Prayer for our Nation
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our
heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove
ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.
Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and
pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;
from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend
our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes
brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue
with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust
the authority of government, that there may be justice and
peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we
may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.
In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,
and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail;
all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Taken from the book of common prayer, accessed through bcponline.org under prayers and thanksgivings.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
In God we trust?
Our printed money here in America has this printed on every single coin and bill:
"In God we Trust."
But as Christians is that really true. I don't expect it to be true for those who don't trust God with their lives, but for those of us who have, do we trust God or have we given in to fear. The US government was just downgraded. Instead of searching for solutions, they are busy playing the blame game. The stock market is going haywire again. America is in a state of panic again.
But our trust isn't in the American Economy. We have a God who can supply all our needs. We have a God who guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus when we cast our cares upon Him. We have a God whose perfect love casts out all fear. It is God who gives us the ability to earn income, gain wealth and provide for our family. How is your trust in God right now?
"In God we Trust."
But as Christians is that really true. I don't expect it to be true for those who don't trust God with their lives, but for those of us who have, do we trust God or have we given in to fear. The US government was just downgraded. Instead of searching for solutions, they are busy playing the blame game. The stock market is going haywire again. America is in a state of panic again.
But our trust isn't in the American Economy. We have a God who can supply all our needs. We have a God who guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus when we cast our cares upon Him. We have a God whose perfect love casts out all fear. It is God who gives us the ability to earn income, gain wealth and provide for our family. How is your trust in God right now?
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Are you investing in your Financial Future?
Yesterday I saw a status update on Facebook that was along the line of the following statement:
“I was going to sign up for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, but then found out it cost $100. Its ridiculous to have to spend that much on how to manage my money. If I had $100 then I wouldn’t need his class.”
Unfortunately this comment is not an isolated thought. After leading financial ministries at churches for a few year now, this is a common theme. The idea of having to spend money on learning how to manage money is not one most people enjoy. Especially when money is tight. However, this line of thinking will keep you trapped in a cycle of poverty for the rest of your life. Those who are wealthy “invest in their economic future.” They are willing to spend money if they know that it will help them.
In the corporate finance world, we call this ROI. ROI stands for return on investment. Is what I am getting from this expense generating a larger value for me down the road (whether that benefit is realized in the short-term or the long-term).
Getting back to the individual, are you willing to invest $100 to $200 in your financial education? Do you view this as an expense or an investment? Are you looking at the cost or the benefit of what you will gain out of it? What if that investment saved you $100 a year? What if is was $100 per month? What if the $100 per month well invested made you a millionaire? Would it be worth it then? What if the way you stewarded your money changed your entire life? What if it allowed you to be a more generous person thereby changing others lives? What if it changed your marriage? What if it improved your relationship with God? With others?
What if that simple $100 investment changed everything? Would it be worth it then?
How about as a church? Have you invested in the economic vitality of your church lately? Do you see financial books, or coaching, even being selective about your financial committee as an investment or an expense?
“I was going to sign up for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, but then found out it cost $100. Its ridiculous to have to spend that much on how to manage my money. If I had $100 then I wouldn’t need his class.”
Unfortunately this comment is not an isolated thought. After leading financial ministries at churches for a few year now, this is a common theme. The idea of having to spend money on learning how to manage money is not one most people enjoy. Especially when money is tight. However, this line of thinking will keep you trapped in a cycle of poverty for the rest of your life. Those who are wealthy “invest in their economic future.” They are willing to spend money if they know that it will help them.
In the corporate finance world, we call this ROI. ROI stands for return on investment. Is what I am getting from this expense generating a larger value for me down the road (whether that benefit is realized in the short-term or the long-term).
Getting back to the individual, are you willing to invest $100 to $200 in your financial education? Do you view this as an expense or an investment? Are you looking at the cost or the benefit of what you will gain out of it? What if that investment saved you $100 a year? What if is was $100 per month? What if the $100 per month well invested made you a millionaire? Would it be worth it then? What if the way you stewarded your money changed your entire life? What if it allowed you to be a more generous person thereby changing others lives? What if it changed your marriage? What if it improved your relationship with God? With others?
What if that simple $100 investment changed everything? Would it be worth it then?
How about as a church? Have you invested in the economic vitality of your church lately? Do you see financial books, or coaching, even being selective about your financial committee as an investment or an expense?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
I need a Staycation
A few weeks ago I went on a staycation. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is when you take vacation time but don't actually go anywhere. I spent the week connecting with those who mean a lot to me in life. I met with my best friends, old mentors, current mentors as well as those who I just hadn't connected with in a while. It was an amazing time of catching up and resting and reflecting. Here are a few things that I learned during this time.
Intimacy with God and others- I am continually amazed and blessed by the friends God has placed in my life. Getting the time to decompress with close friends and pray with them was rich. We had a lot of time to just hang out and laugh and have fun, but we were also intentional about going deep. The last few years on my life have been spent chasing after the fullness of God and I am continually realizing that we can never attain the fullness of God in our lives in isolation. Having people to pursue God with you and alongside of you is absolutely vital and I am filled with gratitude for that.
The Presence of God- On that Thursday morning I woke up early for a 7AM breakfast with my mentor. Most people want to sleep in during their time off but I was so excited for this time at breakfast. Everytime I get to meet with this man my life is rocked. I get there and our conversation was great as always but when we walked out, I realized something else. The presence of God rests on this man. I got in my car truly feeling light-headed and euphoric. The presence of God has been welcomed into this mans heart and it doesn't just visit there occasionally, The Holy Spirit resides in this man. I decided I want my life to be marked by that. I want to be so full of the Holy Spirit that people are change just being around me.
