Taking a Week Off

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm taking the week off from my blog to be on vacation! I'm looking forward to being back again next week. My kids are off and family will be here this afternoon from out of town for the holiday.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

If the Church Were a Starbucks

The following YouTube clip I saw for the first time today on my friend, Brian Eno's blog site. It is so good that I wanted to show it here. A parady on church through the eyes of Starbucks, sadly we violate a good number of these cultural taboos at Faith. Hope you enjoy this...and consider it food for thought.

Supersize Me!

Had a meeting today with a group of local pastors. Really enjoy these quarterly get-togethers as I find them to be completely energizing. We generally talk about things "that really matter." They are also meetings without an agenda.

How refreshing.

In thinking about my prayer life, if I'm honest I have to admit that too often I show up to my meeting with God with an agenda. I want this to be better and that to change, and wish that everything on this one project would go better. I come with so many needs at times that I forget to just sit at the feet of the Master and listen for His agenda, the things that He wants to do through my life and the new direction He might need for me to go.

Sometimes our self-importance gets in the way of the bigger picture. When I think of how God looks at the world I get the impression that the only way I really gain importance is by doing His will and by accomplishing His purposes.

I'm thinking aloud that perhaps at times we're all a bit too presumptive in thinking that our will and purposes are the zenith of greatness. My fleshly nature loves the feeling of self-importance - just as yours does, but authenticity with God requires you and I to die to self and embrace His much bigger purposes and perspective.

Is "bigger," better? At a fastfood joint - probably not. When it comes to God's purposes and plans, SUPERSIZE ME!

"Remains from Sunday" Now Availible

The latest "Remains," the message from last Sunday, November 16th at Faith Christian Center is now available by clicking here or by clicking the link in the right column.

Enjoy!

A Wise Investment

I spent some time today working on our up coming missions trip to Mexico. In fact, the photo at right is of a few of team members from 2007, a couple trips ago. I'm thinking that this is something like trip number seven or eight that we've done, connecting with the same precious missionaries in Baja California. Art and Joyce Stoneking are construction missionaries who have also started an orphanage as well. In fact, currently a couple from our church are traveling a good length of Baja painting churches that the Stonekings helped build. What a rich heritage our missionary friends have! Look past the block, mortar and concrete and you'll realize the real investment they've made - people. I've said it many times and it is worth continued repeating, "People are the only commodities on this planet that will live forever."

What a wise investment...

Where God's People Function Like God's People

Just getting back from Portland a few minutes ago. What a long ride, but so worth it! I was there with friends, one of whom had a kidney transplant from his daughter.

Awesome outcome! To God be the glory!

Both daughter and dad are doing really well, as are the other family members who gathered at Oregon Health Sciences University for the set of surgeries. I'll tell you who else is doing well, my friend's Faith Journey Group. At Faith where I pastor, "Journey Groups" are our adult small group ministry that meet on a weekly basis across our city and region. The folks in the particular group I'm speaking of hauled a travel trailer for our friends to live in for their two week stay at the hospital. That's seven hours 'round trip, plus set up time. This FJG also provided food for their meals, along with heavy prayer support for both surgeries.

What a privilege it is to be part of a church where God's people function...like God's people! Wahoo!

Seeing Folks at their Very Best

I'm in Portland tonight with a family from church, here for my friend's surgery. I love the people I'm privileged to serve, but sometimes the hospital visit can make my heart sad. I strongly dislike seeing any one that I know (or don't know for that matter) suffer. Sometimes it feels like I'm seeing out people at their worst. But someone wiser than me about this stuff pointed out while back that I'm also seeing our people at "their very best."

I agree.

My friend is here for a kidney transplant - from his daughter no less, making the whole issue doubly tenuous. I've personally had two surgeries the last three years, one for a broken elbow and the other for a deviated septum (i.e. "nose job"). I have never appreciated the thought of going under anesthesia - or the knife for that matter. Somewhere in the process of getting ready for surgery you get to sign all of the forms describing every awful thing that can happen to you, even death. It can be a little unnerving at times. I was thinking about that tonight when I met with my friend and his wife. I was reminded that even though there are times when we may have doubts, that without doubt there would not be faith. Having 'a peace that passes all understanding' is nothing short of amazing when we understand how far we've outgrown our human uncertainty.

My friend? He believes and we believe God for the very best result tonight and tomorrow. But as he told me tonight, like so many have told me before him, even if things should not go the way we all want, or believe they will go, he is fully prepared to enter into the greatest joy mankind can ever know - the presence of God.

I think what impresses me most is the confidence I hear in a voice and the expression of complete trust on the face of the person confronted by their own physical frailty. I'm grateful that physical frailty does not equate to being spiritually stunted. That's ultimate, life-giving faith...and once again seeing people at their very best.

New and Improved?

