Backwards or Forwards . . .

The Corpus Christi Coliseum debate (and now demolition) is running parallel to a lot of thoughts going on in my own life right now . . .

Two groups have been rallying around the Coliseum . . .

One trying to save the past. What I hear from them in the papers and on TV is how they love the memories of the past. Here's a quote from the Caller Times this morning:
[ ] attended dances, their daughter’s graduation and concerts in the building. They sat silently watching the crews from a bench across the street. Tears welled in his eyes when he talked about moments there. "We have a lot of memories,” he said. “They should have never destroyed it.”

The other group seeking to move into the future . . . They want to create space for new development downtown.

So here's what I'm getting at with life . . . . We can live in the past . . . Or, We can lean into the future.

Yes, we learn from the past but God has been showing me that we cannot afford to live in our past failures and mistakes and regrets. It will kill you! You've heard the term 'dead weight.' The past is dead, carrying it around will just weigh you down.

So I'm heading into the future. It's not worth it to stay in the past. The future has too many possibilities.


"But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead . . ." (Philippians 3:13)

Are you still asking? acting?

Throughout our 40 Day Holy Uprising I challenged everyone to be asking God a question:

How can I best leverage my gifts/talents/passions/time/resources/experiences/etc -- for the Kingdom of God?

The 40 Days is over but the question still hangs. . . .

What are you doing about it?

In Accordance With . . .

"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." (Romans 8:5)

Being a disciple of Jesus is about being 'covered in the dust of the Rabbi' - yesterdays sermon (audio, video). Jesus no longer physically resides on the planet, but His Spirit resides in His followers. And it's His Spirit who gets us dirty in His dirt.

And it begins with where we dwell with our mind. Do we dwell on what is 'true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable. . . . excellent or praisworthy.' (Philippians 4:8)?
Or does your mind drift to whatever is convenient and comfortable?

What dust you accumulate today will begin with how you set your mind.

In or Out?

When times are difficult, financially or emotionally or relationally, the most common human reaction is to pull in. To circle the wagons and go into a mode of self-preservation.

That started in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3. After their first sin (and crisis) Adam & Eve attempted to run and hide, to isolate themselves and cover up their shame.

And that response is completely the opposite of what is healthy.

I see it all the time in people who have screwed up. They've messed up a relationship or let their anger dictate a situation or blown off a responsibility. And so they go into isolation. Ignore calls from people in their Life Group, quit coming to church, just drop off the face.
And that's exactly what they DON'T need!

What they do need at that moment is: 1) Community - People around them who care about them. And 2) To Give themselves away! The most powerful antidote to our pain and/or self-pity is to focus on others. It literally draws the venom out of us and helps us to see the world in a new way.


These days are difficult 'church times' for MANY churches. Our economy the way it is, among other elements that differ in every body. And yet Jesus is still alive and in control!

The WORST thing that we could do is circle the wagons. Have the attitude of 'We're just gonna take care of us!' No, this is the time when we need to be giving ourselves away the most! Instead of looking inward, to face outward.

The Easter Festival coming a week from Saturday is a huge example of this! What a great way to witness God's power in our weakness! A great opportunity for all of us to invite and serve our community and watch God work!

And another opportunity is to have eternal impact in Vietnam. To that end on Thursday Night at 7pm at the Building we will have a Vietnam Informational Meeting. We will be sharing when the next two trips are, stories of being there, and how you can be a part of what God is doing - either here or there.
So, if you have ANY level of interest or curiosity, please come!


My hope and one of my prayers during these 40 Days is that God will give us more courage and wisdom than we've ever had before. That we will not dwell in apathy or defeat, but we will passionately seek His greatest challenges and victories ahead!

I Want To Be Famous . . . ??? . . .

A thought I've had for a few days after reading another blog post. . . .

There's a lot of folks who strive and strain after fame on this planet . . . and if I'm honest there's times when I would like to bask in that 15-seconds of stardom.

But as I think about it, where I really want to be famous is in the lives of my family. I want to be famous to my wife because I cherish her and love her from beginning to end. Because I nurture her faith in Jesus.

And I want to be famous in my children's lives. (I'm already treading on shaky ground here because I haven't always lived famously in front of them.) But man, do I want them to know how much I love them and be the model of what it looks like to follow Jesus and live a life of integrity and passion.

