The Adventurous Journey

Thank you

2006-07-06T21:27:00.000-05:00

It has been a long year for the Poirier & Merrill family as we have been at the side of my sister, Kim during her battle with cancer. Thank you to the many of you who have prayed for us and expressed yourselves through cards and emails as we grieve as a family. The love we have felt over the past year or so has been a blessing. I sure appreciate being loved!!

Scot

Reasons To Hope

2006-06-12T08:29:00.000-05:00

Check out today's entry on Mike Cope's blog:

Signs of Hope

I like what he said and I agree. There are signs of hope.

Messages of Support for the Poirier's and Merrill's

2006-05-31T12:10:00.000-05:00

Hello again.

Keep Scot and his family close to you these next few days. God is their strength and we are too. They are holding up well in their grief.

If you wish to view the obituary for Kim you can use this link:

Kim Merrill Obituary

Scroll down to view a picture of Kim and you can click to view the obiturary.

At the bottom of the obituary you can also sign a guestbook. Spend a few moments and leave your message of support. Scot told me today that this guestbook means a lot of him and his family. They spent this morning reading these messages and they are drawing great comfort from these words, and will do so in the days to come.

It will be a tough couple of days, but with God's help, all will make it through. Scot wanted me to let everyone know that he is so very grateful for your love.

The calling hours will be Thursday, 6-9pm, at the Potter Funeral Home.
The funeral will be Friday, 11am, at the Manchester (CT) Church of Christ.

A Loss

2006-05-30T06:58:00.000-05:00

With deep sadness, I want to share that Kim lost her battle to cancer yesterday. The family was there and she fought to the very end. Scot and the family are in mourning as they await the funeral services later in the week.

Please keep Glen (Kim's husband), Theresa (her mother), and Scot and Helen in your prayers and thoughts this week. Some day grief will turn more towards joy, but right now hearts are heavy and broken.

Kim Merrill was a lovely lady, a follower of Christ, and great person! She will be terribly missed.

Prayers and Thoughts for Scot and Kim

2006-05-27T08:24:00.000-05:00

Scot called me a few moments ago. He and Helen are headed to CT now. His sister, Kim, has turned for the worse. Her heart rate is irregular. Her breathing is shallow and labored. She is dehydrated and no longer eating. The family is gathering around her bed.

Please keep the Poirier and Merrill families in your thoughts and prayers.

Playing It Safe?

2006-05-24T10:49:00.000-05:00

I "borrowed" this from Jim Martin's blog:

Too Dangerous to Play it Safe

There are some people who live dangerously. No I'm not talking about jumping out of an airplane with nothing between you and the ground but a parachute which you hope will open. I'm not talking about participating in the annual Sweetwater, Texas rattlesnake roundup. We went one year. Uhhh--nothing quite like it.

Right now, I am thinking about the danger of playing it safe. The following are some dangers I have in mind. Do you have some others to add?

1. The danger of staying the same. Don't grow. Don't move. Just stay where you are. Never change your habits or the way you use your time. Stay the same. Be your same predictable self. Close your mind to anything new, different, or untried. That can be a very dangerous way to live.

2. The danger of playing it safe. "Who me? No I can't do that." Why? "What if I fail? What will I do?" Far too many people are determined to play it safe. Far too many churches are so interested in playing it safe that they say "no" to opportunities for ministry before them. This attitude is putting many churches at great risk! Why? Playing it safe is often a rationalization. If I play it safe then you don't have to trust God. That can be a dangerous way to live.

3. The danger of avoiding risk. Perhaps your teens are talking about going to a mission field or working with the poor in some distant American city. "Wait! You can't do that. We want you to live near us! We would miss you if you were that far away!" So, a teenager's vision is doused with cold water because mom and dad have no such vision themselves.

4. The danger of avoiding pain at all costs. Of course, no one likes to experience pain. Yet, one can go to such lengths to avoid pain that it becomes dangerous. Mom and Dad can't stand to hear their four year old whine and throw a tantrum that they bribe the child with toys, ice cream, etc. Perhaps mom or dad can't stand to see their child worry about her ticket so they rush in to pay it themselves. Consistently removing the natural consequences of our children's behavior can be very dangerous in the long run.

5. The danger of avoiding any discussion about "the big pink elephant in the middle of the room." A family has a troubled son or daughter. At Christmas, the daughter never shows up. No call. No explanation. Nothing! However, the family never mentions it and goes on with Christmas. Her packages under the tree. Her plate and silverware on the table. Ice tea is next to her plate. Yet nothing is ever said. The "big pick elephant in the middle of the room" is ignored. Are you ignoring something that really ought to be addressed?

Can you think of others?

Wicked

2006-05-13T10:02:00.000-05:00

Last night, my wife and I chaperoned a school field trip. Our two boys participate in their middle school chorus and the director planned a trip to the Boston Opera House to see the Broadway musical WICKED.

What a wonderful musical. The music captures your heart. The acting draws you into the story. And the set is very imaginative. Here is a brief synopsis:
Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two unlikely friends end up as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for the most spellbinding new musical in years.

There are a few lines from one of the songs (Wonderful) I keep replaying in my head this morning: There are precious few at ease/With moral ambiguities/So we act as though they don't exist.

Sounds a little like some church folk I know these days.......

(Do you think my good Christian family will get second looks when they wear their WICKED apparel out in public? Maybe they'll even wear the clothes to a church service.)

Mike Cope's blog message for May 10, 2006

2006-05-10T22:02:00.000-05:00

Inorganic Music

Once again, there were classes at Pepperdine (as there have been at ACU and Tulsa earlier this year) on the need for greater fellowship between Christian Churches and Churches of Christ — again taught by Bob Russell and Rick Atchley. Of course, this is just a beginning. A small beginning. But, it is an important beginning. (At least it’s a beginning in some places. Many of you are in places where you already realize that anyone who is a Christ-follower is WITH you not AGAINST you!)

So here’s my take on instrumental music: God doesn’t much care. Most of the old arguments were lame, built on shoddy hermeneutics.

Nevertheless, those in the a cappella tradition don’t need to be ashamed of it. There is a rich tradition in the church that runs through the centuries of singing without instruments. Even today, when people enter our churches, they are dumbfounded to hear people singing — full voice, four-part harmony.

That doesn’t mean it’s the only way, or that it’s God’s way. Sure, I could be blessed by being in a church with Chris Tomlin leading worship.

But I’m not. I’m in a congregation with a heritage of being a cappella. That doesn’t mark us as being the REAL people of God or as being RIGHT. But it is a rich heritage that can be, if continued in love and humility, a gift to Christian community, reminding us that worship is a place of full participation where we all offer ourselves again to God, seeking to be reshaped by him to live for the sake of the world.

So God bless the drums/guitars/saxophones that are played for the glory of God. And God bless the pitch pipes and the tuning forks that find a pitch so that others can sing without instruments.

Preserving this a cappella heritage isn’t nearly as important to me as it is to others. It’s nothing I’m going to fight a younger generation on. If they decide to set it aside for the sake of the mission, I’ll be with them. (Sad, perhaps, but still with them.)

But in the meantime, I want to participate at the top of my lungs; I want to remind others that such singing is a blessing; and I want to share with others a growing appreciation for the many different looks of the universal church that lives for Christ.

--------

From Paul:

For those who'd like to read the comments posted on Mike Cope's blog (usually the comment section is where the real action takes place) you can go to this link:

Mike Cope's Blog about Music

BTW, I think this is a good piece to wrestle with. Some may feel that our church unity might be tested by this, but we must work hard to listen before we speak, pray before we preach, read deep and wide (especially Scripture), and let God's reign and kingdom mission to the world guide our hearts and conversation with each other. For what it's worth, I believe we can hold diverse views on this subject and still live and work together in unity for the mission of Christ.

Still thinking about the Achilles tendon

2006-05-04T07:49:00.000-05:00

Paul,

I’ve been thinking about your question regarding what our church's Achilles tendon is.

