It seems that the only thing really growing in my yard these days are weeds. Up until the past month I was especially proud of how green and weed-free my front yard had remained. Those days are gone!
On Monday, I bent over a pulled a weed..then I pulled another...then another...before long I had pulled every weed in the main part of my front yard. Last night I started pulling weeds on the side of my house. I pulled one weed, then another, then another...Next thing I knew, Anna was pulling weeds, then Kimberly and then Seth started taking piles of weeds to a pile in the back yard.
As I was pulling weeds, I noticed something. As long as I focused on one weed at a time, I made progress. The moment I stood back and saw all the weeds in the yard, I wanted to give up. I think the same applies to the weeds in our lives. I wonder how often we defeat what God could do in us because we see how far we have to go, become overwhelmed and give up before he can start. What if all God is looking for is someone to let him pull one weed at a time? What if instead of looking at loosing 70 pounds, we just looked at loosing one pound? What if instead of trying to work on ten things wrong in our marriage, we sat down and began to look at just one? What if instead of trying to read the entire Bible, we determined to read just one chapter or even one verse a day? What if instead of wrestling with all our hurts, we started bringing just one to the Father? Then, as we watch God pull that one weed, we would be ready, open and energized to let him take us to the next. I really think Satan helps us see everything that is wrong, so that we cannot focus on the next one thing God wants to make right.
Over and over again that is how Jesus said the Kingdom of God works in our world. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough" Matthew 13:33. The weeds of our lives and of this world can be eliminated...hunger can be stamped out, human trafficking can be brought to an end, every orphan can be cared for, poverty can be broken one weed at a time. And if every church would pull just one weed, just think of how beautiful the landscape of this world could become!
Let's go pull a weed!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
"100 MPH"
Do you ever feel like you are going 100 MPH? For those families whose children started back to school today, you may even feel like you have whiplash. It is go here...run there...back to the house...grab a bite to eat and don't let the door hit you as you leave...zoooom...daaaash...(hey, give me a break...it is hard to make fast car noises in type)...100 MPH! If you ever feel like that, then know that you are not alone. I feel like I have been going 100 MPH today.
Let's face it...we live in a culture that values speed. Our culture gives us the message every day that the prize goes to the one who can cram the most in and get the most done in the fastest time. Of course, no one knows what the prize is... Unless, you count heartburn, headaches, short-tempers, negative attitudes and insomnia as prizes. I don't count them as prizes, but I can count on them to be my norm when I expect of my self, my life and my family to keep going 100 MPH, 7 days a week.
However, can I let you in on a little secret our culture does not want you to know? I am looking over my shoulder as I type, hoping that the cultural KGB will not bust down my door for what I am about to share. Are you ready? This could change everything for you and me...here it is:
Just because our culture tells us everyone has to go 100 MPH every day, does not mean we have to live that way.
I know...its completely counter cultural, but is true! I can pull off the highway. It OK to take a side road where the speed limit is only 25 MPH. Heck...you can even pull off at a rest area for a while. I know..this is hard for most of us...we feel like we need to be going all the time. We feel like rest is a waste. We feel guilty if we are not being productive every second. We think it is normal to be busy from dawn to dusk. Friends, its not normal...its INSANE!
I am drawn back to the Scripture we looked at on Sunday in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." The truth is pulling off the highway and being intentional about rest, recreation and reflection is not counter-productive it helps you to be more productive because it renews your strength.
We all complain about our busyness. Why not quit complaining and do something about it?! There is no better time than the first day of school to be intentional about being counter cultural in this way. Here are some ideas:
* Establish a "Nothing" night one night a week. Whether this is the same night every night or determined at the on-set of each new week. You and your family will come to look forward to this night in which nothing is planned...nothing has to be done at home or any where else...it will become an evening of refuge that you will anticipate together.
