Extra/Ordinary

Do you remember the first time you heard and understood the Christmas story? For me it was while watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” I don’t remember exactly how old I was, and I know it wasn’t the first time I had seen that cartoon, but this time when Linus recited from Luke Ch. 2, something resonated in me. I remember hearing and thinking how “real” this all sounded and a quiet calm shook my soul that night.
This past Sunday we looked at this chapter and how if we’re not careful we will overlook the miraculous hand of God and only see the mundane. Think about it. The only spectacular and extraordinary thing that takes place in these first verses is when the angels appear to the shepherds (not to Joseph or Mary) and when they do, they don’t say, “Look at us! We’re a sign from God!” Instead, they say “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Hmmm, let’s read that again. “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Yep, that’s it, that’s your sign.

God seems to be pushing the story into the most raw and unimpressive places; shepherds in a field, a stable next to an inn, a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a feeding trough. Can you get more commonplace? God not only is pushing out every stereotype of what a King is thought to be, but He is also revealing them to the strangest of people. Like the shepherds, who were serious outcasts at the time (they smelled pretty bad), but who got a serious upgrade in status after this event. Let’s face it, if it were not for this story, I doubt we would ever put little figurines of shepherds all over our homes. Then there are the Magi, or sorcerers, men involved with astrology who are looking for the wrong god and who somehow find the true One. It’s as if God is in the glories of heaven and saying, “I need to make sure that those who are the lowest and farthest away from Me can see and understand what I am doing, because if I start there, then Christ can be known by everyone.
Now a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger is not a sign at all, unless it is a Savior being born for us, unless it is Christ, the Lord. Then that would be a sign indeed.

Merry Christmas

This is an actual photo of an "ordinary" snowflake
that fell on a hat. Pretty extraordinary, don't you think?
Photo taken by Sherri Youngward

Passion

Today is our first Christmas gathering at Genesis. After the service we will be wrapping gifts together and taking them out to a number of families in our community who could use a little help this season. It was neat how so many of you took the names of those families that were on the board so quickly that first Sunday enabling us to add more people the following week.

All this got me thinking about what we’re doing and have done in the short eight months that we’ve been together. Now if what I’m about to share seems a little like bragging, well, I guess it is, but I intend for it to be taken in the same spirit that Paul spoke about those at Colossi, Philippi or the other churches when he said, he was thankful for their love, faith and partnership in the work of the Gospel.

Since we have been meeting together, you from Genesis have been a part of three trips to Mexico and are continuing support down there every month. You have helped out with relief work in Mississippi and Texas. You have gone into the prisons, juvenile halls and are ministering there regularly as well. So many of you helped out over those weeks to renovate the apartment where we will be starting another study to reach that neighborhood next month. Of course not everyone has been able to go to Mexico, Texas or work at the apartment, but all of you who have given financially are a part of each of these works as well.

Many of you of also help out every week pulling the trailer, caring for the kids, setting up the sound & video, making coffee, flyers and all the details that make things happen every week after week, but the reason I mentioned the previous items is because they are all directed outside toward others and not toward ourselves. It is easy (natural really) to cater to our own interests and though there is nothing wrong with doing things to strengthen and encourage one another, all too often that becomes the majority of what we are about. We can have our gatherings, seminars and luncheons, but if we’re not careful we can become a community that just preserves itself and has little passion to reach those outside our walls, which is so unlike Jesus who was most passionate for the lost, the outsider. We see Jesus most angered (anger is a passion) in the Temple where he threw out the money changers. He quotes Isaiah 56 and says “My house shall be called a house of prayer for ALL nations…” (Mark 11:17). Those verses in Isaiah from 3-7 are all about the foreigner, those on the outside. Jesus was passionate when people were hindered from coming to God by those who were supposed to reach out for them and instead pursued their own gain.

