Health Resolutions

I am sitting up at the hospital this morning waiting to go back and pray with a person who is going to have surgery. I was thinking about this new year ahead. I need to make some changes in my routine this new year. Namely, I need to get healthy. I have become a major slob!

I am overweight and not healthy. I need to exercise. We bought Wii Fit for our Wii and I haven't even tried it yet. I am going to start Matt's Fitness class on Monday evenings (that runs from January through March) and I will go with my wife to the gym to swim (I haven't been doing that) and I will do Wii Fit every day.

I think if I start to do those things I will feel better. I am also stopping all consumption of Pop. I will be on water only for a while (so I can detox).

I need to make some changes. I don't want to be lazy and unfit. It really is time to get healthy!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2008

This Christmas Eve Candlelight Service was not as well attended as it has been past years. But this is one of those services that has a real special place in my heart. There is something magical about seeing the eyes of a child when they hold a candle in their hand and sing "Silent Night." That never gets old!

Fast and Slow

Tonight my oldest son confessed to me that sometimes he feels like his life goes too slow. I confessed to him that MOST of the time I feel like his life goes too fast! It reminded me of a question that my youngest son asked me the other day. He wanted to know what would happen if I stomped on the brakes and the gas pedal at the same time. I told him nothing would happen (I think).

That's what is happening right now with me and my oldest son. Brakes and gas. Slow and fast. I need to give a little, so that the proper momentum can occur, but he needs to be understanding with my unwillingness to go too fast.

My goal is not to rush my kids out of my house as soon as they are 18. I don't want them to leave. I don't want them to rush out of our home. I want them with us as long as possible.

The reality is that I have about four more Christmases to spend with him...maybe five. And I think they are coming along too fast. I want it to slow way down.

So we have to find a happy medium. That's hard to do. But such is parenting...it's not a science. It's actually a messy, sloppy experience. But, with Christ's help we will reach the goal of developing our children (which he gave to us) into godly men who are agressive, responsible leaders in life.

Criticism...

The other day in my mailbox I received a copy of my last newsletter article from a person who also attached a note to it. In the note, they explained that there were several grammatical problems they had with my article. (Which really confused me because I is a real good writer, I really is!)

But here's the deal, I had not asked for this...although it was still given to me. I have never said, "I need help with my grammar, can you help me?" But I have been getting letters like these for a number of years.

To be frank, it ticks me off. I don't give a rat's read end about proper grammar if I am able to get my point across and be heard.

I realize though, I don't handle unsolicited criticism well. When no prior permissions have been granted and someone feels like they need to address an issue with me, typically I perceive it as an attack or an assault. And that is especially true when I don't know if the person has my best interest in mind.

I have a rule that I employ when it comes to receiving criticism. I need to know three things:

1. Does this person love Jesus? Because if they don't, or if I am unsure in any way, then it is a no-go! They can tell me anything they like, and I will probably give them an ear-full back.

2. Does this person love the church? I need to know that they are passionate about the church growing and helping lost people find Jesus and found people know more about Jesus.

3. Does this person have my best interest in mind? Because if I have any question about that, then why do I want to hear from them?

Approaching pastors with petty crap like grammar in a sermon or a newsletter article gets real old after the 37th time. Also approaching pastors with the volume levels of the musicians gets real old after the 2nd time!

I think it is important to receive criticism from someone if I know that they love Jesus, love the church and love me. And criticism from someone like that will stop me in my tracks and cause me to really examine what is being said.

But for the most part, it is sad that in the church it can be the last place that you see someone practicing what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29. We need to be more gracious in our speech with each other. We need to look for ways to encourage instead of looking for what's wrong. We seem to be on a constant witch hunt with each other in the church a lot of the time. That get's old too!

How do you handle unsolicited criticism? Me, it really depends on who is bringing it. Otherwise, they are just another mouth flapping in the wind.

Get Off The Nipple

I don't normally follow this blog, but Brad Cooper posted the following thoughts yesterday that were very provocative...this really challenged me:

Nipple Feeders:

-Have to have food brought to them.

-Can eat in only 1 location.

-Can eat only 1 type of food.


-Have to rely on someone else faithfulness to be fed.

-Have to rely on someone else faithfulness to grow.


-Cry a lot… about a variety of different things…

-The only thing they do more than suck… is crap….

-The only thing they do more than crap… is sleep…

Self-Feeders:

-Can go TO the food.

-Can eat in a variety of different locations.

-Can eat a variety of different foods.

-Know that to be @ their healthiest they SHOULD eat a variety of foods.

-Instead of laying in their mess… They know where to take their mess.

-Know that HEALTH is defined by diet and EXERCISE.

-Understand the more you exercise the MORE YOU GET TO EAT.

We all start @ the nipple but move to become self-feeders…

So what do you think? Is he spot on?

Dirty Dishes

In our home, we have responsibilities that each of us are expected to carry out. In fact, we have a "chore chart." Part of that chore chart includes dishes each night. My night is Thursday night. Each of my sons have two nights and Shannon has two nights.

I noticed the other day, as I was getting a glass to drink from, that the glass wasn't clean. It had been washed but it hadn't been washed enough.

Now I don't want to brag, but I know when I wash a glass that you won't find milk rings on the bottom of the glass when I'm done. I will wash the glass and you will be able to drink from it knowing that it is a clean glass.

My children, however, don't always accomplish the task in the same manner.

Isn't that just like us? We know that we need to be clean before God. So we try to clean our act up, but we always miss something or forget something or try to hide something. But God knows every spot, every stain, every blemish.

The fact is, we can't do it. We cannot clean ourselves up enough so that we can be in right relationship with God. It is impossible. He is wholly other than us. And our efforts at getting our act together are futile.

That is why we have to place our trust in His Perfect Sufficiency. We need allow Him to do our dishes! Because there is no way he could ever dine with us unless He gets the plates clean in our lives.

And that is done through Jesus and only Jesus. There is no other way.

My heavenly Father desires to dine with me, but I keep insisting that I can manage getting things ready for Him, but that isn't the case. I need to stop trying to earn His approval and just relax in the knowledge that He just chooses to love me in spite of my dirty dishes! What a great God we serve!

What Will 2009 Look Like For You?

It is getting close to the end of 2008...and with that comes things that I believe should be our goal for 2009 as a church. Here's a list:

1. We need to be a church who isn't held back by any barriers when it comes to reaching out to lost people. In 2009, I want to have the biggest outreach effort we have ever had! I want to see us Man-Up when it comes to being who we say we are and really get busy in inviting people to church and sharing the gospel! I want this year to be our banner year, a pivotal moment for us where we can look back and say, "That was the year where it all changed."

2. I want our baptismal waters to never be stagnant. I want us to be sincerely focused on winning lost people to Jesus. What else are we supposed to be doing? We're not Rotary Club, for crying out loud! We are the church...the hope of the world! We better start acting like it! We have the only message that will help people in this fallen world.

3. I want our youth and children's ministries to see dynamic growth this year. They both will be experiencing some change with the beginning of the new year...and I want to see them experience radical growth. This can only happen with your: Prayers...they can't make it without you praying for them; volunteer support...they can't grow without more people being willing to step up and help them get to the next level and financial support...let's face it, ministry costs money. I never will apologize for asking people to financially back the MOST important endeavor on earth...helping lost people find God!!

4. I want our church to become real. We still have a lot of people that aren't really taking it serious. They aren't really living out what they claim to believe. How do I know this? Because any and every excuse under the sun is given and taken for some of you to miss church. Because you still don't read your Bible every day and then you wonder why your life is screwed up. Because we have had financial struggles as a church before.

