When you have a few minutes, check out this video from one of my good friends Josh Graves. I love the way Josh thinks and talks about Jesus, the Kingdom, and sports. This video will give you a peek into what God is doing in the Detroit area.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqDXDKiWWI4
I think, pray, preach, and seek to live missionally.
Missional church is defined by Roxburgh as “a community of God’s people who live into the imagination that they are, God’s missionary people living as a demonstration of what God plans to do in and for all of creation in Jesus Christ.”
Dan Kimball elaborates, “To be missional is more than just to evangelize:
·Being missional means that the church sees itself as being missionaries, rather than having a missions department, and that we see ourselves as missionaries right where we live.
·Being missional means that we see ourselves as representatives of Jesus “sent” into our communities, and that the church aligns everything it does with the mission of God.
·Being missional means we see the church not as a place we go only on Sunday, but as something we are throughout the week.
·Being missional means that we understand we don’t “bring Jesus” to people but that we realize Jesus is active in culture and we join him in what he is doing.
·Being missional means we are very much in the world and engaged in culture but are not conforming to the world.
·Being missional means we serve our communities, and that we build relationships with the people in them, rather than seeing them as evangelistic targets.
·Being missional means being all the more dependent on Jesus and the Spirit through prayer, the Scriptures, and each other in community.
Sparks the imagination, huh?
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Not the best preacher in the familiy
Well, this weekend solidified the fact that I am not the best preacher in the family. Some of you know what I'm talking about. A few of us men have the degrees, M-DIV's, and experience, but our wives are the theologians and pastors.
Kayci was the keynote speaker at the West Texas Girl's Conference. Over 600 teenage girls came from Abilene, Lubbock, San Angelo, DFW, Odessa, Midland, and even Memphis. For one weekend, I was the preacher's husband. Our roles were reversed as she spoke, and I sat as her biggest fan. She spoke straight to their hearts. There is absolutely no doubt that Kayci is extremely gifted, and she will have plenty of opportunities in the future to use her gifts.
This was her 3rd straight year to keynote this conference. (Do you think I'm a proud husband?)
For those of you that prayed for her, thank you!!!
Kayci was the keynote speaker at the West Texas Girl's Conference. Over 600 teenage girls came from Abilene, Lubbock, San Angelo, DFW, Odessa, Midland, and even Memphis. For one weekend, I was the preacher's husband. Our roles were reversed as she spoke, and I sat as her biggest fan. She spoke straight to their hearts. There is absolutely no doubt that Kayci is extremely gifted, and she will have plenty of opportunities in the future to use her gifts.
This was her 3rd straight year to keynote this conference. (Do you think I'm a proud husband?)
For those of you that prayed for her, thank you!!!
I always miss not being at my church on Sunday's, but there was no other place that I would have rather been this weekend than right here in Abilene.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Jesus Teaches Us to Live
Before our talented youth minister, Steve Sargent, and his wife joined us at SWC, I was teaching the teen class on Wednesday evenings. One night, I asked them, "Who in your life would you die for?"
Sam was the first to raise her hand saying that she would die for anyone.
Cami was quick to say that she would easily die for her sister Sylvia.
Mark Anthony said that he would die for his family--Mark Sr., Sabrina, Tashila, and Dahjila.
Then, I asked Terry, the senior in our youth group, the leader, if he would die for his best friend Markquill. He shrugged his shoulders, grinned, and said, "Josh, friends come and go." (Way to go, Terry :) ).
Often, to measure our love for someone we ask, "Would you die for them?" This is a good question. However, the 2nd question that I asked our teens that night, and the question that should receive just as much playing time as "who would you die for" is, "Do you love someone so much that you would live for them?"
I have seen many parents that would easily take a bullet for their children, but they aren't making decisions to live for them. They are too committed to jobs and hobbies.
Husbands would die for their spouse but they aren't living for them.
Here is what I'm getting at--JESUS TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE! Before Jesus died, Jesus taught us how to live.
My main hang-up with The Apostles' Creed is that it goes straight from "born of the virgin Mary" to "suffered under Pontius Pilate." Umm...this leaves out Matthew 3-25, Mark 1-14, Luke 4-22, and John 1-17.
Before Jesus chose to die, He chose to live.
Luke 4:18-19 tells us what the life of Jesus will consist of. Jesus quotes from Isaiah saying, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor...TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE HAS BEEN FULFILLED IN YOUR HEARING."
This is the thesis for Luke and Acts. This is "how" Jesus will live, and this is the mission that he hands to the apostles and to the church. Jesus teaches us how to live as people full of love, compassion, mercy, and justice. He establishes a new community where all are welcome, and calls us to do the same. He speaks out against sin, but he is quick to embrace and love the sinner--he even eats in their homes. He truly is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
Sam was the first to raise her hand saying that she would die for anyone.
