Perspective

Met with our staff this morning for prayer and our weekly administrative meeting. To shake things up a little bit, we went to the cafe at a local bookstore for the staff portion about a mile from the church. It is always interesting what a change of scenery does for our perspective!

The cafe was filled with people during our visit. We showed up with our agendas and day planners and fit right in. I thoroughly enjoy talking about last Sunday and this coming Sunday's services out in the marketplace. It reminds me of why we're here in our community - to share the greatest news ever known with our neighbors.

During devotions this morning I was reading out of the New Living Translation, which is based on the decades-ago-hugely-popular paraphrase, The Living Bible. More accurate than a paraphrase, I like it because it translates the original languages of the Scripture into idioms and terms that are current in our culture. While I don't use this translation very often for a text in Sunday mornings, I've gained a different perspective by using it this year in my devotions. As I read along, it is getting marked up by my four-color Bic pen. It's like putting on a new shade of sunglasses, seeing life in a little different light. Passages that I've simply read over in the past are coming alive to me in a fresh, new way. And yet, that is also the beauty of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, regardless of translation...

Yesterday I blogged about praying for the current national financial crisis. Here is an article about just that, from our friends at Christianity Today, Australia. I hope that you enjoy it:

http://au.christiantoday.com/article/wall-street-turns-to-prayer-in-midst-of-financial-crisis/4418.htm

Pointing Fingers

Quite a historic day in our financial market with the DOW Jones Industrial Average down over 700 points. The proposed government bailout was voted down and finger pointing now seems to be increasing at an ever-increasing pitch. I've seen hate material about Democrats, Republicans, banks, investment banks, rich people, poor people who never should have been given loans and the current and former Presidents.

I'm led to believe that if I think about it long enough, I will figure out a way to blame my dog...

Tonight in the overseas markets there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth as they will likely be reeling from the US market downturn. Our own pundits are literally calling the rejection of the rescue bill in our House of Representatives "the shot heard round the world."

In the midst of such uncertainty and difficulty, I'm reminded of Psalm 46. It says,

God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,3 though its waters roar and foam,though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,the holy habitation of the Most High.5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;God will help her when morning dawns.6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;he utters his voice, the earth melts.7 The Lord of hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,how he has brought desolations on the earth.9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!"11 The Lord of hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (English Standard Version)

Okay, the truth be told, I read this one at funerals. But the words are ALL true. God is our fortress and our help when things look like they're just plain rotten. There have been worse times in our nation's history, but should we wait that long before we begin to pray?

In life, if we would dare to point our finger a little more in the mirror and a little less in the direction of another, we would drive ourselves to the only One who can change the hearts and minds of men. If we would dare to allow our heart and mind to be changed, that would be one less that we would need to worry about.

Friends, it's time to trust God and pray for those who are in a position to make decisions both nationally and locally. Go online to your representatives and without pointing your finger, tell them that you are praying that they will hear from God and have wisdom as to what to do during this difficult time.

Trust God, pray and encourage others! But pray...

OSU, Bend-Mountain View and the Fed

Many Central Oregonians are basking in the glory of Oregon State's win over mighty USC last night.  Even Duck fans like it because it gives them hope of making a better bowl game now, after last week's sad loss.  The win is still shocking to think about, and yet the Trojan's track record in the past four games against the Beavers has been dismal. 

Tonight is the local tilt between the two oldest high schools in our city, affectionately known as the "Civil War" between Bend and Mountain View.  The series has been pretty tense the past few years, with the '07 game going right down to the wire.  Mountain View kept their unbeaten streak going, handing Bend their first league set-back.  Ironically, both teams lost in the state semifinals on the same day last year in a driving wind and rain storm in Salem.  Mountain View is favored again this year, with both Freshman and Junior Varsity teams also dominating action in games held yesterday.

It is a relief to talk about sports at a time when our congress is wrestling with the current financial crisis.  The proposed $700 billion dollar bailout proposal isn't sitting well with we, the American public, who seem to rather want to receive the check ourselves instead of trying to bail out our economy which is poised to be crushed.  Yes, it is hard to swallow, especially when we're bailing out private industry.  Sadly, short-term gratification makes us too nearsighted in regard to the big picture.

I want my team to win.  I'm three for three so far this week.  Tonight is another game.  So is later tonight - midnight, when a rumored bailout bill might be written. 

I hope we all win that one!

