainty.

The ideological impulse to level outcomes with a government bulldozer has been a disaster, everywhere. In grade school, it has ruined the impulse to race for a finish line or match wits against a dodge ball aggressor. In the workplace, it has discouraged innovation, encouraged pettiness and gender wars, and heightened the wrongheaded belief that the pursuit of career success is synonymous with greed and selfishness.

Kids learn vital lessons from lost contests and scraped knees. They learn resilience. They learn that their egos are unbreakable. They learn that endurance and character can trump speed and over-confidence. They learn that losing isn’t really losing; it’s postponed winning.

Today’s playground failures presage tomorrow’s business successes.

Unless we handcuff Michael Jordan to a grand piano, he’s going to bruise my self-esteem on a basketball court, every time. And Stephen Hawking, the inspired physicist, will continue to paint contrails against the blue frontiers of human knowledge, while I’m squinting upward in befuddlement.

We should celebrate people’s unequal talents with excitement: Our super achievers illuminate the path to smaller successes for the rest of us, so we should accept life’s unequal outcomes with grace. We should be inspired by — not resentful of — people faster, smarter and more successful than we are.

But for the proceeds from their bicycle business, Orville and Wilbur Wright would never have flown their engine-powered box kite at Kitty Hawk. Business success spawned history’s greatest innovation.

I worry about the anti-individual, anti-success, anti-achievement rhetoric of today’s political hucksters. Will the imperative to raise taxes and impose investment penalties — further burdening America’s innovators and entrepreneurs — potentially eliminate the garage floor invention that solves our energy crisis?

I think it might.

Government can’t protect us from life’s hurts and disappointments. Our success as a people lies in the resilience of the human spirit and in the inspired flashes borne of individual insight.

Addison Gardner’s column appears every other Tuesday in The Aspen Times.

A Note from Mike Johnson: "In other words, each one is responsible for themselves. If you allow God to be part of your equation, wow, bonus time!"

This Should Be Really Interesting

It finally happened last night. Our oldest son brought home his first girl to meet the folks.

For him, it was a no brainer...she is really cute! He's clearly way over his head...ATTABOY!!

The boy has had girlfriends before, whom we've met and enjoyed. This time it was a little different. He's changing, growing up and attempting to make maturer and wiser choices in a wide range of areas in his life.

It was kinda funny. He's been over at her place with her parents several times. She was only here at our house for 30 minutes or so, but the purpose was not lost on us. I'm pleased to report that she loves Jesus. However, I am terribly sad to report that she and my son are "unequally yoked."

She goes to the rival high school...

I mean think about it, if they are still an item this fall during football, will she be wearing my son's away football jersey on home game days to school (the tradition at my son's high school)? That one is not going to happen. That jersey would be shredded. But such is life, love and the pursuit of a normal, healthy Christian courtship...

If this relationship has legs, it should really be interesting. If it lasts just another 15 minutes, we're still terribly proud of the young man our son is becoming...

God Speaks

It was day three of eating what I want before I start the new diet. I must admit, this kind of eating is way overrated. First of all, I'm not on a cruise, so the food has been neither exotic or especially good. Secondly I didn't realize how little my previous intake has been to get me to this physical place.

Speaking of a physical place, we had Mike Elledge's memorial service at Faith this afternoon. Mike was actually buried yesterday near the Trinity River in Willow Creek, California. With all due respect, the memorial service was really great. Losing Mike was a tremendous shock, but the gathering was incredibly cathartic and bore tremendous fruit. A significant number of people gave their lives to Christ. It reminds me of the difference that one life can make, when lived for Christ in front of others. While not perfect, Mike loved Jesus and that made all the difference.

As I think about the memorial today and am looking ahead toward Sunday, I'm reminded that those who sit in the pew make a difference by just being there. Sunday's are training days for the Faith Journey. Just by showing up, those who come to church communicate the importance of Christ to their family, neighbors, co-workers...and themselves. I'm also amazed by the process of the Holy Spirit in our learning. Not only does the one who comes to church get to hear teaching, it gets organized in their heart by the Spirit. I love hearing congregants on their way out the door say, "Pastor, when you said "this," God spoke this into my heart." I always smile, pat them on the shoulder and send them merrily on their way. As I see them walk off, I once again am reminded of the mystery of heaven, knowing that I never said what they thought they heard.