When Genesis began, it was my desire that we would be postured towards others and I have to say, that standing here right now and looking back I am overwhelmed with emotion and inspired by all of you who have taken the words of Jesus and made them a living example so that people are able to see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. I am so grateful and humbled to be a part of all of this with you.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now

Philippians 1:3-5 ( NIV )

We are the Church

A week or so ago we had a house warming party at the apartment that we fixed up. We didn’t warm the house with gifts, but with worship and prayer. Over twenty people crowded into the apartment where together we dedicated those who live there as well as those in the neighborhood to the Lord. Among those who came were the landlord and a few friends who had heard about the work being done with the apartment and wanted to be a part of this “party”. The landlord at the beginning of this endeavor was not willing to help much at all, even just compensating with the materials needed was like pulling teeth, but as the project went on and he saw the work we did and how freely everyone gave of themselves to see the work done, well it overwhelmed him and he shared so at this gathering. Later after our time of worship I shared a few things from Isaiah 58, others also shared how the Lord worked in their hearts through this project and then we prayed. During that time of prayer a young girl who lives in the apartments there touched everyone’s heart as she prayed repeatedly. It not only touched our hearts, it also confirmed why we were there and what hope the gospel provides.
The apartment looked great and our time together that evening was nothing less than incredible. I was told that a neighbor across the way was continuously walking around just outside during our time there. He later spoke to his family and told them that they need to get to church.
Well good news, next month we will be starting a bible study there at the apartment, so they won’t have to go very far to get to church, since we are the church.

When God Builds a Wall (revisited)

When God Builds a Wall (Revisited)

I received a comment yesterday on a blog I posted a year ago which caused me to re-read and remember what was happening at that time in my life. I then talked with a couple of people today who are facing walls of sorts in their lives right now and so thought I'd re-post this.

You may have heard the saying, 'When God closes a door, He opens a window.' It sounds nice and is something we like to read in our little box of promises, but in my experience, sometimes the door closes and there is no window in sight. In fact, sometimes it seems as if God closes a door and builds a wall! I think the difficult thing for us to understand (at least for me) is that our circumstances (and by that I mean our comfort) are really not the way we determine if God is at work or not. I mean, imagine if Mary and Joseph used their circumstances to determine if God was at work in their lives or not. Here they are on their way to Bethlehem in the last days of Mary's pregnancy (riding on a donkey, no less) all because some hedonistic king wants to take a census so he can get more money. Do you think that maybe they were feeling a little stressed out? I know in that circumstance I would be wondering, "Ok God, where's the window that my promise book talked about?"
It is only in retrospect that we understand God was orchestrating all of mankind to bring about the most incredible event that would ever take place in human history, that the Word would become flesh and dwell among us, but I bet you a million to one Joseph and Mary weren't feeling the love at that moment.

What drives people to keep moving forward in faith? It's definitely not circumstances. Maybe it's perseverance in spite of what we see, or fail to see. In 1 Samuel 14:13 it speaks of Jonathan and his armor bearer climbing up, using their hands and feet to engage the Philistine army who severely outnumbered them. Now why is that verse in the Scriptures? If he was climbing, what else would he use besides his hands and feet? Maybe the same way Jonathan climbed the mountain and Joseph & Mary made their way to Bethlehem is also the way we get past the walls in front of us.
So when it seems like God has closed the door and put up a wall, you can wait for a window, or you can use your hands and feet

...and get over it

Bread Dough & Restoring the Streets

Tonight, Corinne made these little bread snack things from Trader Joe’s and before she put them in the oven I ate one of the bread dough squares raw. I know some of you are disgusted right now, but when I was younger, I used to love eating raw dough (especially those little Pillsbury biscuits). I had forgotten how much I used to love those things and it made me think how easily time can erase what once meant so much to us.

Years ago, I had a desire to reach my community with the good news of Jesus so badly I could taste it. It affected the places that I chose to worship, the jobs that I took and the things I thought and dreamed. Even when I would travel to various places with mission teams, this theme would come up over and over again, whether in Mississippi, China or Wales. At some point in a time of prayer or in comments shared as a group, someone would say “let’s take what we’re doing here back home with us” and each time I came home I would think, “ok, how can we do something with this?”

Some of this resulted in throwing block parties that gave backpacks filled with school supplies to the kids in a local neighborhood, or taking food and making breakfast in that same neighborhood, also in playing music and speaking at a local club/pizza place where a band would play and people would sit at the bar drinking beer and listen to what I talked about concerning my faith in Christ.

That was then, but what about now? I have always felt it important to not live on the events of the past. If there are no new or fresh things happening in my life, then I am like a car that has run out of gas and is only moving on the momentum of yesterday… it’s just a matter of time before I stop.