I can think of no greater earthly fame than 3 generations from now for my great-grandchild to point to a picture of me and Cindy on the wall and tell his friend: 'Those are the ones who taught us to love God. My Dad says that they were the best grandparents ever!'


Where I need help from God is pursuing that fame with the same kind of intensity that so many people pursue worldly fame. Help me God.

Where do you want to be famous?

Balance?

I thought that the post below by Bob Roberts was right on the nose. He has some awesome encouragement at the end for practically how we live this out . . . And I so agree with his main point that living in the Kingdom is NOT about balance!

We always talked about living a 'balanced life' but living for God is really about being off balance! It's about depending on God to such a degree that we are out of control! It's about being filled with the Holy Spirit in such a way that we live not normally but ABNORMALLY! I would go so far as to say that if you are living a normal, balanced life then you are probably NOT living for the Kingdom!

So read on and be challenged . . .

The Myth of Balance

from glocalnet by Bob Roberts Jr.

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Moses did what he did because he was balanced and he balanced everything before taking a single step. True or False

Paul was the most balanced man in the New Testament since he was such an incredible theologian. True or False

Hosea was the most balanced prophet in the Old Testament that’s why he married a prostitute. True or False

The reason God made the covenant with Abraham at 75 and then gave him a son at 100 is everything had to be balanced first. True or false

Effectiveness in the Kingdom of God does not come from balance but from obedience. And in each of the above narratives there was a sense of extreme behavior that did not match the moment in human terms.

The greatest stories of the Bible were about people living on the edge of something that humanly was so impossible people often wouldn’t take them seriously.

Some of the men used by God were impulsive, had tempers, even failed morally, but there was a sense of their ability to read moments and hear God’s voice and they would act and incredible things would happen for them and those to follow them.

I’m not saying we should ignore things. You should be a great Dad and Mom and spouse and worker and all of that . . . . You live your life in such a way that you are always growing . . . . But you don’t limit your life by your “strategic plan”. I do one every year, but I’m ready for whatever God wants to do. I start each day in prayer and Bible reflection. When I finish, I generally pray something like, “Father, help me recognize people, circumstances and events that you put in my way to accomplish your will today. Your life is more than a plan; it’s an adventure, a journey, a response to God at work all around you.

Soooooo, how do you recognize God in your daily life when he comes crashing in from a distraction?

1. Start your day in prayer and worship with God. I open my heart, mind, hands, feet - whatever to glorify God in all that I do. I pray over the things I have to do in the day and commit them to God. I look at what’s going on and ask what will give the greatest impact for the kingdom.

2. I ask God to give me eyes and ears to see and hear him and even ask him for God invading distractions.

3. When a distraction comes in my mind, I pray something like this, “Holy Spirit confirm or deny in my heart if this is from you.” I then will get a sense of that pretty quickly.

4. Will this take a few moments, a few hours, a year or years?

5. Who will this impact and how?

6. I look for confirmation outside of me - be it a verse, a word someone gives me, or some event that speaks clarity. Don’t laugh, but during one such distraction I was praying hard about what I should do as I was working out at the gym, and as the TV was going - God made it clear in a commercial I was watching!

7. Is this God’s agenda, or is this someone else’s agenda for me? This was hard to learn and still is sometimes because people want you for their stuff. It has to be God’s stuff.

8. I usually get a sense of peace while I’m walking through the process - if I don’t have peace - I know it isn’t right. When I start walking through something, if I sense its God but don’t have peace I will pray and exorcise spiritual warfare - if I still don’t have peace - I don’t do it.

9. I don’t expect everyone to be excited about it. As a matter of fact, the most powerful things God will say to you - especially about leadership - you may have very little support on - at first. Leadership is hearing God, moving in his direction, regardless of the consequences - yet being wise as you move your feet.

10. Finally, I ask how God would be glorified in this. I don’t have to answer that question completely - because it may take time to see that - but can I see it somewhat?

Don’t be afraid to live on the edge. However, without the ropes of prayer, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit in your life, spiritual warfare, and even a wise counselor you will never be able to recognize those divine interruptions and imbalances that could forever define your life, your story, and your ministry.

Does this mean I'm just human or a full-on hypocrite?