Rest- Rest is best when it is spent with God. I had two reasons for taking time off. First was that I have extra time that needed to be used. Second, I have not felt more exhausted than I have over the last few months. I felt like I had truly poured myself dry. I am used to running at a high pace but these last few months caught up to me in a strong way. But I realized that while time off is good and necessary, it doesn't refresh us unless it is spent with God. God is our source of peace, joy and rest and we need to continually seek Him in order to remain full of those.
Hopefully this post will inspired you in the same ways.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Recommended Reading
So I am a reading nerd. I love to find a comfy place and just get lost in a book. While it is still January, I wanted to get a recommended reading list out there for the year.
Personal:
Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky - This book as done wonders for me for personal organization and productivity. I have always considered myself organized but this book took it to the next level. I have been able to bring action into many of the ideas that I have had in my head for a while.
Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey - If you want to get your finances under control, read this book!! I am leading a Financial Peace class here at Vinelife this Spring and his stuff works. Everyone that I know that has read his stuff or taken his class and put it into practice has raved about how much help it has been to them.
Spiritual:
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer - This is my favorite book outside the Bible. Everytime I read it, it ignites a desire to chase after God with everything that I have. This book is a must read before you die.
Leadership:
Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley- This book is a book to return to and re-inspire you to lead. Are we going to sit back and allow the world to direct our lives or are we going to step up and direct the world around us?
I will leave you with those four for now. There are so many more but four is a good start. I will post some more later this year.
Personal:
Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky - This book as done wonders for me for personal organization and productivity. I have always considered myself organized but this book took it to the next level. I have been able to bring action into many of the ideas that I have had in my head for a while.
Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey - If you want to get your finances under control, read this book!! I am leading a Financial Peace class here at Vinelife this Spring and his stuff works. Everyone that I know that has read his stuff or taken his class and put it into practice has raved about how much help it has been to them.
Spiritual:
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer - This is my favorite book outside the Bible. Everytime I read it, it ignites a desire to chase after God with everything that I have. This book is a must read before you die.
Leadership:
Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley- This book is a book to return to and re-inspire you to lead. Are we going to sit back and allow the world to direct our lives or are we going to step up and direct the world around us?
I will leave you with those four for now. There are so many more but four is a good start. I will post some more later this year.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Leaders are Readers
Ok ok. I know this line sounds a little cheesy and cliche, but the truth of it still remains.
Good leaders are committed to continual learning and growing.
Leaders recognize the fact that they don't have all the answers on their own and therefore are willing to find it wherever it exists.
Leaders want to lead their tribes well enough that they are willing to be disciplined so they can continually serve their tribes effectively
Good leaders are committed to continual learning and growing.
Leaders recognize the fact that they don't have all the answers on their own and therefore are willing to find it wherever it exists.
Leaders want to lead their tribes well enough that they are willing to be disciplined so they can continually serve their tribes effectively
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Meetings
In our rapid pace society meetings more and more are being discouraged. They are seen as pointless, a waste of time, irrelevent, boring and demotivating. These general perceptions came about because for the most part, they are true. So many writers on leadership and management are discouraging having meetings. They have looked at the current culture and decided that meetings are overrated.
Books such as "Death by Meeting" and "Rework" talk about the pitfalls of meetings and how it kills productivity. But I would like to suggest a different view. Our problems with meetings are real but instead of giving up on meeting, lets rework meetings.
What if meetings guided productivity? What if they energized people instead of draining them? What if they reduced each persons workload because everyone was on the same page and people were able to gain from collective wisdom.
I am not advocating for more meetings, but I am suggesting that with some thinking, vision casting and some work, we can make meetings one of the most valuable parts of our week instead of a necessary evil.
I have been in meetings that just absolutely drain me and leave me frustrated. But I have also been in meetings where I didn't want to leave. I could have been there all day, But when it did come time to leave and get back to work, I was so energized because it refreshed the vision and what my work was accomplishing. It redefined my roles, my focuses and gave me new insights.
Our problem with meetings is real, but lets reshape them instead of nixing them.
Books such as "Death by Meeting" and "Rework" talk about the pitfalls of meetings and how it kills productivity. But I would like to suggest a different view. Our problems with meetings are real but instead of giving up on meeting, lets rework meetings.
What if meetings guided productivity? What if they energized people instead of draining them? What if they reduced each persons workload because everyone was on the same page and people were able to gain from collective wisdom.
I am not advocating for more meetings, but I am suggesting that with some thinking, vision casting and some work, we can make meetings one of the most valuable parts of our week instead of a necessary evil.
I have been in meetings that just absolutely drain me and leave me frustrated. But I have also been in meetings where I didn't want to leave. I could have been there all day, But when it did come time to leave and get back to work, I was so energized because it refreshed the vision and what my work was accomplishing. It redefined my roles, my focuses and gave me new insights.
Our problem with meetings is real, but lets reshape them instead of nixing them.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Back up and going
Wow, it has been like 10 months since I have posted on this thing. I recently decide, in fact about a minute ago, that I want to try to start posting regularly again. The reason for that is primarily for me. I believe that this is a good creative and expressive outlet for me to use.