You, Tony Thompson from the Burlington church and I have worked on a series of lesson from Mark’s gospel. We’ve entitled the series “No Turning Back- living the surrendered life.” The challenge I see for the church is that the cause for which Christ died is being routed in our society. Ironically, as Christians our story underscores that God has come near. I heard a lesson from Randy Harris where he spoke about God coming near. He said 100 years ago in Africa about 7% of the people would have claimed to be Christian. Do you want to know what that number is today? 46%! Africans are now leaving their countries and going into other African countries to evangelize. Africa has become the center of Christianity. Or what about China? In 1900 about one half of one percent of the population claimed to be Christian. And after a hundred years of China trying to rid the country of Christianity it now has approximately 7% of the population that claims Christianity. There are more Chinese Christians than there are American Christians. But in our country the un-churched population is growing by leaps and bounds. Yet our story says that God has come near.

If we buy into the idea that there’s “No Turning Back” and that we are called to “Live the Surrendered Life,” we’ll find ourselves going to all kinds of people to show them that God is near. Here’s where our potential Achilles tendon is: There’s risk in buying into this idea. The risk is that all kinds of people will come into our churches and make them look a lot different. The risk is that God will be in control and for those of us who like to be in control––will be challenged.

In my rock climbing “year” I learned a valuable lesson. You need to trust the rope that ultimately holds you when you fall. Here’s my point––believe that God is the one who is in control. We are a people with a story. We are being called to let creation know that God is near. I’m convinced that when you do this, God’s got ya!! He’s got ya because it’s his mission and he’s the one in control.

Make no mistake, this new life we are called into for God will be one dedicated toward the goal of transforming others.

God has come near!

The Cast

2006-04-29T08:54:00.000-05:00

It seems like I always have a story!

I’d love to tell you that I hurt my foot saving an elderly woman as she walked unknowingly into hostile traffic; or that I tripped while successfully saving innocent people from their burning home. But… I cant!

The awful truth is I hurt my foot playing––basketball. If you’re reading this and you know me you’re probably not at all surprised. I’m certainly not.

Here’s how it happened: I was having a great game of basketball. In the first five minutes of getting into a pick-up game at the YMCA, I jammed my left thumb on the ball (ouch!). BTW- I happen to be lefty. Anyway, with in 20 minutes of playing I ran the baseline (schooling the 18 year old who was trying to keep up with my youthful speed!!!), which is one of my signature moves for a reverse lay-up. Well––I got the reverse lay-up up but when I came down from my 2 inch vertical (in full stride) I evidently ripped the plantar facia:

And since Tuesday night I’ve had difficulty walking. Fortunately on Wednesday I was “squeezed in” to see my orthopedic. Now let me tell ya… this guy just loves me. I think I’ve given him enough business over the years to pay for his house and his twins’ college tuitions. Let me put it to you this way…we’re definitely on a first name basis.

So here I am––in a cast, nursing an injury that will no doubt slow me down for a few months. But make no mistake––I cant wait to get back out there on the court and do some schooling.

You know, the funny thing about all of this is even though I’m severely injured I can still beat Paul in hoop!

Weakness

2006-04-27T08:20:00.000-05:00

Well....Scot has some news. If you see him hobbling around you'll know he has a weakness. His weakness is for basketball and his weakness is his body. He is suffering today because of his weakness. I let the old guy tell you about it some time.

I wonder out loud this morning. What is our church's Achilles tendon?

Hello! Is anybody out there?

2006-04-25T15:52:00.000-05:00

Ah, so good to be back. Paul, I look forward to continuing to dialog the adventurous journey.

BTW, I received an email earlier today from "Day of Praying and Fasting." They are a good organization trying to make a difference by providing humanitarian aid around the world. This year their focus is in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Check out this link Day of Prayer and Fasting and jump on in.

Talk to you soon...

We're On The Way Back

2006-04-25T12:35:00.000-05:00

Scot and I have been saying lately that we need to resurrect the ole' blog. I have been out straight with some major projects and Scot has been working on projects and giving his time to his sister. Her sister continues to struggle with cancer and we both continue to have projects. But we thought it would be good to get back to the blog. So, we're on the way back.

We'll start slow but hope to become more consistent as time goes by.

As you can see, we at least changed the template and we hope to add other things to the site in the future. We're both cheap, so we'll probably not get as fancy as other blogs, but at least we'll have some content that might be worth reading...or not.

Thanks for checkin' in.

Catching Up

2006-02-06T13:10:00.000-05:00

As you can tell, Scot and I have been "radio silent" the past few months (and more). I ask for your prayers on behalf of Scot and his sister, Kim. She is in a deep struggle with her cancer and Scot is working really hard to be there for her and the family. Plus, he is trying to finish some graduate work with deadlines coming soon for a big project. Plus, church life is keeping him busy as well.

I...well, I have been in a "listening" time in my life. I have been doing a lot of reading, playing with my boys, enjoy time with my wife and catching up on church work and ministry. It has been good to go quiet for a while. I find myself trying to learn more and more about listening to the rhythm of the Holy Spirit in my life. I am asking myself lately, "What is the Spirit doing?" That is humbly, confusing, clarifying...often all at the same time.

We'll be posting more in the coming months. Thanks for checking in every now and then

Quote To Chew On....

2005-11-16T15:52:00.000-05:00

Summarizing a statement by Donald Hagner: "The faith of Jesus unites us but faith in Jesus separates us."

I've been chewing on this one for while.....I like it.

Falling Off The Wagon

2005-11-11T10:29:00.000-05:00

Well...I fell off the wagon this morning. Actually, I blame my family (just like an addict would do, right!). Today is Veteran's Day holiday and the kids are out of school for the day. Leanne has a college class this morning (not a state school so they don't get many holidays off). Usually on these "special" days, the family starts laying down hints and my craving starts. I've been good the past few months and have tried to stay away from these. Since I've come back from my annual Lake Placid Hockey School (yep, I go to school for these kinds of things)with my friend Bill, I've been trying to maintain my physique.

But this morning I couldn't stay away. It is a crisp, fall day with bright sunshine and temps starting out in the 30's. I went and fell off the wagon at this place. I don't like coffee, but what a better way to start this "special" day with hot chocolate and those other things.

And I really fell off the wagon....I came home with an extra 1/2 dozen. Oh well, if you are going to fall...fall hard!

Have a great day!

Forget Making A Case

2005-11-10T16:28:00.000-05:00

I been more into reading than writing lately. Here one blog I've enjoyed reading. This guy is a lawyer, he knows what he's talking about. In particular I like this post:

Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Further Adventures in Missing the Point

It seems like every time I browse through the titles in a Christian bookstore or in the Religious section of a chain bookstore, I always find something that strikes me as odd. Today it happened in the "Christian" section of a Barnes & Noble.

What is going on with all of these books about "evidence" that "demands" certain things and the "case" for various Christian-related ideas, events, etc.?

Honestly?

Are people's relationships with God so disconnected that they need some sort-of strict, rational reassurance that God really is out there? Or are people thinking that - if they can load up with enough quasi-judicial sounding "ammo" - that they can really stick it to their non-Christian acquaintances? And if they do "stick it" to their non-Christian acquaintances, do they really expect their humiliated opponents to start begging them for more information about Jesus?

Take it from someone who works in the "case making" business every day: the use of "evidence" that "demands" stuff from others is way overrated.

There is a level at which one's case and evidence are very important in our judicial system, but most lawsuits are driven by relationships, not evidence. The relationships between the parties, which normally begin to deteriorate long before a dispute develops between them. The relationships between lawyers and clients. The relationships between witnesses and parties. The relationships between judge and lawyer and, ultimately, between the jury and the parties. Tell me about how those relationships work, and I can do a pretty good job predicting how a lawsuit will go without knowing a single thing about the underlying dispute.

For all that matters, forget all of the other relationships. If you can just tell me which parties the jury LIKES and which ones they don't like, I can predict the outcome of a case most of the time.

My advice to anyone who is obsessed with making out the "case" for some aspect of their faith is this: lighten up. Walk with God, enter into genuine, authentic relationships with the people around you, even non-believers, and Kingdom stuff will start happening. Force feed this stuff to yourself and those around you, and you may end up like an obnoxious barrister who - in spite of having the perfect case - loses to the jury because he's a pompous smart alek.