Recently I read the following by Francis Chan that captured some of how I've been feeling the past few months:

I wonder if the inconsistency in my walk with God has anything to do with the fact that I can lead a . . . church in America without being in love with Jesus. I’m sure I could blame American church culture, my position, or a busy schedule for my lack of reverent intimacy. The truth, however, is that my sin and hypocrisy is a result of me. It’s not like I don’t want to.

In fact, when I’m deeply in prayer, it’s clear to me that there’s no place I’d rather be. I know that I love God. When I sit and think about Him, I’m filled with intense feelings of adoration. I’m convinced that He means more to me than my wife, kids, or anyone else on the planet. I just forget to love Him.

I'm aware that many (read, 'all') of us struggle with these same feelings. It just seems extra egregious since I'm a pastor. But it does no good to hide or pretend - from others or God.

As many of you know, I've been dwelling a lot on the Kingdom of God and what it means to really live in the Kingdom. As Paul said: 'The Kingdom of God is not about fancy talk, but living in God's power!' How much of the time do I use fancy talk (or 'pretend living') as a cheap saccarin substitute for living in God's power? Too much.

I spend too much of my life caring about what other people think. Too much time living under the inertia of life, without inhaling from the Holy Spirit. I know that the answer is Jesus. Jesus is Lord. And life in Him is abundant and powerful!

I am so tired of substitutes. I'm sick of how they suck life out of me. I'm ashamed of how they make God look weak and tired.

I'm tired of forgetting. I want to fully display His glory! Help me Jesus that I would learn more and more about seeking you first. And that you might increase . . .

A Little Demolition

Sometimes we fear breaking down a wall. But it's amazing how just knocking down one wall can change your perspective.

If you've been in my house before you know that the big opening in the middle and the little serving window to the kitchen on the right weren't there before. (Good job Jeremiah & Rusty!)

It opened everything up. Changed the whole perspective in our living room.

Knocking down walls can do that.

It made me think about how when we let walls of fear or anger or discouragement or pride, etc, stand between us and God, we are robbing ourselves of LIFE that we are closed up to!

What's standing in your way of your life being opened up to God's greatest for you? A job you feel stuck in but you're too scared to take a 'flyer' with another job, or go back to school? Anger towards a spouse or friend that's lingered in the back of your soul for years? A fear of taking that leap with your resources that God's been pointing you to? Those (and many others) rob us and steal our life!!

I don't know what it might be, but knock the wall down. We see all over the Bible that God is not only the re-designer of lives but He is the God of second and third and one-hundredth chances!

The Bible says that if you 'confess your sin' that God is 'faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness.' (1 John 1:9)

That means that if we are real with Him and invite Him to 'clean house' - that He does the demolition! And as we follow Him we are given a fresh start. A new perspective! New Life!

Right and Just

"The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just --
than when we offer him sacrifices."(Prov 21:3)

I sacrificed the time to read this yesterday. I dwelled on it some. And then I don't think I lived any differently. I'm a continuously (read: daily) recovering self-aholic.

It's easy for me to measure my spiritual life by how much I do (i.e. read sacrifice). When clearly God is glorified when I live in right ways. God summed up right living with 'Love God, love others.'

And just. Living justly tells me to love the marginalized. Living justly tells me to be an advocate for those in need. Living justly tells me to leave my world to understand others.

Jesus has already made the greatest sacrifice. I just want to follow Him.

Right and just. What do they mean to you?

People That God Really Uses

At some point we all must decide (and no-decision is a decision) if we want to be a person who God really uses . . . or if we prefer going through life using God.

Below is a blog post by my blog mentor Bob Roberts. As I read elsewhere this week: 'When God has an impossible problem, He finds an impossible person and transforms them.'
Any of us are that (im)possible person. What will you choose?

When I was a little boy, there was an old missionary lady named Bertha Smith that had a list from Oswald Smith about people God uses - here were the points:

1. Have but one great purpose in life.
2. By God’s grace has removed every hindrance.
3. Placed themselves at God’s disposal.
4. Has learned to prevail in prayer.
5. A Student of God’s Word.
6. Has a vital message for a lost world.
7. Person of faith who expects results.
8. Works in the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Early this morning I sent a text to my mentor . . . Leighton Ford. I’ve always heard that Billy Graham was what he was because of the team around him - no doubt he had the things above. I asked Leighton, “Were the men around Graham exceptional, or average that went way above their ability because of their walk with God.” His reply, “Both.”

