A Wake of Wonder and Influence

Sat down for lunch today with a student from the former church I served in Northeast Oregon. I hadn't seen him in ten years.

Boy was I impressed.

He's 26 now and getting ready to start a campus ministry with our denomination at Colorado State University. I enjoyed listening to his heart and passion that God has given him for the big task that lies ahead. And then it happened. He related a story going back to when he was about 12, where my wife and I unknowingly made an impact on his life.

You just never know.

Sometimes it's the simple things that we do over and over again that makes all the difference. Eugene Peterson calls it, "A long obedience in the same direction." If we keep doing the right things over a long period of time, soon we'll notice a wake of wonder and influence following us. It's the 'noticing' part that's so much fun - that you and I can actually make a difference...especially with God's help.

Take some time to look around a little...you might be shocked by what you see!

Time to Vote...and a Time to Pray

I hope you enjoyed the above clip. It is time to vote our values!

As a private citizen, registered Independent and not representing the church that I serve, I have chosen to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket. The reasons are clearly moral, Biblical and values driven. While Christians who take my position are derided for being two-or-three issue oriented, I cannot in good conscience vote for candidate(s) who oppose basic Biblical truth and decency in the afore-visualized areas from the clip above.

Further, isn't everyone two-or-three issue oriented? Start counting...

I am one who believes in helping the poor, a Biblical value, which the other major party has historically cultivated through their campaigns. But I also believe what the Bible says that "...if a man will not work, he should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10)." I understand the plight of those who can't work. We need to help these folks wherever and whenever we can. But for those looking for a handout instead of a hand up, the Scripture is clear and the answer is no. This cultural outcome is the result of socialism, which I fear the party in opposition to McCain/Palin will take us towards.

Now that I've publicly made my choice, do I like all the positions and character of the one I'll be voting for President? No. But frankly he is more palatable than the positions of the other.

As I write I'm aware of the very real possibility that one party will be in control of the executive and legislative branches of government, giving them control over three possible appointments to the judiciary and frankly, government run-a-muck. I don't like this equation. I like checks and balances, even when my choice is in the White House. It's going to be interesting though, whether the favorite wins or there is an upset...with what either candidate can do as we try to bail ourselves out of what has become a national financial nightmare.

Time to vote...and a time to pray!

"Weekly Remains" Now Availible

The latest edition of "The Remains from Sunday" are now available at my other site. This week's message is a continuation of our series through the book of Ecclesiastes, "Wisdom Meets Folly...LOL," Part 2.

You can access "Remains" by clicking here or at the link in the right column.

Life Together

This past Sunday was our ten year anniversary at Faith. It was also Pastor Appreciation Sunday, the one day a year that many congregations honor their pastoral staffs. It was really nice. There was a little recognition ceremony and a reception after service. I wish that I didn't, but I really struggle with recognition like this. It is to my detriment and that of the congregation and our staff. People want to give thanks because they are loving and caring people. Besides, if I don't bless them in their caring, I deprive them of a blessing that God would give them for being so great themselves.

I think the best part was talking to folks afterward, thanking us for being their pastors. We have great people at Faith which makes it nothing short of a privilege to be in God's will in their presence. Time and again I have seen the people of Faith rise to the occasion when life's difficulties could have torn them apart. They have leaned hard on Jesus and one another. It reminds you what a church community is for - doing life together.

God is so good.

Quiche Eater

Some friends of ours went with my wife and I to see the Kirk Cameron film, "Fireproof." Basically it is a film about marriage from a Christian perspective with a wide audience appeal. We were not disappointed - we really liked it. The movie is making a dramatic impact on marriages across the country. A friend of mine, a non-church-goer went and saw it a couple weeks ago and immediately told his co-workers to go see it. He's a 'man's man.' But when I asked him how the movie was he told me there wasn't a dry eye in the place.

I know, all I can visualize is this big, strong guy tearing up in a movie - the bane of every American male. It's right up their with real men not eating quiche...

Nope, the movie wasn't a chick-flick. It really wasn't sappy. It was just so...real. My eyes watered, probably not at the right place, but for a moment I was caught off guard near the end of the film. Got one good tear on the end of my finger out of the corner of my right eye. Having seen the movie, I completely understand the reaction of my friend...

I strongly recommend Fireproof to any married person. Sadly I find that the only people who go to stuff like this are those whose marriages are already strong.

Hmmmmm....

