From the Pen of the Pastor

Keys to Having an Effective Prayer Life

2012-01-15T11:33:00.001-05:00

Keys to having an Effective Prayer Life (Guest Speaker - Jonathan Graff)

1) Understand the purpose of prayer

The primary purpose is to grow a relationship with God. It's not to deal with crises. It's not to get things done. It's not to receive things. Prayer helps us know God and not just know about Him.

The secondary purpose is to release His Will on earth. It's the John 15 principle. John 15:7 flows from the context of our abiding in Him. The relationship of abiding in Him releases His will in our lives and world. The abiding relationship creates an alignment of our hearts with His.

Examples from stories in the Scriptures - James 5, I Kings 18, Daniel 9, Matthew 17 & Mark 9

Faith is nurtured through prayer (See connection between Matthew 17 & Mark 9). Prayer creates the expectation level of a congregation.

2) We need to understand our own personality.

God has wired each of us differently. Our prayers often reflect how God has spiritually gifted us. Corporate prayer should be focused on one thing, giving each of the different giftings freedom to express themselves in how God has made them. It creates a symphony of prayer instead of forcing everyone to play the same instrument.

We each approach prayer differently. Some can focus on prayer in the car, on the exercise bike, on a walk, or in a secluded place. The key is discovering what would get you to the place of connection with God. Be flexible with yourself. Explore what would help you connect with God. The key, "What fits your personality?"

Closing Questions

1) How are you praying in keeping with your personality?

2) Who is in your sphere of influence you should be praying for?

3) God wants to change me. Every prayer is actually a surrendering to God.

The Ultimate Answer to Prayer

2012-01-15T10:28:00.001-05:00

Sunday Morning at Community Heights Alliance Church, Newton, IA

Guest Speaker: Jonathan Graff - The Ultimate Answer to Prayer

Obscure passage from the OT and a very familiar NT passage in the New Testament - I Chronicles 13:9-14

1 Chronicles 13:9-14

David in his impatience, decides to bring the Ark to his city to enhance the worship he had setup. He didn't consult with anyone as to how the Ark was to be transported. Rather, he just moves it. The oxen stumble, one of the workers touches the ark in an attempt to steady it and dies as a result. David fears the Ark and presence of God.

Obed-Edom the Gittite housed the Ark after the ark stumbled in front of his home. It remained at his home for 3 months, bringing blessing to his home. He later moves to the city of David to be a gate keeper where the Ark was housed. He later moves to being a musician and then later a doorkeeper for the ark (1 Chronicles 15). In Chapter 16 he enlisted his whole family to take care of the Ark, bringing blessing to his entire family. Obed-Edom demonstrated a hunger for the presence of God.

Question, do I have that same hunger. The box for the presence of God today is our very lives. Prayer is the catalyst for releasing that presence.

Luke 11:5-13

The Father desires to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Luke in recording the story of Jesus' baptism is the only Gospel writer who records that the Spirit came "while Jesus was praying". When we pray, we get the filling of the Holy Spirit. in Acts 4:31 the filled disciples experience another filling of the Holy Spirit.

Three Baby Steps for Prayer (Movie: What About Bob)

1) Daily Surrender

2) Daily Meet with God

3) Ask God to increase within you the hunger to know Him and seek Him.

Watch and experience God filling you with Himself.

I am an enthusiastic Mitt Romney guy!

2012-01-15T09:43:00.001-05:00

Christie, I, and the boys attended our first Iowa Caucus a few Tuesdays back. I got pretty excited about getting involved in our nation's political process. Attendance at our caucus was like being at a poorly run church meeting where you don't know people as well.

We accomplished the following in our meeting.

Elected people to various positions. Since noboby really knew each other, it was a little slow at first. Basically they went with whomever volunteered. Guess what I did? I volunteered and consequently was elected to be a County Delegate. I'll let you know later if that was a smart choice or not.
Allowed for each of the candidate's surragates to give a 5 minute speech. Regrettably, noboby spoke but the young person for Ron Paul. Though I respected the young man from Missouri getting up to give an impassioned plea for his candidate, I was somewhat put off that he wasn't from our community. It felt to me like it was contrary to the neighborhood process of the caucus.
We presented resolutions to be considered for the Republican Platform. Each of these was recorded, discussed, and voted upon. Not a bad process. I was kind of an odd ball. It's not that I disagreed with anything that was presented in principle, but rather the intensity and inflexibility in which they were presented. Life, politics, running our country is a complicated process. I'm looking for good sound principles that can be entrusted to reliable and trustworthy individuals to be reflected in our legislative and executive branches of government. Though I believe in the concept of the balanced budget, I don't necessarily agree with how most are crafted. In good years, we should be saving money for a rainy day and in bad days, we should be spending that money we saved. That to me is what a balanced budget approach looks like. It's sad that there seems to be a sentiment that we can no longer trust our elected leaders for such an approach and instead have to pass hard and fast rules.
We adjourned the meeting.

An interesting experience I would like to get more involved wth in the future. One good outcome, we met another of our neighbors. He was a dear 84 year-old man who has lived his entire life in Newton, IA. He had walked to the Caucus and didn't seem to know where to go. We adopted him and ended up giving him a ride home.

So are you interested in who I caucused for? Well since I am no longer pastoring a church, I will let you know and explain my reasoning. Let me first begin by establishing some of my assumptions and observations.

There is not much difference between the positions and views of the Republican candidates. I just don't get into this "true conservative" argument. I do allow, and even appreciate, those whose positions evolve. Mine do. Why shouldn't other's positions. I do like it when they admit it and don't merely try to reframe it.
There were three primary factors I considered when looking at each of the candidate

1) Alignment with my world and government views.

2) Demonstrated leadership; someone who knows and has led others; excutive leadership

3) Ability to work with others. I openly and willingly admit not everyone sees things as I do. I want someone who truly can work with both Democrats and Republicans. I want some who shares my perspectives but at the same is able to lead, inspire, and speak to all of America.

4) Someone who I believe is trustworthy. I am looking for a leader who not merely shares my perspective but can be trusted to lead, appropriately compromise, and collaborate with all of the diversity that makes up our country. His or her life should demonstrate such trustworthiness.

Therefore, after much thought, I finally decided to caucus for Gov. Mitt Romney. I believe he is the best person to lead our country forward. He is not my concession. He is my choice. That is not to say I can't be furthered swayed. But it is my perspective from where I sit today.

Reflections from Sunday

2012-01-01T15:37:00.001-05:00

New Year's Resolutions, setting them at least indicates I have an interest in change. And, I know God is interested in change. God is working change into our lives (Philippians 1:6). In working with him...

Daily...

Surrender to God (Romans 12:1) - Dear Lord, my day, my activities, and all that I am belong to you and today I make them available to you.
Study the Word of God (Psalm 1:1-3) - Lord, I want to have Your mind and perspective.
Silence my heart (Psalm 37:7) - Lord, I want to hear Your voice, sense your direction and so I intentionally pause, wait, and listen.

Weekly...

Set a day to worship and honor God (Exodus 20:8-11) - Lord, I purposely interrupt my normal routines of living, making money, and pursuing my desires and set aside a day to remember You, Your goodness, and Your activities.
Serve someone (Mark 10:45) - Lord, I have created margins in my life to be Your love, presence, and care with who you bring across my path this week.
Share with someone (Philemon 6) - Lord, I chose to engage other, live in community,

Monthly...

Survey your progress (Psalm 139) - Lord, I desire all of who You are to search and try all of who I am.
Share your responses with a trusted friend - Lord, I choose to live a life of accountability.

Christmas 2011 Dunwell Family #3.mov

2011-12-31T13:42:00.000-05:00

Christmas 2011 Dunwell Family #2.mov

2011-12-27T12:43:00.000-05:00

2011 23 24 mpeg4

2011-12-26T09:42:00.000-05:00

Sunday Morning Reflections

2011-12-05T08:57:00.001-05:00

It feels like winter this morning. As I went to gas up the car this morning (fill your tank and get a free Sunday paper), I certainly felt the cold weather. Personally, I wouldn't mind see a bit of snow on the ground. If it's going to be cold, we might as well see the ground white. We as a family all went winter boot shopping Friday night. We continue to equip ourselves for the impending winter weather. My feet will at least be toasty.

I had a hard time getting relaxed this weekend. It feels like the weekend has gone so fast. Part of the problem was I traveled Monday - Friday last week and I have the same schedule this week. Looking forward to things slowing down with the Christmas break approaching.

One of my joys this week was finding the church I did on Wednesday evening. I had tried to find a C&MA Church, but much to my dismay, I couldn't. It seems like we have a good number of Hmong churches but not many English speaking churches. At least that's what I discovered through my search of the C&MA website and a few phone calls.

I did find a church right down the street from my Kansas City hotel I had never attended on my Wednesday evening Church searches. I think I will visit again when I am in Kansas City. I enjoyed the small study I found, filled with wonderful people with gray hair. Not only was their welcome genuine, but their study on the Good Samaritan was challenging, not because it answered all my questions, but rather because it created them in my life. I liked the Pastor's style. I think I will attend again.

Sunday Message Reflections: Mark 9:38-41

What are my prejudices?

Where am I closed to others?

Where does my pride eliminate others from touching my life?

Where have I built unhealthy walls?

Where am I standing in the way of Christ's love and compassion being expressed by others?

In the Kindgdom of God, our differences are overcome by each of us being for Christ...in the church, in our community, and in our world. There is way too much ego, personality, and marketing that divides the church today.

It gets in the way of people working together.

It gets in the way of Christ being lifted up.

It gets in the way Christ's compassion and love being experienced.

Sunday School - The Book of Galatians

The author is Paul, a man of credentials, well respected, good background, and well-taught.

Verse 14 - And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me lin the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. (Paul's recounting of his conversion in Acts 26)

Goad - something that pains as if by pricking

Paul's Goads...

1) Gamileal's warning - might be from God

2) Stephen's sermon

3) The growing following of Jesus

4) His encounter of Jesus on the road to Damascus

I wonder what I'm kicking against?

The Truth Project - Part III

2011-11-19T15:01:00.001-05:00

When we get angry, it's because we have a script someone has trampled upon. We need to realize God has another script.

The Battle for the Mind and Heart
The rise of the heart
I want to be authentic
I want to be real
I want to follow my heart
In my heart, I know this is right
My heart tells me that...

The Heart and the Mind

If the heart thinks and has thoughts...then what is the difference between the heart and mind? (Scriptural)
- the heart is the inner sanctum of the mind.
- in the heart is what you really believe
- We are driven by what we believe is real

You change emotion by changing what you believe to be true.

Think of a child. They believe what you say. As they grow, their heart begins to shrink.

We live in a world today where are hearts have so shrunk that we are nothing more than skeptics. It is the death of belief.

The didactic alone is no longer sufficient.

We need to learn how to go from the mind to the heart.

Love your neighbor. Love opens the door to the heart.

The Truth Project/Encounter - Part II

2011-11-19T13:02:00.001-05:00

Question and Answer Session with Dell Tackett

Kids don't have short attention spans. What we have is content that is not engaging. If you say something that matters, teens will hang with you all night.

When we feel we are attacked, we need to realize we are in a battle. Our temptation is to think a person is where the battle exists. The reality is the battle is within us. Will we respond in the flesh or the spirit? That's the real battle.

Wow, we sure are "jump on the bandwagon" people. It always makes me feel uncomfortable when I see it happening in the church. We embrace, promote, and become loyal to the teacher, the teaching, or the organization. Why does everything have to be packaged and marketed!

Everything around us screams "absolute".

Tolerance - a covenant we have made with each other. If I don't tell you you're wrong, you can't tell me I'm wrong.

Humility is the proper response to understanding who we are and who God is.

Nothing wrong with engaging the battle. The question is how we engage.

Family Forum - Des Moines, IA

2011-11-19T11:06:00.001-05:00

Spending the day in Des Moines listening to Del Tackett at the Truth Project.

Jonah ran away because he saw something in God he did not like. "He ran from the face of God."

Isaiah 6 describes a personal encounter with God.
- It exposes us.
- It exposes our culture.
- It calls us to "go."

Our response to these encounters...
- Here am I, send the government!
- Here am I, send my pastor!
- Or, Here am I, send me!

An Encounter With Jesus - Matthew 22

Matthew 22:37-38 - The First and Greatest Commandent...and the 2nd is Like It!
- The Critical Call - the call to be a good neighbor!
- We live in a time of tremendous inflation--the inflation of words. God has called us to be an awesome neighbor!
- The Story of the Good Samaritan...The Story of an Awesome Neighbor.

Questions to Answer
- Who is my neighbor?
- How do I love them?

God loves to create, equip, empower and set free.
- He loves for His creation to do great things.
- Adam and Eve...
- Disciples...
- The Church...
- "You will do greater things!"
- The enemy likes to consolidate power and make dependents.
- God hates slavery and dependency.

Thank God It Is Ever Before Me!

2011-10-18T10:07:00.001-04:00

Morning Reading - Psalm 26

For Your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in Your faithfulness (Psalm 26:3)

That is what I rest in, His steadfast love and faithfulness.

Thank You Lord there is something more than my performance. I pray this day I would ever be mindful of that love and faithfulness. In the safety of Your grace and the rest found in Your relationship, I pray I would in faith live in such a way that displays You. Show me today where I need to step out and risk; show me where I need to say no; show me where I need to serve; show me where I need to forgive; show me where I need to trust; show me where I need to give.

For Your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in Your faithfulness. Thank goodness! Thank You God!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Wichita, KS - From the Hotel Room

I Fear the Lord!

2011-10-17T22:00:00.001-04:00

Evening Reading - Psalm 114

Do I have a fear of the Lord?

Do I have a healthy respect for who He is and what He can do? Are there times I am so amazed by his beauty or awed by his love that I'm speechless in His presence? And are there other times when I contemplate His holiness, justice, and righteousness that I tremble at Him knowing my very thoughts?

Do I have a fear of the Lord?

Does the thought of Him affect how I live? Do I purposely not do things merely because of His holiness? Do I end up doing things because of His incredible loving kindness? Is my respect for who He is and what He can (and has done) cause me to always take Him into consideration? Do I feel the need for my life to revolve around Him?

Do I have a fear of the Lord?

I tremble at Your love.
I tremble at Your power.
I tremble at Your holiness.
I tremble at Your righteousness.
I tremble at Your mercy.
I tremble at Your character.
I tremble at Your judgment.
I tremble at Your sacrifice.

Lord, I want to always live taking you into consideration, never taking You for granted.

I love You!
I respect You!
I fear You!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Wichita, Kansas

The Gospel

2011-10-16T11:27:00.001-04:00

Do...
You shouldn't...
Stop...
Be careful...
You need to...
You don't measure up...
Something is missing...

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Quality of life...
Something different...
A new way...
Inspiration...
Something to strive for...

But the fruit of the Spirit is flove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, iself-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23)

Lost...
Missing the mark...
Rebellious...
Sin...
Fallen...
Dead...
Lifeless...

...for fall have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

Life...
Abundant...
Something more...
Vibrancy...
Satisfying...

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10b)

Am I living the Gospel and all it's vibrancy?
Am I presenting the Gospel and the breadth of it's message and power?
What dominates the message of our churches?
What is the tenor of our lives and churches?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Home in Newton, IA

Words

2011-10-14T09:22:00.001-04:00

Morning Reading - Psalm 17

Words are powerful. They can change someone's day. They can lift someone's spirit. They influence how others see themselves. They often are incorporated into another's self talk.

Powerful words...
Praise
Thank You
Expressions of appreciation
I Love You

My words are powerful.
Words can be powerful weapons of hurt. Wielded with the power of jealousy, anger, or pride, they can cut deep into a person's heart. And even when the blade is removed, scars are left behind, creating either super-sensitivity or numbness. Words leave behind a residual presence.

Powerful words of hurt...
All inclusive characterizations
Personal attacks
Lies, distortions
Gossip
Attacks on the person

My words can be powerful weapons of hurt.

I've hurt others.
Others have hurt me.
All done with words.
All leaving a wake of pain.

Lord forgive me for my words that have caused one of your children pain.
Lord, in my pain from other's words, I seek healing in Your presence, estimation, and love.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:From Home

It's You and Not Me

2011-10-12T20:20:00.001-04:00

Psalm 130

You.
You are my reason for rejoicing. You are the reason for my salvation. It's not found in me. It was Your choice. It flowed from Your love and mercy.

It's not found in my...
...choice
...determination
...wisdom
...perseverance
...knowledge
...wisdom

All of them fall short. They leak. They at times can be nonperforming. But not You.

I rest in You.
I rejoice in You.
I glory in You.

Help me to make it about You! The life I live I want to be about You.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Prayer Group

Too Much...Too Costly...Too Far...Absurdity!

2011-10-09T10:20:00.001-04:00

Matthew 21:33-46 The Parable of the Vineyard

Jesus.
Sent as a servant.
Abused and violated by a violent world.
What is rejected becomes chief.
What is abused and mistreated becomes powerful.

Us.
Sent as servants.
Abused and violated by a violent world.
What is rejected becomes chief.
What is abused and mistreated becomes powerful.

It's not my expected role.
It's not my desired destination.
It's not the anticipated outcome.
It's not the logical path.

And yet in the midst of pride it's the role we are to assume.
And yet in response to violence we still are called to go.
And yet in response to rejection we are to persevere.
And yet in response to abuse we are to offer ourselves.