So what about now? Glad you asked…

We are helping to establish two of the ladies in our community into an apartment where we will begin reaching out in a very tangible way right in the midst of those to whom we desire to show the love of Christ. We are building relationships (I’m already bringing one man to our Sunday gatherings) and we plan to have Bible studies there and so much more. We have also connected with a state funded organization here in Upland and it seems that a door wide enough to fly a cargo plane through has opened up for us to work with them. And get this, we are not only going to be able to help with the social needs, but the way things are working out, we will also have the opportunity and freedom to share our faith in Jesus and share how He still changes lives with these people!

All these things have recharged my soul and like the taste of raw dough, have rekindled my spirit with an endeavor to reach our local community. I am excited, encouraged and truth be told, a bit scared as a lot is happening very, very quickly.

Please pray for us at Genesis and these opportunities before us; that Jesus would continue to set before us an open door that no one can shut. (Revelation 3).

Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. -Isaiah 58:12 (NKJV)

Vizcaino conference 2008

Had to chop this up a bit to be able to upload it online, but here is a little on our recent trip to Viz.

Vizcaino 2008

It’s been a while since I’ve written, not due to a lack of things happening, but to a lack of time. Corinne and I are in Vizcaino and though there is no internet (or cell reception) I will be writing some things down as I have time and post them later. I am thankful that we were both able to take a week off of work to help out with the conference taking place down here. Even though this is a working trip I told Bill on the way down here that it almost seems like a vacation as I will only have a few things to focus on, instead of a bunch.

I can’t express the excitement I have that seven of us going on our first “mission” trip here at Genesis just a few months after our getting started. I’m also very excited about the work we are doing down here, as we are coming alongside and helping to encourage those who are already in the battlefield here so that they can continue with renewed strength. It is also building a bridge between these pastors and their ministries, even though they are from various denominations. How fitting that they are going through the book of Philippians where Paul writes to fulfill his joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. I see this trip doing just that it a very tangible way.
The first night we made it to Viz we had a sound check/rehearsal for the worship team and on the way to the meeting hall I found that a box of Xavier Ries mp3 studies in Spanish were going to be given away free to the pastors. Now the reason I mention this is because I had already heard every one of those studies! I didn’t understand any of them of course as they were in Spanish and I am in English, but I really did hear them all. You see I recorded each one of those (on cassette tape!)in the early 80’s when on staff at Calvary Chapel of Alhambra. Now what struck me is not that I recorded them (I actually slept through some of them, especially after the twins were born). No, what struck me was remembering how for years there would only be five or maybe two people who would come to the studies and sometimes NO ONE came at all, but instead of going home early as I had wanted, Xavier would tell me to record them anyway. He had a definite vision that the teachings would be used long after he was through and sure enough, here I am some twenty years later traveling with those same studies that I recorded way back when.

Now, I hope to make this point clear. Jesus told a parable in Matt.21:28-32 about a man with two sons who he asked to work in his vineyard. The one said yes and didn’t and the other said no, but did and Jesus' point was that even tax-collectors and prostitutes who do what the Father desires will make it to heaven before the religious who say the right things, but do nothing. I’m thankful that I was a part of those recordings years ago and even though I may have been asleep, I still am a part of that work. I believe the same is true with this trip in Viz or any work of God we participate in for that matter. We get to be a part of a work that some day may follow us to who knows where, maybe heaven itself. Even though the twelve-hour drive is pretty brutal, the motel is less than a 2 star and there were a few flies (oh man, the flies). Well, long after the roads have all been paved and turned back to dust, the hotel has replaced all the sinks (you will have to stick around to hear that one) and the flies have all gone (good riddance), there will be an eternal work that has taken root in maybe one person's heart that not only changes their world, but the world of everybody around them and though we can take no credit for the eternal work, there is, as it says in Philippians 4, a credit to our account, but we don’t get to chapter four till Thursday.

Congratulations Samuel & Dominique Scotti

Congratulations Samuel & Dominique Scotti

Last May, Corinne and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary and though I am much too young to have been married that long, looking back the time has flown by so fast and has left me reeling in its wake. But what has made the quick passing even more imprinted on my mind was my son Samuel getting married earlier this month. I know some of you may be surprised to hear that Samuel is now married. Well, so were Corinne and I when he told us his plans
only a few short months ago.

