Journey Trail Notes

Tim's World

2012-01-20T11:17:00.000-08:00

Those who wait for perfect weather
will never plant seeds;
those who look at every cloud
will never harvest crops…
Plant early in the morning,
and work until evening,
because you don’t know if this or that will succeed.
They might both do well. – Ecclesiastes 11:4, 6

I am challenged this morning in my steps to start 2012 witha fresh start. I have set aside the annual New Year’s Resolutions (which Irepeatedly fail), and prayerfully sought God’s best for me in my physicalhealth, relationships, work and ministry and personal growth. The renewedvision of God’s path for me was like a breath of fresh air after spending anhour in a discount perfume store. One of the significant challenges in takingthe right steps and decisions in following this new path was life. Life gets inthe way of the best laid plans: we get busy, the urgent commands our time,sickness, family, distractions, finances, etc. We could easily accomplish allthat we hope if we lived in a vacuum world and we controlled all theenvironmental factors.

I daydream of what my day would be like in “Tim’s World”. Iwould get up early spend an hour in prayer and devotions, create a breakfastfeast of Swedish Pancakes & eggs for my family, workout in a gym for 2hours (sauna time included), enjoy a relaxed conversation with my beautifulwife over a cup of freshly brewed coffee, read a chapter from each of the threebooks I am currently reading, write another inspiring, witty blog, delve intodeep thoughts in my journal, begin writing a book…then head off to the officeat 8:00 AM and begin my day. I could probably accomplish all of the above if Ichose to ignore that pesky time waster, sleep.

“Tim’s World” may never exist, but sometimes I fail to takedaily action on the right thing to do for that day because I am stillfantasizing about the perfect conditions to accomplish it. The reality is todayis the perfect day for action. You may not feel like it, feel discouraged,tired, unmotivated, overworked, etc., but if you wait for the stars to align,time to stand still, and the “perfect” conditions, you will miss out on takinga step of action today. I think that’s what the writer of ancient wisdom inEcclesiastes shares with us – Plant today, even if its muddy, chilly, and wet,and a harvest will come. For me…well at least I was able to write this blog…bynoon.

Eyes Glued Open

2012-01-13T11:55:00.000-08:00

Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but afool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. – Proverbs 17:24 (NLT)

What are you aiming at? A couple of phrases you may haveheard before: “Tend to your goals. He who aims at nothing is sure to hit it”and “There’s no point in carrying the ball unless you know where the goal is”. Aswe begin 2012 many often set New Year’s Resolutions to either start or stopsomething with a change of direction in behavior, habits or attitude. Most willgive up their resolution after 30 days. At the heart of resolutions is a hope,an aspiration, a dream…a target. To hit the target we need to aim, to havefocus and clarity in the steps and goals necessary.

Many years ago I had a dream, to find a young beautifulChristian woman and hoped that when I smiled at her she wouldn’t run away. Oneday as a college student in Santa Cruz, CA I smiled at a lovely face andshe smiled back. In time the target became crystal clear, to see us standingfacing each and sharing our vows before the minister, friends and family withfireworks an 80’s pop band and driving away in a convertible corvette with mybeloved. For that to happen I needed to have good aim, focus and clarity insteps and goals along the way. In our dates I tried to be witty, fun, creativeand masculine. Even though I failed miserably (like the time she had to push mybeat up Ford Pinto so I could pop the clutch to get it started, or when Iembarrassed her with a HUGE bouquet of blue flowers at her graduation) sheliked me anyway. After a few years the next big steps were to talk to her Dadfor permission to marry his daughter, buy a ring on a burger flipping income,surprise her with the BIG question, hope for a “yes”, and then plan for thewedding day (which to my surprise she did 99% of it – thus no fireworks, 80’sband or corvette).

After 21+ years of marriage I am thankful I’ve kept my eyesglued on wisdom and to not let my eyes wander…that would be foolish. I am ablessed man to be married to Charlene, my best decision in life second only tofollowing Christ. There have been many targets, aims, and goals since then, andthe ones that have been fruitful are those that have been centered, focusedwith eyes glued on God’s wisdom. Although my wedding day may not have had explodingrockets, a neon spandex big hair band, or red corvette, I found something muchbetter, a life long treasure.

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receivesfavor from the Lord. – Proverbs 18:22 (NLT)

Looking In

2011-12-16T11:15:00.000-08:00

“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,I will come in and dine with him and he with me.” – Rev. 3:20

Let me take you back to when I was 12 on my newspaper routein the middle of winter during a North Dakotablizzard. As I snowplowed my way down the sidewalks, I looked like Frosty theSnowman waddling up to each house. Itwas dark, bitter cold, the wind was whipping around the streetlights, and thesnow began to form deep banks throughout the neighborhood streets. It was notfit for man nor beast…but the newspaper had to be delivered, and I was upagainst the deadline to collect payments from customers. I stood on the doorstepof one home, pressing the doorbell, and looking inside at the warm glow. The fireplace was crackling with the aromadescending out from the chimney, an older couple sipped on something hot, chipsand pretzels were nearby as they watched Monday Night Football. I could hear the sports commentator call out“Earl Campbell for the Houston Oilers is unstoppable…” No one came to thedoor. I lingered there with ice formingon my eyebrows longing to join this family, to shed my snow crusted gear, warmup by the fire with a hot drink and watch Earl Campbell rumble through thedefenses. I knocked on the door and called out “Newspaper”. No response. Theycouldn’t hear me through the wind outside and the game and crackling firewithin. Too cold to take off my gloves and knock again, I placed the paperinside the screen door and trudged onto the next house.

That childhood memory has stuck in my limited brain becauseof the stark contrast of that moment between the bitter cold and having to completea job with the relaxing warmth of comfort, food, hot drink and Monday NightFootball. It’s probably one reason why I love to watch football today. At thatmoment there could have been nothing I desired more then to join them in theirliving room. I think of this desire of Jesus as he stands at the door of ourlives this Christmas season.

With all of our Christmas season activity with work parties,get-togethers with friends, baking holiday treats, frantic shopping, attendingspecial events and performances, trying to find the perfect “ugly Christmassweater”, making time to watch Elf, or Jingle All the Way, and preparing forthe big day with family, do we hear Jesus knock and call out to us? Are we sobusy with our lives that we have shut the door to Christ and He is left standingoutside looking in? Does he see us preoccupied with our stuff, worries andcelebrations? He desires to join us beside the fire and be in our presence withlaughter or tears, for joy or comfort, but the door is shut.

Open the door to Jesus this Christmas. Invite Him into yourcelebrations, your work, your home, your family…your life. To the world this time of the year is HappyHolidays – spend, drink and be merry. To the Christian this is an opportunityto remember to open the door of Christ into our lives with the hope, joy andpeace only He can offer. When we worship Christ during Christmas we proclaimthe reason for the season and become a testimony to our friends, co-workers,neighbors and family.

Tebowing

2011-12-09T12:21:00.001-08:00

It is no secret I love watching football, and to play competitive fantasy football (Hey, when my guy scores I score, when he gets sacked I feel it the next day). This blog is dedicated to my fantasy football friends and to my Bronco brothers & sisters.

“TEBOW, TEBOW!” the fans at Bronco stadium chant as Tim Tebow, #15 takes the field for the first time late in the game against the Chargers in week 5. At that point as a backup quarterback he hasn’t done a whole lot this season except sit on the sidelines and cheer for his struggling last place team, yet he is one of the most loved or despised players garnering national sports attention each day. Since he has started the last 7 games he has been the hottest news buzz even beyond sports with ESPN, CNN, Fox News and anyone who can write (or try to like me). What’s up with Tebow mania and why is he such a polarizing sports figure? It’s his faith in God and bold declaration that whenever he has a public opportunity he will give credit (praise) to God first, his teammates and coaches second, and third grateful for an opportunity to play the game. But despite the fact that he lives the Christian walk who serves the community, loves his family, supports the church and stays clear of the entrapments of this world, he is one of the most ridiculed, mocked and despised players in the league. Consider the Detroit Lions.

In Tebow’s second game as a starter they faced the surging Detroit Lions with the most powerful player in the league, Ndamukong Suh, a Portland native. In that game, the Lions completely dominated the Broncos and made Tebow look like a high school QB running for his life. During the game two Lions players, S. Tulloch and T. Scheffler mocked him with a “Tebowing” celebration on the field. New Webster word, “Tebowing” the act of kneeling on one knee, head bowed, with fist on forehead in earnest prayer. After the game the Lions ripped into Tebow as an inept NFL QB. At that moment they appeared correct and that Tebow’s NFL career might be short lived. But something improbable happened, Tim Tebow kept his faith centered on God, kept working hard at his profession, believed in his teammates, and kept a positive attitude. Since that game things have dramatically changed for both teams.

The Broncos have won 5 straight games, taking first place in their Division with Tebow winning the reluctant praise as a “winning” QB even from his most ardent critics. The Lions on the other hand have gone from dominant team, feared and respected by all, to likely missing out of the playoffs losing the past 3 of 4. Their star defensive player N. Suh embarrassed himself and the team with a cleated stomp on a player lying on the field with a two game suspension, loss of pay and a car wreck in Portland this past week. After a few other incidents involving their coach and unsportsmanlike penalities, the Lions are getting the reputation of being an undisciplined, immature team that has a lot to learn in life and on the field.

Now, the Broncos could falter and not make the playoffs and that would bum me out, and Tebow could fizzle out as a NFL QB and I would be disappointed. But, even if Tebow’s NFL career is short lived he made a HUGE impact in simply being who he is, a committed Christian who walks the walk and gives praise to God for all accomplishments in his life. That’s why I cheer for Tim Tebow and I hope he wears the Bronco jersey for years to come. For the Lions teammates instead of mocking Tebow maybe you should bow on your knee and join him in prayer giving thanks that you get to play America’s favorite game.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

My Christmas List

2011-12-02T11:13:00.001-08:00

It’s early December and my wife thumbs through our kid’s Christmas lists and with a look of exasperation she turns to me and says, “I need your list. I have no idea what to get you for Christmas.” As I search for an easy answer all I can give to her is “Ok, I’ll think about it and give you some ideas.” So, now I need to make my Christmas list. I don’t know if other guys my age have such a hard time coming up with ideas for Christmas presents, but I’m stumped at the moment. There are a couple of reasons why: one, if it’s something I really want during the year, I usually find a way to get it. “Hey Babe, our internet is slower than dial-up, can I go buy the Lightning Speed Gizzmo Internet Box that runs at 40 mega-zillion bytes per second? You can run Facebook and play Angry Birds at the SAME time!” Two, the stuff I really want costs a boatload of cash like my own media room with a 60 inch LED HDTV, internet gaming, booming surround sound, mini-fridge, popcorn machine and just ONE leather La-Z-Boy recliner, or I could settle for a BMW convertible roadster. But once I leave my fantasyland and all the unicorns have flown away, I get back to the task of creating a realistic Christmas list.

My list is starting to take shape with a few books, flannel pj’s, beef sticks and games, but my mind wanders to what I really want this Christmas beyond a few presents under the tree. All I want for Christmas is to see a smile on my wife’s face with contentment and joy of our shared life together. I desire to see my kids thrive in their interests, studies and friendships. I pray for God’s protection for strong healthy bodies, and that as a family we walk on the path of faith God has provided for us. All I want for Christmas is to know we are in the powerful, merciful, gentle hands of God our Father and to walk in his loving kindness.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11

As I finish my Christmas list, I put my pen down, bow my head and say a prayer of thanks to God that he let me open my present early this year.

Be The One, Give Thanks

2011-11-18T10:49:00.000-08:00

A group of men, sat on rocks, in small clusters, some were telling stories of their families others, looked longingly out across the hills of Jerusalem to a city they could not enter. Unclean, the title that shattered their lives separating them from their families, work, homes, and Temple worship. One of the men looked at the open sores on his hands, knowing that in time, the leprosy would take his fingers, as well as, infect other parts of his body. With little to no hope the men exist from day to day by the support of family and mercy of others.

One of the men spotted a small group traveling, and as they approached he recognized this rabbi, the teacher who many said healed the sick. Getting the attention of the other men, they stood and called out “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” The rabbi stopped, turned and his companions quieted as he gazed upon the pain, loss of dignity, and hopelessness expressed across their faces. With his hopeful command “Go, show yourselves to the priests”, the words prompted all ten men to walk, some faster than others, to the city.

As they traveled, their steps quickened, their backs straightened, their strength returned, and their skin was renewed. No sores, no pain, no disease, means a life restored with family, work, dignity, and they are men once again. Rejoicing some quicken their pace, others stop to show their restored skin to one another, but one man turns back and leaves the group.

He sees the Rabbi in the distance and emotion springs forth as he shouts praises to God. The lone leper, a Samaritan, falls at Jesus’ feet and thanks him, tears flow from a life fully restored. Jesus looks into the hearts and thoughts of his traveling companions and asks, “Were not all ten cleansed?” Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Turning back to the man he softly commends, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Paraphrased from Luke 17:11-19

Charles L Brown asks the question, why did only one cleansed leper return to thank Jesus? He gave a list of nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:

One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, “O, well, Jesus didn’t really do anything.”
One said, “Any rabbi could have done it.”
One said, “I was already much improved.”

In our season of Thanksgiving, we celebrate the joy of family, the comfort of material blessings, health and enjoyment of life, but let’s not forget the lesson of the lone, Samaritan who fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Turn back, pause, in your celebrations this week, fall at Jesus’ feet and in everything give thanks to God.

Who Are Our Veterans?

2011-11-11T12:33:00.000-08:00

Who are our veterans? On 11-11-11 we remember the men and women present and throughout our history that sacrificed for our liberty and security of our nation. From the undermanned Patriot Freedom Fighters, to the underappreciated Vietnam Veterans to our present soldiers serving we honor you. Who are the vets that we honor today? The truth is only you can share their story of who they are in remembrance or in gratitude. The Vets I honor today are my father and brother.

My father, Staff Sergeant, Jerry Koetitz served as an Air Operations Specialist during the Vietnam War stationed in Tennessee (where I was born) and Thailand. Today as a semi-retired minister and doting grandfather his gentle and affable spirit is a joy to be around. I am sure that raising five boys was his greatest challenge in life (we gave him plenty) and I have the war stories to prove it. I remember one hot summer day in Rhame, ND as a bored teen, I saw several five gallon buckets of paint sitting in the garage. So without asking I grabbed a brush and began painting the exterior of our house. Mid-way through I came to my senses and asked Dad if that was okay. Each of us have given him his battle scars like driving a station wagon full of screaming girls through a garage, or wrapping his mini-van around a tree, playing baseball in the house, setting bologna on fire on the kitchen floor, or bringing home a live turkey for Thanksgiving. I am surprised he is still with us.

My brother, 1st Lt. Jon-Mark Koetitz is currently serving in Afghanistan as a C-130 pilot in the Air National Guard. He is a devoted husband and engaging brother and friend. His magnetic personality draws others around him with warmth, joy and wit. I remember his basic training began in Kindergarten during the winter in N.D. I had him put on his snow suit with gloves and boots and I grabbed my BB Gun. Outside in the snow, I had my little brothers practice their running, ducking and rolling to evade enemy fire. Training went well as I heard the “puffs” of my BB’s zing off their snow suits as they darted from the house to the fence, till Jon-Mark let out a howl in pain. He was wounded by enemy fire as a BB hit his skin in between his mittens and his snow suit. Drill Sergeant Mom put an end to this basic training exercise. I know my little brother will sit by himself at the dinning room table in defiance at not eating his vegetables…even as an adult. He doesn’t like to search for leftovers in the fridge, but he enjoys surfing in So. Cal and snowboarding pristine mountain slopes.

Who are our honored veterans? They are brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, grandfathers, grandmothers with a story of life. They have battle scars, some from the engagement in war and some from us. They also celebrate victories and pride in their service to our nation, and in their shared lives with each one of us. Today, I honor two veterans who are close to me and I say “Thank you Dad, Thank you Jon-Mark” for your service and sacrifice to keep our nation strong and free and for your love and friendship. I am proud of you.

Till Death Do Us Part

2011-11-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

“Till death do us part”, we state in our marriage vows full of hope and expectation. The reality for many couples is they have lost that hope. The joy, the strength, the reliance upon one another and the hope of a life-time commitment seems like a fading mist in the memory of their wedding day. A couple of weeks ago there was a news story of a couple that swept through our nation that reminded me of my commitment “Till death do us part”.

KCCI News in Iowa reported the story of an elderly couple that had been hospitalized after a car accident, News Story. They were given a room together with beds side-by-side and sadly both were very weak. Gordon Yeager (94) and his wife Norma (90), had been married 72 years and as their bodies weakened he held Norma’s hand till his breathing stopped. As the nurses attended to him the heart monitor still registered a heartbeat. It was Norma’s pulse through his hand. Still holding hands, exactly one hour later Norma passed from this life. “Till death do us part”, Gordon and Norma give us a tender, tearful, but hopeful example of what those words really mean.

If we were to interview Gordon and Norma and listen as they shared what their 72 years together were like, I think we would hear about times of joy and celebration, times of pain and struggle, times when they were close, times when they weren’t, but through it all they never let go. They never let go. Only after both had taken their last breath did their grip loosen. "They just loved being together," Dennis Yeager [their son] said. "He always said, 'I can't go until she does because I gotta stay here for her.' And she would say the same thing." Our Heavenly Father saw their love and called them home together.

When I heard this tender story of life-long love, I reached for Charlene’s hand. While we were sitting on the couch holding hands I wasn’t paying attention to the kids or what was on the TV, but engrossed in my thoughts of how petty and self-centered I can be in our marriage. I think it is safe to say that when we allow disappointments and struggles in marriage to fester over time in self-centeredness that’s when our grip begins to loosen. Thanks to Gordon and Norma I was reminded of my vows and to never, never, never let go…“till death do us part”.

“My Lover is mine and I am his…when I found the one my heart loves, I held him and would not let him go.” Song of Solomon 2:16, 3:4

“How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh how beautiful!” Song of Solomon 4:1

Reality Hits You Hard Bro!

2011-10-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

“Reality hits you hard Bro!” says George Lindell, as he dramatically shares the events in a multiple car accident in Phoenix. His interview has become a viral YouTube video that has spread across the www (watch it below). As we laugh at his unique description of the accident he summarizes the unexpected realities of life, “Reality hits you hard Bro”.

When we are standing toe-to-toe with an unexpected life reality, the challenge can rise like Goliath towering over us. We feel threatened, insecure, anxious, demoralized, frustrated, angry, sad, depressed and probably a lot more emotions. For some the hard hitting reality might be health issues, relationship stress, family finances, unfulfilled expectations, hopes and dreams, or even consequences to our choices. I’ve felt Goliath’s stinky breath (I am sure an ancient giant Philistine doesn’t bother to brush his teeth after morning tea and toast) in all of the above. Tomorrow is the funeral of my best high school friend in Rhame, ND, Lee Brooks. He battled a rare blood disease the past couple of years and is leaving behind 3 boys about the same age as our kids. I remember Lee as an athletic, talented, witty, and loyal friend. His reality hit hard when he was training for a marathon, and he didn’t have the stamina and strength he was used to and went to see a doctor. Goliath mocked him in the doctor’s office that day.

You remember Goliath. He made his enemies tremble in fear, hide behind their tents, and silently take his mocking abuse, but there was one who rose to the challenge. A shepherd boy armed with a sling and five smooth stones. Over the past two years, the blogs from my friend, were increasingly hopeful, full of strength, humor and optimism, even while receiving debilitating treatment. His words reflected his reliance upon a true source of strength and encouragement, God. Through the love and support of family and friends and his own faith he was able to stand toe-to-toe with his Goliath. Although his body succumbed, his spirit stood strong in faith.

The shepherd boy took one small stone placed it in his sling and called out to Goliath, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts…This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand…then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands”. – 1 Samuel 17:45-47 The rest is legendary battlefield history.

Tomorrow as I remember my friend, I will remember him as a farmer boy, full of life, optimism, and courage who faced Goliath and proclaimed the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into my hands. Today in God’s presence Lee has his new eternal body full of strength and vigor and no Goliath to be seen or heard and Lee states to the defeated Goliath "Reality hits you hard Bro".

Captain Ahab & Stinging Nettles

2011-10-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

“I’d strike the sun if it insulted me.” In the classic American novel by Herman Melville, Captain Ahab leads his whaling crew on a ill-fated mission of personal revenge against the great white evil leviathan, Moby Dick. In his steadfast resolve he stands on one leg and shakes his fist in defiance of those he loves, his crew, reason, reality, nature, and even against God. Defiance to his last breath makes Captain Ahab a tragic figure in literature.

We can see the seeds of defiance within us even at an early age. As parents we have all had our jaws drop to the floor when our two-year old looks us squarely in the eye and emphatically states “NO” back to us. Teenage years are known for testing, challenging, and even striving against anyone in authority. As adults the seed of defiance can mature into a thriving thistle covered in beautiful flowers. One painful memory I have while hiking through the vibrant mountain meadows in Northern Utah is brushing up against a Stinging Nettle. As a kid I thought I had been bitten by a rattlesnake as the pain ran up my leg or through my arm. As the pain subsided my attention moved from the beauty around me to primarily avoid any more stinging nettles. Likewise when we brush up against defiance it stings, distracts us, and we become cautious to avoid it.

What if we have a few thistles within us? If we spot a hidden thistle of defiance within us whether it is against others or even in rebellion toward God, we can pull it out through submitting to the healing, restoring grace of God our Father.

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. – 1 Peter 5:5-6

Throughout the entire Bible we find key words to align us with God’s will, purpose and plan for our lives: humility, submission, to submit, obedience, fear of the Lord, repentance, wisdom. As Captain Ahab stubbornly pursued his selfish quest, he was given many pleas, warnings and headings to redirect his misplaced passion. He ignored them all. If we listen, the Holy Spirit, our counselor, will guide us to those hidden thistles of defiance within us, and in His grace and through obedience they can be pulled up from the roots. We can then experience the hope and love of Christ in all the meadows of our lives.

That's Heavy Man!

2011-09-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

What’s the heaviest thing you have ever experienced? Moving our stuff from state to state and from house to house usually makes me grumble as I am trying to squeeze a sofa through a narrow doorway up the stairs. “Why do I buy such heavy stuff? A nice light futon bed would work out just fine, or a bean bag chair for everyone instead of these monstrous couches would be fun, and couldn’t we just put our clothes in neatly arranged card board storage boxes in place of the dressers that could also be used to anchor the Queen Mary.”

For those of you who are from the Groovy generation (or if you just like to watch the Muppet Show) you may have exclaimed “That’s heavy man”, as you responded to something said that was deep, poignant or insightful. But it could also be said in observation of a sorrowful or painful experience. Heaviness can be both physical and emotional and when you experience a heavy heart it is both. Before cardiologist and psychologists defined the physical and psychological effects of anxiety, stress and worry upon our health, an ancient proverb describes it succinctly:

An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up. – Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)

The KJV says it this way, “Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop…” We have all gone through those times when life feels like a heavy weight upon our heart. Where we don’t feel like we have the strength to move, we feel we are suffocating, tightness in our chest where the shadow of our whole being is stooped in heaviness. That’s heavy man. As believers in Christ we are offered his strength to lift those burdens, worries and cares from our shoulders to his. He proved his strength when he carried the heavy burden of the cross to his death. Jesus felt the physical heaviness of the cross, the pain, the gasping for his last breath. The heart of Jesus carried the emotional heaviness of the cross with great sorrow and grieving by taking on the repulsive sins of humanity. Now that’s heavy man.

As the Proverb describes we have the opportunity to lighten the burden of a friend, family member, neighbor or even the young Burger King cashier with a kind word. Your kindness expressed with a tender glance, an attentive ear, a compassionate heart with a kind word of encouragement or empathy is a gift. Christ’s love and strength is offered through you as your kind word lightens the heavy burden they carry.

Kindness is Like Snow

2011-09-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

“Kindness is like snow – it beautifies everything it covers.” – Anonymous.

I love snow. Not necessarily the cold, the wind, shoveling or driving around that comes along with it, but there is nothing more peaceful than a heavy snowfall. I have lived in some wonderful places where I breathed in the beauty and quiet of falling snow. I remember waking up on a school day in the shadows of the Wasatch Range in Utah, and looking out my window hoping my school bus wouldn’t be able to plow through the snow filled streets. As a teen I experienced the fierce wind and swirling dry snow through a North Dakota blizzard while sitting by the warmth of the fire playing a game of Risk or Chess. In Northern, CA the heavy wet snow was like piled-on frosting plopped on a gingerbread house in the magical Lake Alamanor community. The number one memory I have is while skiing in Breckenridge, CO on the massive mountain. Early in the morning I hit the slopes and skied my way over to a set of runs that I enjoyed. To my surprise I was the first, THE FIRST, skier of the day to go down the run. I stopped at the crest of the run and took a moment to absorb the stillness…no noise, the beauty…the snow on the trees looking out across the horizon the mountain range aglow with the rising sun and the anticipation of this being an epic run. As I effortlessly skied down the run (which was not normal for me), I made the serpentine trail through the knee-high powder. At the bottom, all alone, no other skier in sight, I looked back up the run, and soaked in what was the most spectacular 15 minutes of skiing I will ever experience.

I can picture this anonymous quote that “kindness is like snow – it beautifies everything it covers”. A blanket of fresh heavy snow can even make a dirty city street lined with cars serene and beautiful. Kindness is like that. A simple act of kindness through a smile, word or deed can cover the ugliness of a bad day. Kindness lifts both the recipient and the giver. Kindness is a Godly trait, and is listed as one of the Fruits of the Spirit. God is kind and his expression of love is in Jesus, His son.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. – Ephesians 2:6-7

God’s kindness is like the falling snow that beautifies everything it covers. Out of His mercy, grace and patience with me, my sins, my ugliness is covered by the purity of His loving kindness. The next time we have a heavy snow storm in Damascus (which I hope we have this winter), I will look out our front windows and see the snow pile up on the branches of the evergreens, blanket our lawn and turn our neighborhood into a puffy marshmallow land, and I will remember God’s kindness to me.

Do you Remember?

2011-09-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

Do you remember where you were on September 11th, 2001? As the horrific details of the day unfolded, as most Americans you were likely glued to the TV in disbelief and shock. I was in a classroom filled with 7th and 8th graders whose main questions were who would do this and why? That’s what we all wanted to know. Who, with cold and calculated ideology, could plan and follow through with mass murder of innocent lives? What purpose, message, statement or motivation could fuel this atrocious act? To me only one word expresses a strong enough answer…evil.

The word “evil” by Encarta Dictionary is the quality of being profoundly immoral or wrong, deliberately causing great harm, pain or upset. Our contemporary definition of this word leads us to some foundational follow up questions: If evil exist than can we not name it? If we name it, there must be a decisive judgment between what is moral or immoral? Who gets to judge what is moral or immoral and by what criteria? These are tough questions that can lead many sincere and thoughtful individuals down separate paths. Try tackling that topic in a Jr. High classroom on the fly?