No one does anything alone - no one has everything needed - together everyone accomplishes more (John Maxwell’s definition of team) - only as we act as the body of Christ, can we accomplish what he wants.

I, just like many of you, want God to use me. I find, God is never the problem! Keep me out on the limb for you God -

Long Snappers

Your role matters. There are NONE of us whose contribution isn't significant to the team!

There was a great article in yesterdays Caller Times about a young man who played football at Ray several years ago. (You can check out the entire article here). Clint Gresham was a lineman who wanted to play big time college football but at 6-foot-3, 225-pounds didn't have the physical attributes. Until that is his Dad found a video-tape on long-snapping.

For non-footballers the 'long-snapper' is the guy who snaps ('hikes') the ball to the punter on punts. Gresham found his role. Now four-years later he's the long snapper for nationally ranked TCU, hasn't had a bad snap for 2 years, and has a full college scholarship for snapping! For snapping!

That's cool! Gresham said nobody recognizes him in a crowd as a TCU football player, but the shouldn't he said: “You don’t want anyone to know your name. If they do, it’s probably because you did something wrong.”

I know that some of you are probably 'long-snappers' but don't even know it! You're still standing on the sidelines when God has an incredible way for you to contribute! Culture sometimes tells us that the quarterback is the only important guy. Huh? Take away the other 10 and let's watch the quarterback!

My heart is that EVERYONE at Oso Creek find their Kingdom purpose! That includes you. Struggling with this, call me or Audie or Steve - or talk to your Life Group leader. There's a role for you -- and maybe even a scholarship :)

A Hole in My Tooth

I lost part of a tooth yesterday. Yep, that one up there on the top right (It always helps to have a picture doesn't it :)

Doesn't hurt too much right now, just a gaping black hole where there used to be a dentin & enamel (googled that one :)

But what is really driving me crazy is that my tongue just keeps going there. Uncontrollably. I'll notice my tongue rolling over the (now) jagged edges and pull that sucker away ('Get out of there!')

But as soon as I'm not thinking about, there it goes again. I'm believing more what James said: ". . . no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil . . ." (James 3:8)

But kidding aside, it reminds me what happens when I allow dark gaping holes in my life. (Yes, God even gives spiritual lessons in teeth!) The writer of Proverbs said: 'Above all else guard your heart; for it is the wellspring of life!' (Prov 4:23)
Paul said 'take off the old self . . . put on the new self.' (Colossians 2)

I so kid myself, we all do, when we allow darkness that drags us down to remain in our lives! And we kid ourselves into thinking that our tongues (minds & hearts) won't go there. Huh? We will go there and roll around the rough edges. Our heart and mind will. They do. They're enticed by it, drawn to it.

Whether it's an attitude I have that stinks, or an addiction that's undealt with, a relationship that's unhealthy, or whatever --- when we allow it to remain, unchecked, it will (not maybe) draw us away from God and abundant life!

Hopefully my tooth is going to get fixed today (or tomorrow). I know that if I went very long like this, it would get ugly (and I'm not very pain tolerant).

But remember, 'You are a new creature in Christ! The old has passed away, the new has come!'

In Christ you are alive! We don't have to live with that junk! Get those teeth fixed!

Running with the King

I ran this morning and it was hot.

After I went to Vietnam in May, I fell off the running wagon for the first time in a couple of years. I've been getting back in the groove in the past 3 weeks and it's hard . . . and hot.

I noticed this morning that I'm doing more watching than running - watching my watch. Right now I'm in that mode where I'm constantly just grinding it out and waiting for it to be over. I'm really not enjoying the ride. It stinks. I wanna enjoy it again.

I was thinking about how the same can be true of my spiritual life when I'm just going through the motions, waiting for it to be over. Counting how many more pages of my Bible I have left to read. Watching the clock so I can be sure I get 15 minutes of prayer in. Checking off the small group box on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. That's no fun.

That's religion. And when I'm in that place I better get out fast. It's discouraging and defeating.

Jesus wants to have a relationship with us. One that's fulfilling and exciting. One where we want to be there with Him, not where we're constantly looking at our watch.

Let me encourage you - DON'T settle for looking at your watch! Reject that! It's dead. Jesus said that He came to make us alive! If you're in that place ask Him to give you life, to help you experience Him. It's His desire as well.