I going to use this either to post random musings, things that I am learning or things that God is saying to me. I hope that you enjoy.
I going to use this either to post random musings, things that I am learning or things that God is saying to me. I hope that you enjoy.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
A call to Prayer
America just celebrated the one year anniversary of our first black president. As always, Americans find it to be our duty to provide a yearly assessment of his time in office. The results for Obama seemed mixed. I want to do something a little different for this blog today. I want to give an assessment of the American populace instead.
I would like to start by laying down a little groundwork of my personal convictions are guiding the rest of this post. By the way, if you don't agree, please know that I don't profess to have everything right but I am seeking the right response to these issues. First, I believe that Obama and his administration care about this country. Second, I think he is imperfect just as everyone who has ever been brave enough to try and run this country. Third, my views on our response in no way convey my support or opposition to his administration or his policies. Fourth, while I am a "citizen of heaven" I am every bit called to this country and will serve it as long as the Lord has me here.
Throughout the Bible, God has called us to be ambassadors to this world and to those who don't particularly glorify Him. In the Old Testament you can read the stories of Joseph, Daniel and Nehemiah. All who served those who conquered and oppressed the Israelites. Yet they were called to serve their conquerers and did so with all their heart and with humility. In the New Testament, Jesus infuriated the pharisees by claiming that a Centurion had more faith than anyone He had seen. Paul told us to obey authorities and most of all to pray for those in authority. Has also said that they only rule by God's allowing.
We seem to have lost sight of that over the years. Instead many of us have been led to believe that our primary role in this country is to judge and whine and complain. This shift in views and action have had a profound impact on this nation. I believe that the things that we aren't quite satisfied with when it comes to the current administration is more a result of our lack of prayers than anything else. We rally together on the National Day of Prayer and lift our government up but tear it town the other 364 days. The solution is short and simple, We need to pray and we need to pray hard and often. It will be incredible to see what God does when this happens.
I would like to start by laying down a little groundwork of my personal convictions are guiding the rest of this post. By the way, if you don't agree, please know that I don't profess to have everything right but I am seeking the right response to these issues. First, I believe that Obama and his administration care about this country. Second, I think he is imperfect just as everyone who has ever been brave enough to try and run this country. Third, my views on our response in no way convey my support or opposition to his administration or his policies. Fourth, while I am a "citizen of heaven" I am every bit called to this country and will serve it as long as the Lord has me here.
Throughout the Bible, God has called us to be ambassadors to this world and to those who don't particularly glorify Him. In the Old Testament you can read the stories of Joseph, Daniel and Nehemiah. All who served those who conquered and oppressed the Israelites. Yet they were called to serve their conquerers and did so with all their heart and with humility. In the New Testament, Jesus infuriated the pharisees by claiming that a Centurion had more faith than anyone He had seen. Paul told us to obey authorities and most of all to pray for those in authority. Has also said that they only rule by God's allowing.
We seem to have lost sight of that over the years. Instead many of us have been led to believe that our primary role in this country is to judge and whine and complain. This shift in views and action have had a profound impact on this nation. I believe that the things that we aren't quite satisfied with when it comes to the current administration is more a result of our lack of prayers than anything else. We rally together on the National Day of Prayer and lift our government up but tear it town the other 364 days. The solution is short and simple, We need to pray and we need to pray hard and often. It will be incredible to see what God does when this happens.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Quarter Life Crisis??
At the end of last school year (even though I graduated over two years ago I still operate on semesters), my roommate decided to put off getting a job for a while and go do YWAM. This decision was a result of what he called a quarter life crises. I admire him for that decision and while I wasn't called to take that step I feel like I am going through a quarter life crisis of my own.
Let me lay it out for you.
While I am aware that I am a child of God's, I constantly wrestle with who I am. There are moments that I am painfully aware of my awkwardness. Other times, I might be just as awkward but blissfully unaware. Sometimes I converse with people and leave feeling somewhat wise, only to move into a new conversation and realize that I am still just a child. I have tons of learning to do.
While I know the dreams that are in my heart are from God, I rarely trust in Him to bring them to pass. There are days that I am honestly overwhelmed by the fact that for the most part they are still just dreams. Out of this tension has birthed what can be described as "what the heck am I doing here?" moments. I have tried to run from them and yet they only grow. This is not a bad thing by the way, but nonetheless not an easy thing.
While I know that God created me for intimacy with Him and I long for it, I am not as deep as I want to be. I wake up some mornings and ask what have I been doing all this time? I would foolishly assume that I should know everything about an infinite God. Not only would I know everything about Him, but I would know Him intimately. Like Paul did or John did. Not only do I not know much about Him, I oftentimes feel I barely know Him.
While intellectually I know that we were created for deep community with others, I seem to only get glimpses of it. Only moments where I sit there and think wow this is amazing. Those moments often feel few and far between. Yet, sometimes when real community stares me in the face, I choose to read a book about it instead. That can feel less messy.
I was driving home the other night and all this hit me in the face at once. This happens occasionally. In the middle of it something happened that usually does. Yet my short-term memory usually doesn't seem to retain this. Or perhaps it does and yet the reality of it still needs to sink into my heart. It was in this moment driving home, thoughts speeding through my head, emotions going on overload, the fear of my body shutting down in order to cope with these one at a time, that a voice crashed through it all. Even though it was a gentle whisper it packed a punch. A blow stronger than anything I had just been feeling. The voice and Gods' and the words were questions. "Bryan, do you trust me? Do you love me? Will you receive my love for you? Will you walk with me? Do you believe that I placed these things in your heart? Do you believe that I will bring them to pass? Do you have faith?" They weren't asked condescendingly or rebukefully, but rather honestly, raw and full of love, compassion and wisdom.