There is one win on the horizon for all of us.  It concerns what we do with the Jesus.  We too often seek the short-term gratification of sin and miss the big picture of eternal life.  A famous French philosopher and economist of a few centuries ago, Blaise Pascal made a wager.  Basically in it he said that a life spent pursuing God, only to find that the Bible is not true and that there is no heaven, what have you lost?  Nothing.  You've lived a good life.  But if we live outside of relationship with God and get to the end of this life and find out that the Bible is true, what have we lost?  Everything.

Winning?

When Do We Get to do the Stuff?

The late Krister Stendahl wrote,

"It is not so much what we don't know, but what we think we know that obstructs our vision." Paul Among the Jews and Gentiles and Other Essays, Fortress Press, 1976. p.7

Now there's a scary thought! There are a good many things that I think I know...

What Stendahl, a former Harvard theologian was getting at is that there is absolute truth that our upbringing or background can blind us to. Basically we see things in a certain way whereas the absolute truth is out of reach because we can't see the possibilities. For example, for nearly all of the 20th century of the modern Pentecostal movement, we left out the passages in the Bible where God's people danced before the Lord. The thinking was, "dancing is sinful" primarily because of where people did it (outside of church) and the potential sinful activity that surrounded it.

With that said, there IS such a thing as "dancing before the Lord" which is separate from what Pentecostals call, "Dancing in the Spirit" (no, I'm not getting into that one today).

I'm looking forward to Sunday with a focus on the miraculous. We read the Scripture about the incredible and what seems impossible happening. Sadly, we somehow condition ourselves that 'those things' happened to those folks in the Bible, and could only happen to those folks...or the lucky few who live somewhere near Timbuktu. Basically, we don't have a truth problem. We have the Bible and know what it says is true. What we have is a 'believing the truth' problem.

John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard Church movement tells the story of his coming to know Christ as Savior. Both he and his wife Carol were radically changed by the power of the Spirit of Christ. So they started going to church. Wimber loved reading the Bible - loved it. But the things the Bible talked about did not happen in the church they attended. So he asked an associate pastor, "When do we get to do the [Bible] stuff?"

Oh friends, we get to do 'the stuff' when we get it settled in our hearts that the stuff can happen...

Middle School Football

'Been in Eugene the last couple of days for a conference on the Holy Spirit that was offered through our Network of churches here in Oregon. Took some staff members with me. It was terrific! I was also able to get back in time to be at my youngest son's football game in Prineville.

Middle School football is kind of like watching a train wreck without lots of injuries. Frankly, I don't know how the officials do those games as there is an illegal procedure penalty that can be called on every offensive play - especially during the first game of the year like this one was. So the fellows in the black and white striped shirts keep their whistles under wraps unless there is a completely obvious penalty (like being offsides by five yards), or holding of some kind at the point of the advancement of a play. These young boys have lots of heart and passion for the game, they just don't have the knowledge or control of their bodies that every purist of the game would like for them to have...

On the other hand, maybe this is "pure?"

What you see is clearly what you get. Next year these boys will be playing in high school where the forward pass will be a normal occurrence and holding much less frequent. But this IS how it is right now.

My kid? Three carries for 15 yards and almost a touchdown. Five solo tackles and five more "pile-ons." He also took a hand off from the opposing quarterback on a linebacker blitz. Ran up and took the ball right out of his hands. He woulda scored except he got his feet tied up with another player. I met him on the field after the game was over and the coach had his say. As we approached one another, I replayed his heroic play for him, as it would have sounded from an amazed and astonished radio announcer. I put my hand on his sweaty head and neck and hugged him, walking off and laughing together. His sense of accomplishment was all over his face - because he had played hard...and played well.

Yes, it was a "train wreck," but of the kind worth watching. It all kinda reminds me of how the Almighty might watch all of us "mature, together adults." I'm just glad that God doesn't sit in the stands, but meets you and I on the field of play...with arms of love, open wide.

The score? We lost, AND WON.

A Healthy Soul

Yesterday I spoke on the soul, as part of our "Biggest Winner" series. Our focus during these messages has been to focus on having a healthy body, soul and spirit.

The soul is the seat of the emotions. If we did not have physical bodies, we would be known and identifiable by our soul. Whereas our spirit is the place within us that communicates with God, the soul is the place where the drive comes from to pursue the Almighty.

