One day I told the Lord that I would rather die than merely tread water throughout my career in the ministry...always preaching about the power of the Word and the Spirit, but never seeing it. I abhorred the thought of having more church services. I hungered for God to break through in our lives and ministry.
(These words from Jim Cymbala inspire me)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Political/Social Pornography
The emails and forwards are maneuvering their way through the internet-highways. Regularly, we open our inboxes and there they are. And with one click of the mouse, these forwards are sent from one person to twenty others.
You know what I'm talking about. They are forwards of the "obvious" (I write with sarcasm) facts that Barack is a closet Muslim, he is really a racist, he has a hidden agenda, etc.
Let's call this what it is--pornography and gossip! Plain and simple! No way around it!
Look, this email isn't about condoning Obama. I would be writing the exact same post if these emails were circulated about McCain or Clinton. However, sense the source of most of these forwards are from right-wing-Republicans, they target the "enemy" in a way to demoralize by proof-texting in order to strike fear in people.
It is a form of pornography--the depiction of acts as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction.
It is gossip.
And I am using my blog as a way to say, "This is sinful!"
I can guarantee that the majority of people sending these emails have never read "The Audacity of Hope." Someone with an agenda read it and snatched phrases and sentences without even giving the context. Let's be honest, maybe some of the statements fit the context, but this isn't the best way to obtain information. If so, we could proof-text any author and even places in Scripture to stir up negative emotions.
I am not writing to condone or condemn loyal-right-wing-Republicans who do much of this in the name of God. But will you please listen to the 18-35 crowd...the crowd that is fleeing from many of our churches because of the embarrassment of being lumped into a category of being fundamental-Republican-Christians.
These emails are circulated because:
1) People allow fear to serve as a motivator. Fear has always been and will always be a lousy motivator!
2) There are people who believe that the Republican party is the answer to the so-called spiritual decline of America.
Government cannot be the answer to Christianity or discipleship. When it becomes the answer, we have submitted to the powers of the world and we fail to truly embrace the all-supremacy, Lordship of Jesus. (May God forgive us)
A few suggestions:
1) Pray for God to stir within the hearts of all our political figures in ways that will draw them into the story of Jesus--a story of morals, ethics, compassion, service, sacrifice, unity, and truth.
2) Pray for the world--that peace and harmony will exist.
3) Do not let fear serve as the greatest motivator of your life. It will only lead you to explore desperate measures which will most likely lead to more fear and desperation.
4) Stop with emails and forwards that seek to dehumanize and demoralize people. This isn't the way of the cross.
5) And from my boy Troy Robertson, quit putting the power of government to solve problems over the power of Jesus.
Whew...I love getting stuff off my chest. :)
You know what I'm talking about. They are forwards of the "obvious" (I write with sarcasm) facts that Barack is a closet Muslim, he is really a racist, he has a hidden agenda, etc.
Let's call this what it is--pornography and gossip! Plain and simple! No way around it!
Look, this email isn't about condoning Obama. I would be writing the exact same post if these emails were circulated about McCain or Clinton. However, sense the source of most of these forwards are from right-wing-Republicans, they target the "enemy" in a way to demoralize by proof-texting in order to strike fear in people.
It is a form of pornography--the depiction of acts as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction.
It is gossip.
And I am using my blog as a way to say, "This is sinful!"
I can guarantee that the majority of people sending these emails have never read "The Audacity of Hope." Someone with an agenda read it and snatched phrases and sentences without even giving the context. Let's be honest, maybe some of the statements fit the context, but this isn't the best way to obtain information. If so, we could proof-text any author and even places in Scripture to stir up negative emotions.
I am not writing to condone or condemn loyal-right-wing-Republicans who do much of this in the name of God. But will you please listen to the 18-35 crowd...the crowd that is fleeing from many of our churches because of the embarrassment of being lumped into a category of being fundamental-Republican-Christians.
These emails are circulated because:
1) People allow fear to serve as a motivator. Fear has always been and will always be a lousy motivator!
2) There are people who believe that the Republican party is the answer to the so-called spiritual decline of America.
Government cannot be the answer to Christianity or discipleship. When it becomes the answer, we have submitted to the powers of the world and we fail to truly embrace the all-supremacy, Lordship of Jesus. (May God forgive us)
A few suggestions:
1) Pray for God to stir within the hearts of all our political figures in ways that will draw them into the story of Jesus--a story of morals, ethics, compassion, service, sacrifice, unity, and truth.
2) Pray for the world--that peace and harmony will exist.
3) Do not let fear serve as the greatest motivator of your life. It will only lead you to explore desperate measures which will most likely lead to more fear and desperation.
4) Stop with emails and forwards that seek to dehumanize and demoralize people. This isn't the way of the cross.
5) And from my boy Troy Robertson, quit putting the power of government to solve problems over the power of Jesus.
Whew...I love getting stuff off my chest. :)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sycamore View
Look, I know that Sycamore View isn't the perfect church. We have our flaws and failures.
With that said, I am honored to be able to minister at this place.
With that said, I am honored to be able to minister at this place.
- Our 18 shepherds are men who truly care about God, the church, and the mission of Jesus. Over the past 5 weeks, I have sat in rooms with people suffering from marital struggles, health issues, and spiritual concerns, and I have witnessed their (the shepherds) words of wisdom and compassion. I have joined them in the laying on of hands. I have seen the tears in their eyes as they wrestle with how to lead people to that next level of discipleship.
- Our ministers are gifted. They are men and women diligently striving to lead the people of this church and this community to the very heart of God.
- Our secretaries/assistants are second-to-none.
