It's been a while. Sorry about that.
I just finished reading Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. The book caused me to really reflect on what I learned while on a mission trip to Ghana, West Africa. My focus should be an eternal one and not a temporal one. Eternity is real. It's as real as the truth of Jesus Christ. If Eternity is real (and it is) we should be focused on living in this temporal world in a way that makes us realize that life isn't about yesterday, today or tomorrow in the worlds view which says, save money for the future, spend money now to buy what you want so you'll be happy, buy stuff...lots of stuff, do what ever you want to...nobody is watching and nobody cares. Just do what makes you happy. This is the lie of the world, it is the lie of Satan. To be focused on eternity we should live in this temporal world in a way that EVERYTHING we do brings glory to the one who has called us to salvation. Use my time, talents and resources (financial) to reach the lost, help the poor, build the church (the body of Christ, not pretty buildings). I'm going to spend more time focusing on my eternal destiny and not my temporal dwelling. As my pastor recently encouraged me...open your eyes, look around and repeat after me..."it's all going to burn".
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Be like Jesus
I've been thinking a lot about what being a Christian really means. Is it showing up at a church every Sunday? Is it carrying a Bible every where you go, or maybe leaving your Bible in your car for people to see? Is it saying a prayer and being dunked in some water? Is it being able to remember all the book names of the Bible and John 3:16? Is it wearing nice clothes and having a nice hair cut, you know...the "Christian look"? Is it having a bookshelf full of various Bible translations, commentaries, concordances and other books written by Christians? Is it attending a Bible college and getting a degree? Is it about just doing what you see other Christians do because that makes you look more Christian? Is it being able to say a prayer out loud with lots of "lords" and "fathers" and "amens"? What is it?
O.k. - BIG DISCLAIMER here. This is my opinion based on the only source of truth that is trustworthy...the Bible.
A Christian is a person who has had a personal experience with Jesus Christ. A Christian is a person who has felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit in their heart, has asked Jesus Christ to forgive them of the things the Spirt has convicted them of, a.k.a SIN, and has a true desire to repent of those sins, that is to "reject them", "turn away from them", "change direction" in order to become more like Jesus. That's the goal - to be like Jesus. That's what I believe...it isn't just the initial step that makes you a Christian but it is also the process of having a desire to be more like Jesus, the perfect and sinless savior. This process has a big theological name called sanctification.
So how then are we to be like Jesus. Remember Michael Jordan? Yea, I'm old but Michael Jordan was a superstar NBA player and one of his sponsors, Gatorade, had a marketing campaign "Be like Mike" and it was hugely successful. All you had to do to be an NBA superstar like Michael Jordan was to buy their product. Well we know that just drinking some gatorade isn't going to make you an NBA superstar and being like Jesus is similar...you don't just say a prayer and look around to see what other "Christians" are doing to be like them. You have to read your Bible, pray for help and do your best with the help of the Holy Spirit to follow what Scripture teaches about being like Jesus.
Being like Jesus ain't for sissy's. I'm not talking about the Jesus most Americans think of...I'm talking about Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus that was homeless (Matthew 8:20), the Jesus that shamed the religious and political leaders of His day, the Jesus that said quit being concerned with how you look on the outside to people but rather be concerned about what your inside (your heart) looks like (Matthew 15:1-20), the Jesus that spoke truth and didn't care about being politically correct or hurting someones feelings (read your Bible), the Jesus that taught us to do things that are contrary to what our culture teaches us such as "be kind to your enemies" (Matthew 5:38-48), "give to/help the poor" but don't ask to be thanked or to do it for popularity or the praise of this world (Matthew 6:1-4); the Jesus that associated with the outcasts of society - the lame, the poor, the sick, those with leprosy, sinners, prostitutes, the blind, the oppressed (read your Bible) and at the end all he gets is false accusations, a mockery of a trial, spit on, severely beaten with whips and fists and then finally crucified - the most tormenting way of death the Romans could devise in that day. While being crucified he was ridiculed, mocked, humiliated and laughed at. See what I mean...it ain't for sissy's.