The truth be told, sometimes the soul isn’t that lovely. Sometimes it’s extremely dated. On other occasions it needs to be helped out and lifted up. It may even be that there needs to be an overhaul. Think of your soul like the word picture of a home improvement. Some of our souls in this room just need a little paint. Others need to have a complete renovations because you’ve let things go. How do we let things go? It can be a variety of ways. As Christians the obvious is not being in the Scripture or praying. Our souls age quickly when they are not being renewed daily by the presence of God. Our souls, “leak.” They inherently have set backs because of the flesh, because they are not always in subjection to the Spirit.

So what do we need to do to pursue a healthier soul? There really is only one answer with several components. There are a variety of Scriptures that I could use here, but here is one that suits nicely. Jesus said,

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ESV

Very simply, the components to seeking first the kingdom of God is a wholehearted return to the basics:

I. Be in the Word. Read your Bible. Read it with a pen to mark it up. Read it with a tablet. Read it, not just to get through it, but to understand it.

II. Pray. Pray like your life depends on it – because it does.

III. Worship – daily. I’ve been listening to a guy who sings kind of a classical style. He’s not the best, but I sense the anointing coming through my iPod. Worship is the place where the Spirit deals with the things in my life that need to come more into conformity with His Spirit.

IV. Walk in it. Second Corinthians tells us to walk by faith, not by sight. Galatians 5 tells us to keep in step with the Spirit. Basically, it is the Word of God applied to our lives where nothing is off limits to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Having a healthy soul matters. When the storms of life come, and they do come, the health of one's soul determines whether or not the wind and the rain knocks your spiritual house down.

Short Memory

I'm getting ready to make the long drive up and back to Pendleton. 'Basically looking at eight hours on the road today. Our oldest is playing an away game there, at the rodeo grounds.

Every week on the morning of game day, I give my sons the "Dad pep talk" about playing hard, being a leader and "leaving everything they've got physically on the field." I always ask if they're ready for "the talk." I don't get it, they always say "no."

You KNOW they get it anyway...

A friend of mine told me a while back that I only get one shot to do the "Dad thing" while my kids are young. There are times when you've got to barge in and tell them what they need to hear - even when they don't want to. There are other times where the last thing they need to hear is, "I told you so."

Trust me, they already know...

I've never heard "I told you so" from God - only from people (not that I've ever not deserved that kind of treatment from the Almighty!). We may find this somewhat obvious, but I would suggest that God already knows that He is right. The trick is to remember that for ourselves.

Why, oh why is my memory so short?

Glorious Nectar

Been a coffee drinker for some time now. Enjoy the flavors...I'm a real connoisseur. Love trying new exotic blends. Have actually ground beans with my teeth. Have been in several third world countries and tasted fresh roasted beans in those locations - what flavors and privilege that I've had to partake in these glorious nectar's!

We drink a stout medium to full-bodied coffee from Costco as our "at home coffee." Yup, it's Kirkland brand, Columbian Supremo. I pulled a trick I've seen my grandparents use on numerous occasions this morning. I re-heated yesterday's 'home coffee' remains that were still in the pot...

I know, the act itself sounds pretty disgusting - but I was late for my 6 AM meeting. Unfortunately it reminded me of the composite taste of all that "glorious nectar" from third world countries...

I'm so bummed...

Gnats

It's been a long, hard day. You know the kind - where it seems like the harder you try, the worse things get! About the time that I threw up my hands, I realized that I needed to stop doing things all by myself.

It's humorous but I'm getting the picture in my head of playing tug-a-war with a gnat. That's what it looks like when you and I play tug-a-war with the Almighty.

I can almost hear the laughter in heaven from here...

Missing God

Like most of us, I have missed God too many times in my life. What I'm speaking of are those times where God either is trying to get our attention, or has positioned us to do something, but we somehow miss the "divine" moment.

I remember a time while serving in my last church in Hermiston, Oregon. We had been pursuing Jesus for a greater sense of God's presence in that church. Basically it means that we can feel God's nearness in our own spirit (and I'm pleased to share that we have this kind of supernatural experience at Faith nearly every week - awesome!). A great congregation, it had been also been somewhat stoic and non-demonstrative up until the event that I'm speaking of. I remember that Sunday morning like it was yesterday. I was preaching in Acts 2 where it speaks of how the disciples functioned in the days of the early church. And so I read,

Acts 2:42-43 - 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ESV

And then I said, “I wonder what that was like when 'awe' came upon every soul…?"
I remember thinking later it was as if the Lord said in my heart at that moment, “Okay, I’ll show you what that was like.” Suddenly I was no longer in control of the service. I could not speak for the longest time as the Spirit of God moved over the congregation. I felt an unusual sensation of my body trying to fall down. But I resisted it. I mean, if I fell down, who would be in charge of the service?