I like my quiche with cheese and ham, thank you.

Hand Warmers

Just got back from yet another football game in freezing temperatures. The hand warmers weren't warm enough and the new gloves I bought got sweaty - creating some real issues. So I started moving around down on the track with the other parents who watch their boys from the sidelines. I figured some movement would warm me up.

Didn't work.

Warmth is an amazingly important feature that the body needs in order to get along. Instead of focusing on the game like I should have been, I was continually being interrupted by what my body was saying.

Our relationship with Christ should be like that. When we are out of step with the Savior, our soul should be out of whack as well. The warmth of His embrace, knowing the nearness of His presence should consume us.

Hand warmers only mask the real symptoms of our physical bodies. In the spiritual realm, I'm wondering if we think about hand warmers way too much...

SR-71 Blackbird

Met with some missionaries yesterday who reminded me of how quickly the world is changing. Just mailed our staff and church board about some adjustments that we might consider making in the future, things like having the ability to use credit cards at church and on the website. The thought of it scares me, but the reality is that 20-somethings use plastic instead of cash and checks. They are the first generation to not know a time before debit cards...

Some of us are getting old.

Change is inevitable. Change is also exponential in this day and age where knowledge continues to expand at explosive rates. I remember years ago when the SR-71 "Blackbird," our top secret spy plane was declassified. Completely futuristic at the time, the craft looked like it was from outer space. It was also 11 years old by the time our military/government pulled back the curtain. It made everyone wonder what we had flying around that was brand new...

Most pastors stand before their congregations Sunday after Sunday, trusting God for change in the lives of those whom they serve. If we're not growing in Christ, soon we become stagnant and out of touch - and then we begin to die a little along the way. Everyone has a tendency to want everything to remain the same. Me too these days. But that is not the nature of the Kingdom of God. The greatest days of the Faith Journey Adventure remain ahead of us!

Time in a Bottle

Was looking at my new Facebook picture. It was taken Labor Day weekend. The one posted at right (and top) as my main blog photo is about five or six years old. I used to call it my "skinny" picture, but now I'm actually 25 pounds lighter. I wish it looked like it.

Time does funny things to a body. I've lost an entire person in weight and feeling lots better. Unfortunately I have no caboose anymore to allow my belt to keep my pants up. Everything is shifting and my "Hawaii 5-0" party is only a few years off.

Time does funny things to the brain too. All I can think about right now is how large of a bottle Grecian Formula comes in...

I'll be posting a new picture of my more svelt self after a few more months on the diet. Can hardly wait.

"Weekly Remains" Now Availible

The latest edition of the "Weekly" is now availible. Includes pictures and video clip from Sunday's message, "Wisdom Meets Folly...LOL!" Part 1. Here is the link:

http://pastormikejohnsonweekly.blogspot.com/

You can also access the link in the right column under "The Remains from Sunday."

Ca-ching!

Arrived at the office this morning, plugged the laptop in and suddenly a very disturbing sound filled the room. It was my laptop having some sort of personal crisis. I started and re-started the thing four times only to experience the same hideous, pit-in-your-stomach, this is gonna be a bad day sound.

So I called my friend the computer guy.

Took my machine over to the shop, where my friend turned it on...without any offending sound whatsoever. Crazy thing booted right up. You know that whole scenario where the woman takes the car to the shop because it is making some strange sound, only to get there and the vehicle is no longer making the offending noise?

All those nice ladies get a bum rap...

The machine stayed with my friend the rest of the day as there were other "issues," all related to "operator error." It's hard, but everyday I see that smooth operator in the mirror.

Having a potential crash on such a needy thing like a computer can sure turn a day - no, a week upside down. Even with the machine back I'm still having some issues. Basically, I'll be backing this thing up everyday for a while - until the machine really has a "crash and burn" scenario.

Have you ever looked at life that way? You are having some issues and you're told by someone to go home and wait until you're really bad, and then you can come in? Don't get me wrong - I am incredibly happy to get the machine back in my hands late this afternoon. But when it comes to life, sometimes it's just plain better to get the pain over with than to let it drag out forever. The walking wounded are all around us at all times. The old adage, "Time is money" applies here. How much time will your issue cost you?

Ca-ching!

More or Less

As mentioned last Friday, the women of our church were gone to a retreat this weekend. Lot's of testosterone in the service on Sunday, making for a pretty quiet day. I didn't realize the impact our women have on a church service.