When you whole heartily reach a point in your life when you recognize what Jesus did for "YOU" there is nothing else you can do but ask for forgiveness and mercy and live for Him from that point on. This culture we live in and that we allow to impact our thinking and our life is not a good thing. In Romans 12:1-2 Paul tells us that when you consider what Jesus did for us we should offer ourselves as living sacrifices and no longer conform to the pattern of this world but to be transformed - that is to be like Jesus.
I can go on and on about this and there are multiple facets but rather than waste your time reading about this here go read your Bible and really think about what it is to be a Christian.
Check out the following video before you go.
O.k. - BIG DISCLAIMER here. This is my opinion based on the only source of truth that is trustworthy...the Bible.
A Christian is a person who has had a personal experience with Jesus Christ. A Christian is a person who has felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit in their heart, has asked Jesus Christ to forgive them of the things the Spirt has convicted them of, a.k.a SIN, and has a true desire to repent of those sins, that is to "reject them", "turn away from them", "change direction" in order to become more like Jesus. That's the goal - to be like Jesus. That's what I believe...it isn't just the initial step that makes you a Christian but it is also the process of having a desire to be more like Jesus, the perfect and sinless savior. This process has a big theological name called sanctification.
So how then are we to be like Jesus. Remember Michael Jordan? Yea, I'm old but Michael Jordan was a superstar NBA player and one of his sponsors, Gatorade, had a marketing campaign "Be like Mike" and it was hugely successful. All you had to do to be an NBA superstar like Michael Jordan was to buy their product. Well we know that just drinking some gatorade isn't going to make you an NBA superstar and being like Jesus is similar...you don't just say a prayer and look around to see what other "Christians" are doing to be like them. You have to read your Bible, pray for help and do your best with the help of the Holy Spirit to follow what Scripture teaches about being like Jesus.
Being like Jesus ain't for sissy's. I'm not talking about the Jesus most Americans think of...I'm talking about Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus that was homeless (Matthew 8:20), the Jesus that shamed the religious and political leaders of His day, the Jesus that said quit being concerned with how you look on the outside to people but rather be concerned about what your inside (your heart) looks like (Matthew 15:1-20), the Jesus that spoke truth and didn't care about being politically correct or hurting someones feelings (read your Bible), the Jesus that taught us to do things that are contrary to what our culture teaches us such as "be kind to your enemies" (Matthew 5:38-48), "give to/help the poor" but don't ask to be thanked or to do it for popularity or the praise of this world (Matthew 6:1-4); the Jesus that associated with the outcasts of society - the lame, the poor, the sick, those with leprosy, sinners, prostitutes, the blind, the oppressed (read your Bible) and at the end all he gets is false accusations, a mockery of a trial, spit on, severely beaten with whips and fists and then finally crucified - the most tormenting way of death the Romans could devise in that day. While being crucified he was ridiculed, mocked, humiliated and laughed at. See what I mean...it ain't for sissy's.
When you whole heartily reach a point in your life when you recognize what Jesus did for "YOU" there is nothing else you can do but ask for forgiveness and mercy and live for Him from that point on. This culture we live in and that we allow to impact our thinking and our life is not a good thing. In Romans 12:1-2 Paul tells us that when you consider what Jesus did for us we should offer ourselves as living sacrifices and no longer conform to the pattern of this world but to be transformed - that is to be like Jesus.
I can go on and on about this and there are multiple facets but rather than waste your time reading about this here go read your Bible and really think about what it is to be a Christian.
Check out the following video before you go.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Mission Planning
Missions. People so often think of foreign countries when they think of missions. You know, the crazed family who leaves everything to go into the jungles of Africa, South America and Asia to lead the lost to Christ. But missions is so much more than just the foreign lands, it is also about your next door neighbor, your community, the orphans & widows, the homeless, the nursing home bound seasoned citizens, your own family and most importantly you. Missions is about being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to ALL who need Him. Missions is about humbling yourself and ridding yourself of your selfishness, me-centered life. Missions is about being on a mission...a mission of servanthood to the Glory of God. It can be the smallest thing, giving up a Saturday morning to go play with some kids who live in an apartment complex and don't know Jesus Christ or it can be giving your life to the Lord's call of going to live in a foreign land to be an example of Christ's love.