What?
Our lives...
Our stories of encountering Christ...
An experience with Christ through the Fruits of the Spirit...
Our presence in spite of ______________________...

No limits!
No boundaries!
No "you've gone to far!
No "I'm done!

No revenge...
No attacking...
No "power plays"...
No campaigns...

We go as servants...into danger...offering our (His presence)...willing to lose all.

The way of Jesus.
The way of me?

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Full Proclamation

2011-09-25T10:20:00.001-04:00

And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29)

I want to boldly proclaim and live...

- Jesus is God
- Jesus is the creator and sustainer of all that is
- Jesus loves me
- God has blessed for me
- God desires to have a relationship with me
- Nothing is out of His control
- His plan will be accomplished
- I am His child
- I am a joint heir with Jesus
- I have the promise of eternal life
- Real life is found in Him
- I am promised and ever abounding life
- (You fill in the blank)________________________

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:31-38)

But, along with those proclamations, comes the following...
- He was rejected
- He suffered
- He died
- He was humiliated

And, in the midst of my proclamation I also must be willing to...
- Be rejected
- Suffer
- Lose Everything
- Deny self

Lord help me to proclaim and live You as my Christ. Help me reject the lies of the enemy. Embolden me to live and proclaim the truth of who You are.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Newton, IA

Before, Above, and Beyond

2011-09-14T20:48:00.001-04:00

Romans 11:33-36

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and swisdom and knowledge of God! tHow unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or vwho has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Lord, why do I think I need to understand everything about you?
Lord, why do I think everything that happens has to make sense to me?
Lord, why do I think I have to explain everything about you?

You are before, above, and beyond...

In You there is mystery!
In You is found the unknown!
In You I discover the beyond!

There is no mystery You encounter.
There is nothing unknown to You.
You never encounter the beyond.

Thank you for revealing yourself. And thank you that in I can embrace in faith Your mystery.
Thank you for revealing the path I am to walk. And thank you that I can walk in faith in what is unknown.
Thank you that I encounter nothing that is beyond You. And thank you that in faith I can give You what is beyond me.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Prayer Meeting

I need another touch if I am to see clearly...

2011-09-11T10:21:00.001-04:00

Reflections on Mark 8

As I have read and reflected upon Mark 8, four parts of the story grabbed my attention.

1. A second miracle of multiplying of fished and loaves of bread...
2. Leaders whose hearts have become hard...
3. Disciples who focus on the wrong things...
4. A healing that requires a second touch by Jesus...

As I have read and reflected upon Mark 8, I find myself asking four questions.

1. Am I hungry?
2. Where is my heart hard, unable to hear, see, and experience truth?
3. Am I focused on distractions that keep me from what is really important?
4. Do I realize I am continually in need of a another touch from Jesus to clearly see myself, my world, and most importantly, Him, more clearly.

I am blind or at best I don't see things clearly! I am continually in need of another touch from Jesus. I never have it completely figured out. I am always a student who needs to ask questions. I can never rest solely on my perspective. I don't always catch everything. I can often miss the "thing" God is doing right in front of me. I can be just like the disciples in Mark 8...missing it, distracted, desperately in need of another touch. I continually need another touch from Jesus.

But there is a worse condition. I can think I see. I can believe my spiritual eyesight is 20/20. I can with confidence present what I know as absolute truth. I can rely on my knowledge, on my own insight. I can develop principles and theologies. I can study the Word of God, know Greek and Hebrew, and write Christian thought blogs. I can be as knowledgable and active as the Pharisees of Mark 8. And yet if I am not open to the continual touch of Jesus, I am blind. I am continually in need of something more the written truth. I need to be touched by Living Truth, Jesus Christ.

I need to be touched by His Word. My eyes will begin to be opened. I will see "people as walking trees" (Mark 8:24). But if I really want to see clearly, I will need to be touched by Jesus Himself.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Community

2011-07-26T22:16:00.001-04:00

Community...

The Body of Christ (the Church)
Friendship
Marriage
The Trinity

Community...

Diversity
Unity
Individuals
Togetherness
Interdependence

Community...

The potential for conflict...
Strength in numbers...
Lots of stepping on toes...
Incredible support...
A place of growth...

Community...

A place where bragging isn't bragging and complaining isn't complaining...
Where there is the space to make mistakes...
Where the giving and receiving of grace is a necessity...
A place that you need and needs you...

Community...

Seen in God...
Experienced through the Spirit...
A gift received...
A gift to be given...

Community...

Something in short supply...
Something I'm always looking for...
Something I hope I provide...
Something I'm continually learning..

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:From our living room...

Negativism

2011-07-25T22:33:00.001-04:00

I am a tad weary of all the negativism that surrounds us.

It defines much of cable news today.
It fills many pulpits on the weekends.
Many a page has been filled with it's ink in church critique.
It's taken the place of preeminence in political discourse.
It's the "ha,ha" we employ in discussing our great governing process.

I am a tad weary of all the negativism that surrounds us.

...and yet I realize it's part of living in community (with people)
...and yet I find tremendous value in critique
...and yet I think diversity of opinion is far better than my narrow understanding.
...and yet I think it's ok (sometimes even necessary) to disagree or point out error

I am a tad weary of all the negativism that surrounds us.

My list of things I can do to not contribute to the negativism.

Pause before reacting
Don't make it personal
Ask more questions than make statements
Seek first to understand the other perspective before stating my own
Live a life of faith and trust and not of desperation, needing to win
Never forget the limitations of my understanding and knowledge
Always remember the reality of my biases
God speaks and often is discovered in diversity
Remember it's not about winning
Reveal Christ not only in my words but as well in my character

I am a tad weary of all the negativism that surrounds us. I see an opportunity!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:From home in Newton, IA

Discipline (or lack of it)

2011-07-24T10:24:00.001-04:00

Trying to get reconnected with my blog. As usual, life has gotten busy and it seems like I haven't been motivated to take the time write. Vacation, traveling, family being away, guests...all contribute to my neglect. At least those are the reasons I give. It's really about lack of discipline and allowing distractions to dictate my patterns of life.

I realize I need to practice discipline. It's good for me. Not just because of what I spend time "in" and "doing". No, it goes beyond that. The process of discipline is good for me. Whether that is in my eating, or my exercising, or my blogging, or my study of God's Word, discipline is good for me.

It's good for me because I don't merely want to be led by my emotions.
It's good for me because it's not always healthy to live in the moment.
It's good for me because I need to learn to say "no" so I can always say "yes" to God.
It's good for me because I regularly need to be reminded it's not always about me.
It's good for me because I recognize I have not as of yet arrived.

I need the process of discipline in my life.

It helps break up the hard ground of my selfishness, creating fertile ground for something healthy to grow.
It sharpens essential areas of my life, allowing me to cut through to what's really important.
It works life into areas that can easily become stale, stagnate, and dead.

I need the process of discipline in my life.

I need it in my spiritual life.
I need it in my intellectual life.
I need it in my social life.
I need it in my physical life.

Lord, help me in my weakness. Lord, strengthen my resolve. Lord, I rest in You!

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Location:1st Ave E,Newton,United States

I Need to Stumble and be Offended

2011-06-26T12:57:00.001-04:00

Mark 6:1-6 (Reflections on Sunday's Message)

I need to be surprised and challenged. It's part of what brings amazement to my relationship with Christ. Regrettably in my walk, I have a tendency to take the wonder and amazement of God and cleanse it with my explanations and strip it down with my biases and limitations. I need Jesus to continually enter into my expectations and routines and present Himself in such a way that I stumble beyond the rote of my defined faith and walk. I need Him to walk into my orderly world and and cause my created Christian sensibilities to be offended.

I readily admit, I believe I have way too much figured out.
I readily admit, I live much of my life on autopilot.
I readily admit, I like to have things figured out.
I readily admit, I naturally seek out comfort and ease.
I readily admit, I regularly make You an ordinary part of my life.

Lord, I open my life for You to present Yourself in such a way that I stumble in my ordinariness. Lord I want to seek You out in such a way that You offend what I thing I know.

Therefore, I will enter this week....
...looking for the experiences of service that will even bring discomfort.
...looking into Your Word and allowing Your Holy Spirit to speak to long held biases and lies.
...seeking out those who are different
...looking for the opportunity to offer forth Your contrarian gifts of grace, forgiveness, and acceptance.

...with an expectation of seeing and experience the "extraordinariness" of who You are!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Community Heights Alliance Church, Newton, IA

Christie, Heaven, and Traditions

2011-06-12T16:46:00.001-04:00

It's the beginning of a new week. I spent the week working in Iowa--Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Pella, Humboldt, Clarion, and Algona. The weekend was wrapped around Christie's 25th Newton High School Reunion. We had a good time connecting with Christie's friends from years ago. Nice people. I found out the core of Christie was the same in High School as she is today. I observed (and continue to observe) the following.

- She never needs to be in the center.
- She loves applauding others.
- She loves to follow and doesn't need to lead.
- She loves being with others.
- She quietly but solidly lives her faith and values.
- She is very comfortable and confident in her own skin.
- She takes a genuine interest in others.

Christie is a good friend to have. I'm glad she is my best friend! Weekends like this past one remind me of what I appreciate about Christie. And as I reflect upon what I see within her, it provides a challenge and an encouragement on who God is calling me to be. In many ways I want to imitate her as she imitates Christ.

Sunday Worship - Revelation 21

From the message at Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton, IA

In Revelation 21, heaven is described in the following ways...

1. It's Appearance. (New)
2. It's Capital. The New Jerusalem--Beautiful...Perfect...Mine
3. It's Where God Lives.
4. It's Different than This World.
5. It's Residents
6. It's Not a Place for Everyone

I don't know why, but I have a hard time getting jazzed about most messages or books about heaven. Too often the descriptions sound too much like some of the gaudy sets of television evangelists. Frankly it's just not that appealing. Though I certainly believe the Scriptures provide some descriptions of heaven, I do believe much should be left to our spiritual imagination. Suffice it to say, I believe it exceeds my imagination. The descriptions we do find leads me to believe that it will be something far more than merely the abundance of the best that this life has to offer.

Obviously it's characterized as being consistent with God.
Obviously it's characterized as bringing ultimate satisfaction.
Obviously it's greatest characteristic is the presence of God and the absence of evil.
Obviously it is beyond what I have already known or experienced.
Obviously, it's characterized by relationship.

The rest for me has an element of mystery. It creates within me a sense of anticipation for the place I will live eternally with God. He after all is what makes it so unique and spectacular. He remains my focus, not merely some place that is beyond my wildest dreams

Sunday School - Judaism
The focus of our discussion in class was upon the Jews reliance upon traditions to the neglect of God. And of course, we as Evangelicals like to reinforce how we choose to look to the Scriptures alone.

I'm not sure I buy the argument. It's not that I dismiss the generalized critique of Judaism, rather I think it's a universal problem that plaques even the movement we are part of. Evangelicalism as a movement is a category applied to people who have a general belief system they take or apply to the Word of God. It has a set of beliefs, values, and practices it utilizes to identify members considered good in standing. Not all of them specifically come from the Scriptures but rather are interpretations or applications. Since they are applied to a group they extend beyond the bounds of personal conscious and instead become established traditions, laws, or rules. No, I don't believe we follow Scriptures alone. We follow traditions as well and run the same risks we identify for the Jews who rejected Jesus.

And by the way, I do believe we need something more than the Scriptures! Now I am not challenging the argument established in the Reformation. But in the context of how we often utilize it as Evangelicals, I am. I recognize I need something more than the Word of God.

I need continual interaction with His Spirit in the context of real life.
I need to acknowledge and embrace the many mysteries, ambiguities, and uncertainties that are part of my understanding of God, my beliefs, and my practices.

Failure to openly acknowledge these needs puts me in control and leads me needing to define, explain, and metric everything in life. It leads to moving beyond personal convictions to establishing traditions and practices for the group.

I think it's healthy to acknowledge the spaces and gaps of uncertainty. I don't think we should try to "paper over them" with our applications. I think think we need to allow people to interact with God in what is not clear in Scripture and let far more become a reflection of personal conscious rather than a group rule or tradition.

It's messy.
It's not defined.
It's not how we live the rest of life.

But it is relational...relational with God.

At one time, the nations of Israel did not have a king. What they did have was a nation led by God Himself. Much to the chagrin of their God they asked for a king so they could be like the other nations. God gave them Saul and with his rule, and many that followed, came hurt, pain, and disappointment.

Why do we tell God we want something more than the guidance of His Spirit? Why do we try and define every element of our faith and practice? Do we not trust Him? Is He not adequate? Or is it that we like the safety in "absolutism" for all in everything?

Such lack of trust and avoidance of uncertainty will probably lead to conformity but not necessarily godliness. And rather than engaging a living God we will argue the loopholes of dead and lifeless traditions, rules, and laws.

What a tragedy. For the Jews it lead to missing God. Do we think it will lead us any place different?

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Location:The Newton YMCA - Poolside

Judgement

2011-06-07T23:11:00.001-04:00

From my daily readings - Ezekiel 7:23-27

The king mourns, the prince is wrapped in despair, and the hands of the people of the land are paralyzed by terror. According to their way I will do to them, and according to their judgments I will judge them, and they shall know that I am the Lord.” (Verse 27)

A God who judges. Not exactly in vogue today. Difficult to add to our storyline of a God of love and grace. It's something many would like to erase from the Bible. Many don't like a God who judges and try to avoid a picture of a God who will some day judge.

But isn't it necessary to make sense of the story of God and his creation.

If there is no judgement than is sin really that bad? I know I don't like to think of my sin is being really that bad, but I sure can point to some others that are horrible.

If there is no judgement than is there really such a thing as injustice? No longer are there actions and activities that make our blood boil.

If there is no judgement than life is exceedingly unfair. The OJ Simpson verdicts, the exploitative actions of the powerful upon the disadvantaged can only create bitterness and anger within us. There is no rest to be found in knowing that some day things will be set right.

If there is no judgement than Christ's death was unnecessary. His sacrifice was overkill, an overreaction.

And if God is not the judge than we are forced to live with our imperfections as judges.

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Location:Cedar Falls, IA

His Steadfast Love

2011-06-06T19:42:00.004-04:00

From my daily readings...

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 89:1)

I rest in His consistency.
I relish His persistence.
I cherish His constant presence.

I will sing of His steadfast love.

It's not dependent upon my performance.
He doesn't have moods that dictate His feelings.
It's motive for action resides within Him and is not dependent upon me.

I will sing of His steadfast love.

I know I don't deserve it.
Assurdely my behavior creates barriers He chooses to overcome.
I know many times I am absolutely offensive.

I will sing of His steadfast love.

It's always available.
It's never withheld.
It's never held over my head.

I will sing of His steadfast love.

It's something I have experienced in Him.
It's somethin I am experiencing in Him.
It's something I can always anticipate experiencing in Him.

I will sing of His steadfast love.

Thank You Lord for giving me so much to sing about. Thank you for sharing your steadfast love with me.

------------------------------------------------
Traveling today in Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids Iowa.

Sharpening My Saw
I got my 3 mile walk in.
Listened to three podcasts.
And spent some time with Him.

Freedom

2011-06-05T22:53:00.001-04:00

Been away from my blog a bit. It's good to be back. Life continues to roll along. I continue to learn my job, my territory, what works and what doesn't. I continue to covet your prayers as I live out my calling. I continue to covet your prayers as I work hard on developing good disciplines.

Sharpening My Saw (Stephen Covey - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)
- Spiritual (daily reading and reflection)
- Social (connecting with new and old friends)
- Mental (weekly reading and study - work & general)
- Physical (daily exercise)

There are rhythms of my life that are in step with my goals. And there are others that just are not in sync as of yet. There certainly is room for growth. I'm still in that stage of creating habits that will probably stay with me for some time (good and bad).

Christie and the boys are enjoying their adjustment to Iowa. It has been good to be close to family as we walk through this time of change. Last weekend was a special treat as we got the opportunity to be with my family. It's a good thing to be close to family.

Mark 5:1-20 (Community Heights Alliance Church)

Two pictures in the text. The first is a picture of the destroyer, who wants to damage, shatter, and rob. The second picture is of the deliverer, who offers life, freedom, and victory. And Jesus our deliverer wants to set us free from all the chains that have bound us. He wants to set us free.

Do I accept the reality that there is an enemy opposition force determined to rob, steal, and kill? Do I believe I am in their sights?

Do I accept the reality that Jesus hears my anguish and has traveled across "stormy violent waters" (Chapter 4) to bring me deliverance?

Are there bondages in my life that have robbed me of the life Christ longs for me?

Do I recognize that there are times when others around me don't desire for me to find freedom?

Do I invite Jesus to stay and hang around and continue his work in my life?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Newton, IA

Abide in safety

2011-05-15T20:02:00.001-04:00

I John 2:18-27 - Sunday School

The key word I am reflecting upon today - "abide"

Three thoughts that come to me from the passage.
1) Abide in His Word and the things you have been taught.
2) Abide in the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.
3) Abide in the community of Christ

My basic reflection: Through abiding, we are able to protect ourselves from those who would lead us away from faith in Christ.

No doubt as I look around, I see tension and stretching in the church. What many have held so dear, others are questioning and challenging. Now I'm not talking about those outside the church challenging what we believe. No, I'm talking about the tension coming from inside the church.