It was still a pretty remarkable day at Faith as people's lives were changed by the nearness of God. What a blessing it is to be in His presence. Our ladies? They returned from an amazing weekend. The reports of healings and other transformations preceded their arrival back home Sunday afternoon.

I can hardly wait for this Sunday...

This Saturday is a golf tournament for our missions trip. In fact, you can still play if you are going to be in the area - contact Faith Christian Center in Bend - proceeds go to missions. It should be a great time being out with the guys (and gals) on likely my last golf outing of the year. In a couple weeks we're likely to have snow on the ground. Golf is quite a game. Shots go left, go right, but hardly ever straight - or at least where you want them to. Such is the state of the game of a hack like me. I do all kinds of things to get my shots to go where I want them to go. Generally it's a control issue. The more control I have, the worse I get. Church is a lot like that too. The more there is of Christ and the less there is of me - wow, that's when the amazing can happen...

Getting Smarter

My wife is gone to retreat and my daughter and I were at yet another football game tonight, this one for the oldest again. They won. Wife called twice to check on the score and what our son had done. Life is pretty busy at times and it is tough to do everything that you want to do. Tami pretty much needed to be at the retreat, even though we had a game tonight and a big event effecting our two oldest tomorrow. Fortunately we don't make too many sacrifices these days when it comes to our kids...like I used to.

Somewhere along the way I grew a brain and got a lot smarter. We're all better for it - including the church that I serve.

Priceless

It's late, I'm tired and have just returned from a long day on the road. I worked this morning on administrative stuff and headed to The Dalles around noon with a parent for a football game our oldest boys were playing in. Had a great time and our team won. Enjoyed hearing the boys tell stories of the game on the way home too. Like the commercial, "six hours on the road, great conversation, much laughter and seeing my kid throw five touchdowns in the first half - priceless."

Yes I'm proud!

(RSVPhoto)

Hollandaise Surprise

It's a hard day and not for reasons that you would think. I've been on a strict diet since the middle of June and am really hungry today for some reason. I'm supposed to be "sermonizing" and all I can think about is a burger or ANYTHING on the menu at Jakes, our local trucker's restaurant. I was there this morning for breakfast with my men's small group. One of the guys had a "Hollandaise Surprise." Huge omelette, browns and toast, smothered with beautiful yellow sauce... SURPRISE, I wanted one too!

I wanted to write that I digress, but I've actually been digressing all day...

Let's look at where the Bible meets life today. Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane where he asked his disciples to pray for Him as he went through what is known as, "agony." He literally prayed so hard He sweat blood. Here is what he said,

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41 NIV

Of course, the disciples had fallen asleep. Time and again we want to do what is right, but unless we have control over our body, our flesh will control us instead, submitting us to its whims. This is part of what is called our 'sin nature,' and includes more than falling asleep or wanting to consume the entire menu at your favorite local eatery. It includes all of those things in our lives that are not good for us, and can come between us and God. It can mean immoral thoughts and actions. It can refer to what is going on in your private life where no one sees you...except God.

Check out what Paul writes in Romans 7:18:

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. NIV

So true. Among other things he wrote about this subject in Romans, have a look at 8:5:

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. NIV

I am hungry today, not because I haven't eaten, but because I'm thinking about the wrong stuff. Today it's food that I know I can't have. I'm headed to lunch in a few minutes. I'll be having some of my diet soup. And then later I'm having some more water. I'm going to make it because since the middle of June I've decided where I'm going to live in regard to this issue.

So can you...in whatever area that it is that your flesh desires but you know you shouldn't have... With God's help, all things are possible!

Remains Availible

The Remains from last Sunday at Faith are now available! You can access the remains by clicking the link in the right column.

Wild and Crazy

Nearly lost control of our staff meeting today at the office. Our younger guys yucked it up, whooped around and generally had a lot of fun. It was really nice...

I've come to understand that when we dream wildly, speaking out the ridicuoulous and silly ideas that are on the top of our heads, that eventually the crazy brilliant God-thoughts can happen. It's almost like we finally get outside of the pressures of deadlines, schedules and presuppositions that we are able to release something that is extremely valuable.

The wild and crazy guys of our staff were awesome today. Have a wild and crazy day yourself!

Get a Dog that Hunts

I ran after the mundain, forgetable yet neccesary activity that makes the rest of life go a whole lot easier. The supurlatives I'm thinking of right now are only limited by my own ineptitude and frustration.