* Establish a daily time of quiet for just you and your Father in heaven. I use a time of journaling and Scripture reading to help me find my Center for the day. An evening walk is also a great time of re-focusing on God for me. It is amazing how this renews my strength. God is near. The question is where are we?
* Block out sabbath time. What do you do before and after worship? Don't just count the hour here on Sunday as worship. Give yourself an hour before worship to begin changing channels. Keep the TV off and find ways to turn your heart and mind on to the things of God. Do this as a family. Then after worship use the ride home to talk about not just what was said, but what it was speaking to you personally. Let the conversation go as long or as short as needed. Then pray silently or out loud together that what God said on Sunday stays with you and is played out all week.
* Budget for a vacation. We have made a decision we will do without many other things during the year (Cable TV, texting, eating out, etc.) so we can save enough money each year to get away. Whether you can get away for a day, a weekend or a week, getting away does the heart good. It is like an annual sabbatical.
The list of ideas could go on and on, but ideas mean nothing unless they are put into action. I challenge us, church, to be boldly counter cultural in this way. If others want to go 100 MPH, 7 days a week, they can do so. I will pray for them as they crash and burn. But as for me and my house, we be intentional about pulling off the highway so we can enjoy the scenic route occasionally and the rest stops regularly.
Let's face it...we live in a culture that values speed. Our culture gives us the message every day that the prize goes to the one who can cram the most in and get the most done in the fastest time. Of course, no one knows what the prize is... Unless, you count heartburn, headaches, short-tempers, negative attitudes and insomnia as prizes. I don't count them as prizes, but I can count on them to be my norm when I expect of my self, my life and my family to keep going 100 MPH, 7 days a week.
However, can I let you in on a little secret our culture does not want you to know? I am looking over my shoulder as I type, hoping that the cultural KGB will not bust down my door for what I am about to share. Are you ready? This could change everything for you and me...here it is:
Just because our culture tells us everyone has to go 100 MPH every day, does not mean we have to live that way.
I know...its completely counter cultural, but is true! I can pull off the highway. It OK to take a side road where the speed limit is only 25 MPH. Heck...you can even pull off at a rest area for a while. I know..this is hard for most of us...we feel like we need to be going all the time. We feel like rest is a waste. We feel guilty if we are not being productive every second. We think it is normal to be busy from dawn to dusk. Friends, its not normal...its INSANE!
I am drawn back to the Scripture we looked at on Sunday in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." The truth is pulling off the highway and being intentional about rest, recreation and reflection is not counter-productive it helps you to be more productive because it renews your strength.
We all complain about our busyness. Why not quit complaining and do something about it?! There is no better time than the first day of school to be intentional about being counter cultural in this way. Here are some ideas:
* Establish a "Nothing" night one night a week. Whether this is the same night every night or determined at the on-set of each new week. You and your family will come to look forward to this night in which nothing is planned...nothing has to be done at home or any where else...it will become an evening of refuge that you will anticipate together.
* Establish a daily time of quiet for just you and your Father in heaven. I use a time of journaling and Scripture reading to help me find my Center for the day. An evening walk is also a great time of re-focusing on God for me. It is amazing how this renews my strength. God is near. The question is where are we?
* Block out sabbath time. What do you do before and after worship? Don't just count the hour here on Sunday as worship. Give yourself an hour before worship to begin changing channels. Keep the TV off and find ways to turn your heart and mind on to the things of God. Do this as a family. Then after worship use the ride home to talk about not just what was said, but what it was speaking to you personally. Let the conversation go as long or as short as needed. Then pray silently or out loud together that what God said on Sunday stays with you and is played out all week.
* Budget for a vacation. We have made a decision we will do without many other things during the year (Cable TV, texting, eating out, etc.) so we can save enough money each year to get away. Whether you can get away for a day, a weekend or a week, getting away does the heart good. It is like an annual sabbatical.