I have a couple of worries. First, I'm worried many of us will automatically reject anything new or anything that challenges what we have held for so long. Don't me wrong. I do believe we need to be careful. I do believe there are plenty of certainties in our beliefs. They dwell in the realm of the identity of God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) and the reality of Christ's life, death, and resurrection and what His work accomplished. They are contained within the historical creeds (The work of the Word, the Holy Spirit, and the Body of Christ). And they define and create boundaries for what is Christian thought and what is not.

Regrettably, we have made many things certain that are not contained within the realms I have described above. And church history and recent experiences validate such a claim. We see hard unmoved "church people", missing God's latest movement because of strict adherence to beliefs established through tradition.

On the other hand, we have to be extremely careful about accepting anything and everything. Just because it is new, popular, and culturally relevant does mean it is true. If it messes with the nature and character of God and Jesus Christ and His work, we are correct in labeling it outside the realm of Christian teaching.

I do think John provides us some guidance in the midst of what appears to be messy and less defined. It's found in the word "abide". Safety and guidance are found in us choosing to abide in His Word, His Community, and in His Spirit. Abiding is a relational term. It involves the spending of time together. It involves dialoguing about anything and everything. It involves growth. It involves moving together.

One of the problems today is the lack of abiding. We are impatient. We thrust leadership in positions too soon. We don't allow enough time for maturity to develop and be seen and recognized by others and in the process we run some risks.

Safety exists when we choose to abide in His Word.
Safety exists when we choose to abide in His Body.
Safety exists when we choose to abide with His Spirit.

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Location:Community Heights Alliance Church--Newton, IA

Pulling Back the Curtains

2011-05-14T08:38:00.001-04:00

From my readings today - Daniel 6:1-15

Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. (verse 3)

...but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. (verse 4b)

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. (verse 10)

Recognized Competency
Consistent Character
Expressed Devotion

That's Daniel. No matter the situation, no matter the challenge. It's him in the good, the bad, and even the ugly. That's Daniel. You see it. It stands out. It's lived. It's part of him. It's him.

That may be Daniel, but is it me? It's probably safe to say it's me part of the time, when it's deemed appropriate by others, when there's something for me to gain. It's something I can do, something I can put on. I know the part, I know the role. But is it really me?

If the curtains were pulled back in my life what would others see? What would I want them to see? Is all of life a stage or do I really live out who I really am?

Lord, I thank you for the challenge of Daniel. I pray the qualities of his life would be worked into my life. Grow and nurture my relationship with you.

Use my everyday...
Make the most of my challenges...
Maximize the opportunities found in difficult relationships...

I know it starts with You.
I know I realize it in our relationship.
I know it gets lived.
And I know it becomes evident in the everyday, my choices, and my relationships.

I pray when the curtains are pulled back in my life, others will see my love for You!

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Location:At home in Newton, IA

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T15:43:00.001-04:00

Mom, you are valued. Not just because of all you do but for who you are.

God loves you.
I love you.
And your boys love you.
I hope you know it and feel it.

I know you are a creation of God, made in His image. I am so thankful I get to uncover the wonders of that creation.

I know you are His child, being made in His image. I am so thankful I get to experience the wonders of that creative work.

I know you, like me, are a sinner living in God's grace. I am so thankful I get to extend to you the same grace God has extended toward me.

I know at times I have hurt you. I am so thankful you experience and express God's forgiveness

I know you are my lover. I am so thankful I get to rest in your love.

I know you are the mother of our children. I am so thankful our boys live in the midst of your nurture and care.

I know you are my closest friend. I am so thankful I live embraced in your companionship.

I know you are His. I am so thankful He chose to share you with me.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Early Service @Community Heights Alliance Church - Newton, IA

Thank God!

2011-05-06T06:09:00.001-04:00

Morning Reading: Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” (verses 1 & 2)

Earthquakes...
Tsunami's...
Economic uncertainty...
Tornados...
Wars...

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” (verses 1 & 2)

A new job...
A move across the country...
Up and down sales...
Travel...
Time away from home...

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” (verses 1 & 2)

New co-workers...
A new business "language"...
Leaving old relationships...
A new and different church...

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” (verses 1 & 2)

I have doubts...
I have questions...
It doesn't always make sense...
At times I just don't get it...

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” (verses 1 & 2)

People are not always trustworthy...
I'm not the smartest in the room...
There's always another bill...
Very little can I really control...
I get tired...
There are not enough hours in the days...

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips (verse 4)

I am confident...because of Him.
I can afford to rest...because of Him.
There is room to risk...because He is upholding.
I need not fear...because He is present.
I find meaning...because He is working.
I have hope...because He has gone before.
I have joy in all circumstances...because there's always something more in Him.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(verses 5-6)

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Location:NYC - Laguardia Airport

The Soil of My Heart

2011-05-01T10:27:00.001-04:00

Mark 4 - The Parable of the Sower

"And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (vs 9)

Am I listening? Probably a great question for me to be asking. It appears that Jesus assumes in the midst of all the noise of life, I just might not be listening. Distractions, noise, and other preoccupations are part of my life. I admit it. Thank You Lord for raising Your voice. Thank You for speaking out. Thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You for getting my attention. Lord, what are you saying today to me?

Today You are challenging me about the soil of my heart. Your Word is being shared. I'm present in church. I'm reading Your Word. I listen to Christian radio. I read Christian books. I engage in Christian conversation.

But what kind of soil describes my heart? The seed has significant power and capability. It is life. It will produce a bountiful harvest. If the seed is not producing in my life, the problem is not the seed. The problem is the condition of my heart.

Lord, I'm listening! Lord, continue to reveal to me the power of Your Word. But Lord, please continue to work on the condition of my heart. Prepare the soil of my heart.

Plow up the hard ground. Plant the seed deep in my heart. Let it penetrate the depths of my life; the places I hold dear; the places I keep secret; the places of my pain.

Lord, continue to weed out the destructive elements of my life. Reveal to me those things that choke out Your real life. Lord, I admit there our unhealthy hungers in my life. Things that bring temporary life. Not only do they grab me, my attention, my hungers, and desires, but they as well strangle life that lasts beyond the immediate, the life everlasting.

Lord, I want to be fruitful. I want my life to produce a harvest. In faith I believe there is more You desire to do with my life than what the World promises. You want a bountiful yield. Lord, I want a bountiful yield. You promise to go above and beyond. You promise to do something supernatural in my life. Allow me to live a life that brings such a yield that the only explanation that could adequately explain the harvest would be God's activity.

The Path - Hardened Heart
The Rocky Soil - The Shallow Heart
The Thorny Soil - The Overcrowded Heart
The Good Soil - The Fruitful Heart

Lord show me the poor soil places in my heart. Help me work the soil of my heart. Break up, plant deep, pull weeds...

through...

...submission lead by faith and not merely practicality.
...confession that leads to repentance.
...discipline that works out His salvation.
...learning to say "no" so I'm always prepared to say "Yes" to Him.
...immersion in His thoughts, value, and mission.
...worship that is about Him and not about me.
...a love for Him that leads to sacrifice.

Lord, I'm listening. Please speak this week. I know You will. I know You are.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Community Heights Alliance Church, Newton, IA

Worship Tomorrow

2011-04-30T19:30:00.001-04:00

Flying home from Las Vegas. I spent the last half of the week working a conference there. I'm looking forward to getting home. Christie has been working hard getting our new home unpacked. I'm just looking forward to getting some sense of normalcy to our new life in IA. We will probably have to wait another week. I have another unusual week ahead. Heading to New York Wednesday night through Friday morning.

I am looking forward to worship tomorrow morning. My schedule on the road has not permitted me to attend Wednesday night service. I look forward to meeting some new people. I look forward to hearing from God's Word. I look forward to stopping the normal course of life and offering God my time, my focus, and my energy.

As I have visited different churches these last number of weeks, I have discovered I am distracted by the following.

- A church's total preoccupation with who they are and what they are doing instead of who God is and what He is doing.

- Pastor's who choose to not be themselves. Being real and relevant is not found in untucking your shirt. It's found in being yourself and reflecting God's image.

- A lack of maturity. Youthfulness and energy are necessary and valuable but not to the neglect of mature leadership and experience.

- Not enough originality and local expression. Churches today have the look and feel of being copies of what is deemed successful. Not enough letting God speak through who He has made them to be.

Of course, there is nothing more distracting than my heart that is not situated correctly. God speaks through the imperfections of His church. Tomorrow I will listen for His voice.
Tomorrow I will look for His movement.
Tomorrow I will engage in worship.

It will occur with imperfect people.
It will happen within the context of mixed motives.
It will be experienced in His church.

Lord, orient my heart correctly. Let me allow it to become something more than the product of performers. May it flow from my heart. Lord, prepare me for worship. Don't allow me to be become preoccupied with the distractions. Let me become totally occupied with You.

I look forward to a special time of worship with You.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:On a Flight back to Des Moines from Las Vegas

He Reigns

2011-04-27T16:45:00.001-04:00

We are in Iowa (or at least I was!). We arrived in IA Saturday evening. We had a good day celebrating Easter with Christie's family. On Monday I went to work. On Tuesday, I went to work, our moving truck arrived, and Christie directed where things should be put. Our boxes and furniture filled the house. Today, I boarded flights to Las Vegas for a conference, while Christie (with help from her family) began to unpack the seemingly endless boxes. Knowing Christie, I will probably return Saturday evening with most of the immediate unpacking completed. She is amazing to watch and be around.

Once again, I find myself writing from an airplane. It will be nice to fly less in the future, now that I am in my territory.

Psalm 97 (One of my readings for the day)

The Lord Reigns
97:1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

The Lord reigns! I got to let that sink in. He is reigning and not will hopefully reign. It's occurring today and not just a hope for tomorrow. In the midst of change, I can afford to rest. In the midst of turmoil, I don't need to panic. He is reigning this day.

I don't need to enthrone Him.
Not every argument needs to be won.
Not every battle needs to be victorious.

I don't need to be concerned about losing.
He has already won.
My reality, being one with Him, is victory.
Choosing to allow the emotion of struggle to dominate my life denies His reality.

I'm not engaged in making something happen.
It has already happened.
I am merely living out what He has already accomplished.

All of creation testifies to His reign. I want my life to declare it as well. The megaphone God has provided me is faith.

When I believe when most choose not, the megaphone declares God reigns.
When I endure through struggle and pain, looking for the works of God, the megaphone declares God reigns.
When I choose to adhere my life to His Word, even when it doesn't completely make sense to me, the megaphone declares God reigns.
When others inflict pain in my life and I choose not to retaliate, the megaphone declares God reigns.
When I make available my time, talents, and treasures to His kingdom, the megaphone declares God reigns.
When I confess my sins, the megaphone declares God reigns.
When the needs of the poor and oppressed become my concern, the megaphone declares God reigns.

Lord, You reign. May you reign in my life this week. May others encounter me and say, "God reigns!"

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:At 32,000 feet on the way to Las Vegas

The Tradition of the Folded Napkin

2011-04-24T11:36:00.001-04:00

"...and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself". (John 20:7)

The Tradition of the Folded Napkin
It's not crumpled on the table indicating "I'm done!"
It's folded indicating "I'm not finished!"

There is more to come.
There is more Christ has yet to do.

There is more to come.
There is more Christ has yet to do in our lives.

There is more to come.
Our sin, failures, & mistakes don't need to be our defining moments.

There is more to come.
Our boundaries, limitations, & frailties are not the end of the story.

There is more to come.
Pain and suffering are merely chapters and not the book.

There is more to come.
There is more than marriages, kids, and careers.

There is more to come.
There is more to come.

There is more to come. The napkin was folded and not crumpled. Do I see it? Do I know it?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Community Heights Alliance Church - Newton, IA

I am a sinner

2011-04-18T09:01:00.001-04:00

The dreaded and yet looked forward to day has arrived. Christie and I awoke early this morning and began working in prep for the packers to begin our move. After a couple of hours of wading through our mess, I decided to add further pain to the experience by taking the car to the shop to get new tires and prep for our drive up north. Ouch...it has turned out to be an expensive day. It is only 8:21 AM in the morning and I'm already exhausted. Thankfully, I get to leave town tonight to Wichita. Regrettably, Christie gets to walk through the whole experience with the movers. I don't get back until late Thursday evening. Our drive to our new home in Iowa will begin early Friday morning (possibly Thursday night from the airport!) We are sad, tired, and excited all at once.

Morning Reading: Psalm 51

51:1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.

I need to take sin seriously. I need to take my sin seriously. My behavior does matter. It is not inconsequential.

Sin damages.
Sin corrupts.
Sin hurts.
Sin costs.

And its not just sin that does...it is my sin!

When I take sin seriously, my appreciation for God's mercy and grace rises. A greater awareness of my filth brings out the contrast of God's beauty. And when I consider the huge gap that exists between God and myself, created by my poor behavior, my draw drops in awe.

I know I sin. It is ever before me.
I know I am a sinner. I live in that reality.

I know God is holy. I need to continually be reminded of that.
I know God is perfect, without blemish. I need to be careful about changing His identity.
I know God is worthy of my holiness. I must never lower His rightful expectations.

Praise God for His mercy...or I'd be in deep doo doo.
Praise God for His grace...or I wouldn't stand a chance.
Praise God for His commitment to pay the cost...or I'd be lost.

Lord, this day as I consider my sinfulness, confront my frailties, and acknowledge my lostness, I not only confess my sin but I marvel in Your greatness.

Acknowledging my sin in the context of Your relationship with me...
...reminds me how much You really love me.
...stretches my understanding of Your grace.
...continues to surprise me with Your character.

I know the cost and ultimate devastation of my sin has been taken on by You.
I know I have forgiveness in You.
I am a recipient of Your grace.
I am called "child" by You.
You chose to claim me as belonging to You.

Lord, You lead me to be honest about who I really am.
You create the safety net for me to move toward honesty.
I can acknowledge my sin. I don't need to pretend or hide it from You. It can come out in the open. It can be confessed.

I am forgiven. And I am changed in the process.

Thank You Lord!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Sitting in the tire shop dreading the bill!

I Believe

2011-04-17T13:05:00.001-04:00

Morning Reading: I Timothy 6:12-16

Verse 12 - Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

I believe God is the source of all life and all that is.
I believe God is the sustainer of life.
I believe God loves me and has chosen to express it in tangible ways.
I believe all meaning, purpose, and value are found in Him.
I believe God is worthy of all my worship.
I believe all of my life should rightfully and healthfully revolve around Him.
I believe my life should always be lived and expressed in relationship to Him.

I am not independent.
I am dependent upon Him.
I live interdependently with Him.

I am loved.
He loves me.
My love is a choice lived in response to His original choice.

My creation by Him gives me value.
I am valuable.
I reflect my value most when I am living in fellowship with Him.

I fight...I persevere...I sacrifice...I give...I suffer...not because He is difficult and demanding or hard to reach. Rather it's because of who I am and where I have placed myself.

I know I am pursued by Him.
I am aware I am sought after by Him.
His sacrifice on my behalf is ever before me.
If it were not for Him, I would have no future, no hope.

Thank You Lord! I can add nothing to what you have done. I cannot repay You the costs You have undertaken. All I can do is believe! I believe.

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Location:Poolside at a Company Function (Nice!)

Looking for Him

2011-04-16T11:23:00.001-04:00

I've been negligent in my blogging. I was sick, had a week of business meetings, and getting ready for a move. No real excuse. In fact, when it feels like life's events are controlling me, then healthier it is for me to make sure I'm spending some time reflecting. I know how easy is is for me to get caught up in the flow of everything is happening. It's not good for me. And it's not nourishing to my soul.

My Morning Reading: Ps. 119:145-176

"With my whole heart..." (145)
"I call to you..." (146)
"I will rise before dawn and call for help..." (147)
My eyes are awake before the watches of the night..." (148)

I move so quickly through my day, fixated upon so many things that have nothing to do with Him. It's my natural course. It's where autopilot takes me. It's still my default setting.

Now, don't get me wrong. God truly speaks through the day, its scenes, events, and circumstances. But I've found for me it's more of a hidden frequency. Not because God has hidden it. But rather because we've layered so much on top of it. And as a receptor I've found I'm not naturally tuned into it.

So like the psalmist, I need to purposely engage my whole heart to him. I need to call out to him. I need to be purposeful orient myself toward him...in the morning and the evening, in other words, throughout the entire day.

Lord I recognize today You are speaking.
I will intently and purposely look for You.
I anticipate discovering You.

Now, Lord, I need some help. You may need to turn up the volume for me. It would probably be a good idea to break through my static so I get to Your good music.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Poolside, Hanging next to the Lazy River at the Omni

I am listening.

2011-03-29T06:56:00.001-04:00

Part of my morning readings - Psalm 78

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth! (verse 1)

Am I listening?
Am I paying attention?
Am I observing?
Do I realize He is speaking...speaking to me?
Do I seek out His Word?
Am I willing to sacrifice to hear it?

Lord, I am looking for You to speak. I anticipate you to speak through the circumstance of my day. I look for You to speak through those that I will meet. I will be seeking out Your thoughts in the wanderings of my mind. I will incline my ear to Your Words.

Lord, I am looking for You to speak. In my corporate worship I will be seeking You and not the communicator or the worship team. My heart will be inclined to hearing Your voice and not consumed with grading the church's performance. I expect to hear and see You in the gifted and even in the awkward. I will incline my ear to Your Words.