I worked today at cleaning off my desk...

I know, a real bright spot for my life...and yours (yes, that was sarcasm). I've been working at better time management skills and this seems to be the last frontier of my major issues. I tend to make big pile of 'important' things, only to discard them when I see them again six weeks later.

Okay, that's really not true. Eight weeks is more like it...

So my pile gets higher and higher and I have no clue the day after I put something on top, what's right underneath of it. It's an affliction that I've identified it and am working at it. I need to be like a hound dog and get this one sniffed out, apprehended and taken care of for good...

Humorously stated, the Bible says it well in the Song of Solomon:

Catch for us the foxes,
the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards,
our vineyards that are in bloom.
Song of Solomon 2:15 NIV

Just came in the house with our golden retriever, "Scottie the Wonder Dog" (pictured above). Scottie, well, the dog really doesn't hunt. Scottie plays - he's really good at it. Playing is a good thing. It brings joy to our lives. But if we don't take care of the foxes in our lives, in our hearts, play time ends for a loooooong time.

Yeah, and you'd better get a dog that hunts...

Pre-Service Congregational Prayer Meeting

For those who attend Faith Christian Center in Bend, I want to remind you of our special pre-service congregational prayer emphasis this month. We'll be meeting in Hootman Hall at 8:30 AM, and then praying around the "ring" of the Sanctuary. I encourage everyone to be there for this important time as we press in for such a time as this!

Blessings,

Pastor Mike

The View from Shoulders

We awoke this morning to snow on the roof tops around our cul-de-sac. It snowed last night on thousands of Central Oregonians who were attending football games in the region. Today is something of a holiday for area students as it is state in-service day for the teachers. That's why the most of the games were last night.

It was chilly...and I've spent most of the day blowing my nose!

Today Costco was filled with people getting ready for the weekend. Parking was best described as a competition. I raced around with twenty other vehicles after that one spot.

It just dawned on me why my wife didn't come with me.

I was following the stock market today that had a 1,000 point swing - which I'm told was historic. Wow - incredibly overwhelming when we consider that the credit crisis has spread around the world. Iceland is headed toward bankruptcy and several nations halted trading in their financial markets.

When we look at all the activity going on around us, it can be pretty daunting. Getting 'sicker' by foolishly sitting out at a football game in the snow, believing that finding my parking place at Costco is some kind of sporting event, or thinking for a moment that my ten bucks in the stock market is going to make a difference really doesn't matter much in the greater scheme of things. Or does it?

On Sunday at Faith we'll be in the second message of our series in the Book of Ecclesiastes. It's written by the famously wise king of Israel, Solomon, late in his life after it had been poorly effected by the religions affections of a portion of his way too many wives. In effect, he knew what was right when it came to faith and guidance, but functioned in his own strength and power instead.

He became lost in his own reasoning.

In the Book, Solomon himself comes to his senses and answers many of the questions that he poses about the futility of man and his own thinking. Yes, each one of us does make a difference, each one of us has a divine purpose and each one of us matters. Sometimes we have to get a different perspective in this life to figure that out.

When I was young, like other every kid I loved to be on my father's shoulders. What did I see from there? Everything. When my thirty-six inch frame was on the ground, I didn't see so much. That's the deal with Solomon. He got to the place where he forgot how important it was to sit on his heavenly Father's shoulders instead of his own two feet. That's how a man can write about futility...

That Whole Parenting Thing

I missed blogging yesterday as I was in Northeast Oregon (Hermiston to be exact) for a football game with my oldest son.  It was a great trip riding with another dad on the way up, and a car load on the way back.  I make it a point of being at the football games.  In fact, I try to make everything.  It's that whole guilt over my kids feeling like the church comes first.  Football is a little bit different deal though.  It's a collision sport, where bad things can happen in a moment's notice.  If my kid gets hurt, I want to be there.  I also want to control the hospital they might end up in.  I'm not paranoid (well, maybe just a little) but I already had the hospital picked out in Southeastern Washington should a serious injury occur.  I guess it's that whole parenting thing...

I was reading this morning that we "make our plans but it is God who determines the steps" (Proverbs 16:9).  I'm so glad there is someone who is not only omnipotent nearby, but also level headed.  Now if I can just get the listening thing down, I'll be doing even better! 