Wednesday morning when I run, I'm gonna try to not glance at my watch at all. Instead I'm gonna pray that I can enjoy spending the day with the King of Kings!

A Fan or an Experience?

I started watching the Chicago Cubs on WGN in 1980. I was a fan. In some seasons a huge fan.

But before last Friday I had never actually been to Wrigley Field and been part of the excitement in the stands, the aura of being part of Wrigleyville and the Cubs family.

For 30 years I had been a 'fan' in the shadows, I even bought a couple of caps and shirts, but I had never experienced the Cubs!

Alright, some of you are thinking: 'He's really freakin' out on this whole Cubs thing!'
Hang on a minute because I think it's a great picture of how we can fool ourselves into becoming a 'fan' of God but never experiencing God!

There are so many folks who like the whole idea of God and His Son Jesus dying for us and the power of the Holy Spirit. Maybe it's the comfy smell of family church traditions that keep them engaged. They enjoy talking about the Bible and spiritual trappings . . . But they never experience God!

What a waste.

In John Stuart Mill's 1859 essay "On Liberty" he was trying to explain how words lose their meaning. He then offered Christians as the best example of this phenomenon. He observed that Christians 'seem to have the amazing ability to say the most wonderful things without actually believing them.'
Like: 'blessed are the poor and humble' . . . 'love your neighbor as yourself' . . . 'he who is faithful with little is given much' . . . 'He must increase and I must decrease' . . . . . .
Mills concluded: "The sayings of Christ co-exist passively in their minds, producing hardly any effect beyond what is caused by mere listening to words so amiable and bland."

It took some effort to actually finally go to a Cubs game. And others had to help us as many of you provided the trip for our family. But in the end we had to go! Now I'll never watch a Cubs game the same.

Some of us are still waiting to 'go'. And what I mean is that you're content with watching God from the shadows, with buying a goofy Christian t-shirt and having the latest Christian-fad Bible . . . and you're missing the whole stinkin' game! Your missing the power and experience of God right in the here and now.

"The Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk, it is living by God's power!" (1 Cor 4:20)
The Kingdom of God is now! The Power of God is now!

What is God saying? Where is He asking you to follow? Don't settle on being a fan. Go.

An Event or a Reunion?

Two Major League Baseball games in the last two days was pretty cool . . . . But I've been thinking about one contrast that stood out . . .

Going to Cellular Field (White Sox) on Thursday was (as expected) like going to an event. It was an awesome event that was somewhat transformed by it becoming a historical game, but still an event.
Everyone individually worked their way through the crowd to their seats . . . You stayed in your seats and watched the game in your little group. . . The stadium was modern and functional. It felt a little like going to Dillards.
When the game was over, everybody filed out quickly and courteously. A really good time.

But in contrast going to Wrigley Field (Cubs) was more like going to a family reunion.

When you walk up to the historic ballpark in the middle of an older neighborhood, there's this homey feeling - like your going to the little league park.

From the time we got there we were talking to people like the kids on Waveland Avenue trying to catch home run balls during batting practice and the crazy excited family behind us in line. EVERYBODY (except me) was in Cubs gear (except for a few poor Cincinnati fans).

Once we went through the gate I walked about 5 steps and some dude high-fived me and said 'We're at the Cubs game baby!' like I was at the game with HIM (or I even knew him! :)

And the section where we sat was like Cheers (the sitcom!). By the second inning it was like I had 8 or 10 new friends. Everybody was laughing and yelling and razzing each other.
And when the game was over everybody went crazy - the dude in front of us even pulled out this huge flag with a 'W' on it and had Luke help him hold it up while everybody danced. It was crazy! And fun!

And the party had just begun. On the streets surrounding the stadium afterwards everyone was just hanging out, high fiving, watching the 'street drummers' . . . nobody wanted to go home. I didn't want to go home.


NOW, here's what I kept thinking about and couldn't escape . . . . Which of those do we look like? Our groups? Our gatherings on Sunday? And what makes it that way?

And which does God intend us to be more like?

Which would you rather go to? I know where I'd be . . .

Caller Times . . . Follow Up . . .

Just following up my blog this morning about the article in the Caller Times . . .

