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.