Spiritual Blackmail

2005-11-08T16:47:00.000-05:00

Greg Newton says this about Community and Coercion:

One thing that was impressed on me during our years in Africa is that ecclesial power is illusionary. In that situation you realize how powerless you are - and how foolish it would be to believe you can control those people.

I used to tell the Tanzanians "Budula wane buli giki, butogwa wingwe wa kudegeleka" (my power is this, your willingness to listen). I was being honest. They could walk away, do anything they wanted, and totally disregard me. There was nothing I could do to make them do what I wanted or said.

All Christians are volunteers. In Tanzania the word for believers also meant "agree-ers". What binds us together is uncoerced agreement. We agree to submit to one another. We agree to follow God's leading. None of this can be forced.

So often guilt, shame, and fear are used to wield power over people even in matters of faith. "Jesus gave us the power to bind on earth and in heaven so if you don't do what we say we will consign you to hell." The threat of excommunication kept medieval kings in line, if not because of their own fear, because their subjects would rise up in revolt against an excommunicated sovereign.

Spiritual blackmail has no place in spiritual formation. No fellow believer rules over me spiritually, and I rule over no one. We are all brothers. And yet I willingly submit to the instruction, guidance, and interests of others.

Trying to live out this reality in a community is challenging because all models that I am familiar with, have a hierarchy at the core. That hierarchy is based on illusory power, but those at the top of the structure attempt to wield it nonetheless.

Being free to pursue God, and yet indebted to love others, is the tension that keeps us in relationship without the coercion of human power.

"I Have a Dream"

2005-10-21T06:46:00.000-05:00

This morning I thought it would be good to share with you an email I received from a member of my congregation in Chelmsford, Ma. Lorene is an intelligent thinking Christian woman who wants to be more of what God is calling her to be. I'm thankful that Lorene and her family worship with us in Chelmsford, and I'm thankful for the email she sent me this morning.

I have a Dream

I have a dream that one day, sisters and brothers will walk together, serving humankind and doing good deeds.

That they will not hold onto resentment and anger for a sister or brother, as they are all made in the image of God and made one in the body of Christ. If anger and resentment has begun, there will be sisters and brothers, in the body of Christ, who will possess the spiritual nature and wisdom needed to address these problems and be able to, with the help of God, Christ and the Spirit, bring about a full spiritual healing and reconciliation. To be reconciled means to put an end to hostility, this can only occur when we fully understand exactly what we claim to know, that while we were enemies of God, Christ died for us.

I have a dream, that one day we will truly understand we were called to suffer, to suffer for Christ’s sake. And, so we will no longer be a people who live by mere words, but will be willing to put into action, exactly what we so easily proclaim. We will learn to suffer, in humble honor toward Christ and let God go about doing His work in the hearts of His people, while we build one another up in our pursuit of taking up the cross and following Christ every day.

If we discipline ourselves to learn to suffer and struggle spiritually, true repentance will occur, bringing the full body of Christ into worship of our Lord, for His grace, mercy and compassion is great, greater than anyone deserves.

We would do well to remember who we are and what we are in contrast to God’s holiness.

Amen

Lorene Gerstenlauer

“Surprise, surprise, surprise!”

2005-10-11T10:24:00.000-05:00

Helen and I just received our one hundred or so pictures and our personal DVD of an unplanned festive time we had with friends and family.

I remember when I was a kid watching the sitcom that starred Jim Nabor’s as Gomer Pyle. One of my favorite responses from Gomer was “surprise, surprise, surprise!”

Helen and I were planning on celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary on November 7. However our daughter, Jessika, had different plans for our celebration–– on October 2.

Jessika flew up from Nashville, Tennessee on September 29 to join Helen and other family and friends to attend the Women of Faith conference being held in Hartford, Connecticut on September 30th & October 1.

They went. They enjoyed. They came back home to New Hampshire. And we thought we would have a couple days to spend with our daughter before she went back to Nashville on October 4. However she schemed with many of our friends and family to have a surprise celebration at the Nashua Church of Christ on Sunday evening, October 2. All I can say is…“surprise, surprise, surprise!” We were like deer in the headlights. Clueless!

Hmm… Thank you Jessika for honoring mom and daddy. We sure do love you. And thank you to our family and friends who attended our surprise party.

We feel loved and accepted by so many people. God has blessed us beyond measure.

One last note: For those of you who attended who were part of the deception to get us to the Nashua church building… shame on you!

The Purpose of a Church Family...

2005-09-30T15:58:00.000-05:00

The purpose of family is to extend the family...when families get turned in on themselves, when they get into themselves, focusing too much on themselves, unhealthy things begin to happen. Bad habits form. Unsavory personality traits appear. Unusual thoughts start to be expressed. A strange psychosis takes over. Sometimes church families get this way. They get waaay too into themselves. For instance,

Churches can spend a lot of time TALKING about Jesus. Let me be clear, family conversation is good. One of the greatest joys during the Clark family reunions are the amount of TALK TIME we have. Some of the best moments we have around here, in our church, involve a lot of TALK. But this blessing may also become our curse. We TALK about Jesus and what he wants. We TALK about what is kosher and what is not. We TALK, We TALK and We TALK. But, like natural families, sometimes church families constantly talk but have trouble moving from talk to action. Jesus calls us to “hear his words and to put them into practice.”

Church families can be so into themselves that they struggle to hear or see people around them. These churches are known for their closeness, they are kind and loving to each other, but there are people around churches whose spirituality doesn’t quite match the family definition. There are valuable people who are quiet and often orbit around the edges of the family circle. They wouldn’t be noticed unless you are looking for them.

Church families may have rules and regulations about family protocol that actually inhibit folks from enjoying the life-giving blessing of family. Keep the family walls high and intact. Though a family may say they are welcoming and want others to join them, in order to fully gain membership in the family, you have to do this, follow that, and don’t get caught acting that way. Family holiness and family reputation can be a powerful, life-denying thing.

Could it be that people’s obsession for church family can become so in trenched that they actually become inhibitors to the very change that God is working towards? The purpose of family is to extend the family. But some times “Family” can get in the way of “being” and offering the gift of family to the world.

Hear what I am saying. Jesus loves family. He is not against family. He honors supernatural and natural family units. But his purpose for the family is to extend the family. God wants his spiritual family to be the resource for His kingdom endeavors.

God On A Leash

2005-09-27T08:31:00.000-05:00

“…no longer will we focus our faith on rules about God.”

Religion has a tendency to focus on rules about God. Religion's nerve center is on keeping one unstained. It's designed to keep one on the right side of things.

“Don't associate with those gamblers and prostitutes! Instead you need to be over here where there are nice people who go to church every Sunday and give their money to church and to each other.”

“Don't associate with those people over there who are living the wrong way sexually, where there are people suffering and dying from sexual diseases. Instead you need to be on this side of the fence where people are spiritually clean and morally straight.”

“Don't associate with those people who cheat and steal. Instead you need to be on this side of the tracks where everybody acts nice.”

But Jesus' action is different. Jesus is the one who touches and holds lepers! Jesus is the one who parties with those cheating tax collectors and stealing sinners! Jesus is the one who lets the woman that the church fathers thought was a prostitute stroke and anoint him at a dinner party in a lepers house!

This is the kind of stuff that happens when God breaks loose in our lives. Maybe some of us just need to admit it. We don't really want this kind of God on the loose. We don't want an untamed God on the loose in our world. We certainly don't want him loose in our church were we want everything a certain way. What we really want is a domesticated God… a religion that focuses more on rules about God.

It's okay for him to be holy as long as he is humble. We're okay with the power God has and the reign he represents, but we want that power domesticated--we want it working for us. We want God on a leash. Our lease!

The Rest We All Need

2005-09-25T07:34:00.000-05:00

Focusing on Rule or Living in the Rest of God?

This world of ours is littered with people who need rest. There are people who see themselves as worthless because they have some kind of mark on them...either self-inflicted or a label slapped on them by someone else. There are other folks who feel that they do not measure up to God’s standards, no matter how hard they try...and they are trying really hard. There are people with struggles, and confusion, and they are tired of living quiet lives of desperation. There are people who are worn out because they have tried to live their life by their own power and might. They need rest.

The good news is that Jesus comes to rescue us all from this absurdity. Come to me, Jesus says, all who are weary, burdened, and I will give you rest. Follow me. Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.