I'm losing weight and feeling pretty good these days. My knees are crying for joy as they no longer have that sixth grader that had been riding around on my back the last couple decades. So, I have a new photo today on this site, taken last weekend. There is also a new photo as you scroll down to "About Me" of my lovely wife Tami and I. She looks terrific! We both have a ways to go on the physical part of our Faith Journey Adventure to have healthier bodies...but we're doing so much better. Are we new and improved? Nah, but we sure feel better!

Stick Out Your Tongue and Say "Ah"

I was up early and went downtown this morning for a blood test. I'm having labs taken as I have a complete physical taking place the end of next week. This is one of those check-ups that's long overdue, checking to see if some family traits have caught up with me yet and where I am physically as I prepare for the "second half" of my life. Yup, right now I'm planning on 94 years. Yes, of course I'll re-evaluate that goal the closer I get. Fortunately there are enough preservatives added to our food supply that we should all live forever! But then reality hits - we ALL live forever. Our choices are "smoking" (hell) or "non-smoking" (heaven).

Non-smoking please...

Our annual theme at Faith for 2008 has been, "The Biggest Winner." The focus has been all about having a healthy body, soul and spirit. We all need periodic check-ups in these areas. The struggle comes when those check-ups are long overdue. I'm really not looking forward to my physical, but it is necessary. I want to be around to see my grand kids grow up. The fact that I don't have any yet puts more emphasis on my need for physical health. While not pleasant, physicals are common in the American culture. Having a healthy soul and spirit is not usually on the priority list, even among those who attend church every week. There is a difference between just attending a church service and doing something with what you've heard.

I personally enjoy going to conferences because they are times of helping me move ahead in my life and profession. But it is the day-to-day implementation of what I've learned that makes a conference all the more beneficial. Attending a Bible believing church on a weekly basis not only adds value to you life, but makes the Faith Journey Adventure possible. Being in God's house is a healthy, weekly check-up for the soul and spirit. We gather together to worship with our mouths, with our ears and with our resources. It kinda reminds me of when the doctor says, "Open your mouth, stick out your tongue and say, 'Ah.'" Worshipping God is just what the Creator...created us for.

Get healthy and get your weekly check-up...this weekend!

The Best Part

Long ride today, over and back to Salem for a meeting. My buddy Curt from Redmond rode with me. He's younger than I am, in the ministry as an associate, and FULL OF DREAMS. Love being around guys like that. Just by being with them I can feel the energy of their life replenishing my soul. We all need times like that - where we're encouraged just by listening to someone talk about their life and what really matters...

Wow, reminds me of one of the best parts of church!

Sense of Expectation

It's been an interesting day and week. I've been watching the stock market lose nearly 14% since the election, testing the lows of October's crash. We're in the middle of a series of Autumn storms moving through Central Oregon - this one without snow - that's littering the neighborhood with spent leaves that looked so beautiful a couple weeks ago when they were attached to their source. Now it's time to rake, which reminds me of one of the important reasons why we had children...

I'm home today, working on Sunday. A good number of folks have been coming to Christ this Fall in services at Faith, which is remarkable given the nature of our subject, the Book of Ecclesiastes. As I look toward Sunday I'm thinking about my small group meeting this morning, talking with men from our church about what God is doing in the church. It feels like something is about to happen. Yes, I can literally 'put my finger on it.' However, I don't know what will happen. I mean, what does/will a new revival/move of God look like at Faith Christian Center?

I know with that last sentence I've opened a very large can of worms. The scramble right now is for some to put definitions on what a "revival" is, or what "a move of God" is. Incredibly, these expressions have been defined in a number of ways through the wineskins of the events from past church history. But those definitions change as time presses on and extraordinary events take place in specific locales. Revival and a move of God look the same, yet different in each place. Some of these powerful times may feature massive numbers of salvations; others feature physical manifestations on those in attendance; others feature healing or other gifts of the Holy Spirit shaking a church. I don't know what will happen at Faith in the days ahead, but the term "shaking" may be the most descriptive of what could happen.

A sense of expectation is in the air...

New 'Remains from Sunday' Now Availible

The latest edition of "The Remains from Sunday" are available by clicking here, or the link in the column on the right.

Veteran's Day

It is a blustery, cold and wet day in Central Oregon. How fitting that such weather would be our backdrop to Veteran's Day, the national American holiday where we remember those who've served our country so well.

I'm told that war on a sunny, warm day is worse than a blizzard any day in any American community. On one level I get it. War is an awful man-made device for settling disputes. On another level I don't completely understand because others have paid a price that I will hopefully never pay with my life, or that of my children. We are so privileged and blessed to live in a place where the price of freedom continues to be paid for by our nation's best and brightest around the world. All of this is a reminder to us of Jesus Christ, who willingly gave His life to resolve another kind of war we have within ourselves - sin. Freedom from sin came at a high price...

Something Really Awesome

Received this YouTube again the other day. Thought I'd show it here on Sunday night. It's really something. Hope you enjoy it. Over 3 million hits on YouTube.