Cami was quick to say that she would easily die for her sister Sylvia.
Mark Anthony said that he would die for his family--Mark Sr., Sabrina, Tashila, and Dahjila.
Then, I asked Terry, the senior in our youth group, the leader, if he would die for his best friend Markquill. He shrugged his shoulders, grinned, and said, "Josh, friends come and go." (Way to go, Terry :) ).
Often, to measure our love for someone we ask, "Would you die for them?" This is a good question. However, the 2nd question that I asked our teens that night, and the question that should receive just as much playing time as "who would you die for" is, "Do you love someone so much that you would live for them?"
I have seen many parents that would easily take a bullet for their children, but they aren't making decisions to live for them. They are too committed to jobs and hobbies.
Husbands would die for their spouse but they aren't living for them.
Here is what I'm getting at--JESUS TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE! Before Jesus died, Jesus taught us how to live.
My main hang-up with The Apostles' Creed is that it goes straight from "born of the virgin Mary" to "suffered under Pontius Pilate." Umm...this leaves out Matthew 3-25, Mark 1-14, Luke 4-22, and John 1-17.
Before Jesus chose to die, He chose to live.
Luke 4:18-19 tells us what the life of Jesus will consist of. Jesus quotes from Isaiah saying, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor...TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE HAS BEEN FULFILLED IN YOUR HEARING."
This is the thesis for Luke and Acts. This is "how" Jesus will live, and this is the mission that he hands to the apostles and to the church. Jesus teaches us how to live as people full of love, compassion, mercy, and justice. He establishes a new community where all are welcome, and calls us to do the same. He speaks out against sin, but he is quick to embrace and love the sinner--he even eats in their homes. He truly is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Prayer, Kayci, and Pat Robertson
My prayer for God's people today is for discomfort, anger, tears, and foolishness.
A Franciscan Prayer:
May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
A-MEN!
______________________________________________________________
This weekend, I have the privilege of being the preacher's husband. For the 3rd straight year, Kayci will be keynoting the West Texas Girl's Conference. She has poured countless hours into the 3 talks that she will give. I have heard them, and I will soon steal the material to use on Sunday's in the future. :)
I am asking a favor, (and she is going to kill me for this), will you please take a moment today to email her at kayci.ross@gmail.com? Let her know that you are praying for her.
______________________________________________________________
Pat Robertson is endorsing Giuliani. I never saw that one coming.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21669328/
A Franciscan Prayer:
May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
A-MEN!
______________________________________________________________
This weekend, I have the privilege of being the preacher's husband. For the 3rd straight year, Kayci will be keynoting the West Texas Girl's Conference. She has poured countless hours into the 3 talks that she will give. I have heard them, and I will soon steal the material to use on Sunday's in the future. :)
I am asking a favor, (and she is going to kill me for this), will you please take a moment today to email her at kayci.ross@gmail.com? Let her know that you are praying for her.
______________________________________________________________
Pat Robertson is endorsing Giuliani. I never saw that one coming.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21669328/
Monday, November 5, 2007
Why Such a Deep Love for Sports?
It isn’t true that every man loves sports, just like it isn’t true that every woman loves shopping. But I know many people who spend hours a week glued to ESPN, and whose Saturday is spent watching 3 consecutive college football games. (Yes, I’m one of them).
Why is it?
My dad taught me to love sports. Some of my first memories with him were times when we would throw the baseball in the front yard, sit in left field watching the Astros, and read the box scores in the morning newspaper.
For over a decade, sports have been a part of me. My parents stood firm with all 3 of their children that if we wanted a car, we had to have the necessary funds to pay for the car, insurance and gas. In order to have the bling-bling, we had to get something called a job. For me, I didn’t have my own “ride” in high school because I didn’t have time for a job. Monday-Friday I would be in the field house lifting weights, throwing routes, and watching film. Twelve months a year, at least five days a week—this was a huge part of my life.
Today, I still love sports. I love following the Huskers, even when they have an atrocious season. J I always know what is going on in recruiting. I plan my Saturday’s around kickoff. On game day, I shower with a red towel, wear red boxer-briefs (tmi—sorry), wear red shorts and a Husker t-shirt.
My love for the Mavericks runs just as deep. Back in Abilene, I used to get together with one of my best friends to watch the Mavs (I won’t say his name, but he is married to a youth minister named Sarah and works for ACU). However, we had to cut back on our regular routine because we would get so upset after loses that we would lose sleep. It had an effect on our entire demeanor.
I also love the Cowboys, Rangers, Astros, and Tiger Woods.
Why is it? Why do some of us love sports so much that it can influence our mood? If our team wins, we can’t get sleep because we’re too ecstatic. If our team loses, we can’t get sleep because that one fumble, interception, strikeout, or missed free throw won’t get out of our head.