There was a lot involved to make this all happen in such a short period of time. Not only the invitations, location, and all the other planning, but we also had to fly Dominique out from Missouri, Samuel from North Carolina and
Jordan from Louisiana only a day before the wedding so they could be married here in California. In all this, I realized that your kids may move away, but they never move out of your life or your heart and there was nothing
that could have prepared me for standing in front of my son and asking him, "Do you, Samuel, take Dominique to be your wife?" I was so thrilled.

With them both being in the military and knowing that they will be separated from each other for long periods of time, there is obviously going to be more stress involved for them than you would normally have in a new marriage
and everyone from staff sergeants to grandmothers has talked to them about it. But something we have recognized through all this is that there are no guarantees one way or the other. I mean, I know couples who were married and
had kids (not necessarily in that order), both before they admittedly were ready and they are doing wonderfully well and have been for years, but I also know couples who "kissed dating goodbye", waited for the "perfect"
person, did things "by the book" so to speak, and their marriage has ended tragically, not to mention those who have lost the love of their life to disease or some sort of misfortune. Bottom line is we just don't know what
the future holds for any of us. So what can you do? Well, Jude tells us to keep ourselves in the love of God as we wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring us to eternal life. There is something about God's love that
is gripping, refining, and healing. Paul even spoke in Philippians 3 of how he was pressing on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him.
I shared this thought with my son that day as I told him of how he took hold of my life when he was born, that because of him, I knew I could not let him grow up without a dad like I had done. That because of him there was something that gripped my life and said "you can't quit, no matter what", that because of him, love took hold of me and changed not only my life, but me for the better. I believe that love for God does this in us as well and it can touch the very core of our being and that this love is able to change us better than any rules, regulations or law ever could.
So my advice for all of us is that found in Jude. Keep yourself in the love of God.

Well Done

Well Done

I would like to take some of your time to boast about something, but before I do I would like to input C. S. Lewis' thoughts on this matter from his book, Mere Christianity, where he points out the difference between pride and being 'proud of.' "Pride," he states, "is the complete anti-God state of mind," but he also states that "pleasure in being praised is not pride" and he gives the example of a child getting a pat on the back for doing his lessons well or the saved soul who hears from God the words "Well done." In these situations they are pleased and ought to be. Well, I would like to boast and give a pat on the back to my son Daniel, and explain how proud I am of him and why.

A few weeks ago, Daniel sent me a text message followed up by a phone call and then communicating the news in person, that he was asked to go full time on staff at Saddleback Church. He was excited and overwhelmed with the opportunity and new position, but more importantly he was also humbled. As we talked more that evening, I can't put into words the swell of emotion I was feeling, the joy not only for my son, but in my son, as I talked with him about serving the Lord.

Now you have to understand, I have been involved with and talking about ministry for years, but this time it was special because I was sharing these things that have meant so much to me with my son who means so much to me and it was really too much.

I've shared in the past about my other two boys and their choice of careers being on the rather dangerous side, and coming to grips with those choices. It wasn't long before I realized the same was true with Daniel as well. How can serving in ministry be as dangerous as an underwater diver or a Marine, you ask? Think about it, if we are in a spiritual warfare and do not wrestle with flesh and blood as Paul tells us in Eph. 6, then who would be on the frontlines? I believe it would be those who are making an impact for God's kingdom and again that's where I now find my son, on this spiritual frontline.

As I see Daniel serving the Lord and now facing these spiritual battles, it's hard not to let fear and worry entertain my thoughts just as I do all my children, but I have to trust and believe in God's goodness. I know that if Daniel asked me for bread I would not give him a stone and if I am evil in my nature and know how to give what is good to my son how much more so will God.

In closing, I want to boast just a bit more because as I am able to see in Daniel not only the things that we now have in common, I am also able to see further still, the things that I long for in myself. I see a gentleness and concern for others, a willingness to confront himself and be humbled in the eyes of others. I would like to say to my son Daniel what I believe one day he will hear from Jesus himself, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Funny - click to see it better

Got a kick out of this (Thanks to Ben)

South Baja

Here is a little video I put together from last weeks recent trip to Mexico.



Oh, and I may have been wrong about correcting Bill on the video about the date of the Pastor conference. He may be right after all (the man's a machine I tell you).

May Baptism

Here are some photos from Sunday's Baptism




We had a great time celebrating with those wh were being bapized. They acknowledged their commitment to follow and live for Christ before their friends and families.

