I will always be loyal to the Beast as my favorite roller coaster, but I have to say the Diamond Back at Kings Island is a cool ride. I enjoy a good roller coaster...the anticipation as you make your way up the first hill...your stomach jumping to your throat as you race down that hill...the twists and curves at break-neck speeds...I love it!
However, I wish I could leave the roller coaster at the amusement park. You and I both know life can be quite a roller coaster. For instance, this week I have visited with a Mom and her newborn (Congratulations, Cameron and Marci), prayed with friends before surgery (Praying for you Heather) and met with a family to plan their loved one's funeral (We express our sympathy, Darlann).
See what I mean? Life is roller coaster...life is full of ups and downs, unexpected turns and twists and sometimes it can feel like it is going by at break-neck speeds. The roller coaster called life can leave you crying tears of joy one minute and tears of sorrow the next. Some of us do our best to try to manage the ups and downs, but the truth is most of life is completely outside our control. Our best laid plans cannot plan for the twists that lie ahead of which we presently are clueless. How do you deal with the roller coaster?
I look for a rock. Life may be a roller coaster but that does not mean I cannot get off and stand on the rock. When was the last time you stood on a huge rock? I encourage you to find one. Then climb up and stand on it. Feel how strong and stable it is under your feet. Ask a friend to push on that boulder and then stop and think about the fact that you cannot even feel the effect of all the energy they are exerting to move you. Stand on top that rock and perhaps you will have a divine encounter.
The psalmist had such an encounter. If there is one thing Israel is not in want of, it is rocks. Rocks are everywhere there! I can see the psalmist standing on one of those dessert boulders and praying these words:
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted
me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and
gave me a firm place to stand" (Psalm 40:1-2).
Just because life is a roller coaster does not mean you can't get off the ride and stand on the rock. Better put, since life is a roller coaster we cannot afford not to regularly get off and stand on the rock. As I think about this, I feel a strong pulling to the Rock. When I force myself to step off the ride and just stand on him, it is amazing how things make more sense...its incredible how peace finds its way back to my heart and mind...its astounding how much more clearly I can hear the still, small voice of God's truth...its encouraging to be reminded that no matter what happens next, in Christ, one way or the other, I will be OK. In him, my Rock, I find permission to enjoy the ride and I find something to hold onto when the ride is more than I can bear. This is no religion...this is no self-help technique...this is not about positive thinking...this kind of rock can only be found in a real and personal relationship with Jesus. He is the Rock!
I invite you to step off the roller coaster for a few minutes today. Set aside the cell phone...turn off the TV...stop doing whatever it is the roller coaster tells you that you must do...and take just a moment to stand on the ROCK.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
"Not Responsible"
Have you ever noticed just how many "Not Responsible" signs are posted here and there?
"We are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property," warns one parking
lot sign.
A dump truck traveling down I-75 in front of me, throwing rocks at my
windshield, had this sign plastered on its rear, "Not responsible for damage
caused by thrown debris"
Kings Island reminds me at every ride that I ride at my own risk and that it is
not responsible for my bodily harm or death.
I seem to be seeing "Not Responsible" signs in more and more places. It makes me wonder, who is responsible?
Never is that question more important than when it comes to our children and teens. Who is responsible for the physical, emotional and spiritual health of the next generation?
The first answer to that question is obvious. We parents are first and foremost charged with that responsibility. Somewhere along the way it seems our culture has deceived us into delegating the responsibility of our children to others. We were told to leave the teaching to the schools, the preaching to the church, the playing to the recreational league, the babysitting to the video game and so forth. Our culture has even gone as far as to suggest that your role as a parent is less significant with each year your child ages. Its as though our culture is handing us a "Not Responsible" sign and urging us to put the responsibility for our child into some one else hands.
I want to encourage you, parents, don't let anyone or anything diminish your influence in your child's life. God gave that child to you. You and I can either play the role of the victim or we can play the role of parent and make sure that for every voice our child hears, they also hear ours.