Listen, I believe if we had 30 people in our church who really, I mean, really believed God's Word and lived it out every day of their life for a month. Our church would look nothing like it currently does. It would change us forever! 30 people living out their faith for 30 days! We would shake the city of Des Moines to it's core!

So here we are...at the doorstep of 2009...with no guarantees about our future. Before 2010 comes along, some of us may not be here on earth anymore. Our Lord may return (which would be awesome if it happened because I wouldn't have to finish paying off my mortgage!) So will 2009 be just like 2008? Or are you finally going to step up to the plate this year and get busy serving Jesus like you have never done before?

I plan to. My family will. I hope you join me. Because I don't want to be the same. I want to be different. I want God to change me. I want God to change our church. May it be so, Lord Jesus!

What a church!?

Well, I was utterly surprised today by my church. They threw a surprise party for me to celebrate me being at The Fort for 10 years. I really was blown away. Part of the event included this video tribute that my buddy, Kyle, put together...



It really was humbling to me. Thank you so much to everyone who came and for all the gifts. And they didn't just give gifts, they were very personal gifts that meant something special to me. I will put up a few pictures when I get them later from the event.

Thanks again, church! You really know how to treat your pastor!

Planned Parenthood Exposed

Many people view Planned Parenthood as this nice agency that helps families and young women with medical advice and care...nothing could be farther from the truth. They are an abortion factory. They will do any and everything they can to get another girl to have an abortion that walks through their doors.

Being devoutly pro-life, I am glad that Planned Parenthood's practices are being brought to light. Watch this video and let me know what you think...

10 Years Ago Today...

We loaded up a U-Haul Truck and packed up our little Escort Station Wagon as well and headed out of Putnam, IL for the last time into an unknown future with a new church on the South Side of Des Moines called Fort Des Moines Church of Christ.

We arrived at the church building to a waiting crowd that helped us unload our stuff at the duplex we moved into. That first Sunday was a snowy Sunday, only 49 people in church. I was rather embarrassed because I used to wear a suit and tie every Sunday and that Sunday because I hadn't fully unpacked, I didn't wear a tie because I couldn't find my ties.

I got over it. Now I never wear a tie unless someone's dead or wants to get married. Ten years! It's been a pretty amazing ride! Who knows what God has in store for the next decade of my life but this last decade has been very good. God has been outrageously good to me.

I thank God for His call on my life and the opportunity I have had to serve at The Fort these past ten years.

This is really provocative...

My buddy Shane Vander Hart posted this video on his blog and it just smacked me between the eyes. This is something to seriously ponder...

On the Inside

On the outside, I may appear to be a lovable little pastor, but on the inside of me, I'm a dangerous Jedi ready to do battle with any critical Church of Christ androids disguised as cute little old ladies. So with this glimpse of my true personality, evil androids beware!


Create your own FACEinHOLE

What a unique idea!?

I read a lot of blogs. One blog I read is Tim Steven's Blog. He had a post on a little over a week ago that was a video of a monologue done at Newspring Church in Anderson, SC. It really blew me away. It is a dramatization of Proverbs 7:10-23. I've never looked at this passage in quite this light before. Let me know what you think of it...


Based on Proverbs 7:10-23 from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

Putnam Christian Church

From 1993 to 1998 I preached at a little country church in Putnam, IL called Putnam Christian Church. The church building was built in 1866. It is a very beautiful little building that has a real fond place in my heart. The people there were very gracious and patient with me while I was just beginning in ministry. They endured some real bonehead sermons from me. They basically watched me grow up as a minister.

I love that place and I still love those people. While I was back in IL over Thanksgiving we drove over there and I saw the building again. Their minister is a really great guy. He is a perfect fit for that good little church.

I thank God for my start in such loving and patient circumstances like Putnam. Here is a picture of the building I took...

Baptism

I had a conversation about baptism the other day. I was asked why I don't preach about it more often than I do. Here is my thinking on the subject...

You can search the Scriptures and find that the idea of an unimmersed believer does not exist in the New Testament. There is really one simple answer I have to anyone objecting to the idea of being baptized. In Mark 16:16 Jesus said that we need to be baptized so that ends any and all debate on the subject. It really is that simple.

The Scriptures teach that baptism is done through immersion. That's why other groups that practice sprinkling or pouring are off the mark. The word in the New Testament for BAPTISM literally means immersion. Romans 6:4 says that baptism is a burial. Have you ever been to a burial where they considered the body buried when only a handful of dirt was sprinkled on the casket? No. A body is buried when it is put down into the earth and dirt is completely covered over it. That's the picture of baptism.

That is why we immerse at The Fort. And we don't baptize babies either. (Although we will do a baby dedication service.) The chief reason we don't baptize babies is because it isn't in Scripture. In Mark 16:16 Jesus said, "Whoever believes..." Babies don't believe...they can't. So only one with the ability to make this decision for himself should be baptized.

Again, let me make this perfectly clear...EVERY follower of Jesus Christ must be baptized (John 3:3)but I also know a lot of christians who have been baptized who are headed for hell. Being baptized isn't a ticket to heaven.

I think that we need to follow the Word of God but we also can't cross a line and start making eternal assessments for people. It isn't our job to say, "If you haven't been baptized you are going to hell." My butt is too small for God's throne, so I quit trying to sit there.

Picture this scenario...a young 18 year old soldier named Tim is stationed in Iraq. In his company is another young man who has befriended him. This friend has started talking to Tim about the Lord. Tim has shown a lot of interest in all that his new friend has been sharing. He's even been reading the Bible his friend had given him. But one day, Tim was shot and mortally wounded in an engagement with a group of insurgents.

In Tim's final moments he cries out for mercy to Jesus. Tim has never been baptized. But he called on His Lord with his dying breaths. Will we see Tim in heaven. I believe with all my heart, yes.

Can God who is partial to the humble resist such a plea? He couldn't with the thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43) and I don't believe he does now.

But I still believe that every follower of Christ that is able must be baptized for God's Word is very, very clear on this subject (Acts 2:38).

But it is a subject that I will talk about with every person that wants to become a Christian but it isn't something I will preach about week to week. Baptism isn't a felt need in most people's lives. Balancing their checkbook is. Parenting wayward kids is. Broken marriages is. And once we cross those bridges, God opens doors for more solid discussions on topics like baptism. That's just how I roll!

What a day!

Wow! The food has been ate, the naps have been taken and the relaxed pace is over for the day. I really enjoyed myself today. We really had fun as a family together just being thankful for God being so dang good to us. It still blows me away.

We went for a walk in a local state park over here called, "Johnson's Saulk Trail." It is a beautiful place with a lot of pretty scenery. I took the Bessinator with and she had an awesome time as well. She loves walks. Check her out in this beautiful pose...

She's a good dog. If you are reading this, I want you to know that I appreciate you. I really do. Most of you send me e-mails and notes to give me encouragement and you'll never know how much that means to me. It's what pulls me through...that, and God's outrageous grace.

So thank you, friend. Hope you've had your full in every way. God's very best to you.

For all the preachers' mommas out there...

For all the preacher's wives out there...

We all need a tow...

I saw something interesting this morning while I was driving to my office. I saw a flat-bed tow truck with a car on it's bed. But there was another tow truck backing up to the first tow truck which had obviously broken down.

It made me think about how many times I've tried to help someone else and I "broke down" in the process. In fact, even though I may be equipped to help others...sometimes I can't do it.

There is only one that will never fail us...Jesus. His support never wanes. His help is always sure. He is our True Friend.

Maybe, you might be feeling a bit like the tow truck needing a tow. You've been trying to help a family member or friend and it has weighed so heavy on you that you don't feel like you can offer much more. Well, it may be time to step back for a while.