In no turning back and in living the God-surrendered life, we say this: No longer will we focus our faith on rules about God. We will rest in God. We all know that things can fall apart in our life. This world has it’s fair share of trouble and sadness. We can get knocked off balance. When we break down, we often look for someone to settle the disarray. Where is the doctor? Do we have an attorney? Go see the preacher. Call the plumber. The phone line is dead. The electricity is out. My life is in shambles, God, are you listening? (Thanks, Jeff, for this thought).

It is in these moments of shaken equilibrium when we do not need a rule about God. WE NEED GOD and WE NEED HIS REST! And the good news is that, in Jesus, God extends his hand.

God Ripping Open Heaven

2005-09-22T19:33:00.000-05:00

Mark 1:9-13
"And it happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. Immediately coming up from the water he saw the heavens being RIPPED OPEN and the spirit like a dove coming down on him, settling in him. And there was a voice from the heavens, “You are my only son. In you I took delight. Immediately the spirit drove him out to the desert and he was in the desert forty days being tested by Satan. And he was among wild animals, and the angels were serving him."

You see, when the heavens are ripped open and God gets turned loose and the Spirit descends on us, like it did on Jesus, God pushes us out of our comfort zones and send us into some unsettling places. The Spirit sent Jesus to the wilderness. God turns loose on us and turns us loose and sends us out on a mission for his Kingdom. He sends us out with this wonderful gift to be offered to our world. When God gets a hold of us, “God drives us to where he wants to go, to what God wants to do and not always to where we want to go and what we’d rather do.” (to quote Brian Blount)

When God gets loose inside of you, you start to do things that turn the world upside down and inside out! There is no turning back. As followers of Jesus, may we recognize that God is loose in our life and remember that God is loose in our church. May we be courageous enough to join with God who is loose in our world.
May we have the courage to run loose in the world, to be like Steve Martin, wild and crazy, because God has gotten a hold of us and he’s not turning loose and neither are we. There is no turning back. What a gift He’s ripped open for us.

We're back!!

2005-09-20T18:07:00.000-05:00

Hey, Paul and I are back in the saddle again (I can hear this old Aerosmith song...) and raring to get back into this blogging stuff. Although the summer has been busy, it has also been fruitful.

Let's see, I just finished harvesting the last of my watermelon, cantaloupe, and sweet red peppers. These are reminders to me how good God is. Mind you, I wasn't really thinking about God's goodness when I was slaving in the garden back in May. The black flies and mosquitoes were ruthless. My new garden was filled with boulders and other junk. I worked real hard. I worked real hard not knowing if it would really pay off. Let me tell you though, right now… it paid off!

Ah...Life is good!

Returning Soon

2005-09-03T15:48:00.000-05:00

Look for us to return soon. Scot has a major paper due in a few weeks and I am putting the final touches on ElderLink Northeast. We both have said that it is time get the blog back up and going. Check back after September 15 for updates. I hope you have enjoyed your summer. We've enjoyed ours.

Still Around But On Sabbatical

2005-08-15T15:50:00.000-05:00

Hello...just want to let everyone know that we are still around but our summer sabbatical continues. Scot and I hope to get back to writing and conversing once September starts. That will mean my kids have gone back to school, our travels will have concluded, and Scot will have come in from his gardening and daily Home Depot trips. Thanks for hanging in with us.

Only Then...

2005-07-12T07:36:00.000-05:00

A rabbi asked his students, “When is it at dawn that one can tell the light from the darkness?”

One student replied, “When I can tell a goat from a donkey.”

“No,” answered the rabbi.

Another said, “When I can tell a palm tree from a fig.”

“No,” answered the rabbi again.

“Well, then what is the answer?” his students pressed him.

“Only when you look into the face of every man and every woman and see your brother and your sister,” said the rabbi. “Only then have you seen the light. All else is still darkness.”

Summer Rest

2005-07-10T17:47:00.000-05:00

You haven't seen a lot of blogging recently by Scot and me, just wanted to let you know that we are taking a little summer rest. Scot headed out today for a graduate class he's taking and I will be doing some traveling in the next week or so. So....our blogging will be sporadic for the some of this summer. Have no fear, however, we'll post some things as time, energy, and inspiration permit.

We thank you for keeping up with us and encouraging us. Check back in from time to time and we'll get back in the saddle on a regular basis here shortly.

Can The Church Really Be Evangelistic?

2005-07-02T08:36:00.000-05:00

I have deep desire for evangelism, especially in today's world. It is so crucial today to speak Jesus to a world that is desperate for good news. The light must shine! But as concerned as I am for evangelism, I am deeply aware that evangelism, at least in the way is should authentically be carried out, must be connected to the Church...or perhaps it may not be legitimate evangelistic practice. But this fact makes me worry (though I am trying to be hopeful).

I sense today that some of us are more concerned about our words (just get out and teach, preach, and share) than we are about our existence. We want to talk it but do we walk it as well? Both must be linked. In fact, I would argue that the Church cannot really be evangelistic (at least in the sense of being authentic sharers of good news) until we understand and really live out of our existence as people who look, think, act, say, live like Jesus. Here is a convicting statement by Scot McKnight as he reflects on the ideas of Lesslie Newbigin:

Evangelism takes place through the Church, and that means through Christians. In conversion theory this is called the "advocate." Evangelism needs to concentrate more on "who we are as Church" and less on "what we say," for until "who we are" embodies "what we say" we have little chance of being heard. Jesus didn't offer a four-point outline; he offered himself as the Embodiment/Incarnation of God and he calls his followers into his Embodiment and as such they witness to the saving grace of the gospel and bring into the world the kingdom conditions.

I am not sure some of us have truly wrestled with this idea. I am not sure we have fully entered into his Embodiment. I wonder if we really want to hear Jesus' words and put them into practice....to quote a little bible verse from Matthew (Sermon on the Mount). I know my own life and I know how much I fail to be and live this out.

But that doesn't take away from the reality and truth of this statement. Who we are is forever linked with what we say. And until we align those two things, the second will be hollow sounding and inauthentic, and the first we will never fully achieve. And the result will be that the Church will not have an evangelistic existence.

In light of the above words, here's a quote worth remembering:

The light of Christ's life reaches us through the Church as the community of those who, bound together in the love which Christ brought down, are "forever shedding that love abroad" in their own lives and "manifesting in the grace of Christlike character the reconciling purpose of God.

From Lesslie Newbigin: A Theological Life, by Geoffrey Wainwright (p. 36).

Or to put it more crassly, perhaps we need to shut up and learn to live up to Jesus.

This Little Light of Mine

2005-07-01T08:08:00.000-05:00

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”

We live our lives “before God” and before one another as well as before the world. To put it in Bible terms: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as you love yourself. For Friday, here are a few exhortations to encourage us to that end:

This little light of mine....shine it where you are. May you see that your mission field is wherever you find yourself to be. God has uniquely called you for his purposes and he can use you wherever you are. Your workplace is God’s Kingdom laboratory. Your home is God’s mission point. Your relationships with your neighbors are points where God’s light can shine.

This little light of mine....shine it now. To quote from the Dead Poets Society movie, “Seize the Day!” That is not a bad proverb. It reminds us of who Jesus reminds us to be in Matthew 6, to not worry about tomorrow, but to live for God today, making the most of every opportunity. John Lennon wrote a song with the line, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” That should not be true. So live for today. Each moment is an opportunity for God’s reign. And the light of God’s Kingdom can shine even in moments of crisis. Each moment presents us with an opportunity and the privilege to live faithful to God in this time and place, whether in joy or pain.

This little light of mine...shine it together. Though we each are different, we are all a part of the same body. The light emanates from community not simply through individuals. God is calling us to mature past the point of church as a place where I get served or taken care of. God is calling us to be about more than what we enjoy, and rather to be a church that has a communal spirit about serving God, pleasing God, praising God, together. May we work together as one, and show both God and the world that we can be one, just as Jesus prayed.

This little light of mine...shine it continually. As Jesus said, no one takes a light and hides it under a bushel. It is put on a stand for all to see and its purpose is to continually shine. So shine, church, shine! God’s reign is breaking forth and he has a future for his kingdom. Let us, before God, shine our lights and endure throughout our lives.