That being said, I have already felt the overwhelming responsibility of parenting and my kids have not even started school. That is why I am thankful that at Living Hope, so many of you take on the role spiritual parents to my and the other children and teens of our church family. One of the reasons we do not hire a Children's Pastor is because we do not waqt to do anything to lessen the participation and buy in we have from so many of you in our children's ministry. It is powerful for a child to see multiple adults pouring into their lives every week in the Kidz Zone classes, Transitions (6th graders), FUEL Teen ministry and Kidz Bible Quizzing. The children experience first hand that it is not just mom or dad who says loving God and others matters most, but many, many others!
This week is fantastic example. Almost 80 adults are serving almost 200 children in our High Seas Adventure Vacation Bible School. It is powerful to see men and women, many of whom do not have children who are VBS age, investing so much in our children. Thank you! As a pastor and, even more so, as a parent I say, "Thank you for not putting up the 'Not Responsible' sign."
Next week our teens will head to Nashville for a Mission Trip. They will have a blast while they make a significant difference. But none of that would happen, if not for the committed adult leaders, many of whom, who do not even have teens of their own, taking vacation days from work to serve your teens. Because these adult leaders do not hang up a "Not Responsible" sign, the teens of Living Hope not only will make an impact and be impacted on the mission trip, they have that opportunity every week in our FUEL small group at the Nuckols home in Springboro. (Just on a side note, I cannot for the life of me figure out why some parents make it a priority to get their teens to everything but the youth ministry).
In short, be encouraged, parents, to take full responsibility for your child. Living Hope Church, I encourage you to not weary in the good you invest in children and teens here. You are all doing an incredible work of God and only time will tell, and perhaps only heaven will fully reveal, just how much of a difference you have made by changing a diaper on Sunday, going to a quiz meet on a Saturday, piling in a van for a teen mission trip in the summer or passing out snacks to 200 hundred little hands in VBS.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 affirms your value as it says, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your children. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
"We are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property," warns one parking
lot sign.
A dump truck traveling down I-75 in front of me, throwing rocks at my
windshield, had this sign plastered on its rear, "Not responsible for damage
caused by thrown debris"
Kings Island reminds me at every ride that I ride at my own risk and that it is
not responsible for my bodily harm or death.
I seem to be seeing "Not Responsible" signs in more and more places. It makes me wonder, who is responsible?
Never is that question more important than when it comes to our children and teens. Who is responsible for the physical, emotional and spiritual health of the next generation?
The first answer to that question is obvious. We parents are first and foremost charged with that responsibility. Somewhere along the way it seems our culture has deceived us into delegating the responsibility of our children to others. We were told to leave the teaching to the schools, the preaching to the church, the playing to the recreational league, the babysitting to the video game and so forth. Our culture has even gone as far as to suggest that your role as a parent is less significant with each year your child ages. Its as though our culture is handing us a "Not Responsible" sign and urging us to put the responsibility for our child into some one else hands.
I want to encourage you, parents, don't let anyone or anything diminish your influence in your child's life. God gave that child to you. You and I can either play the role of the victim or we can play the role of parent and make sure that for every voice our child hears, they also hear ours.
That being said, I have already felt the overwhelming responsibility of parenting and my kids have not even started school. That is why I am thankful that at Living Hope, so many of you take on the role spiritual parents to my and the other children and teens of our church family. One of the reasons we do not hire a Children's Pastor is because we do not waqt to do anything to lessen the participation and buy in we have from so many of you in our children's ministry. It is powerful for a child to see multiple adults pouring into their lives every week in the Kidz Zone classes, Transitions (6th graders), FUEL Teen ministry and Kidz Bible Quizzing. The children experience first hand that it is not just mom or dad who says loving God and others matters most, but many, many others!