Jade Payne brought to my attention the online comments after the article . . . Wow, I encourage you to go and check them out . . . click here (and scroll down below the article): http://www.caller.com/news/2009/jul/05/church-serves-community-place-sunday-services/

It just affirms again how when we truly give ourselves away it has impact beyond what we can imagine! We never know how one small Spirit-led act of kindness can change someones whole perspective about God and what it means to follow Him . . .

Fuge Reflection

I preached a couple of weeks ago about how Jesus is ALIVE . . . and has made the way for us to live in the Light and not the darkness . . .



"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Col 1:13-14)



And how we must 'resettle' our lives in the Kingdom of Light . . .



"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him . . . Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Col 2:6; 3:1-2)



At Student Camp last week I failed. Miserably.



I was tired (4-5 hrs of sleep a night - and yes, Cindy took this pic of me as I was dozing in the cafeteria), dirty/sweaty, in a wicked smelling room, way out of my element w/900 wired teens, and the food was . . . camp food . . . and did some permanent intestinal damage :)



But the point is that when I got out of my 'comfort zone' I began to get selfish and irritable. I started to focus on John and somehow recovering some of my desires and dignity.


And then God reminded me: 'It's NOT about YOU!'


That's always a bummer to hear.



I was reminded that I really know nothing about the suffering that Paul talked about in Colossians (1:24-27) and elsewhere . . . until I get out of that place of comfort and security and see what's inside. It wasn't good.



But now, I'm thankful that I had the opportunity. By Day 3 I had to agree, 'OK, God this isn't about me. It's about You and these students. Now you gotta help me!'



It didn't really make it a lot easier physically, but it helped me to retrain some of my focus on God in the midst of everything, and move maybe a little more towards Him -- and what it really means to deny myself and follow Him.



As I took my eyes off myself, it also gave me an opportunity to watch and see how God was moving in the student's lives . . . Wow!

And it makes me want to live more of my life in the Light . . .

Help me God to keep my heart - and my mind - on things above . . .

Surrender . . . Kind of . . .

For the last couple of days I've spent most of my spare moments inhaling an awesome book by Richard Sterns called The Hole In Our Gospel.

Stearns is the President of World Vision and paints a convicting picture of how our American gospel is so void of giving ourselves to those trapped in poverty, disease and injustice. I encourage you to get it and read it. It will be hard to be the same afterward.

He talks about his own life . . . and my life. He paints a great picture of being a disciple of Jesus being like enlisting in the army. When a soldier enlists, he or she immediately surrenders control of his or her life. Where the enlistee lives, what clothes they will wear, what they will eat, when they will go to bed, how they will behave . . . all these things are immediately given over to the commanding officers to decide.

Truly following Jesus requires a similar surrender. Except that no one is ever drafted, it's always voluntary.

Surrender is hard. But without it a soldier is not useful to the army. And a Christian is not useful to God.

Stearns say: "One of the most powerful reasons we don't totally surrender our lives to Christ is that we don't want to sacrifice the things we possess; they have begun to possess us. These things can include our jobs, our material assets, our money, our communities, our friends - even our families. We cling to them often out of a desire for security, comfort and happiness . . . "

And it's amazing how much more vivid this is after visiting a third-world country where most of these options don't exist.

Stearns goes on: "God can't give you the blessings He has for you until you first put down the other things you are clutching in your hands."

Marvelling

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. . . " Acts 4:13

As I was reading this morning, Henry Blackaby (in Experiencing the Spirit) asked a great question from this verse . . .

Does the world marvel at the church today?

Hmmmm??? Do we have a passion that is unexplainable? Is there something supernatural going on? If we were gone would there be an unfillable void in our community? Why or why not?

I have to ask myself: Do people around me marvel at what God has done/is doing? Do they go, 'Wow, that isn't right. How did he respond that way?' 'Why isn't he upset/discouraged about that?' 'Why does he care about those people?' 'Why are his priorities so much different?'

How about you?

Incredible . . .

Had an incredible time at the Church Planting Conference last week in Keller, Tx at Northwood Church. Very challenging and inspiring!

Just really affirmed to me in so many ways that we are on target in focusing on Discipleship Groups and being 'On Mission.'
If we are not about the Kingdom of God then we have missed the entire point of having a church.
And if we are not about seeing people grow from converts to disciples, then we will not have people who are devoted to the Kingdom . . .