I've also got some great news to share that I hope to blog about soon.

Reflections & Illumination

Reflections & Illumination

We had our first official Sunday gathering in a building yesterday, what a great morning! It seems only now in looking back that I’m getting a feel for all that happened. Saturday night before Mother’s Day, I started rethinking what I was going to talk about; in part because of a few people I know who have lost their moms recently, two in just the past year. I was also thinking of those Moms who have lost their children and I saw the realization of how “Mother’s Day”, which is supposed to be a day of recognition and celebration, becomes for some a day of remembrance and sorrow which took me (don’t ask me how) to John 8 where the religious leaders of Jesus’ day took and dragged a woman before Jesus (probably naked) caught in adultery, with the sole purpose of trying to trap Him. The connection in my mind became this: the law that was given to the Hebrew people was for their benefit and protection, but it had become a means of manipulation and bondage and what was meant for good had become very bad.

When I read through this scripture again, I was more than ever before drawn to vs. 12 where Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This passage seems to be directly connected to the account of the woman brought before Jesus and so I wondered what is this light of life exposing here? What darkness is Jesus referring to? Light is an incredible thing. The same light that exposes all that we see is also the light that blinds us if we are in a dark place and are suddenly exposed to it. In John’s passage, the darkness of adultery obviously comes to mind, but what about the darkness of the harsh religiosity that cared more about trapping someone and not at all that it would leave in its wake the complete destruction of someone else? After all, Jesus’ words were directed at that as well. Anyway, that ruined me and detoured what I ended up talking about that morning.

So, back to that morning, many of us heard people say they couldn’t believe this was our first time here on Sunday because things seemed to go so smoothly and again, looking back it really was rather amazing. Our biggest glitch was that we didn’t plan for that many people to show up and so the extra chairs were under the stage and inaccessible. But fortunately, we were able in just seconds to roll out these nifty bench things and accommodate those who were still coming in.
Someone told me that they counted over 130 people. Some were of course there because it was Mother’s Day and they came for Mom and others just came by to show us support for our first Sunday at Pioneer Jr. High, which I appreciated so much. After all was said and done, we were on a total adrenalin rush and felt that the Lord used us all and that morning to make a difference in the lives of those who came. We also felt the affirmation of a work God wants to continue doing and look forward to being a part of that work.

“Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” -Joshua 3:5

Happy Mother's Day

Well it’s Mother’s day this Sunday and it’s been exciting for us as we are having our first indoor service at Pioneer Jr. High (it was hot last week!). In the midst of all the new location preparations, the printing and handing out invitations, getting and setting up the audio / video equipment, buying changing tables, swings, crafts for the children’s ministry and let's not forget the paper work and legal insurance stuff. I noticed how so many of the things that we care about and pour ourselves into have to be patiently nurtured and cared for, even as a mom does with her child. Is it exhausting? You bet. Do we worry? Well, unfortunately we do. Is it exciting? Yes, beyond words. What a great example and illustration the Lord has given us in these relationships, even for those who may have had relationships that have been less than what they should be, there is still the hint of God’s whisper in all of our hearts to what this relationship is meant to be.

As one whom his mother comforts,
So I will comfort you… (Isaiah 66:13)

So for those of us who have had great examples from our moms and for those who know it only as a desire of what it should be, I hope this brings a beautiful, comforting and clear picture of how much God powerfully cares for you.

Happy Mother’s Day

The Core

The Core

There is a scripture where we get this real cool picture of suiting up and preparing for battle in Eph. 6, “So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you.”
I love this imagery! But then I love all that Gladiator/Braveheart kind of stuff. Of course Paul had much more in mind than just imagery and we need to be careful not to minimize the practicality of these words in our lives. So, what is this imagery about? How do we put some of this armor on?
Notice that some of the things mentioned, Truth and righteousness in particular, have a lot to do with our character, with who we are at the core, and how we live is intrinsically fixed to how we will be able to stand when we face battle.

I learned a lesson on the importance of this when I was a few years out of high school. Some friends and I would drive around in an old Chevy van that had pillows instead of seats (it was legal back then) and a hole where a moon roof was some day going to go. On weekends we’d look for opportunities to share our faith in Jesus with people and it was amazing how many things would open up to us. But there was one time that touches this point of character and being ready.