This week is fantastic example. Almost 80 adults are serving almost 200 children in our High Seas Adventure Vacation Bible School. It is powerful to see men and women, many of whom do not have children who are VBS age, investing so much in our children. Thank you! As a pastor and, even more so, as a parent I say, "Thank you for not putting up the 'Not Responsible' sign."
Next week our teens will head to Nashville for a Mission Trip. They will have a blast while they make a significant difference. But none of that would happen, if not for the committed adult leaders, many of whom, who do not even have teens of their own, taking vacation days from work to serve your teens. Because these adult leaders do not hang up a "Not Responsible" sign, the teens of Living Hope not only will make an impact and be impacted on the mission trip, they have that opportunity every week in our FUEL small group at the Nuckols home in Springboro. (Just on a side note, I cannot for the life of me figure out why some parents make it a priority to get their teens to everything but the youth ministry).
In short, be encouraged, parents, to take full responsibility for your child. Living Hope Church, I encourage you to not weary in the good you invest in children and teens here. You are all doing an incredible work of God and only time will tell, and perhaps only heaven will fully reveal, just how much of a difference you have made by changing a diaper on Sunday, going to a quiz meet on a Saturday, piling in a van for a teen mission trip in the summer or passing out snacks to 200 hundred little hands in VBS.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 affirms your value as it says, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your children. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
"Consumer or Consumed"
I have a pet peeve with those who work at fast food cash registers. I hate it when I walk up to order and the cashier just stares at me. I hate it when he or she says nothing...no, "Hi, how can I help you? or "May I take your order?" More and more I seem to be meeting cashiers who just stare at me. How am I suppose to know if he or she is ready to take my order? So, I have started staring back. I refuse to guess when they are ready to take my order. If they're ready, they can tell me. Otherwise, I will stare as long as they want. It is now a meter of principle. I can feel my blood pressure rising even as I type.
Why do I feel so strongly about this? I suppose it is because some where along the way I bought into the message that "The customer is always right." So, when the fast food clerk refuses to have the decency to ask for my order I feel he/she has violated my consumer rights.
Ah, yes, consumerism runs thick in my veins. I suppose there is a place for it. After all, we are all consumers. We consume air, food and so forth. However, consumerism is a spiritual growth killer for the individual Follower of Christ and for the Church. What is really frightening is that the consumer mind set is so brought with us into the church that we even say out loud, "We are shopping for a church right now." What? One cannot shop for a church. A church is not something you buy or some place you go, a church, the Church is a people, not a product. Being involved in the life of the church, God's Body on earth, is something that is costly--it costs time, money, talent, energy and more. Church is not something I attend, but something I live. The hour on Sunday, is merely the place to come together as one Body to be sent out to serve and live out the love of Jesus 24/7. Jesus put it this way in Matthew 16:25, "Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever looses his life for the sake of the gospel gain it." That completely blows my consumer mindset to kingdom come!
I want to thank you for being a church that has always allowed us to not be a consumer driven church. That day we start catering to what church people want, need or prefer, is the day we become ingrown and absorbed in self-preservation. Like it or not, we are who we are at Living Hope. We don't care about how you dress, whetehr or not you spill coffee on the carpet or if you like the music or not.
What makes you an incredible church is that instead of being consumer-driven, you are letting God consume you in a real relationship with Him and others that is transforming you more and more into his likeness because you recognize that to grow we have to be connected, which then fills you up to be poured out to Be the love of Christ to others!
This Saturday is a great example. The total number of sign ups for the Kids Against Hunger Factory are 392! Consumer driven people don't sign up o serve even when 1 person + 2 hours = 1 child fed for 1 year who would otherwise starve to death!
Why do I feel so strongly about this? I suppose it is because some where along the way I bought into the message that "The customer is always right." So, when the fast food clerk refuses to have the decency to ask for my order I feel he/she has violated my consumer rights.