Lord, I am looking for You to speak. As I drive through Iowa this morning, I will allow Your created nature to speak to me. Your beauty will speak through what You have created. It will speak to the busyness of my soul. It's vastness will quiet the worries of my heart. And it's very existence will communicate purpose and something beyond what I can see and fully comprehend. I will incline my ear to Your Words.

Lord, I am looking for You to speak. As I contemplate my sin, I hear the message of Your cross. As I hear of sin in the world in which I walk, Your mercy comes to mind. As I come up against my limitations, I am aware of Your limitlessness. Where I fall short, I discover Your greatness, Your grace, and "beyondness". I will incline my ear to Your Words.

Lord speak. Help me incline my ear to You! Don't allow me to become distracted.

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Location:Des Moines, IA

I resign as the judge

2011-03-18T20:53:00.001-04:00

Psalm 52

I've been able to attend church on Wednesday nights when I am out on the road. I like it. It helps keep me grounded in the midst of my travels. It allows for God and the Body to continue to have access to my life. It's also enjoyable just having the opportunity to visit other churches. People ask me what I do and I love telling them, "I'm a traveling salesman!"

This past Wednesday I found myself at a Baptist Church in Waterloo, IA. It was a small group of people that night that gathered for Bible Study and prayer meeting. Most of the church activities had been cancelled due to spring break.

As a group, we took a look at Psalm 52 and as we discussed it, I found myself continuing to think about the Psalm, the circumstances behind David writing it, and its application to today.

The Psalm is a response to a terrible act of violence against God's priests by a very proud man. It's a Psalm with assurance of God's judgement upon this evil man.

I found myself asking, "So how does that apply to me?" Is there some sick joy I am supposed to take in judgement being visited down upon the wicked? I just don't see that being of any great value. In fact, I'm not sure that perspective is even good for my heart. So what is the healthy application?

First, I accept the reality of evil in my world. People do and will continue to do evil things. It occurred during David's time and it occurs during my time. Look at the newspaper. Listen to the news. Consider some of the source of pain in your life. There is evil that exists that makes our blood boil.

Second, even with evil looking like it is going unchecked, I can rest in knowing there will be an appropriate account by the appropriate judge, God. It will be dealt with. Nobody is getting away with anything. God sees. God knows. And God will deal with it.

Thirdly, in my promotion of righteousness, I don't have to get embroiled in the wickedness. It's not necessary for me to lose sleep. It's not helpful for me to get angry. In one sense, because it is in God's hands, I can choose to hold to my positions, state them, promote them, and live them without letting it affect my own righteousness. In an appropriate sense, the foolishness, wickedness, and pride of my time can roll of my back. God will take care of it.

Fourthly, I don't have to carry the burden of always being right. If I'm not the judge (for good reason) than I don't have to make eternal pronouncements from my limited and often warped perspectives. Once again, I can let it rest in his hands. I don't feel the need to always be right. I don't always have to have all the right answers. I can rest in Him.

No longer does someone's position need to make me angry.
I'm now protected from the sinful thoughts and feelings of anger that so easily can flood my mind.
I'm delivered from needing to make imperfect judgements.
I can disagree without getting angry.
I can rest in uncertainty.
I can focus on love and not judgement.
I can hold to my positions even if it looks like the rest of the world holds to another.

Thank You Lord for bearing the burden of being the judge. I relinquish my gavel, hand in my robe, and rest in your judgement.

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Location:On a plane from the Quad Cities to Atlanta and eventually home.

I Want to Find Me in My New Vocation

2011-03-15T23:39:00.001-04:00

Heading to east Iowa tonight. I will be spending the rest of the week in Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport Iowa. Even though the weather is slated be warm for Iowa, it doesn't compare to the beautiful weekend we spent as a family on Lido beach in Sarasota. We had a great time!

A couple of books I've read over the last couple of days you might find interesting are...

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - a remarkable story of survival, perseverance and transformation. An enjoyable read of an olympian, WW II bombardier, POW, alcoholic, and transformed individual.

Go-Giver by John David Mann - a book for the business person looking for a different approach. A very short read, a parable that teaches a different perspective on how success can be found.

We enjoyed our worship this past Sunday at First Baptist Church in Sarasota. We heard an incredible story of perseverance and joy by a man paralyzed as a teenager.

As I move into this week, I'm praying God would allow me to rest in my own skin. I am asking Him to calm me into resting in who I am and how He is desiring to work that into my new vocation. I want Him to impress upon me, beyond making sales, what I have to offer to those I will connect with this week. I want to rest in what I do not know. I want to pursue what I yet have to learn. And I want to share what has been impressed upon me.

Lord, help me this week to be Your servant. I pray as I step out into the area you have gifted me, as I share what You have taught me through my life's journey, the wonder of Your creation would be witnessed and experienced. I do thank you for the wonderful people you have allow me to meet.

Please help me to be a servant.
Please show me the opportunity to give.
Help me when my hand is on a door knob and I prepare to enter a room to make it about them and not me.
May I live out Your integrity in my words and actions.
Show me in the midst of changing markets, world events, and uncertain futures I can be Your hope and optimism.

This week I pray I would experience You, express You, and share You.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:On an Airplane to East Iowa (Quad Cities)

Ash Wednesday

2011-03-12T16:06:00.001-05:00

This past Wednesday night I attended Ash Wednesday night worship at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas. As part of the service, we were asked to reflect upon Martin Luther's explanation of the 10 Commandments in preparation for a time of reflection and absolution.

I thought you might enjoy using them for some of your reflection this season of Lent.

We should love fear and trust in God above all things so that we...

do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear it and learn it.

do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.

do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.

lead a sexually pure and descent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.

do not take our neighbor's money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.

do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.

do not scheme to get our neighbor's inheritance or house, or get it in way way which only appears right, but help and be of service of him in keeping it.

do not entice or force away our neighbor's wife, workers, or animals, or turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.

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Location:On the beach in Sarasota, FL

Worship Is Cultivated through Gratidue

2011-03-07T20:02:00.001-05:00

Part of my daily readings - Deuteronomy 6:10-15

The Lord keeps His promises.
The Lord brings me blessing.
His riches I enjoy were not earned or produced by my effort.
All that I have is a gift from Him

I need to acknowledge Him and His undeserved blessings.
I need to always remember my blessings' origins.
All of life is to be lived in respect of Him.
I must not allow anyone or anything else to steal the worship due His name and His work.

He is a jealous God.
It's about Him alone because it is Him alone.
His person and work are worthy of my absolute devotion.

Lord I discredit Your name when I don't acknowledge You.
I dishonor You when I'm not grateful.
Your work is discredited when I claim authorship of what you created.
Idolatry exists when I orient my life around someone or something else other than You.

Lord, I pray Your Spirt would prompt me to see Your wonder this week. Don't allow me to dismiss what truly are Your blessings. Help me to live this week with gratitude for You and that You've done. Season my life with thankfulness that provides the soil for real worship to grow. Open my eyes to see Your blessings and ultimately to see you. And through a grateful heart, create in me the devotion worthy of Your name.

(Just found out my flight from Atlanta to Wichita has been delayed. I'm not leaving now until 12:00 AM with an arrival in Wichita at 1:30 AM CST. It's going to be a short night!)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:On Flight to Wichita via Atlanta.

My Recent Worship Experiences

2011-03-06T17:24:00.001-05:00

Let Everything Praise the Lord
Psalm 150

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!

3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

It's about Him. It needs to be about Him. He is our focus. He should be our preoccupation. If we brag about anything, it should be about Him, what He has done, who He is. If there is a name that gets repeated in the service and that is upon the lips of us when we leave, it should be His.

What should impress us is not the building, the worship team, or the quality of the music. The story that gets told should be His. And what we applause should be derived from something about Him.

It's worship. It's an experience with Him. It's not an event. Rather its a unique connection with Him.

In my time of "in-betweenness", I have had the opportunity to visit a couple of churches in our community. I have been impressed by the quality of the facilities, the number of people in attendance, and the impressive programs. It has been a good experience for us as a family (though we do greatly miss Westwood Church!). But I have made some observations.

Please make sure you place my comments in the context of good experiences.
Please make sure you realize I suffer from "one-time-visit-short-sightedness."
Please make sure you realize that I purposely asked questions of evaluation.

Beyond the lack of connectedness with others in big events, my greatest observation is how much churches like to brag about how good they are. In one service the name of Jesus wasn't mentioned once. In both services, the greatness of the church was mentioned over and over. Both Christie and I had the same perceptions. It actually was glaring to us. It didn't exactly feel right. It felt like something was amiss. Even the worship was more about the "church experience" rather than a "God experience".

I am praying as I enter His sanctuary, whether in the corporate setting of Sunday worship or in the solitude of my times of meditation and devotion, it will be dominated by my praise of Him and His greatness!

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Location:From the Driveway of Home

I have and so I don't need to...

2011-03-04T20:11:00.001-05:00

Psalm 16

Verse 1
Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge.

Verse 2
I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord: apart from You I have no good thing."

Verse 5
Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup; You make my lot secure."

My Refuge, My Lord, My Portion, My Cup, My Security...

I fall underneath Your concern.
I live in Your presence.
I find my ultimate satisfaction in You.
I am underneath Your watchful eye.

You shelter me.
You protect me.
You provide for me.
You bring me life, hope, and purpose.

I can afford to relax. I don't need to get on any "spinning wheel" for success or fulfillment. I don't need to be afraid of missing out or losing out. I can relax.

In fact, I can rest. I don't need to panic in the storms. It's not necessary to always live life on guard. I need not engage in worry. Everything is in His hands.

I need not fear the headlines or the economy. I need not revolve my life around the climatic times. My life only need to revolve around Him. He is constant. He is steady. He is unmoved. He is there.

I can afford to step out and risk. He has created the space and safety for faith to become a byword of my life. I can afford it. Capacity has been created. I don't need to win. Something more than success is captured my ambitions.

I can endure discomfort, pain, and loss. I know there is always something more. I know it never is the end of the story. In the midst of suffering I dream and imagine in faith the potential backstory. And I always believe He lives in the midst with me.

I don't need to always be looking. It is found in Him. There is not another experience, purchase, or relationship in which such purpose, joy, and satisfaction can be found. It's always derived in and through Him. I know where to look. And I will never reach the end of Him.

Verse 11
"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

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Location:In the air from Omaha to Orlando via New York

Prayer of Thomas Merton

2011-03-01T21:32:00.001-05:00

Prayer of Thomas Merton

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and will never leave me to face my perils alone.

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Location:Omaha, Nebraska

Above and Beyond

2011-02-28T15:09:00.001-05:00

God You are extraordinary. You exceed my complete comprehension.
You are above.
You are beyond.

You cannot be contained by my definitions and descriptions. You cannot be contained by my expectations.
You are above.
You are beyond.

And yet You have chosen to call me Your child. You have initiated and fostered a relationship. Your presence lives within me. You are present in my life, working Your will, and revealing Your kingdom.

Any by virtue of Your choice of me, my expectations for my life are changed, my expectations for today need to be abandoned. No longer are they limited by what I know, what I have, and who I know. They can now exceed the limitations of my life.

My life can now have an above quality.
My day's expectations can now move into the realm of the beyond.

Lord, what is Your extraordinary I get to see today.
Lord, where do I get to experience Your extraordinary.
Lord, where do I get to do Your extraordinary.

Will Your extraordinary be revealed in some ordinary act of service?
Could it be given through the granting someone the same forgiveness I have received?
Will I get to display it through my choice of faithfulness?
Or could it surface in enduring through some pain or injustice?

Lord, I want to live the life of above.
Lord, today I want to move into the beyond.

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Location:On a plane to Omaha' NE via Detroit.

Whatever...Will I Do?

2011-02-25T13:49:00.001-05:00

Morning Reading: Ruth 3

And she replied, "All that you say I will do."

Loyalty
Trust
Submission

Key words in the story of Ruth. Key words in the story of God. Key words being worked into my story.

These are all words that cause me to ask questions about my day.

How do I express my loyalty to God?
How do I express my trust of God today?
In expressing this loyalty and trust, where might I be called to submit?

These are all words that revolve around God.

My loyalty is to Him.
My trust is in Him.
I submit to Him.

These are all relational words.

Our relationship of love expresses itself in loyalty.
Our relationship of love expresses itself in trust.
Our relationship of love expresses itself in submission.

These are words expressed by God to me.

He is known for His faithfulness.
He makes Himself vulnerable and chooses to live in relationship with me.
He willing submitted Himself to the affects of my sin.

He is faithful.
He risks.
He exposes Himself to the negativity of my life.

Lord, I want to respond to your faithfulness.
Lord, I want to grow in my expressions of trust.
Lord, I want to acknowledge who You are by my submission.

Lord, I'd like to get to that place where I can say, "Whatever You say, I will do."

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Location:On an Airplane from Des Moines, IA to Orlando, FL

Missing Worship

2011-02-24T07:09:00.001-05:00

Morning Reading: Psalm134
1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!
3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!

My first Sunday not in the pulpit and I missed church. Addison and I needed to leave early Sunday morning for our trip to Iowa. Regrettably that meant we missed church. And only being home Saturday made it difficult for us to attend a Saturday evening service. Probably no big deal but yet it bothered me.

Now please don't get me wrong. I am not implying that God was some how disappointed with me because I missed a worship service. Nor am I implying that it was a sinful thing to miss church. That's not the point.

I recognize I need corporate worship each week.
I need to be reminded of the bigger plan.
I need to be challenged by other perspectives.
I need to purposely pause and be inconvenienced in the course of my planned life.
I need to be reminded who God is.
I need to be challenged by His Word.
I need to leave behind me and focus on Him.
I need to be reminded of His presence and work.
I need to worship Him rather than my accomplishments.
I need to put my needs in perspective.
I need to be reminded I'm not God.

I need it because I'm naturally selfish.
I need it because of the challenges and temptations of travel.
I need it to put into perspective my successes and failures.
I need it to stay grounded in what really matters and is eternal.
I need it to get some of God's talking points in my life for the rest of the week.

So last night, after a day of meetings, I attended a Bible Study and Prayer meeting at a church in Des Moines. I didn't really know anyone in the meeting. I was tired. I was dressed in a suit and harassed for it by the awkward but trying to be funny well meaning church evangelists. I heard God's Word, I prayed with God's people, and I was forced to remind myself there is something more to life than my day's activities. I had the opportunity to engage in the worship I needed.

Psalm 134
1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!
3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!

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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Newton, IA

Challenging Another is a Challenging to Me

2011-02-23T07:43:00.001-05:00

Morning Reading - 2 Corinthians 2:23-2:17

2:1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. (2 Cor 2:1-4)

Paul loved the dysfunctional church of Corinth. Their condition caused his heart significant pain. He was not deterred by their harsh and critical words. He continued to pursue them in spite of their personal attacks.

Instead...
He loved them.
He endured with them.
He pursued them.
He engaged them.
He ached for them.

Not an easy thing to do. Not an easy thing to live. I think of how often I give up on people.

They make choices I do not agree with and so I move on.
They attack me personally and so I dismiss them.
They take advantage of me and so I insulate myself from them.

I'm done!
I'm over it!
I'm through!

I move on.

That's not Paul. That's me.

Paul goes back for seconds.
Paul goes another round.
Paul continues.
Paul makes himself vulnerable.

For me it's often about me. That's probably why I don't always get Paul. There were other considerations for him beyond his feelings, his rights, and his comfort. I stay pretty close to home.

I focus on my feelings.
I rehearse my rights.
I look for my advantage.

Not Paul...

He loved the people.
Therefore, he continued to share his life with them.
Therefore, he continued to be a target.
And therefore, he continued to hurt.

And so as I consider Paul and the pain of the church of Corinth, I grab these operating principles for the pains of my life.

To properly challenge another, I must love them. I am not in a position to challenge another if that is in question. If I open my mouth, I must be willing to open my life. When things get painful, I must refrain from blowing the trumpet of retreat. Endurance and perseverance must be anticipated. I never have the right to choose the short game but must always be in it for the long game.

In properly challenging another, it cannot be about me. I cannot bring my offense to the table. I can only bring my love. I should anticipate an element of personal pain. And in the midst of it, I cannot afford to make it about me, my pain, or my rights.

In properly challenging another, I need to be careful! Who am I? I need to recognize my own blind spots. I cannot afford the pride of being right to get in the way. I need to readily admit I do not see all, recognize all, or understand all. I am limited.

In properly challenging another, I need to make my goal the starting of a discussion with God. It's not about conformance to my ideas. It's not about me being right. It's about encouraging another to engage God with an open mind and heart. The primary conversation that needs to take place is not between me and them but rather between them and God. I need to be careful about interposing myself into God's seat at the table. I am not God and should not presume (or allow others to presume) I am.

I need to love.
I need to endure.
I need to engage
I need to pursue.
I need to be vulnerable.

Thanks Paul for setting the example.
Thank you God for providing the resources for grace, the long game, and not everything going the way I think it should go.

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Location:Newton, IA

Noting Spirituality

2011-02-22T06:36:00.001-05:00

Morning Reading - 2 Corinthians 2:12-22

The context of Paul's writing...