- Every week, I am hearing stories from the people here...stories full of passion, courage, and enthusiasm. There is so much energy in the air right now; I just pray that God will continue to fan this flame.
This is a great place to do ministry, and these are exciting times for Sycamore View.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Hanging with Kiwi's
Our best friends from New Zealand left this morning after a 4-day visit. Our families became close when I preached in Ballinger and Troy was the youth minister. Every day we have with them is not long enough.We did our best to treat them around the great city of Memphis. We visited the famous Peabody hotel, ate at Big Foot (where Troy and Taylor ordered a 4 pound burger), and spent a few hours at the Civil Rights Museum where MLK Jr. was shot and killed. (I'll have more to say about the Museum in another post.)
Troy led us to the table with Communion thoughts and prayers in both services on Sunday. It was a treat to partner with him again.
Here is Truitt hanging with T-Bone and Taylor.
On Friday night, the 3 guys (minus Truitt), drove to St. Louis to watch the Cards and Cubs play. We witnessed part of history as Pujuls hit his 300th homer. However, really in truly, what is 300 hours in the steroid era.
It was a beautiful stadium.
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I have a lot on my mind to blog about this week, so I hope you'll come back.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Independency and Dependency
July 4th will always be an important day in this country. As long as the US remains the US, July 4th will be taught, remembered, and celebrated.
Our nation has changed over the past 232 years. We've become a melting pot in the world. We have lived into a truer meaning of "all men are created equal." The religious landscape has changed. We've advanced in technology, communication, transportation, and so much more.
On July 4th, the US celebrates independency.
However, as I prayed this morning, we as Christ-followers are called to a constant state of dependency...upon God, his Kingdom, and his mission in the world.
Enjoy your long weekend.
Our nation has changed over the past 232 years. We've become a melting pot in the world. We have lived into a truer meaning of "all men are created equal." The religious landscape has changed. We've advanced in technology, communication, transportation, and so much more.
On July 4th, the US celebrates independency.
However, as I prayed this morning, we as Christ-followers are called to a constant state of dependency...upon God, his Kingdom, and his mission in the world.
Enjoy your long weekend.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Video & Gas
This is a must see video. Sign her up!!!
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I made a u-turn the other day because I saw gas for $3.79. I never thought the day would come when I got excited to see $3.79.
How much have you paid per gallon to fill up with gas over the past week?
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I made a u-turn the other day because I saw gas for $3.79. I never thought the day would come when I got excited to see $3.79.
How much have you paid per gallon to fill up with gas over the past week?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Truth or Myth--"If it ain't broke; don't try to fix it"?
Last week, I had the privilege to preach the story of the Exodus. It is undoubtedly the greatest story in the OT. It headlines the festivals, becomes words for prophets/teachers, is recited to children, and still carries with it formative power.
Oppression and suffering comes before the parting of the Red Sea.
This is OUR story.
1) God is still moving us to new places. He is still leading us to new land.
2) The enemy continues to pursue and there are many moments when we want to "go back" to the regular, routine, and ordinary.
When chaos, worries, fears, and other forms of suffering take root within our hearts, they become our identity. When we allow these "forms of oppression" to drive us, then we become enslaved. And, when we become enslaved, freedom and liberty becomes a scary thought. This is why children who are rescued from brothels and child slavery have to be taught what freedom is. When the cages are opened and strangers are waving them to freedom, they hesitate because their cell is all they have known.
This is not only true for individuals; this is just as true for churches. When we allow the ordinary, routine, and regular to determine our future, then we are standing with the Israelites in Exodus 14:10-13 saying, "Let is go back. We don't freedom. We don't want something new." To operate with the mentality of--"If it ain't broke; don't try to fix it"--is a sure sign of defeat.
Few thoughts:
1) I want the church to have the reputation of being a place that frees people. I want the unchurched and the neighbors around the church to know us as people who are about setting humanity free. This is the cry from the cross!
2) We must pray for imaginations and for dreams. God is still doing something new among us. These are exciting times to be Christ-Followers.
3) We need to be able to affirm the traditions that root us in Scripture, prayer, and the will of God...yet, at the same time letting go of traditions that keep us from experiencing the freedom that Jesus is inviting us to live into.
Oppression and suffering comes before the parting of the Red Sea.
This is OUR story.
1) God is still moving us to new places. He is still leading us to new land.
2) The enemy continues to pursue and there are many moments when we want to "go back" to the regular, routine, and ordinary.
When chaos, worries, fears, and other forms of suffering take root within our hearts, they become our identity. When we allow these "forms of oppression" to drive us, then we become enslaved. And, when we become enslaved, freedom and liberty becomes a scary thought. This is why children who are rescued from brothels and child slavery have to be taught what freedom is. When the cages are opened and strangers are waving them to freedom, they hesitate because their cell is all they have known.
This is not only true for individuals; this is just as true for churches. When we allow the ordinary, routine, and regular to determine our future, then we are standing with the Israelites in Exodus 14:10-13 saying, "Let is go back. We don't freedom. We don't want something new." To operate with the mentality of--"If it ain't broke; don't try to fix it"--is a sure sign of defeat.
Few thoughts:
1) I want the church to have the reputation of being a place that frees people. I want the unchurched and the neighbors around the church to know us as people who are about setting humanity free. This is the cry from the cross!
2) We must pray for imaginations and for dreams. God is still doing something new among us. These are exciting times to be Christ-Followers.
3) We need to be able to affirm the traditions that root us in Scripture, prayer, and the will of God...yet, at the same time letting go of traditions that keep us from experiencing the freedom that Jesus is inviting us to live into.
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