Ah, yes, consumerism runs thick in my veins. I suppose there is a place for it. After all, we are all consumers. We consume air, food and so forth. However, consumerism is a spiritual growth killer for the individual Follower of Christ and for the Church. What is really frightening is that the consumer mind set is so brought with us into the church that we even say out loud, "We are shopping for a church right now." What? One cannot shop for a church. A church is not something you buy or some place you go, a church, the Church is a people, not a product. Being involved in the life of the church, God's Body on earth, is something that is costly--it costs time, money, talent, energy and more. Church is not something I attend, but something I live. The hour on Sunday, is merely the place to come together as one Body to be sent out to serve and live out the love of Jesus 24/7. Jesus put it this way in Matthew 16:25, "Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever looses his life for the sake of the gospel gain it." That completely blows my consumer mindset to kingdom come!
I want to thank you for being a church that has always allowed us to not be a consumer driven church. That day we start catering to what church people want, need or prefer, is the day we become ingrown and absorbed in self-preservation. Like it or not, we are who we are at Living Hope. We don't care about how you dress, whetehr or not you spill coffee on the carpet or if you like the music or not.
What makes you an incredible church is that instead of being consumer-driven, you are letting God consume you in a real relationship with Him and others that is transforming you more and more into his likeness because you recognize that to grow we have to be connected, which then fills you up to be poured out to Be the love of Christ to others!
This Saturday is a great example. The total number of sign ups for the Kids Against Hunger Factory are 392! Consumer driven people don't sign up o serve even when 1 person + 2 hours = 1 child fed for 1 year who would otherwise starve to death!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
"For Nothing is Impossible with God"
Last month was my 11 year anniversary at Living Hope. I vividly recall, my first month here in Centerville. I was handed the keys to a building that housed a church that had completely disseminated. Everyone I met, seemed to say, "For some reason a church never seems to fly there." I was young, inexperienced and very much aware of my inadequacies.
One night, I laid in my bed, unable to sleep and sobbed. I mean I broke. Had anyone been with me, I would have been embarrassed. As I cried, I prayed...better put, I wallowed in fear and self-pity...I cried out, "God, I don't know what I am doing. I don't know how lead a church that is established let alone start a new church. I don't have enough experience. I am so young that people look at me as a kid not a pastor. What if this all fails? What if everyone figures out how scared I am?" I poured out my honest confession to the Father. And somewhere in the midst of my crying, questioning and doubting, the Father interrupted me. His word to me was clear and concise, "Luke 1:37, 'For nothing is impossible with God."
God was asking me to make up my mind where I would put my faith. Would I put my faith in myself, my abilities, my resources, my experience, my education or would I put my faith in him? Would I dare to believe his promise, "For nothing is impossible with God." What choice did I have? I knew I could not do it. And that day, by his grace, I dared to believe he could do anything! I have carried that truth with me ever since. Sometimes that truth encourages me and sometimes it convicts me, but for 11 years now it has been a rock on which I have found solid ground. Praise God! Hallelujah! Our Father is faithful to his word!
I write these words after just returning form Centerville High School. I was invited to represent our (and 6 other churches and multiple local businesses and organizations)Food 2 Go ministry. I shared the heart of Food 2 Go to 20 High School Students and three adult advisors, who deemed Food 2 go to be one of four finalists for Spirit Chain (an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for charity).
I was given the honor to share that 6 churches and multiple other groups are working together to wipe out child hood hunger in our community. One of the School District's social workers rearranged her schedule to come and speak with me about Food 2 Go. A high-up administrator saw Linda Parks, who came with me, and shared how Food 2 Go is valued by the school district for the impact it is making on the children, the Elk Enterprise Special Needs Students and the community as a whole. (That reminds me, last month, I had the honor of praying at the Dedication ceremony for the new Public Works building. The Mayor, started the ceremony by sharing with the audience about Living Hope and the 5 churches that work together through Food 2 Go).
What is this? A public School inviting a church to share? What is this? Government officials talking about churches at public events? Al I can say is, "For nothing is impossible with God!"