The list of ideas could go on and on, but ideas mean nothing unless they are put into action. I challenge us, church, to be boldly counter cultural in this way. If others want to go 100 MPH, 7 days a week, they can do so. I will pray for them as they crash and burn. But as for me and my house, we be intentional about pulling off the highway so we can enjoy the scenic route occasionally and the rest stops regularly.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
"The Well"
When the well is dry, you can either die of thirst or dig deeper.
Jesus had something to say about that in John 7:37 & 38.
Jesus had something to say about that in John 7:37 & 38.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
"Daddy, when is Friday?"
Yesterday evening our family was taking a walk together after dinner. Anna and I began talking about Living Hope's Father/Child camp out.
She asked, "Is it time for the camp out today?"
"No," I said, "that is not till Friday."
"Friday?" She said, "When is Friday?"
Friday will not get here soon enough for her. She can't wait! She is in full anticipation of this special time. She has been asking about it since last year and talking about it regularly since I told her I signed us up a few weeks ago. Anticipation comes easily for children. Wonder, awe, hopes, dreams and even wishes come naturally to their wide-eyed perspective on the world.
Of course, we have all lived past the day of such child like luxury. We've taken a a few courses at the school of hard knocks. We long since learned that stars are just stars and nothing to wish upon. We've quit wasting money on wishing fountains. "It is what it is," we moan as we march in the ruts of life.
But, if we'll let him, Jesus has come to get in our face and challenge our lack of anticipation.
Jesus came teaching a gospel of anticipation. (By the way, just in case any one wonders, the word "gospel" means good news). He came teaching us to anticipate what is and what is to come in the Kingdom of God. Take some time to read through the parables of Jesus on the Kingdom of God. He preached anticipation into existence. He also prayed it into existence.
The Lord's Prayer is a powerful example, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be they name, they kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil."
The first word prompts anticipation. Jesus tells us to approach God as "Father." Actually, even our translation of Father is too formal. The word Jesus uses is "Abba" which is better translated, "Daddy." That is a word of anticipation. Even human daddy's, at least the ones who have earned the right to be called daddy, don't withhold their love from their children. How much more so is it with your Daddy in heaven? The first words of this prayer evoke the image of a young child running shouting, "Daddy, Daddy" as his Father enters the house after a long day of work.
"Hallowed be your name" is a prayer of anticipation. It is asking God to make himself known in our lives and in our world. It is taking a realistic look at what our world puts in the spot light and saying, "Daddy, put the spot light on you."
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." That is a request of bold anticipation. Jesus challenges us to not just go through the motions, but to actually, pray, act, live, expect God's Kingdom of heaven to break in on earth. What in the world are we the church doing shaking our heads at the evil and suffering of this world? our job is not to shake our heads and let the world go to hell. Our job is to redeem the world in which we live from the grips of hell's suffering and evil. 30,000 children may die daily from starvation and 200 children may be going hungry on the weekends in our community and the only option Jesus gives his Church is to do something in the name of Christ about it! Thank you for being a church that understands that this line of the Lord's prayer can only be prayed with your hands and feet moved to action as the hands of feet of Jesus' love.
"Give us this day our daily bread" is also a supplication of anticipation. Few of us know what it is like to go to bed not knowing how our basic needs will be met in the morning (However, let us not close our eyes to the millions around the world for whom this is true). But Jesus says that as his Follower we can lay our head down at night not knowing from where what we need will come, but fully anticipating that it will come. He will meet our needs.
"Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil" are also prayers of anticipation. Why do we assume defeat before the battle begins? How many of us have resigned ourselves to the fact of continual, habitual failure to sin? How many of us tell others, "That's just how I am? Its how my family as always been. Its how I will always be"? How many of us look at the mountains of evil in this life and say you can't overcome that? Jesus does not let us get away with such small thinking. He challenges us to anticipate what his death and resurrection has already guaranteed...VICTORY!