Here’s why I think we love sports:
1) We love competition. There is nothing more thrilling than finding yourself or your favorite player one-on-one with a linebacker, or standing wide open on the three-point line, or facing an ace in the bottom of the last inning with the game on the line.
2) We love rivalries—good vs. evil. Kayci and I went to Boston with two of our best friends, and it is hard to NOT cheer for the Red Sox after that. I like the Red Sox, but my love for the Red Sox stems more out of my hatred for the Yankees than a genuine love for the Sox. I cannot bring myself to cheer for the Rockets even though I live in Houston. I hate the Buffalos of Colorado, the Tigers from Missouri, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Phoenix Suns. They are all from the dark side.
3) Sports can be absolutely thrilling. We love the Super Bowl, Saturday’s and Sunday’s in the fall, March Madness, New Year’s bowl games, baseball in October, Major’s in golf, and NBA playoffs.
4) Most importantly, it is in sporting moments that relationships are cultivated. My dad and I bonded at baseball games and sporting events. My brother and I can talk about sports long into the night. My best friend Troy and I have traveled to San Francisco, Boston, San Antonio, and Dallas to watch games. Even Kayci enjoys going to sporting events with me.
Here is the question that I have found myself asking lately, “How do I bring my love for sports under the authority and Lordship of Jesus?” I will always love sports. I can’t wait to toss the ball with Truitt, but I don’t want my love for sports to have control over my attitude for it can have an effect on the husband, father, and friend that I am.
I don’t know who wrote this prayer, but I like it. It fits for crazy fans like me:
God, let me play well but fairly.
Let competition make me strong but never hostile.
Forbid me to rejoice in the adversity of others.
See me not when I am cheered, but when I bend to help my opponent up.
If I know victory, allow me to be happy;if I am denied, keep me from envy.
Remind me that sports are just games.
Help me to learn something that matters once the game is over.
And if through athletics I set an example, let it be a good one.
Why is it?
My dad taught me to love sports. Some of my first memories with him were times when we would throw the baseball in the front yard, sit in left field watching the Astros, and read the box scores in the morning newspaper.
For over a decade, sports have been a part of me. My parents stood firm with all 3 of their children that if we wanted a car, we had to have the necessary funds to pay for the car, insurance and gas. In order to have the bling-bling, we had to get something called a job. For me, I didn’t have my own “ride” in high school because I didn’t have time for a job. Monday-Friday I would be in the field house lifting weights, throwing routes, and watching film. Twelve months a year, at least five days a week—this was a huge part of my life.
Today, I still love sports. I love following the Huskers, even when they have an atrocious season. J I always know what is going on in recruiting. I plan my Saturday’s around kickoff. On game day, I shower with a red towel, wear red boxer-briefs (tmi—sorry), wear red shorts and a Husker t-shirt.
My love for the Mavericks runs just as deep. Back in Abilene, I used to get together with one of my best friends to watch the Mavs (I won’t say his name, but he is married to a youth minister named Sarah and works for ACU). However, we had to cut back on our regular routine because we would get so upset after loses that we would lose sleep. It had an effect on our entire demeanor.
I also love the Cowboys, Rangers, Astros, and Tiger Woods.
Why is it? Why do some of us love sports so much that it can influence our mood? If our team wins, we can’t get sleep because we’re too ecstatic. If our team loses, we can’t get sleep because that one fumble, interception, strikeout, or missed free throw won’t get out of our head.
Here’s why I think we love sports:
1) We love competition. There is nothing more thrilling than finding yourself or your favorite player one-on-one with a linebacker, or standing wide open on the three-point line, or facing an ace in the bottom of the last inning with the game on the line.
2) We love rivalries—good vs. evil. Kayci and I went to Boston with two of our best friends, and it is hard to NOT cheer for the Red Sox after that. I like the Red Sox, but my love for the Red Sox stems more out of my hatred for the Yankees than a genuine love for the Sox. I cannot bring myself to cheer for the Rockets even though I live in Houston. I hate the Buffalos of Colorado, the Tigers from Missouri, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Phoenix Suns. They are all from the dark side.
3) Sports can be absolutely thrilling. We love the Super Bowl, Saturday’s and Sunday’s in the fall, March Madness, New Year’s bowl games, baseball in October, Major’s in golf, and NBA playoffs.
4) Most importantly, it is in sporting moments that relationships are cultivated. My dad and I bonded at baseball games and sporting events. My brother and I can talk about sports long into the night. My best friend Troy and I have traveled to San Francisco, Boston, San Antonio, and Dallas to watch games. Even Kayci enjoys going to sporting events with me.