In that moment things changed. One I had renewed energy and I felt excited rather than overwhelmed. Two, the manifest solutions hadn't come, but THE solution, who was there the whole time, manifested Himself. Three, rather than asking me to give up my dreams, he reiterated that He was behind them and that I need to continue to pursue them. Only this time, He wanted to pursue them with me. That encounter solved nothing and everything at the same time. I am still walking and learning. But I am walking with Him and getting to know Him. And perhaps that's all that matters.
Let me lay it out for you.
While I am aware that I am a child of God's, I constantly wrestle with who I am. There are moments that I am painfully aware of my awkwardness. Other times, I might be just as awkward but blissfully unaware. Sometimes I converse with people and leave feeling somewhat wise, only to move into a new conversation and realize that I am still just a child. I have tons of learning to do.
While I know the dreams that are in my heart are from God, I rarely trust in Him to bring them to pass. There are days that I am honestly overwhelmed by the fact that for the most part they are still just dreams. Out of this tension has birthed what can be described as "what the heck am I doing here?" moments. I have tried to run from them and yet they only grow. This is not a bad thing by the way, but nonetheless not an easy thing.
While I know that God created me for intimacy with Him and I long for it, I am not as deep as I want to be. I wake up some mornings and ask what have I been doing all this time? I would foolishly assume that I should know everything about an infinite God. Not only would I know everything about Him, but I would know Him intimately. Like Paul did or John did. Not only do I not know much about Him, I oftentimes feel I barely know Him.
While intellectually I know that we were created for deep community with others, I seem to only get glimpses of it. Only moments where I sit there and think wow this is amazing. Those moments often feel few and far between. Yet, sometimes when real community stares me in the face, I choose to read a book about it instead. That can feel less messy.
I was driving home the other night and all this hit me in the face at once. This happens occasionally. In the middle of it something happened that usually does. Yet my short-term memory usually doesn't seem to retain this. Or perhaps it does and yet the reality of it still needs to sink into my heart. It was in this moment driving home, thoughts speeding through my head, emotions going on overload, the fear of my body shutting down in order to cope with these one at a time, that a voice crashed through it all. Even though it was a gentle whisper it packed a punch. A blow stronger than anything I had just been feeling. The voice and Gods' and the words were questions. "Bryan, do you trust me? Do you love me? Will you receive my love for you? Will you walk with me? Do you believe that I placed these things in your heart? Do you believe that I will bring them to pass? Do you have faith?" They weren't asked condescendingly or rebukefully, but rather honestly, raw and full of love, compassion and wisdom.
In that moment things changed. One I had renewed energy and I felt excited rather than overwhelmed. Two, the manifest solutions hadn't come, but THE solution, who was there the whole time, manifested Himself. Three, rather than asking me to give up my dreams, he reiterated that He was behind them and that I need to continue to pursue them. Only this time, He wanted to pursue them with me. That encounter solved nothing and everything at the same time. I am still walking and learning. But I am walking with Him and getting to know Him. And perhaps that's all that matters.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Living by Faith
In multiple states in the US, it is illegal to possess venomous snakes at religious gatherings. These laws arose out of a need to stop a dangerous practice that was taking a lot of lives. In Mark 16, Jesus says that believers would be bitten by poisonous snakes and not be harmed. Well a few churches decided to put God and man to the test and purposefully get themselves bitten by snakes. If you were alright then you had enough faith. If not, you died. A few too many people died while attempting this and it had to be outlawed.
I don't know about you but it sounds a little ridiculous to me. Now don't get me wrong, I believe that God still miraculously saves people from snake bites. Thats not it question. What is in question is the fact that these people went around and obtained poisonous snakes and then got themselves bit just to see if it works.
While many people would say that that is little crazy and unwise, a lot of those people do it with their finances. They quote all the promises from the Bible about living by faith and having God take care of them, and yet never follow the financial principles laid out in the Bible. They believe that God doesn't justt work through the supernatural, He works through the spectacular. Don't get me wrong, he is spectacular, be the God I know works through the subtle and planned as well.
In the gospels there are a few instances of spectacular food multiplication. Twice in feeding thousands with bread and fish, and then a few times with casting the net on the other side. Jesus was in ministry 3 years and alive for 30 before that. I have to believe that for much of that time He simply obtained food and ate it. Perhaps it was so common that they felt they only needed to include a few instances, but I am not leaning that way.
My hope is that we have faith for financial miracles, but lets not get stuck in the thinking that that is the only way He works. God is working through sound principles. In conclusion, don't lose faith in the miraculous, but don't forfeit His principles in the process.
I don't know about you but it sounds a little ridiculous to me. Now don't get me wrong, I believe that God still miraculously saves people from snake bites. Thats not it question. What is in question is the fact that these people went around and obtained poisonous snakes and then got themselves bit just to see if it works.
While many people would say that that is little crazy and unwise, a lot of those people do it with their finances. They quote all the promises from the Bible about living by faith and having God take care of them, and yet never follow the financial principles laid out in the Bible. They believe that God doesn't justt work through the supernatural, He works through the spectacular. Don't get me wrong, he is spectacular, be the God I know works through the subtle and planned as well.