10,000 Hits

Ascended a milestone sometime this morning.  Went over 10,000 hits on this site.  I would like to thanks all those who are faithful readers, along with the lookilou's, interlopers and those who were just plain lost and stumbled on this place."  I'm hopeful that you've enjoyed the journey and our time together as much as I have.  Thank you too for your kind responses. 

Blessings to each of you!

School Conferences

School conferences were today for our three kids. It was hard to do, but I conveniently arrived home in time to miss the ride to the schools. My wife, noble and long-suffering woman that she is, took notes and gave the report when she got home. We don't get assigned appointments like the old days. You know, when you would come to the classroom, sit in your child's desk with the teacher lording over you in their higher chair behind their imposing wooden desks. I think they used to do things that way because many teachers were trying to get back at parents for the behavior of their kids in class.

Yeah, they probably had it coming. But I digress...

Now we go to school for conferences and drop in during a block of time shared by the parents of the 1600 other students. It's a competition. No, REALLY. One agitated or concerned parent can occupy a teacher's time for an hour while 300 other parents wait in line. Four parents like that rob the other 296 waiting in line. Parent time is only 4 to 8 PM.

Teachers today have a tough job. When they took away corporal punishment in school, teachers got in the proverbial line themselves for tattoos...red bulls-eyes on their foreheads. Sure there are great kids. But there are the handful that make the lives of these public servants pure misery.

Teachers matter and add value to our lives. Make sure you tell a teacher that they've made a difference. It may be the only grade they get that matters to them...

Basking

The nearness of God continues to amaze me.  I'm so glad to serve the One who does mighty things and is full of surprises!

As I reflect on yesterday's service, it wasn't special because the music was good (and it was), or because of the people who were there, but because God showed up.  I know that the last few words of that last sentence may trivialize the Almighty, but within the context of what happened in people's lives yesterday morning, GOD SHOWED UP!

A long story short, the normal prayer time during the middle of the service turned into something quite extraordinary for those who needed the nearness of God.  We tend to want this kind of experience with God when there is an issue of the body, soul or spirit.  In essence, we need some sort of healing or re-aligning with the Creator and the only way to accomplish that is to go to the Source - Him.  During that prayer time as the altars were filled several layers deep with the spiritually hungry and hurting, people were profoundly touched.

I'm so glad that God is not silent.

Yes, I'm basking in God's goodness.  But then again, I'm really looking forward to what might happen today, tomorrow...and this coming Sunday.

Sunday's Message Now Available

"The Remains from Sunday" (yesterday's message) is now available at:

http//pastormikejohnsonweekly.blogspot.com/

You can also click the link in the right bar, "Pastor Mike's Faith Journey Adventure Weekly."

Passion

Was on Facebook a few minutes ago. My former college roommate Mike Rima said he was getting ready for a church service where he serves. I'm getting ready for another kind of service - watching my oldest play football on a chilly, damp Central Oregon evening.

I love both kinds of service...

I serve my family because I love them. I serve Jesus because I love Him. The cold and wet of this Friday night will not keep me away. I just have to be there.

It's the same on Sundays too...

What's your passion?

The Act of One Changing Everything

It's late, I'm tired and it's been a good day!

My folks came down from Seattle and surprised our kids. They are here to see our oldest play football in a JV game today - which got cancelled. Seems the other team didn't have a quarterback. I called them immediately to let them know. Unfortunately, they had already driven four and a half hours with only 50 miles left to go. Those boys should have sent the rest of us a memo that they were going to be sick today...

Okay, just kidding.

Well, not really...

It never ceases to amaze me how the actions of others and the actions of our lives affect those around us - whether we know them or not. I recall an event that took place about 2,000 years ago where an act of love on the part of One changed everything for everyone...

Good night!

New Site Features the Remains from Sunday

Just an FYI for you about something that is brand new for me. On Mondays I will be publishing the previous day's message preached at Faith on a new site titled, "Pastor Mike's Faith Journey Adventure Weekly." The site looks very much the same as this one, but will only publish once a week. You can access it at the link to the right.

I'm also considering a "daily" site that will feature a Bible study that you can use as part of your devotional life. The truth is, I've already set it up, but am waiting to decide on content. To be frank, I'm trying to determine if I would be something that would be worth my time to put together once a month (blogger allows me to be able to put in entries well in advance, publishing on the date that I designate). The real question is, will it be used?

Hope you like the new site, and the possible third one that will follow!

Blessings,

Pastor Mike