We believe God is good and His goodness is pure and complete. He is Holy. In God’s character and being there is the complete absence of even a shadow of evil. Jesus makes the statement, “No one is good–except God alone”.-Mark 10:18 (NIV) Can someone or something tainted with evil be a judge or set the moral standard? No, there is only one who has the moral purity to define and judge what is good or evil, moral or immoral. God alone, and He has given us the framework of understanding good and evil. From the mention of the Tree of Good and Evil in Genesis, acts of disobedience and rebellion of humanity against God and His will, to evil’s rise in the end of days with Christ’s ultimate victory at His return as written in Revelations, evil describes physical and moral attitudes and actions with its frightening consequences.

As we enter into a national time of remembrance of the ten year anniversary of this attack on our nation, we grieve in the perverse evil that impacted each and every one of us and the innocence lost. Today we can say, “Yes, evil undoubtedly exists”, but our hope in the face of unadulterated evil is the power of the goodness of God. Darkness flees from the Light. Jesus has defeated sin and death in the Cross and resurrection, and God our Father will judge and cast away evil for eternity. Our response as Believers in Christ is to live daily in obedience and alignment of His standard of goodness, mercy and grace.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. – 3 John 11 (NIV)

Cannon Ball!

2011-07-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

“Cannon Ball!!!”, I yelled in mid-air hugging my knees with eyes fixed on the bobbing heads beneath me. Splash!

“Good one Tim!”, said one of the boys treading water as I came up to the surface. We gleefully swam to the side of the pool to re-take our positions in line at the diving board.

Going back a few years to 1978 in Ellendale, ND, I was 11 years-old, with a summer pass to our small local outdoor public pool. With 6-8 friends we spent nearly everyday in the pool with the exception of thunderstorms and passing tornados. I was so tan that when I changed it looked like I had spray-on “Fruit of the Looms”. At a hulking 83lbs, I was a lean, mean, belly-flopping machine. One of our favorite games in the pool was “Bomber”. We would take turns off the diving board and tread water as our friends would try to splash us with water explosive dives like the Cannon Ball, Can Opener, Watermelon, Twister, Dead Man, and Torpedo. Surprisingly when I try to play this game with my kids today, Lifeguards blow their whistle from the top of their guard tower, give me a disapproving look and point to get out of the pool. As I swim to the ladder, I dejectedly mumble something under the water like “splll…teenage…bllerpp… whistle blowing...ggrlggle…Nazi.”

This past week as we enjoyed spending time with family in Spokane, we went to an outdoor pool that reminded me of that awesome summer of 1978. What made that carefree summer so special was the friendships we developed as we morphed into prunes bobbing in the water. I think of the special memories and friendships I’ve treasured over the years: Sitting next to a fellow trumpeter snickering at the squeaking clarinet in H.S. band, getting grass stains and shin burns with my softball teammates, sharing a cup of coffee or Buffalo Hot Wings with friends, hiking, fishing and lately Horseshoes (Thanks for the Mt. Dew Andy). The Apostle Paul affirms the joy and thankfulness of brothers in Christ as he witnesses their spiritual maturity and friendships grow.

Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. – 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NLT)

As wonderful as my treasured memories are, I am looking forward to discovering more with you…bring it on and give it your best Cannon Ball.

Embracing the Small Church - Opportunity

2011-07-08T10:31:00.000-07:00

For you football fans you know the story of Rudy Ruettiger. An undersized football player 5’5”, 165lbs.(That’s me at my college weight), not strong enough nor fast enough to play for the elite University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Yet, with grit, determination and a love for the game, Rudy kept the hope that one day he would be able to play. All four years he tirelessly worked on the practice squad attending all workouts, training camps, and games with never a glimmer of hope he would dress for a game, much less play a down. In the last game of his senior season, the Head Coach told him to dress for the game and with only a few plays left against Georgia Tech, he gave Rudy the nod to go in. Taking his position on the defensive line up against 6’ plus 300lb. linemen, Rudy was nothing more than a pesky fly on the first play. With the clock running out, the ball was snapped and Rudy cut around the hulking blocker and sacked their quarterback. The crowd erupted with a standing ovation and the entire team carried him off the field on their shoulders. His career stats, 2 plays, 1 sack and yet he is one of the most loved and remembered Fighting Irish of all time which includes Hall of Famer’s Joe Montana and Tim Brown. He is also one of only two players to ever be carried off Notre Dame’s field.

One of the advantages of being a strategic small church is the opportunity to give an initial step into service and help develop a budding calling and future ministry. Sometimes even in ministry we reserve certain roles for the professional, trained or experienced, however smaller congregations often struggle trying to fill music, youth, and children’s leadership roles with experienced, trained individuals. If roles go unfilled for long it can reduce the effectiveness and momentum of the overall ministry and vision of the local church. As in football, free-agency isn’t the only way to develop a team. Sometimes giving an initial opportunity to players off of the practice squad is the best way to develop a future Hall of Famer.

When we embrace this opportunity as a small church, we can not only witness the growth and development of a ministry leader, but also be the recipient of their dedicated service. Most watch the games from the stands, or some nervously from the sidelines hoping for the opportunity, but there are those times when the Head Coach gives the nod and says, “Get out there and make a play!” If you are the one running onto the field for the first time, put on your helmet and do your best. As you watch someone make their first hesistant play of ministry you might be watching a future Hall of Famer right in your small church.

Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life… Continue to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone. – 1 Timothy 4:12 & 15, NCV

In God We Trust

2011-07-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

Staring through the darkness, Francis Scott Key strained to see if the banner of our nation was still being flown above Fort McHenry. Being held as a temporary prisoner on one of the British ships involved in the attack, he was encouraged to see the flag still there as the bombs burst in air. He prayed fervently that the mighty Hand of God would grant victory to the fighting men who were putting their lives on the line to protect freedom for themselves, their families, and for generations of Americans to come.

Key’s heart sank when the cannons from Fort McHenry stopped firing almost an hour before the British guns ceased bombarding the shore. Through the night Key wondered if the flag, the symbol of all for which the nation stood, had fallen. Then as the dawn’s early light appeared he saw it. Tattered and scarred, Old Glory, still flew boldly over the land of the free. In the inspiration of that moment, Francis Scott Key wrote the four verses of the poem, originally known as “The Defense of Fort McHenry”, which is now our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”.

In the fourth verse, the phrase, “In God is our trust”, provided the inspiration to “In God We Trust” on our currency in 1865, and our official national motto in 1956.

Oh! Thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Our nation has enjoyed prosperity, democracy, and unprecedented freedom due to our national unity in the acknowledgement of the true source of freedom and provision, the one, true, living God. We may feel our fellow citizens have abandoned this basic principle, but during this weekend as you and your family celebrate our nation’s birth, remember our motto “In God We Trust”.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1

Tough and Battle Tested

2011-06-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day is approaching and many of us Dads can fondly remember the gifts we have been given on our special day. The ties that were neatly folded into a shoe box, wrapped with the Sunday paper comics that were either displaying our favorite sports team, fishing gear, or the ultimate “#1 Dad!” I still have a few hanging in my closet most notably of Bob and Larry (Veggie Tales). You may remember reading homemade cards from your giggling 6-year-old, or opening presents with the typical themes of fishing, golf, sports, or food. When our children, of all ages take time to appreciate us, those are moments to smile and reflect upon the joy of being a father.

But on the other 364 days of the year Fatherhood is a tough job and not for the feint of heart. You have to have nerves of steel to change those explosive diapers. I am not talking about a cute little baby doo-doo. No these are the ones that combine a jar of Skippy, Butterfingers, a stick of dynamite with the toxic smell of skunk, rotten eggs and nuclear radiation. You are battle tested when your toddler, third grader or 16-year-old says “NO!” defiantly. On numerous days you have thrown a ball, played board games, read Dr. Seuss stories (and got tongue-tied), sang with the Wiggles, inflated bicycle tires and balls, be the Jungle Jim, or wonder what happens next with I-Carly and numerous daily activities all after putting in a full day. Your workday may include a dangerous commute of live-action frogger, dealing with not-so-Disney customers and co-workers, a micro-wave lunch, and a survival trip back home. As you pull into your driveway, exhausted and drained, is when your Fatherhood role kicks-in and your children need your best. Fathers are tough, resilient, resourceful and giving.

Father’s have a vital, irreplaceable role in a child’s life. A loving Father provides emotional and physical security, a model of healthy and balanced masculinity, physical play, risk-taking, adventure, and fun. One primary role of a Christian father is to point their children to the Heavenly Father, to be a Godly example of grace, mercy, integrity and love in the likeness of Christ. No other can fulfill your God-given role as a father and the priceless gift you give each day of yourself to your children. To my father friends both novice and experienced – keep up the good fight, for you are fighting for your children.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

Thanks Dad – you are one tough, battle-tested veteran who is a model of Fatherhood.

Like Watching Grass Grow

2011-06-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

You’ve heard the phrase it’s about as exciting like watching grass grow? After living in Oregon I have a different take on this idiom. It’s about as much work like watching grass grow? In Damascus I look forward to Spring hoping for a little more sunshine and 70 plus degree temps, but as soon as I look out my living room window at the grass jungle (I think I hear Tarzan’s yell coming from the neighbors), my excitement turns to dread with all the work ahead. For those of you who are right now watering your lawn with the $11.95 garden hose from Home Depot, laying down a thick coat of 20-20-20 fertilizer, or have given up on nature’s carpet and called in the professionals to stretch out an all weather, hassle-free Astro Turf, you have no idea that grass could grow like this. It’s like a fungus growing in your teenage son’s gymbag over the summer, a Chia Pet on Miracle Grow, or Mr. Clean on Rogaine steroids who turns into Cousin Itt (Addam’s Family character for you young whipper snappers). It’s not boring to watch grass grow in Oregon, it is work!

But I am not intimidated as I fire up my 53,000hp John Deere riding mower with dual blades, lights, Monster Truck tires, and Coke holder (yes, it holds sweetened ice-tea, Mountain Dew and lemonade as well…I know it’s awesome. Charlene says it will hold bottles of water too, but whatever). So, I wait for the clouds to part, when the dove doesn’t come back, and after the rainbow fades I race into the grass jungle, full throttle, blades a slashing. After a couple of hours I stand victorious over nature taking my final sip of my iced beverage as I gently ease my workhorse back into his shed.

No sooner than I take off my grass encrusted clothes, I spot a few areas I may have missed, but I pay it no attention, however, the next morning with the sun beaming the jungle has come to life once again. Seriously, mowing my lawn twice a week, if you can find two dry days to do it, is necessary to just keep your home from disappearing into the Bermuda Triangle of Oregon grass and dandelions. Watching my grass grow is a work that never ends. A friend who grew up in Damascus said to me with a little evil twinkle in his eye, “If you want to really, REALLY get back at someone…go sprinkle fertilizer on his lawn in the middle of the night”. He seemingly took glee in the horror of his neighbor waking up, looking outside and with fists raised, yelling “NOOOOO!”.

I think of my own spiritual formation and growth. It is a work that never ends. Sometimes, just when I think I can kick back, sip on my lemonade and say job well done, the grass and the dandelions grow. The grass of distractions, apathy, pride, self-centeredness with dandelions of anger, jealousy and sin sprouting up is enough to make me want to give up, buy some Astro Turf, a few lawn gnomes and call it good. The good news is that God says I don’t have to tackle this job on my own. God has given me his super powered John Deere, his Holy Spirit with more than enough power to plow through any job. Fortunately for me, I don’t have to wait for a sunny day to tackle the overgrown lawn of spiritual neglect, I can mow each and every day - rain, sleet, snow or shine. In my prayers, devotions, conversations with others and obedience throughout the day, I can tackle the lawn of self with God’s help. But please no pranks of throwing fertilizer on my lawn, okay?

Jesus taught this principle through the illustration of grape vines in John 15:1-4:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

Whole Brain Worship

2011-06-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

Creativity: The ability to use the imagination to develop new and original ideas or things, especially in an artistic context. – Encarta Dictionary.

How would you rate yourself on a creativity scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest? As a 10 you might be a Picasso, Mozart or Martha Stewart or possibly as a 1 where your creativity is limited to using cursive “A1, B3, or C2s” to prioritize your tasks in your daily planner. Some of us tend to be more “right brain” – thinking from more of a holistic and intuitive viewpoint and leading to be more creative, while others of us (me included) tend to be more “left brain” – logical, sequential, and analytical which can limit out-of-the-box creativity. If you are interested in taking a short “right brain/left brain quiz” go to: Right Brain/Left Brain Quiz

How does creativity and worship work together? I think we might say like hand in glove. Creativity can elevate expressions of worship whether in music, art, dance, drama or written word. Those who play instruments, sing or produce artistic expressions of worship are likely Left Brain. So Left Brain, creative people might be gifted with creativity in worship, but what about us logical, analytical Right Brainers? Are we limited to creating a worship “to-do” list for the Lord, or a sequential method of worship? Maybe, but as God has formed, molded and gifted us in our personality, skills, right or left brain, and level of creativity we should seek to glorify and exalt His Holy Name.

I think we have many Biblical examples of individuals who worshipped God through creativity and obedience. Some were highly creative left brain folks like David, the writer of Job, and the impulsive Peter, while others like the Nehemiah, Luke and the Apostle Paul must have been right brain guys. Each of us, regardless of our creativity level or way of thinking can worship God with all of who we are and rejoice in it. God rejoices in our offering of worship and obedience, and He created us to fully reach toward the Heavens to honor, exalt and glorify Him as we are. When we come together as right and left brain folks we can worship with both sides and be whole brain worshippers. In Christ’s love we can offer ourselves as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – Ephesians 5:1-2

Creative Worship

2011-05-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

A friend shared with me a story of a retired farmer in Norfolk, Virginia who has spent the past 30 years creating a scale model, 1:100 of the Temple of Jesus’ time.

Alec Garrard, 78, has dedicated a massive 33,000 hours to constructing the ancient Herod's Temple, which measures a whopping 20 foot by 12 foot. The pensioner has hand-baked and painted every clay brick and tile and even sculpted 4,000 tiny human figures to populate the courtyards.

Historical experts believe the model is the best representation in the world of what the Jewish temple actually looked like and it has attracted thousands of visitors from all over the globe. But Mr. Garrard, who started the elaborate project in his 40s, says his masterpiece will not be finished in his lifetime.

I am in awe at artist, architects, craftsmen, musicians, and writers who glorify God in their unique gifts, skills and talents. Our timeless classic masterpieces like Handel’s Messiah, Leonardo da Vinci’s, The Lord’s Supper, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Painting, Solomon’s Temple, and the Psalms stand on the pinnacle of tangible creative worship to glorify God. We not only marvel at the exceptional human endeavor, but also we worship as it transcends human hands to the exaltation of God.

Today, when I am privileged to witness another express or share their gift, talent or skill in worship to God, I feel as if I am invited inside their personal life while they express their love and devotion to our Creator. I have witnessed creative worship over the years through Christmas dramas, Passion Plays, chorals, specials in church services, professional concerts, and my favorite is attending youth Fine Arts festivals. When I become engaged in a drama, human video, or skit I feel the emotions of the actors. I laugh at the insightful humor of puppet skits, ventriloquists, or videos. I worship along with each ivory key note and chord offering exaltations to heaven or become energized with each electric pick and driving beat of youthful praise. I see through the artist’s eyes, the majesty of God’s creation in photography, sculpture, art or crafts. I am blessed as I am enraptured in their expressions of praise and worship.

Like the farmer in Virginia, we all have a gift, talent or skill to creatively worship God. When we take the risk to share it with others, we invite them to worship alongside with us. Our Heavenly Father shares his creativity to us from the intricacies of the human cell, to earthly landscapes to the unfathomable expanse of the heavens. His joy is to see his creative nature reflected in our expressions of worship back to Him. Let your creativity lead you to worship God with your mind (right-brain), your hands, and your heart and share it with us.

O God my heart is steadfast: I will sing and give praise, even with my glory…I will sing praises to You among the peoples…For Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Your Glory above all the earth. - Psalm 108:1,3,5-6

Embracing the Small Church - An Intergenerational Church

2011-04-29T11:37:00.000-07:00

The bouncy music booms through the speakers as kids, students, and adults of all ages wave their arms, jump and sing “Jesus is my superhero, you’re my star, my best friend…” Smiles, laughter and joy fill the room as we all participate in active worship with our Kids Praise Team. All ages sitting around tables sharing a celebration meal together during an Easter Brunch, July BBQ or Thanksgiving Dinner. When we, of all ages, partake of communion, serve alongside one another, learn, play and worship together we embrace being an intergenerational church.

If you attend a smaller congregation (100 or less) you can often look at the larger church across the street and long for its successful programs: high-energy kid’s ministries, or cutting-edge youth programs, parent resources, elderly adult activities and trips, or single adult programs. They may be staffed by called, full-time pastors and leaders who create dynamic ministries and programs for each generation.

One advantage a small church has over larger program churches is being an intergenerational church. To honor, value, and celebrate each generation, as well as, to worship, connect and serve together of all ages. We truly become the church family that God calls us to be. The Apostle Paul affirms our kinship relationship with one another in 1 Timothy 5:1-2, Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. Being fewer in number gives the smaller congregation more flexibility and ease to participate in church life together. The needs of each generation become our responsibility and not just the responsibility of full-time staff.

Within our family we have a responsibility to one another to show respect, love and care for each age-level needs. 50 years ago, Jim Rayburn founder of Young Life said, “It’s a sin to bore the kids with the gospel”. Our youth and young adults face many challenges to faith and morality that we (older adults) have never had to deal with. Single and married adults have distinct needs. Parents are burdened by over-committed schedules, unbalanced family budgets, and multiple jobs that drain their emotional, spiritual and physical resources. Mid-to-older adults face many relationship, career, health and family challenges as well. We all have distinct needs and hopes, but when we recognize the needs of the other generations we can then best reach out and serve one another with respect, love and care.

As a Pastor I am encouraged when I witness the whole family, joyfully worship, connect and serve as one. I am encouraged when each generation sets aside its preferences, fully engages in intergenerational praise and worship, develops friendships across age-levels and serves one another. I think God, our Father, smiles in affirmation over his family during those times. Embrace the small church and the joy we have in being an intergenerational church.

Celebrate World Day!

2011-04-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Earth Day! For 40 years our Nation has set aside this day to respect and cherish our natural resources. I have been privileged to live in some of our most beautiful Western States, and explore many of our National Parks. Most of my favorite memories are within the beauty and majesty of God’s gift of creation to us.

I remember camping with my parents in the Wasatch Mountains in Utah, and hiking along trails through the scrub oak, aspen groves, meadows of wildflowers, and being terrified as a large owl takes flight only a few yards away. While hauling bales of hay in the baking heat of the North Dakota fields, I remember standing in awe at the approaching ominous dark sky. Giant menacing thunderclouds rolled across the horizon with the terror of tornadoes, vicious lightning and deafening thunder within. While attending college, I walked hand in hand with my beloved along the Santa Cruz beaches. Dolphins played in the surf, Monarch butterflies gathered in the eucalyptus and firs along the cliffs, as the sun peaked through the coastal fog. I remember silently skiing through a foot of new powder as the Colorado Rocky Mountains lay before me in a breathtaking vista. In the Northwest we have stood in the spray of majestic waterfalls, gazed as the sun set over frothing waves, hiked though canyons, hunted for agates, fished for crab and trout and have made lifelong memories outdoors as a family.

When God finished each stage of creation he declared it “Good”. But after God created man in His image He declared it, “Very Good”. To God, today is not merely Earth Day, but World Day, to show His love, appreciation and devotion to His pinnacle of creation…us. For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Good Friday, the day to remember, honor and worship the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross is the day God celebrates World Day. It is the greatest demonstration of His love toward us, But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

On this day, I am humbled to think that the glory and power of Earth’s Creator, sets me atop his creation and extends His love to me on Good Friday, the day God so loved the world…

Silent Love

2011-04-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

The accused stood silent among the seething anger and pointing fingers in the room. Some hurled various accusations but no agreement of two witnesses could make the charges stick. This court took place in abnormal circumstances that violated its own rules. The accused was arrested without charge, they meet in the High Priest’s home into the darkness of night, and on the day of celebration and worship. In an act of desperation the judge steps down from his office of guarantor of justice to vehemently take on the role of prosecutor. The High Priest hurls a leading question to the accused. “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” The life of a man hangs in the stillness of the air. All eyes are starring intently into the face of one they loathe, fear and don’t understand. The accused says, “I am”. Men gasp at his words as he continues “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” “Blasphemy!” yells the judge. That this man claims to be God, who has divine authority over us, and will establish his future rule and reign with power. The High Priest tears his clothes and pronounces his verdict, and immediately the court sentences the accused to death.

The volcano of anger, fear and hate erupts as officers grab the condemned, spit on his face, and blindfold him. They mock his divine acknowledgement yelling “Prophesy!” and striking the defenseless man in the face as they mercilessly beat the Christ, the Son of God. He was sentenced to death not for murder, stealing, or any violation of the law, but for simply being who He is, the Son of God. – Mark 14:53-65

Why? For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son… John 3:16, and This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. – 1 John 4:9,10

Why would the innocent willingly stand condemned to death? Out of love. The Son of God, full of immeasurable power who set the stars in the heavens before life on earth, who always was and always will be took our place of condemnation. With each virulent insult, hurl of degrading spit, or rage of balled up fists that slammed into his cheek…He took it out of love. Love for the world and specifically love for you. If you were present in that mockery of a court room that fateful day, and could catch the eye of Jesus. You would gaze into the depth of unfailing, unflinching, unwavering love which has no bottom. His gaze would penetrate into your soul that would transcend the swirling hate and rage of others and in contrast offer a longing tenderness of compassion for you. His silence is a gift of his life so that you may live. A life of freedom from guilt, sin and death – that you might receive his gift of eternal life with Him.

Thank you Jesus.

Have a Smile : )

2011-04-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

“If you see someone without a smile…give them one of yours.” – author unknown A simple proverb to keep in mind as we begin the morning with our family, interact with co-workers, students or neighbors, and end it by saying “good night” to the ones we love. Through the hours of the day do we have a smile to give away? Are we a miser with our smiles hoarding them to ourselves, or are we a smile philanthropist generously giving to all? How are we able to do this?

First, our smiles flow from the well spring in our heart. Is our heart full of God’s goodness, optimism, hope, love and joy? If so, smiles will become a natural part of who we are all throughout the day with plenty to spare. Others will notice. Second, to give someone a smile is to engage in an act of service. Service is to see a need and offer a hand of support, encouragement or assistance.

I remember learning how to roller skate as a seven-year-old, lacing up my skates with the disco ball lights swirling throughout the rink. John Denver belted out “Thank God, I’m a Country Boy” through the booming speakers as I wobbled to the wooden floor gripping the side rail. After a miserable lap, falling repeatedly and wishing I had a pillow on my backside, I was about ready to give up. After one embarrassing out-of-control spin, legs kicking out in all directions, I fell hard. Just then an angel appeared and offered her hand. My Aunt Julia, a few years older than myself, helped me up, took one arm and her friend took the other and they taught me how to skate. After a number of laps with their support and encouragement they let go…I was skating! I beamed with exhilaration as I joyfully skated in pace with the others making karate chops in the air to the song “Kung Fu Fighting”. I still love to skate.

Jesus taught that his whole purpose was to serve as he instructed his disciples in being great in God’s Kingdom.

Whoever wants to become great among you must serve the rest of you like a servant. 44 Whoever wants to become the first among you must serve all of you like a slave. 45 In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.” – Mark 10:43-45

To serve others is a key quality in being a follower of Christ to the point that one may not truly be following Christ unless they actively engage in service. We can serve in limitless ways to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and even strangers. We can serve an individual or even join an organization or church that serves many. I am encouraged to see many friends giving away smiles as they serve others in Christ’s name by taking boys out camping, teaching kids Bible stories in homes, offering hope through prayer, counsel and support, cleaning out a friend’s basement, moving furniture, teaching English as a second language, or even bringing an elderly person to church. You serve within your church, you serve within your home, you serve within your schools, you serve within the workplace and you serve within your community. In your service, Christ’s love is extended and a smile is given.

Jump!

2011-04-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

Today’s News! Introducing Smell-o-Vision, forget 3-D or high-def., and elevate your TV experience by the breakthrough technology of smell from your TV. The Prime Minister of New Zealand has announced that all cell phones are banned within their borders. Burger King will be offering Whoppers for left-handed people where the condiments will only drip off the right side. The landing of the Space Shuttle Discovery has been diverted from Edwards Air Force Base to a small municipal airport in San Diego. All of these headlines are real stories that were broadcast on April 1st.

Today, April 1st is known as April Fools Day where we like to fool, pull pranks or deceive someone in good fun. The origins of this day takes us back to medieval Europe with the story of Chanticleer and the Fox, one of the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (1392), or possibly in France mocking those who celebrated New Years on March 25th ending on April 1st., and in 1698 where many people were tricked into going into the Tower of London to “see the Lions washed”.*

In reading of the Gospel of Mark, one could see where the headlines of Palestine might be too outlandish to believe: “Traveling Rabbi dismisses mourners and raises young girl from the dead”, “Free Lunch for Everybody - Teacher feeds 5,000 plus with a boys lunch - baskets of leftovers to take home”, “2,000 pigs die, Tortured man tells story of Legion cast out by Jesus”. As Jesus laid out the plans for his betrayal, death and resurrection and his expectation of them, the Disciples must have questioned, “Am I a fool for following him?”

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” – Mark 8:34-35, NLT

The Disciples had expectations of being in high position, the inner circle of the Messiah, to be men of influence, to be part of the restored national kingdom. Jesus turned their expectations upside down: to be great you must serve, to follow me you must suffer, to save your life you must first lose it. The Disciples must have had many days where it felt like April Fools Day as they said to one another “Are you kidding! Did that really just happen?” as Jesus commands the wind and waves to cease, cast out demons, heal the afflicted, or even raise the dead. They were also tested in their trust, hope and faith of Jesus as he flipped their expectations of Him and of themselves.

One of my favorite April Fools Day pranks was the 1976 Jovian-Plutonian Gravitational Effect. British astronomer Sir Patrick Moore told listeners of BBC Radio that a unique alignment of two planets would result in an upward gravitational pull making people lighter at precisely 9:47 a.m. that day. He invited his audience to jump in the air and experience "a strange floating sensation". Dozens of listeners phoned in to say the experiment had worked.*

For many in this world would say that following Jesus is a “fool’s life”, for myself I have placed my hope and faith in Jesus Christ and I am ready to “jump”. The difference between the headlines and pranks on April Fools Day and in following Jesus are they are false, fake and deceptive, but with Jesus…He is the Truth.

* Headlines and resources from Wikipedia.

"Next!"