All that to say, that I covet your prayers. I am beginning the process of planning a short term mission trip to Ghana, West Africa sometime between May and July 2008. I've never planned a trip like this before and have a lot to learn. Please pray that I will have time to plan and study, that the communications with my partners in Ghana happen as needed (sometimes internet disruptions can occur), pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit in peoples lives to lead them to go on the short term trip and pray most importantly that all of the planning and getting ready for the journey will be God honoring in every way.
More to come.......
All that to say, that I covet your prayers. I am beginning the process of planning a short term mission trip to Ghana, West Africa sometime between May and July 2008. I've never planned a trip like this before and have a lot to learn. Please pray that I will have time to plan and study, that the communications with my partners in Ghana happen as needed (sometimes internet disruptions can occur), pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit in peoples lives to lead them to go on the short term trip and pray most importantly that all of the planning and getting ready for the journey will be God honoring in every way.
More to come.......
Sunday, July 22, 2007
UltraMan
So now's the time to show your age. Anybody remember ULTRA MAN? I watched every episode in the early/mid 1970's when I lived in Alexandria, VA but then we moved and I lost touch. I found these clips on You Tube (You Tube is awesome!) and wanted to share with anyone who remembers. The clips are in Japanese and not English but it won't matter. The first clip was the opening when it came on T.V. I was amazed at remembering so much of it. Anyway, this is my light hearted post of the week. Have fun! Keep in mind that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Ultraman. He died and came back to life...now that's Ultra!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Borrowed from Starbucks
Sometimes I read something on the Starbuck's cups that I can agree with. The comment is from Art Turock and is aimed at sales people but is apropos to faith in Christ.
Let's commit to serving Christ for His glory and then relish the results!
There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're
interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit.
When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, just results.
Let's commit to serving Christ for His glory and then relish the results!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Godly Success
Our American culture honors success. If you look around success seems to be measured by how many of something you have, how much what you have costs (higher cost items = higher success), how new what you have is, and the ability to have more than what you need. Successful people are both admired and envied by those less successful (because they don’t have all those somethings).
I’m worried and sickened that the same measure of cultural thinking is used to measure success in our churches today. How many people were in worship today…what was the offering today…hey pastor, that sure is some church (building) you’ve got there. Are we measuring success of our churches based on attendance, on the size of our building, on the amount our building cost to build, on the giving potential of the congregation, on the number of programs we offer, on the number of staff the church employs, on the type of coffee we can afford to serve, on the location of our facilities, etc., etc., I think you get the point. From my recent experiences it sure seems to be the case.
How does God determine the church’s success? What would he think about church leadership? What would he consider a healthy church? I cannot speak for God but I can review His word for clues. Let’s consider the following examples of healthy, successful churches:
The first Church, Acts 2:42 – People devoted to being taught, devoted to being together, devoted to eating with each other and devoted to prayer. They cared for one another’s needs, they increased in number not by folks jumping from one church to the next with better programs or newer prettier buildings but they grew in size as people came to faith in Christ and were saved.
Acts 8 – Successful churches will be persecuted for their faith and will preach the gospel no matter where they travel.
Acts 13 – The Church at Antioch – Successful churches understand their mission and believers will be called to go wherever to spread the good news. A successful church is a sending church (not just throwing money at missionaries but actually raising up men, women and children to be sent to the mission field). Oh yea, and they don’t cut their missions giving to make up short falls in other areas.
Romans 1: The Church in Rome – people will talk about the faith of a successful church.
Philippians 2 & 4: The Church at Philip was an obedient Church and a giving Church. Not only do they amply financially support themselves they also give generously to missions.