You can't do it all on your own. There are some things that only God can do for people. So don't try to take his place.

It is quite alright to "get a tow" every once in a while and just enjoy the refreshing of God's Spirit and not have someone on your back. We all need to be ministered to at times. Maybe your season of being ministered to has come.

In case I forget to say it...

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Wonder of Christmas

A couple on a journey of demand and urgency. Unexpected arrival that had been expected for all of time. Harsh, brutal and unsterile environment for a newborn but even the most majestic palace on earth would still have been undeserving. Tiresome, lonely and frightened newlyweds yet seemingly just the right couple for the job.

Joseph, manly, strong faithful not exactly an expert in prenatal care. Mary, young, timid and quiet yet the talk of her town.

The baby. Oh what a baby! Perfectly normal and abnormally perfect. He cries, he suckles at a breast, he rests. The one who created is now the tiniest creation.

How alarmingly odd is this picture? We make nice paintings from it. We decorate our lawns with it...but it is simply the most absurd image that one can ever dream up. And that is what it would seem to be, a dream. But it wasn't. It was very, very real.

Mary really was a young virgin. Joseph really was a godly young man. Angels visited, shepherds wondered, Magi marveled...God smiled. And yet it is still very odd.

Mighty Awesome Holy God clamored His way through a birth canal. Why then? Why them? Why that way? It doesn't make any sense and yet it seems to be that there could not have been any other way.

In fact, any other way would have been so cliche...so expected...so not God's way! Because that is the way He has always been. He always does what we don't see coming. He always acts wholly and Holy different from man.

That's our biggest problem, you know? We act so humanly. And because of that, He came to show us what humans were meant to act like.

But it sure is something to marvel at still. The Holy of Holies surrounded by the manure of domesticated animals. The birth of the one that literally split time in two (B.C. and A.D.) and no one really noticed...except for a few shepherds and some far-off star-gazers.

Christ's birth is one of the hallmarks of our faith. The virgin birth of Christ is a deeply important doctrine of our faith. Don't miss it. Don't belittle it. Don't take it for granted.

Celebrate his birth this year like you were one of the dirty shepherds who laid eyes on him that very night. Worship him this December like you were Joseph, bursting with so much pride and joy that it was uncontainable. Adore him like Mary who was so filled with love and protection for him that nothing else in all of the universe mattered but this child. Gaze at him again on Christmas morning on your knees like the Magi thanking your Heavenly Father for such an incredible, matchless and amazing gift of grace.

Restoration Movement

The other day I was having a conversation with someone about The Fort and it's structure and historical roots. The Fort is an autonomous congregation tied to a movement known as the Restoration Movement. This movement began in the early 1800's by Thomas Campbell and his son, Alexander Campbell.

In fact, churches with ties to the Restoration Movement [RM] became known as "Campbellites." What these early founders of the RM were attempting was to "restore" the church as it is seen in the New Testament.

There were many slogans that became banner cries of the RM, two that really have impacted me and my ministry. One being: In essentials, unity; in opinion, liberty; in all things, love. (I believe this was ripped off from Augustine if you follow the history of this particular statement.)

I love that slogan because it really centralizes the importance of being a follower of Jesus Christ. There are certain "essentials" which are absolutely non-negotiable. There are certain doctrines of the faith that cannot be compromised. In my opinion, the list of essential doctrines (doctrines which have bearing upon one's salvation) are few. There really are only a few things that we absolutely MUST agree upon without question.

Among these are: (this is not meant to be an exhaustive list...these are some of my own thoughts on this)

God exists and is the creator of all mankind and has been working from the beginning of time to redeem man back unto Himself. Jesus Christ is God's Son and is God Himself. Jesus was sent by God as a ransom for mankind's sin. His death on the cross saved all of humanity. He rose from the dead three days later and defeated death, proving all that God has promised. The Holy Spirit is God and teaches, corrects and convicts man.

The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God. It is fully reliable and the sole source of authority for man and the church. Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone. He is the only way to heaven.

The Devil is real and seeks man's ultimate destruction. Hell is a real place created for Satan himself that will also be the miserable end of all who reject God's offer of salvation.

There may be more than what I have listed here, but ultimately the list of essential doctrines is not this gigantic list that we tend to make it. That's why the slogan also says that in opinion there should be liberty. Which means if you disagree with me about my views on the end times...that's okay, a doctrine such as that really doesn't have any bearing on one's salvation.

I preach about a lot of topics that many times I know that there are some in the church that don't believe the same as I do on the issue. I don't care. I don't lose a wink of sleep about that. My goal as a pastor is to create unity in the church NOT uniformity. We can disagree without being disagreeable. (Besides, those who disagree with me have every right to be wrong!)

And that makes the last part of that slogan so important. In all things, love. No matter what we believe, we better communicate our beliefs with a loving spirit or we are nothing (at least, so says Paul).

Another slogan from the Restoration Movement that has deeply impacted me is this one: We are not the only Christians, we are Christians only.

I have known some in the RM who would rather debate a Baptist than try to win a lost person to Jesus. That's insane! Our enemies are not another church that has a different sign out on it's front lawn. (Don't get me wrong, I think we do need to be discerning about cults and false teachers.) But some in the RM have taken this too far!

We need to stay on target to what Jesus has called us to do and quit debating stupid issues of non-consequential doctrine (such as whether or not Adam and Eve had belly buttons). If another church has communion once a week or once a month isn't a mark of how close the people of that church are to Jesus.

We can get caught up in "friendly fire" and really do a lot of damage to our mission. Our mission is to win lost people to Jesus. That's it. Paul said we need to avoid silly arguments in 2 Timothy 2:23.

Overall, I am proud to be a part of the RM, but my allegiance is NOT to Thomas Campbell or Alexander Campbell...my allegiance is to Jesus Christ alone! What Thomas or Alexander Campbell wrote or said does not bear the weight with me that God's Word does.

The RM has done a superb job of it's mission to restore the church to what it was in the New Testament because the modern RM is just as screwed up as the church we see in Scripture...lots of bickering and not getting certain doctrines right. But all in all it was God's plan to bring hope to the world through the Church. Even broken, messed up churches like The Fort are used in mighty ways by God to spread the good news that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and He is the only way to heaven!

I don't have as high of a view of the RM that many of my colleagues in ministry would like...I don't teach RM history...I preach Jesus. I don't study the writings of Thomas Campbell or Alexander Campbell...I preach Jesus. And honestly, that's okay. If you really do take time to look at the lives of these men...that's all they were really doing as well.

On history and orchestration...

I said in that last post that I went to live with my Uncle during my junior year of high school. I want to give you some backstory to that. Before that move took place, I lived in Orlando, FL with my mom and stepdad. I was attending Winter Park High. The school had over 3,500 students. I was supposed to be a Christian but I had walked away from that and had begun partying...a lot. I even had one of my non-Christian friends at one point tell me he thought I had a drinking problem (he was right).

My grades were worse than bad. My mom and stepdad were at their wits end with knowing what to do with me. So two weeks before Christmas during my junior year, my mom took the extreme measure of having me go and live with her brother (who was/is a preacher) in southern Ohio (just about 45 miles from Cincinnati in a little town called Jackson.

I went from a high school with over 3,500 to a school which included K thru 12 that only had about 200 students total. It was culture shock to say the least. Jackson, OH is not Orlando, FL.

That Christmas I spent with my Uncle was one of the lowest points of my life at the time. I had been removed from all of my family and friends. My Uncle and his wife felt sincerely bad for me.