Okay, I think you got it...

About 15 minutes after all of this began, in a halting-still-difficult-to-speak voice, I dismissed the service, but that anyone who wanted to stay could do so and just soak in the presence of the Lord. Most did.

After the service, four people told me their entire body felt like running water. They were doing everything they could to remain in their chairs.

I remember that we had some veteran missionaries with us that night, and after service we were sitting in our dining room where I told them what had happened that morning. He related a similar situation that had recently happened to him in front of one of our African Bible colleges. He fell down - what Pentecostal Christians call being "slain in the Spirit." All heaven broke loose. The point is, it was not because he fell down under the power of the Spirit. It was because he removed a barrier for the Spirit to move – himself.

I still wonder to this day what would have happened if I would have completely yielded myself to the Spirit that day…or many other times, circumstances and situations.

We can certainly beat ourselves up over and over again when it comes to these holy moments that we flat out miss the possibilities of an infinite God. I'm thinking about how many times we've missed God because we were so focused on our own agenda that the moment passed us by?

We were designed so that our bodies would be the physical address of God’s presence. We were designed so that our souls would long for more of God. We were designed...well, you get it.

It doesn't take a dreamer to think of how things are; it does take one to think of how things could be. With God, all things are possible...

The Miracle of New Friends

Yesterday was another great day at Faith!

I enjoyed God's presence and meeting new people who came to check us out. It is a wonder and miracle how people come into our lives. In the case of those whom we meet at Faith, they size up our church by how is looks, feels and flows for them. Basically it's like taking a car out for a spin for the first time. They want to know if the 'fit' is right.

The first hurdle is always how the place looks. A clean, well taken care of facility matters to newcomers. It communicates how much we care. Secondly, the feel of a service and congregation is next most important. Folks want to feel God's presence and the friendliness of a church. Having good music and a likeable person in the pulpit are major pluses as well. Thirdly, the flow matters. Basically, is the church going were they want to go in their Christian walk? Does the church offer programs (such as youth, children's, celebrate recovery, etc.)?

When the important items are checked off for new comers, they sign on to 'do life with you.' They are looking for healthy relationships to help move them ahead in their walk with Christ. They are also looking for authenticity in what they and others are doing.

I met a couple yesterday who attended the same high school, but never met; who later knew each other from afar, but never really conversed; and then eventually began dating and got married. Relationships truly are little miracles of God. How we come together for such a time as this makes the Faith Journey Adventure all that more amazing, adding to the seasoning of a local church and the lives it continues to influence within and outside...

Personal Fat-Burning Program

It is a gorgeous day in Central Oregon. First of all, the sun always come out. But most importantly, we're looking at unseasonably high temperatures, making the weekend nothing short of awesome!

I'll be at a wedding rehearsal and then a football game tonight. Tomorrow afternoon I'll do the wedding, which should be in the low 80's with a breeze. That's good, because the black suit and tie I'm wearing will need a little air...

I've been outside a few times today, doing chores, feeding the fish in our little pond and just enjoying the day. Our golden, Scotty the Wonder Dog is enjoying it too.

At tonight's football game we'll be sitting on concrete steps. A poor design for seating, the concrete retains the heat of the day, which turns into a personal fat-burning program for every person in the stands by about three minutes into the fourth quarter. Tonight should be good for about a pound and a half. After that we're all over cooked and dehydrated. That's why our booster club sells designer vitamin water so we can scam for more income for the program.

Hummmm. Those concrete steps we sit on sounds like a fund raiser...

Actually we should all be grateful. We're saving electricity by not having to fire up the sauna during September. Just go to the stadium.

Just wait a couple weeks though. Those same heaters we sit on will turn into ice cubes as the freeze moves into the region. Portable heaters and parkas will be the rule. Bend is the only place I know of where shorts, insulated long johns and sleeping bags are acceptable attire during the same football season.

You know, we should probably sell canisters of gas in the snack shack for those portable heaters. On those cold nights that are coming we could extort 300% profit...and get it. Remember, IT'S FOR THE KIDS!!!