2011-03-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

Standing in line for over an hour, I rocked back and forth to keep the blood flowing through my legs. I looked at the others in line. Of all walks of life, some in jeans and t-shirts others dressed for work. One man in a suit impatiently made a bee-line to the woman behind the counter. After a brief dismissal he fumed as he made his way to the back of the line. I shuffled through my papers as I day dreamed of running through wide-open fields. Finally, I was standing face-to-face with the one who could complete this mundane task and relieve me of my boredom. The matter-of-fact woman took one look at my DMV papers, muttered something about “wrong line” and directed me to line 2. I took a quick glance at line 2 and it had an even longer line than the one I was just in. As I was about to protest, she commanded “NEXT” that would send shivers down the back of General Patton. Resigned that I would have to forage for food to survive, I took my place in the back of line two.

I desired to achieve something (a new driver’s license), but had to do what was necessary to fulfill the requirements (training, testing, paperwork and now standing in line) of CA state law. Now, 20+ years later, I still loathe the thought of standing in line due to the wasted hours that day just to fulfill the DMV requirements for a driver’s license.

In my study in Mark, Jesus was often accused of not fulfilling the law by Pharisees and Teachers of the Law as they sought to discredit him before the people. In Mark 7 Jesus redirected the fulfillment of the law was deeper than the surface traditions of men. As Jesus was accused of not washing himself according to the traditions of the elders, He revealed a new fulfillment of the law.

Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean. – Mark 7:15

Jesus further explained that it is from within that makes a man unclean: evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, evil, slander and folly. The Pharisees had their attention and focus on the details of man’s traditions instead of the heart of God’s commands. Jesus became increasingly irritated with them as He saw that their requirements to “fulfill the law” were frustrating and demoralizing the Jewish people. I am glad that I follow the Law of Christ and not man’s traditions. Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law of Moses and of the Prophets and fully satisfied the requirements for right standing before God our Father.

At the DMV that day, I felt helpless and exasperated at being under the circumstances and control of another’s requirements. I was relieved when I finally walked out of the DMV office with my shiny new driver’s license. But as I fumbled for my keys my joy quickly dissipated when I remembered I had to return within a month for smog/inspection and register my rusty 1973 yellow Ford Pinto.

Wind and Waves

2011-03-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

We were stunned in awe at the tidal wave tossing around cars, fishing boats and demolishing buildings as it swept through the Japanese cities. As I watch on TV the various videos from the 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the terrifying power of the water seems surreal, or from a movie, yet to those present it is very real. Like a tourist on the African Savannah frozen in fear in the line of a charging bull elephant, so the witnesses helplessly stood as they saw the water rush through buildings and homes, as they heard the roar of the water, and felt the power of nature. Seven days later, we are still assessing the damage done by this horrific natural disaster as the missing and dead climb into the thousands, the displaced tens of thousands without homes and jobs, and the battle to contain the failing nuclear reactors. We pray.

There have always been large natural disasters throughout history, however, we often view mass destruction in impoverished and unprepared 3rd world cities like Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Japan is very different as a leading nation in science and technology, with the 3rd largest economy in the world. Through our modern advancements, I think we develop a false sense of control and containment of nature. We build buildings that can withstand seismic movement, sea walls to contain tsunamis, detection and warning systems in place, yet we are still helpless in the path of a charging earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, or tornado. We don’t like to think we are vulnerable, but we are.

In my study of the Gospel of Mark, we witness a natural disaster taking place while Jesus and the Disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee found in Mark 4:35-41. Some of the disciples were experienced fisherman and seaman, yet as the storm rose into a terrifying squall of rain, screaming wind, and punishing waves, they became fearful for their lives. Jesus slept. They awoke him with an accusation, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. The disciples sat stunned in the presence of such power and were terrified. They said, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

The disciples learned many lessons during their three year intensive training, and during the storm they witnessed first hand that Jesus, the Teacher, the Son of God, had authority and power over nature. The Creator has control and containment over His creation. When we witness the power of nature we feel powerless, filled with fear, and at its mercy. Awesome power. When we witness the power and authority of Christ we fall to our knees in fear and awe. When we experience His love by grace, mercy and forgivness He helps us to our feet and we stand in praise and joy.

As Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, he turns to his disciples and questions them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Even in the midst of life’s storms through natural disasters, family and relationships, financial stress, health or other, we can face it with faith. A knowledge, belief, trust and hope that the One we follow is the only One who has authority and power greater than the storm.

Today pray for the displaced individuals and families affected by this disaster, for the Christians and Christian relief ministries to serve and share the faith we have in Christ. Pray that they might find Jesus in the midst of the storm.

Help, give, & pray for Japan, go to: http://www.convoyofhope.org/

Mustard Seed Ministries

2011-03-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

One issue many small churches face is relevancy, worth and avoiding defeatism. In our present church culture we are inundated by what a successful church is, usually a mega-church, with highly visible pastors/ministries, with a far-reaching community influence. Praise God for their ministry and mission. The reality is that the vast majority of churches are not mega-churches (over 2,000) in attendance; they are small churches (under 100) in attendance. Yet, we rarely think of a small church as a successful, thriving, missional church. Has God abandoned the small church? If a small church does not become, or work toward being a mega-church has it failed in its mission? Is the small church culturally and Biblically irrelevant in our present world? Is the small church a vital part of God’s plan for Christ’s body to fulfill the Great Commission?

For us at the Journey Church we are a small church, our facility will max out at 150 with multiple services. Currently we average about 60 on Sun. morning and 40 Wed. night with 30 attending Connection groups. Church finances are about the income of a two professional household. We are a typical small church.

I feel strongly that God has not abandoned the small church. The primary mission of a small church is to not become a mega-church. Small churches do not need to be culturally or biblically irrelevant. And Emphatically YES! Small churches are a vital part of God’s plan, as a member of Christ’s body, to fulfill the Great Commission in our present world? Jesus shared a principle that emphasizes this point, Mustard Seed ministry:

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”-Matthew 13:31-32

Those attending or pastoring within a small church, the ministry may appear to be insignificant, unnoticed, or irrelevant to the world, like a small mustard seed. Yet, as we live our lives in vibrant, humble faith, we allow the Holy Spirit to use us as willing vessels for his glory. To encourage all to join this life changing journey in a life of Christ. To walk beside a struggling brother or sister who needs individual love, direction and encouragement. To fully participate and worship together as a priority in our week, proclaiming how great and awesome is our God. To grow and serve together within the intimacy and security of classes and small groups.

We, within the small church, simply need to be authentic to what God has called us to be and to fully embrace the life, worship, and service Christ has invited each one of us to. If we focus on who we are and celebrate the unique opportunities we have as a small church instead of looking wistfully in comparison to other ministries, we can then joyfully embrace the small church. With God all He requires is the mustard seed.

My Navigator

2011-02-25T11:22:00.000-08:00

Over the past four years I have relied upon the Navigator on my phone for driving directions around the greater Portland area. For the most part I find this an indispensable tool, however, there are times when I do not follow the instructions, rely upon my instinct, and follow my own way. I drive ignoring the calm, emotionless voice on my phone encouraging me to “make the next u-turn”, or “recalculating”, or questioning if I “want to continue with navigation”. At times I have suffered the consequences of relying upon my instinct rather than trust my Navigator.

Last week while driving through downtown heading South, I ignored the clear instructions through the maze of one-way streets, trolley cars, and the Max toward the freeway, instead I relied upon my own way, a short-cut to beat the traffic. “Ha”, I scoffed as I evaded the heavy traffic streets. I whistled as I zipped through downtown. As I reached the point of access onto the freeway, I realized my access had been changed and now I was headed toward another highway without an opportunity to “recalculate”, “take the next exit”, or “make the next u-turn”. My whistle dried up. With a scowl, I hunched over the steering wheel as I drove several miles before the next off-ramp, backtracked and finally entered the freeway with a 5 mile detour, heavy traffic worse than downtown and wasted time. Unfortunately I have relived this experience many times with the various results of backtracking, dead ends, one-way streets or cul-de-sacs. Several times even my Navigator gave up on me and quit.

This reminds me of the goodness of God. God is good. It is not just his outward character it is his nature. His being is good, perfect and holy. He is just, merciful, longsuffering in patience, and compassionate, and He instructs each of us in how we are to live and conduct our lives in goodness. For us goodness is to know what is right, trust God’s instruction, and follow His course even when we are not sure what lies a head.

The Lord is good and right; he points sinners to the right way. – Psalm 25:8 NCV

God is my navigator through this maze of life with one-way streets, blocked access, dead-ends, construction, detours, accidents ahead, etc. When I listen to His calm, compassionate voice, trust in His instruction and obey I find myself on the right way. When I ignore Him, trust my instinct or think I know better that’s when I get lost, side-tracked, and stuck in an embarrassing and frustrating situation. Fortunately for me, now humbled and repentant, God is longsuffering and merciful and recalculates a route to get back on the right way. God is good and I am glad He is my Navigator.

Getting Older

2011-02-18T11:59:00.000-08:00

I am getting older. Well we are all getting older as each minute passes by, but I have the annual marker that officially states I have aged another year, my birthday. I remember as a kid being excited about my birthday, having a party with friends, opening presents and as a teen it meant I could get my driver’s license or to vote for the first time. However, today I wouldn’t mind if we let the birthday counter skip a couple of years so I could stay at…well, 30 wouldn’t be too bad. The problem is we often feel or see the aging affects on our body. I don’t like it. Where there was once muscle it is now squishy, where there was quickness is now sluggishness, where there was endurance is now stopping to catch my breath, where there was get-up-and-go there is now sit-still-and-veg. Even my clothes are aging, not only in style (still stuck in the 80’s), but also in their climbing numbers.

This year I have come to the reality that something needs to change in my lifestyle for better health and wellness as my doctor nods his head in agreement. Since January I have discovered God’s principles of care, provision, protection and instruction for my physical and emotional health found throughout the O.T. and N.T. As a church family we engaged in a 13 part teaching, God’s Health Care Plan. At times I was amazed at the simplicity of God’s instruction, and how today our nutrition science backs up the daily and long term benefits of such. Like drinking more water will clear skin, promote better digestion, decrease appetite, reduce headaches, and can even protect our body from chronic diseases. Seriously though 8-10 cups a day seems like a lot of water with a lot of pit stops. I need to work on that one. The major areas were nutrition, exercise, portion control, and Divine intervention, the building blocks of instruction given by any physical trainer or nutrition coach.

Some great ideas have sprung from our study on this practical topic each one of us need to know. Many of us signed up for No Fast Food February, a pledge to seek healthier alternative choices instead of the convenience and habit of fast food for a month. We have others who will commit to the ten day Daniel Fast, based on events that unfolded in Daniel chapter 1. A time to seek God’s intervention, will or intimacy by an inner desire expressed through an outer discipline. Daniel made this request to the guard over him and the three Hebrew men groomed to be in the Babylonian King’s service.

“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” – Daniel 1:12-13

As you read the story, God honored Daniel’s request of obedience with health, knowledge, wisdom, spiritual gifts, and favor. After three years the King found none equal to them, and with ten times more wisdom and understanding than the other advisors. The rest of the story of Daniel and his friends are some of the most dramatic events in Hebrew history.

As for me, the beginning of 2011 has been a life altering reflection to align my lifestyle with God’s wisdom in regards to my physical and emotional health and wellness. Basic changes really, but ones that will put me on the path of God’s best for me as my years add up with strength, endurance and a little more get-up-and-go. I am proud of you. Those who are making similar lifestyle changes not just to lose weight or fit into certain clothes, but to align your daily lifestyle with the timeless principles God has already given for your own good.

Super Testimony

2011-02-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl XLV is coming on the back of a blizzard in Dallas this Sunday. This football championship game has grown through the years to an unofficial American holiday. Friends and families travel and get together to watch the big game, share tail-gate foods, and cheer, cry, or yell with each pivotal play. Even non-football fans join in and make the Super Bowl the most watched televised event of the year. In the midst of all the pre-game hoopla, the half-time show, commercials, and the game on the field, I am grateful for some remarkable men who unashamedly let their love and devotion for Christ shine bright on the largest stage in America.

I think of Kurt Warner, quarterback for the Rams and Cardinals, while holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 1999 he gives a shout of praise and thanks to God for the nation to see, or during their loss to the Steelers in 2009, millions watched Kurt lead his team in huddle prayers before the game, during the game over an injured player, and even afterward with members from both teams. I also think of the quiet testimony of coach Tony Dungy, who led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl XLI, who has influenced thousands of young men to make a commitment to Christ, and to live lives of integrity. Last year’s Super Bowl winning QB, Drew Brees of the Saint’s has had the opportunity to share his testimony of receiving Christ in his life. All three have lived the ultimate guys dream to play or coach in the biggest sporting event of the year, and yet while the bright spotlights of America’s largest stage was directly focused on them, they have redirected that focus to God, Christ’s love and forgiveness in their life, and the strength they have found in following Him. Giving glory to God where they are at.

I think of a couple of questions for us: What is the stage that God has placed you on? When the spotlight is on how do we respond? Do we fully engage the opportunity God has placed before us to influence others for Christ? We may not have millions watching us hold up a trophy, pray on a field, read about our testimony, or speak at Christian conferences, but we have stage of influence while sitting in a classroom, working beside another, caring for family, and any interaction with neighbors and friends. Sometimes I think we become aware of the spotlight, straighten our shirt, clear our throat and do our best, however, I think most of the time we are not aware of the spotlight and miss opportunities of influence. If we were fully aware that throughout our day, the spotlight was on, and the stage we are standing on is exactly the one God has prepared for us, then we would fully be the living testimony of Christ’s love and power for all to see.

We all know of the Apostles who had an influence on the big stage: Peter, James, John and Paul, but another stood on his small stage and influenced his family, friends and the early church with just one statement of affirmation by the Apostle John.

Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. – 3 John 12

Only a handful will stand on the podium, lift high the trophy, and proclaim thanks to God with most of America watching. For the rest of us, God has given us our stage to influence our world just the same. Do your friends, pastors and family affirm your living testimony like John declared of Demetrius? I hope so, for both you and me that they see us giving glory to God where we are at with a Super Testimony.

The Jester

2011-01-28T12:08:00.000-08:00

The other day as I was coming out of my room, wearing my Spongebob PJs (yes, it is true and maybe a little sad for a 40ish guy) and slippers, I shuffled straight to the coffee pot. Aliya spotted my lumbering form and perked up “Hey Dad could you make me some breakfast? Can you make me some eggs?” I stopped and looked at her still trying to see through the fog of just getting up without the morning caffeine running through my blood. She continued, “Can you make some for Mom too – cause she’s the Queen, and you are…” She paused and thought for a brief moment, “…well – the Jester.” She giggled at her own summation of my role in this family. Great! I was expecting of course to be the King. Every man likes to think that he is the king of his castle, with the full measure of respect and authority from his loyal subjects (children and any pets) and devoted and lovely Queen (wife). My fantasy bubble burst into a mist that dissipated into thin air.

Sometimes life throws a sharp and pointed dart in our direction. When it hits the fragile bubble of ego and self-perception, we feel the penetrating sting of defeat and deflation. We all have hopes and dreams and a perception of who we are. We might define it by: our education, the books we read, the knowledge we treasure, the jobs we work, the people we hang out with, our family, the amount in our bank accounts, the stuff we have (cars, homes, etc), the music we listen too, and even in the clothes we wear. In our self-perception we have all had, and will have, those days where we feel the sting of a well aimed dart (i.e. relationship strife, unemployment, perceived failure).

How do we respond when we feel disappointed, unsuccessful, and frustrated in those “bubble bursting” moments? Do we quit? Give up or go sit and stew in self pity? Sometimes yes, but we can’t linger there. Life continues and we have a critical role in our home, church, workplace and community. The first step is to remember who we are. We are a child of The King, a prince and princess, a joint-heir with Christ with full access and privilege to our Father in Heaven.

“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise…so you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” – Galatians 3:29 & 4:7

The second step is to protect the bubble by daily putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17).

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” – Ephesians 6:16

When your bubble is burst and you find out that you are the Jester instead of the King, don’t slump into the bog of discouragement, but remember your identity is in Christ and to stand firm in the faith and life God has called you to. To Aliya, “Yes, the Jester can make you some eggs, and I might crack one over your head just to get a laugh.”

For Your Own Good

2011-01-21T12:07:00.000-08:00

When it comes to our health and wellness do we consider it a spiritual discipline? We certainly think of devotions, prayer, fasting, Bible study as such, but generally with our nutrition and care of our physical and emotional health we place that in our own hands by going on diets, joining a gym, buying a workout DVD, and making New Years Resolutions. What if we moved our nutrition and general health practices into the spiritual disciplines category? What would change, if anything? Does God have anything to say about our nutrition, health and well being in his Word?

In my current study on this topic, God clearly cares about our health and wellness, from provision, guidance, instruction, and healing. Yet, we generally disregard God’s instruction by either lack of knowledge, thinking the ancient text is irrelevant to us today, or even rejection. Then we wonder why we don’t feel that great, clothes don’t fit, our general health and wellness suffers with a weakened immune system and we become more vulnerable to serious health problems.

We understand our commitment to follow through with spiritual disciplines increases knowledge, strengthens faith, and draws us closer in our walk with God. Obedience is the key. Obedience is the spiritual issue that applies to health and wellness as well. We still follow the O.T directive given to the Israelites 3,500 years ago.

And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? – Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Included in those ancient commands and decrees were numerous guidelines regarding nutrition, cleanliness, water, and rest. In the N.T. we find guidance toward emotional health in dealing with anger, resentment, worry, discouragement, persecution, anxiety and fear. Is it possible if we know and apply the health and wellness principles given to us, revealed in God’s Word that we could live healthier, happier, longer lives? I think so, and in this areas of obedience the final phrase in the above scripture is key, “…for your own good?” If we are obedient to what God has already shared with us, we will be the direct beneficiaries of our actions.

This issue is more than being on a temporary diet plan, losing 20 pounds, exercising or even reversing negative health trends, it is a spiritual issue of obedience to make life-long lifestyle changes. To know and follow through with what God has already outlined for us. It is for our own good.

Small and Strong

2011-01-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

Is bigger always better? That depends you say, “If you are talking about Monster Trucks, hamburgers, biceps or closet space than you bet.” However, there are things where bigger might not necessarily be better: jeans, needles, taxes, and candy. I remember a time when I was about ten years old I had a large jawbreaker that I thought would be fun to stuff in my mouth to see if it would fit. It did. The problem was I couldn’t get it out. As a few minutes passed my fear increased, my jaw tightened, I began to gag on my saliva, and the problem became serious. With the help of Mom and warm water the jawbreaker eventually popped out. Whew, what a relief and that jawbreaker lost all of its fun as I threw it in the trash. Bigger isn’t necessarily always better.

In our church culture we often have the similar view that bigger is always better. The large churches and mega churches (over 2,000) appear to have it all with sprawling campuses, professional praise & worship teams, awesome programs and special events, a highly visible pastor on TV/internet/radio, and a full coffee shop in their entryway. Why wouldn’t you think that bigger is better? Who wouldn’t want to get their Carmel Macchiato at Jehova Java, while jamming with the praise team, and reading your pastor’s latest book? We have, and you have, larger churches that greatly impact the community and beyond by their size – praise God, but does that mean smaller churches are inferior, weak and insignificant as long as they are small? Not necessarily.

The facts are: the overwhelming percentage (60%) of churches are small (under a 100 in attendance), the average church size is 77, and home/non-traditional settings for worship gatherings are increasing. Truth is Jesus influenced a small group of men for three years and entrusted them with the message of his words, life and sacrifice to change the course of humanity.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ina the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:16-20

Small, medium, large or mega-churches can be strong, growing and influential or weak, dying, and insignificant. Size alone may not be “the” indicator of a healthy and strong church or in fulfilling the Great Commission.

My encouragement to primarily my Journey Church family, and to you who attend, pastor or lead a small congregation is that bigger is not necessarily better for you. Do not look wistfully at what God appears to be doing in a larger church or think “if only we had (ministries, resources, buildings) like the X church, then we could really impact our community.” God has a specific plan, purpose for you, and an invitation to partner with Him in the greatest mission in history that only you can fulfill. For today, being a small strong church is exactly what God desires for you.

Go Brown Team!

2011-01-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

Are you a fan of the reality show The Biggest Loser? The show follows a group of obese individuals who live on a workout campus for a number of months to endure the rigorous training from Bob and Jillian with the hope of a changed body and new life. This season that began last Tuesday we have a personal connection to one of the couples Father and Son, Ken and Austin Andrews, The Brown Team.

Ken was Charlene’s youth pastor in Santa Cruz and I lived with them for about a year while attending Bethany University. Ken and Lori are currently the senior pastors of an Assemblies of God church in So. Cal. Although we were excited to see the first episode of the season and see Ken and Austin on the show, it was heart breaking to see the pain on their faces as the contestants take off their shirts, step on a scale and reveal to themselves and the world their current weight. As Lori stated on their fan page:

“Ken explained why the show makes everyone take off their shirts. Before you can change any area of your life, you have to be able to admit your sin. Baring their chests to the world is an admission of the reality of their weight ... and honestly begins the road to healing. So, yes - we know that it is embarrassing for the contestants, but it is also the path to wholeness .” – Ken and Austin Andrew’s Biggest Loser Fan Page

In each season with most of the contestants this initial revealing brings shame, remorse, and pain, and they openly weep or humbly stand there with raw honesty. The show offers a very real parallel to each of us who live in sin and seek righteousness. The Apostle Paul shares this process in Romans 6:15-23 (check it out), by the choice of either being a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. The first step to healing and wholeness (a life of righteousness) is the corrective action of repentance, and the only way we change course is through a humbling reality check. Paul makes the statement:

What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! – Romans 6:21

Wow! As my friend and the other contestants stand on the scale that is exactly how they are feeling and those things (overeating, zero physical activity) will result in an early death. Paul concludes this thought with the earned consequences of our choices, actions and path of life:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23

One of the contestants as they had just worked out for hours, passing out, vomiting and in complete exhaustion said with a look of expectation and hope “I feel like I have just won the lottery”. For weeks through hours of hard physical training, being yelled at by Jillian, passing out, standing on a scale and being separated from family and friends, yet ALL of the contestants express how the show is a great gift that will change their life. God offers us this gift and its results are for eternity.

If you are on facebook join us as fans of Ken and Austin Andrew’s Biggest Loser Fan Page.

Champion!

2010-12-31T11:38:00.000-08:00

2010 Journey Church Fantasy Football Champion – The Destruct-inators (John Krauser)! Two-time, back-to-back Champion, the Destruct-inators have shown great flexibility, insight and skill in this year’s fantasy league. Dolfan13 (Joe Rivera) battled in the championship game to place 2nd, with Mexcellence (Andy Matus) taking 3rd, and Packer4ever (Jason Rivera) 4th. We will throw confetti and cheer the 2010 Champions at the fantasy parade.

Fantasy football has become the side-kick in watching the NFL for many of us guys. Just to let you non-fantasy football folks into our world, here is what one may typically do during any given week during the football season. On Tuesday you fret, get upset, or celebrate your players accomplishments the days before in either a win or a devastating loss. After you have recovered from your emotional flare-up, you begin to assess your players and those who are free-agents. During the week you will spend countless hours watching ESPN, surfing valuable internet fantasy sports sites, and occasionally read an article out of a newspaper to get the latest news to give you an advantage. By Saturday, with your players active and ready on your team, you cross your arms with a sense of smug accomplishment and pitty the poor guy you’re up against this week. On Sunday, after sending a few smack-talk messages to your opponent you watch a game on your HDTV, LCD 50” TV (my fantasy), and keeping close watch to the stats on your computer. The highs and lows of every touchdown, 100 yards gained or underperformance leaves one drained by the 4th Quarter of Monday Night Football.

As we wrap up the 2010 Fantasy Football season, we also say goodbye to all of the events that have unfolded for us in 2010. Today at this writing, Dec. 31st, it seems natural for us to reflect back upon the past twelve months and make our assessment. Was it a good year, or bad one? Did we accomplish what we had hoped for? Did the victories outscore the defeats? In many ways our evaluation process is similar to our weekly fantasy football routine. We have victories and defeats. We have plans, hopes and dreams, through our hard work and intuition. We go through the times when events unfold that leave us drained and emotionally, physically and spiritually spent.

The apostle Paul shares with the Corinthians another sports metaphor to encourage us in our assessment process.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

He encourages us to run to win! To live each day like the Champion God has designed us to be. He reminds us that we will get a crown (trophy) that is not a fantasy, but an eternal reality that will last forever. So, in your evaluation of 2010 did you run in such a way as to get the prize, or to be called 2010 Champion?

Candy Canes or Curdled Eggnog?

2010-12-10T11:11:00.000-08:00

“To whistle a Christmas carol is like a candy cane to the tongue, to mutter “Bah! Humbug!” is like drinking curdled eggnog.” – Life Proverbs by Tim

One of our classic Christmas stories is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens of Ebenezer Scrooge, the sour, stingy, cold-hearted man. His retort to the merriness around him at Christmas was “Bah! Humbug!” A statement that Christmas was a fraud and full of nonsense. As the classic tale unfolds through the visitations of Marley his deceased business partner, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future he sees the futility and emptiness of his own life and has a “conversion” to the merriness of Christmas. The final scene is his emphatic embrace of “Merry Christmas!” I think of the wisdom of Solomon when he states:

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart a spirit is broken. – Proverbs 15:13 NKJV

Other versions state a happy or glad heart makes a cheerful face. We can visibly see the deep emotions one is experiencing by their countenance. Even when we do our best to cover-up or mask what is tumbling inside of us, we still reveal our feelings to those who know us best.

For you this Christmas season, is it a time of “Merry Christmas”, or “Bah! Humbug!”? You may not look or act like Ebenezer Scrooge, but in your current circumstances the burdens, frustrations, anxiety, or disappointment of life may echo a lifeless “Bah! Humbug!” in your heart. If that is you, I would encourage you that Christmas is more than family get-togethers, gifts, shopping, eggnog, Santa, elves, etc., but true merriness comes from Christ alone. The miraculous gift of Christ the child, born unto a virgin, the son of God, called Immanuel – God with us. With Christ as our Savior we can whistle, hum or sing Christmas Carols year round, because it is His true joy in our lives that fills our hearts with merriness through all life’s journeys. Try singing Joy to The World with a sour, stingy, cold-heart – it doesn’t work.

As we offer a blessing of “Merry Christmas” to family, friends, co-workers, or the cashier at Target let them see it with a confidence in our eyes, an encouraging smile and Christ’s joy upon our face. Merry Christmas! (my eyes are twinkling and I am smiling right now)

Crunching On A Carp Head

2010-12-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

“It is better to crunch on the rotten head of a carp, than to spend the day fishing on the lake with a puffed-up, know-it-all.” - Life Proverbs by Tim. What do we call those individuals who arrogantly know-it-all, are not teachable, and vehemently opinionated? Okay, stop it! I know I asked for it, but the Bible does have a name for such individuals – fools. The Bible describes such individuals as corrupt, self-deceived, blindly confident, boasters, slanders, liars, angry, contentious and shunning God’s wisdom. (Ps. 14:1, Pr. 12:15, 14:16, 14:8, 20:3, 10:18, 18:6, 28:26, Ec. 10:12, 7:9, 5:1, 10:14) One proverb states the distorted reality of fools.