Around 2:00 a.m. we came across a man walking down the street so we pulled the van over and from inside began talking to him. There were three of us in the front, Rich was driving, my friend Rick was in the passenger seat, I was sitting on something in the middle and two more friends, Dave and Ray, were in the back. As we began small-talking with him, “Where you going, need a ride?” it was obvious that he was messed up. He seemed a little disheveled and strung out on drugs, and some of the things he said just didn’t make sense, like how old he was or where he was from and he kept telling us different names for himself. As our conversation pushed to his spiritual condition, his responses began to get quite dark and confusing, and the more we talked, the stranger, darker and more confusing things got. I distinctly remember at one point in our conversation becoming aware that this darkness and confusion wasn’t a matter of drugs or any mentally disturbance, and then it happened.

I don’t remember what brought on his response and I really don’t know how to explain what happened so I will just tell you what happened. A voice came out of this man that wasn’t his. It seemed as if his mouth wasn’t moving with what he (or it) was saying and when he locked eyes with me my blood froze and I thought to myself, “Oh God, I think this man is demon possessed.” Immediately he replied, (eyes still burning a hole in me), “Now you’ve got it!” “Wait”, I thought to myself, I didn’t say anything!!

I wish I could say that I behaved like Jesus or Paul, but the truth is I freaked out! And with a voice a lot like a schoolgirl (no offense, girls) I stood up through the moon roof and said “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus!” (It’s all I could think of). Again, I wish I could say the demon(s) ran into a herd of cats or something, and we led him to the Lord, but that didn’t happen. He just laughed at me and continued freaking us out with that voice and with the things he said and Rich just stepped on the gas and burned rubber out of there. Yeah, not quite a win or even a tie, it was a definite loss; crazy demon voice guy 1, Christian guys 0.

There are a few things I remember so clearly about that encounter. One was Rick’s reaction when the voice came out. He immediately, and I mean more than quickly, turned straight ahead away from this guy and looked absolutely horrified. Can’t blame him, he was literally inches away. The second was this heightened awareness of everything “not right” in my life. We all shared this feeling as we talked, prayed and confessed afterwards. It was as if there were a thousand post-it notes on my forehead of everything I was doing wrong or not doing right. The magazine under my mattress, what I had said to my mom in anger, my pride, etc… I was literally drowning in the truth of who I was, and it was not a life of righteous character. My armor was weak in a few places and boy, did it show.

I am not ignorant to the fact that it is in Christ’s righteousness alone that we stand. That is very much a part of the shield of faith and I love how Today’s English Version says to accept salvation as a helmet, but that is why we need to, at our core, be held together (girded) with a true and genuine life and in God’s righteousness so that we can handle skillfully the shield and sword at those times.

Some will read this and think that I (and all of us that night I suppose), were overreacting. Some may have trouble sleeping (sorry), but I hope some will see that the core of who we are really matters. That living true and right lives is an important part of the battles we face if we are going to stand firm.

Vision

Vision

A couple of months ago I was driving home on the 101 back from a lesson and was thinking about what a friend had told me regarding spelling out my vision for Genesis, especially to those who were involved in leadership roles so they could have clarity, both in where we are headed as well as our vision to get there. As I was parked (I mean driving) there on the fwy, a sentence came to mind which surprised me. It surprised me because the words didn’t seem to be anywhere in my head a moment earlier, but they seemed to sum up rather simply a lot of what I was wrestling with.
Anyway, the sentence was this…

“Embolden one another to begin changing the world, by effectively representing Jesus Christ”