The coaches said it was 103 yesterday on the field at the start of the Eagle Point - Mountain View JV game. The car said 95 in the parking lot. Doesn't matter - at those temperatures it's all relative.

Loved the shade...and the win!

Serenity Now!

I'm headed to Eagle Point today for a football game. It's a long drive alone and I learned last night that the start time was moved up an hour. I'm looking forward to the drive. I'll have my teaching CD's with me (from other people), my digital recorder, my cell phone, my idod, my GPS, a warm blanket, a digital video recorder, tri-pod, chair, umbrella and...

Have you ever wondered what they did before sliced bread?

I'm looking forward to the quiet on the drive down, to look ahead to Sunday, to pray for my family and church, and continue ahead on this faith journey. The way back? A car full of rowdy high school boys after a ballgame isn't exactly 'serenity now!'

Louie Giglio - Laminin

Every once in a while you come across something that really touches the heart. I've received the following clip from several sources over the past few months. It just seems right to share it again here. I'm hopeful that you'll appreciate it half as much as I do. It's from a national Christian speaker named Louie Giglio. Have a look. It's already had over 1.5 million hits on YouTube. Enjoy!

Pretty Good Advice

The desk is piled high, my "reminder" box from Outlook is full (which means I'm way behind) and I'm running out of time. Today feels like the proverbial hamster running on his wheel. I'm the guy on the wheel going as hard as I can...but not getting very far.

Hey, maybe this would be a good weight loss program?

Okay, I know it's not true. I also know that the stress I'm feeling right now is a bit self-induced. I've made up a schedule, I'm trying to stick to it, but it isn't working out today.

I'm in the Psalms right now in my daily Bible reading. David and the other guys who wrote that stuff (under inspiration of the Holy Spirit) continually amaze me. About a third of what we read from David is all about stress on some level or another. How he survived some of the things that went on in his purview is nothing short of miraculous. I move from project to project, message to message. He moves from bad guy coming to get him, to REALLY bad guy coming to get him.

Oh yes, almost forgot...he worships God in between these stressful adventures.

Hummmmmmmmm...

Pretty good advice if you ask me.

The Biggest Winner Again

Don't you love the Fall? The kids are back in school, the cool breeze reminds you that the holidays are coming soon and family will be getting together (and not to mention, you're already looking forward to the warmth of summer next year!).

We also enter into another season in the life of a local church. It was great to have a full worship team back on Sunday! We sang with our hearts and God met us in a wonderful way. It seemed like the heavens opened when we sang the last hymn together. What a great day!

As mentioned in last Friday's blog, yesterday was a review of where we are in the area of having a healthy body, soul and spirit. This has been our annual theme this year, under the auspices of the title, "The Biggest Winner." Instead of using the similar title from the popular weight-loss television show, we are the biggest winners because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for our sin, 2,000 years ago. That truth is still relevant today!

As part of our time together, we reviewed some ideas for goals in these three areas for this year, 2008. Here is what the chart looks like:



The body is made up of two parts, the physical and what is known as spiritual flesh. Basically what were talking about here is taking care of our physical bodies, and also not allowing ourselves to be controlled by the cravings of our flesh. The soul is the seat of our emotions and personality. If we did not have physical bodies, our soul would still identify who we are. It is our life flow. Having a healthy soul is all about having a healthy you on the inside. Lastly, our spirit is where we have relationship with God. It is were the relationship, the ongoing conversation that we can have with the Creator of the universe takes place. Being healthy in this area means that we can be led by the Spirit of God in this life.

When we began this process at Faith in February, we recognized that not everyone stays with their goals for the year. So whether you are starting for the first time, or need to simply re-new goals in this area, the above chart is a place to begin. Better yet, pray and ask the Lord to direct you to goals that will help you get healthier in your body, soul and spirit. Then take advantage of the simple chart below to express where you believe God would want you to go in these three key areas of your life. Simply make a copy of this blog, cut out the chart, fill in the blanks and pursue these goals. Here is the chart:



And yes, amazing but true, if you hand drew this chart on a scratch piece of paper, napkin or paper towel, it would still work!

Be encouraged to take this step now! Who knows, maybe your life will change for the better...