“This little light of ours, we're gonna let it shine.”

The Posture Necessary for Listening

2005-06-30T12:41:00.000-05:00

Scot, thanks for your words. Great stuff! Your post about listening to the Word sent me back to some words a former professor of mine wrote. I went back and read again a piece from Leonard Allen's book, The Cruciform Church: Becoming a Cross-Shaped People in a Secular World. Here is a companion, I think, to your reflection about our consumer mentality and the way we read and listen to the Word. Allen offers a helpful corrective to our modern captivity and to the way we often approach Scripture (sorry this is long, but it's sooo good):

"...We must resist the temptation to think that, while our spiritual forefathers fell short in their approach to Scripture, we--with some great burst of illumination--can finally unlock the magic door of theological perfection. We must not imagine for a moment that we have found the one interpretive method that will put every piece into place once and for all. Such presumption we must put behind us. For we do not master Scripture in the way many modern scientists presume to master nature. Thinking we can, in fact, easily becomes a kind of idolatry....

Missing in such a presumption is a most basic confession--our creatureliness. This fundamental confession contains no liscense for abandoning our movement's high ideals or for relaxing our efforts to read Scripture correctly. Neither does it sanction disregard for reasonableness and coherence in the pursuit of truth. But it does demand that we confess our finitude and frailty as a fundamental theological maxim.

Such a confession, far from discouraging hard Bible study and serious theological reflection, will serve rather to enhance it. For making that confession, will lift from our shoulders the unbearable burden of self-establishment before God. It will constantly drive us to the Cross and thereby keep the good news always resounding in our ears. In the process, it will free us to ask new questions and to live--as we sometimes must--with provisional answers.

The confession of our creatureliness always helps us recognize that biblical interpretation is a corporate enterprise, that no one person possesses a wide enough range of spiritual and intellectual gifts to do the task alone. We need the gifts of many people who have submitted their lives to Christ. We need scholars and prophets, pastors and evangelists, women and men, old Christians and new Christians, cautious guardians and adventurous explorers. For we are not meant to be solitary readers of the Bible, "rugged individuals" left to our own devices. Rather, we are members of a body, drawing life from the head and working with one another in the fellowship of the Spirit. In that body we continually discover riches as, together, we explore the strange world of the Bible."

Gardening: is it ears or ears?

2005-06-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

The primary target for the word of God is the heart–– by way of the ear. In the parable of the Sower, we read about four soils and the importance about hearing (listening). Jesus speaks of the word of God more as “seed words of God” which are sown in the ear of the reader and then penetrate and grow in the heart. For some, their ears are like paved roads in which no seed can germinate; or rocky ears where no seed can have a deep healthy root system; or ears filled with weeds where no seed can ever hope to grow to maturity. And then there are those with “good-soil ears” in which the “seed words of God” produce an abundance of ears (grain).

Make no mistake about the value of reading God’s word. Reading God’s word is not synonymous with hearing (listening) God’s word. The struggle for me and perhaps for many others is our consumer mentality. This consumerism, which plagues our culture, also infects our hearing of God’s word. Many times we come to the Bible hoping to get something out of it. It’s easy to treat Scripture as something useful for my congregational life, married life, parental life, work life and any other life you want to put in a little category–– as if this is possible or even healthy for that matter. My point is, to come to the bible to see what we can get out of it, is to come to the bible impersonally. When we come to the Bible with an information-gathering mind, we not only misread the word of God, we arrogantly treat the word of God as a possession over which we have control.

The consumer comes to the bible “looking” to get something out of it, or even worse, reducing God’s word to a container of information to be understood. Yet God’s desire is for us to come to him and “listen” for his voice so that we can respond in the relationship he calls us into with a spirit of obedience and with faith (trust). When we respond to God’s voice rather then control his voice his molding and shaping of our lives is unmistakable!

He who has ears to hear, let him hear–– Jesus

Psalm 40:6-8 (NLT)

6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand--
you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

7 Then I said, "Look, I have come.
And this has been written about me in your scroll:

8 I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your law is written on my heart."

Children of God

2005-06-24T10:07:00.000-05:00

This arrived in my inbox this morning. Just wanted to share it:

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus…” Galatians 3:26

Even though there were all kinds of things among the Galatians that would make us shake our heads, Paul calls them “sons of God” nevertheless. Being God’s children enables them to right their wrongs through repentance and to guard against sin in the future. Trust in Jesus that is firmly rooted in our hearts makes us certain of our divine inheritance.

It is a fact, however, that many so-called Christians make their divine heritage dependent on something other than faith in Christ. They concentrate on moral improvement, deliverance from wrong and impure thoughts and feelings, and on their own state of sanctification. And because they cannot get rid of their failings, they will never consider themselves children of God.

But Christ is able to make children of God out of weak, sinful beings as long as they have trust in him. Nor will he straightaway void their inheritance when they make mistakes, even serious ones at times—look at the Galatians!

In the end, Christ will lead us through and beyond all our failings as long as we do not misuse faith as a pillow to rest on. Faith becomes a pillow only if it is an intellectual matter, giving the soothing sense of having Jesus without a real trust of the heart. True faith will never turn into a pillow for anybody; it has too much life and vigor for us to go on sinning while pleading faith. Let us remain firm in the belief that God’s mercy is very great toward all who cast themselves on it wholly and utterly.

Johann Christoph Blumhardt, from The Proclamation, Sonship with God.

Welcome To My Neighborhood

2005-06-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

I just saw a commercial for a new reality show, Welcome To My Neighborhood. It premires on Sunday, July 10, on ABC TV. Here is the promo:

In a six-part reality series premiering SUNDAY, JULY 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), one of seven diverse families will win a beautiful dream home on a perfect suburban cul-de-sac in Austin, Texas. But in order to win the luxuriously furnished and opulently appointed house, they must first win over the very people who will be most affected by the ultimate decision -- the next-door neighbors.

During the process, relationships become strained, fears are confronted, secrets are revealed, expectations surpassed and the inner-workings of all of the competing families are exposed.

But with every encounter with these families, the opinionated neighbors' pre-conceived assumptions and prejudices are also chipped away, and they learn that, while on the outside we may appear different, deep inside we share many common bonds. The judges find themselves learning to see people, not stereotypes.

The three neighborhood families who will be judging the competing families all love their quiet, picturesque community and are used to a certain kind of neighbor -- one who looks and thinks just like them. It will be up to this watchful group to decide who should move into the dream house next door and who should be sent packing.

Each week the competing families participate in a challenge given by the judging neighbors. This challenge could be in the form of an event or a competition, but there is always an unforeseen twist or turn that will reveal the families' true nature to the judges.

The family who wins the challenge that week will be given an all-important "free pass," thereby becoming exempt from elimination that particular week. By episode's end, the neighborhood judges will determine which one of the remaining families will be eliminated, thus losing their chance to win the house.

Each competing family ends up taking the neighborhood judges on an emotional journey that opens eyes and hearts. In the end, one family's life will definitely change when they win the deed to the house and move into the pristine home. But much to the surprise of everyone involved, a whole community experiences a transformation.

The stakes are high. The families are real. And the neighborhood will never be the same.

Interesting show.....perhaps I'll have to watch. I wonder if the "principle of exclusion" will be in play?

"Die, heretic!"

2005-06-21T07:17:00.000-05:00

Comedian Emo Philips tells this story:

In conversation with a person I had recently met, I asked, "Are you Protestant or Catholic?"
My new acquaintance replied, "Protestant."
I said, "Me too! What franchise?"
He answered, "Baptist."
"Me too!" I said. "Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?"
"Northern Baptist," he replied.
"Me too!" I shouted.
We continued to go back and forth. Finally I asked, "Northern conservative fundamentalist Baptist, Great Lakes Region, Council of 1879 or Northern conservative fundamentalist Baptist, Great lakes Region, Council of 1912?"
He replied, "Northern conservative fundamentalist Baptist, Great lakes Region, Council of 1912."
I said, "Die, heretic!"