A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
But delights in airing his own opinions. – Proverbs 18:2

If you have ever found yourself talking to, working with, or spending any amount of time with a fool you know how distasteful it is, like chomping on the rotten head of a carp. It is the putrid taste of conceit, egotism and haughtiness that triggers your gag reflex. We find fools in all walks of life: from the illiterate to the Ivory Towers of academic elitism, from begging on the streets to those flying in private jets, from those sitting in bars to those sitting in pews, and from all ages 5 to 85.

If you add charisma and talent to a fool what do you get? This combination may produce a politician, an actor, a musician, a professor, a professional athlete, or a CEO. I could have added names to the above, but this week’s news does that for me. Obviously not all in those professions are fools, but fools often succeed, gain attention, notoriety, position, influence, and privilege. Maybe high-achieving success breeds foolishness.

What if you added one more dangerous ingredient to this volatile individual, self-righteousness? Jesus didn’t pull any punches when he described self-righteous fools as “blind guides, whitewashed tombstones, dirty cups, snakes, vipers, hypocrites”, Matt. 23. Unfortunately we still see charismatic, talented, self-righteous fools in the church, usually celebrated on TV, radio or mega-churches. But as we (or I) point fingers at the highly-visible, we can also see this same insidious disease within our local churches, families, friendships, and even within ourselves. OUCH! The reason is we all have this base ingredient to being a fool within us, pride. When pride begins to stir within us it spreads as a small amount of yeast throughout the batch. If left to sit in a favorable climate (self-centeredness) pride puffs-up with hot air, leaving us empty, void and on a path of self-destruction.

The remedy is to seek humility, dependency upon God, have a teachable spirit, exhibit mercy, grace and gratitude, and seek to have the Fruits of the Spirit evident in our lives. So, if you ever find yourself in a row boat, fishing with a buddy and his nose and face scrunches up and he begins to gag, maybe he is sending a message that he would rather be chewing on the rotten head of a carp.

Thanksgiving - A Survival Guide for Guys

2010-11-19T12:26:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving. A time to stuff oneself with pink marshmallow jello (you may insert your own specialty foods), olives, cranberry goop, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, rolls and turkey all smothered in gravy. I might eat a small bite of lettuce just to round out the meal and win an approving glance from my wife. I have learned from my vast years of experience that the proper dress code is a nice, clean dress shirt (wife nods in approval again) sweats and fake fur-lined slippers (note of caution – slip into your designated seat while she is mashing the potatoes, cover with napkin and she will never be the wiser). Sitting at the table you look like a model for Norman Rockwell (wife smiles at you) with the comfort of no belts, buttons or zippers to restrict your expanding mid-section while the slippers warm your feet since all your blood has rushed to your digestive system.

Thanksgiving. A time to sit around the big screen and watch Lions, Cowboys and sometimes Bears Oh, My, exercise for you, as you become one with your lazyboy recliner. Or if you are the adventurous family guy you might play a game with the kids in the house (wife gives approving smile). Take caution - this year you might find yourself engaged in a competitive battle with their latest video games. Now video games are not what we know them to be: low brain activity and near death vitals imitating a comatose state.

“Hey is Scotty dead on the couch?”
“No, he just past level 23 on the Castles of Morander on planet Vitriols…look he just found the Portals of Squidish”.
Stuffing Cheetos in his mouth, “Dude, that’s wicked”.

To be victorious over your nine-year-old, and show them who is the original video game master (Lord DumbleDork of Morander), you must thrash your arms wildly while holding the controllers (yes two controllers), dance in place like John Travolta, or engage in battle like you were swatting flies. Any of those three motions done with the concentration of Viswanathan Anand (you know, the reigning World Chess Champion) and intensity of Mike Singletary (another Bear, Oh My), and you will be victorious! Ok, snap out of your fantasy, the truth is even your 5-year-old will crush you at any of these games. Get used to it, your video gaming skills are hampered by 80’s technology, a single joystick with one red button.

“Look Daddy, my pink kitten just knocked you out of the ring again. giggle, giggle”
With sweat rings forming under your arms, “Stupid controller. Where’s the red button?”

Thanksgiving. Seriously guys…a time to give thanks for your family and God’s provision. How to survive Thanksgiving is to remember all that is good presently and in your past - to see God’s hand of blessing on your life. You work hard, you plan for the future, you worry about your kids, you try to have a good relationship with your wife and still it seems you can barely keep your head above the water. Life is a struggle and at times life pulls us under (loss of a job, bankruptcy, marriage strife, declining health). We can easily become discouraged, disheartened and lose our zeal and optimism of God’s plan for us. Thanksgiving is our opportunity to be encouraged. God is leading you as a Husband, Father and Man and He provides, protects and guides us through all life seasons. Look up and see God’s hands keeping your head above the water, His gifts of family and friends, grace, mercy, blessings and provision…and give thanks.

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 5:20 NLT

Happiness is a Hug

2010-11-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

I had just finished my Jr. High book club class for our homeschool co-op. As I was walking down the hall reflecting on our discussion and the great students I had this term, I followed a group of preschoolers headed to their bathroom break. I trailed behind. One little boy spotted me, turned and made a bee line straight toward me. I stopped in my tracks as he wrapped his arms around my leg and gave me a gentle hug. Immediately 5-6 other little preschoolers turned and did the same. I had leg warmers on both legs. Not one of them said a word, giggled or anything. After a few high fives and return hugs, they rejoined their class in line. As I left and drove home, I continued to think on their unexpected, undirected and simple loving act. A smile drifted across my face.

I felt happy as I was given a beautiful gift by half-a-dozen three to four-year-olds who I didn’t know. I wasn’t their teacher or parent, but am recognizable as leading the chapel devotions. I don’t know what compelled the first boy to give me an unexpected hug, but it certainly influenced the others around him…and it affected me. I thought of the power of a simple loving act like a hug, and the influence of the initiative of one. A few “hug” quotes I found illustrate the power of this simple gift:

A hug delights and warms and charms,
That must be why God gave us arms. – Author Unknown

You can't wrap love in a box,
but you can wrap a person in a hug. ~Author Unknown

A hug is a great gift - one size fits all, and it's easy to exchange. ~Author Unknown

The influence of one. One little boy made a decisive, deliberate act to hug and it was multiplied by six. I wonder if there are lessons for us in this story? As a busy adult with many things running through my mind, responsibilities, work, bills, etc., and with a number of time consuming distractions: reading, internet, TV, fantasy football, do I ever pause and spontaneously act to encourage another. Sometimes…but how many times have I missed such opportunities to give a gift of love to someone who needed it. Maybe a spouse who is having a difficult day, a child not feeling well, a lonely grandparent, or a friend carrying a heavy burden needs your hug today. As a bonus, your act of love may influence others and be multiplied. John reveals to us, the family of God, the foundational principle of this gift:

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – 1 John 4:11

You may not have the answer to someone’s need or change circumstances, but an unexpected hug may be just the precious gift they need today...to feel loved.

Deep Rooted Infected and Decayed

2010-11-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the dentist chair I felt the beads of sweat slide down past my ear onto my neck as I gripped the arm rest. My nostrils filled with the smell of burnt enamel and bone as the drill dug away at my decayed tooth. As the dentist pulled, twisted, and yanked on my broken tooth I heard tooth crunch, and roots break…inside my head. Fortunately I couldn’t taste anything because my tongue after multiple anesthesia injections was like a sea slug resting on the bottom of the ocean floor. My dentist, who earlier appeared to be a kind, gentle man, was now engaged in a full battle of strength and will against a dug-in, stubborn tooth. As I occasionally opened my eyes I saw the battle stare of my dentist engage with the enemy. If the Russians, Chinese, Moldavians, or any other country attack Oregon, I will bunker down with my dentist. I kept my eyes closed till the dentist said “Okay, let’s sit you up Mr. Kooeeti-wits…all done…tooth out.”, while he was gasping for breath.

After two hours in the dentist chair, I felt like I was a Bronco’s linebacker getting pummeled by the Raiders. As I stood at the counter paying for my facial reconstruction, the dentist looked at me and said, “Are you ok?” I replied in a post traumatic daze “yabba, id tink idam oday”. Translation: “I don’t know who you are, or where I am, but I want to get out of here.”

I had no idea what I was getting into that day when I willingly agreed to a tooth extraction. My dentist made it sound like it was no big deal, but to me, as I readily admit to being one of the biggest babies ever to sit in a dentist chair, it was a big deal. Why did a simple procedure turn into an epic battle of dentist vs. tooth? Two reasons, this tooth had long deep roots anchored in the bone and it was infected and decayed.

As I look at a parallel to our spiritual walk in Christ, I see that there are deep rooted issues that are infected and cause decay in our lives. We may have issues of: habitual sin, deep offenses that are hidden beneath the surface, character weaknesses, pride, unforgiveness and pain. Like a deep rooted, infected tooth me may ignore it for some time, but eventually it will cause such pain and discomfort it affects our whole body and could lead to a spread of infection. As I willingly submit myself to pain in the dentist chair, we submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit to reveal, remove and heal this infected issue in our lives. Often that is a difficult process for us for it involves facing the truth of the infection, humility, repentance and persistent obedience. The divine result is victory, health, freedom from pain, and wholeness in Christ.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. – I Peter 2:24

Today only a few days removed from the extraction, I can open my jaw normally and chew most foods without discomfort, and I have peace knowing this infection is removed. Thanks Mr. Dentist.

Should Christians Vote?

2010-10-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

For some this may be a silly question, others, it may be a long journey to a decision. We have an election on November 2nd, only 5 days from this writing, and yet what is our responsibility in participation in our democratic community as Christians.

There is an argument that we do not have a direct statement, example or command to vote in either the Old or New Testament. In reference to Jesus responding to Pilate “My Kingdom does not belong to this world” (John 18:36) and Paul stating “our home” or ‘citizenship is not of this world.” (Philippians 3:20), is to separate ourselves from the secular world of government to either run for office, participate, or even vote.

While respecting my Christian brothers who hold onto their view, I believe we have an obligation to vote when we live within a society that invites and protects our participation in government. We have examples in the Old Testament where the Israelite Tribes would gather and voice support for a particular Judge to rule, or allegiance to a King, and the Apostle Paul used his Roman citizenship to the fullest extent (Acts 16:37, 21:39, 22:25-29, 25:11) to further his call and role to establish the early church. We are called to be set apart from and not conform to the world, but to live in love and Truth with influence in our world as Salt and Light.

Our nation’s forefathers understood this:

George Washington referred to the United States as “a great experiment.” And in his farewell address he said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”– Benjamin Franklin

“We have no government armed with powers capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice [greed], ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net.”– John Adams

This Tuesday we have an invitation and opportunity to influence our cities, counties, state and nation by the men and women we vote for and the measures on our ballot. In Oregon we have individuals, at all levels, who have strong opinions on protecting life or protecting choice, gambling, marriage, drug use, education, etc. and measures that will affect all of us: some fiscal accountability, minimum sentencing for repeated sex offenders/DUI, legalizing selling Marijuana, and opening the door to Casinos. Check out http://www.oregonfamilycouncil.org/ for more detail info.

So should Christians vote? Obviously I think so. We should take every advantage to influence our world for Christ. We are blessed to live in a country that invites and protects our right to influence government by participation, run for office and be the Salt and Light in the political process.

I Thank Christ...

2010-10-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

Little fingers instinctively grasp onto my finger as the 2.5 lb baby girl struggled for life. Eyes sparkled as a man in his 50’s gazed into the eyes of his long awaited bride. Joyful little faces filled a room with enraptured attention as the puppet came to life telling a Bible story. Snapshots in my life as a pastor.

It is a great privilege to be given the opportunity to step into the lives of others. To hold the hand of an elderly great-grandparent with concerned family all around and pray together as a family for God’s strength, peace and blessing, to make a toddler giggle while he's holding onto his father’s leg, to share the eternal Truth’s of God’s Word, to be invited into someone’s inner circle of tears, celebration, frustration, or victory. That is the privilege of being called pastor.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. – 1 Timothy 1:12

Thank you Jesus for giving me strength and considering me as faithful to appoint me to your service in WA, UT, CO and now presently in Damascus. This is my prayer today as I reflect upon your words of appreciation and thanks in my cards and gift given this past Sunday. Thank you for your thoughtfulness to me, the Pastoral Team and our wives. You are very special and your kind, generous words mean a lot to each one of us.

I also know that as a part of the family of God we can all share in being invited into someone’s inner circle of fears, frustrations, hopes and dreams. As we walk side-by-side in our Journey in Christ we can share one-another’s burdens, celebrate victories, encourage, strengthen and offer a cool, refreshing cup of companionship on a hot thirsty day. When you develop lifelong friendships with a brother or sister in the Lord, you open your life, become vulnerable, and allow a deeper relationship to take root. The roots of brotherhood in Christ grow deeper. When the drought comes or storms of life threaten, the intertwined roots of brotherhood hold secure in the firm, life-giving soil of Christ.

My hope for you is that you will open up your life to others, to allow your life roots to become intertwined with others in the family of Christ, and that as you reflect upon your snapshots of life with family and friends you will give thanks that Jesus gave you strength and considered you faithful to be appointed to serve.

Ambassador of Gentleness

2010-10-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

I would like to share a story I read in Calvin Miller’s devotional on Gentleness:

     Dr. Phillips Brooks, all his life a bachelor, was a great pastor because he practiced childlike gentleness.
     On one occasion a young mother in his congregation had a baby -her first- but the baby was stillborn. The poor woman panicked and suffered a severe denial that would not let her face the facts. She clung to her dead baby and cowered in the corner of her room in a rocking chair. When anyone tired to take the baby away, she clung all the more fiercely. It finally became clear that the baby would have to be forcefully taken from her arms in a desperate and grasping scene. But then God intervened in the desperate situation.
     Enter the gentle servant Phillips Brooks.
     He walked to the woman’s rocking chair, smiled kindly at her, and said, “What a beautiful child. Would you mind if I rocked her a while?”
     He was so gentle and kind that the woman extended to him the child, and to the surprise of all, Dr. Brooks took her seat in the rocker and tenderly rocked her baby.
     An ugly crisis had been solved by a gentle spirit.

Gentleness is the key to unlock the conflicts and crisis’s we may find ourselves in. God’s gentleness displayed through us in compassion, tenderness and leniency. Can God’s gentleness calm the storm of angry bitter arguments? Can God’s gentleness heal the open wounds of offense? Can God’s gentleness mend what has been torn apart? Yes, and God chooses to use us as his ambassador of hope, healing, and peace – his ambassador of gentleness.

Gentleness is a mature expression of love, applied God’s truth, wisdom.

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. – James 3:17

Silent but Deadly

2010-10-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Sitting in my hard wooden school desk, I nervously fidgeted with a building pressure deep inside my intestines. As sweat began to form on my forehead I pleaded with the clock to please move faster. Tick, tick, tick…the seconds seemed to plod along nearing the end of my 5th grade class day. Like a rock climber holding on for dear life, I held onto the expanding gas, but slowly my grip failed and the pungent odor filled the classroom. Although my nostrils cringed in toxic fumes, I was overjoyed for one, the release of pressure, and two, thank goodness it was silent. But one of the girls near me interrupted the teacher and said loudly “Pewwwww, who stinks” as she held her nose looking around for the culprit then fixing her eyes right at me. Trying not to give away my offense, I replied as a defensive cover up, “Whover smelt it, dealt it”. The class laughed, gagging as the bell sounded saving me from the embarrassment knockout. My classmates rushed out to the fresh air of the cramped school hallway. Silent but deadly.

I know I am not the only one with a silent but deadly experience…it’s a part of life. As I am continuing my study on Gentleness, there is a silent but deadly principle that unfolds each week. A hardened heart cannot bear the spiritual fruit of gentleness. Hard shells form around our hearts either through suffering, offense, pride, or immaturity. Often times they remain silent where we are unaware of our own hardened heart, yet we react in ways that may be unapproachable, harsh, critical, defensive or self-exalting. Negative experiences and immaturity is something we all face…it’s a part of life.

To grow in Christ’s love, to mature in character, to imitate Christ, and to bear spiritual fruit is our desire as an obedient follower of Christ. We first need to soften our heart. When we have a malleable spirit in the Master’s hand, He will create a beautiful, glorifying masterpiece. In our daily submission to the Holy Spirit we will bear good fruit. Gentleness is one of those fruits that reveal the maturing love of Christ at work within us.

“O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.” – Jeremiah 18:6 (NLT)

When we smell that pungent odor and it is emanating from a hardened heart, remember it may be silent but deadly.

Fire Breathing Dragons & Joy

2010-09-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

Do you remember your first extreme rollercoaster ride? You know, not the standard stroll through the park coaster, but gut aching, fear drenching, adrenaline rushing ride of terror. I remember my first ride on an extreme coaster called the Colossus-The Fire Breathing Dragon at Lagoon Amusement Park in Utah. I was so excited to see this new coaster that towered above all the other rides and you could hear the roar of the train and the screams throughout the park. As I walked up to it for the first time, I hoped I would be tall enough to ride the awesome Colossus and conquer the Fire Breathing Dragon.

Getting through the first gate and while standing on my toes I passed the height requirement, but now waiting in line I watched the terror on adult faces zoom by me, and the deafening roar of the Colossus. Fear began to creep up and push out my initial excitement. The closer I got to the boarding platform the greater my fear, anxiety and hesitation grew. When it came time to board the Colossus, all I wanted to do was run, and I would have if the guy behind me didn’t push me into the seat. While sitting there immobilized by fear the safety harness came down locking me in and the pimple faced ride operator gave encouraging instructions to “keep your legs and arms inside the ride at all times or you will DIE…do not spit…or you will DIE…secure your sunglasses, toupees and keys or you will DIE”. Actually I didn’t even hear a word he said, I just remember thinking I am going to DIE. The Colossus is going to chew me up, spit me out, and then barbecue me with his fiery breath.

Swoosh the hydraulics shot us up the back of the mighty Colossus and the anticipation during the climb made my heart race. I felt Closter phobic, trapped, and I earnestly prayed “Dear Jesus…save me.” This was not fun anymore. The train seemed suspended for a moment at the top of the first drop then with lightning speed it sped straight down then up toward the double loops, spirals, and curves. My whole body became one muscle, tensed, rigid. I gripped my harness with all my strength and I let out a high pitched scream that would have made Pavarotti envious till all the air in my body had been expelled. As the train came to a swooshing stop, the harness released and I got out. My legs wobbled, dried tear streaks went back to my ears, my heart felt as if it would beat right out of my chest, and I looked at my friend and muttered breathlessly “Let’s do it AGAIN!”

It was an exhilarating joy that I experienced. In the face of terror with fear, anxiety and trepidation I conquered the Dragon. When I think of joy I think of that day. One phrase we have heard from Nehemiah 8:10 is “the joy of the Lord is my strength”. As I remember my Colossus experience I see Christ’s presence, strength, encouragement, and security as that safety harness that pinned me to my seat. Without that harness, the ride truly would have been a ride of terror and death. Like the ride the dangers of life, the breathless fear and anxiety we face in marriage, raising children, finances, finding work, running a business, health issues, addictions, etc. can be threatening, intimidating, and hopeless. With Christ as our safety harness that fear is replaced by joy. It is a joy of security and confidence in Christ.

When you have a dragon in your life that needs to be conquered remember the phrase “the joy of the Lord is my strength”.

"Gently"

2010-09-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

What are some things that you would handle gently? Things like your Grandmother’s china, kittens, sleeping babies, your Broncos John Elway Super Bowl jersey, or maybe even your sleek 2010 Ford Mustang. Those things we tend to treat with gentle loving care are those of high value, are precious, fragile or even vulnerable. We will often meticulously care for, watch over, protect, and even fret about those things, people and pets that fall into our “gentle loving care” category. What or who do you treat gently?

One of our family ministry experiences was serving as the chapel speaker for a Special Touch Ministries Get Away, a five day Christian camp for people with mental and physical disabilities in the Rocky Mountains in Northern Colorado. The two years we were at this camp were some of those most precious moments in ministry our family has ever experienced. With very little previous experience working with adults with mental disabilities, I was a little hesitant in what to expect from the camp. After the first day, the love, joy, innocence, vulnerability, and the openness we saw and felt from the campers was like peering into the heart of a young child. As I write this the memories of my disabled friends some 60+ of age, who accepted and loved our family unconditionally without any barriers or walls from day one stir in my heart and move me as I remember their faces. The short time with my disabled friends heightened all of my feelings. I felt their joy as we played games, sang songs or laughed at corny jokes, and it was a healing joy in my soul. I felt their pain, as some came from homes or care places with little friendship, love or care given to them, and you could see their stories as you gazed deep into their eyes when they shared about life at home. I witnessed true friendship and love for a brief moment from those excluded from mainstream life. Even though they probably don’t remember me, I will always remember them. When I think of something that I want to handle gently…I think of my Special Touch friends.

What do we truly value, consider precious, and treat with gentle loving care? Most things can be replaced, but a life, created in the image of God, is what God holds dear to his heart. We handle our infants gently, we care for our elderly with gentleness, but do we express gentleness to our spouses during an argument, to our children when they are disobeying, to a brother or sister who has offended us, or even the stranger that has just ticked us off? The life lesson my Special Touch friends taught me, was how precious each of us are, even the outcast and neglected in society, and that the love of God is expressed in our gentleness to one another.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. – James 3:17 ( NLT)

A prayer of blessing upon my Special Touch friends and Special Touch Heroes (those who make the camps possible) lifted to Heaven’s Court today.

When it rains...

2010-09-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

My head was resting on the cool pillow and my body began to relax in my sleeping bag with the lullaby of the river and the staccato drops of rain on the tent. I began to drift off to the wonderful world of dreamland when I was suddenly awakened by my fellow camper’s alarming news. “Hey, I think we have a leak in the tent.” With flashlights the four of us (Dad, Asher, Bryce and myself), pulled up sleeping bags and searched the tent of why we had puddles of water forming on the floor. As we pressed on the tent floor, I noticed it jiggled and bounced just like a water bed, and the reality hit, our tent was now pitched over a large puddle and we were beginning to sink. With a shovel and a couple of flashlights we tried to drain the small lake under our tent, but with little success, and as we shivered in the midnight rain, soaking wet, the choices were to either sleep in the car or go home. The boys and I chose to go home leaving my poor father to defend the camp through the downpour.

In our wet camping experience I learned a few things…sometimes when weathermen say it will rain in Oregon, it actually does, and I now have a literal experience to back up the idiom, “When it rains it pours”. This idiom means that after a long pause, or season with little or no rain (or whatever it may be), then it will happen in large amounts all at once. After a long stretch for us (60+ days with no rain), the heavens opened up and we were blessed with a record setting day of rain on Tues., Sept. 7th, our one full day of camping. We initially thought it was a miracle that we nearly had the entire campground to ourselves, but we soon realized, the others were simply smarter, wiser and certainly dryer.

Life lessons can help prepare us for our next adventure down the road, whether it may be camping, raising a family, running a business, paying bills, losing weight, etc., but we do have a weatherman who can give us vital information of what action we should take, or caution we should be aware of. We have a forecast of our present circumstance that will guide us to be better prepared, avoid unnecessary hardship and pain, and see what may lie ahead on our life journey. This life weatherman is the Holy Spirit who is our guide, our counselor, our teacher and who leads us to the Truth. He points us first of all to Jesus, our hope and the foundation of our faith, and also to the practical Biblical Truths of how we are to live, interact with others, and submit to becoming more Christlike in who we are.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21

As we experienced camping, ignoring the weatherman and deciding to go with the forecast of rain, lead to a soaked, near Noah experience as our canvas Ark began to float, then sink. “When it rains, it pours”, and unfortunately in life we find ourselves flooded with disappointment, hardship and pain by our decisions and actions, because we failed to either prepare for, or listen to the caution of what will come. Tune in to the one voice behind you, saying “This is the way; walk in it.”

High Expectations

2010-08-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

I am pouring over the stat sheets, watching NFL updates on ESPN and creating my strategy cheat sheets for my upcoming Fantasy Football drafts. Yes, I am a Fantasy Football Junkie. One aspect of what makes it so intriguing is the high expectation factor of who will become an exceptional player this year and if you choose wisely, then your Fantasy Football Team will destroy the competition (like those who picked Chris Johnson last year). The problem is, you never really know how a player will do, and with higher expectations is the likely possibility of higher disappointments.

Two examples in the NFL and NBA of drafter players with high expectations. Ryan Leaf, the QB drafted by the Chargers as a second pick behind Peyton Manning. Sports Illustrated asked “How good is he (Leaf)?” and answered, “Almost as good as he thinks he is, which is to say spectacular.” However, after a $31 million dollar contract and a disaster of a rookie season with more locker room fights and emotional breakdowns than touchdowns, he became one of the biggest busts in the NFL. In the NBA, does anyone remember the first three picks of the 1984 draft? Number 1: Houston selected Hakeem Olajuwon, Number 3: Chicago selected Michael Jordan and (yes you can groan), between the two, Portland selected at Number 2: Sam Bowie. Sports Illustrated, said that pick was the biggest draft bust in NBA history.

High expectations sometimes can lead to high disappointments. One of the most colorful Judges in Israel’s history was birthed with high expectations with great potential. He showed glimpses of power and might as the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and yet his role as a deliverer to the Israelites ends as a major disappointment. He is Samson. Samson was God’s number one pick to be the mighty warrior to defeat the Philistines and drive them out of Israel, establish peace and worship to God and re-establish Israel as a holy nation. Samson, however, allowed cultural distractions and personal weaknesses (primarily those that bat their eyes and twirl their hair) to diminish and eventually destroy the great potential he had as Judge and deliverer.

What about us? Do we even begin to think of ourselves as God’s #1 pick for his team? I believe, God has high expectations for us, and certainly much greater than we have of ourselves. He views us with great potential, and He is ready to equip us for whatever task or challenge may lie ahead. God sees us as men and women of character and integrity living our lives in the fullness of God’s love in all our roles as spouses, friends, parents, co-workers, business owners, etc. God sees how we could have a great influence on others, if we submit our lives to him and train with obedience and dedication. We could be His star player on His team. Wow! To think God chose us as His #1 pick, with high expectations and full of potential. I think all of us want to be an MVP on God’s Team, so let’s train and begin to live like one.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. – Colossians 1:1-12

Rejected

2010-08-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been in the awful position of feeling rejected? Being an outcast from a group or community can leave permanent scars. Many of us shudder when we think about our middle school and high school experiences. One of my scars from 7th grade came from three of my closest friends. The four of us first became friends in the 5th grade in the small town of Ellendale, ND. We were drawn together by our stature (we were the shortest ones in our class) and in our interests (wrestling, band, and drawing). We did most everything together: eat lunch together, shoot spit-wads at each other during class, and even during the summer we spent each day at the city pool. I have great memories of the four of us hanging out together, but during the fall of 7th grade something changed. It seemed like overnight they decided four was too many, and it would be just the three of them. They excluded me from any contact, didn’t talk to me even when I would talk directly too them, and purposefully avoided me in any activity. After a couple of weeks, I felt completely rejected…an outcast. 7th grade was a black hole of insecurity and loneliness.

