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!

My Bible Journey (Proverbs 8)

I recently read Proverbs 8. Another chapter with a heavy focus on wisdom. Part of me wants to say, "Okay already! I get it...I need to be wise and seek out wisdom!" But do I get it? Am I wise? Do I make wise choices regularly?

I could have my wife put her thoughts here on those questions and I think I know what she would say (thus the reason she isn't posting). I could have my kids put their thoughts on here in response to those questions...and I could threaten them with grounding to get a good response from them.

But the fact of the matter is, I live most of my life lacking wisdom. To be completely honest...I am unwise. I make poor choices frequently and regularly.

So, I may react with an air of confidence to another chapter on wisdom...but reality is much more bleak for me. I need to be honest with myself. I need to crave wisdom with all my heart. I need to surround myself with wise people and friends.

I need to search out wisdom in God's Word often and daily. I need more wisdom in my life.

On a side note, the latter part of Proverbs 8:36 says that all who love death hate God. I was listening to a translated video excerpt of Osama Bin Laden where he was ranting against America. He said that we in America "love life therefore we will never understand the true muslim, for the true muslim loves death." Funny how relevant God's Word is!