But I made this decision that since no one knew me there at all, it gave me an opportunity to start over with a clean slate. So I decided to live for the faith that I had once professed to live for. I actually started reading God's Word.

I wasn't perfect, mind you. I still struggled with smoking from time to time. I had other issues that were struggles for me, but all in all, I was on track in my walk with Jesus again.

And it wasn't too long into my move to Jackson that I was introduced to another preacher in the same town who had a son that worked as the maintenance supervisor for a Bible Camp in northeast Ohio called Round Lake Christian Assembly. The preacher's name was Hoyt Allen, his son was Denny Allen. Hoyt asked me if I would be interested in a summer life guard position at the camp. I thought it sounded like a great idea.

So I made the drive up there with my Uncle and interviewed for the position. They told me I could have the job on one condition...that I got my hair cut. That was kind of a big deal to me. I had grown my hair at that time down past my shoulders. (Do me a favor and don't share that with my sons.)

So after finishing my junior year (and actually passing) I went to work as a life guard at the camp. While I was there, I noticed this pretty cook that was also there working her summer job. Her name was Shannon Curry. She had just finished her freshman year at Bible College and was working as a cook that summer.

Shannon and I struck up a sincere friendship (that was really nothing more than that). And then we both came back the next summer as well. It was that summer, the summer of 1989 that we both fell head-over-heels in love with each other.

And now, because I experienced discipline and was living my life away from God, I was taken far away (which I perceived to be the worst thing that could have ever happened to me) and it turned out to be the BEST thing that ever happened to me.

It is so easy for me to do that with my life backwards. I can look back and see the wonderful orchestration of my heavenly Father as He "meddles" with my life and puts me in circumstances where I will be drawn closer to Him. He truly is the great "Orchestrator" with our lives. The problem with us, though, is that we don't listen to the music.

Prayer Request

I have an Uncle in Seattle, WA who preaches at the Crown Hill Church of Christ. I went to live with him during my junior year of high school and graduated there (that's a post for another time). But he is definitely more like a brother to me than an uncle.

He is 46 years old and today he underwent quadruple bi-pass heart surgery. He is currently recovering in ICU and will be there for a full 24 hours before he can be moved into a normal room. I know that most of you reading this blog won't know him...but his name is Scott Sheridan.

Pray for him for me. Pray that he recovers. I would be forever grateful for your prayers.

So now what?

Okay, my guy didn't win. So what do I do now? The answer, nothing different. I will start praying for President-elect Obama (as the Scripture dictates that I should.) I will pray for his governing ability. I will pray for his family. I will pray for him to be a leader with integrity. I will pray that he seeks out wisdom from God and truly follows it.

But honestly, I prayed all those same things for George W. Bush. Not much changes for me. I will submit to the leadership of Obama over our nation and I will pray for him. That is the role that every follower of Jesus Christ needs to take.

I voted!

Well, I went and voted today. I won't say who I voted for but the picture can tell you who I didn't vote for...

A Different Kind of Sermon

Yesterday I preached a message directly to my sons. It was a different kind of sermon for me. It was definitely emotional but straight from my heart. I really wanted my boys to understand there are some things that are just too important for them to miss. Here's the overview of what I shared:

1. I am learning as I go (at parenting).

2. Never settle when it comes to relationships.

A. You need to be priest (spiritual leader of your home).
B. You need to be protector (never compromise a woman in any situation).
C. You need to be provider (be a godly man and support your wife).

3. I love this church, but I love you more.

4. I will always love your mother.

5. God has a plan for your life.

6. Heaven is real, be there.

You can listen to the sermon HERE. Sometimes we have got to take whatever platform we can take and let our kids know the most important things in life. This past Sunday was one of those days.

Pop Goes The Church Book Study Final Thoughts

It has been a while since I have posted anything on this, but we (Kyle and Nate) decided to finish it up with one more post.

I thought this book was great. Here are my take-aways from it...

*Using the Pop culture to find an entry way into people's lives is not only a good choice but it is a biblical one. There are many examples of this being done in the New Testament.

*Creating Buzz is not the end-all but it is certainly a precious commodity in trying to reach people for Christ.

*I like the practical examples that Tim Stevens shares...although not every church can purchase billboards that direct you to a web site about a sermon series...there are things that can be done that are comparable but not quite as large-scale.

*I like the "exposure" ideas he shares as well. (Conferences, Church Tours, Web services, and books are all means that I am employing and wanting to do more of in the future.)

*The sharing stories is something I need to be better at...although I am working hard at trying to do this...I believe it creates momentum when others hear life-change stories from people that are being impacted by what we do.

*I love, I love, I love his point on not worrying about being original. Yes, you most certainly can be innovative without being original. Our 30 Days series is a prime example of that fact.

All in all, I found this to be a great book. I really enjoyed Tim Steven's humor and insight.

Wow!

Take a gander at this...I am using this photo in my sermon this Sunday, but for you blog readers you can see it early. Can you believe it?! Shannon is still beautiful. I have determined two things about me from this picture. I am more of a geek than I was then and I am fatter than I was then. But I still got the pretty girl!

Parenting

This coming Sunday I am breaking a lot of rules with my sermon. I am preaching with someone in mind. In fact, I am preaching with two people in mind. I am preaching a sermon to my two boys. It's called "Some Things I Don't Want My Boys To Miss." If you are a parent, I think you need to be there this Sunday. You will be challenged. I really feel like God has come down and put this in my heart.

Come and sit in on this experience even though it really is something from my heart to my two sons' heart. I think you will glean some very useful and helpful tools for you own relationship with your kids.

Being a parent is hard. It is filled with tons of, "Oh Crap!" moments. If you don't have moments like that then you're either not doing it right or you're not a parent.

It's tough and challenging and never-ending. But there is hope for those times that we feel overwhelmed by it. God's Word is not silent to parents.


So I'll see you Sunday!

Teamwork...

Tonight we had a crew meet at the church to tear out 320 yards of carpet where we are getting new carpet installed in 3 different rooms. I figured with having to move all the furniture first and then rip up and remove all that carpet that we would be there for a long time. In fact, I set aside two separate nights to get the job done.

But we had so many people show up (23 in all) that we got all of it done (except for sweeping and a little bit of scraping) in 45 minutes! That is awesome! That is what teamwork is all about.

It also showed me that there are a lot of folks in the church that are willing to help out and get involved...they just need the right opportunity.

For everyone that helped out tonight...THANKS A TON!!!! It is so cool to see such service in action. I love it, man!

Also, thanks to my elders for the gift you gave me this morning for pastor appreciation day! I really appreciate it, guys! Thanks so much.

Mik-E Mike and Freshy-freshy Matt

Our annual youth lock-in was Friday night (I'm still recouperating). We had a lot of fun. Check out these two famous rappers that made an appearance!

What about tongues?

I was asked the other day about my thoughts on speaking in tongues. So I thought I'd share a run-down here of what I believe about tongues. First off, let me say that the topic of tongues has been controversial for about as long as it has been employed.

The Greek word translated "tongues" is "glossolalia." It means to speak another known language. That was part of the inherent miracle with tongues. The instance in Acts 2:1-11 confirms this.

What happens today in modern American churches that practice what they call tongues is not tongues at all. They are not speaking in another known language, they are speaking jibberish and ecstatic utterances. That is NOT what you read happened when someone spoke in tongues in the New Testament.

In 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Paul says that tongues will cease when the "PERFECT" comes. Which, of course, begs the question, what the heck is the "Perfect"?

The Greek word translated "perfect" in this passage is the word "teleion." Which means "mature," "complete," "finished." There is a version of the word "teleion" used in John 19:30 when Jesus said, "It is FINISHED."