Rejection by friends, or even worse family, may be at the top of life challenges. In my study of Judges, there was one man, who rejected by his family, was driven out of his family land and made an outcast, simply because he was a half-brother, the son of a prostitute. This man named, Jephthah, must have had many scars of anger, bitterness, loneliness, and isolation from his family clan. Yet, the irony to his story is that years later when his family community was under a serious threat, the elders came and pleaded with him to lead an army against their enemies, to be the savior of the very same people that rejected him and made him an outcast. God honored Jephthah’s return to lead his people and gave him victory and the title of Judge of Israel. Read the full story in Judges 11 & 12.

Jesus experienced rejection as well.

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him…”See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” – 1 Peter 2:4 & 6.

The rejection of Christ by the very same people he loved and wept over, those he healed of leprosy, blindness and disease, those he ate with in their homes, those he taught the way to the Kingdom of Heaven, those he called his family, and to all for whom he died for. Rejection of the Son of God, who bears the scars on his back from the Roman whip, the nail pierced wounds in his hands and feet, and the scars of rejection on his heart by those he suffered and died for…by those he loves.

Today in my prayers I ask for forgiveness in my neglect of time, love, appreciation and friendship to Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Today may each moment be filled with appreciation, acceptance and joy of having Christ present in my daily journey. As the scripture says, He is rejected by men, but chosen and precious by God, and if I put my trust in Him, He will never reject me.

Fuel of Ambition

2010-08-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

Would you say ambition is a good attribute or a negative one to have? Encarta Dictionary simply states ambition as “a strong feeling of wanting to be successful in life and achieve great things”. Ambition is the fuel that keeps our engines running to strive for a goal, a dream, or accomplishment. All who have accomplished great things in sports, politics, business, etc. have had this fuel of ambition made up with varied additives of courage, perseverance, dedication and sacrifice. However, we have also seen unhealthy ambition become a dangerous, explosive high-octane fuel mixture that destroys. In Judges chapter 9, we see ambition in its dangerous, destructive form in the story of Abimelech.

After the death of Gideon and forty years of peace in Israel, there was a power struggle for who would lead the Tribes of Israel. One of Gideon’s seventy sons (yes that’s right seventy!), Abimelech had an unhealthy explosive fuel of ambition that left a city and a people devastated for his quest for power. Abimelech’s story was one of self-centered promotion, conspiracy, twisting morality, leading to mass murder and attacking his own people. Ambition became the fuel for evil.

Sadly, we have present examples of unhealthy, destructive ambition with politicians (Charles Rangel, NY and Maxine Waters, CA) of corruption and crossing ethical lines, sports (Lance Armstrong with mounting evidence of performance enhancing drugs), and business (all I have to say is British Petroleum). Although those cases receive national attention and we shake our heads and exclaim, “shame on you”, yet, we can also allow the same destructive ambition to fuel our lives as well. When we become highly critical, self-promoting, manipulating, undermining, conniving, overly sensitive to offenses and self-seeking, within our homes, friendships, workplace, business, schools, and sports then we have allowed unhealthy ambition to fuel our attitudes, thoughts, words and actions. Destruction is imminent.

Ambition, when in alignment with what God has for us, is a powerful, transforming attribute that is fueled by the Holy Spirit in love and truth for God’s glory (Rev. Billy Graham, Missionary to India Mark Buntane, Songwriter Michael W. Smith). The primary additives to contain this highly unstable fuel of human ambition, is humility and love in Christ.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

If you have some fuel of ambition running your engine toward God inspired goals, hopes, and dreams (and all us do), then keep your engine in tune with the Truth of God’s Word and in the hands of the master mechanic, the Holy Spirit, and run straight and strong.

Game On!

2010-07-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt unqualified to a task or role you were asked to fulfill? If you have you know the feeling of having knots in your stomach in the uncertainty of your abilities, the questions of inadequacy, and the feeling of impending failure. One of those moments for me was way back to my high school years in Rhame, ND during our regional basketball tournament.

As a Sophomore I played sporadically on the varsity team, but due to injuries I was called upon to start in the final tournament of the season. In our pre-game huddle our coach gave us our opening play for tip-off. I would be the one at center court to jump against their tallest player. We were undersized at each position, and they had the biggest most dominant center in our region. The full gymnasium rocked with anticipation of the game, the band amped up the energy level with, “We Will Rock You”, and “We Got the Beat”, the school teams and their fans sat displaying their school colors in various sections. The announcer introduced the teams, “The scrappy Rhame Pirates vs Yourrrrrrrrr Bowman Bulldogs!” The home-crowd Bulldogs erupted. As we came out onto center court jostling for position, I stepped into the center circle and faced my opponent for tip-off. He loomed above me like Goliath. I suddenly felt the feeling of dread and inadequacy as I stood there toe-to-toe with a big, 6ft-8in, teenager, especially when you are the shortest guy not only on the court but also in the stands. You could hear the snickers and laughter filter through the crowd.

In my study of the Judges of Israel there was on man called to save his fellow Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. As he is visited by the Angel of the Lord and given this task and role to lead, he replies,

“O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” – Judges 6:15

At the Angel of the Lord’s calling to lead, this farmer must have felt that feeling of dread from inadequacy and uncertainty. Yet, this unlikely farmer was the man to lead the Israelites into a great military victory against their oppressors and 40 years of peace while he lived. His name was Gideon.

When you are given a task or role and those thoughts and feelings of inadequacy rise within the pit of your stomach, remember if God has called you to it, He will sustain you in your weakness with a promise like the one given to Gideon.

“And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man”… “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.” –Judges 6:15, 23.

As the whistle blew and the ref tossed the ball straight up into the air, my opponent with outstretch fingers tipped the ball at its apex well over 10ft. I did not even jump. Instead I watched where he was tipping the ball and I darted in that direction. As other players scrambled for it, I zipped between them (being smaller and quicker) and picked up the loose ball, passed it to my teammate streaking toward our basket, and he scored on a breakaway layup. Our bench and fans erupted in cheers as the home-crowd was stunned to silence in the first 5 seconds of the game. Suddenly my feeling of dread and inadequacy was replaced with exhilaration. Game on!

Pioneer Women of Promised Land

2010-07-23T10:53:00.001-07:00

Imagine what life was like for women in the expansion of the American West. The role and vocation of women were primarily limited to being a pioneer woman, working in saloons or brothels, with a few who became outlaws and frontier women. Most pioneer women began their life with a journey to the unknown whether it was during the Great Plains land grab, The Oregon Trail, or later on the railroad. Life was very difficult, including hard labor, untimely death of husbands and children, and little reward of the comfort, culture and civilization found in the Eastern cities.

What would it be like to be the Great Plain settlers on dry, sweeping grassy landscapes living in one room sod houses? Can you imagine raising a family on the open plains exposed to the wind and bitter cold of the harsh winters and the draining heat and hard labor during the summer? Their sod houses made of mud, grass, and the wood from their wagon, no electricity, running water, privacy, cable TV, gas stoves, dishwashers, etc., and to cook your meals in a small pot bellied stove with dried buffalo, horse, or cow manure. “Hey Sweetheart, your tuna casserole has that wonderful grassy, buffalo manure aroma and delightful flavor…pass the salt please.” Now that should be featured in Chef Bobby Flay’s southwestern cuisine.

In my study in Judges, Chapters 4 and 5 share a glimpse into the lives of two women of the Wild West in the Promised Land, Deborah and Jael. One a prophetess, a Judge, a God appointed leader to the loosely held together nation of Israelite tribes. A lawless time filled with oppression by enemies, uncertainty of the future, fear, hard labor, and seeking to just survive. The other, Jael, a nomadic wife living on the wide expanse of the Middle East plains and wilderness, who acted with gruesome decisiveness. Both called to be pioneer women in their own way. One literally a pioneer in her tent-dwelling life, and the other a pioneer in her leadership and role as Judge to the Israelites. Both playing a critical role in God’s plan to establish the Twelve Tribes of Israel as His Holy Nation and to reveal Himself to humanity.

Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leadinga Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided. – Judges 4:4-5

“Most blessed of women be Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite,
most blessed of tent-dwelling women. – Judges 5:24

Pioneer women are some of the toughest, persistent survivors in our American story, and we discover other women with the same pioneer spirit in the Old Testament as well. Read the story of these two pioneer women of the Wild West in the Promised Land in Judges 4 & 5.

Tests - Failure and Faith

2010-07-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, clammy hands fiddled with my mechanical pencil, and my stomach churned with anxiety as I awaited my final exam in Calculus II at Cabrillo College. This was a big exam. It was my second attempt at the class, and this time around I was again on the bubble of failure. It was a required foundational course for a Computer Science degree. Not only that, but my scholarship was on the line, and if I failed this class I would lose thousands of dollars. Tests…Pressure…Failure. As soon as the professor called for all the exams I knew I failed the test and the class.

In my study in Judges, I find a description and commentary of the Israelites struggle with neighbor nations and invading armies…a “test”.

So the LORD burned with anger against Israel. He said, “Because these people have violated my covenant, which I made with their ancestors, and have ignored my commands, 21 I will no longer drive out the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died. 22 I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the LORD as their ancestors did.” – Judges 2:20-22 (NLT)

Tests are uncomfortable at any level: in the classroom, in friendships, in marriage, in the work place, and in life. One of the definitions of a test is “an often difficult situation or event that will provide information about somebody or something” – Encarta Dictionary. In any relationship there are those “test” moments that will reveal the level of commitment, faithfulness, and love. In life we walk through “test” thickets with thorns and briars, which will either strengthen our faith or leave us painfully discouraged. In God’s judgment upon the Israelites in their disobedience, he allowed the negative consequences, the “test”, of neighboring nations to reveal their faithfulness to the Lord.

Being full of faith means we can see beyond the “tests”, trials, obstacles, and difficult events, know that God is sovereign over all, and uses them to shape, strengthen, and train us for future battles. As we trust in God through “tests” we lean on Him more, experience His presence on a deeper level, and witness His loving hand provide, protect and lead us through difficult days.

As the story of the Judges unfold, God in his longsuffering and mercy raised up deliverers, Judges, to help them in their test. At times the Israelites passed with flying colors in faithfulness to the Lord, and at other times they failed miserably, but God was always faithful. After my semester failing Calculus II, I felt despondent. I was unsure of my ability to complete my degree, how I would continue to pay for college, and what new direction for a course of study I was to pursue. Even in my failure, after a long spring and summer, God gave me a new direction, a way to continue to pay for college, and the confidence to complete my degree and beyond. Without going through that “test”, and failing, I may have never pursued education and ministry and would not be where God has me today. That Calculus II final exam revealed something about me, a lack of Calculus skills, but also an ability to persevere. It also affirmed that God is always faithful and I have a greater faith today because of that Calculus II test 25 years ago.

The Wild West

2010-07-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

What iconic images do you have of the Old American West? Do you picture John Wayne in his red plaid shirt atop his steed with the New Mexico landscape behind him, or Clint Eastwood chewing on his half eaten cigar ready to draw in the dusty streets of a western town? Maybe it is the image of the settlers traveling along the Oregon Trail, the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, miners in Colorado and California, cowboys on the open range, or skirmishes with Native Americans. This period of American history from 1820 – 1900, and westward expansion has been the American adventure glamorized in dime novels (Wild Bill Hickok), radio dramas (The Lone Ranger), TV series (The Wild Wild West, Little House on the Prairie), movies (insert your favorite), as well as art, history, musicals, theater, dance and of course the foundation for country music. However, as we know that underneath the romantic ideal of the Old American West, it was often a difficult, lawless, and unforgiving life.

As I study the book of Judges, I can’t help but draw comparisons of the Old American West to this period of Israelite expansion in the Promised Land. The Israelites had just won a mighty victory at Jericho and established a base camp in Canaan, and now it was time for the 12 Tribes to inhabit the land as God had commanded. However with the death of Joshua, it left the Israelites without a central, unifying leader and shortly thereafter they became a collection of weak tribes that did not fulfill the conquest of their specific areas. It was a period of vulnerability, lawlessness, war, disobedience to God and attacks by border nations. It was the Wild West of the Promised Land. The statement:

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” – Joshua 21:25

…summarizes the disorganization, turmoil, and lawlessness that took place in this time. God, however, in His provision called individuals who led the Israelites to military victory and renewal in worship as a people. They were called Judges, the lawmen (and lawwoman) of the Wild West in the Promised Land.

As I read through the events and colorful people found in Judges, I am mindful that this period of Israelite history has some important spiritual treasures for us to discover. A revelation of God’s character, plan and purpose, as well as, truths we can apply to our 21st Century lives. Read Judges…Saddle up and let’s head out west.

Free as the Breeze

2010-07-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

Darkness, misery, stench, abandonment, pain…a few descriptive words that Peter must have felt as he awaited King Herod’s orders for execution. An ancient Roman prison cell may be one of the foulest places in history to await a tortuous death, and that is exactly where Peter, the leading voice of the budding Jerusalem church, finds himself. The story unfolds in Acts 12:

All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously.
6 Then the time came for Herod to bring him out for the kill. That night, even though shackled to two soldiers, one on either side, Peter slept like a baby. And there were guards at the door keeping their eyes on the place. Herod was taking no chances!
7–9 Suddenly there was an angel at his side and light flooding the room. The angel shook Peter and got him up: “Hurry!” The handcuffs fell off his wrists. The angel said, “Get dressed. Put on your shoes.” Peter did it. Then, “Grab your coat and let’s get out of here.” Peter followed him, but didn’t believe it was really an angel—he thought he was dreaming.
10–11 Past the first guard and then the second, they came to the iron gate that led into the city. It swung open before them on its own, and they were out on the street, free as the breeze. – Acts 12:5-11 (Message)

“free as the breeze” - Peter was so perplexed by the miraculous events taking place that he thought he was dreaming, but as he breathed in the cool evening air, standing in the middle of the quiet street, his mind cleared in the realization of his freedom. He may have traveled speechless in awe and praise to God as he walked to Mary’s home where his church family was earnestly praying for him throughout the night.

Freedom! Peter was set free from the chains that bound him, the evil intent of King Herod and the Jerusalem mob, the dark prison, the guards set to stand watch over him, and the iron gates of the city. As we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day, the day when those courageous colonist gathered and signed the Declaration of Independence from the most wealthy and powerful nation on earth in 1776, it is a day to celebrate freedom. From that declaration, followed an inevitable war with England, victory, the creation of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights with the enduring main theme of “freedom” weaved throughout.

As Christians I think we all have our Declaration of Independence Day – the day we said “yes” to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, declaring freedom from the bondage of sin, the darkness of the world’s lies and ignorance, and the inevitable condemnation by Satan. Jesus is the “light” that pierces through the darkness, He calls us, wakes us up to the truth, frees us from our shackles, commands us to obedience “get dressed, put on your shoes, grab your coat”, and leads us to open air freedom…free as the breeze.

This 4th of July, as the sun slips past the horizon and the fireworks light up the night sky, I will rejoice in our nation’s freedoms, but I will also give a prayer of praise and thanks to my Savior for rescuing me.

Well Done!

2010-06-25T18:12:00.000-07:00

Today our family celebrated the gift of a rich heritage from a faithful woman of God. Grandma (and Great) Ruby Edmond graduated to Heaven’s Gates this week after 95 years of faithful service and love for God. As family and friends shared stories of Grandma Ruby one thing became crystal clear: Christ was central and ever present in everything she did in life.

Charlene shares this memory of her Grandma.

Once a year my parents would load all of us kids into our black 70’s station wagon with the classic wood paneling down the sides, complete with the Hi-Fi, 8-Track tape player with only one tape to play for the entire 2 day 18 hour trip. Once we finally arrived at Grandma’s house I remember spending the hot summer days enjoying the best of Oregon’s berries and vegetables. Grandma’s garden was beautiful and when we begged she gave us permission to gather a few of the ripe vegetables. We would also pick the juiciest raspberries and blackberries that were full of delightful flavor. That evening Grandma would make a cobbler complete with vanilla ice-cream, topped off with the same berries we just picked that day.

I also remember the daily family times gathered around Grandma and Grandpa as he opened up his well worn KJV Bible and read to us 3-4 chapters, maybe more, and as a child sometimes it seemed like they read the entire Old Testament. As they finished reading we would all kneel in the living room and pray. Grandma instilled the value and importance of God’s Word in her love and devotion to God, even in her last months listening to the Bible on CD.

Grandma Ruby and Grandpa pastored a number of Assembly of God churches in OR and WA. At their first church in Long Creek, OR., Grandma writes for a year they lived off of her meager SS unemployment and a $10/month gift from a retired Presbyterian minister. Through the next 75 years raising her family, she served the Lord leading worship with a guitar, accordion and piano, lead choirs, lead Missionettes (was the first Missionette Coordinator in the state of Oregon), and Women’s Ministry. Always faithful through each season of life in times of bounty and scarcity, through sickness and death, she lived each day fully devoted to her beloved Savior. Grandma Ruby’s family legacy includes children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that love Christ with the same devotion including two granddaughters who continue in pastoral ministry and share her title, “Pastor’s Wife”.

During the Memorial Service and after hearing more about Grandma Ruby’s life, ministry and her impact on family and her church, I felt the visual scene of Christ greeting Grandma Ruby at Heaven’s Gate: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful (for 95 years) with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” – Matt. 25:21

Giants & Weeds

2010-06-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

As I look out across my lawn I am overwhelmed with the weeds of all varieties thriving as if I had thrown out seeds and Miracle Grow together. I am being invaded by an army of thistles, briars, dandelions and other barbarian plants. Some at over 3 feet tall stand mockingly over my roses, strawberries, and decorative bushes like Goliath in the Valley of Elah, taunting, challenging and intimidating. We have mowed-over, dug-out, pulled-up and sprayed but the invasion marches on. Our VERY wet and cool Spring has provided the ammunition for their accelerated growth and multiplication.

I can imagine the scene 3,000 years ago in the Valley of Elah, with the Israelites on one hillside and the Philistines on the other. The Israelites faced an invasion with evil intent to take-over the land they occupied and promised by God. The Philistine’s champion, Goliath, at over 9 feet tall, mocked and challenged his enemy, and behind him the army that had been advancing in overwhelming strength and numbers. King Saul’s troops camped on the hillside intimidated and immobilized in fear. For forty days Goliath called out to the Israelites and issued his challenge, and for forty days the Israelite’s backed down, withdrew in fear and hopelessness. Till a teenage boy came along with grain, bread and cheese for his brothers and the army, heard the challenge, responded to King Saul and said “your servant will go and fight”. With a confidence of God’s protective hand in past challenges of the lion and the bear, and with the assurance of victory in the name of the Lord God Almighty, the shepherd boy David took his courageous (and some seeing the odds may say foolish) stand.

“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”
- 1 Samuel 17:36-37

As we know the events that follow, God delivered the most unlikely victory into David’s hand with a simple rock and sling. I can see the men of both camps jaws drop in disbelief and were awestruck as the giant fell in a cloud of dust and watch this shepherd boy draw Goliath’s own sword and cut off his head. Immediately the tide of confidence turned in the Israelites favor as the Philistine’s fled in fear and decisive defeat.

There are times in my life when I feel the challenge is overwhelming, negative circumstances encircle me, an invasion of chaos, disruption and fear seems imminent as the enemy issues a challenge to my life, my faith and my God. We all have those moments when marriages are strained to the breaking point, when life-threatening illness invade a loved one’s body, when our business fails, we lose our jobs, when tragedy strikes, and family relationships become cold and distant. Naturally we hide, withdraw to where we feel safe, defensive, hoping the threat will just give up and go away. But it remains, till we respond as the shepherd boy with confidence and trust in God, and courageously face the giant in the name of the Lord God Almighty.

So, with shovel, weed-trimmer, gloves, and gallons of Roundup, I am ready to take my stand.

Surprise!

2010-06-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

As the garage door closed behind me, I climbed out of my car grabbed my computer, the mail and shut the door. Thoughts of unfinished business from the office lingered in my mind as I navigated through boxes, over tools and sports equipment in our dimly lit garage. With a sigh of relief to be home I walked past the front of our parked van. Suddenly a ferocious blur of hair, arms and legs leapt out from behind the van. Instant terror gripped my heart as I instinctually defended myself in my manly way. My body contracted with one leg lifted up, arms tensed and brought in to protect my side, and my defensive verbal outburst sounded like a four year old girl stepping on a snake. My heart rate jumped from 80 to well over 200bpm and adrenaline shot through my system as the ferocious blur came into focus as a blonde, pink and now hysterically laughing little girl. “I got you Dad”, Aliya says as she gleefully jumps up and down in her accomplishment of taking at least 3.7 years off my life.

Why is it my kids, and many others as well, like to surprise, startle and scare their parents? Bryce and Aliya seem to go to great lengths to hide, wait and startle me whenever this evil thought crosses their otherwise innocent minds. Of course as any good father I laugh with them, as I make my way to my bedroom to catch my breath, compose myself, and pick up the shattered remains of my dignity.

In my journey in Christ, I have experienced God’s unexpected surprises as well. Just when I think circumstances have hit rock bottom, God provides, encourages, and strengthens me at just the right time. When I am feeling anxious about our finances, God surprises me. When I become discouraged, down or defeated God lifts me up. When I feel uncertain and stuck God clearly shows the way. As I look back on my life I can give a testimony of God’s presence through numerous unexpected surprises of provision, protection, direction, assurance, encouragement and joy. I can rejoice with the psalmist in his exclamation of praise.

You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
- Psalm 16:11

I think God takes great pleasure in providing for his children. I think he savors the moments of surprise to encourage, strengthen and bless us. In his plan for us, God patiently waits for just the right moment to reveal his work and presence in our lives. Sometimes when God surprises me, I have to take a moment, catch my breath, compose myself and say “Good one…Thank you God”.

To my kids who might have future plans of hiding in the garage, behind closet doors, or under beds…go surprise your Mom. I can’t afford to lose anymore of my hair, heart beats or dignity.

Freedom Isn't Free

2010-05-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

“Coward!”, “Chicken…bak, bak, bak”. Those are fighting words for any boy from the 3rd grade on up. As boys get older to be young men all it takes is a disrespectful word, glance or gesture that can send our blood pressure to the moon and we are ready to jump on the back of Goliath. There are times when this quick overreaction can get us into a lot of trouble (e.g. see the sports page for the latest brawl, fight, or altercation with our professional athletes). However, there are times when this tackle Goliath, “you talkin’ to me”, attitude rises up for a noble cause…the defense of liberty, democracy, family and our nation.

This is Memorial Day weekend that includes a time of reflection, respect and honor given to those courageous men and women who have given their lives for the freedom, the prosperity, the democracy we enjoy today. From the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, knowing full well that they might be signing their own death certificate, to the sacrifice of lives in WWW I and II, in Korea, Vietnam, and presently in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have risen to the call of our nation to “go”, “defend” and “fight” for us, and they paid the ultimate price with their lives. Thank you.

I treasure the religious freedom we have in our nation. To worship without government opposition, regulation, and persecution is a privilege that a great number of Christians world wide do not have. There are brothers and sisters in Christ who face persecution, beatings, imprisonment, and even death for gathering, teaching and living in Christ’s name. I am thankful for our nation’s forefathers to establish this right for me and my family.

As we have always known the freedoms, rights and prosperity within our nation, we can easily take for granted the life we enjoy. This Memorial Day let’s pause, reflect, and honor the men and women from all walks of life, of all faiths who fought in unity under the freedoms we cherish as the United States of America and remember that Freedom isn’t Free.

This Memorial Day I remember Lt. Col. Fred Koetitz, and his distinguished service as an Air Force pilot, and I am thankful for the past and current military service of Grandpap (Bob Lofstrom, Navy & Army Air Corp), Dad (Jerry Koetitz, Air Force), Clyde Fuller (Father-in-Law, Navy), Drew Foster (Brother-in-Law, Navy Submariner), and my little brother, 2nd Lt. Jon-Mark (C-130 Pilot, Air Force Natl. Guard). Thank you and no one can ever call you "Coward" or "Chicken" for you have shown your courage in action by your service.

My Friend Fonz

2010-05-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

There are those individuals that God brings into our lives where we share a special connection. Our lives intersect by what seems at first to be circumstantial, but in hindsight God gifted us with someone we cherish and call a close and personal friend. Those handful of individuals outside of our family that we share life together in a natural, flowing way, with a connection that runs deeper than 99% of all other friendships. Along my life journey living in numerous states, I have had the privilege of calling a few men my closest of friends. I remember my High School best friend, where we awkwardly flirted with girls, played the trumpet and basketball side-by-side, my college roommate in Santa Cruz where we still awkwardly flirted with girls (somehow it worked with Charlene), my deep connection with my life-long Dazbog friend in Greeley, and with close friendships developing today in Damascus.

Today, however, I remember one special friend, Fonz Garza (1965-2010). On May 10th, as he was driving his UPS truck in San Antonio, Texas was hit head on by a semi-truck and died instantly leaving behind his precious family. In our seven years in Utah, as Charlene and I just married and starting our family, Fonz showed up one day in our church plant in Kaysville. Fonz stationed at Hill Air Force Base was one who shared his life in an easy going, affable, and joyful manner.

We primarily shared our life together through sports. On the basketball court, at Salt Lake Community College (where I worked) we would challenge younger, taller students to pick-up games and show them that a couple of “old” guys, 30ish, could still bring game. Our summers were spent on the Softball field in the church, co-ed league, with Fonz as the outfield captain and in some games when undermanned, he covered left and center field by himself. At the end of one such game, with his outstanding play, the opposing team congratulated him in his awesome fielding. He taught me the game of golf and gave me my first set of clubs, and in return I taught him how humorous it was to golf as he chuckled each time I swung. Whether it was on the court, on the field, or on the golf course, Fonz was an all-around athlete who embraced life with friends, family and God with the same enthusiasm and joy.

In our small church-plant in Kaysville, Fonz was dedicated and committed. He could laugh off the difficulty of meeting in a mortuary, and brought joy and enthusiasm into Celebration Chapel – kid’s ministry, with the young guys in sports and adults. His love for family was revealed in his deep pain expressed in the death of his 3 month-old daughter, Kaelyn, which I would suspect left an open emotional wound on his heart. With his friends, he was engaging, open and willing to do anything for a friend in need. I feel privileged that Fonz called me his friend.

Today, I am reminded to treasure those who allow me to be a close friend to them. Today, I am reminded to not take for granted those special friends, and to nurture new close friendships as well. Today, I am reminded that it is God who brings together potential life-long close friendships for joy, encouragement and strength along life’s journey.

Fonz thank you for your friendship and someday we will share the competitive joy on Heaven’s fields and courts together.