Paul, we question your spirituality and ultimately your Apostleship. Please understand, we are not calling into question the story of your calling, the message you preach, or even your training and background. Rather, our difficulty comes from the present circumstances of your life. You just don't have the appearance of being blessed. You've got problems my friend. Pain has camped out on your doorstep. If you were spiritual; if you were truly an apostle; if you were truly the man of God you claim to be, it would be evident in the circumstances of your life. Bottom-line, where's the blessing!?

I wonder if today is any different. Do we too often ignore true spirituality for our created "spirituality tags"? What are some of ours, some of mine?

- Material blessing is still on the list.
- The ability to emote is an oft referenced tag.
- Regular attendance at the approved church things still is referenced.
- For some today, relevance and rebellion against the conventional becomes key.
- For others it's adherence to a prescribed set of behaviors.
- What would be on your list?________________________________

None goes very deep. All reside on the surface of life. None reveals an encounter and relationship with Christ.

Paul's words -
12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and acknowledge and I hope you will fully acknowledge— 14 just as you did partially acknowledge us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you. (2 Corinthians 2:12-14)

Spirituality in others is only discovered through the living of life together. It's not revealed on the stage or discovered in the presentation. It's excavated in real life in real time. It's not a performance for an hour. It's lived in the everyday.

Spirituality is a quality of life. Paul uses the words sincerity and simplicity. It is not judged or evidenced in the same way as the term success. It's different than the qualities of a good leader. It doesn't always match the description of a good business person. It stands in contrast to what those outside the church value. Godly sincerity and simplicity...

Spirituality is seen in the lives that are influenced. The quality of their life manifests itself in the lives they pour themselves into. It's not about them. It's about the God they serve and the people their God loves. Paul could easily have given up on this selfish, shallow, "self-preoccuppied" church. Instead he endured their insults, hung in for another round, and continued to pour out his life on their behalf. These are the acts of a spiritual person.

Lord, may I reveal You today. May my life tell the story of my relationship with You. May it be seen in godly sincerity and simplicity. Who will You bring across my path this day to pour my life into? Where do I need to be reminded to endure in relationship? Open my eyes to Your presence and work in others. Don't allow me to place "spiritual tags" on others.

Lord, I pray for Your blessing in my work today. This is all so new to me. Open doors. Lead me to the right people. Give me the right words to say. Allow me to connect with others. And through it all, unearth for me the opportunities to express You, the choices where I get to love You, and the circumstances where I get to praise You. I look to You for my help. I look to You for my salvation.

Personal Note -
Addison and I drove one of our cars up to Newton, Iowa this weekend. We left early Sunday morning and arrived here mid-afternoon on Monday. I absolutely loved the time with my oldest son. Granted, it added some extra adventures to our journey, like needing to get morning time in the pool before hitting the road, but it sure was and is a blast. Love that kid. Love spending focused time with him.

Pray for the next three days. I'm doing meetings, etc in the area this week. I pray for God's help and assistance.

As I drive to Des Moines this morning, I will be listening to the Psalms of Ascent of Psalms 120-127. I pray my heart will be prepared for the day, my eyes directed in the right place, and my life prepared to worship Him in thought, word, and deed.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Newton, IA

Something New

2011-02-18T07:14:00.001-05:00

Isaiah 65:17-25

17 “For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in that which I create; (Verses 17 & 18)

I am heading back to Orlando after spending the week in the Dallas, Ft. Worth, TX area. I had a good week traveling with someone this week who has success and experience in what I am about to engage in. Regrettably, I will hit the road again on Sunday. I am working in the Des Moines, IA area next week and we have decided I should drive one of our cars to IA and leave it there. It will be a short weekend.

I will be driving the Renezdevous up there Sunday. I know I will be replacing it soon. I plan on driving it for a couple of months, hopefully getting a better idea of what I really need, and potentially make some money. I hate spending a bunch of money until I get a better idea of what it's going to be like. And so in preparation, I have began to patch the old car back together. I put new tires on the car and tomorrow I will shampoo the interior. It should work in the short-term.

As I read Isaiah 65 and consider the old car I am "making work", I must say I'm glad doesn't work the way I do.

He doesn't promise to make do.
He doesn't try to patch things together.
He doesn't settle in the hope of things working out.

He promise something new.
He promises to create.

He promises something new in the empty areas of my life.
He promises something new from my chaos.
He promises something new from my sin ravaged areas.
He promises something new from the places of pain and unhurt.

No patching.
No making do.
No cleaning up.

Thank you Lord for Your promised creative work in my life. I know I settle so often for less than what is on Your mind and in Your heart. Fill me with Your Hope. Empower me to speak it and live it this day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Dallas/Ft Worth Airport

I want to Express the Wow

2011-02-16T21:04:00.001-05:00

He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory. (I Timothy 3:16)

Wow! There are times I just need to live in the wow of Him.

God became flesh. Wow!
The Spirit confirmed His identity. Wow!
He is recognized beyond this world. Wow!
His name is recognized and called upon in all the world. Wow!
People look to Him for life. WOW!
He is in the heavenly realm with the Father. Wow!

Lord, may the wow of who You are and what You did be expressed in my life this day. May it be seen in my actions, heard in my words, and reflected in my attitudes. May You provide opportunities for me to express the Your wow.

Wow in my character...
Wow in my expressions of You grace...
Wow in my service...
Wow in my purity...

Lord, i don't just want to squeak through Your Kingdom. I want to be something more just be on the outskirts of Your work. I want to be smack dab in the middle of it. I want to be consumed with You and Your presence.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Hurst, TX

I Trust You

2011-02-15T18:09:00.001-05:00

Psalm 97:1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

Psalm 97:9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

What do I need to fear? I mean really, what do I need to be afraid of? Do I remember who I worship? Do I consider who loves me? Do I project on to my circumstances and uncertainties the God the Scriptures reveal, the God I have a personal relationship with?

He is bigger than any problem.
He is more certain than any uncertainty.
He is more reliable than any of my plans.

I can trust Him.
I can trust Him with the disposition of my home.
I can trust Him with success in my new job.
I can trust Him to be my provision.
I can trust Him to protect and care for my family.
I can trust Him.

I see it in the nature that surrounds me.
I read about it in the Word of God.
I hear it in the stories of others.
I've experienced it in my journey.

He can be trusted.
I believe it.
I know it.
And now I want to live it.

Lord, I pray as a travel and work this week, others by my actions, attitudes, and conversations will, like the above Psalm, learn of God's greatness. May this revelation of God give hope to those who need it, cause others to pause in the realization of Your greatness, and prod others to take incredible steps of faith.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Hurst, TX

A New Day and a New Title

2011-02-14T19:07:00.001-05:00

It's Monday and I'm no longer the pastor at Westwood Church. Twenty years has passed and I'm sitting on a plane bound for a week of business (actually training and learning) in Dallas, TX. As I've been saying these past few weeks, I have much to look back upon and be filled with a sense of gratitude.

God has been good.
Westwood Church has blessed me and my family.
I have changed and grown these last 20 years.
We have enjoyed relationships that we believe will last for a lifetime.
We have an exiting adventure ahead of us.
God is good.

But my walk today is a bit different from yesterday and the last 25 years. I journey today without the title of Pastor of _____________. I get to walk today free of that designator. When someone asks me what I do, I no longer brace for the response to a polarizing answer.

Today it's simply...
I'm a VP of sales in the midwest...
Or I'm a wholesaler...
Or I'm a traveling salesman...

Yes, everything changed today.

But I am hoping as they taste and experience me they do draw some conclusions. I want them to look beyond what I do for a living and see something grander in my life. I want them to gaze beyond whatever title I may wear and see what I believe is enduring in my life. Though they may not get the exact words right. I do hope that they see and experience a worshipper.

Lord as I work in Dallas this week, meet with people, travel, and do business, I pray it would all be done from the bowed position of a worshiper of You. I will continually be looking for Your manifestations. I will be seeking ways in which I can acknowledge You. I pray You would be worshipped in my attitudes, my words, and my decisions.

I'm no longer the Pastor of Westwood Church. I've given up the title that came with the position. I pray as I begin this week a new designator would be given to me...that of a worshipper.

Lord, I love You!

Christie, Addison, & Bryce, I love you and wish you a very Happy Valentines Day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:On a plane headed to Dallas via Memphis

We love you Westwood Church

2011-02-12T21:49:00.001-05:00

It is incredible to believe our ministry at Westwood Church has come to an end after 20 years.

What can one say about the place you have served almost half of your life?
What can you say about the only church your children have ever known and loved?
What can we say about people we have grown to love like our own family?
What can one say about a ministry that you've grown up in?

I'm not exactly sure what to say, but I at least would like to say thank you.
Thank you for allowing me to be your shepherd.
Thank you for sharing more than mere ministry with me...you shared your very lives.
Thank you for providing for me the experience of community.
Thank you for loving my family.
Thank you for creating the experience of grace.

I pray our shared experience will encourage each of us to keep our hearts open to the "one anothers", the neighbors who cross our paths, and even those who challenge us as an enemy. With a thankful heart, I pray we would always extend the open doors to others.

I'm not exactly sure what to say, but I at least would like to say I've been forever changed.
I am different because of you. Your's and God's fingerprints are all over my life. It affects me as a father, a husband, and a worshipper. I look at ministry through your influence. My service is colored with your impact. I have been changed and transformed through our relationship. Others will get to taste it. It has become part of my life.

I'm not exactly sure what to say, but I at least would like to say I know there is something more in store for both of us. He who began that good work in us will bring it to completion. I will continually be looking, seeking, and listening for Him. I anticipate learning new things about myself, Him, and His plans. And I pray the same for you. I long for those times we will get together and share the story of our journeys since our last connection.

So in these next few days I pray we will remember the great work that God has done, reflect upon how that applies to our today, and move to the "edge of our seats" in anticipation of what God has in store for tomorrow.

Westwood Church we love you! You have been so good to us. We will cherish the memories and the relationships our time together has created. We pray for God's blessings in the next steps of your journey. We covet your prayers as we leave the comfort of what we know for the adventure of what God has next.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:N Main St,Winter Garden,United States

A Big Weekend...A New Vocation

2011-02-10T07:32:00.001-05:00

Morning Reading - Psalm 83

Psalm 83:1 O God, do not keep silence;
do not hold your peace or be still, O God!

Psalm 83:18 that they may know that you alone,
whose name is the Lord,
are the Most High over all the earth.

I've been absent these last few days! I had decided to go a little lite this week as a number of big things converged. It's a pretty big week with much culminating this weekend.

Event #1: I began to travel this week. I have spent this week in the Kansas City area. I get home tonight. It's been a good week. I've immensely enjoyed my "taste" of the new job and my new territory. It's also been good to get to know better some of the leadership of my new employer. It continues to be a confirmation of our recent decisions.

Event #2: I take my final licensure exam on Friday at 3:00 PM. I will be glad when it is over. It's been a little challenge to study this week with all the travel and meetings. Today is a travel day and so I am anticipating a good final day of study. (I need your prayers)

Event #3: This is my last weekend at Westwood Church. I cannot begin to describe all of the emotion I feel. It will be a big weekend. It will be a hard weekend.

As I begin to live out my new vocation, I am praying the above parts of Psalm 83.

Lord, speak.
Lord, make Your presence known.
Lord, act and move.

I want to know You!
I want to reveal You!

I pray my travels become my walk with You.
I pray my travels become my altar of worship.
I pray my travels become my pulpit to declare You.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Overland Park, KS

Reflecting...I have been dramatically changed

2011-02-03T09:18:00.001-05:00

Two weeks left...
Twenty years of ministry at Westwood Church coming to a closing...
A new chapter starting in ministry...
A new place to live on the horizon...
Experiencing a new vocation challenge...

No doubt I have great reason to be consumed with the present and the future. Much has happened in the last month and much is going to be happening in the next couple of weeks. But as much as I look ahead to the adventure and challenge of what is ahead, I find myself continually looking back at the great experiences of the past.

I am convinced of the following.

I have been changed by my experience at Westwood Church.
Westwood Church has matured my faith.
It has been a tremendous place of personal growth.
I have cut my leadership teeth at Westwood Church.
I have experienced real body life and community.
I have known love and forgiveness.
They have taught me church.

Each of these lessons have been tied to incredible experiences. All of them valuable. Many uncomfortable. None of them I want to forget. All of them I desire to continue to speak into my life. Here is a list of some of them.

- The Elder's gathering around a young and inexperienced pastor.
- The alignment of Westwood's recognized leaders and elected leaders.
- Gang graffiti on the church sign and buildings
- The removal of a handgun from a young man on the basketball court.
- A sheriff's deputy telling us it wasn't safe to be outside during the daytime
- Losing and eye and being run over by a block truck and the Body's care
- Walking through childlessness in a "fertile" congregation
- Camping out on the corner of Pioneer and Denson
- Community involvement in the Sheriff's Office, the YMCA, & the Pine Hills Community Council
- Selling our existing facility.
- Doubling our ministry budget in one meeting
- The Experiencing God study
- Unanimous vote to relocate
- Meeting in temporary facilities
- Building a new building
- Painful words and exits by good people we loved
- Personally being confronted and challenged about my walk
- Seeing people meet Christ, new steps of faith, and relationships restored.
- Financial crisis
- Incredible movements in prayer
- Staff conflict and loss of staff
- Dealing with accusations...confusion...loss of relationships
- Walking with others in relational and personal pain.

Lord, remind me this day of the experiences at Westwood Church that You have utilized to shape me.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Dwtn Winter Garden in the Coffee Shop

Crud! I'm Worried!

2011-01-30T08:49:00.001-05:00

O my! Lord, as I sit this morning I am wondering what in the world I am doing. I have allowed myself to become filled with anxiety over the "big test" on Tuesday. So much seems to rest on my passing. Ughhhhh...I don't like it. Now don't get me wrong. I love the job and the career that follows it. I just don't like the test or more specifically that so much resides on me passing the first time.

So this morning I need to remind myself of a few things.

1. I believe I am following Your lead. I need to focus my gaze upon You and not the future. I am following You not merely some plan. You leading and accomplishing Your plan are the certainties and not some prescribed future.

2. You are present and working. I can relax. You told me to hop in the boat and row to the other side. I've been rowing hard, following Your lead and if a storm pops on the scene that is beyond my ability to handle, I need not panic. You are present. Nothing will happen outside of Your Father's concern. I can even afford to sleep in the boat.

3. Worry accomplishes nothing! It is a waste of precious energy (and sleep). Worry is my lack of faith quotient. Worry reveals the level to which I place my confidence in my own talents and abilities. It ignores the reality of God being present and working out His will in my life.

4. You love me! You care for me! You are good to me! Unbelievably, I am something more than merely a cog in the accomplishment of Your ultimate plan. You have a plan for my life that You are diligently working for my good. You are not merely a macro worker. You are more than a corporate worker. You are concerned with the micro of my life. You are personal in Your approach.

5. I want something more than the passing of a test. I desire something more than a new vocation. I want Your glory to be revealed. And that very glory is revealed in the expression of Your gifts in my life (talents, spiritual gifts, abilities) and as well in my weakness. You get to choose how it gets revealed in my life.

6. Regardless, humility is the conduit for Your glory to be revealed. Lord, this is beyond me, not just the test, but the transition. The schedule is busy. My heart is grieving for the loss of relationships. It's hard to let go of my "baby". I need You! It is beyond me.

7. I do look forward to the future. I am excited about the new vocation. I am dreaming about what it might be like. Thanks for Your leadership. I never imagined this could be possible. I'm thrilled with the prospects. (Got to keep my eyes fixed upon You!)

Thank You for Your patience. I get off in the weeds so easily. Back to the books I head. I'm looking forward to our time of worship this morning!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Fowlers Grove Starbucks, Winter Garden, FL

Mud. Spit. Sight

2011-01-27T07:06:00.001-05:00

John 9

God moves. A man is healed. God's glory is revealed. A conversation is started. An argument ensues. Some are healed and see. Others choose to persist in their blindness.

Blind to the Movements of God.
-It's DENIED by the religious leaders.
-The parents of a healed man DISTANCE themselves from the healing.
-The healing is DISCREDITED by the religious.
-It's authenticity is CHALLENGED as being evil.

Blind to the Revelation of God.
-Jesus is attacked.
-A healing is minimized.
-Conclusions are drawn.
-Technicalities become important.
-Lines are drawn.
-Access to worship is denied.

Blind to the Pain of Others
-A blind man's plight is ignored.
-A family is split.
-A potential worshipper is barred
-Spiritual needs and questions get dismissed.

I am blind. I need to see. I can't afford to persist in my present condition. Lord, touch me in whatever You desire. Spit. Mud. You choose. You know what I need. I trust You to open my eyes in whatever way You choose. Help me today to see Your work. Give me insight to where You are revealing Yourself in today's journey. In my blindness, don't allow me to stumble over others in pan.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

2011-01-25T16:35:00.001-05:00

I am tired! I have spent the last two days in class. Last night was filled with study. My brain doesn't want to function right now. So, I am at the coffee shop taking a short break, grabbing a cup of coffee, putting the headphones on, and spending a few minutes basking in His presence. Lord, refresh my body. Lord, refresh my mind.

My passage for reflection - John 9

...a blind man from birth. (9:1)

I don't always see.
I often miss it.
My view can be obstructed.
Some times, I am distracted.
It doesn't always look the same to me.

I am blind.

I miss the good that God does.
I don't always see the evil.
I focus too often on people's sin to the neglect of the dignity of their creation.
I walk right past opportunities for service.
I am often so preoccupied with myself, I forget to see the needs of others.
I see what I want often to the neglect of what I need.