The story’s funny but it hits close to home doesn’t it? If we’re not careful, we can buy into the "principle of exclusion." What I mean is we can quickly reject a person who’s not like us religiously. If we’re not careful, we can become afraid of people who have differing theological perspectives. When we fall into this trap our tendency is to draw the circle tighter and tighter–– sort of a who-is-in and who-is-out mentality. Trust me, I know what it is like to have this mentality and it’s an uncomfortable place to live.

Consider wrestling with these three questions:
1. Is there a way to live and be in fellowship with fellow-Christians we disagree with?
2. Must every disagreement result in division?
3. In order to have unity, must all distinctive points of view be abandoned?

Wonderful Words of Life

2005-06-16T08:43:00.000-05:00

Mister Rogers stood before 5,000 cheering graduates at the Boston University commencement in 1992, and said very quietly, “You wanna sing with me?” Then motioning them to be seated he spoke again: “Why don’t you just sit down, and we’ll sing this song together.” And then he led all 5,000 in a rendition of It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. One observer said that everyone knew the song, and “waves of red robes swayed side to side, arms intertwined, subdued by the sense of security and ritual that Mister Rogers had always given them.” Graduates, singing what they learned from Mister Rogers when they were young children. Songs have power. Words have power.

“I love you.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“You’re a disappointment.”
“Well done.”

Words shape who we are.

In similar fashion to the way Mr. Roger’s song shaped those graduates, and the ways in which words from our childhood and adulthood impact us, Jesus’ words formed and shaped the identity of the first followers of Jesus, and they shape us today in the exact same way. The Twelve Jesus called became the founding generation of the church. As they lived with Jesus, learned his message, watched his actions, they were molded by him to become salt, leaven, and light in the world. They listened for his voice. When he said, “go” they went. Words have power. When he said “stay here” they stayed put. When he spoke his words, they hung on every syllable, even if they did not always understand, or even sometimes like what he said. Words have power. They shape our lives.

Are we listening to Jesus, the wonderful words of life, or are we listening to someone else's words?

More Gardening Stuff

2005-06-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

OK, Scot....I am not planting a garden (and Yes! You are obsessive about your garden!), but I am trying to grow grass (the legal kind). We've had a bare patch in our lawn the past couple of years and we've attempted to do a few things to it, but with little success. Every spring, the bare patch reappears. So this year drastic measures took place.

We broke up the old grass, turned over the soil, and planted with new grass seed. And then we started watering. We have watered, and watered, and watered, and watered, and watered.....we even let God water the grass for us with the rain (what a rainy spring we had). Finally, after three plus weeks, grass has started to grow.

Augustine says this: "We take for granted the slow miracle whereby water in the irrigation of a vineyard becomes wine. It is only when Christ turns water into wine, in a quick motion, as it were, that we stand amazed."

Perhaps the miracle and power of God's love is also seen in its slow drip, drip, drip coverage in our lives. We may not see its dramatic work right away, but with constant irrigation, God's love grows in us and then appears in our lives in authentic and lasting ways.

I just hope my grass stays around for good as well.....

Tomatoes anyone?

2005-06-13T12:20:00.000-05:00

About two weeks ago I planted my garden. You know––the usual stuff: 84 tomato plants, 36 cucumbers, numerous zucchinis, habanero peppers, jalapeño peppers, green peppers, red peppers, corn, cantaloupe, watermelon, pumpkin, red onions, yellow onions, eggplant and of course—strawberries. I want you to know, I love my little garden! BTW- my daughter, Jessika, told me the other day that I was out of control and a little excessive. I have no idea what she’s talking about…

Anyway, back to God’s love. The other day my tomato plants were wilting. If you know anything about tomato plants, then you know how dramatic they can be. When they get dry and need water, tomato plants let you it in a dramatic way. They wilt…and when they wilt, they look like they’re dead, or pretty close to dead. So the other day, they dramatically communicated to me and I dramatically responded. I watered. I witnessed amazing results with the little water I gave these plants. I didn’t have to wait days, or pray over them. With in several minutes, my dramatic tomato plants responded (dramatically so) to the water I freely gave them. They stood straight up! They regained their strength and continue to grow to maturity.

I’ve realized something pretty important about this story. My tomatoes and I have something in common. We can be dramatic. The other day I was a little wilty… and God took notice. …you know what he did? He reminded me of the love he has for me and for all he has created in his image.

God’s love is powerful!

"This World"

2005-06-11T10:35:00.000-05:00

The Christian band Caedmon’s Call in their song entitled “This World,” has a line that exclaims: “This world has nothing for me, and this world has everything. All that I could want, and nothing that I need...”

You know, we understand a lot about the universe. Yet it’s still pretty hard to give up seeing myself as the center of my own world! It seems to me that when push comes to shove, our human desire is to be like God. Our human desire is to see ourselves as capable of controlling our own world. I suppose this is what the world of science and scientific discovery and their successes produced in our modern world. Science and scientific discovery “has pointed us toward economic and political and social systems that are all about self-government and self-sustenance and unlimited self-development.”

Our world gives us a lot of power and in particular lots of purchasing power. We can buy pretty much anything we want. And many of us buy into the promises that any particular product may claim to deliver. But one of the greatest goods we have in our modern world is life. Think about it… We can buy and sell life. The search for meaning in life is determined more by what you can get (and then become) more than anything else.

Here’s where I’m going with this thought: Is it possible that a good part of our religious life is also treated as another good to be bought or sold in the market place? Is it possible that we acquire this religious life we buy into in order to keep ourselves where we like to be–– at the center of the universe and in control?

I wonder how much we want control of our own religious world when we make choices about churches based on what’s in it for me. Someone might think––“Do people notice me at the level I think I should be noticed?” or, “Do these people agree with the way I think?” Unfortunately, for many people, relationships at church look more like business investments and contracts––simply hoping to get a return on lots of happiness and security. The unfortunate thing about this reality is how disposable relationships can become when we fail to receive the return we expected.

Consider Donald Miller’s words in “Blue Like Jazz”, “The problem with Christian culture is we think of love as a commodity. We use it like money... If somebody is doing something for us, offering us something, be it gifts, time, popularity, or what have you, we feel they have value, we feel they are worth something to us, and perhaps we feel they are priceless. I could feel it so clearly, and see it in the pages of my life. This was the thing that had smelled so rotten all these years. I used love like money. The church used love like money. With love, we withheld affirmation from the people that did not agree with us, but we lavishly financed the ones who did”.

Mercy Not Sacrifice

2005-06-10T08:19:00.000-05:00

Tony Campolo tells a story of his ministry experience in Hawaii in the book, The Kingdom of God is a Party.

Up a side street I found a little place that was still open. I went in, took a seat on one of the stools at the counter, and waited to be served. This was one of those sleazy places that deserves the name, "greasy spoon." I did not even touch the menu. I was afraid that if I opened the thing something gruesome would crawl out. But it was the only place I could find.

The fat guy behind the counter came over and asked me, "What d'ya want?"

I said I wanted a cup of coffee and a donut.

He poured a cup of coffee, wiped his grimy hand on his smudged apron, and then he grabbed a donut off the shelf behind him. I'm a realist. I know that in the back room of that restaurant, donuts are probably dropped on the floor and kicked around. But when everything is out front where I could see it, I really would have appreciated it if he had used a pair of tongs and placed the donut on some wax paper.

As I sat there munching on my donut and sipping my coffee at 3:30 in the morning, the door of the diner suddenly swung open and, to my discomfort, in marched eight or nine provocative and boisterous prostitutes.

It was a small place, and they sat on either side of me. Their talk was loud and crude. I felt completely out of place and was just about to make my getaway when I overheard the woman beside me say, "Tomorrow's my birthday. I'm going to be 39."

Her "friend" responded in a nasty tone, "So what do you want from me? A birthday party? What do you want? Ya want me to get you a cake and sing 'Happy Birthday'?"

"Come on," said the woman sitting next to me. "Why do you have to be so mean? I was just telling you, that's all. Why do you have to put me down? I was just telling you it was my birthday. I don't want anything from you. I mean, why should you give me a birthday party? I've never had a birthday party in my whole life. Why should I have one now?"

When I heard that, I made a decision. I sat and waited until the women had left. Then I called over the fat guy behind the counter, and I asked him, "Do they come in here every night?"

"Yeah!" he answered.

"The one right next to me, does she come here every night?"