My heartfelt prayers to Deloris, Jordan, Marcos and Arianna – May God flood your heart and soul with His peace, comfort and counsel today and each tomorrow.

Devotion

2010-05-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

The bow of the Portland Spirit cut through the glass surface of the Willamette River as the cool evening wind swept over the ship. In the fading light, the city buildings and bridges emerged further up the river as we wound our way past mansions, houseboats, country clubs, fern covered rock cliffs and even a small amusement park. I spotted the quaint, historic Pioneer Chapel where I had the privilege of bringing together two couples under God. The dinner cruise created an enchanting evening to celebrate the 20th Anniversary with my lovely bride.

As I reflect upon our life together and God’s special helpmate that he entrusted to me, I am simply grateful. When I solemnly repeated those two words, “I do”, the course of my life was forever altered like two mountain streams merging to create a bubbling brook meandering through the sunny valleys and dark forests. Looking back on our twenty years together I feel I have learned a few life lessons on marriage and relationships, with some (or maybe even a lot) learned the hard way. One key word to offer would be “devotion – the state of being ardently dedicated and loyal”, Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary.

Along our life journey things change, we change, our hopes and dreams have changed, I have changed and my bride has changed. When I look at my wife I see more than her lovely face and embracing cool blue eyes, I see devotion. A devotion to our family expressed from the moment she arises and cares for our family and me, till the sun fades and all are asleep. A devotion to fight for the unity, peace and love within our home. A devotion to the spiritual, emotional and physical intimacy between a husband and wife. A devotion to me.

Likewise Christ defined us (followers and believers) in his parables as his bride (John 3:29, Matt. 25:1-13). John’s revelation describes how the Bride has been prepared for the Bridegroom (Rev. 21:9, 22:17) and Isaiah gives this figurative expression of rejoicing and devotion in his prophetic blessing over Israel.

You will be called the People God Loves,
and your land will be called the Bride of God,
because the Lord loves you.
And your land will belong to him as a bride belongs to her husband.
As a young man marries a woman,
so your children will marry your land.
As a man rejoices over his new wife,
so your God will rejoice over you. – Isaiah 62:4b-5, NCV

As the Bride of Christ how is our daily devotion? Do you arise each morning ready to serve, love and live in ardent dedication? Are you loyal? Do you find the time each day to share life together or has the busyness of the day dissected the intimacy he craves with you? Have you allowed other things, people or activities to steal away your affections, desires, time and devotion? Tough questions…but as we celebrate our anniversary from the day we said “I do” to Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior and Bridegroom, may we also be reminded of our merging of lives and allow Him to guide the new stream of our future and be fully-devoted to Him.

This Means War

2010-05-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

Get on your knees and fight like a man, was the rallying cry to men in the 80’s Christian Rock song by Petra. Yes, I am showing my age and my musical tastes, but I have fond high school memories of slipping in my Petra cassette tapes in my boom-box and rockin’ with my air guitar and invisible drums all alone in my room. In the early age of Christian Contemporary music dominated by female vocalists like Evie, Amy Grant and Sandi Patty, it was awesome to have a little testosterone laden Christian music…and from my point of view, Petra rocked.

Today, May 6th, is our observed National Day of Prayer, and I think it would be fitting to pull out those old Petra cassettes and rally to the most effective tool we as Christians have…to engage the enemy in spiritual warfare through active, fervent, and effectual prayer.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. – 2 Cor. 10:4 (NIV)

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16 (NLT)

On this day we are called to get on our knees and fight like a man. Fight for the defense of your heart and mind from self-centeredness and worldly wisdom, fight for the physical and spiritual protection of your family, fight for health and vitality of your church, fight against the strongholds of sin upon your family, friends and co-workers, and fight for God’s Spirit to lead and direct our state and national leaders…fight for your country.

Get on your knees and fight like a man
You'll pull down strongholds if
you just believe you can
Your enemy will tuck his tail and flee
Get on your knees and fight like a man
Under the gun you've got no place to hide out
Backed in the corner on your own
This is one storm you are destined to ride out
One way to leave the danger zone
You've got the backbone to fight this tide
You've got the will to survive
You've got the weapon, it's at your side
You've got to learn to confide - Bob Hartman, Petra

OORAH!

2010-04-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

The United States Marines are the most formidable military branch in history. With a storied history dating to the revolutionary war, the Marines have fought bravely in all US wars and conflicts. The most enduring image from WWII was the raising of the American flag by the Marines overtaking Iwo Jima. The Marines, are ready to fight by land, air and sea and who pride themselves as America’s First Line of Defense, the first in to defend, help and fight. OORAH!

What is the “Oorah” anyway? Searching the internet I found a quick explanation at About.com:

No matter how one might spell the word -- with or without a hyphen, a U instead of two Os, and so on -- the word is still an expression of high morale, strength and confidence. And, when powered by an overwhelmingly proud, and usually loud, tone of voice, hooah seems to stomp out any possibility of being bound by the written word. "It's an affirmation that I fully agree with and support the idea or intent expressed by the person to whom I make that response," said Maj. Gen. F.A. Gorden, Military District of Washington commander. "It applies not only to the letter of what was said, but to the spirit of what was said."

Former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan has his interpretation. "I don't know how exactly to spell it, but I know what it means," Sullivan said. "It means we have broken the mold. We are battle focused. Hooah says ÔLook at me. I'm a warrior. I'm ready. Sergeants trained me to standard. I serve America every day, all the way.'"

No wonder you hear Marines, Rangers or Navy Seals yelling with confidence and courage, “OORAH!”, whenever they are motivated in training or engaged in battle. In the church our similar rallying cry would be a hearty “Amen”. The Hebrew word meaning certainty, truthfulness and faithfulness, and also used by Christ to preface his statements “Amen (verily, truthfully) I say to you…” A statement of “so be it” at the end of a prayer in the early church and obviously common today.

In today’s world and culture we are engaged in a spiritual battle, where the darkness of sin and worldliness encamp, attack and take ground in our schools, cities, entertainment, church and families. Do we engage in the spiritual battle at hand, or are we ignorant of the blatant attacks upon our community, churches, friends, co-workers, spouses, and children? Do we allow the enemy to lie, steal and destroy those we love right in front of our eyes? Would a loyal Marine stand idly by, watching a fellow soldier battle for his life? NO! He would courageously and sacrificially engage in battle alongside his brother.

We too need to stand firm in the Truth and to engage in battle, to protect, defend and attack the strongholds of sin, and false truths that wound, imprison and destroy our brothers and sisters. Engage in the battle today through the powerful armament of prayer, and the advancement of God’s Kingdom through Love in words and service. Protect your family, Defend the Truth and Advance the Kingdom. Oorah!

World's All-Time Best Seller

2010-04-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

What would you list as the top 10 most read books of all time? Would you list contemporary best-sellers like the Harry Potter series, The Da Vinci Code, The Purpose Driven Life, or older titles like The Lord of The Rings, The Lord of the Flies, or the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or maybe classics from Tolstoy, Hemingway, or Shakespeare? You are probably not surprise by the fact the Bible is the best-selling book of all-time at over 6 billion, most read, and most translated book in history, but do you know what many consider as the second most printed, read and disseminated book of all-time? Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, written in 1678.

Surprised? You may have heard of Pilgrim’s Progress and be familiar with its general story line, but this work has inspired millions for the past 300 years by its allegorical account of the struggles, joys and challenges of the everyman to begin and progress in the journey of life as a believer in Christ. Bunyan’s colorful, insightful and animated narrative was THE story for over 200 years and greatly influenced American colonial life. Everyone knew of the characters, places and Biblical principles found in Pilgrim’s Progress, and even today the re-telling of the story is found in movies, animations, picture books, and dramatic audio books.

It is not a great literary work by style, poetic prose or intellectual crafting, but by its insightful illustration of everyone’s story in their walk in faith. It was written for the common man…the working class family, those poor in spirit, and to those who lived the real struggles of life. Bunyan gave us the allegory that each one of us can relate to whether we lived in 17th Century London, 18th Century Boston or 21st Century Portland.

As I reflect upon Bunyan’s life and his influence as a writer, I come back to the foundation of Bunyan’s inspiration, The Bible, specifically the stories and the parables of Jesus. Jesus is the master storyteller, with short stories he gave us divine insight into all our lives. He challenged others directly as he confronted the Pharisees in the prophetic and tragic parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, and he also revealed God’s compassion, love and longing for us in the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son. Jesus would often leave a jewel of divine wisdom in his everyday life encounters, such as with Zacchaeus, the Chief Tax Collector, he stated:

Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. – Luke 19:9-10

The power and influence of God’s Word will stand the test of any best-seller’s list in any century. The only book that is active, living and true, as the infallible, God-inspired revelation of God’s story of love extended to his beloved creation. Pilgrim’s Progress is a must read for all, young and old, those of faith and certainly those who seek answers, but it leads us to THE book of all-time, the greatest story for humanity of all generations, all nations, all people…it is a vital and critical must read on everyone’s list, The Bible.

Dull or Sharp?

2010-04-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

What makes the local church an important part of our lives? You may answer: the preaching or teaching, worship through a preferred musical style, kids and youth programs, the felt “spiritual” fervor, prayer, the coffee served, and of course the opportunity to tithe. “Amen Brother”, respond my pastor friends.

You may identify other areas, but in general each local church is unique in its corporate voice of worship, Biblical teaching, prayer, and service. Christ-centered churches of all sizes, in diverse communities, in homes, schools, in traditional or contemporary buildings have a unique “voice”, and specific role in the greater Christian community.

One of the central aspects of “church” is relationships. Healthy, Christ-centered relationships are essential in our life journey. We desire relationships that break through the outer crust of simply talking about weather, sports, or work and seek authentic, life-giving friendships. We all desire relationships that will encourage, strengthen, equip, and bring joy to one another. Solomon stated this principle in Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

In a world that seeks authentic relationships through social networking, bars, clubs, sports, or work, I think the local church is THE place to find open, real, caring, lifelong friendships. At the Journey Church we connect, as a purposeful value, by encouraging one-to-one relationships, Connection Groups, age-level classes, Family Fun Nights, special events, and set aside time each Sunday AM service with coffee and muffins to build those life-giving friendships. Christ-centered relationships are the interwoven fabric that protects, strengthens, and beautifies the church.

What is it that makes the local church an important part of our lives? What brings you back to your local church week after week? It is more than just showing up and listening to worship music, and hearing a good sermon. You can get great teaching/preaching through books, the internet, TV, radio, and you can listen to inspired praise and worship all day long. It is more than good programs for men, women, kids and students or special performances and events, and it is more than music style and liturgical preference. I would argue that what makes the local church important, unique, strong and beautiful is the relationships that are cultivated within. Someone just might answer, “What makes my church a valued and important part of my week?....You!”.

Hope Floats and Baby Boats

2010-04-02T11:26:00.000-07:00

What was your worst job? Some share about jobs of flipping burgers, digging trenches, shoveling manure or some other task that was distasteful, backbreaking or maybe even embarrassing and usually for only minimum wage. I’ve worked a few jobs that fit, but one tops them all…working as a Ride Operator at Lagoon Amusement Park.

I had just graduated from Bethany University with my freshly printed Teaching License. Charlene and I took a leap of faith and moved to Utah to begin a new step in our life as I pursued my first professional teaching position. To pay the bills I went back to my old summer job of working at Lagoon, but this time as a ride operator in Kiddie Land. How hard could it be right? Let kids in, buckle them, push a button, and let them out. My first day, wearing my crisp new Lagoon uniform, I was given a detailed safety operation training on my new ride, Baby Boats by my squeaky voice 16 year old Supervisor.

In the warmth of the rising sun, the birds chirping, landscaped flower beds, and colorful rides I thought this might not be too bad. The sweet tunes of Raffi began to flood Kiddie Land with Baby Beluga, This Old Man, Are you Happy and You Know It, and kids and families began to stream in. Much to my surprise Baby Boats was one of the kids and parents favorite rides for there was no height requirement and immediately I had a longer line than those other inferior Kiddie Rides like Baby Bumper Cars and Purple Octopus. I felt special as I smugly cast a look toward the other operators with a “look at my line…it’s three times as long as yours”. They returned it with a curious mixed expression of “whatever” and “you’ll see”.

Now Baby Boats is a simple ride. Individual light blue boats are attached together in a cement ring filled with water, and as the boats circle the ride toddlers grip the steering wheel like commuters late for Starbucks, and feverishly ring the marine bells at the front of the boat. A few major issues suddenly surfaced: 1. the boats were below ground level and bobbing on water and 2. kids had parents and 3. kids eat too much. As I lifted toddlers in and out of the bobbing boats, my back began to burn with searing pain as precious children screamed in my face to either “not go in the boat” or “to not get out of the boat” as they stuffed cotton candy up my nose. Parents held their camcorders and offered words of encouragement, “Just force Johnny in…that’s it…hold him down, buckle it tightly…he’ll love it.”, as Johnny gripped with fear, screams and pulls me into the boat with him. Soon my head began to swirl in the noon day heat with the nauseating bouncy Raffi tunes repeating over and over, kids whining and screaming, and parents yelling instructions. Eliminate waterboarding for terrorist, just have them work Kiddie Land for a summer.

By the end of my grueling 8 hour shift, now with a deformed spine, beaten emotionally, physically exhausted and harassed by toddlers and parents alike, I fully understood why in Kiddie Land this ride was fearfully named Baby Boats from Hell by all ride operators.

On a serious note, there was another task that was dutifully prepared but full of pain and hopelessness recorded in Luke 23:50-24:1-12. On the night of Christ’s crucifixion, after his last breath, Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross, wrapped in burial linens and placed in the tomb. The women of Galilee including Mary the mother of James, Mary Magdalene and Joanna prepared the spices and fragrant oils according to culture and respect of the dead. After the Sabbath had passed, they returned as the rising of the sun to the tomb to complete their grieving task. What pain they must have felt, not only grieving for a loved one, but also the crushed hopes of believing Jesus was the coming King, the Messiah, the Son of God. They had witnessed his miracles, listened to his teaching and believed in him, but watched him suffer and die on the cross and laid him in the tomb. Death was unconquerable, Hell was victorious, and their last task was the final touch before the tomb was sealed forever.

The grieving women were the first to witness the most glorious event in human history. The stone was rolled away, the burial linens lay discarded, and the tomb was empty. In their fear and confusion, two angels appeared to them and said,

Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! – Luke 24:5,6

What thoughts and emotions flooded their hearts and minds as they returned to the eleven disciples to declare the impossible – Jesus has risen from the dead!

Easter morning reminds us of the power of Christ as the Son of God and his gift of hope for humanity. Even if your life feels like a daily shift of operating Baby Boats in Kiddie Land, you can joyfully worship this Sunday, in the reality of the resurrection to flood your spirit with the assurance of hope in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Forsaken?

2010-03-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

“My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” -David, Psalm 22:1

Have you ever felt complete abandonment, vulnerability, betrayal, anguish, excruciating pain, or hopelessness? If you have gone through one of those times you may understand David’s desperate plea. Where is my God? Why is He not paying attention to my needs? Why does He not help me?

I can’t say, I have ever had to walk through a valley of despair where I felt the void of the absence of God and His rejection. I can recall the accounts of US P.O.W. soldiers in Vietnam who were held by the Viet Cong for years, some imprisoned in bamboo cages 6 ft. long, by 3 ft. wide, and 2 ft. high, placed on a starvation diet of rice and salt, and shackled in irons, often beaten, certainly neglected, and many executed. I remember the descriptions of those who suffered the inhumane treatment in the German Concentration Camps of WWII. Alexander Werth, a British correspondent records what he saw at Maidenek, near the Polish border where over 1.5 million people were executed.

Anyway, after the washing was over, they were asked to go into the next room; at this point even the most unsuspecting must have begun to wonder. For the "next room" was a series of large square concrete structures, each about one-quarter of the size the bath-house, and, unlike it, had no windows. The naked people (men one time, women another time, children the next) were driven or forced from the bath-house into these dark concrete boxes - about five yards square - and then, with 200 or 250 people packed into each box - and it was completely dark there, except for a small light in the ceiling and the spyhole in the door - the process of gassing began. First some hot air was pumped in from the ceiling and then the pretty pale-blue crystals of Cyclon were showered down on the people, and in the hot wet air they rapidly evaporated. In anything from two to ten minutes everybody was dead. . .

In our history we have a long list of human atrocities of torture, genocide, neglect, war, slavery, and those who suffered must have cried out “My God, my God why have you forsaken us?” Has God abandoned us?

A poignant snapshot in history, one man is tried and sentenced to death by crucifixion at the hands of the Romans 2000 years ago. Roman crucifixion was a visceral statement of power over their subjects. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews is written above his head as he gasps for each breath in excruciating pain. Flogged, hands and feet nailed to the wooden beams, mocked, rejected, convicted as a criminal, and taking on the sins of humanity…even humanities atrocities. Jesus cries out “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” Has God abandoned his own Son?

David answers:

23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
- Psalm 22:23-24

Human suffering tests our faith like no other. To hold onto faith that God is present, compassionate, and empathetic to our suffering even to the point of death is our present and future hope. Jesus, the Son of God, is the first fruit of our future hope, fulfilled in his power over sin and death on Resurrection Day. When Jesus walked out of the dark, lifeless tomb…he emphatically answers “Yes, God is…” God is present, God listens, God is active, God is powerful, God cares… my God has not forsaken me. God's answer is Jesus.

Where Do You Stand?

2010-03-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Unless you have been in isolation camping on the backside of Mt. Hood this winter eating canned beans and trapping rabbits for dinner, then you are aware of the political hurricane about to come to shore this weekend. The House of Representatives will most likely bring to a vote (or non-vote) on the Health Care Reconciliation Bill. By everyone’s view this is a big deal…a big bill…a big cost…a big change. Regardless of where you find yourself in support or in opposition to this bill, it is a bill loaded with uncertainty, fear, hope, promises, and the scariest issue of all…change. If passed and signed into law then it will most certainly bring change to our hospitals, doctors, procedures…change to the insurance companies…change to businesses…change to individual health insurance policies…change in taxes…and change in political careers. Everyone will be affected in this change in some way at some level. That’s a big deal.

Most friends I talk with have very, VERY, strong opinions on this issue in either support or opposition with this bill, with not many sitting on the fence. There are some foundational issues that surface: trust, hope, and fear. If you support the bill and the changes you trust the Federal Govt. bureaucracy, hope for fair, universal health care coverage, and fear the status quo. If you are in opposition to the bill you do not trust the Federal Govt. bureaucracy, do not hold out hope that this is the answer to health care coverage, and fear this will further indebt our nation, and weaken our heath care system. The hurricane has landed.

As for me, I could wax eloquent for a page or two on my personal views, however, in the foundational issues of trust, hope and fear I would like to share a different perspective. I reserve 100% of my trust not in people, insurance companies, or governments, but in the Truth found in Jesus Christ. I do not hold onto hope that any Government will be able to protect, provide and meet all my needs. God alone is my provider, my sustainer, my protector. In the midst of real fears of disease, accidents, hospitalization, increased taxes and insurance premiums, or even bankruptcy, I find daily courage in the guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. – Psalm 62:6 (NLT)

As a believer in Christ, I put my hope and trust in Him regardless of what is swirling in the world around me. When the hurricanes of life (tragedy, job loss, failure, uncertainty, fear, and change) whip around us and cause the ground beneath us to sink, I am encourage by the truth found in the 150 year old hymn, On Christ the Solid Rock by Edward Mote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQgD_Wg9DG4

Principle of the 5th Sparrow

2010-03-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

“A person's a person, no matter how small.” – Horton, (Horton Hears a Who)

Theodore Seuss Geisel (1904 – 1991) or more commonly known as Dr. Seuss, is one of the most beloved children’s writers even today. He wrote and illustrated the classics of Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Although he penned himself, “Dr.” Suess, he never fulfilled his dream of earning a doctorate in philosophy of literature at Oxford. Yet, his stories, his parables have endured through the decades not simply because they were silly, tongue twisting escapades, but because there was a positive truth to be discovered. He was an encourager to children reading his books in the school library, as well as, to parents reading to their sleepy children at night. One of his enduring themes is the specialness of you:

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” (Happy Birthday to You)

“Thank goodness for all of the things you are not!
Thank goodness you're not something someone forgot,
and left all alone in some punkerish place
like a rusty tin coat hanger hanging in space.
Thats why I say "Duckie!
don't grumble! don't stew!
some critters are much-much,
oh, ever so much-much,
so muchly much-much more unlucky than you!”
(Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are)

When we feel down, lonely, disposable, insignificant, and common we withdraw in fear of not mattering. When we feel “unlucky”, we compare ourselves to others in their appearances, their relationships, their cool stuff, their success and we feel as if we don’t measure up. We compensate by being critical of others, by working harder, earning more, buying more, by cosmetics, gym memberships, diets, and even surgeries…all to make us feel that we matter.

We don’t need to compensate for this fear of not mattering, or even Dr. Seuss to remind us how special we are. Jesus encourages us with the principle of the 5th sparrow.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God…. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. – Luke 12:6-7

Two sparrows were sold for a penny. Four were purchased for two pennies with the 5th sparrow thrown in for free. God cares about the 5th sparrow - insignificant, disposable, worthless. How much more does God value and care about you as his beloved child. One way to think about it is this question: When you meditate on the crucifixion of Jesus, what does the cross say about how much you matter to God?

So, if you’re feeling like a 5th Sparrow today, “Don’t grumble! don't stew! some critters are much-much, oh, ever so much-much, so muchly much-much more unlucky than you!”

Taxes, Spies and the Road Runner

2010-03-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

Taxes – just saying the word, can make your blood pressure rise, lead to heated arguments, polarizing political debate, and even fueling a national revolution. “No taxation without representation”, was the rallying cry of those British Colonist 240 years ago, which eventually led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War. Presently for us, April 15th is that dreaded deadline to file our taxes, whether we like it or not.

In the few days before Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion, there was a public debate, a heated sparring, a political power play between the religious leaders and Jesus in the Temple described in Luke 20. In one of those engagements the Chief priests sent undercover spies to trap Jesus into public statements they could use against him for a potential arrest by the Romans or to discredit him to the Jewish public. They pulled their best highly explosive and touchy issue of their day – taxes. Taxation by the Romans was oppressive, enforced by brutality with no benefits or rights.

The undercover teachers of the law were setting up their Acme TNT trap like the Looney Tunes character, Wile E. Coyote, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.” Then at the right moment as the Road Runner “beep, beeps” his way around the corner, BAM! “Is it right (lawful) for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

As the smoke from the explosive question clears, Jesus anticipated the trap, and asks for a small coin, a denarius and asks a simple question, “Whose portrait and inscription are on it?”

The teachers of the law, shift their weight with a little uneasiness, look at the coins they are holding in the palms of their hands as the full attention of the crowd senses the emotional tension of this engagement. They reply, “Caesar’s”.

Jesus looks them in the eye with a calm resolve and authority that penetrates through their disingenuous question, and makes this often quoted statement, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s”. Astonished at his answer, they became silent. The Road Runner again escapes injury, and runs free through the desert.

For me as I just filed our 2009 taxes, I am mindful of Jesus’ words, “…give to God what is God’s”. As I fulfill my obligation as a citizen of this nation, what obligation do I have as a citizen of God’s Kingdom? Does God run an IRS department, set a deadline, or burden us with oppressive, forced obligations? Of course the answer is “no”, and I know your thinking “that’s absurd”. However, I sometimes think we fail to grasp our opportunity to worship and honor God with our trust and obedience. All that I am, and all that I have in relationships, stuff and finances is God’s. I am His. His expectation is not one day, April 15th, but everyday, 365 days a year to fulfill my obligation as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. The good news is in God’s Kingdom there is freedom, not oppression…there is blessing, not taking…there is mercy, not condemnation…there is benefits, not restrictions, and the retirement plan will last for eternity.

Because It Is There

2010-02-26T11:28:00.000-08:00

The succinct and most famous quote from Mt. Everest expeditions is from George Mallory (1886-1924), as he answered the question, “Why do you want to climb Mt. Everest?” He replied, “Because it is there”. George Mallory initiated the ultimate quest of standing atop the summit of Mt. Everest in the first expedition in 1922. From that first utter failure of inadequate equipment, sickness, exhaustion, bad weather, and limited food and supplies to the present day, with all our high-tech gear the call to reach the highest point on our planet is the alluring sirens song that entraps the adventurer to risk everything for the sake of, “because it is there”.

Mt. Everest Facts:
Elevation: 29,035 ft., commercial airlines cruise at 30-35,000 ft., Mt. Hood is 11,249 ft.
Location: Himalayan Mountain Range, the summit ridge separates Nepal and Tibet.
First Summit: May 29,1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
Youngest & Oldest to Summit: 15 and the oldest 64
Dangerous: Death is common, Worst year: 1996, 98 summitted, 16 died, about 120 corpses still on the mountain.

Every year hundreds of mountain climbers and adventurers make the trek to the base of Mt. Everest in the stark boulder, ice and snow landscape. They gaze up to the peaks around them as in the courtyard of a fortified castle. Their hearts race in exhilaration at finally being able to attempt their dream of conquering the greatest mountain on earth. They know the facts, they know this is a perilous adventure, they have heard the horrific stories of other climbers and yet it does not dissuade them, but rather compels them even more so to strap on their crampons, grab their ice axe and begin…all “because it is there”.

I am reminded of another adventurer who risked it all for fulfilling a dream. In Jesus Christ’s final week of ministry in Jerusalem, during the week of Passover, the single most significant annual feast and event in Jewish culture, he made his push to the summit. Jesus had been preparing his followers for three years, but his preparation for this moment began before time as we understand it. His quest was filled with obstacles and peril: accusations, pain, disappointment, isolation, frustration, betrayal, and public humiliation to the point of a tortuous death on a crude, wooden cross. He knowingly accepted his fate as he climbed to the summit of human history…the peak of man’s redemption. Why did he do it? Why did God risk it all? A simple reply, “because he first loved us.” John 3:16 succinctly quotes God’s motivation, purpose and plan, “For God so loved the world…” The ultimate quest for humanity was carried on the whipped back of the Son of God, as he shouldered the wooden beam with each step along Jerusalem’s streets; the highest peak of suffering was summitted that fateful day 2000 years ago, as the final words of the Lamb of God, said “It is finished” and took His last breath. Why? To demonstrate His love for humanity and specifically you and me.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

George Mallory and his climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, never returned from the mountain in their second expedition to the summit in 1924. Mallory’s well preserved body was discovered in 1999 a mere 1,500 ft. from the summit. Evidence suggests that in their descent he fell, his rope cleanly snapped, with Irvine’s body no where to be found, became immobilized and died from exposure. For what was Marlory’s death? “Because it was there” a stark, lifeless peak of granite and ice. For what was Christ’s death? “Because he first loved us” a diverse, beautiful humanity of joy, hope, love and life created in his image.