"Daddy, when is Friday?" was my daughter's question of anticipation. Jesus invites us to live in anticipation through Him..."when" is coming and he wants to make "when" now and one day "when" will be way beyond now. Will you be a Follower of Christ who prays and lives out this anticipation? Will church who anticipates God's Kingdom breaking in? Will we be a church whose love in action allows others to anticipate God among us?
She asked, "Is it time for the camp out today?"
"No," I said, "that is not till Friday."
"Friday?" She said, "When is Friday?"
Friday will not get here soon enough for her. She can't wait! She is in full anticipation of this special time. She has been asking about it since last year and talking about it regularly since I told her I signed us up a few weeks ago. Anticipation comes easily for children. Wonder, awe, hopes, dreams and even wishes come naturally to their wide-eyed perspective on the world.
Of course, we have all lived past the day of such child like luxury. We've taken a a few courses at the school of hard knocks. We long since learned that stars are just stars and nothing to wish upon. We've quit wasting money on wishing fountains. "It is what it is," we moan as we march in the ruts of life.
But, if we'll let him, Jesus has come to get in our face and challenge our lack of anticipation.
Jesus came teaching a gospel of anticipation. (By the way, just in case any one wonders, the word "gospel" means good news). He came teaching us to anticipate what is and what is to come in the Kingdom of God. Take some time to read through the parables of Jesus on the Kingdom of God. He preached anticipation into existence. He also prayed it into existence.
The Lord's Prayer is a powerful example, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be they name, they kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil."
The first word prompts anticipation. Jesus tells us to approach God as "Father." Actually, even our translation of Father is too formal. The word Jesus uses is "Abba" which is better translated, "Daddy." That is a word of anticipation. Even human daddy's, at least the ones who have earned the right to be called daddy, don't withhold their love from their children. How much more so is it with your Daddy in heaven? The first words of this prayer evoke the image of a young child running shouting, "Daddy, Daddy" as his Father enters the house after a long day of work.
"Hallowed be your name" is a prayer of anticipation. It is asking God to make himself known in our lives and in our world. It is taking a realistic look at what our world puts in the spot light and saying, "Daddy, put the spot light on you."
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." That is a request of bold anticipation. Jesus challenges us to not just go through the motions, but to actually, pray, act, live, expect God's Kingdom of heaven to break in on earth. What in the world are we the church doing shaking our heads at the evil and suffering of this world? our job is not to shake our heads and let the world go to hell. Our job is to redeem the world in which we live from the grips of hell's suffering and evil. 30,000 children may die daily from starvation and 200 children may be going hungry on the weekends in our community and the only option Jesus gives his Church is to do something in the name of Christ about it! Thank you for being a church that understands that this line of the Lord's prayer can only be prayed with your hands and feet moved to action as the hands of feet of Jesus' love.
"Give us this day our daily bread" is also a supplication of anticipation. Few of us know what it is like to go to bed not knowing how our basic needs will be met in the morning (However, let us not close our eyes to the millions around the world for whom this is true). But Jesus says that as his Follower we can lay our head down at night not knowing from where what we need will come, but fully anticipating that it will come. He will meet our needs.
"Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil" are also prayers of anticipation. Why do we assume defeat before the battle begins? How many of us have resigned ourselves to the fact of continual, habitual failure to sin? How many of us tell others, "That's just how I am? Its how my family as always been. Its how I will always be"? How many of us look at the mountains of evil in this life and say you can't overcome that? Jesus does not let us get away with such small thinking. He challenges us to anticipate what his death and resurrection has already guaranteed...VICTORY!
"Daddy, when is Friday?" was my daughter's question of anticipation. Jesus invites us to live in anticipation through Him..."when" is coming and he wants to make "when" now and one day "when" will be way beyond now. Will you be a Follower of Christ who prays and lives out this anticipation? Will church who anticipates God's Kingdom breaking in? Will we be a church whose love in action allows others to anticipate God among us?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
"Roller Coaster Rides & Rocks"
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.
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 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!
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