Blessings!

"Wise Up 90 Day Challenge"

Here at Faith where I pastor, we've been moving through the unique Book of Ecclesiastes. As part of this process, the issue of wisdom comes up over and over again. James 1:5-6 reminds us that we can ask God for wisdom and He will give it to us. There is nothing like going through life with a little help...

Just think what godly wisdom could do in your life. You'll make better decisions, possibly earn more in your vocation and certainly make you more valuable as a human being!

As a result of our study, I offered a challenge to the people of Faith Christian Center to pursue wisdom. Here is the actual material for this adventure:

The Challenge is to memorize James 1:5-6 and pray daily for wisdom for 90 days. Please pick up the “kit” located in the North or South foyer which consists of a simple 3X5 card. On one side you write the verse to be memorized in your favorite translation. On the reverse you write the days you prayed for wisdom at the top, and make notes on when you had wisdom ‘beyond your own’ at the bottom. The first week of February, we’ll begin asking for results from this challenge. This endeavor will be a life-changer for many as we all increase in wisdom that flows from heaven!

Blessings,
Pastor Mike Johnson, Lead Pastor

Whether you attend Faith or not, you can start now by getting out a card and following the instructions above. Take God at His Word and see what can happen! If you attend Faith, we'll have more cards available on Sunday to help you with your challenge. Remember it's 90 days. Give your prayers and brain time for God-given wisdom to germinate in your heart. As you makes notes on decisions and thoughts that were once beyond you, give God the glory!

By the way - regardless of your location, respond if you can when "God-stuff" starts to happen to/through you in this area!

Camelot Anyone?

We have a new President-elect today. I have read and experienced a whole menagerie of responses. On our favorite morning news show, they were gushing - without any objectivity I might add. It felt a lot like the munchkins on the Wizard of Oz dancing and singing, "Ding, Dong, The Witch is Dead." If I remember right, the current President is still President. At my small group meeting this morning there was wailing and gnashing of teeth. Around our office there was sincere concern and wonder about what is on the horizon. One person I talked to didn't care about the issues of the day. They were just wondering when their check from the Obama government was going to be in the mail. And as you can imagine, the blogosphere and Internet featured a full range of emotions.

Emotions are just that, emoting. On days like today it is "hyperbole run amok."

Now for a reality check I think we can all grab onto regardless of whom we voted for: I sincerely hope this all works out. Like they were juxtaposing on our favorite news show this morning, "Camelot anyone?"

"Remains" Availible

The latest edition of "The Remains from Sunday" are now available by clicking here, or by clicking on the link in the right column.

Epitaph

It's election night, the evening of the day that our country selects it's key leader. By sheer force our choice tonight immediately becomes the key leader on the planet.

Wow.

I can hear the prognosticators, commentators and "spin meisters" in the background as I write, explaining how things are going and who is going to have the biggest shindig when victory for their candidate finally comes. Frankly I'm getting pretty tired of red and blue state discussions. I certainly want my candidate to win. I always want my team to win. It appears tonight that I've done what I usually do; go with the underdog.

Regardless of who wins one thing is certain this coming Sunday. We will be praying in church as a congregation for our new president. That's not a political move, but a Christian act. The Bible is clear that we are to pray for those in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1-3; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Titus 3:1-2). I remember when a previous president was involved in behavior unbecoming of ANY married individual. Yes it was disgraceful and an awful example to an entire generation of American youth. But it was our responsibility to pray for him. Sadly, I'm of the ilk that we generally get the leadership we deserve. When they fail us miserably, we ourselves are forced to look in the mirror. If we think about it, there really isn't a whole lot of room to say, "I told you so." We are all in this together as a country, through thick and thin. That is what is so sad about politics because too often it seems like this isn't the case. It's always someone else's fault - which is an epitaph of a dying nation.

Whether our choice wins or not, prayer for our president may be the only difference between our success or failure over the next four years. And yes, I want OUR president to succeed whether I voted for him or not...because I'm an American citizen...and a Christian man.

Celebrate Recovery at Faith

Just came from an awesome experience about an hour ago. Was at our weekly Celebrate Recovery night at Faith. It was awesome!

Celebrate Recovery (CR) was started about 15 years ago at Rick Warren's church (Author, "Purpose Driven Life") in the Los Angeles area. It is a Christ-based "hurts, habits and hang-ups" recovery ministry. The ministry at Faith, headed up by our Associate Pastor Dick Stein, is approaching its second anniversary in a month. What impressed me most was the togetherness of the large group. As they were passing out "chips," I was moved to tears by the one who stood up after 90 days of sobriety, just as much as the one who was celebrating one year.

If you have a hurt, habit or hang-up and live in the Bend area, I invite you to a life-change at 6:30 PM on Monday nights. Better yet, come for dinner at 6 PM.

It matters.