On The Edge

2010-02-19T11:27:00.000-08:00

On the edge of my seat, my stomach is in knots, with the tension and exhilaration of each blurred flash of speed and skill rounding each icy corner. My full attention is on the five short-track speed skaters battling for position with each lap during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The Koreans at 125-150 lbs each are the monsters of power and speed on the ice, clinching the first Gold in the 1500m. Our most decorated Winter Olympian Apolo Ohno, however, is the wild-card whose seemingly effortless speed, grace and cunning puts him in contention every time he takes the ice.

If I could only attend one Winter Olympic event, I would choose short-track speed skating hands down. I am captivated by the thrill of racers battling for position, passing each other like commuters on I-205. As they glide through each corner, fingertips skimming the ice, they are on the edge of their razor-sharp blades and of control. One slight bump or misplaced foot and they careen off into the padded barriers like 8-year-olds flying off a merry-go-round from a steroid pumped Dad. It is the Daytona 500 on ice…with blades not Goodyears…and no Chevy’s…or pit crews, RV’s, shirt-less guys named Jr. or Bubba…okay, but you get the point.

Do you ever find yourself where you feel you are living on “the edge”. You might feel like you are the edge of losing control in finances, family, integrity, busyness, activities, work, health, school, etc. If so, you are not alone. I know there have been times when I feel the speed and momentum of life takes me into a slippery corner, and all of the centrifugal forces push against my leaning body, fingertips on the ice, as I hold onto the razor’s edge of my blade. It is at those breathless moments we need the assurance and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we hold the hand of a loved one in ICU, balance our checking account where we only see red, when we are so frustrated, angry, depressed, sullen, or fearful that we become immobilized to action or simply just going through the motions. God is there.

When God is with us we then can take each corner with the confidence and courage of faith, rather than the tenuous uncertainty of fear. Jesus fully understands our struggles where fear creeps into our hearts and minds, and his most common command is to not fear. Over a hundred times, Jesus makes statements including “not be afraid”, “not fear”, “have courage”, “take heart”, or “be of good cheer”. Jesus repeatedly encourages us to live by faith, and not by fear. As you take those corners where life is on “the edge”, Jesus offers us the redirecting question to keep us on the track, confident and full of faith.

“Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”
- Matthew 8:26

Valentine's Alert!

2010-02-12T11:42:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION ALL MEN – Valentine’s Day is only 2 days away! WARNING – Failure to properly prepare for this event may lead to cold shoulders, icy glares, isolation and a sleepless night on the couch. PREVENTION TREATMENT – requires a boat-load-of-cash to purchase any or all of the following: any perfume named after stalkers (Obsession, Desire, Poison, Envy), lingerie – CAUTION – only purchase at highly priced retail stores that claim to have secrets, if purchased at Walmart or Goodwill you will experience nausea and possible head trauma. Jewelry is always a safe bet especially if you REALLY need this day to make up for the past 11 months – the mathematical equation to determine how much you should spend is f(x)=en . Isaac Newton first discovered this formula when he was hit upon the head by a loaf of French bread after forgetting his wife’s birthday. In layman terms, F=you, X= how long you’ve been in the dog house, E = your hopeful outcome, N = is the exponent of how much money you earn in a lifetime working 2 ½ jobs, and there you have it, the exact amount of money you should spend on anything laden with pearls, gold, and diamonds.

For those of you who’s boat-load-of-cash has sunk to the depths of the Pacific Ocean, yes you still have options as well. Roses are always a good idea but could send the wrong message: dark red- passionate love, pink- cutesy love, yellow-friendship love, white-motherly love, purple- uh, just don’t give purple. A card is a necessity, but be careful to set the right tone, “Sweetie, you’ve got more trunk space than a 69 Buick” is only funny when you are reading it to yourself at the Hallmark Store. Honorable mentions are chocolates, candies, and stuffed bears, although overused they could help you slide by this year.

God’s pulling for you this Valentine’s Day. Remember Adam, all by himself in the Garden of Eden, naming animals, snacking on fruit all day, not having to worry about dirty clothes on the floor, toilet seats, or body odor (you would stink too if you ate fruit all day and hung out with animals). God looked upon him with pity and decided to help the poor guy out.

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

After one restless night, there was beautiful Eve. Today, thousands of years later, we men still have God’s pity, “It’s not good for (insert your name) to be alone”, and he gives us our “Eve” who’s beauty is captivating, love is satisfying, and companionship is fulfilling. Valentine’s Day is our opportunity to express our feelings (yes, I know sometimes that’s a big step for some of us) toward the love of our life.

So, guys, I hope these few notes of guidance will help you navigate the land mine fields of Valentine’s Day. After surviving 23 Valentine’s Days with my special Valentine, I’ve only singed my eyebrows, lost a few toes on my right foot, and with the exception of the 1994 Valentine’s Day debacle that nearly took off my left arm, I am still fully functioning. Be brave, be courageous and go out there soldier and make me proud on February 14th.

"The Aint's" No More

2010-02-04T13:22:00.000-08:00

This Sunday millions of Americans will gather with family and friends around the biggest HD Television they can find with their favorite foods and drinks, and cheer, cry and even yell during America’s #1 watched televised event, The Super Bowl. I will be one of those crazy fans. This year’s Super Bowl pits the league’s MVP, Peyton Manning and the charging Indianapolis Colts, against the surging New Orleans Saints. The two best teams of the regular season will meet with both having high octane offenses and takeaway defenses. This highly anticipated Superbowl may be the most watched televised event ever. But for one of the teams, to be in the Super Bowl seemed as likely as playing golf on the moon.

For many years the fans of the Saints would sit in their stadium seats with paperbags over their heads, eye holes cut out, with “The Aints” inscribed on it with a black marker. Instead of proudly cheering on their team waving the yellow and black Terrible Towels of the Steelers fans, or wearing foam cheese hats as Packers, they displayed their faithful support, yet with low expectations, by wearing the “Aint’s” paperbags over their heads. The faithful Saints fans endured season after long season of disappointment, losing and being one of the most ridiculed teams the past 30 years. When hurricane Katrina flooded and devastated their city, the damaged Superdome became a temporary refuge for those who lost everything. Those images reinforced this hopelessness, that fate was against them, and despite their best efforts they were doomed to failure, not only as a football team, but now as community. This Sunday they have an opportunity to prove that those days are behind them, and they are the best team in the NFL.

The New Orleans Saints journey reminds me of a promise God gave to the Israelite people in Jerusalem 2,400 years ago. At this time, the Israelites were the remnant from captivity by Persia and returned to live in Jerusalem. With the city’s walls, buildings and majestic Solomon’s Temple destroyed, they were a beaten down, hopeless, and discouraged people. As God spoke through the prophet Haggai, he encouraged them to be faithful and obedient to his will and work....to rebuild the temple and reestablish the sacrifices, celebrations and prayers of Worship to God. After several months they were faithful in beginning the work, but they saw little fruit to their labor in life and in the rebuilding the Temple. That’s when God said things will change:

But from this day on, I will bless you. Haggai 2:19

In our lives, I think we can go through seasons like the Saints and the Israelites that in the midst of being faithful, working hard, striving for success, doing the best that we can…we see only failure, with little fruit to show from our labor. However, I can see in my life that if I am faithful to God’s direction and will for me, and persevere, there will be that watershed moment where God proclaims “But from this day on, I will bless you.” I will enjoy the fruit of faithfulness, not by my hand, rather through the power and mercy of my Father’s hand. It might be in my stewardship of finances, my relationships, my roles as husband, father and friend, or even in service and ministry.

Today, might be that day, when you can pull that old crumpled paper bag off your head, and shed the discouragement of being “Aints”, and proudly wear the jersey of Gold, Purple and White (no, not the Vikings), but the colors representing the highest value, royalty and purity in being on God’s Team in the fullness of His blessing.

Something to Treasure

2010-01-30T12:14:00.000-08:00

The cool ocean breeze held a salty taste in the air as my shoes sank into the soft wet sand. As I knelt peering into the rocks, pebbles and broken shells, sifting them through my fingers, I looked for the crystalline, translucent treasures, agates. With a quick shout, Bryce pops his head up over the tide pool rocks, and declares he’s found another one. We are agate hunting. Sometimes we scour a rock field with others, hunched over, scanning the area before our feet like a War of the Worlds alien machine. This time we find ourselves at low tide in the midst of tide pool rocks that form miniature canyons with sand, streams, pebbles, and tide pool life.

Agate Hunting has become my favorite beach activity. In that suspended moment of time, with the waves, seagulls and wind orchestrating a symphony that carries my burdens, roles, frustrations, and responsibilities away with each harmonious note, I feel care-free, cleansed and child-like.

I feel a similar way as I think of this week’s devotional in Goodness, by Calvin Miller, “The Gift of Christ’s Righteousness”. As I reflect upon my righteousness, I am very mindful that my attempts at righteousness leave me carrying the burden and responsibilities of being “good” and fall short…very short of anything pure, clean and holy. It is only through the gift of Christ’s righteousness that I am lifted up above the muck, and grime of my human attempts at goodness…I am free, cleansed and child-like. Christ’s gift of righteousness, found in His sacrificial love, and displayed in His power on the cross, frees me from the burden of sin, guilt and shame. As an added benefit my anxieties, frustrations, over-concern of life responsibilities are carried away by the notes of His love. The Apostle Paul makes this claim in his letter to the Romans.

The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-24, The Message

A pure gift, now that is something to treasure. When you find this treasure, you can rejoice and proudly proclaim for all to hear, “I found it!” You can display this treasure to your family and friends, and live each day holding on to the gift of Christ’s righteousness. Rejoice, celebrate and live in the purity, holiness, power and freedom of Christ’s righteousness.

Are You Prepared to Worship?

2010-01-22T10:54:00.000-08:00

In today’s devotional, Goodness, by Calvin Miller, the question is posed, “How important is it to be ready, or be prepared to enter into worship?” When we engage in personal, private worship (our devotional time), or in community worship (Sunday services), we enter into the presence of our Holy and Almighty God. I think we can easily take this great privilege for granted, at times too casual, and even not prepared. The psalmist asks this same question and offers the answer:

3 Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
Psalm 24:3-4

If one of us were called to the White House as an honored guest with nationally televised attention, would we just pack jeans, t-shirts and smelly, old sneakers and go. Certainly not, we would most likely make an appointment at Damascuts, buy a new suit at Men’s Warehouse, stop at Nordstrom’s and purchase dress shoes, belt, tie, socks, and even new underwear…head to toe I would be good to go. I wouldn’t think twice about spending the money, because this would be a once-in-a-lifetime event that I would want to be prepared and ready for.

As exciting and memorable as that event might be, it pales in comparison to being in the presence of God our Father. To be in the presence of His glory, His grace, His power, His love and have His undivided attention. Now, that’s something to be fully prepared and ready for. As we engage in worship let’s come into His presence with clean hands (actions that may have hurt others or in disobedience to God), a pure heart (pure motives, desire, focus and single-minded devotion to God), and in Truth (know, believe and live in the Truth). When we prepare our hands, heart and mind for this invitation to be in His presence we will then honor, worship and please our Heavenly Father.

As we come together for our Celebration Worship Service this Sunday, take some time before you enter the building and prepare to enter into His presence.

Pat's "Pact to the Devil"

2010-01-14T11:19:00.000-08:00

After our Wednesday Family Night Service, I plopped on the couch with my pomegranate blueberry iced-juice to watch the latest news on Haiti. As I flipped through CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, to my dismay a sound bite by Pat Robertson made international news.

The 700 Club had a special show dedicated to the awareness, prayer for, and contributions to the Haitians suffering in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. The tragedy leveled the Capital, Port-au-Prince, claiming tens of thousands of lives, with thousands more to come through disease, homelessness, and extreme poverty. They were already an impoverished people with 80% of the population below the poverty level. Yet, in the middle of his show, Pat Robertson made this statement:

"Something happened a long time ago in Haiti," Robertson said. "People might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French, uh, you know, Napoleon the third and whatever . . . and they got together and swore a pact to the Devil. They said, 'We will serve you, if you get us free from the Prince.' True story. And so the Devil said, 'Okay, it's a deal.' . . . Ever since they have been cursed."

What? Seriously…come on Pat, a contract with the Devil? Did the slaves gather around an ouiji board at the crossroads, sign a contract with a blood ink pen, pick up their guitars and start their march against the French? Are you not a mature and seasoned media minister, a televangelist who’s been around the block a few times? You’ve been broadcasting since I can remember, and wasn’t one of your first guests, Howdy Doody? Are you not aware of the damage ill-timed and foolish statements can be to yourself and in representing Christians world wide? You dangled a juicy sound bite fish-head that the piranha of national news media couldn’t resist. In one statement you dumped a tanker load of gasoline on the fire of those perceiving Christians as condemning, ignorant, and heartless hours after a wide-spread human tragedy to an impoverished people. Your words also leave the impression that this event is God’s justice, a Sodom and Gomorrah event, except that it’s 200+ years late. Thanks a lot.

Yes, Haitian’s history is steeped in voodoo especially during the 1700’s, and that spiritual warfare is very real, but now is not the time to make foolish judgmental comments, but to fall to our knees, pray and weep for the children who walk the streets without any family, for those still buried beneath the rubble suffocating under tons of concrete, for those mourning over loved ones covered by sheets laying on the streets, and for those injured, to weak to cry, waiting outside hospitals (if you could call them that), and for their future as a people and a nation. Now is the time for the Christians around this world to unite in compassion (love in action), to pray and provide resources as the Body of Christ. The world’s greatest expression of God’s love and compassion is not nations, the U.N., or humanitarian agencies, but us. Now, that’s what the world needs to see from us, a true representation of a loving, compassionate, and responding Savior.

Jesus wept. - John 11:35

Pray and make a difference today and donate at: http://ag.org/top/haiti.cfm

For Goodness Sake

2010-01-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

Goodness. Mirriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines goodness as, “the quality or state of being good”, and that it is also used in phrases to express mild surprise or shock. “Would you stop picking your nose at the table for goodness sake.”, “Oh my goodness, the Raiders scored a touchdown!”, “Goodness gracious, great balls of fire, that’s one giant pumpkin you have there cuz.” The words goodness and good are so common and used in so many ways that we loose distinction and power in its expression and definition.

However, both words are very powerful and descriptive in the Word of God. In the KJV, goodness is used 51 times, and good 725 times. In most cases it is God himself declaring what is good. The first example is God’s creation found in Genesis 1 and after each day, God declares it “good”. From there on we know God makes a distinction between what is good, pleasing and acceptable to Him, and what is not good, not pleasing and not acceptable to Him. Many Biblical characters learned this distinction the hard way: Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Moses, Pharaoh, Sampson, King Saul, and generations of Israelites.

The Goodness of God is the perfection of His divine nature. Perfect love expressed in His character toward us, his creation. God’s goodness is merciful, longsuffering, compassionate, patient and full of empathy and grace.

In our journey in Christ do we seek a path of goodness? Galatians 5 states it as one of the Fruits of the Spirit, and if we abide in Christ’s love we will bear the fruit of goodness. Goodness is the quality of being good, and if there is any “good” found in us, it is through the goodness of God working within us through the Holy Spirit. Each step we take on the path of goodness is a maturing process of trust, obedience, and faith…so be good for goodness sake.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
- Colossians 1:10

New Life's Eve

2009-12-31T14:57:00.000-08:00

Take a look at many of today’s headlines: “Top 10 Scandals of 2009”, “The Years Dumbest Criminals”, “Most Influential Woman of 2009”, “Best Songs of 2009”, “Top 10 Best Athletes of 2009” and most other articles take a reflective and evaluative look at the past 365 days. 2009 was a challenging year with world economic depression, wars, terrorism and instability. Yet, New Year’s Eve is celebrated by most of the world with a sense of hope and optimism through spectacular fireworks, events, and parties. On this day we experience both a reflective realism of the past and a pre-emptive celebration of hope for our future.

This is an interesting dynamic of our consciousness. If we live in the negative realism of our past we succumb to debilitating pessimism. If we only soar in the heights of what may be, we fail to grasp the work of supporting hope. A healthy balance of realism and dreams, reflection and vision, past and future are necessary and reflect both a time of mourning and birth.

I think we have a personal New Year’s Eve on the moment before we invited Christ into our lives. The Holy Spirit brings us to a point of crisis where we reflect upon the realism of our past (sin and separation from God), and leads us to the hope of our future in Christ’s redeeming power. Let’s call it our New Life’s Eve. On our New Life’s Day (that moment we accepted Jesus Christ into our lives and received his gift of love and forgiveness) we experience the 1st day of our New Life. A few examples are when Jesus teaches Nicodemus about being born again, not of flesh, but of the spirit. The Prophet Ezekiel refers to having a new heart and new spirit, and the Apostle Paul states in his letters to the churches of being dead to sin, alive in Christ, a new creation, a new man and having a new life.

Today on Dec. 31st, I hope you will take a moment to reflect upon your New Life’s Day. If all you have is the headlines of your past “Top 10 Disasters of the Year”, without the living hope of Christ in your future, you are missing out on the most important day of celebration, victory, peace and joy we can ever experience.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, - 1 Peter 1:3

Suspended Moments

2009-12-24T12:37:00.000-08:00

Little eyes are filled with expectation, curiosity and hopeful visions of what might be inside the meticulously wrapped boxes. Melodic Christmas tunes jingle merriness all the way, and as I devour sugar and butter baked treats, they quickly overfill my daily caloric intake…but I don’t care. Christmas Eve day with our family sitting around the tree hugging cushions on the couch, sharing stories, laughing, shaking presents…those are memories that stick. This is a rare moment suspending spelling lessons, paying bills, washing dishes, sitting at a desk, and worrying about daily stuff. For me it is in those times and on Christmas day with family and friends that make this a special time of the year.

Actually I dread, the day after Christmas. It is a reminder that “real life” is still waiting like the IRS on April 15th. Life is often messy, hard, complicated, frustrating and disappointing, and that’s just in the morning trying to open a new box of Cherrios. What if we could suspend “real life” each day? What if we had a daily moment to let the worries and challenges of that day dissipate into the fog of our consciousness? What would replace it? One of the gifts God offers us is His presence, the Holy Spirit, for daily communion. We call it prayer.

Prayer can be this suspension of worries, frustrations and pain when we open our hearts and thoughts to God’s love, direction, hope, peace, comfort and counsel. We may quiet our spirits in reflection and meditation, take a refreshing prayer walk, read inspirational thoughts on scripture, listen to worshipful songs, or even let God speak directly to you through his living and active Word. I long for those moments. After such times, my “real life” feels lighter, full of hope, filled with peace and confidence. I know my God walks with me.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

The Courage of Linus

2009-12-18T10:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, I admit it, when it comes to the Christmas animated shows I am glued to the TV. The Grinch that Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Frosty the Snowman are classics and beloved even by an old 40+ guy like me. Most were created in the late sixties or early seventies which put me as a first generation child captivated by the state of the art animation and heart warming stories.

However, my favorite Christmas animated classic is The Charlie Brown Christmas. Snoopy, Lucy, Charlie Brown and the entire gang attempt to put together a Christmas production centered around a weak, little, gangly tree. As the character’s frustrations rise Linus courageously stops the commotion, gets everyone’s attention and shares a simple yet heartfelt summary of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. The story moves from chaos, self-centeredness, and frustration to unity, gratitude and worship. All of that in a kid’s animated show. Charles Schulz has given us a timeless animated classic with a focus on true joy and peace found in Christ alone.

I am proud of Linus. He is not an upfront, grab the limelight, attention seeking guy, but rather quiet and unassuming with his security blanket held tight. Yet, when needed, it is Linus who steps forward, takes a risk, and leads with truth, wisdom and direction. We all need a Linus in our daily lives at work, school, home, and community. Sometimes we sit across a table from a Linus as we share our frustrations over hot vanilla latte’, or talking on the phone, sharing lunch at work, hangin’ out after class, and even posting some thoughtful message on Facebook. Maybe you are a Linus.

Maybe there’s a little bit of Linus in all of us. When we have opportunities to share truth, wisdom and direction we can act courageously, step forward and lead. We then become God’s vessel for his message of hope, peace, love and joy to others. I think Charles Schulz had a little Linus in him as well, for when he presented The Charlie Brown Christmas to the network executives, he had to courageously stand firm to include Linus’s speech and the worshipful hymn at the conclusion. I am glad he did.

The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of judgment.
Proverbs 10:21

The Christmas Party

2009-12-11T11:39:00.000-08:00

Eggnog, carols, tinsel, white elephant gifts, and sugar cookies are staples to one of the enjoyable aspects of this season, the Christmas Party. Whether it is a family get-together, a church event, dinner with friends, or even a work party the “Christmas party” is a time to put aside daily responsibilities, share stories, divulge in a few extra calories, and laugh at our silliness playing Christmas themed games. Trying to draw reindeer on our heads, or filling in the mystery carol by clever clues, and opening a surprise gift that leaves you speechless create shared memories that define the Christmas party. As I reflect upon some of the silliness, the surprise gifts and the festive foods, it is the treasured friendships that were a little more vulnerable and open during the Christmas party than during the daily routine of work and family responsibilities.

For Christians the heart and soul of Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s birth and His generous gift of love offered to us. As we all enjoy a good Christmas party with friends, I am reminded that there will be a day of great celebration, a feast that with each bite would make an Iron Chef silently pondering its complexity and exquisiteness, an overwhelming feeling of pure joy and excitement, in a party for believers of all nations, and all generations. John in his vision of Heaven in Revelations 19 describes the celebration feast between the Lamb and his bride, the church.

(7) For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready…(9) Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

The Wedding Supper of the Lamb will be the pinnacle of any feast, festival, celebration or party that has ever been. It will be a long anticipated union between man and God, and a fulfillment of God’s plan for an eternal relationship with His beloved and sought after children. A party with Christ, the Lamb as the center will be the ultimate Christmas party, now that’s a party to look forward to, and that you definitely don’t want to miss.

Christmas Myth or Christmas Truth

2009-12-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

I recently read an article about highly trained Santa’s who sport real white beards, rosy cheeks and $2,000 Santa Suites. They are assigned to the largest malls throughout the nation, as they sit an average of 6,000 kids on their knees through 4-6 weeks of service. They witness the innocence and joy of children, as well as, the frustration, impatience of parents waiting in long lines. I can imagine that being a professional Mall Santa would be an interesting and exhausting stint, yet as I read this captivating article, I felt the hopes and dreams of Christmas with love, joy, peace, fulfillment, and family were misplaced with many children and adults in the character of Santa Claus. In the end, Santa Claus is our modern myth of innocence, goodwill, giving, and family.

As Christians we understand that Christmas is more than believing in a myth, it is believing in the Truth, with a capital “T”. This Truth is substantial, real, powerful, loving, giving, sacrificing, enduring, and timeless. Jesus Christ is the Truth. He is the Word of God, The Way, The Truth and The Life, The Good Shepherd, The Messiah, The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, our Savior, and we celebrate the gift of Truth each Christmas in His miraculous birth 2,000 years ago.

So, as we enter into December let’s put into proper balance the Christmas Myth and the Christmas Truth. When you have opportunity share the Truth with your children, grandchildren and family this season that they will put their hopes and dreams of Christmas with love, joy, peace, fulfillment, and family placed firmly on the Truth of Christmas.

No Limits

2009-11-25T15:48:00.000-08:00

"I am thankful for..." is the phrase that is on the foremost of our thoughts as we approach the aptly named, Thanksgiving Day. How do you finish that sentence? We usually begin with family and loved ones, God's provision, mercy and grace, and the physical blessings we have in our lives. The statements can be a prayer of gratitude for God's divine hand of blessing on our lives. What if you started each day with this sentence with the challenge of not repeating yourself. How many days could you go until you simply couldn't add one more prayer of gratitude for God's blessing upon your life? Would it be a week, a month, years or to our last breath?

I am not aware of anyone taking this challenge to the fullest extent, but what is the limit of God's provision, protection, guidance and love extended to His children? As I think about it, it seems the limit is in our perception and understanding. Limitless blessings...wow, that's a powerful concept. We can dream of and visualize limitless funds in our checking account (that's why millions of Americans play state lotteries), or limitless shopping, travel, or entertainment, but in all those things I would suggest there is a limit to its level of security, fulfillment, happiness, or excitement. God's nature, love, protection, and provision is beyond our perceived limited boundaries with an eternal fulfillment.

But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children.
Psalm 103:17

I think the only limit to our daily gratitude and thanksgiving is confined to our perception and ability of description. Tomorrow as you pause, pray, meditate or verbalize "thanks", remember our perception is but a grain of sand on the beach of God's blessing extended to us.

Have a wonderful time with family and friends this Thanksgiving.

Turn Back, Give Thanks

2009-11-20T09:47:00.000-08:00

A group of men, sat on rocks, in small clusters, some were telling stories of their families others, looked longingly out across the hills of Jerusalem to a city they could not enter. Unclean, the title that shattered their lives, separating them from their families, work, homes, and Temple worship. One of the men looked at the open sores on his hands, knowing that in time, the leprosy would take his fingers, as well as, infect other parts of his body. With little to no hope the men exist from day to day by the support of family and mercy of others.

One of the men spotted a small group traveling, and as they approached he recognized this rabbi, the teacher who healed the sick. Getting the attention of the other men, they stood and called out “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”. He stopped, turned and his companions quieted as he gazed upon the pain, loss of dignity, and hopelessness expressed across their faces. With his hopeful command “Go, show yourselves to the priests”, the words prompted all ten men to walk, some faster than others, to the city.

As they traveled, their steps quickened, their backs straightened, their strength returned, and their skin was renewed. No sores, no pain, no disease, means a life restored with family, work, dignity, and they are men once again. Rejoicing some quicken their pace, others stop to show their restored skin to one another, but one man turns back and leaves the group.

He sees the Rabbi in the distance, and emotion springs forth and he shouts praises to God. The lone leper, a Samaritan, falls at Jesus’ feet and thanks him, tears flow from a life fully restored. Jesus looks into the hearts and thoughts of his traveling companions and asks, “Were not all ten cleansed?” Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Turning back to the man he softly commends, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Paraphrased from Luke 17:11-19

Charles L Brown, asks the question Why did only one cleansed leper return to thank Jesus? He gave a list of nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:

One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, “O, well, Jesus didn’t really do anything.”
One said, “Any rabbi could have done it.”
One said, “I was already much improved.”

In our season of Thanksgiving, we celebrate the joy of family, the comfort of material blessings, health and enjoyment of life, but let’s not forget the lesson of the lone, Samaritan who fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Turn back, pause, in your celebrations this week, fall at Jesus’ feet and in everything give thanks to God.

What is Beauty?

2009-11-13T11:08:00.000-08:00

What is beauty? Why do we attribute something or someone as beautiful? Is beauty a subjective evaluation, or is it a timeless ideal? A few questions I’ve allowed my thoughts to linger over the past few days, and a surprising insight surfaced.

Beauty is “the combination of qualities that make something pleasing and impressive to look at, listen to, touch, smell, or taste”, Encarta Dictionary. We generally use this descriptive word with the personal physical attractiveness of a woman, but we also use it to describe music, visual arts, performance arts, architecture, food and drink, aromas, and natural features: fields of tulips, cascading waterfalls, and golden sunsets. Beauty captures and holds our attention through one or more of our senses.