In the gospels there are a few instances of spectacular food multiplication. Twice in feeding thousands with bread and fish, and then a few times with casting the net on the other side. Jesus was in ministry 3 years and alive for 30 before that. I have to believe that for much of that time He simply obtained food and ate it. Perhaps it was so common that they felt they only needed to include a few instances, but I am not leaning that way.
My hope is that we have faith for financial miracles, but lets not get stuck in the thinking that that is the only way He works. God is working through sound principles. In conclusion, don't lose faith in the miraculous, but don't forfeit His principles in the process.
Friday, December 4, 2009
A Message to the church
In my recent reading there have been a lot of messages concerning the church and how it is failing. Many books are being written by, for and about people who love Jesus but not the church. Others make statements that if Jesus were to return he would have some pretty harsh words for the church. Still others relate churches to modern day pharisees and worse.
While I would deny all of those claims, I am writing for a different purpose. It is my understanding that the church is the Bride of Jesus and He isn't planning of giving up on her. At the same time He is purifying her.
With that in mind I was driving the other day and the thought came into my head, what does Jesus have to say about the church? So I asked. And what He said was powerful and I will share it with you real quick.
Jesus responded by saying to me that He has more for the church. He is fighting and interceding for the church. He has great plans for us to share with Him as He courts us into eternity. He recognizes that we are not perfect and that should He come with judgement there will be some scary things but all of that is meant to bring us into fullness. Fullness in God cannot be acheived alone.
I suggest that we all repent for our sins and thoughts about the church (Christs Bride) and continue to ask Him about that fullness. And then we continue to walk with Him and each other towards that.
While I would deny all of those claims, I am writing for a different purpose. It is my understanding that the church is the Bride of Jesus and He isn't planning of giving up on her. At the same time He is purifying her.
With that in mind I was driving the other day and the thought came into my head, what does Jesus have to say about the church? So I asked. And what He said was powerful and I will share it with you real quick.
Jesus responded by saying to me that He has more for the church. He is fighting and interceding for the church. He has great plans for us to share with Him as He courts us into eternity. He recognizes that we are not perfect and that should He come with judgement there will be some scary things but all of that is meant to bring us into fullness. Fullness in God cannot be acheived alone.
I suggest that we all repent for our sins and thoughts about the church (Christs Bride) and continue to ask Him about that fullness. And then we continue to walk with Him and each other towards that.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A legacy
This morning I went to a memorial celebration service for a friends father. I had met this man a few times and had good conversations but that wasn't the only reason I went. I attended this service to to honor this man and the impact that he had indirectly on my life. Many of the people that I am close to were mentored and shaped by this man. The service was interesting and good (if you can say that about a memorial service). He was not old and his death was totally unexpected if not untimely. But the service was bitersweet. There was lots of crying and there will be mourning for sure, but the service was about remembering his incredible life and the fact that he was with God now.
Throughout the service many people came up to the front and told of his impact on them. He would spend hours praying with them, helping them, encouraging them listening to them and walking alongside them. He made many of these people his family. Each one of these testimonies were from people I didn't know but they matched everything I had heard from my close friends. Many of my close friends actually couldn't be there today because they are overseas doing missions work. I couldn't help but think about how he was part of the reason they were over there in the first place.
While I was sitting there celebrating the life while mourning the loss of this hero of the faith, it renewed my resolve to live like he did. He may have died at an age they people may feel was young, he lived life to the full. Its not the quantity of time but rather the quality of the time that we spend here.
His transition may be hard on us down here, but for him it was minor. He lived with Christ here and graduated to the next phase of that. He still lives with Christ (only now he gets to see him face to face).
His life was lived for others and his legacy truly truly lives on. That is said at many memorials but his life was saturated with this legacy. I know this because people talked about it before his death. If you knew this guy and his name came up, you would immediately have to interject the impact he had on your life into the conversation.
Those are just three principles that I learned and reaffirmed my commitment to today. This mans life was more than a few principles though. So much more. Lord, thank you for loaning him to us for a couple decades. We were richly blessed by your gift.
Throughout the service many people came up to the front and told of his impact on them. He would spend hours praying with them, helping them, encouraging them listening to them and walking alongside them. He made many of these people his family. Each one of these testimonies were from people I didn't know but they matched everything I had heard from my close friends. Many of my close friends actually couldn't be there today because they are overseas doing missions work. I couldn't help but think about how he was part of the reason they were over there in the first place.
While I was sitting there celebrating the life while mourning the loss of this hero of the faith, it renewed my resolve to live like he did. He may have died at an age they people may feel was young, he lived life to the full. Its not the quantity of time but rather the quality of the time that we spend here.
His transition may be hard on us down here, but for him it was minor. He lived with Christ here and graduated to the next phase of that. He still lives with Christ (only now he gets to see him face to face).
His life was lived for others and his legacy truly truly lives on. That is said at many memorials but his life was saturated with this legacy. I know this because people talked about it before his death. If you knew this guy and his name came up, you would immediately have to interject the impact he had on your life into the conversation.
Those are just three principles that I learned and reaffirmed my commitment to today. This mans life was more than a few principles though. So much more. Lord, thank you for loaning him to us for a couple decades. We were richly blessed by your gift.