Embolden? I really don’t remember ever using that word. In fact, I had to look it up to be certain of its meaning, which is to instill with boldness. And the more I’ve thought about it, the more I like it. Throughout scripture there are examples of those who had to be “instilled with boldness.” Joshua was told 3 times in as many verses to be strong and courageous as well as not to be terrified. Jeremiah & Isaiah similarly were told not to be afraid and both Timothy and Esther were encouraged by others not to miss the opportunity that was before them.
I think it’s easy for us to see that we all need to be instilled with boldness. The writer of Hebrews even tells us to think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works, but to begin changing the world? I admit that sounds a little like motivational speaker hype, yet I believe it’s what we are called to do and what will naturally take place if we fulfill Jesus’ commission to go and make disciples of all nations. I also think it’s worth thinking about those who have impacted the world for evil and how they were anything but passive in their intentions or ambitions. Whether it’s Bin Laden, Stalin or Hitler, they have purposefully and horrifically impacted the lives of millions! Which makes me wonder, what would happen if we purposefully and ambitiously moved to change the world for the good?
We are currently going through the book of Luke on Fridays and I’ve been looking at the phrase “the Kingdom of God” which Jesus has been repeating. Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God as a work already in progress as well as something yet to come, but one of the things I’ve noticed is that He never tells or invites us to build or advance the Kingdom of God… never. He does, however, invite us to be a part of it. It may seem like a small thing, but when it comes to doing good things to change the world, motive is a huge thing and if we are honest, many times what we really want is God to help us build our kingdom (after all, it’s to do good) or at least give us a small province in His, but that really is so contrary to what the Kingdom of God is about. It’s about Him and His work in the lives of those who will allow it to grow in their hearts. We and this world are so “self” driven, but the Kingdom of God, like Christ Himself, is “others” driven and I think that is at the heart of “effectively representing Jesus Christ”. It’s thinking of others more than ourselves (Phil. 2), forgiving even as God in Christ has forgiven us (Eph. 4), and laying down our lives for one another as Jesus has for us (1Jn. 3). That is how we represent Him and how I believe we can change the world.
Remember, in this world we are like him (1 John 4:17).
So then …
“Embolden one another to begin changing the world, by effectively representing Jesus Christ”

What do you say? Are you in?

A fun little video

Bruce (that’s the dog) was difficult to walk, would pull Gregg (that’s the guy) and take off after other dogs. This was taken two months into the training. Notice how Bruce keeps looking up to Greg to see where he’s going. Off leash obedience! Come on, you have to admit this is pretty cool.

(Both videos are the same, some just have had problems viewing on the blogger so I added the youtube.)

See, I really do train dogs!

“Genesis: Life starts here”

“Genesis: Life starts here”

As most of you know I have been part of a home study for the past 2 months and I have to say it’s been an incredible experience as we have seen God working in amazing ways. There have been some really beautiful answers to prayer and encouraging things that have taken place.

A week ago I spoke with a young lady who has been having dreams about going to Africa and had a God given desire to go, so we prayed together and in just two days the Lord has opened the doors for her to go with Calvary Lake Arrowhead in June. Another amazing thing that happened this past Friday was when one of the young girls at the study shared how she has been praying for her mom and this week her mom has been picking up and reading her bible!! We are continuing to pray and hope she will join us some time soon.

Some of you may not yet know, as I don’t believe I have written about it, but we have moved forward and filed for our non-profit status and will became a state recognized church in the very near future, although it’s more important that we are recognized by Jesus than the state.

That being said we did have our first service this past Sunday (Easter as it’s called), what a great day!! We met in John and Tammy’s back yard, the weather was wonderful and we had a great time together honoring the resurrection of our Lord. I spoke from Luke 24 “the Road to Emmaus”, how Jesus showed up when they were in the middle of conversation about him. It’s so important that we keep the Lord in the midst of our conversation, and not just on Sunday’s or Easter services, but in our everyday life when we’re walking together on the road. It was also telling that the way Jesus chose to reveal himself to the two on the road wasn’t to remove the veil that hid his identity, but instead He took them to the scriptures, because as the Lord told us in John 5 the scriptures point to Him. So, how important are the scriptures for us today if we are going to get a clear picture of who Jesus is? Yeah, very.

I was thrilled afterwards talking with the people who were there as we continued the conversation about Jesus and His desire for our lives and to hear where they were on lifes road. I believe there are many who can identify with those two on the road to Emmaus, who believe in Jesus, but don’t yet fully realize who He is, that He’s alive and desires to walk with us still.

I'm looking forward as we We are going to search to get a clear picture of Him together
What a great beginning.

...Genesis: Life starts here

Doctrine, Culture the Eternal & the Emerging

Doctrine, Culture the Eternal & the Emerging

Every generation can be distinguished from other generations by a variety of things; music, clothing or even hairstyles (can you say mullet?)