(I had a blip at the coffee shop with the internet and lost the rest of the blog. I'm too tired to write it again. You go ahead and finish it. Sorry!)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Taking a Walk

2011-01-24T17:41:00.001-05:00

My passage for reflection - John 9

As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth (9:1)

I miss so much. I can tell you a time when I missed the same exit four times. Yes, you read correctly.

I drove past it.
Got off at the next exit.
Drove past it again.
Got off at the next exit.
Drove past it again.
Got off at the next exit.
Drove past it again.
And then I got off the cellphone.

Distracted. Otherwise engaged. Falsely believing I could multi-task. Miss what's important.

I miss so much. I can tell you a time when I probably missed something important because there was so much to see. I often feel like that when I visit another country. There is so much to take in. I've got the video camera in one hand and my camera in the other. I'm moving from window to window, trying to capture the next great site, unable to distinguish between them and often missing the great pic or scene.

Overwhelmed. Overstimulated. Undistinguishing. Falsely believing I can capture everything that is worthwhile. Miss what could be important.

As I walk through my everyday, I'm so glad Jesus walks with me, whispering in my ear. He points out what I often miss because I've deemed something else more important. Through His dialogue with me, He allows me to see and capture what He has deemed important. After all, He does have far more experience and a much greater perspective.

When Jesus walks with me in the everyday...
...ordinary events take on an extraordinary glow.
...the glow of His glory shines from unusual places.
...all of life (the dull, the disappointing, the exciting) becomes the next adventure.
...school is in and I get to learn.
...God gets the opportunity to speak in a very visual way.
...the nature and character of Jesus gets to be revealed.
...a memorable story gets to be written (and lived).
...lives are touched.
...He starts a buzz among those watching.

And my eyes are opened!

Looking forward to today's walk.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Axum Coffee, Winter Garden, FL

I Need Worship this Morning

2011-01-23T08:26:00.001-05:00

I need to engage in worship this morning. I can't afford to miss it. Let me say it again. I need to worship.

I need it because I need the weekly readjustment that comes when the Spirit is afforded the opportunity to speak through the Word and the Body of Christ. No doubt some of that has happened through my daily times of meditation with Christ and His Word. But because I recognize the limitations of my individual perspective and the power of the world and its influences, I need the accountability of the corporate experience.

I need it because of the hope it generates in my life. Being with the Body, engaging in worship, and connecting with other's stories broadens my perception and experience with the power of God.

I need it because it causes me to stop and remind myself I'm not God. Throughout the week I'm working, making things happen, and taking care of business. I continually am reminded that it's all up to me. Pausing from my routine, purposely slamming on the brakes, and disengaging from "me" reminds me that God sustains and upholds the world, not me. I need the reminder. I'm not sure going to Disney, the beach, or sleeping in exactly does that.

I need it because of the discomfort it creates in my life. I need the tension of relationships, the challenge of the Word, and the opportunities for service to combat my natural tendency toward selfishness.

I need it because it expands my understanding of God. My tendency throughout the week is to reduce God. As I focus on Him, He grows and the world, its problems, and its draw becomes small.

Worship for me is not a luxury.
Worship for me is not entertainment.
Worship for me is not merely a habit.
Worship for me is not just something for the kids.

Worship for me is a necessity.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Winter Garden Restaurant, Downtown Winter Garden

What I Love About You

2011-01-22T21:03:00.001-05:00

As my weeks at Westwood Church whittle down, I find myself grieving not only the loss of significant relationships but who I've come to know Westwood Church to be. There are so many things I love about you Westwood Church.

I love that community for you is something more than round tables and serving Starbucks coffee.

I love that you embrace the mess and aren't just the chosen place of pretty people.

I love that you choose to invest in others with no expectation of return.

I love that you don't all look the same or come from similar backgrounds.

I love that you are a place of second (and beyond) chances.

I love that pain radiates through your Body. You are connected!

I love that you provide the opportunity for people to make mistakes, test their wings, and grow.

I love that you have loved me and my family.

Thank You Westwood Church!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:From Home

keeping the dialogue open

2011-01-21T16:01:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - John 8:31-59

As I pondered Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees following His bold proclamations at the Feast of the Tabernacles, I found myself today developing a list of questions to help test who really has my ear. In my contemplations, I realized that these Pharisees had contrived theological constructions that not only prevented them from hearing Jesus or accepting Him, but they actually became angry with His identity and the things He shared.

The Pharisees were...
- passionate
- educated
- disciplined
- committed
- practicing
- theological

Wow. These are many of the things we laud and yet they rejected God. And so I thought it might be helpful to test what really is influencing me. None of them by themselves is a perfect indicator. All of them come from the passage and Christ's conversation with the Pharisees. Each of them is meant to be a conversation starter with Jesus and ultimately the Father.

And so I take my story, circumstances, and relationships and rather than merely turning to a principle or even a theological proposition, I am going to allow Christ to start a conversation with me. The questions He and I will engage in answering, come from different directions. And as I begin my conversation, I readily admit that I bring biases, prejudices, and a limited perspective.

Lord, I pray I will respond differently than the Pharisees. And I pray at the end of everything, I will be proclaiming You as the Great I Am!

Do I accept what Jesus is saying?

Do I feel freedom to follow Christ? Are any bondages revealed?

Are there any negative thoughts, feelings, or actions popping up in me?

Do my actions line up with those of the Father?

Is what I'm doing line up with great men of faith like Abraham?

How is what I'm doing reflect my love for Jesus?

What lies might I be believing?

Am I really open to what God has to say?

Do I resort to name calling or accusations when I come up against things or ideas that make me comfortable?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:From Work - dwtn Orlando

Another Day

2011-01-20T21:40:00.001-05:00

Lord, thank you for another good day. Your presence was realized and experienced.
I thank You for the new job.
I thank You for the people You are allowing me to connect with.
I thank You for watching over the church.
I thank You for creating excitement about the new things I am learning.
I thank You for giving me the energy I need need these crazy days of adjustment.
I thank You for watching over my family during these busy days.
I thank You for the wonderful family of Westwood Church.

I pray You would help me with my important days of study the next 10 days.
I pray You would help me balance all that has been placed on my plate.
I pray You would help me learn the things I need to learn.
I pray You would help me to lead my family as we walk through our adjustment.
I pray for energy, the ability to concentrate, and learn.

And most importantly, I pray You would allow me to continue to praise and reveal You in all circumstances.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:At home

","

2011-01-19T08:49:00.001-05:00

"We are..." (John 8:33)

We are Abraham's descendants!
We are evangelicals.
We are emergent.
We are conservatives.
We are reformed.
We are Wesleyan.
We are charismatic.
We are Bible-believing.
We are non-denominational.
We are Pentecostal.
We are purpose-driven.
We are ________________.

It's so much like a period or an exclamation point rather than a comma.

Truth is contained within a person, God. And no other person, book, or movement will ever fully capture it. Only God Himself does. Our interpretations, theological constructions, and movements are not worthy to be followed with a period or an exclamation point. At best, they should be written in pencil and followed with a comma. There is more to be discovered. There are new movements to be started. There are new aspects of truth to emphasize. And so in honor of the God who cannot be captured by any proposition, I end today's blog not with a "." or a "!" but rather a ",",

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Starbucks at Fowlers Grove, Winter Garden,FL

Not Much Room in "I"

2011-01-18T07:54:00.001-05:00

"You have no room for my Word." (John 8:37)

There is no room when...

I am angry.
I choose not to pursue forgiveness.
I live in my rightness.
I have defined God.
I need to be right.
I'm unwilling to confess.
I focus on the mistakes of others.
I want what I want.
I resist the reality of pain and suffering.
I'm absolutely convinced I am absolutely right.
I feed my hurt and disappointment.
I stop being a learner.
I hate.
I live in my selfishness.
I avoid truth and retreat to the lie.

There is no room when almost everything starts with "I".

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Location:The Winter Garden Restaurant. Winter Garden, FL

I Need Freedom

2011-01-17T08:26:00.001-05:00

My morning meditation - John 8:31-59

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

I am a prisoner. I am a slave. I am not free. I am in need of deliverance. I need to be set free.

I am biased and prejudice. I often view people in keeping with the depravity of their sin rather than the dignity of their creation. I am judgmental and superficial in my evaluation of others. I have allowed myself to be weighted with the stereotypes created by my culture. And at times I have fed them with my own fodder. Lord, I need You and Your truth to open my mind, my heart, and my eyes to my enslavement and to the reality of freedom.

I am a slave. I am driven and led by my passions and desires. I crave approval and acceptance. I desperately want to be liked. I do not want to be embarrassed or be seen in a bad light. It leads to compromise in my life. I am filled with wants that must be met. Happiness' insatiable appetite is never met. As I continue to feed it, it cries out for more. I need... I want... I must have... There's always a cry for more. Contentment is never achieved. More. More. More. More things. More money. More attention. More pleasure. I want more. I need more. I deserve more. I demand more. Lord, speak Your truth into my life. Reveal to me the shackles I willingly consign to myself. Shed Your light. Bring Your truth. Share Your freedom.

I am enslaved I have great confidence in my abilities. I can do it. Just give me the opportunity and I will do it. I don't need help or input. I've got it figured out. Just give me some space. Don't get in my way. I rely on my resources. I look to my strength. I build visions based upon my capabilities. Rather than seeking the infinite, I settle for my finite. Through my self-reliance I've created high walls that define and separate the possible and the impossible. And as I exhaust my strength, resources, and smarts, I find myself living far more in the cell of the impossible. It's walls continually caste a shadow of depression and hopelessness as I realize there's always someone better, someone smarter. I wish... I can't... If only... Lord, open my eyes to the truth of You, Your Kingdom, and Your ways. Break down the walls I have built.

Lord, I seek You this day. Lord, I recognize I am a slave who needs to be set free.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Winter Garden Restaurant

My Reasons-Relational

2011-01-16T08:05:00.001-05:00

I had no magical moment. I did not hear a voice from God. He did not speak to me through a dream. In fact, my decision to conclude my ministry at Westwood Church was far more the product of relationship than of a moment.

No doubt there are some logical reasons for the concluding of my formal ministry at Westwood Church. I will list them for you in no particular order.

1. It fits in with my personal goals I wrote over 10 years ago. My long range goal is to work with troubled churches and organizations as a professional full-time troubleshooter. To do that I want to...
- Build greater business credibility
- Generate more business experience
- Pursue additional education
- Secure greater financial independence

2. It brings us closer to family. We have spent the last 20 years away from our extended families. We look forward to being within a half-day driving distance from most of our family.

3. My boys are young and we wanted to spend more time together as a family. Though I will be working a demanding job with travel, boundaries exist. We look forward to a different weekend experience as a family.

4. We are in love with the community of Westwood Church. To just go to another church with no space is too hard. It would feel like we buried our spouse on Monday and started dating again on Tuesday.

5. Westwood Church is and will go through significant change. I have had the pleasure of leading our community through many changes in the past. I feel this next change will need the long standing leader to not be present. It will create a greater freedom for the Body to ask hard questions without the baggage a standing leader brings to the conversation.

6. I love a challenge!

7. I get to live the life of a worshipper. Everything I have taught and advocated these last 25 years I now get to live with choice, void of the job. I look forward to it. I'm excited about it.

But beyond all the practical reasons, we still feel this was a relational process. We have been walking and talking with Jesus in our relationship with Him. Over the last period of time, my faith has become far more relational than propositional. He has been so engaging. He continued in relationship with me through some very hard and painful times.

He kept loving.
He kept comforting.
He kept talking.

He didn't leave when I got angry.
He did't become frustrated when I expressed my disappointment.
He didn't withdraw when venom seeped from my heart.

He kept loving.
He kept comforting.
He kept talking.

And as my eyes looked more and more upon Him, I became less aware of where I was. As I became more consumed with Him, the journey and destinations faded more in the background. And before long, we arrived where I am today. Much to my surprise.

Lord, keep loving, keep comforting, keep talking. I need to be consumed with You and far less with the journey.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Winter Garden Restaurant

Planning on Discomfort

2011-01-15T14:53:00.001-05:00

I'm ok with church being a tad uncomfortable. In fact one of the things I'm excited about is not choosing a new church. Yep, you read it correctly. I said NOT picking a church. We will be attending the local C&MA church in Newton, IA. I've visited it numerous times over the last number of years. I really can't tell you what makes it special. I'm not attracted to it's facility; it's pastor; it's preaching; it's children or youth programs; it's outreach. And from my visits, I can certainly tell you it's no Westwood Church! I really don't know much about it.

What I do know is that Jesus is worshipped, truth is sought, and community is present. I anticipate encountering imperfection. I plan on being disappointed on occasion. And I know that throughout my experience, I will be wounded.

I will engage in worship.
I will choose to love and be loved by members of the Body of Christ.
I will utilize my gifts in worship.
I will allow myself to be led by other spiritual leaders.
I will give.
I will regularly attend.

And I will live at times live in discomfort. Sometimes it will be found in the worship and other times in the message. Sometimes it will be found in the actions of others and at times in the decisions of leaders. But since worship is not about me, but rather about Him, it's ok. And since it's about Him and not me, I will look for the varied opportunities to express Him, even in the discomfort.

I will endeavor to remember it's worship and not a show.
I will endeavor to remember it's about God and not me.
I will endeavor to remember to look to the Holy Spirit and not to others.
I will endeavor to remember to seek spirituality and not mere emotion.

Thank you Westwood Church for teaching me to get beyond the surface. Thank you for allowing me to experience church beyond the superficiality of slogans, personalities, and productions. It hasn't always been easy but it certainly has been life-changing.

I'm looking forward to being a worshipper even if it is uncomfortable.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:N Main St,Winter Garden,United States - Home Office

The Words I Love and Hate

2011-01-14T08:33:00.001-05:00

From my morning reflections - John 8:21-30

"When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know I am He and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me." (John 8:29)

The very words of Jesus can become the very words that enrage me. Of course those words simply stated often are found to be agreeable. And even as stand alone concepts, they find great allegiance. Very few disagree with the concepts of love, service, acceptance, and grace. They are acceptable. They have a "cool factor" about them. They are "buzzy".

But place them in context and they often generate a completely different response. Ask someone to forgive when they have been incredibly wounded and you might see a completely different response. Try suggesting turning the other cheek in the midst of a mugging and see what kind of response you get. Suggest to someone they accept and show hospitality to someone who comes from an alternative lifestyle they disagree with and see what it engenders.

Everything takes on a different shape. Everything looks and feels different. And yet we still have the words of Jesus, the words of God, the Father. The words we once embraced, we now reject. The words that dominated our worship conversation, we now dismiss. And in some cases, those very words placed in our contexts and viewed from our perspectives can even enrage us.

When we reject His words, we reject Him. And our rejection of Him, means we reject His Father. For His words in and out of our contexts are the very words of God. When I allow my perspective to dismiss what He says, I dismiss Him.

Lord, please speak. Don't just give me nice words and concepts. Place them in the context of my life where their meaning is intensified and Your identity is manifested. Forgive me for those times where I have crucified You through my rejection of Your Word. And I do thank You for Your willingness to go through such an ordeal to bridge the gap I have created. I love You. I love Your words spoken to me in the context of real life.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Starbucks on I-4 and 434

It's About Him

2011-01-13T11:42:00.004-05:00

From my afternoon meditation - John 8:21-30
(One of my readers reminded me I missed yesterday...so here you go Mike. Two today to make up for yesterday!)

So they said to Him, "Who are You?" (25)

It's about Him!
It's not merely about truth or about principles.
It's more than righteousness and justice.
It exceeds mercy and grace.
It goes beyond love and concern.

It's about Him!
It can't merely be found in the Word.
It's not contained in any message or one communicator.
It's not the purview of any single church.
It's not fully captured by any mission or ministry.

It's about Him!
...not a Bible.
...not a denomination or movement.
...not a doctrine or theology.
...not an experience.

It's about Him!
I won't cheapen it with a focus upon self-help.
I won't dilute it with a preoccupation with the pursuit of happiness.
I won't destroy it with performance worship.
I won't limit it with self-centeredness.

It's about Him!
I will look, seek, and listen for Him.
I will engage, learn, and question Him.
I will endeavor to make it relational.

It's about Him!
...not me.
...not my family.
...not others.
...not reputation.
...not fear.
...not reward.

Lord, keep my eyes fixed upon You! Deliver me from the "close but no cigar" pursuits. It's about You!

Again and Again!

2011-01-11T07:38:00.001-05:00

Morning meditation: John 8:21-30

So He said to them again... (8:21)
So they said to Him, "Who are you?" (8:25)
They did not understand... (8:27)
As He was saying these things, many believed Him. (8:30)

Thank goodness He is patient and persistent. I need that repetition. Please keep reminding me of who You are. Don't stop sharing with me what You are doing.

I'm going to keep asking, "Who are You?". Give me an inquisitive mind and heart. Rather than moving to the safety and comfort of my conclusions, allow the circumstances of today and the questions they generate to move me into the beyond of who You are. Don't allow me to live stuck. Don't allow me to live hemmed in by my perspectives and conclusions.

I do admit there is much I do not understand about my world and more importantly about You. I have questions about pain and suffering. I have questions about timing. I have questions about evil. I have questions about goodness. I have questions about how it all fits together. I have questions. Real questions.