1st Thessalonians 1: Like the Church at Rome the faith in God that the Thessalonian Church had was so powerful that people all over the region were talking about it. A successful church performs good works produced by faith, they labor and serve prompted by love and they endure all manner of difficulties because their hope is not in cultural successes but their hope is in Jesus Christ.
1st Thessalonians 4: A successful Church like the Thessalonian Church isn’t living to please themselves or to please others but only to please God by living holy lives.
If we are going to be successful in God’s eyes, if our desire is at the end to hear Him say “well done good and faithful servant” then we had better become leaders that lead our congregations to be like the Churches listed above. We need to quit looking inward and look outward. We need to reward the Lord’s servants by encouragement and comforting. We need to lead the Church away from cultural success – bigger, prettier church buildings filled with programs, rock concert equipment, non-offensive sermons, and entertainment minded worship services. We need to lead the Church to live their faith outside of a church building, to love the fellowship of believers, to raise up missionaries, to give generously to people in need, to live lives that only please God and no one else, and devoting themselves to prayer and to being prepared for persecution. That’s God’s mark of success. I want to be a member of that Church! You can keep you’re pretty new buildings and all that other stuff. I don’t want it!
I’m worried and sickened that the same measure of cultural thinking is used to measure success in our churches today. How many people were in worship today…what was the offering today…hey pastor, that sure is some church (building) you’ve got there. Are we measuring success of our churches based on attendance, on the size of our building, on the amount our building cost to build, on the giving potential of the congregation, on the number of programs we offer, on the number of staff the church employs, on the type of coffee we can afford to serve, on the location of our facilities, etc., etc., I think you get the point. From my recent experiences it sure seems to be the case.
How does God determine the church’s success? What would he think about church leadership? What would he consider a healthy church? I cannot speak for God but I can review His word for clues. Let’s consider the following examples of healthy, successful churches:
The first Church, Acts 2:42 – People devoted to being taught, devoted to being together, devoted to eating with each other and devoted to prayer. They cared for one another’s needs, they increased in number not by folks jumping from one church to the next with better programs or newer prettier buildings but they grew in size as people came to faith in Christ and were saved.
Acts 8 – Successful churches will be persecuted for their faith and will preach the gospel no matter where they travel.
Acts 13 – The Church at Antioch – Successful churches understand their mission and believers will be called to go wherever to spread the good news. A successful church is a sending church (not just throwing money at missionaries but actually raising up men, women and children to be sent to the mission field). Oh yea, and they don’t cut their missions giving to make up short falls in other areas.
Romans 1: The Church in Rome – people will talk about the faith of a successful church.
Philippians 2 & 4: The Church at Philip was an obedient Church and a giving Church. Not only do they amply financially support themselves they also give generously to missions.
1st Thessalonians 1: Like the Church at Rome the faith in God that the Thessalonian Church had was so powerful that people all over the region were talking about it. A successful church performs good works produced by faith, they labor and serve prompted by love and they endure all manner of difficulties because their hope is not in cultural successes but their hope is in Jesus Christ.
1st Thessalonians 4: A successful Church like the Thessalonian Church isn’t living to please themselves or to please others but only to please God by living holy lives.
If we are going to be successful in God’s eyes, if our desire is at the end to hear Him say “well done good and faithful servant” then we had better become leaders that lead our congregations to be like the Churches listed above. We need to quit looking inward and look outward. We need to reward the Lord’s servants by encouragement and comforting. We need to lead the Church away from cultural success – bigger, prettier church buildings filled with programs, rock concert equipment, non-offensive sermons, and entertainment minded worship services. We need to lead the Church to live their faith outside of a church building, to love the fellowship of believers, to raise up missionaries, to give generously to people in need, to live lives that only please God and no one else, and devoting themselves to prayer and to being prepared for persecution. That’s God’s mark of success. I want to be a member of that Church! You can keep you’re pretty new buildings and all that other stuff. I don’t want it!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
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