A Healthy Body, Soul & Spirit

As we are moving headlong into the weekend, I wanted to share a tidbit with you about Sunday at Faith here in Bend. We will be looking over goals that individuals set in the areas of their body, soul and spirit. No, we didn't collect anything written down by congregants, but those who were with us during those special meetings in February and March used the time to pray and set goals in each of these areas for this year. If you didn't participate in the first part of the year, are new to the congregation, or only know me through this blog, right now is a great time to connect with God in these vital areas of our lives! Think about what God would have you do in these areas. Either on Sunday in Church, or on Monday through this blog, I'll share with you some ideas you can pray about and move toward in your Christian walk.

This weekend we'll be returning to our theme, "The Biggest Winner." If you are in the Central Oregon area, you're invited to join us!

Blessings,

Pastor Mike

Thinking of Heaven

I'm working on a long-term project today, one whose focus is to help me "finish well." Basically it means that one of these days I want to hear the One that matters say, "Well done" instead of, "Yo howdy."

I wonder how many of us feel like we're hearing, "Yo howdy" way too much these days? What I'm getting at is the whole, "If you fail to plan you plan to fail" deal.

As part of this project I'm needing to work on vision statements. The problem is I keep writing goal statements. A goal is something you reach for whereas a vision is what you want that thing you're reaching for to look like. For example:

Goal: "To own a sports car."

Vision: "Traveling down route 101 in a red convertible with the roof down, my arm around my wife and traveling at a speed that over 300hp can perpetuate - and loving every minute of it."

Get it? Basically I'm like everyone else. I have no problem knowing what I want, I just have a hard time explaining what it looks like.

One of my goals, er, visions is to work for Jesus for free. That's right - free. To keep pursuing God's call on my life without the need of receiving a paycheck. I have a couple of friends who are presently doing just that. Because God has blessed some of the decisions they've made, they are literally able to turn their paychecks back into the churches that they serve.

Pretty neat if you ask me!

So, here I sit, working through these issues. I've always been a dreamer to a certain extent. But the longer I've lived I've come to understand that reality can bite sometimes and sidetrack from the bigger picture.

Sound familiar?

I know Someone who owns cattle on a thousand hilltops. The strange thing is, I can see that. I get it. In fact, we're such good friends that He's prepared a place for me and a multitude of others to enjoy and join Him. However I am having trouble seeing that one. You see, I know this Guy, and the place that He is preparing is better than the appointments on a cruise ship.

That one boggles my mind...

Every once and a while if we could imagine what heaven is going to be like, we would find that our present reality hopelessly pales by comparison.

Ah yes, the sports car...never mind...!

Sarah Palin Again

Last night's Republican National Convention featured their Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. The headline my local paper (The Bulletin, Bend, OR) screamed, "Palin electrifies Republicans." The lady governor delivered the most important political speech of her life last night and simply hit it out of the ballpark.

Since John McCain's choice for a running mate was made known last week, the proverbial fur flew, everything hit the fan, someone took a feather pillow to the top of a windy hill and let the contents fly...that's the kind of week it was for the little known "hockey mom" from Alaska.

And then came Wednesday when the nation heard that the only difference between a bulldog and hockey mom is lipstick...

Is this person who is a candidate flawed? Absolutely. Between now and Election Day the dirty laundry of four political families is going to be aired. We are going to be inundated with information that we never wanted to know about anyone.

On a fleshly level, we love vindication. We like to see it in sports, politics and in life. We love to see someone who was down make a comeback - and the chief executive from Alaska did just that last night.

I don't know who's going to win in November. Yes, it does matter to me because I vote and I live in this great land. Last night was a defining moment for many in our country. We have many defining moments in our lives and some of those moments are vindications. It normally occurs when a child you raised becomes an adult and calls from a great distance to tell you that you were right about something you said many years before. There is one vindication moment that will be too late to call anyone. That is the moment when we are face-to-face with Jesus. One day, "every knee will bow..."

An Unmanageable God

Psalm 44 is nothing short of an amazing read. In it, King David writes that even though he and the people had kept their faith in God, had not violated the covenant, nor turned their back on the Almighty, their enemies had invaded and done them harm anyway. The Psalm concludes with David asking God to "wake up" and fix the problem.

Pretty bold, huh?

What is plain to see is the cry of the heart of someone who is hurting. At one time or another, we've all been there. The hard part is that there is no resolution to the situation in Psalm 44. We're just left in the air as to what happened. I dare say we've all been there as well - not allowing enough time to pass between our ears for Divine Intervention. What we do know is this - that the concluding verses is a prayer for victory.