Friday, November 13, 2009
There is no formula
Growing up I was always better at math than other subjects. While math was abstract, it was also formulaic. In both High School and College I took accounting classes and excelled in them. Accounting is largely based on formula. For example, one of the foundations of accounting is
Assets= Liabilities + Equity
It's easy to get caught up in formulas. We somehow think that if we just follow these seven steps whatever we are doing will work. Then reality comes crashing in and causes our formula to evaporate. One church recommends this in order to grow. Another church says such and such is a better way. Still another says that church growth isn't even what we should be going after. Churches will chase practice after practice and get frustrated at their lack of success. "But it worked for so and so," the argument goes. Their church grew to 6,000.
But, they never discover who they are supposed to be. That strategy or formula didn't work because that is not who they are. There is something very healthy in knowing what other churches are finding successful or unsuccessful and were not meant to contain all in wisdom in the world in our little bubble, but we still need to learn in the context of what that means for us. Maybe we employ something but we change some of the variable in the formula. Maybe that strategy doesn't work with our demographic.
I am not saying that we don't glean from one another. I am saying, however, that more important than learning what Pastor Johnny Megachurch is doing, we need to learn what we are supposed to do. And that comes from a multitude of sources.
But, they never discover who they are supposed to be. That strategy or formula didn't work because that is not who they are. There is something very healthy in knowing what other churches are finding successful or unsuccessful and were not meant to contain all in wisdom in the world in our little bubble, but we still need to learn in the context of what that means for us. Maybe we employ something but we change some of the variable in the formula. Maybe that strategy doesn't work with our demographic.
I am not saying that we don't glean from one another. I am saying, however, that more important than learning what Pastor Johnny Megachurch is doing, we need to learn what we are supposed to do. And that comes from a multitude of sources.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Mystery of Miracles
For those of you who don't know me, I am a hopeless analyzer as well as a reader. I like to explore things to death (not literally of course). So lately, I have been reading a lot about miracles, such as healing and visions. I attend a church that not only believes in all that stuff but practices and encourages it as well. As things such as healing have been getting more common, our staff has had much debate over this. In fact, because of these discussions, I have been reading about theological views on healing and listening to different arguments.
I find it fascinating. Perhaps you do as well. The debate on divine healing is a common one. Does God heal today? It is always his will to heal? What happens when someone doesn't get healed? Was is something on my end? Was there sin in my life? Did I not have enough faith? You get the point. I read some of these books and while I like what they say, there are theological holes, on both sides of the coin.
In my studies though I have noticed one common trend. Those who believe in miracles and pursue them see them occur much more often (by the way, miracles aren't just a nice "extra". We are called to pursue them). Those who sit around saying they happen but only by God's sovereignty, or that it is not always His will to heal rarely see miracles. It doesn't make sense to our minds when we believe with everything and have failures, but I would rather at least go for it. Perhaps part of miracles is that they don't fully fit within a theological framework. Or perhaps I am just ignorant (that's quite possible). But regardless, I want to make up my mind in such a way that I see more miracles manifest in my life.
I find it fascinating. Perhaps you do as well. The debate on divine healing is a common one. Does God heal today? It is always his will to heal? What happens when someone doesn't get healed? Was is something on my end? Was there sin in my life? Did I not have enough faith? You get the point. I read some of these books and while I like what they say, there are theological holes, on both sides of the coin.
In my studies though I have noticed one common trend. Those who believe in miracles and pursue them see them occur much more often (by the way, miracles aren't just a nice "extra". We are called to pursue them). Those who sit around saying they happen but only by God's sovereignty, or that it is not always His will to heal rarely see miracles. It doesn't make sense to our minds when we believe with everything and have failures, but I would rather at least go for it. Perhaps part of miracles is that they don't fully fit within a theological framework. Or perhaps I am just ignorant (that's quite possible). But regardless, I want to make up my mind in such a way that I see more miracles manifest in my life.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Something Big...
Have you ever pondered the depths and fullness of God? I tried this for the first time last year during a class at work and it has been very powerful. When you first try emotions and thoughts run wild. For me, I was overwhelmed, perplexed and so much more all at the same time. First, the Bible says all over that God is unsearchable. I was overwhelmed because I entered into a realm that is bigger than I can comprehend. Second I was perplexed because I engaged with a task that is impossible. Even in our redeemed sinless bodies it will take eternity to search God out.
And then I calmed down. God whispered to me that He enjoyed me being in this realm and activity. The saints of old and new engage in this. He enjoys us meditating on his fullness and his depths. A peace began to rush over me. Peace seems to be a paradox here but our infinite God is a God of peace. I began to see an ocean. This ocean is a representation of His depths and fullness. I began to see this not because He is literally an ocean, but because this is the only way for my finite mind to grasp even a small part of the task that I am taking on.
This ocean metaphor keeps coming up. A coworker and friend of mine was watching a surfing documentary and began to draw the same parallels as I did. You get in there and begin to surf and you are overwhelmed. There is only water around you. A force that is overpowering and not in the least bit partial to who you are. There is no plan B. But at the same time you are joyous and peaceful. You are out there to have fun, and while it is dangerous it is also good. Everything else in the world falls away. At this point, your unpaid bills, your next meal, the fight you had with a close friend all pass away. You are focused on the task at hand. To enjoy being engulfed in this powerful thing that is so far beyond us.
Here's the difference though. Surfing is enjoyed for a few brief moments. Waves are also impersonal. God is always present, eternal and most of all personal.