God speaks!

Taking Notes

We had a "guys" day at Faith during lunch. It's pretty amazing but in the last month we've added three men to our church staff - our new youth pastor and two ministry interns. The intern guys are, well, interns, because they lack experience. But that does not mean that they lack passion, ideas and drive. Men like these help me to think outside of my box and keep my eyes on what matters most. My responsibility to them is to get them ready for the day...that they leave us.

Rick Warren, the now famous pastor and author of the book, "The Purpose Driven Life," tells the story of of an earlier time when he wasn't so well known. His church was experiencing tremendous growth and he was invited to a meeting of leading pastors in his denomination. When he arrived, he looked around the room at leaders whom he had esteemed greatly in his growing up as a pastor. And now he was in the room with them. Each pastor was to present what was going on in his church by way of presentation, and then the material would be collected and disseminated among the denomination. When it came Warren's turn he noted that W.A. Criswell, the famous (and now deceased) pastor from First Baptist Church of Dallas was seated in the front row. As Rick gave his presentation it blew him away that the great Criswell...took notes.

I have to be careful with our young guys that I don't shoot down their ideas too quickly, but that they feel like their presence and thoughts are valued. The fact is, they are. They are here to learn the nuance of church leadership and ministry. They also need to have grace demonstrated by existing leaders; otherwise they will be poor models themselves in the future. Sounds like a lot of relationships in our lives, doesn't it?

Yes, it does. And so I'm getting my pad out and taking notes...

Ebo Elder: Man on a Mission

On Father's Day, at Faith we will be having special guest Ebo Elder. Ebo is the former World Lightweight Boxing Champion. He has also appeared on the television show, "The Contender." Ebo is full of passion, as you will see from the enclosed video clip that I hope you'll enjoy! If you are in the vicinity of Bend, Oregon on Father's Day, June 15th, please come and join us. This is going to be an awesome event, with a meal following along with our Friday Nite Hangout toys available for singles and families to enjoy. The service starts at 10:30 AM.

Having my Cake

I had a piece of cake today.

I'm gearing up for a new diet next week, piling on the fat so I can weather the first seven days of limited calorie intake. I know, my reasoning makes no sense whatsoever. I just know that a week from now, there will be no cake for me for months. No more cookies either. Or ribs with sauce. Or...oh my, it's a long list of delectable items that got me to where I am right now.

Wow, I'm completely getting bummed out here...

I've been thinking a good deal lately about our theme at Faith of, "The Biggest Winner." Having a healthy body, soul and spirit matters. I guess the struggle is leaving an area out. My soul has been at rest lately. There is a satisfaction in my inner life with where I am and where I'm headed. My spirit seems to be more in sync with Christ's river of presence in me than any recent time that I can remember. I know I'm not perfect, nor have everything figured out, but I'm moving the right direction. Oh yes, the body thing. I'm doing just okay. I'm down 17 pounds from the beginning of the year. It's a whole lotta 'start, stop, start, stop.' My wife and I had a reality check (i.e., I stood in front of a very large mirror) and determined that it was time to make a different kind of investment here than I've been making the previous 30 years. So I took the survey and checked the box marked "getting older, gray hair on my head and way overweight." So I'm going to be doing one of those programs where they basically give me what I'm supposed to eat.

I came to the end of Sunday's message and once again asked the congregation for those who were outside of relationship with Jesus Christ, to consider making this commitment. It's the box marked, "hell bound without a relationship with Jesus." It's hard to watch people you know are without Jesus reject Him. It's like being grossly obese and standing in front of a mirror saying, "I can do this by myself." I can still hear Frank Sinatra singing, "My Way."

I'm taking the plunge, buying the plan and taking it one day at a time for my physical health. If I don't, I'm dead way too soon and not enjoying the journey of getting to 'way too soon.' And if you and I don't get it together with Jesus, there will be hell to pay...

That piece of cake? The sugar rush made my eyes cross! What was I thinking?