But I do believe. The gap between what I know and who You reveal Yourself to be is vaulted by faith. I do believe You to be beyond me. You are my God and I will believe even when I don't completely understand. In the mystery, I will allow Your gift of faith to speak.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:From Bed

2011-01-10T09:51:00.005-05:00

Morning Study and Reflection - John 8:21-30

So he said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come." (21) "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins. (23-24)

I've got me perspective. It's very much mine. It's been shaped from my experiences, education, and passions. It is uniquely mine. It expresses what I believe and what I value. It's mine. And it can be dangerous.

I'm in sin. I've got my perspective. I've got a perspective about the reasons for my sin. I've got a perspective about forgiveness (why I deserve it or don't). I've got a perspective of how you ought to treat me.

I have an opinion. I've got my perspective. I know why I am right and you are wrong. I believe my perspective makes sense and know why yours doesn't.

I judge others. I've got my perspective. My perspective determines how I treat, respond, or react to you. I know people. I've got a sense. I have past experiences to help create context.

I know God. I've got my perspective. Hey, I read His Word! I'm not one of those people who distort Him or his truths. I accept who He is. I know He's a conservative and in line with my politics. If people just believed and acted they way I do, God would be honored and we would have a better world.

I understand worship. I've got my perspective. In church I've defined what spiritual worship looks like. You're not really worshipping if your are emoting. Raise those hands. Sing in the Spirit. Clap. Dance in the aisles. Now that's real worship. I know it. I can sense it. I can feel it.

I've got a perspective. I trust my vantage point. It feels right. It works for me. I'm convinced I'm right. I generally am. I don't have much doubt.

But what if I'm not? What if I miss something? Do I really have that strong of a track record? I'm not omniscient. I wasn't around when the world was made. There is much I don't know. I can only see what I see. My insight is limited to my experience. There is more I don't know than I do know.

I need input. I need to be challenged. I need a perspective that is beyond me. I could use a vantage point that is different. And it probably should be one that encompasses more than mine.
Lord, speak to me. Open my eyes. Don't let me become a prisoner of my own perspective. It can be costly. It can become deadly.

Supernatural

2011-01-07T08:39:00.001-05:00

From my morning reflections...

Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.(John 8:14-16)

Limited by my understanding...
The product of Tunnel vision...
Put in my box...
Contained by my experience...
Void of any mystery...
Defined, Described, and Comprehended...
Principalized, systematized, and "truthized"...
Within my prescribed boundaries...

Does this describe my God or does it position me to miss God? He is a supernatural being. I am made in His image and thus can know Him and live in relationship with Him, but yet I don't see Him.

He is omnipresent.
He is omniscient.
He is omnipotent.
He is eternal.
He is self-existent.
He is Spirit.

He is known by me, because He chooses to make Himself known, but He is not totally comprehended by me. Therefore...

I anticipate some mystery.
I expect to be surprised.
I'm positioned to be a continual learner.

He is beyond this world. For us, He is in the realm of the supernatural. He is beyond the natural world he created. As any other creative act, creation bears the mark of the creator. We learn much about God by observing and interacting with any aspect of His creation. We see reflections of his natural attributes in nature. We see reflections of His character attributes in His image bearers, other people. Though we learn much about God through His creation, we certainly don't learn all.

He has provided additional or special revelation to further our understanding. We have been given the written Word. It brings specific insight into God's plans and interactions with His creation. But it doesn't give us everything. He did give us His Son. The Gospels record not only the death and resurrection of Jesus but as well the story of God walking among His creation. God was being made known! And though we have everything we need for salvation, we don't know everything. There is certainly more.

That learning continues through the presence of His Spirit. He abides within us not only empowering us but as well dialoguing with us. All of life becomes a lesson. The Rabbi through His Spirit continually speaks to us about our world. It bears reflections of Jesus walking with His disciples, learning along the way. He is never done speaking, teaching, and revealing. I am never done discovering, learning, and being surprised.

There is always more!
I am natural and He is supernatural.
I am finite and He is infinite.
I am fallen, sinful, and redeemed and He is righteous, Holy, and perfect.
I have not arrived and He is the destination.
I am inconsistent and He is never changing.

I don't expect science to discover Him. He is supernatural. They do evidence Him in their discoveries and laws. And they do point to something more in their understandings of the origin of the universe. But because He is supernatural, I don't expect it to acknowledge Him.

No, to acknowledge, truly discover, and ultimately know Him, you must admit there is something beyond us. Failure to do so leads us to totally reject God or at best (or worse) build a god in keeping with our limited definitions, experience, and understanding.

In either case, God ceases to be welcome in our worship.

Lord, I am listening, looking, and seeking. Continue to make Yourself known.

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Location:From my new job's office

The God Who Is!

2011-01-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

From my morning study and reflections...

Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Again! There he goes again. First He talks about being the water of life and now He's making the claim He is the light of the world. Talk about crowding in on a moment. This was their Feast of Tabernacles. They were celebrating the great presence, provision, and leadership of their God. They were remembering how He provided for them in the wilderness. And now this Jesus was claiming to be that provision, their God.

What a party killer. His bold proclamation had the effect of walking into the Court of Women and blowing out the candelabras that had been lit for the festival and could be seen by all those who gathered. It was like He walked into the room and abruptly stopped the music for the dancers who had gathered for the celebration. What a bummer! What a party killer!

I want a god that meets my definition.
I want a god that matches my experience.
I want a god I'm familiar with.
I want a god of my traditions.
I want a god of the past.
I want a god I completely understand.
I want the god I want.

But do I really want the God who is? I'm talking about the God who has a tremendous history, a significant present, and an incredible future. He's not just the God who did something, He is the God who is doing something. And He's not just the God who revealed Himself, He's the God who is making Himself known today.

How do I respond when He walks into my worship? Is there room for the God who is and not merely the God who was? And I allowing Him to move beyond my created boundaries? Will I allow Him to speak and act in my present? Will I admit the limitations of my comprehension?

Lord, in my worship today, I ask You to show up. Speak. Act. Challenge. Reveal. As I walk in what I know and worship in what I understand, I give You the opportunity to lead me in what I do not. I will look back to see who You are and I will look ahead to see what You promise. But Lord I will also look around to make sure I'm not missing who You are!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:From the Living Room

Keeping My Eyes Upon Jesus

2011-01-05T07:48:00.001-05:00

From My Morning Readings - Hebrews 11:32 - 12:2

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Faith. Always has been the way, always will be the way. It is evidenced in the Old Testament stories. Men and woman who trusted God and His promises without even fully be aware of specifically how they would be fulfilled. They didn't have Jesus, God in flesh and yet they believed.

And not just believed, they endured.
And not just endured, they suffered.
And not just suffered, they died.

An amazing history to consider.
An amazing history to encourage.
An amazing history to inspire.

But I've been given something more. I have been given God's Son. And He is continuing to work and share His presence in my life through the Spirit.

I have something more than a voice from heaven.
I have something more than an experience with a burning bush.
I have something more than an Abraham or a Moses.
I have something more than the law written on tablets of stone.
I have something more than a parting of the red sea.
I have something more than a pillar of cloud and fire.
I have something more than handwriting on the wall.
I have something more than the voice of a prophet.
I have something more than a tabernacle or a temple.
I have something more than religious services, celebrations, and feasts.
I have something more than an occasional healing.

I have Him. Jesus. God's Son. The fulfillment of His promises.

Lord, today as I walk, interact with others, make decisions, talk, and live, I will do so through my gaze upon You. I pray my life today would be characterized by the faith that was exercised and expressed by our Biblical forefathers. And I pray it would it would even more be seasoned and flavored by my gaze upon Jesus.

Thank You for giving me so many encouragements, witnesses. Thank You for giving me Jesus who provides for me the joy to run free. In Him I find the reason to risk and confess. His love, presence, and work create that safety to step out and honestly reflect upon who I really am. He provides for me the opportunity to run unhindered.

Personal Update:

As I previously shared, I will continue to be speaking at Westwood Church probably through mid-February. I already have started my new position. I ask that you be praying for me as I balance my responsibilities. Things have been pretty busy already this week. I am hoping to be extremely focused these next 4 days as I study not only for my upcoming messages at Westwood Church, but as well for the licensure exam for my new position.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:From My Driveway in Winter Garden

Me!? A Taste of What is to Come!

2011-01-04T08:07:00.001-05:00

Psalm 85

10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way. (Verses 10-13)

It's coming! It's part of His promises. It will happen. Bring it to my life. Plant the seeds in my experiences today.

Allow me to see Your steadfastness.
Let me experience Your faithfulness.
Open my eyes to Your righteousness.
And permit me to bask in Your peace.

Is there some place today I can be Your righteousness? Where is it?
Will I encounter someone today who needs to experience Your faithfulness? Who are they?
Will I walk through a situation today that needs a touch of Your steadfastness? What will it be?
Is there a conflict that I can be Your peace? Where will it be?

Lord this world is longing for something more than pain, violence, and injustice. In a weird unspiritual way, they are calling for revival. May I today in how I speak, act, and interact give those around me a taste of Your coming Kingdom.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:The Winter Garden Restaurant

Die in Faith

2011-01-03T09:20:00.001-05:00

From my morning Readings - Hebrews 11:13-22

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (verse 13)

I want everything now! I'm not really interested in waiting. I'm looking for immediate return. I'm impatient and usually make no apologies for it. Whether I'm driving in traffic, shopping, or waiting in line. From my perspective, things need to be moving. If I want it. I want it now.

Faith: Trust in God...Confidence in His character...Hope in His Promises...Resting in His Capabilities.

Life: Highs and lows...Successes and Failures...Disappointments...Far from Heaven...Less than Eternal Life...Pain...Sickness...Broken Relationships...Waiting and Longing for Something More...Falls Short at Times.

Live and Die in Faith: I trust You on a sunny day and in the midst of storms...I believe You are good when I taste beauty and when I taste bitter...I have confidence You can even when it feels like You aren't...I rest in the warmth of Your love even when I'm cold.

Lord, I will wait. I will rest. I will be patient. I am willing to live a life of faith. And, I am willing to die in faith. I believe You can. I have total confidence You will. It doesn't have to happen today to be true. And it doesn't have to happen on my timeline for You to be God!

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Location:From My Office (for now) at Westwood Church (a special place)

A big change for 2011

2011-01-02T15:39:00.001-05:00

This morning I shared with my church I was resigning. It was a big day for our family I am so appreciative for the years we have lived and shared together at Westwood Church. I have counted it a privilege and life-changing experience. My last weekend at Westwood Church will be the second weekend in February. I would appreciate your prayers as we say goodbye to good friends and prepare for our next phase of life.

Thank You Westwood Church.

Thank You for 20 years of shared ministry.
Thank You for allowing me to be your pastor.
Thank You for letting me cut my leadership teeth.
Thank you for shepherding us through our childlessness.
Thank you for showing me what it means to seek God.
Thank you for forgiving me when I failed.
Thank you for praying for us.
Thank you for the second chances.
Thank you for letting my try what never had been done before.
Thank you for challenging me when I needed it.
Thank you for letting me grow up.
Thank you for revealing Jesus.
Thank you for nurturing my soul.
Thank you for the trust and confidence you placed in me.
Thank you for loving us.
Thank you for encouraging me to take steps of faith.
Thank you for sharing your lives.
Thank you for providing such a great place for my boys.
Thank you for allowing me to share in your pain and joys.
Thank you for being family.

We love you Westwood Church! We will be forever changed because of you. We covet your prayers as we head to our next great adventure in the the Midwest. I look forward to being with you through mid-February!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:From my home study

Walk in You

2011-01-01T07:02:00.001-05:00

From my morning readings - Colossians 2:6-12

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)

Lord, You have saved me. You reached out into the torrents of my world and offered Your hand. Lord, You rescued me. You reached into my world of uncertainty and pulled me into Your world of promise. Lord, You nurture me. You planted me in a relationship with You. Your Spirit's presence, Your Word's truth, and the encouragement of community have built me up. Thank You Lord!

I remember what it used to be like.
I can recall the feelings I used to have.
You have changed me. I have been transformed.

Therefore, I want to walk in You!
I reject the allure of money and things.

I want to walk in You!
I deny the immediate gratification offered through lust.

I want to walk in You!
I choose another path than "I want".

I want to walk in You!
I recognize the shallowness of people-pleasing.

I want to walk in You!
I know the danger of pride.

I want to walk deeper into my relationship with You. I want to know Your voice, Your passions, and Your ways. My world is filled with many distractions and allures. I am often pulled and tugged. I need to begin my day with You. And as I walk through my day, I need to be looking for You, listening for Your voice, and engaging You in dialogue. I need to walk in You.

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Location:Newton, Iowa (in the cold)

Be Still

2010-12-31T07:07:00.001-05:00

From my morning readings - Psalm 46

Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

Be still...
I need to stop. Cease from activity. Bring quietness to my life. I just need to pause and bring my life to a standstill.

Be still and stop fighting...
God, that's not fair.
God, I expected more.
God, how come You didn't do something.
God, why?

Be still and know...
God, I know You are present.
God, I know You are working.
God, I know You are in control.
God, I know You are working Your plan.
God, I know You love me.
God, I know You are good to me.

Lord, I want to be still and discover You in the midst of many of the things I fight against. Lord I want to be still in the midst of discomfort. Lord I choose to be still in my pain. Lord I elect to be still when I meet opposition. Lord I will decide to be still in the midst of struggle.

I confess I often do the opposite. I often complain, express my displeasure, and fight my circumstances. My significant energy expenditures and the accompanying noise prevent me from ever hearing, seeing, or experiencing You.

Help me to be still and know, rest, and marvel in You being God!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Newton, Iowa - In the same chair, in the same room

Speak to the Church

2010-12-30T06:19:00.001-05:00

From my morning readings - Revelation 1:9-20

“Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea" (Revelation 1:11)

Lord Your church is seeking You.
Lord Your church is listening.
Lord Your church needs You to speak.

We are not void of advice for the church. Much has been written in critique or defense of the church. Experts regularly weigh in, and the chatter about what the church needs to do next breaks the quietness of the narthex and fills some of the programming of the news channels.

There are seminars, books, and consultants with strong opinions...
There are philosophies and perspectives with strong advocates...
There are new movements and experiences with bold claims...
There are young and old with established positions...

Lord Your church is seeking You.
Lord Your church is listening.
Lord Your church needs You to speak.

We like John need to break away from all the noise and chatter of the moment and get alone and quiet with You. We need to act and behave in such a manner as if we believe that You are speaking.

Create the time...
Create the space...
Create the moments...

Lord Your church is seeking You.
Lord Your church is listening.
Lord Your church needs You to speak.

And beyond a new approach or philosophy of ministry, we need to see and experience You. We need to be reminded that You stand right in the midst of what You started. Though the church may have its warts and short-comings and it's aspects of ugliness, You are in the midst. Still ministering. Still speaking. Still working.

Lord Your church is seeking You.
Lord Your church is listening.
Lord Your church needs You to speak.

And when we do hear Your voice, I pray we would do something more than craft a new message.
And when You do speak, I pray we would do something more than write a new book and advocate a new way.
And when Your majesty is revealed, I pray we would do something more than rally the troops with revival meetings.

I pray we would fall on our faces in worship. I pray we would humble ourselves before the Alpha and Omega. I pray Your majesty and holiness would so overwhelm us that we would not know what to say or what to do. We would just be still and know that You are God.

I pray that we would wait in Your presence. I pray that we would resist the temptation to begin to plan, strategize, and prepare. I pray we would resist the temptation to try and capture the moment. I pray we would wait for You, Your Words, and Your touch.

Lord Your church is seeking You.
Lord Your church is listening.
Lord Your church needs You to speak.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Newton, Iowa - The Morning Quietness in the Family Room

In this day and that day...

2010-12-29T05:54:00.001-05:00

From my morning readings - Isaiah 12:1-6

12:1 You will say in that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.

2 “Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.”

3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And you will say in that day:

“Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.

5 “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
(Isaiah 12:1-6)

"In that day" we will see things differently!
"In that day" we will feel differently!
"In that day" we will experience Him differently!
"In that day" fear will cease to exist!
"In that day" trust will characterize me!
"In that day" thanksgiving and praise of God will dominate my conversation!
"In that day" I will see and experience God like I have never before!

I believe that day is coming!
In faith I live for that day to come!
It's a hope. It's where I rest. It's my longing!

Today is not that day.
Today, violence and crime are present.
Today, death and separation cause pain.
Today, our bodies suffer from illness.
Today, distrust, dishonesty, and selfishness exist in our relationships.
Today, war and violence settle our differences.
Today, disappointment and frustration flavor our lives.
Today is not that day.

Tomorrow could be. And someday it will be! But today is not that day.

Lord, work Your plan today. Prepare me and my world for that day. Help me to choose to live "in this day" with the hope of "that day". Allow me to see the works of Your hands "in this day" in light of "that day". Please don't let me allow the circumstances of "this day" to define my hope for "that day".

In this day, I love You.
In this day, I trust You.
In this day, I place my confidence in You.
In this day, I have faith in You.
In this day, I give You thanks and praise.
In this day, I drink from Your provision.