"Yeah!" he said. "That's Agnes. Yeah, she comes in here every night. Why d'ya wanta know?"

"Because I heard her say that tomorrow is her birthday," I told him. "What do you say you and I do something about that? What do you think about us throwing a birthday party for her—right here—tomorrow night?"

A cute smile slowly crossed his chubby cheeks, and he answered with measured delight, "That's great! I like it! That's a great idea!" Calling to his wife, who did the cooking in the back room, he shouted, "Hey! Come out here! This guy's got a great idea. Tomorrow's Agnes's birthday. This guy wants us to go in with him and throw a birthday party for her—right here—tomorrow night!"

His wife came out of the back room all bright and smiley. She said, "That's wonderful! You know Agnes is one of those people who is really nice and kind, and nobody does anything nice and kind for her."

"Look," I told them, "if it's okay with you, I'll get back here tomorrow morning about 2:30 and decorate the place. I'll even get a birthday cake!"

"No way," said Harry (that was his name). "The birthday cake's my thing. I'll make the cake."

At 2:30 the next morning, I was back at the diner. I had picked up some crepe-paper decorations at the store and had made a sign out of big pieces of cardboard that read, "Happy Birthday, Agnes!" I decorated the diner from one end to the other. I had that diner looking good.

The woman who did the cooking must have gotten the word out on the street, because by 3:15 every prostitute in Honolulu was in the place. It was wall-to-wall prostitutes…and me!

At 3:30 on the dot, the door of the diner swung open, and in came Agnes and her friend. I had everybody ready (after all, I was kind of the M.C. of the affair) and when they came in we all screamed, "Happy birthday!"

Never have I seen a person so flabbergasted…so stunned…so shaken. Her mouth fell open. Her legs seemed to buckle a bit. Her friend grabbed her arm to steady her. As she was led to sit on one of the stools along the counter, we all sang "Happy Birthday"' to her. As we came to the end of our singing with "happy birthday, dear Agnes, happy birthday to you," her eyes moistened. Then, when the birthday cake with all the candles on it was carried out, she lost it and just openly cried.

Harry gruffly mumbled, "Blow out the candles, Agnes! Come on! Blow out the candles! If you don't blow out the candles, I'm gonna hafta blow out the candles." And, after an endless few seconds, he did. Then he handed her a knife and told her, "Cut the cake, Agnes. Yo, Agnes, we all want some cake."

Agnes looked down at the cake. Then without taking her eyes off it, she slowly and softly said, "Look, Harry, is it all right with you if I…I mean is it okay if I kind of…what I want to ask you is…is it O.K. if I keep the cake a little while? I mean, is it all right if we don't eat it right away?"

Harry shrugged and answered, "Sure! It's O.K. If you want to keep the cake, keep the cake. Take it home, if you want to."

"Can I?" she asked. Then, looking at me, she said, "I live just down the street a couple of doors. I want to take the cake home, okay? I'll be right back. Honest!"

She got off the stool, picked up the cake, and carrying it like it was the Holy Grail, walked slowly toward the door. As we all just stood there motionless, she left.

When the door closed, there was a stunned silence in the place. Not knowing what else to do, I broke the silence by saying, "What do you say we pray?"

Looking back on it now, it seems more than strange for a sociologist to be leading a prayer meeting with a bunch of prostitutes in a diner in Honolulu at 3:30 in the morning. But then it just felt like the right thing to do. I prayed for Agnes. I prayed for her salvation. I prayed that her life would be changed and that God would be good to her.

When I finished, Harry leaned over the counter and with a trace of hostility in his voice, he said, "Hey! You never told me you were a preacher. What kind of church do you belong to?" In one of those moments when just the right words came, I answered, "I belong to a church that throws birthday parties for whores at 3:30 in the morning."

Harry waited a moment and then almost sneered as he answered, "No you don't. There's no church like that. If there was, I'd join it. I'd join a church like that!"

As we prepare to go out into our community, first, go learn what God means when He says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

The Power

2005-06-09T07:37:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I spent the day at Mass General Hospital down in Boston. One of our church members had major surgery. She is doing well. Praise God!

On the way home last night we drove through a ferocious rain storm. The lightning was unbelievable. It felt like it was touching the ground next to the car. Oh, what power!

This morning, in my inbox, appeared this quote. What greater power is in our life!

Not so long ago, a few decades perhaps, we saw lightning in the sky and talked about electricity. Some people began to ponder about this strange power. It did not leave them in peace. They kept thinking, “Who knows, it might be given into our hands. Could not this play of clouds—this faraway, deadly, terrible, yet powerful thing—come into the hands of men?” I remember how millions laughed. Only very few people believed it and did not stop thinking about it. And suddenly there it was.

Something like this happens when we see Jesus. Anyone who has an image of Jesus from the Bible, perhaps even through personal experiences of the heart, recognizes in him the powers we need. At first these powers are very far away. They are heavenly powers, great and divine. They are so great that today we can hardly understand the life of Jesus in a human, natural way. Yet we do see in him the mighty powers of God. We look up and think, “Is it possible that these powers will one day become our possession?”

Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt, from Christoph Blumhardt and His Message, Our Human Right.

Without A Thought

2005-06-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

You have got to read this incredible story from Joe Quile:

Two days ago my family and I were traveling West on I-20 in Arlington (TX) on our way to meet a friend. It was pouring rain and traffic was bad. Kim had no sooner said, "be careful" when the brake lights came on in front of us in unison. I was in the slow lane and immediately pulled over on the emergency lane when I noticed a car ahead of me do the same. The driver from the vehicle opened the door and and began running towards our car and I looked to my right and saw a Nissan Armada that had rolled over only seconds before and was laying upside down, tires still spinning, 20 feet off the highway down an embankment.

I yelled to the kids, "don't look!"

I opened the door and ran down the hill toward the car just steps behind the other guy. He ran to the front passenger door and then stopped. He turned and looked at me and yelled, "call 911!"

I ignored his reasonable request and tried to open the front passenger door. It was stuck. Again this guy yelled out, "call 911" and mumbled something about the door not being able to be opened. And again, I tuned him out like a guy watching the Super Bowl. I then proceeded to open the rear passenger door.

The door opened up and there on the floor (which was the roof) was a young teenage girl crying uncontrollably and up in the front of the vehicle was her mom. I asked the girl if she was OK and she replied yes and I proceed to climb into the car and pull her out. I handed her off to that 911 yelling guy and went back into the car to get the mom out. I asked the mom if she was OK as she was crying even harder than the daughter. Through her tears she told me that she was seven months pregnant with twins. My heart stopped. I asked her if she hurt anywhere and she said no. I told her to grab onto my neck and I began to pull her out. Once outside of the vehicle she was still holding onto my neck and I held her as she shook and continued crying. Again I asked her if she hurt anywhere and she said that her stomach hurt just a little but she thought it was just upset due because she was so worried about the health of the twins inside her womb.

I asked her if I could pray for and she said, "yes! please! please!" I placed my hand on her stomach and began to beg God for the safety of those babies. Kim stayed in the car with Emily but had Laura run down and give us blankets and my golf umbrella. Laura began to gently cover up the young girl and I continued to hold both of these scared sisters. It wasn't long (maybe 3 minutes) before the firetrucks and the ambulance arrived. Once the ambulance arrived they were put inside (neither of them had a single scratch on them) and I headed back up toward the car, soaked, muddy, and very quite.

I got inside the car and sat there for a moment very still. I relayed the story to Kim and the girls and then I pulled the car back onto the highway. A few miles down the road it hit me that I had not once thought about anything I just had just did. The entire experience took less than 5 minutes and cost us being a little late to our meeting, three blankets, and my shoes remaining clean and yet I will never forget it.

If you had asked me a minute before that vehicle flipped if I would want to get muddy and soaked I would have said, "no way!" If you had asked if I would want to be late to my meeting or give up three blankets I would have said, "no, not particularly." If I had thought for a second about what I might have (could have) been the scene when I opened that door I honestly don't know if I would have done it.

I do plenty of selfish and stupid things without thinking.

I wish I did more for others...without a thought.