It is always my desire to paint God into a corner. If I do "this," God will do "this." I want to force His hand to get Him to do what I want. All the time. Jump my hoops when I toss the rings down.

Doesn't work that way though.

In Psalm 44 the people were "right" before God (according to David) and yet had experienced calamity and subsequently were about to face even more. They couldn't figure out why. We can say that a difficult situation is a trial to perfect their faith. We can say that God is wanting to teach them something important that will impact the future. We can also say that we don't always know what's going on because God is sovereign - He can make up His own mind as to what He wants to do.

I'm glad that He functions by nature of what we see in the Scripture. And I'm also glad that He is an unmanageable Deity, not bowing to my whims. If He did, He wouldn't be God, but my genie or worse yet, errand boy...

As for Israel in Psalm 44? Good news! There are 106 Psalms that follow. There are other times when things were pretty much rotten for the people, but also a bunch more Psalms that simply extol the praises of the One who hears our hearts and does what He thinks is best to meet our need.

No Strangers Here

It was a privilege to have lunch today with one of our state denominational leaders. I'm glad that our denominational structure allows us to actually know those who are in authority over us. Over a meal, we talked and talked, having an authentic converstaion about the things in life and ministry that really matter.

What I'm saying is, the guy didn't have a check list...

Times like these cause me to examine my own relationships in my home and in the church that I serve. Sure my wife and I have friends that we spend time with. But the nature of the body of Christ is one of family, kinship and doing life together. Speaking of family, even when the kids go through that whole "grunting" stage of communication (i.e., middle school), I'm still responsible to draw them out by asking leading questions that require more than a "yes" or "no." It takes effort. I've noticed too many times where I've been too busy to follow through. But then again, what on earth am I thinking? I should never be too busy to draw my kids out in conversation...

I've spent time with the Lord today. While being omnipresent (God is everywhere) He is able to multitask, carrying on millions and billions of conversations at the same time. Each conversation matters. I'm thinking again about the investment from my side of the relationship - do I talk too much and not listen enough?

I'm thinking that God has the ability to speak more into my life than me into His...

So, I'm continually working on being a better dad and husband (results still vary). Who knows, maybe my kids will have a positive example to follow when they become parents. And maybe, just maybe, when the kids leave the house, the other person living in our home won't be a stranger...

With God's help, all things are possible.

Adding is His Deal

I'm pretty surprised at the response from Sunday's message on the kind of people that God blesses. As a result, I would like to drop in a quote that pretty much encapsulates what we were talking about:

“Is money my master or is money my servant? I believe that God intended things a specific way. If God is my master, I’m His servant, then money becomes my servant to accomplish Kingdom purpose. But when I have that reversed, money becomes my master, money tells me what to do, the spirit of mammon becomes my master and then I need God to be my servant to get me money."
Craig Hill
Pastor and Author, in a February 21st interview with Sid Roth

The purpose of the message was to point out the obvious - these are not easy times right now. I'm not a prosperity preacher, but I understand God's provision (albeit, in a limited way!). What I know is that He has called me to seek Him first. When I do this the Bible says that "all of these things will be added" to me (Matthew 6:33). The adding part is not my problem or responsibility - but the seeking God part is. It is not a coincidence that God blesses those who obey His Word. How He blesses is His deal, not mine. When we leave the blessing duty to God, the issue of money takes a back seat. When blessing comes - however it looks, wow, it's awesome!

Really Close

Like many of us, I've been watching the updates on Hurricane Gustov that is presently (as I write) blasting through New Orleans and heading Northwest. In the way is Lake Charles where my friend Mark Abshire lives. Please pray for Mark and his family, others that you know, and for the situation there. It is comforting to hear the report of massive evacuations this time, so we miss the human tragedy of Katrina from three years ago.

I'm glad to live in an area like Central Oregon. No hurricanes or tornado's, and I'm on high ground from flooding. Our only impending danger are volcano's...

I can see a cinder cone from my front porch. It's REALLY close.

Not to worry though - the thing is extinct. As I recall, so was Mt. St. Helen's...

Being extinct is a good thing because it is also the only volcano within the city limits of an American community. Besides, area Rotary clubs have done a nice job decorating the top of that thing, which is now a state park. It would be a real bummer for the thing, Pilote Butte, to go off - ruining all that beautiful brick work...

...and ruin our whole day.