Here is the question that I have found myself asking lately, “How do I bring my love for sports under the authority and Lordship of Jesus?” I will always love sports. I can’t wait to toss the ball with Truitt, but I don’t want my love for sports to have control over my attitude for it can have an effect on the husband, father, and friend that I am.
I don’t know who wrote this prayer, but I like it. It fits for crazy fans like me:
God, let me play well but fairly.
Let competition make me strong but never hostile.
Forbid me to rejoice in the adversity of others.
See me not when I am cheered, but when I bend to help my opponent up.
If I know victory, allow me to be happy;if I am denied, keep me from envy.
Remind me that sports are just games.
Help me to learn something that matters once the game is over.
And if through athletics I set an example, let it be a good one.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Abraham and Isaac (Gen.22)
Without a doubt, this is one of the most scandalous, surprising, disturbing, and shocking passages in all of Scripture. God asks Abraham to straight up murder the son that was born after a 25-year-old promise was finally fulfilled.
This was the passage that I preached on Sunday. I wrestle with Scripture every week--actually, Scripture wrestles with me--but this week this text got the best of me. The difficulty is that we are not allowed to read Scripture as bystanders. We can't peek into Scripture as we peek out of windows. We don't read Scripture as a history book. Instead, we are invited to put it on...get into the story...live into the moment. However, this is one text that I struggled to get in on.
Here's how I preached it. Let me know what you think:
-One way to read this story is to see Abraham as a man that is fully present. In 22:1, 22:7, and 22:11, Abraham responds, "Here I am." This is his response to God, to Isaac, and to the angel of the Lord. Abraham is fully present. He is fully attentive. This is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to God and to our fellow human beings.
-God takes faith very, very seriously.
-An untested faith cannot be strengthened.
-This story doesn't allow Abraham to be the hero. This story is not about the faithfulness of Abraham; this is a story about the faithfulness of God.
-The statement, "God provides," is scandalous. We live in a society that says that bank accounts provide. It says that reason, logic, and greater knowledge provides. However, we are the people of God that hang our hats on the fact that God provides.
This text got the best of me.
Are there pieces of Scripture that have gotten the best of you?
This was the passage that I preached on Sunday. I wrestle with Scripture every week--actually, Scripture wrestles with me--but this week this text got the best of me. The difficulty is that we are not allowed to read Scripture as bystanders. We can't peek into Scripture as we peek out of windows. We don't read Scripture as a history book. Instead, we are invited to put it on...get into the story...live into the moment. However, this is one text that I struggled to get in on.
Here's how I preached it. Let me know what you think:
-One way to read this story is to see Abraham as a man that is fully present. In 22:1, 22:7, and 22:11, Abraham responds, "Here I am." This is his response to God, to Isaac, and to the angel of the Lord. Abraham is fully present. He is fully attentive. This is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to God and to our fellow human beings.
-God takes faith very, very seriously.
-An untested faith cannot be strengthened.
-This story doesn't allow Abraham to be the hero. This story is not about the faithfulness of Abraham; this is a story about the faithfulness of God.
-The statement, "God provides," is scandalous. We live in a society that says that bank accounts provide. It says that reason, logic, and greater knowledge provides. However, we are the people of God that hang our hats on the fact that God provides.
This text got the best of me.
Are there pieces of Scripture that have gotten the best of you?
Friday, November 2, 2007
The blog has launched!
Alright, I'm jumping into this blogging thing.
I'm hesitant, because I must be responsible.
I'm excited, because I enjoy putting my experiences into words, phrases, images, and stories.
I'm hesitant, because this whole blog thing has exploded.
I'm excited, because I hope that God uses these words to inspire, compel, invite, and create.
I'm hesitant, because this blog will give people a peek into my life. That can be scary. I'm excited, because those peeks lead to connections.
What you can expect:
-New blogs on a regular basis
-Stories from Southwest Central Church
-Stories about Kayci and Truitt
-Questions and comments about faith
-Ramblings about the Mavs, Huskers, Cowboys, and Tiger Woods
What I expect:
-To create an atmosphere conducive to healthy, spirit-filled conversations
I'm hesitant, because I must be responsible.
I'm excited, because I enjoy putting my experiences into words, phrases, images, and stories.
I'm hesitant, because this whole blog thing has exploded.
I'm excited, because I hope that God uses these words to inspire, compel, invite, and create.
I'm hesitant, because this blog will give people a peek into my life. That can be scary. I'm excited, because those peeks lead to connections.
What you can expect:
-New blogs on a regular basis
-Stories from Southwest Central Church
-Stories about Kayci and Truitt
-Questions and comments about faith
-Ramblings about the Mavs, Huskers, Cowboys, and Tiger Woods
What I expect:
-To create an atmosphere conducive to healthy, spirit-filled conversations
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