I think it’s important when we discuss changes within the Christian faith that we are clear to distinguish the difference between doctrine (what we believe) and culture (how we relate those beliefs). For instance, there was a time when the thought of playing drums in a worship service was considered outrageous and in some places it still is, but style of music is cultural, not doctrinal. And years ago when the church was reaching out to those them there hippies, they put on rock concerts. Longhaired, bare footed preachers would say things like, "Jesus is far out". Now if we spent time arguing whether 'far out' should really apply to the Son of God or not, we would have failed to understand that 'far out' simply meant groovy, I mean outta sight, or well, you get my point. It meant good (not that I’m old enough to know about that). Now having long hair and saying 'far out' was not essential to reach hippies, but it could help remove some cultural road blocks in that emerging culture. I said in my last blog that I was going to talk about the things that I am for and against regarding what is called the emerging church and actually what I have just stated pretty much sums it up. I think it is crucial that we hold tenaciously to our beliefs (doctrine) and tentatively to our traditions (culture). If we are not careful, we can make how we communicate more important than what we communicate and become what Jesus referred to as old wine skins. The adage, "God said it, I believe it, that settles it" really doesn’t cut it in most of today’s culture. We need to ask ourselves what use is what we believe if we can’t communicate it effectively to those around us?

So then, how do we relate our beliefs to today’s culture? First, we have to listen. In our society, especially western societies, there are so many cultures and beliefs that one size of communication definitely does not fit all. Say, for example, you are having a conversation with a devout Muslim; do you think inviting them to a crusade is the best way to reach them? Even among Native American Indians the word 'mission' can have negative connotations, so really the only way to be effective in what we say is to first be attentive to the people we are saying them to. Because who knows, some Muslims have no problem going to a crusade, but for others, there is just no way.

I love the way Jesus dialoged with people. He didn’t have this air of being unapproachable or a “know it all” (even though He did). He would draw individuals in by telling them stories they could relate to and asked them questions, making room for them to connect to God personally. “What does it profit if a man gains the world and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” “What good is it if you love those who love you, what reward is there for that?” We need to take a good look at how we communicate our beliefs to others. It's not about changing the message, it’s about engaging people in conversation with this message so that they are able to encounter God and find the life that is found in Him.

The Baby, and the Bath Water

The Baby and the Bath Water

About four and a half years ago I read an article in a worship leader magazine that absolutely thrilled me. The article spoke of the need to communicate effectively the message of who Christ is and some of the pitfalls that we can fall into by not understanding the changes in our emerging culture and the people we communicate with. Since then, the words ‘emerging’ and ‘emerging church’ have become quite the topic, and for good reasons.

Since that writing, I have read at least a half dozen books and who knows how many articles about the “Emerging Church.” Some of them have been interesting, some insightful, and some just plain anarchy against scripture, which is why I found it both amusing and confusing when I heard that some are saying that I’m a part of the emerging church. I wonder which one they mean.
It’s interesting (to me at least) that the people and ministries that I believe have been successful at reaching today’s culture and who I might consider “emergent” in that regard don’t claim that for themselves, but are labeled that by others, which I suppose gives me hope at least, but those who have labeled themselves as “emerging churches” I would have to describe as trying too hard just to be different.

With the array of thoughts on what the emerging church is (or isn’t), I want to address a few things that I have gained, as well as a few I reject. Hopefully this will at least clarify some of what has come to me about myself by way of others. First of all, I do not consider myself a part of the emerging church since there is no way to define what that really means. To quote my brother, “It’s like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall”... you just can’t make it stick to anything consistent. And truth be told, there is really only one church, and no person or denomination has claim to her. As I have been telling the Friday study group, we are not starting a church, we are the church! I did get that by the way from one of those books I read, but then its truth was taken from that other book, the bible.

Paul urged those in Thessalonica to examine (test) everything; hold on to what is good. I think it would be wise to have this attitude toward all the things we read (or hear). Whether they are considered secular, emergent or Christian. But it seems instead of testing all things we are quick to judge all things and lose that which may be good. I know from experience that it’s much easier to criticize than it is to examine and I have been guilty plenty of times of being quick to speak and slow to hear, contrary to James’s admonition to do the opposite. But we all need to realize that a hasty declaration may be followed by a regrettable conclusion and if we’re not careful, we will have thrown the baby out with the bath water.
I said I want to address a few things that I am for and against with what has been called the emerging church and I will in my next blog, as well as some new things happening in our Friday’s gathering. Until then “…this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” (Phil.1:9 – 10)
Amen