In this day, I live for that day. In this day, I live for You as I will in that day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Newton, Iowa

Your Word

2010-12-28T05:44:00.001-05:00

THE WORD OF GOD

It's truth
The path
Light
Expressions associated with Him
Expresses His heart, His ideas
My encouragement
Filled with His promises
Gives me perspective
Great stories
A moving story of God's fidelity
Challenging
Difficult many times
Rebuking
Warning
Exhorting
Profitable
Powerful
Convicting
A necessary part of my day
Inspiring
Motivating
Cautioning
Dangerous in some hands
Sometimes manipulated by others
From Him
Speaks of the way, the truth, and the life
Reveals the Gospel
Reveals Jesus
Reveals God
Continually speaking
To be studied
To be meditated upon
Needs to be given space to speak
Still for today
Mocked
Misquoted and misrepresented
The story of God and His relationship with them
It's Your Word and not mine
It's quoted and memorized
Parts are well known
Other parts are completely ignored.
It is Your Word to me.

Thank you Lord for Your Word. Thank you Lord that You love to reveal Yourself. You don't hide. You love to make Yourself known. Keep my mind and heart open to Your Word. Don't allow me to make Your Word merely into an academic pursuit. Help me to let Your Word speak in chorus with Your Holy Spirit, my story, and the words of others. Don't allow me to keep Your Word isolated to the study. Let it marinate my life, continually being seasoned by Your Spirit, my experiences with others, and the journey You have me on. Speak Lord. Continue to reveal Yourself, Your ways, and Your plan.

Speak to my life.
Speak to my plans.
Speak to my desires and ambitions.
Speak to my habits
Speak to my relationships
Speak to my values and positions
Speak to my expectations and disappointments
Speak to my attitudes
Speak to my sin
Speak to my pride
Speak to my selfishness
Speak to my confession and repentance

I love You. And I love that You choose to keep the conversation going.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Newton, Iowa (The in-laws family room)

Unwrapping His Majesty

2010-12-27T08:20:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas.

Unwrapping His Majesty. Jesus Christ our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King.

Unwrapping Jesus Christ Our Savior
Lord, I want to explore You as my gracious gift of salvation. Reveal to me how I may cheapen Your gift with my own wrapping. I want to learn to rest in what You've accomplished and freely given to me. In response to Your context of grace that surrounds me, I pray I will will fill it with honest confession of who I really am. As you have so freely shared yourself with me, I pray I would freely share all of me with You. Thanks for initiating. Thanks for taking the first steps.

Unwrapping Jesus Christ Our Sanctifier
You created me for a purpose. I am to reveal Your image on this earth. My creation set me apart from all the rest of creation. I am to be Your image bearer. I know things have changed. Your image is still there. But it has been marred and corrupted by my sin. I hear Your call beyond forgiveness and relationship. I hear Your call to once again be set apart as Your image bearer. And I accept it. I know I fall short. I know I know I cannot make it right or happen. I accept You as my holiness. It's a gift I will continue to unwrap with Your Spirit.

Unwrapping Jesus Christ Our Healer
Your salvation knows no end. You desire to heal my spirit, soul, and body. All has been provided for through Your sacrifice upon the cross. I will continue to pray the prayer of faith. Always believing. Always hoping. Never accepting that the pain and suffering that is part of my life and my world will endure forever. It will change! You will bring absolute healing. You paid for it. You purchased it. You sacrificed for it. At times You give me touches of it to encourage me, to keep me hopeful. You are my healer.

Unwrapping Jesus Christ Our Coming King
You will come. It could be tomorrow. It will be You. Not mere principles or ideas or concepts. And not just Your kingdom. You will personally return. Completing what You promised You would. You will return. You've created an expectation in me. I live anticipating it. You've got me longing for something more. I will see You.

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Longing for that day...

2010-12-24T06:58:00.001-05:00

From my morning readings - Revelation 22:12-17

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
(Revelation 22:12-14)

I guess we all look forward to that day. You know, that day when everything will be the way that it is supposed to be. The evil, wicked, and selfish get their return. No longer are they protected by technicalities, money, and privilege. All the special exceptions, rationales, and excuses are laid aside. The day of accounting has come. Everything will be set right.

We long for the day when...
...cancer will no longer exist.
...death will no longer be an impending reality.
...pain and suffering will no longer reign.
...evil will be dealt with accordingly.
...injustice will be dealt with.

Everything will be set right! Everyone will get what they deserve. Fairness and justice will reign. Peace will come. Evil will depart. It's what we long for. And in the midst of our pain, it's what we demand. Our cries of, "It's not fair", will find no air. No longer will be able to blame God for not acting or from preventing something from happening. Everything will be set right.

The only slight problem I can see is that recompense and repayment will be given to me. The more I think about it, the more uncomfortable I become. Do I really long for recompense and repayment? For everything I have done? That uncomfortable feeling is rising once again. Do I really want God to give me what I deserve? I don't think so!

Thank you Lord for the washed robes You have prepared for me. Thank you Lord for the entrance through the gate You have provided. Thank You Lord that You are my exception, rationale, and excuse. You are my exemption and provide my privilege. You have set me right through Your life, death, and resurrection. You have already received my recompense and my repayment. It's been taken care of.

17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (Revelation 22:17,21)

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Something More

2010-12-23T06:57:00.001-05:00

From my morning readings - Isaiah 29:13-24

And the Lord said:
“Because this people draw near with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men... (vs 13)

Lord, You desire relationship. You've always desired it. That's not something new. It wasn't even something that was ushered in with sending of Your Son. It's always been about relationship.

Lord, I want to give You something more than my voice singing nice worship songs...
Lord, I want to give You something more than a blog...
Lord, I want to give You something more than time reading Your Word...
Lord, I want to give You something more than my prayer requests.
Lord, I want to give You something more than the motions of Sunday worship...
Lord, I want to give You something more than my attempt to do right...

Lord, I want to give You my heart.
I want my life to totally revolve around You.
I want You to be my security and my hope.
I want You to be the reason for my joy and my grieving.
I want You to be my peace and when appropriate my reason for unrest. Lord, I want You to be my love, my passion, and my desire.
Lord, I don't ever want to be described as "this people".
I want to be part of "Your people".

I desire something more than a name, identity, or religion.
I desire a relationship.
I want something more than commandments, principles, and truth.
I desire a relationship.
I want something more than exciting worship services, challenging messages, and a great church.
I desire a relationship.

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
(Psalm 146:1-2)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Really, My Whole Heart!?

2010-12-22T06:53:00.001-05:00

From my morning readings - Psalm 111

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart...(vs 1)

The "whole heart" thing kind of makes me feel uncomfortable. It's just so all-inclusive. If we were talking about God's heart for me, I could amen easily the "whole heart" reference. But when it comes to me, I squirm in my seat. I begin to feel mighty uncomfortable.

It's just that I know how much I am a mixed bag of motives. God and His truth have certainly made a huge difference and dominate the scene. But there's a tremendous amount of old baggage that I've left behind. I'm a mixed bag of motives.

So I guess I pray for the "whole heart" thing.
So I guess I confess I don't have the "whole heart" thing going.
So I guess I work toward the "whole heart" experience.
So I guess I continue to look for opportunities to clean out some of that old baggage.
So I guess I rest in the "whole heart" of God.
So I guess in faith I identify with the "whole heart" of Christ.
So I guess I accept it as mine.

I praise You God!
Or I guess I could say, "I will give thanks to You with my whole heart!

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A Steadfast Love and a Faithfulness that Endures

2010-12-21T07:56:00.001-05:00

From my morning readings - psalm 117

2 For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!

He is loyal to me. It's a loyalty that needs to be expressed with superlatives. It isn't just apparent or obvious. It's more than just adequate or ok. It's called great. It is said to endure forever. It passes all known boundaries. It exceeds normal definitions. It's great and endures forever.

It's more than just love. It's more than just passion. It's more than just strong feeling. It's a steadfast love. His grip is locked on me. His embrace is unbreakable. It's firm. It's sure. It's secure. Others cannot break it. Amazingly, even I cannot shake Him lose. It's a steadfast love.

It will be there in the morning and it will be experienced in the evening. It surpasses my mood swings and the inconsistencies of my life. It doesn't waver and is not the product of good days or bad days. It doesn't change with me but remains constant in Him. It's a steadfast love.

He is faithful today, tomorrow, and into all eternity. It's a product of His character and not the result of my performance. Its end cannot be reached, its boundaries cannot be breached. It's a reality of His being and not a mood of the moment. It's been tried and tested by the extreme and it has been found to endure. It's real. It's enduring.

It was present before the first sunrise and will endure past the last sunset. It's Him. It exists in relationship with Him and it's even present in my sin and rebellion. It endures forever.

I will praise You Lord!

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Bad News!

2010-12-20T15:11:00.001-05:00

From my daily readings - Psalm 112

Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commandments! (vs 1)

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. (vs 7)

Bad news. Not exactly avoidable. I guess it is to expected as we live in this fallen world. Things are not perfect. People disappoint. Expectations often go unmet. Bad news.

The job isn't all you thought it would be.
He or she has far more flaws than you anticipated.
The toy broke.
The transmission went out at the wrong time.
They didn't mean to hurt you but they did.
Did you see the power bill?
They said what about me?
Oooooh, that didn't go well.
I wish I would have known.
I can't believe they did that!
Sorry, we can no longer afford you.
Your services are no longer needed.
Not another online application!?
You have been diagnosed with cancer.
You're not as young as you used to be.

Lord, bad news is a reality! It's unavoidable. And at times it can feel like it is all around. If I'm not careful I can allow it to belie my trust and confidence in You. Let me say it again. Please allow me to confess. In faith let me proclaim. Even in the midst of bad news I will allow You to be my firm foundation. I rest and fear You above anything and everybody else. Help this to become more than a nice saying, an occasional confession, and a bold proclamation. I pray it would become as much of a reality as that of bad news!

I will praise You today!

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Nature, Today's Word from God

2010-12-19T18:53:00.001-05:00

Psalm 29

The voice of the Lord...

David is watching a storm pass and in that powerful natural event, He saw and heard God, the voice of the Lord. I suppose that is only natural. A beautiful masterpiece always reveals something about the master. I'm encouraged this day to spend time today meditating upon nature. What does the created world reveal about God? What can I learn about Him and His ways by observing the work of His hands and the passion of His heart?

This morning in service I was thinking about that as Robin sang a song about winter snow. It made me feel so peaceful and relaxed. So again, I feel called to reflect upon nature like I do the Word of God. God is speaking, He is revealed all around me. His creation and masterpiece tells us something about who He is. I'll be watching. I'll be listening.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lord, keep me from stumbling...

2010-12-18T06:39:00.001-05:00

Part of my morning readings - Jude 1:17-25

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (24-25)

Lord, You are my protection from sin.
You provide a way out when temptation comes.
You have surrounded me with people who help guard my heart.
You provide strength and encouragement from my spouse.
You have given me Your Word that appropriately sensitizes my conscience.
You Spirit creates discomfort and conviction when unrighteousness comes on the scene.
Your Body, my community, provides watchful eyes.
Your Spirit continues to make me into a slave of righteousness.
You press me to love God with all my being and love my neighbor as myself.
Your focus on love moves me past the loopholes and limited definitions of law and principles.
Your Spirit resides within me and I'm never alone.
Reminders of You are everywhere...creation, Your Word, Others (Your image bearers)

Lord, You keep me from stumbling!
It is You, not me!
It is You, and not just my personal determination.
It is You, and not my knowledge.
It is You, and not my mere choices.
It is You, and not my heritage.
It is You. It is You. It is You.

You help me to stand (not stumble).
To stand against the lies...
To stand in the midst of antiChristian opposition..
To stand against false teaching and teachers...
To stand in the midst of half-truths...
To stand in the onslaught of arrogant "do-goodism"...
To stand when others personally attack...
To stand in the midst of pain...
To stand in the midst of blessing...

Lord, You keep me from stumbling! Thank You!

Keep my eyes open to Your leadership, my ears attentive to Your voice, and my heart receptive to Your proddings. I need You!

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The Lie

2010-12-17T09:32:00.001-05:00

2 Peter 2:17-22
17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

THE LIE
It's real.
It's deceptive.
It's out there.
It's even in the church.
It's shared with such confidence.
It talks of freedom but creates bondage.
It is enticing, appealing to our flesh.
It overcomes and entangles us.
It's enslaving.
It's spoken by those who have no personal credibility.
It makes promises it cannot keep.
It turns it's nose up at righteousness.
It's extremely dangerous.
It destroys our love for the Gospel.
It targets the new, the young, and the inexperienced.

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I will give thanks

2010-12-16T08:44:00.001-05:00

Psalm 50

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!” (vs 23)

I give thanks because...

He is the source of everything, all life.
I have been a recipient of His goodness.
I know He is continually working.
Of the sacrifice of His Son.
Because in Him all things work together for good.
Of His might, majesty, and power.
For His resurrection power at work within me.
He's still revealing Himself to me.
His Word is still speaking.
Of the abiding presence of the Comforter.
I have been blessed in the heavenly realm with every spiritual blessing.
I am loved (even though I am unlovely)
He is good, good, good!
He is my God and He has chosen to call me His child.
I have an incredible inheritance in Him.
My sins have been forgiven.
I live in relationship with Him.
I have been given hope.
Because He holds everything in His hands.
I have been change, am changing, and will be changed.
He is my salvation.

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Can you say "Pause"

2010-12-15T10:18:00.001-05:00

Isaiah 9:8-17

...who say in pride and in arrogance of heart:
10 “The bricks have fallen,
but we will build with dressed stones;
the sycamores have been cut down,
but we will put cedars in their place.” (vss 9-10)

In the midst of loss, change, destruction, and pain...

Pride and arrogance?
- I don't need God!
- I can handle this on my own!
- Everything is under control!
- We can do it!
- It don't mean nothing!
- We can do anything we put our mind to!
- Nothing can defeat us. Let's remember who we are!
- I'm ok. It didn't hurt. I can handle it!

Humility?
- What might You be saying Lord?
- Where are you working Lord?
- I will wait on You,
- Lord what's the "backstory" to this?
- More than something being rebuilt or re-established, I need You.
- I can't just move beyond the loss, I will grieve and enter the pain to discover You.
- I'm listening. I'm watching. I'm asking questions.

Lord, forgive me for not seeking You. No doubt you speak through Your created world. I've heard You speak through Your Word. Your Spirit has often flooded my mind with Your thoughts. I've seen You working and speaking through others. But today, You are encouraging me to hear You speak in what is broken and where loss has occurred. I hear You telling me today to pause in the midst of devastation. You want the ruins of my life to not quickly be covered over or rebuilt. There's a story in them for me from You. Lord, please help me see where I have erected beautiful decorations to hide the real pain of my life and ultimately cover over Your Word to me.

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Thankful for Peter

2010-12-14T06:18:00.001-05:00

2 Peter 1:12-21

I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. (vss 13-14)

Thank You Peter...
...for choosing to respond to Christ's call
...for being willing to step out of the boat
...and reminding me to keep my eyes on Jesus
...for boldly confessing Christ
...and for reminding me of the dangers of prideful proclamations

Thank You Peter...
...for blazing in my mind the path of failure, confession, repentance and restoration.
...for bodily proclaiming Christ
...for demonstrating teachableness in allowing Paul to confront you
...for willingly sharing Your experience with Christ

Thank You Peter for laying down your life for the Jesus who chose, called, discipled, commissioned, and loved you.

Lord, I thank you for the men and women you continue to utilize in building Your church.

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My Response or Lack Thereof Matters

2010-12-13T15:34:00.001-05:00

Psalm 41

Under attack. That seems to be what David is feeling and expressing in this Psalm. And of special angst to David is the betrayal by a close friend (prophetic passage used by Jesus to speak of Judas' betrayal)

Verses 5-9
5 My enemies say of me in malice,
“When will he die, and his name perish?”
6 And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words,
while his heart gathers iniquity;
when he goes out, he tells it abroad.
7 All who hate me whisper together about me;
they imagine the worst for me.
8 They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him;
he will not rise again from where he lies.”
9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

In the midst of His pain, what does David rest in?

DAVID'S HISTORY OF INTEGRITY
Blessed is the one who considers the poor! (vs 1)

Lord as I am under attack, I choose not to speak forth a defense in the present but will allow my past to provide a context for interpretation.

DAVID's WILLINGNESS TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS OWN SIN
As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” (vs. 4)

...you have upheld me because of my integrity (vs 12)

Lord, I recognize that often the reason an attack is given life is due to sinfulness in my life. No doubt my life is made "sticky" because of wrongful behavior on my part. Please reveal to me the sin I need to confess. Please reveal to me what makes my life "sticky" in some areas.

GOD'S GRACIOUSNESS
But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up... (vs. 10)

Thank goodness I can rest in Your graciousness. Otherwise I think I would be in trouble. Your character continually amazes me.

ASSURANCE OF GOD'S HEALING AND SUPPORT
...heal me (VS 4)

But you have upheld me because of my integrity,and set me in your presence forever (vs. 12)

Whether or not things are set right in this life, I am assured of Your healing presence. You will touch those areas that have been bruised. You will bring Your healing touch to what others have inflicted upon me. Even if no one else stands with me, I am assured of Your continual presence. Not everything needs to be corrected. Not everything needs to be set right. The assurance of Your touch and presence engages those as necessities in my life.

GOD's DELIGHT IN DAVID
By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. (vs 11)

Wow. You delight in me. You take pleasure in me. My journey and experience matter to You. What I go through matters to You. I am Your child and I feel Your love as my Father.

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