So what was Paul getting at when he said tongues will in essence be done away? Well, first off, I don't agree with the typical Church of Christ doctrine concerning this. Most ministers in the Church of Christ would say that the PERFECT used by Paul is a reference to the Scriptures.

So once we receive the Scriptures in their "complete" form then there will no longer be a need for tongues anymore. I reject this simply because it is sloppy, poor scholarship. No where contextually do we ever see a link of "teleion" referring to God's Word.

If you look at 1 Corinthians 13 in context, it is very famously known as the LOVE chapter. Paul had been talking through the entire chapter about individuals...not the corporate body of Christ. So to jump from individuals then to corporate language is a stretch.

I believe that teleion (perfect) is a reference to an individual's spiritual maturation in Christ. Look closely at the language of "becoming a man" in that section. Once a believer has matured, they will not need to cling to a gift such as tongues any longer but will have matured to only desire Love and faith and hope.

1 Corinthians 12-14 deals with tongues. And Paul is overwhelmingly negative as he deals with the problem of tongues. It created problems then and still creates problems now.

A few more thoughts on this topic...

The official position of the Assemblies of God is that the gift of tongues in a believer's life is evidence that the Holy Spirit is present in his or her life. I believe this to be a great mis-handling of God's Word. No where does God's Word say that. In fact, it says quite the opposite. In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul describes the evidence that the Holy Spirit is in your life is through His fruit being present...and the list he gives does NOT include tongues.

I do believe, however, that God is God. And He can and does use the gift of tongues (just most likely not in a congregation that claims to speak in tongues!). So where would this gift be used then and in what circumstances? Maybe on the mission field. Maybe as a missionary is trying to communicate the gospel in a cross-cultural setting. I honestly, don't know.

What I do know is that we cannot put God in a box and say that He can't do this or He can't do that. The Scriptures are very clear, read Hebrews 13:8. God doesn't fit in our neat, theological boxes. The book of Acts is not a museum of ancient history. But God's Word is living and active and God does not change.

It's just that the church and man have a propensity at screwing up what God has said and has done. That's the real problem.

Help me not see...

There are so many things that appeal to our eyes. Glittering, shiny, curvy, sexy, sleek things that are all eye candy. This world seems bent on making sure we SEE everything it has to offer.

But Scripture seems to hold blindness in high regard. Paul said that Christians don't need to worry about sight in 2 Corinthians 5:7 because we walk by faith instead.

I think it is a lot like all those other paradoxes in Scripture...you know, like whoever loses his life will find it or the first shall be last. Until we are blind to this world we will never be able to really see what Jesus wants us to see.

The apostle Paul experienced this. Before he became a Christ follower, he was a Christ hater. He despised and murdered Christ followers. But he was blinded by the very one he was seeking to destroy every last follower of.

Jesus revealed himself to Saul (the apostle Paul) in absolute brilliant light. And Saul became blind as a result. But then Christ helped the scales to fall off of his eyes and he saw everything differently from then on.

In our eye-friendly times that we live, being blinded by the brilliant glory of Jesus could be the best thing to ever happen to us. Maybe that should be our prayer. "Lord, help me not see."

We don't need to see ANYTHING but Jesus. Everything else is blurred trash. We need to focus only on Jesus...that is the only thing we need to see to navigate this increasingly difficult life. I think that is what the author of Hebrews was getting at...spiritually-induced blindness.

Justice Served!

I know some of you followed my experiences with getting a friend out of jail last week. Today was the hearing at the Polk County Courthouse. After hearing all the evidence, the judge dismissed the case! I was so happy. My friend was happy. I am genuinely relieved for him.

I have to be honest, I want there to be some sort of recourse for him to punish the one responsible for this mess. But that would be stooping to the very means that landed him in jail. I have been repeating Ephesians 4:32 like a chanting monk. I believe for my friend, he needs to forgive and take the high road putting all this mess behind him. But that's easier said than done.

Faith and Driving Lessons...

I had an interesting experience the other day with my oldest son. He passed his test to get his permit so we have been allowing him to drive around a bit (while we're in the vehicle with him, of course). Here's the strange thing, he doesn't know how to get home or where any place is that he has been to all his life when he is driving there.

You see, it is something totally different to be taken somewhere instead of going there yourself. When we are driven somewhere we let our guard down, we don't pay attention. But when we are the one driving to and from somewhere, we are much more attentive (at least we're supposed to be).

Jonathan has allowed me or his mother to take him to church or back home all his life, and so he has never felt the need to pay any attention as to how he needs to get there on his own.

Many parents make a dangerous assumption when it comes to their own children and spiritual matters. They will assume that because their child has come with them all their life to church, that the child will be as close to God as they are. Not so. Faith is kind of like driving.

Until you are actually behind the wheel on your own and not relying on someone else to drive for you, you aren't focused like you need to be. Many children do church because that's what their family does, but they don't necessarily have a real, authentic relationship with Jesus on their own because they have relied on mom or dad for that.

Parents need to not assume that their child loves God like they do. Faith is NOT a private thing (contrary to popular opinion) but it is something that cannot be passed on or inherited.

That's why I am opposed to infant baptism. Infant baptism is a man-made tradition that presupposes that once an infant is baptized that the child's faith will come via his or her parents' faith. But the whole idea of infant baptism goes against what Jesus said in Mark 16:16. An infant cannot believe. They do not have the mental capacity to be able to do that. (Now, slobber, puke and poop they're good at.)

So my point is parents need to teach faith to their children and never, never make assumptions about their child's faith. That is the driving message behind Deuteronomy 6:4-8. It takes a lot of effort to develop faith in the lives of our children. But if we do it correctly, when they get behind the wheel and go out on their own, they will always know the correct path to take!

Meet Sam

Sam Breno found The Fort because of our food pantry. He began receiving help from the food pantry because he had fallen on some rough times. While he got help from our pantry a few times, he would have conversations with Roxie or me from time to time.

Well, Sam went through a crisis in his family. He decided that the same church that offered him help when he needed it most just might be able to help with another kind of help through this crisis he was now experiencing.

The first service he attended was the 30 Days To Live final service (you can watch the video of that service HERE). He has come each week since then. He came in for a personal visit (not for help from the pantry) to speak with me about his family crisis and for prayer also. We prayed together.

I genuinely was happy that for one of the first times in Sam's life he was turning to the church (and God) for help. And God answered his prayers. He worked out the issues within his family. Sam came bouncing into church last week so happy.

He wasn't there to get anything, he was there to worship and celebrate because this God whom he had turned to had heard his prayers. And so he worshiped.

The Fort helps people like Sam all the time. Not everyone who receives help from our food pantry starts attending services but that isn't why we do what we do. We're not trying to boost our attendance. We're simply trying to help people with a real need in their lives.

That's what true ministry is all about. Meet people where they are, help them with the real needs they are facing. Then you have built credibility in their eyes. It really is true that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

You can help us meet real needs in the lives of people just like Sam by giving to our food pantry. It is a very important ministry of The Fort. It is hard to believe that by simply giving a can of vegetables to our pantry can open a door in someone's heart to help them be able to hear the gospel, but that is exactly what can happen. So help us help people like Sam by giving to our food pantry.

A couple of items...

I had to take my son to Central Campus this morning because the JROTC squad he's a part of is always chosen to be the guides for parents on Parent/Teacher Conference Days. He sure does look handsome in his uniform...

On my way back, I stopped at Gray's Lake to get a shot of the beautiful lake this morning. It was just majestic this morning with the mist rising up in the sun off the water. The little heron in the foreground was a nice cap off on the image as well...

And this has nothing to do with any of that, but there was a post on Shane Vander Hart's blog that led to this post about a war of church signs. Check it out, it is very funny (especially since my wife and I have had this very argument)!