Is beauty a timeless ideal, or a subjective description? Not all beauty falls in the same category. Polyester leisure suits, 80’s techno pop, and 60’s VW art, may not be as timeless as Michelangelo’s Statue of David, or Handel’s Messiah, and man’s creations seem insignificant compared to majestic mountains, vast oceans, and any one of this earth’s scenic wonders. Standing on the rocky edge of the Grand Canyon with its depth, expanse, and vibrant colors will overwhelm our senses, and we feel small in our humanity.

One verse that caught my attention is Psalms 27: 4.

”One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in
the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the
beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.”

“To gaze upon the beauty of the LORD”, is the phrase to long for, to see the beauty of the Lord, in his immeasurable power, his depth of love and compassion, and his creative glory and majesty. Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon will be insignificant compared to standing at the feet of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Son, and in the presence of the awesome wonder of God our Father. That moment, an overwhelming of all our senses, will burn a lasting impression on our lives for eternity. When we will gaze upon the pure, holy, eternal, majestic glory of the Lord, we will then see true beauty.

As for us, created in the image of God, we have an intrinsic beauty that begins to surface the closer our lives reflect the nature and character of God. We can also reveal His beauty by the creative work of our hands in sensory art forms, to be pleasing and honoring to the Lord. Today, worship God with your all your heart, mind, soul and strength and let your creativity blossom in the beauty of the Lord.

Sticky Fingers

2009-11-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

Can you think of something that is sticky? Glue, tape, honey, syrup, gum, half eaten candy and other substances can create a sticky mess. If you have ever worked or raised younger children you know those sticky substances can wreck havoc on clothes, walls, carpet, and even hair. Most parents have, at least once, had to clip gum chunks out of their child’s hair and try to create a modern hair style. I am one of those people that do not like to have my hands and fingers sticky. Even when I eat hot wings, I hold them as if I was at High Tea with the Queen.

Queen: “Would you like some Crumpets and Earl Grey?”

Me: “No, but I would like a dozen of the Dragon’s Breath Buffalo Hot Wings…and some milk, thanks.”

Although I am cautious with sticky stuff on my fingers, when it comes to our friendships we want them to stick. We desire those close relationships to hold fast through good times and bad, through life changes, through separation, and through the years. The sticky stuff that holds those relationships together are acceptance, understanding, forgiveness, joy, laughter, shared experiences, time, gentleness, patience, kindness and many others, but all fall under the greatest of these, love.

In our Wednesday Kid’s Bible Max class we explored Proverbs 18:24b, “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Coming from a home with four younger brothers, I can appreciate how close brothers can be with growing up together, fighting, playing, sharing, pranking and all the rest. I love my brothers and we will be close throughout our lives. We may have a friend, outside of family, come into our lives that fulfills that proverb, but we all have an invitation to a lifelong, and eternal friendship in Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us his friends in John 15:14-17, Jesus says “You are my friends…”, “…I have called you friends”, “…I have chosen you”. To be the friend of Jesus, the Son of God, The Lord of Lords, The King of Kings, is an awesome invitation of friendship.

It is out of Christ’s love displayed for each one of us that makes this relationship “stick”. His love, his compassion, sacrifice, gentleness, peace, hope, joy, patience, kindness, and goodness is the glue that makes Him the friend that sticks closer than a brother. I don’t mind that stickiness.

The one thing about getting a little sticky is that when you come into contact with others, they get sticky as well. With our friendships in Christ we can develop “sticky” relationships that hold, and we may even like it.

Victory is Sweet!

2009-10-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite NFL moments was in SuperBowl XXIII in 1989, between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals. It was a tight, and even played game with the Bengals up by 3 points with only a couple of minutes left on the clock. Joe Montana, Cool Joe, led the Niners with a historic last minute drive to steal a victory away from the Bengals with a touch down pass to John Taylor with only 34 seconds to go. As an avid 49er fan in the 80’s living in the Bay area, I distinctly remember that last drive, the hits, the catches, the anxiousness I felt as time was slipping away, and the elation with the final TD catch. What a great victory!

But that’s just a game. In life we face many challenges, obstacles, and opposition that threaten our security, relationships, and work. We desire success, we hope for victory, but often we feel that the odds are against us and the circumstances are mounting up with a sense of hopelessness. In our series on faithfulness, we have taken a journey that has led us to a deeper understanding of God’s faithfulness offered to us, ingrained in his character, as well as, our steps of obedience, trust and worship through each day. The final principle in our journey of faithfulness, is the destination has been secured, and the destination is Victory!

God, in his faithfulness, has secured our victory in the past (through Christ victory over sin and death on the Cross and in his resurrection), in the future (with Christ’s imminent return and our eternal life in God’s Kingdom), and in our present (with the daily challenges of life). Victory is sweet, but while you are in the game and there is time on the clock, the game is full of hits, disappointments, TDs, missed opportunities, yards gained, yards lost, and at times the outcome feels uncertain, if not hopeless. One thing is certain…as long as we are faithful, we will have victory. It may not come as we expect, it may not be easy, and it may even be a last second score, but the outcome has been determined by the Creator of time, our world, the vast expanse of space, and humanity out of his love and faithfulness to us.

Listen to our Heavenly Coach:

“God, who called you into fellowship with his son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” 1 Corinthians 1:9

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

No Compromise

2009-10-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

In this week’s devotions, “No Compromise” faithfulness, this is where the rubber meets the road. It is the test of faithfulness, the action of our devotion, the lived out commitment to worship, serve and obey God our Father through Christ his son. This path of no compromise faithfulness is filled with many obstacles, distractions, and opposition, and it can be a difficult path to follow.

No Compromise in Worship. We express our worship in many forms both as a community and individually, but worship begins with the fundamental 1st of the 10 Commandments, to put God first in our lives. Everything else flows from this principle that we consider as worship: singing, prayer, Bible reading and study, church attendance, and including our daily roles, actions, words and attitudes. When we find ourselves straying from expressions of worship, it is a call back to the fundamental commandment to “not have any gods before me” and to put God first without compromise.

No Compromise in Service. When I think of loving, dedicated service to another human being, I think of family care-givers to the elderly, or to individuals with disease or injury requiring 24 hour care. Family members, who lovingly change soiled sheets, patiently listen to and care for any needs, dutifully feed and provide any physical assistance, and resolutely serve another without compromise. Many family care-givers have temporarily suspended their time, hopes, dreams, careers, and hobbies to put their loved ones needs first. Through their daily acts of service to another, they express faithfulness to God.

No Compromise in Obedience. We all have roles that by default place us on a path of obedience to Christ and God’s Word. We may be husbands, wives, parents, children, single adults, grandparents, students, employees, employers, and students, etc. We also have a call to obedience as an individual child of God with specific responsibilities, challenges and aspirations. No Compromise faithfulness within my roles is to be the husband, father, friend, pastor and co-worker that God has outlined in his Word and specifically directed by his Holy Spirit.

To daily walk in worship, service and obedience is the proof to the pudding of our love and devotion to God our Father. When our lives stay focused and true to our path God has led us on, we can take each step on this journey with confidence, integrity, love, hope, God’s blessings, and walk in victory of faithfulness with no compromise.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2

When God Speaks

2009-10-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

When God speaks, I immediately visualize Moses at the burning bush with an audible James Earl Jones voice in direct conversation with Moses. However, we know that God chooses to speak to us through many forms: through His Word, through the preaching and teaching from pastors and teachers, through other believers and through His Holy Spirit. In fact the common denominator of each form is the Holy Spirit who is our constant companion, counselor, teacher and our comforter. We understand that as believers the Holy Spirit lives within each one of us and who is our guide on this daily journey.

There are times when I began to fidget and feel uncomfortable, and it’s not because I just drank a Big Gulp. I feel restless and unsettled as if there is something undone or that needs attention. I become anxious and my thoughts are excited and chaotic like kids in a packed Scooby-Doo Bounce House. I cannot concentrate, I am easily distracted, and it even affects my sleep. God is speaking. I am feeling conviction. Sometimes I immediately recognize his voice, listen and obey. Other times, it takes me awhile and I wrestle with the message God wants me to attend to. That’s about as comfortable as sitting on a tack through one of my sermons.

When God speaks to me in this way, I have responded in many natural ways: to ignore it and hope it goes away, to become defensive, to justify myself, to attack others (mostly in my own thoughts), or go to my Nothing Box (ask a TNTer). But when I quiet my spirit in humility and listen…God speaks. My thoughts settle and focus and I find peace, direction, forgiveness, love and encouragement. The power of God who spoke into existence all living things, our world, and the vast expanse of space is the same God speaking directly to me. Wow! No wonder it makes me feel a little uncomfortable.

God is speaking to you. I am not the only one God speaks to in this way, and I know God is calling out to you, trying to get your attention with a specific message for you. God is speaking and it’s uncomfortable. If this is you today, I invite you to simply let your guard down, listen and respond. When God speaks it is loving and powerful, and if we respond appropriately it will keep our hearts, minds, spirit and daily activity on the right path for our journey.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:26,27

Faithfulness

2009-10-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

My heart is heavy this morning as I am thinking of a friend who is lying to rest his beloved wife this very moment as I am writing this blog. Although he is 2,000+ miles away, my prayers of comfort and peace are lifted before our Heavenly Father for a faithful man and his little daughter. As we have engaged in this series on faithfulness, there have been life moments when God’s Word comes alive with this topic. This is one of them for me.

In today’s devotion, Week 3 – Day 5, Faithfulness, the passage is Revelation 2:10 which states: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life”, and Luke 9:23 Jesus makes a striking statement, “Take up your cross and follow me.” These are sobering words that our life journey may be very difficult, including tragedy, death, even as a martyr. I think of my grieving friend.

My friend is a faithful man. He has served as a worship pastor in four different churches in four different states, and has made a significant and lasting impression on each church family. He has served when life was good. I remember pure joy beaming from his face at the birth of his daughter after years of struggling with infertility, and his fulfillment in leading and teaching with excellence within the church. He has served when life threw him curveballs…sickness, disappointment, moving, and now his most difficult challenge, the unexpected death of his wife. Even at this moment his grieving words are filled with hope, trust and strength that God will supply his every need today, tomorrow, next month and the years following. Now that’s faith.

These are the type of life experiences that define us as faithful. It is easy to be faithful in our worship, obedience and service to God when all is good. Just as it is easy to show love to someone who loves you as much or more. The test of faithfulness is faith and trust during the difficult days. Do you worship God when you don’t feel like it? Do you serve others when it is inconvenient? Do you act in obedience to God’s Word when it’s easier to do your own thing? Do you hold onto hope and faith when tragedy strikes?

When Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me.”, it wasn’t a call to jump on the Jesus bandwagon, but to pickup the burden, the call, the work, the sacrifice, and the pain of the cross. But in the cross we find divine joy, forgiveness, peace, comfort, strength, wisdom and a Crown of Life. To my faithful friend attending his wife’s funeral, your testimony is brighter at this very moment than anytime before, and you have touched hundreds throughout this nation by your courageous faithfulness. May the Lord bless you and keep you in His faithful and loving embrace.

In loving memory of Kristy McClure (Nov. 3, 1966 – Oct. 2, 2009) http://memorial.yourtribute.com/kristinakmcclure/video.aspx?mode=view&videoType=videotribute&videoId=28178

Never Give Up!

2009-10-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

Persistence in our faithfulness to God, in our service to others, in our prayers and worship is a key attribute in living a blessed and victorious life. When we persist we stand in confidence, trust and obedience to what God has called us to do, even in the midst of attack, negative circumstances and even those who chastise to quit and give up. We have many Biblical examples of those who did not give up: Noah building the ark, Joseph in prison, Moses in the wilderness, David in exile, Nehemiah building the walls of Jerusalem, Apostle Paul in prison, and Jesus Christ on the cross.

Students understand this principle of persistence in their classes. You persist in attendance, persist in listening, reading & participating, persist in completing assignments. Regardless of your interests in the subject or ability you will find success if you persist…I am living proof of that by completing the 3rd grade and years later earning a Master’s degree. Parents understand persistence in caring for an infant with constantly changing diapers, and filling bottles. Adults understand persistence with keeping a job, paying bills, mowing the lawn, dishes, and daily keeping connected in Facebook. Persistence is a key to our successful living, to keep on keeping on.

In our journey in Christ, we will find difficult trails to navigate, obstacles to climb, temptations to ignore, injuries that slow us down, and others that may say “stop, quit, give up”, but will we continue in faith? Will we persist in confidence, trusting in the Lord for each step of the journey, in joy, prayer and thanksgiving? Persistence is an act of faith in God despite the circumstances surrounding us, and when we persist we will be called Faithful.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Ultimate Promise Keeper

2009-09-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made a promise that you did not keep? Sure, we all have. Sometimes it is an insignificant oversight that no one remembers, at other times it is very significant with life altering consequences. We make statements (promises) to pick-up Twinkies at the store on the way home, to mow the lawn, pay the bills…to love till death do us part. It is in our nature to think primarily of ourselves, to forget, to dismiss, to simply not fulfill a stated or unstated promise in an act or role we have. The message we often hear from the world is that it’s okay to break your promises, i.e. “promises were made to be broken”, if you are not fulfilled, happy, busy, stressed, etc. We then use those reasons to justify our actions.

God, however, is God, and it is His nature, and His character to be faithful. To always fulfill His promises, His statements, His covenants with us. God is perfect. Not 75% or even 99.9%, but 100% faithful…even though we may not understand current circumstances or see His work at hand. God is the ultimate promise keeper.

This Sunday, September 20th, we will begin a new sermon series, Rock Solid – A Journey of Faithfulness. A six week sermon series and daily devotional that will challenge us to let God's faithfulness become the essence of who we are. My hope is that you will invest your time and Bible study through attending each Sunday from Sept. 20th through Oct., 25th, completing the daily devotional guide, “Faithfulness”, and attend the adult discussion on Sundays at 9:30 AM. If you invest your time and study at each level, I am certain God will speak to you, challenge you, encourage you, and counsel you on this topic, faithfulness.

As you take steps of obedience to his word, you may find strength and blessings of letting God’s faithfulness become the essence of who you are. We can then rejoice as Psalm 95:1 proclaims, “Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.”

Growth Steps

2009-09-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

As our kids have grown, I have been an intimate observer of this amazing growth process. Just when we get comfortable with a certain age they are in, they change. As preschoolers we had a routine of naps, discipline techniques, play time, and family activities. Today, BluesClues is no longer a family show we watch together, sending the boys to the naughty chair in the corner no longer works, and the only family member who needs a nap is me. The Journey Church is in season of growth as well, and this Fall we will see an increase in ministry. 2 Corinthians 9:10 states the source and promise of increase.

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

God has blessed our church family with new seeds with the addition of Erica, Pastor Jerry and Nancy. With their service and love for the church family we will see growth in our Sunday Celebration Worship service, our Wednesday Family Night and in our Connection Small Groups.

Sunday Celebration Worship Service: We are blessed to have Pastor Steve and his team, with the addition of Erica, lead us into the throne room of grace with praise and worship. This service is the highlight, the capstone, the peak of our worship, teaching and fellowship as a church family each week.

Wednesday Night Family Service: Growth Steps beginning Sept. 9th – After our 6:00 family dinner we will all come together in the sancturary (7:00 PM) for Praise and Worship by our Kids and Youth Praise Teams. At 7:25 – 8:20 PM we will disperse into age-level small groups: Journey Kids (K-6 with Pastor Tim and Amy), Journey Students (Pastor Steve, Kelly and Erica), and Adults “Apply-2-Life” (Pastor Jerry).

Connection Small Groups: The TNT Couples Connection group will now meet twice a month (1st and 3rd Sunday, @ 6:00 PM) and begin a new series “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage”. Pastor Jerry and Nancy will introduce The 50 Yard Line Connection group (1st and 3rd Sunday, @ 6:00 PM) with the kickoff on September 20th.

Leadership Council: This week we will begin the process of appointment of Deacons to the growth of our Leadership Council.

As I write this I am filled with anticipation of a harvest, and am thankful of God’s generosity and hand of blessing in the growth of our church family.

11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

Caveman Pop-Ups

2009-08-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

Distractions - We all have them at they usually pop up at the most inopportune time. When online the most annoying of distractions are those pop-up internet ads. There is nothing more irritating than researching the NFL.com for my fantasy player’s stats and right in the middle of my search for WR, yards after the catch, a pop-up ad appears and a caveman dances around enticing me for a free insurance quote. Come on…I’ve got serious internet research here. We can all relate to something that interferes with our concentration on a very important task. We might have distractions at work (the talkative co-worker who NEEDS to tell you about their cat’s indigestion problems), or at home (watching reruns of Gilligan’s Island) that keep us from an important task or relationship at hand. We can even allow distractions to take our attention and focus away from God and the fellowship of one another.

As the 2009 NFL seasons is about to begin, many of us can’t wait for Sept. 10th (the first game) and cheer the Broncos toward their next SuperBowl season. Professional athletes understand the value of focus if they want to personally be their best and win. Bret Favre, the ageless QB now wearing purple and gold, said “This is the best place for guys to come and focus on nothing but football,”. He’s right, there’s not much to distract you in Minnesota. Focus, concentration, and effort are key elements to finding success, and even the Apostle Paul used sports to illustrate this point in Philippians 3:14,

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

In our relationship with our Heavenly Father through his son, Jesus Christ, we can allow distractions, anything really, to take away our times of communication (prayer), devotion (Bible study), and worship (personal and corporate). We then find ourselves spiritually malnourished. We can also allow distractions to keep us from coming together with other believers on Sundays, Wednesdays or small groups. We then find ourselves isolated, discouraged and easily influenced by the world.

Do we really see the value of focus, concentration, and dedication in our daily journey with Christ? Do we allow distractions of work, entertainment, kid’s sports, chores, Facebook, fantasy football and even family take our focus off of God and his will for our lives? Distractions are not evil or bad in themselves, but when they interfere with your focus at the most important task at hand, then they can even become an idol – anything that takes the rightful place of God in our hearts and lives.

If you find yourself distracted by specific “pop-ups”, close the window, and install a blocker. You may find yourself re-prioritizing, spending less time with, or even eliminating those irritating, yet enticing distractions. The daily and eternal prize is worth it.

About the Journey Church this Sunday, “This is the best place for guys to come and focus on nothing but God.” – Pastor Tim (never played in the NFL)

Two...No Three is Better

2009-08-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

The sun was bright and with the blinding glare of its rays bouncing off the metal roof, the heat drained my strength with an unquenchable thirst, and yet the job needed to be done. Climbing up and down a 30 foot ladder to paint the church’s metal roof added to the tediousness and strain of the job. By myself the task would have taken over a week, and I would have been thoroughly exhausted, not just by the work, but by the slow progress of up the ladder, paint, down, move it 3 feet and repeat. The good news I wasn’t alone, we had a hard working team tackling different areas of the church, and specifically I had a partner right beside me the entire time.

Clyde Fuller my Father-in-Law, never left the base of the ladder as he pointed out areas I had missed, which normally would not be an encouragement as I am working…”Hey, Tim you missed a spot”, but in this case his extra set of eyes was crucial. He also moved the ladder each time I stepped off. That might not seem like a big deal, but just consider the cumulative time in putting down the sprayer, moving the ladder, repositioning the sprayer, then climbing back up. He saved me not minutes, not hours, but days of work. And as a nice topping to the job, it was great to have someone share the work, share the time, share the fulfillment of job completion. Two are truly better than one.

Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. Eccl. 4:9 (NCV)

This past Sunday we welcomed the newest members of our Pastoral Team, my parents, Rev. Jerry and Nancy Koetitz. It is a tremendous blessing to have the two of them live, work, serve, and minister beside us in Damascus. They have 30 years of ministry experience with a genuine love for the church family and solid Biblical teaching. They will primarily focus on the 50 Yard Line Ministry for those 50+, but will also be integrated into the entire ministry of the church. Two are better than one, but three now that’s an unbreakable bond. King Solomon goes on in verse 12, “…Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” We are blessed with Pastor Steve as well.

We now have a strong Pastoral Team that is not easily broken. The vision, ministry, and work is shared between three. The joy, hope, expectation, and fulfillment is shared as well, and the Lord of the Harvest has called three uniquely gifted, experienced pastors to the Journey Church for the harvest is ready and the workers are being assembled. We have a great mission… a God mission, and now is the time to bring in the harvest.

Thanks Clyde for your example in a Biblical principle and the fulfillment of a job well done, and for Pastor Steve and Pastor Jerry, the work of the ministry is now at hand to prepare, equip, teach, lead and serve. Church family, the Lord of the Harvest is calling you…are you ready?

Soap Suds & Patience

2009-08-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

One chore I don’t mind doing during the summer is to wash my car. Okay, some of you need to stop laughing, as you recall the caked on road slime streaking down the length of my van. However, when I have a couple of hours free on a hot summer day, I enjoy filling up a bucket of hot, soapy water, grabbing a big sponge, and giving my Mazda and Kia a nice, long overdue scrub down. Sometimes it takes two or three passes to remove the hardened bug goo and tar, but when it’s done, the vehicles sparkle like Mr. Clean’s head. It’s one of those chores, that allows me the opportunity to clear my head, sweat a little, and when completed I have a tangible accomplishment…it’s fulfilling and relaxing.

As my kids have grown, when they saw me pull out the garden hose on a sunny day, they connected water and sun equals fun, and they would ask, “Can I help?” I would pause briefly as their hopeful faces peered upward, and I reluctantly gave in with a begrudging “okay”. With sponges in hand we began washing each vehicle. Kids were scrubbing all over the vehicle, not keeping with my meticulous plan of rinse, wash, rinse over each section from top to bottom, hood then trunk, drivers side then passenger. It’s a method that works, but for the kids it was more about soap suds, getting each other wet and drawing dirt smiley faces on the side of the white van.

Half way through my once enjoyable chore, I was feeling anything but fulfilled or relaxed as I snapped at the kids “don’t wash the car after you drop the sponge in the dirt…stop squirting me with hose…no, you don’t wash the inside of the van”. Then at the point of complete frustration I stop their summer fun, order them to put down their sponges, and go in the house. Now upset, I have ruined my afternoon, the kid’s afternoon, and Charlene is quizzically starring at me in the doorway with that “what’s your problem” look.

Patience is a virtue. Whoever said that must have been single, living in a monastery on remote Himalayan mountain peak. Within all relationships we find that others irritate, frustrate, move too fast, move too slow, get it too quick, too slow or not at all. These relationships are in the home, at work, at church and community (highways, standing in line at the grocery store). Anyone who is a parent of a toddler, child, or teen certainly understands the elusive character trait of patience.

However, God does encourage us that God-given patience (restraint in the face of opposition or oppression) is a distinction of Love. I Corinthians 13, “Love is patient, love is kind”, and as a Fruit of the Spirit working within us, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.” Gal. 5:22 We are called to express patience as brothers/sisters in Christ, Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Eph. 4:2-3. Regardless of how others make me feel or what others may do, I am compelled to take a deep breath, slow my pulse and trust in God…to be patient. When I express patience toward another, it is divine love working within me and surprisingly I feel a lot better about the situation, the other person and even myself.

Now, as I prepare to wash the cars and one of the kids ask if they can help or wash it themselves, I say "great", and we enthusiastically wash the car. In the end the car still has streaks of dirt down the side, missed areas, and at times scratches, but my enjoyable chore is shared with my child and the vehicle is nearly 82% clean and I feel fulfilled, relaxed and loved.

Cheeseburger Pizza

2009-08-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

Love. It’s a beautiful word isn’t it? We all hope for it, we desire it, we seek it. We need love in our lives. Unfortunately we have used that word in so many different contexts that its meaning has been diffused and the implications have been misunderstood. We use it to describe things or activities we like…I love cheeseburger pizza, or I love watching Luke Skywalker destroy the Death Star. We express love and devotion to our pets, to our friends, family, our children, grandchildren and spouses…and we tell God that we love Him as well.

So, is love just an expression of what we like and identify with in our lives? I like pizza, movies, Fido, my kids and God. Obviously its deeper than that, yet at times we can treat those we love with an unhealthy attitude of “Are you fulfilling my expectation and need for love?” If this attitude defines our understanding of love it will lead to unfulfilled relationships in the home between parent and child, and spouses. If allowed to grow it will eventually lead to frustration, entitlement, resentment and can even lead to separation, divorce and fractured family relationships.

If we look at God’s definition of love for us, Agape, it is self-less, unmerited, and unconditional, steadfast, and enduring. Much can be said of God’s love, and I think we can only grasp a thread of the depth of God’s love for us. If we begin to understand God’s definition of love it helps us redefine love and redirect our thoughts and actions toward those we say we love. God fulfills our need for love, and we can be an expression of His love toward others.

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Jubilant Water War

2009-07-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

It was war! Water balloons were catapulted into the air with devastating effect, buckets of water annihilated any dry spot on its enemy, Supersoakers took aim with pin point accuracy, and the water hose was the epicenter of No Man’s Land. The toll of war was a high price to pay, the casualties piled up in the melee of battle, even the innocent bystander was an unfortunate victim in the overflow. No one left unscathed…yet we loved it. On the hottest day of the year, in the middle of a record breaking heat wave, the all out water war, was the most refreshing fun I’ve had all summer.

It was a dangerously hot day at 106-110 degrees in some areas, and for us Oregonians who feel most comfortable at about 68 degrees this heat was nearly unbearable. I can’t sleep at night, I feel anxious, always tired, irritable, scattered and am generally as unproductive as a slug. However, as we came together for our Wednesday Family Night, without A/C, in an epic water war between kids, students and adults it changed the day from misery to jubilation. As the battle was nearing its end, soaked from head to toe, I paused and realized I felt completely refreshed, cooled down and full of energy. Water is a beautiful thing.

Scripture uses the metaphor of water to describe the spiritual refreshing and life-giving affect upon our emotional, social, mental and physical well being. In the 23 Psalm the Good shepherd “leads me beside sill waters”, and we have all experienced those dry, hot, desperate times in our lives where we can relate to the poetic Psalm.

As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (42:1-2)

Christ gives the appeal for us to come to him and drink of the refreshing, life-giving Holy Spirit.

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:38

Just as we are in the middle of a record breaking heat wave, at times we have all felt the pressure, stress, irritation, hopelessness, drain of breaking heat in our lives. Family and marital relationships that are strained, finances that are stretched, health, work pressures, unfulfilled hopes, expectations and dreams, and uncertainty and anxiety of our future can make us feel depressed, tired, irritable, hopeless, drained, lethargic, and myopic. The good news is that in God’s goodness, he has given us his refreshing spirit for life, hope, joy, discernment, strength, energy with living water flowing from within us. We then become a source of God’s refreshing Spirit.

When those record breaking heat waves hit me from time to time, I will be armed and ready with water balloon in hand, a mischievous glint in my eye, and the confidence to know that a refreshing victory is at hand.