And you know, what, that is just one example. This Sunday I will share a huge "For nothing is impossible with God" moment as I share about the Pancake Breakfast giving. And then the list could easily go on from there...from the 52% who are taking their faith so seriously they are involved in small groups and discipleship, to our healing ministries (Celebrate Recovery, Prayer Ministry for inner Healing, Freedom from Anger), to Bloc 25, to Vacation Bible School, to our Mission Ukraine Orphanage Partnership, to the Home Repair team, to Don't go to Church Day, to the 100% offering give away, to 100 people coming to know Christ last year...and I could keep going!
And do you know why? Because nothing is impossible with God! But in order for God to do the impossible, it takes more than a pastor to believe it, it takes a whole church. Thank you for being that church! Thank you for being a church that stands up, lives out and dares to believe, "FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!"
What's the impossible thing for you today? Come on...take my hand...climb up on this rock of truth and believe with me, "For nothing is impossible with God!"
One night, I laid in my bed, unable to sleep and sobbed. I mean I broke. Had anyone been with me, I would have been embarrassed. As I cried, I prayed...better put, I wallowed in fear and self-pity...I cried out, "God, I don't know what I am doing. I don't know how lead a church that is established let alone start a new church. I don't have enough experience. I am so young that people look at me as a kid not a pastor. What if this all fails? What if everyone figures out how scared I am?" I poured out my honest confession to the Father. And somewhere in the midst of my crying, questioning and doubting, the Father interrupted me. His word to me was clear and concise, "Luke 1:37, 'For nothing is impossible with God."
God was asking me to make up my mind where I would put my faith. Would I put my faith in myself, my abilities, my resources, my experience, my education or would I put my faith in him? Would I dare to believe his promise, "For nothing is impossible with God." What choice did I have? I knew I could not do it. And that day, by his grace, I dared to believe he could do anything! I have carried that truth with me ever since. Sometimes that truth encourages me and sometimes it convicts me, but for 11 years now it has been a rock on which I have found solid ground. Praise God! Hallelujah! Our Father is faithful to his word!
I write these words after just returning form Centerville High School. I was invited to represent our (and 6 other churches and multiple local businesses and organizations)Food 2 Go ministry. I shared the heart of Food 2 Go to 20 High School Students and three adult advisors, who deemed Food 2 go to be one of four finalists for Spirit Chain (an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for charity).
I was given the honor to share that 6 churches and multiple other groups are working together to wipe out child hood hunger in our community. One of the School District's social workers rearranged her schedule to come and speak with me about Food 2 Go. A high-up administrator saw Linda Parks, who came with me, and shared how Food 2 Go is valued by the school district for the impact it is making on the children, the Elk Enterprise Special Needs Students and the community as a whole. (That reminds me, last month, I had the honor of praying at the Dedication ceremony for the new Public Works building. The Mayor, started the ceremony by sharing with the audience about Living Hope and the 5 churches that work together through Food 2 Go).
What is this? A public School inviting a church to share? What is this? Government officials talking about churches at public events? Al I can say is, "For nothing is impossible with God!"
And you know, what, that is just one example. This Sunday I will share a huge "For nothing is impossible with God" moment as I share about the Pancake Breakfast giving. And then the list could easily go on from there...from the 52% who are taking their faith so seriously they are involved in small groups and discipleship, to our healing ministries (Celebrate Recovery, Prayer Ministry for inner Healing, Freedom from Anger), to Bloc 25, to Vacation Bible School, to our Mission Ukraine Orphanage Partnership, to the Home Repair team, to Don't go to Church Day, to the 100% offering give away, to 100 people coming to know Christ last year...and I could keep going!
And do you know why? Because nothing is impossible with God! But in order for God to do the impossible, it takes more than a pastor to believe it, it takes a whole church. Thank you for being that church! Thank you for being a church that stands up, lives out and dares to believe, "FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!"
What's the impossible thing for you today? Come on...take my hand...climb up on this rock of truth and believe with me, "For nothing is impossible with God!"
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