Take a few minutes and try this. Its easy. Calm yourself down and think about God. Think about creation and his power. Meditate on His wisdom. Most of all, try to know His love the surpasses knowledge. It will rock your face off.
If you get a little bolder contemplate the fact that that fullness is supposed to dwell within us.
And then I calmed down. God whispered to me that He enjoyed me being in this realm and activity. The saints of old and new engage in this. He enjoys us meditating on his fullness and his depths. A peace began to rush over me. Peace seems to be a paradox here but our infinite God is a God of peace. I began to see an ocean. This ocean is a representation of His depths and fullness. I began to see this not because He is literally an ocean, but because this is the only way for my finite mind to grasp even a small part of the task that I am taking on.
This ocean metaphor keeps coming up. A coworker and friend of mine was watching a surfing documentary and began to draw the same parallels as I did. You get in there and begin to surf and you are overwhelmed. There is only water around you. A force that is overpowering and not in the least bit partial to who you are. There is no plan B. But at the same time you are joyous and peaceful. You are out there to have fun, and while it is dangerous it is also good. Everything else in the world falls away. At this point, your unpaid bills, your next meal, the fight you had with a close friend all pass away. You are focused on the task at hand. To enjoy being engulfed in this powerful thing that is so far beyond us.
Here's the difference though. Surfing is enjoyed for a few brief moments. Waves are also impersonal. God is always present, eternal and most of all personal.
Take a few minutes and try this. Its easy. Calm yourself down and think about God. Think about creation and his power. Meditate on His wisdom. Most of all, try to know His love the surpasses knowledge. It will rock your face off.
If you get a little bolder contemplate the fact that that fullness is supposed to dwell within us.
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Wealth of Nations?
Right now I am researching some projects to help try to eradicate poverty. After having seen poverty first hand, I am deeply confused by it but nonetheless passionate about it. You see, while impoverished nations have way less in the way of materialism, they oftentimes lead richer lives. This brings me to my first big set of questions.
1. Can we alleviate poverty and create wealth with out losing the true riches of this life?
2. If so, how do we help them create sustainable life, while continuing to encourage the richness of community, love and relationships?
3. Furthermore, if that is successful how do we bring that back to the western world?
These are big guiding questions underlying the why. Wouldn't it be a shame to create wealth in a country and watch them lose something bigger. (Now you must also understand that I am operating under the premise that western worlds have seen a decline in spirituality, community and deep relationships. I am also claiming that those are far more important than material wealth).
Next comes the question of how. If you believe that you can create wealth without sacrificing the aforementioned, how does that happen. Does it happen with by the big success of a few or by the minor successes of the masses? If it is by the few brilliant entrepreneurial minds who then create jobs, is micro-finance the going to accomplish that? Furthermore is debt even a sustainable way to do it? Our whole country is questioning that right now.
Our world has been trying to eradicate poverty for a long long time. I am not sure there is an end all be all solution but yet were called to care for them. I guess this just means we will have to go deeper.
1. Can we alleviate poverty and create wealth with out losing the true riches of this life?
2. If so, how do we help them create sustainable life, while continuing to encourage the richness of community, love and relationships?
3. Furthermore, if that is successful how do we bring that back to the western world?
These are big guiding questions underlying the why. Wouldn't it be a shame to create wealth in a country and watch them lose something bigger. (Now you must also understand that I am operating under the premise that western worlds have seen a decline in spirituality, community and deep relationships. I am also claiming that those are far more important than material wealth).
Next comes the question of how. If you believe that you can create wealth without sacrificing the aforementioned, how does that happen. Does it happen with by the big success of a few or by the minor successes of the masses? If it is by the few brilliant entrepreneurial minds who then create jobs, is micro-finance the going to accomplish that? Furthermore is debt even a sustainable way to do it? Our whole country is questioning that right now.
Our world has been trying to eradicate poverty for a long long time. I am not sure there is an end all be all solution but yet were called to care for them. I guess this just means we will have to go deeper.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Our thoughts...On God
Romans says that the carnal mind is at war with God. It is an enemy with God. Paul was talking to believers. He tucks it in right between no condemnation and everlasting love that e cna't be separated from, but nevertheless its in there. He follows that up renewing the mind a few chapters later as well as in other epistles. Furthermore, the apostles (Paul included) warn many times against impure and unsound doctrines. This seems like a big deal to God.
In many Christian circles today there is the claim that we need to worry more about encountering God than we do proper theology. 2 Timothy 3:7 says 5-7 says, "having a form of Godliness but denying its power...always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." Jesus condemned the Pharisees for knowing the scriptures and missing Him. The thinking goes that He is more concerned with us finding Him than he is about proper thoughts about Him. Perhaps thats true, but I disagree with the mutual exclusivity in that line of thinking.
A.W. Tozer states that "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." I think he was on to something. Our thoughts about something or more importantly about someone create lenses that we see them through. If we believe someone is a liar for example, we will be much less trusting of them. We naturally guard our thoughts and opinions from gossipers for fear of what will spread like wildfires. Our thoughts and lenses guide our encounters. It is the same with Jesus. We can't fully know Him, embrace Him or trust Him without the proper thoughts of Him.
Have you ever met someone who was praying against Gods will and then they wonder why He didn't answer. Don't get me wrong, my thoughts and attitudes towards God aren't perfect, but they aren't an excuse to not pursue proper thoughts and theology either.
The bottom line is our theology is important because in influences our encounters.