Ministry

Okay, I'm at home now. It's been a long day. A lot of stress and emotions. I wrapped up today with a meeting with my elders. They are a good group of men. They help me do what I do. They are a great encouragement to me. It is good to know that I have people on my leadership team that are in my corner...men that I know are FOR me.

If you are reading this, and you attend another church, make sure you encourage your pastor. Sometimes pastoral work can be very, very difficult. No, it isn't physically demanding, but I would take that any day over some of the emotional and spiritual stress that I come across at times.

I don't believe I could do this work with out support and encouragement. We all need that, you know? We need to have someone come alongside of us from time to time and simply say, "I'm with you, bro." Without that, ministry isn't possible.

So make sure you encourage those in ministry. I don't even think it is necessary that they be a paid pastor. Just anyone who is serving the Lord in any capacity...especially someone not being paid, frankly, they serve Jesus on a completely volunteer basis. Tell them you appreciate what they do. Send them a card. Write an e-mail. Whatever...you never know how your words can lift that person in just the right moment.

Maybe that person is just dying to hear something like that from someone. Take time to do it. It could mean more than you know.

A Huge Let Down

I have a friend who is in jail. After working for the past three days to secure his release, I got very bad news today. I have gotten the run-around more than you can know.

I think there is a reason why Hebrews 13 says to visit those in prison. You have no idea how many people that are incarcerated may be so under false pretenses.

I am so bummed out right now. After having worked so hard to get my friend out, I found out today (after I was able to bond him out) that he had been moved to Pattonsburg, MO! So even though he is free, he will still be incarcerated for another 24 hours approximately as they transport him back here.

Pray for this situation if you would for me. I have never dealt with something so intensely difficult as this situation I am currently ministering in.

Restraining Order Laws

Through circumstances I won't elaborate on, I have become aware of the very unbalanced laws on the books concerning restraining orders. Did you know that in our state a woman can simply walk into the courthouse and say that she needs a restraining order taken out against her husband and after filling out a few simple forms (with no proof or evidence) that restraining order goes into effect?

This means a man can be removed from his home and his life altered in significant negative ways all on the whim of a wife who is simply angry that her husband didn't make the bed that morning. I am not exaggerating this by any stretch of the means. The restraining order laws are outlandishly out of balance.

I do sincerely believe that there needs to be protections made in sincere cases of violence, abuse or stalking. But currently, there is no recourse for a man who falsely has a retraining order taken out against him. Nothing can happen to a woman who simply chooses to lie and make her boyfriend/husband miserable.

I have to be honest, it makes me sick how out of balance our judicial system can be.

There is an online petition where you can go and express your opinion on this issue. Please do.

Sermon Doodling...

I found this today as I was downstairs where we worship. So do you think this was drawn by a guy or a girl? I found it quite interesting. Nice theme...love. Like the shapes.

I wonder what doodles reveal about us (other than we weren't fully engaged with the sermon)?

We find doodles like this all the time. You wouldn't believe the creativity that some people employ in their doodling.

Well...whoever our mysterious doodle-artist is on this piece, my hat's off to you...good stuff!

Is Forgiveness Easy?

I have a friend that has had a few questions for me lately. He asked me one that I thought would be good to deal with in this format. He graciously agreed. I want to put his thoughts out here in context and then I will respond. Here is the question in context:

As a recovering Catholic, I was brought up to believe that the only way to receive forgiveness for any sin is by confession with a priest. You know the drill: one on one confession, Bless me Father for I have sinned, it's been X years since my last confession......Then the guilt trip begins. Lots of prayers need to be said for forgiveness. We also were not supposed to take communion without confession if there were any of the bigger sins that we had yet to atone for. Yes, in the Catholic church there are multiple levels of sin. Needless to say, watching all the people take communion that I had witnessed sinning (and even sinned with) this made the whole church process seem a bit hypocritical. Everything in the church seemed to teach that people need to live in fear of God. For if you are not baptized as a baby and follow all of their rules you are doomed to Purgatory at best, Hell at the worst. In your (/our) church, the message seems to be, and correct me if I'm wrong, that God is a Loving entity, and even when you do sin, if you ask God for forgiveness, you are forgiven. Sounds simply and easy enough. But where's the guilt? How can I wrap my mind around the concept that my sins can truly be forgiven just by asking God myself? That seems too easy.

Is forgiveness really that easy? I would answer by saying, it depends on what side of this issue you are on. If it is you, a sinner, then the answer is an adamant and absolute, "YES!"

But, if you are on the God side of this issue, then it would be a very sincere, "No!" Forgiveness was not easy, nor cheap for our Father God. In fact, it cost Him the very life of His Son to offer it to us. So it was not easy for God, but very, very costly and difficult.

We are no longer in bondage by man-made precepts and conditions concerning where we go to find forgiveness of sin. We get the privilege to go directly to our heavenly Father.

1 John 1:9 is very clear. We need to only confess our sins, God's part is that He remains faithful and will forgive us and cleanse us of our sins.

I want to make a few observations. One, my biggest issue with Roman Catholicism is not that they pray to Mary and other saints (even though the Scriptures are very clear to NOT do that). My biggest issue with Roman Catholicism is connected to this question. According to the Roman Catholic Church, what Jesus Christ did at the cross was NOT sufficient enough to save men.

In fact, men still have to "perform" via prayers over the Rosary and paying for masses and going to "confession" and lighting candles and countless other rituals that help one atone oneself. I frankly feel it is the most prideful, arrogant thought that would think that I can somehow do anything to help my sinful condition.

True Christianity isn't about DOING anything...it is about it already being DONE. What Jesus did at the cross was completely and totally sufficient to save me from all my sin and forgive me for all my past, present and future sins as well.

Also, confession, according to the Scriptures is not sitting in some ornate wooden box talking to a priest. In the Scriptures, the word for confession is "HOMOLOGEO" which comes from two words. Homo = Same; Logeo = words or speech. So confession literally means that I speak the same words about my sin that God does.

Which means I don't call adultery an "affair." I don't refer to internet porn addiction as "having a little problem." I get real and don't play games with God about this stuff and I call it what it is...SIN. And sin separates me from God and sickens and shrivels up my soul.

Now, even though it is not necessary to "confess" sin to anyone but God, there are some sins that need to be confessed to other people. Because if they are not, there can never be help in over-coming them.

Sexual sins, addictive behaviors, and similar sins I believe cannot be truly dealt with unless there is accountability. So when I have the courage as a man to say that I have a problem with gambling and I not only tell my heavenly Father that, but I also confess that to another brother in Christ. That breaks the hold that sin has over my life. It isn't as powerful anymore.

Shedding light on secret sins releases the shameful grip that those sins have on our hearts. And we eventually, through Christ's help and true accountability, have the ability to slay that dragon in our lives.

But I don't want to wander too far from the original question. The answer is "YES," it really is that easy to find forgiveness. But forgiveness and repentance can't be separated either. Don't think because it is easy to ask for forgiveness that is a license to keep on sinning...you must truly repent as well. And repentance is determining in your heart to not commit that sin again.

Communion Video from last Sunday

We shared this video last week during both services. It was a good final cap to our 30 Days To Live series. If you didn't see it, here you go...

Brief Nature Respite

We took some time on Monday evening to go with another family to get away at a cabin in Pammel Park just outside of Winterset, IA. It was really great to be with such good friends and to be away from the noise of the city and ring of the phone! I got up early on Tuesday and snapped a few pics. The first one is our cabin we stayed in, the others are just some of the beautiful nature that greeted me Tuesday morning. Enjoy...

I'm the luckiest guy on planet earth!

Check out my hot date for tonight...

David Limbaugh

Tonight my wife and I have been given the opportunity to attend a banquet/fundraiser for the ICA. The brother of conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh will be there speaking...David Limbaugh.

Honestly, I don't know that much about him, but I do know he is considered the "more religious" version of the Limbaugh clan. He has authored a couple of books. He seems to be someone that will be interesting to listen to.

I'll give you an update in a day or so on how things went.

Now who is getting 'bailed out'?

My youth pastor came into my office today and said he had a proposal for me. He told me he would like to sell me his Buick (even though I don't want to buy a car right now) for $7,000. But there are several items needed for repair, probably totaling $1,000...so he thought maybe he should up the price to $8,000. And he suggested it would be a sweet deal for me because I would get it for free as long as my secretary would pay for it (she didn't seem to see it the same way I did).

That makes about the same amount of sense as this astronomical"bailout" being given to the banking industry. How irresponsible! It is nothing short of robbery.

Those who think that going in debt is a good way to solve credit problems need to read Scripture anew. Particularly Proverbs 22:7.

Fireproof continues to do well...

Well, weekend results came in putting Fireproof in 4th place overall bringing in 6.5 million dollars. It has made 6.8 million so far and will continue to do very well. The movie only cost $500,000 to make.

If you recall, Facing The Giants was produced with a budget of $100,000 and made over 10 million dollars. In one weekend, they have almost met that prior number!

Continue to go see Fireproof! We went as a family yesterday afternoon. It was just as good the second time I saw it as it was the first. If you know a couple struggling in their marriage, take them to see the film as a treat.

This movie is awesome. Get everyone you can there to see it!

30 Days is over...

Well...we ended our 30 Days To Live Series with a bang! It was without a doubt the BEST worship service we have ever had at The Fort! For me, I usually have a manuscript, but I will practice my sermon enough that I have my manuscript as more of a pacifier than anything else. But for this service I was naked (well, kind of)...I was noteless. It was a lot of extra work and stretched me a little bit but that's a good thing.

I think the 30 Days series really struck a nerve in a lot of folks. We all tend to not think about our own mortality very often but the Bible is very clear that we should make a habit out of it. I think it's a very healthy exercise to live like today may be my last. If it was...I'd want to forgive and be forgiven, for sure!

I'm really satisfied with the 30 Days series. I think it was one of The Fort's finest moments!

Big Opening Night for Fireproof

Fireproof opened on Friday night in 839 theaters across America. It was NUMBER 3 in the nation for ticket sales! To give you a comparison, of the top eight films on Friday, other than Fireproof, the movie with the smallest number of theaters opened in 2,300 theaters!

Pray that Fireproof goes gang busters this weekend and flabbergasts Hollywood! It is a fantastic movie that you need to go see. In fact, take someone with you to see it!

End Times

I have to admit that I have been VERY busy these past few weeks and I haven't been doing much blogging...sorry about that. But I do read a lot of blogs every day and there is one that recently had a post on the end times that got me going. My friend Shane Vander Hart posted his thoughts on the end times (you can read that HERE). I thought it was a good topic, so let me fill you in on my own thoughts on this.

I feel that there is a whole bunch of bad information out there about the end times. People like Hal Lindsey with his Late, Great Planet Earth and Tim LaHaye and his novel series Left Behind have propagated so much sensationalism into this issue that it is hard to really navigate biblical truth from pop culture fantasy.

In the first century, Nero (the zero!) and Domitian were emperors of Rome who had a fetish for killing Christians. These evil men wanted to stamp out Christianity using a "whatever-it-takes" mentality. Countless thousands of Christians were murdered and suffered under the reigns of these men.

Christianity was on a knife blade. It was literally on the brink, right after it had just begun. And never was there a more needed time to receive a message of hope and victory as this. When John wrote his Revelation, that was precisely the message being communicated. In short, we will win, he was in essence saying.

Most commentators today take the newspaper in one hand and their Bible in the other and they do a great injustice to the plight of the Christians who suffered so much in the 1st century. The over-arching message of all of the New Testament concerning the end times is very simple: Be Ready!

We need to live like Jesus' return can happen today. Because, frankly, it very well could. No sensationalism, no fanfare. Just simply be ready for Jesus to come back.

I guess the one thing I do appreciate about Hal Lindsey or Tim LaHaye is that at least they get people thinking about Jesus' return. When was the last time you even gave it a thought? It is really good to stay focused on Christ's imminent return. That will change how you live.

An awesome commercial that will never air

I wish that Microsoft wasn't going to pull these ads...but they're not going to air. They are awesome. This is the long version of all of them...

To Be There or Not To Be There...

Hebrews 10:25 says that we shouldn't make a habit out of missing church. I have so many folks that I know that will miss church faster than Ron Paul will bash America. I am blown away at how so many people have non-Christian friends that they hope to influence for the Lord, but those non-Christian friends seem to exert a stronger influence than they do.

Out of fear of being labeled "fanatical" a lot of these Christians will wimp out when an invitation is extended on a Sunday to an event and not desiring to rock the boat these Christians choose to miss church rather than tell their friends they'll have to wait to go until after church.

Better yet, get some spiritual kahunas and invite your non-Christian friends to church with you. Tell them you'll take them out to lunch afterward.

I think it is wonderful to have non-Christian friends (I do), but when your non-Christian friends influence you to miss church...something's wrong.

Just being frank on this, it really does blow me away how easily people choose to miss church on any given Sunday. I am sick and tired of wimpy Christians not living out their faith in a real way!

Been a while...

I have been really laser-beam focused on getting primed and ready for 30 Days To Live. I feel things have gotten off to a great start. I preached the first sermon and feel like it hit people where they live. My father-in-law's Testimony was received well. But listen, if I can give you a small preview...next week you will see a testimony video that will leave you very unsettled for some time to come. It will stick with you. You won't forget it. I am very excited about next week's message and video!

All in all I feel things are going well. Satan certainly is alive and well. Whenever people start to get upset about something at church...I know we're on the right track!

On another note, I had a very cool opportunity the other night to pre-screen the upcoming movie Fireproof. It opens in theaters on Friday, September 26th. Let me just tell you, you need to see this movie! This movie will blow you away. It is phenomenal! Don't miss it. Go see Fireproof on opening weekend! You won't be disappointed.

Labor Day Weekend Rest

I have been in Kewanee, IL with my in-laws for the weekend holiday. My youth pastor held down The Fort while I was gone. (It's nice to have other staff who can jump in the pulpit when you need to have a break!)

I had the opportunity to hear my father-in-law preach for the first time. He preaches at First Congregational Church in Galva, IL. Here are a couple pics from the building...



The building is beautiful on the outside, this image doesn't do it justice. It was built in 1865. There are about a dozen churches in Galva which boasts about 2,800 residents.
These stained-glass windows are stunning. There were more throughout the church but these were the centerpiece. The church members are very proud of their building (as they should be).

My father-in-law was hired to help them come back from the brink. On the Sunday I was there, there were 35 people in attendance (including the six of us)...that was a record Sunday! Pray for Bob's ministry there. Pray for the people to begin to care about their community as much as they do their building. Pray for them to wake up from their long, deep slumber!

Pretty churches with no people. I pray to God that The Fort never gets that way!

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

Bill Maher, ever the controversialist, is at it again. He has linked up with Lion's Gate Films and made a movie about something that he loves to hate...religion. The movie is called Religulous and is due in limited theater showings on October 3rd.

Bill Maher hates Christianity with a passion. This film is his own vain attempt to show how "ridiculous" it is to hold any religious views. But Bill is an equal opportunity religion hater. He hates Jews and Christians and Muslims alike.