In many Christian circles today there is the claim that we need to worry more about encountering God than we do proper theology. 2 Timothy 3:7 says 5-7 says, "having a form of Godliness but denying its power...always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." Jesus condemned the Pharisees for knowing the scriptures and missing Him. The thinking goes that He is more concerned with us finding Him than he is about proper thoughts about Him. Perhaps thats true, but I disagree with the mutual exclusivity in that line of thinking.
A.W. Tozer states that "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." I think he was on to something. Our thoughts about something or more importantly about someone create lenses that we see them through. If we believe someone is a liar for example, we will be much less trusting of them. We naturally guard our thoughts and opinions from gossipers for fear of what will spread like wildfires. Our thoughts and lenses guide our encounters. It is the same with Jesus. We can't fully know Him, embrace Him or trust Him without the proper thoughts of Him.
Have you ever met someone who was praying against Gods will and then they wonder why He didn't answer. Don't get me wrong, my thoughts and attitudes towards God aren't perfect, but they aren't an excuse to not pursue proper thoughts and theology either.
The bottom line is our theology is important because in influences our encounters.
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Supernatural God
“I despaired at the thought that my life might pass me by with out God moving greatly on my behalf.” - Jim Cymbala
I have been meditating on this quote for a few days and it has been rocking my world. When I first came across the quote I thought it was a little selfish. I mean, isn’t that what those 'miracle chasers' do? They travel all around just to see something supernatural, yet are never transformed. Someone in the Bible even tried to buy the power of impartation from the apostles (Acts 8). This quote stuck with me however, and as I began to let it sink in I realized this is what the apostles asked for and God was happy grant it. Not for our glory but rather His.
In acts Chapter 4, Peter and John have just been released from prison for healing a cripple and preaching the resurrection of Christ. They got together with the other saints and this was their prayer:
The supernatural is not something that God reluctantly does. It is not something He was happy to do for a little while but stopped when He finished those 66 great books we call the Bible. The supernatural is who God is. I don’t believe you can separate that from Him anymore than you can separate Love from Him. Not only that, he oftentimes expresses his love through powerful acts. God loves to show himself powerful on behalf of his beloved children.
I have been meditating on this quote for a few days and it has been rocking my world. When I first came across the quote I thought it was a little selfish. I mean, isn’t that what those 'miracle chasers' do? They travel all around just to see something supernatural, yet are never transformed. Someone in the Bible even tried to buy the power of impartation from the apostles (Acts 8). This quote stuck with me however, and as I began to let it sink in I realized this is what the apostles asked for and God was happy grant it. Not for our glory but rather His.
In acts Chapter 4, Peter and John have just been released from prison for healing a cripple and preaching the resurrection of Christ. They got together with the other saints and this was their prayer:
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."And this is what happened:
"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”They had already spoken boldly. They had already healed and then they asked for more. God not only granted their request to move powerfully through them. He showed His great pleasure by shaking the ground they were on and filling them once again with more of the Holy Spirit. They understood that they needed this. A great commission had to be backed up by great empowering.
The supernatural is not something that God reluctantly does. It is not something He was happy to do for a little while but stopped when He finished those 66 great books we call the Bible. The supernatural is who God is. I don’t believe you can separate that from Him anymore than you can separate Love from Him. Not only that, he oftentimes expresses his love through powerful acts. God loves to show himself powerful on behalf of his beloved children.
2 Chronicles 16:9 states:The Lord is calling us to step into situations that bring Him glory through power. I long to look back on my life and state with confidence that the Lord moved greatly on my behalf because He wants that.
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
Monday, May 25, 2009
Balance and Wholeness
I have had multiple people pray over me and tell me that I am a very balanced person. I have also heard others say that no where in the Bible did it say that Jesus was balanced. Their argument is that Jesus wasn't a little about serving the poor. He wasn't just a little bit about prayer. And he doesn't call us to be that either.
I would have to agree. However, since when was balance about being just a little bit about something. When I read the gospels, Jesus was all about prayer. He was all about the Kingdom. He was 100 Percent about poor and fully about his fathers business. He was balanced in the sense that he cared about these things equally and he calls us to the same standard. Perhaps balance isn't the vest word. Maybe wholeness fits better and is easier to grasp. Jesus was wholly about each one of these things.
As he calls us to wholeness, be have to examine how Jesus lived this "whole" life. First, each thing that Jesus was about was empowered by one another. Jesus didn't see prayer as one part of his spirituality and serving the poor as another part. They were married together. It was all one for him. The umbrella for all this was that He was all about his fathers business. Whatever He saw his father doing, Jesus did. That is how we should be. We should be "wholly" about our fathers business.
I would have to agree. However, since when was balance about being just a little bit about something. When I read the gospels, Jesus was all about prayer. He was all about the Kingdom. He was 100 Percent about poor and fully about his fathers business. He was balanced in the sense that he cared about these things equally and he calls us to the same standard. Perhaps balance isn't the vest word. Maybe wholeness fits better and is easier to grasp. Jesus was wholly about each one of these things.
As he calls us to wholeness, be have to examine how Jesus lived this "whole" life. First, each thing that Jesus was about was empowered by one another. Jesus didn't see prayer as one part of his spirituality and serving the poor as another part. They were married together. It was all one for him. The umbrella for all this was that He was all about his fathers business. Whatever He saw his father doing, Jesus did. That is how we should be. We should be "wholly" about our fathers business.
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