One of the interesting things to me is all the money, all the effort and energy that would go into a project of this magnitude all for the sole purpose of Bill Maher to scream through his media megaphone that God does not, cannot, should not exist and anyone who would believe in him is an idiot. It leans a little heavy on the "Thou dost protest too much" side for me.

It's almost like Bill is trying too hard to prove his unprovable point. What could cause such hurt and rage? Why does he believe that so many countless millions of well-adjusted, intelligent, non-marijuana smoking people all over the world...including presidents, chief justices, scientists, sociologists, economists as well as honorable butchers, bakers and candle-stick makers who claim they experience the love of God are in a grand delusion?

How is that possible? How can so many be so wrong at claiming they experience the forgiveness of God or the peace of God or the comfort of God?

That cannot and should not be taken so lightly. But Bill Maher has no interest in doing a sincere investigation. He just wants the opportunity to shout from the mountain tops that "God is dead." Well, he'll have his opportunity.

I think it is honestly a little humorous when Hollywood-types such as Bill Maher think that they can come up with some new and amazing argument that will shatter the faith of the faithful. I have been in the living room of just enough of the faithful to know that after having had God come near in their dark nights of the soul that there is nothing Bill Maher could say that could shake them from experiencing the supernatural comfort that only comes from a real and awesome and living God!

If you want to see a little more on this you can see this SITE but let me fore-warn you. The site contains foul language. It was put up as a marketing tool to promote the upcoming movie by Bill Maher.

Pop Goes The Church Book Study3

I am studying this book with Dan Hudson, Kyle Phillips and Nate Liston. The last two chapters (4 and 5) were very good. In chapter four, titled "A Tale of Five Churches" Tim Stevens chronicles the journey of fives churches and their reaction to a Hollywood studio filming a not-so-nice-storyline movie in their small town. These five churches react in five different manners. We see the responses of condemnation, separation, embracing, ignoring and leveraging.

Tim Stevens shared that leveraging the pop culture to reach as many as possible is the correct response. I agree. I think he hit the nail on the head how most churches respond to the culture around them.

And by the way, we did have a very special 9/11 service immediately following that horrible event. I was in the midst of a sermon series at the time, but some things have to trump what you are doing. That was definitely one of those moments.

In chapter five Tim Stevens spoke about categorizing the culture into sacred or secular. I love the quote at the very end of the chapter, "It is easy to identify what's wrong with Eminem, but finding what's right, identifying and understanding what millions of teens connect with, takes much more work."

I believe, as I have said before, in the process of redeeming the culture. I like the group Apologetix. They take secular music and change the lyrics of it to a Christian message. That's cool.

I think it is really important that we help people in the church currently to be able to view pop culture through the lens of Biblical Christianity. They will be able to recognize spiritual themes and kernels of truth more readily. They won't mindlessly listen to music, because they like the sound...they will understand the message.

That is an important part of our role as Christians, to help others understand fully a Christian worldview. And then, as Tim Stevens says, we can leverage pop culture fully to help redeem lost people for Jesus!

From my iPod...

I feel compelled to tell you that when I post from here. I had a visit tonight with a great couple. One of them witnessed a horrible tragedy. But the cool thing is seeing this person lead through it. It really was inspiring to me. Pray for this couple...even though you don't know their name. God does. They can use your prayers this weekend and this next week.

Awesome Elder's Meeting

Tonight I had an elder's meeting. Typically when most preachers mention an elder's meeting it is done along with weeping and gnashing of teeth. Not me. I had an awesome elder's meeting. Some of the highlights were a fantastic meal. Great video footage. My older son, Jonathan, smoked me in wrestling (until he got a "wedgie").

It was a blast. And just a heads-up...you are going to see some of the best communion meditations you have ever heard coming up during the 30 Days To Live series in September. My elders have done an awesome job preparing excellent meditations. I am jazzed about all of it.

You are going to be 100% blown away by it. Don't miss church and you won't miss out!

Sunday Night Thoughts

Wow! What a morning! I was so stoked from what God did this morning. I feel like the sermon really hit a nerve. And the icing on the cake was Katie's baptism! I was moved to tears during first service when I shared from Mother Theresa's life that she had written in her journal after a long period of not sensing God's presence in her life that she was still determined to love Him more than He has ever been loved by another person. That kind of faith wrecks me. I desire to have that level of passion in my walk with Jesus. Right now, that kind of passion is all-too foreign of an experience for me. That needs to change.

During second service, as we sang "Agnus Dei", my spirit just broke and I wept again. I almost wasn't able to get composed again before I preached. I love it when God messes with me like that.

Man! I am still jazzed about today! Next week is going to be even better! Wow, God is really moving in this series.

Leadership Summit

First session this morning at the Leadership Summit this morning was Craig Groeschel who spoke on "It". He defined "it" as something in a church that can't be manufactured or created, thus it only comes from God.

He gave four thoughts on being able to "Get It"...

1. Must have a laser focus. (You should have a "planned abandonment" from ministries that are draining resources and energy that aren't in line with your purpose.)

2. Obstacles are Opportunities. He asked us to consider, "What is it that God is trying to show you through your greatest limitation?"

3. Must have a willingness to fail. Failure is a must. He asked us to consider, "What has God called you to do that you are afraid to attempt?"

4. The Leader must have "It." He admitted that at one point in his ministry he became so focused on externals and trying to draw a crowd that he realized he had become a "full-time pastor and a part-time follower of Jesus Christ."

All in all, Craig brought "It." It was very encouraging and convicting, frankly (as always when I hear Craig speak).

Leadership Summit

Today I am attending a satellite broadcast of The Leadership Summit. I am excited because Craig Groeschel will be speaking today along with many other great speakers. Should be a great day...tomorrow too.

Hopefully I will finally learn how to lead!

Smiling Joe's Wife Troubles

I have never been a fan of Joel Olsteen. To be blunt, I think he is a con artist and a fake who has abused God's Word for personal gain. A news story came out today about his wife that was crazy. Apparently she is some kind of primadonna who throws tantrums when things don't go her way. You can read the story HERE.

One thing I know to be true is that when people choose to live the way they do (taking advantage of people by preaching a health and wealth gospel) that they will eventually topple. We've seen it over and over again.

Jacob's Big Pitch

I told you I would post a video of Jacob getting the great honor of being chosen to throw out the opening pitch at the Iowa Cubs game on August 4, 2008. Here's the video...

30 Days To Live Trailer

Here it is...the official trailer for 30 Days To Live. This is the one sermon series that has me the most excited!

Sunday Evening Reflections

Well, today we began a new sermon series called "Stuck." I really feel like I brought it today. I think this is a series that will really hit people where they are at. Hopefully it will also stir something in the church as a whole as well. We sure need it.

I have been praying for God to disturb us. I know He will. And once we start to get a glimpse of His vision for our church, it will be uncontainable and uncontrollable!

After church today we had a picnic in the park...on the hottest day in all of history (maybe Al Gore was right after all). There was a smaller crowd for that, but that was okay in my book. Nice food, nice visiting, just a nice (and hot) time.

Tomorrow we are all excited about something that will be happening to our youngest son, Jacob. He was chosen to throw out the first pitch at Principal Park for the Iowa Cubs. I plan on taking a video camera and uploading video of Jake's shining moment here...so make sure you watch for that! It should be really cool. We're all very proud of him.

I believe with all my heart that this will not be the only time I see my son doing something great before a large crowd. I believe that God will do more amazing things than He has in me with my sons...and I know it to be true for Jacob. I think we will see great things from him in the future!