Worship for the Sake of the World

2005-06-05T07:09:00.000-05:00

In worship, two worlds collide. In worship, God’s reign declares a way to live in the world while not being of the world. In worship, our allegiance is tested. In worship, the exam is given: Which story do we take to be true reality? In worship, we celebrate the reign of God, challenged to live out God’s reign among our neighbors and friends, because the world of God’s reign is our only hope. So what kind of “worshipper” does God want in Romans 12?

God wants worshipers who see worship for what it is: Not an hour on Sunday morning, but a lifestyle of sincere love, hatred of evil, embracing good, and honoring one another above ourselves. God wants worshipers who keep their fervor no matter where they are. God wants worshipers who are maturing to such a point that we learn how to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. God wants us to share with those in need, and to practice hospitality. God hopes we take Him seriously as we run the risk of blessing those who persecute us; that we might exchange what the world encourages us to take on—pride, conceit, wrath—and instead hear the Word of the Lord in Romans 12:16—“Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.” Do we need to read that one again?

That’s worship. The word “worship” means, “A good work.” Do you know what worship looks like in Romans 12:20—“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” That’s worship.

The kind of worship God wants is a lifestyle of faithfulness to Him that brings a joyful attitude into this place so that during this worship service, we proclaim out of our dependence, not out of our pride. Paul’s story in Romans intersects with the story of the people of the church in Rome to show that the house churches that make up the larger body of Christ in Rome learn how to welcome one another as Christ has welcomed them. The world imagined by Paul was a community of worshippers who lived for the sake of the world. The same is true for us.

Today, have a great start to your week of worship!

Where have we been?

2005-06-03T13:28:00.000-05:00

Sorry to have been radio silent for the past week or so. I (Paul) have been out of town on trips to California and Michigan. When I got back I've had to catch up with the homefront. Scot went on a trip to Tennessee and recently returned home.

Thanks for checking in even though you've not seen any new postings recently. We'll get back on the horse and ride some more.

"This fight ain't got no rear"

2005-05-20T06:03:00.000-05:00

Hey Paul,

Your thoughts expressed on Wednesday’s post have effectively reminded me about our watching world. I’m encouraged and inspired by your words.

We are called to unity. Hmm... What a tall order my friend. Satan of course wants to do all he can to keep us in a divisive position.

I’m reminded of The Battle at Shiloh
Historian Shelby Foote tells of a soldier who was wounded at the battle of Shiloh during the American Civil War and was ordered to go to the rear. The fighting was so fierce and within minutes he returned to his commanding officer. “Captain, give me a gun” “This fight ain’t got no rear!”

May we never forget about our ever watching world. And may the Lord help us to love one another and unify around his mission in letting the world know about his love.

The World Is Watching

2005-05-18T11:54:00.000-05:00

The world wants to know: Does Christ truly make a difference? Does the community of God reflect the character of God? Does the coming of Christ really make a difference in the way we live? Does the incarnation of Christ produce an ethic lived out in concrete ways? Do we celebrate our unity even in the midst of our different-ness? Are we truly a people of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

Jesus prays for us: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)

The world has tried to live by certain standards and it has found itself coming up short. “Been there, done that” is the motto. Show me something different. Show me something authentic and real. Show me what “real life” is supposed to be like. “Real life” according to Jesus is about emptying oneself, accepting the limitations of our humanity, and learning what it means to trust God as we set out on His project of redeeming the world through His Son.

The World is watching. And all the while, Jesus prays for us: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

As a church, we do not exist for ourselves. We exist for God’s mission. We are called to be the foretaste of God’s reign of justice, freedom, and love. We are less about programs and more about life. We are less about ministry and more about being missionaries. We are less about ourselves and more about the one who sends us. Our calling is to be people who exhibit such things in our church’s life as mutual care, reconciliation, loving relationships, and hospitality.

You want to know why? Because the World is watching, and Jesus is praying that we may be unified around his mission of letting the world know the love of God. And that will never be central if we try to unify around our own wishes more often rooted in our pride than our respect for what God really wants.

Our world is hungering to find people who care for each other without concern for one’s own interests. Our world is fragmented, and it is looking for a people who can live in peace and wholeness. Our world is filled with disposable relationships, and it is looking for relationships of permanence. Our world is divided, and it is looking for people who know how to be one. Our world wants to know: Can there be a place where the stranger finds a home?

Jesus’ prayer that his church be brought to unity so that the world would know that it is Christ who has come is a prayer still worth praying today.

A great quote from a familiar friend

2005-05-13T06:16:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
Charlie Brown--C. Schulz, Peanuts.

Be patient–– it takes time for God to transform us!

I'm impressed!

2005-05-12T19:26:00.000-05:00

As I continue to work a series of lessons from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, I'm impressed with what love is and is not.

Love is the badge of Christian discipleship. It is not knowledge nor orthodoxy, nor fleshly activities, but (supremely) love, which identifies a follower of the Lord Jesus. As the disciples of the Pharisees were known by their phylacteries, as the disciples of John were known by their baptism, and every school by its particular shibboleth, so the mark of a true Christian is love; and that, a genuine, active love, not in words but in deeds. Arthur Pink

Unconditional Love
There is nothing you can to do make God love you more!
There is nothing you can do to make God love you less!
His love is Unconditional, Impartial, Everlasting, Infinite, Perfect!

Wow, I’m impressed!

How Deep The Father's Love

2005-05-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

I was sitting in my office today, reflecting on the love the Father has for me. This song has been in my head and heart ever since-

"How Deep The Father's Love For Us"
How deep the Father¹s love for us!
How vast beyond all measure!
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure!

How great the pain of searing loss!
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there,
Until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life.
I know that it is finished!

I will not boast in anything
No gift, nor power, nor wisdom,
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection!

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom!

Our life and identity is found and maintained only in Jesus. And it seems to me that it is our relationship with Jesus that becomes our witness about the good news. Good news about our restoration. The good news of hope!

The good news is-- We can believe!
-In Him who is the light of men
-In the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
-In the body that was raised in three days
-In the One and only Son God given to the world
-In the spring of water welling up to eternal life
-In the Savior of the world
-In Moses who wrote about the Prophet that would come
-In the One who walked on water
-In the bread of life
-In the streams of living water flowing from within Him
-That Jesus is the I Am!
-That Jesus is the One who gives sight to the blind and blindness to those who think they have sight
-That Jesus is the gateway to salvation
-In the resurrection and the life
-That we may become sons of light
-In the one who loved us and sent His son
-In the Way and the Truth and the Life
-In the True Vine!

I clearly remember a scene from the movie "Cliff Hanger." Sylvester Stallone is teaching a young lady how to maneuver from one cliff to another by way of cable and a carabeener. The young lady expresses that she's a little scared, but Stallone assures her that she'll be fine. Now the camera zooms in on the carabeener holding this young lady thousands of feet above the rocky bottom. Slowly I see the carabeener begin to open and twist and slip off the cable. The moment is tense and the fear is real. Stallone moves across the cable with ease and in the nick-of-time grabs hold of the young lady's hand-- who now is in a panic and being held only by Stallone's powerful hand. Unfortunately, the camera reveals the glove the young lady is wearing while Stallone begins to lose his firm grip. The camera turns to the young lady's face as she pleads for Stallone to not let go. The fear is real. She repeatedly cries to him "I don't want to die! I don't want to die." Moments later, she slips out of Stallone's clutches and falls to her rocky grave.

There are people in this world just like that cliff hanger scene. For some, they're barely hanging on. Their cries are the same-- "I don't want to die!" And the fear is real.

This relationship we have with Jesus can't be private. Jesus is saying that to know Him is to love like Him. And when we love like Jesus, we leave the private and move into the public arena.

How deep the Father's love for us.
How vast beyond all measure.

Imperfect but.....

2005-05-10T07:27:00.000-05:00

Anne Lamott tells a story in her new book Plan B about David Roche, a friend of hers who has severe facial deformities. But because of the gift of love showered on David by those who have gotten to know him for who he is, David has turned his abnormality into a ministry to show his imperfect jar of clay as a storehouse of the treasures of God.

In a recent speech David gave, he said this: “We with facial deformities are children of the dark. Our shadow is on the outside. And we can see in the dark: we can see you, we see you turn away, but one day we finally understand that you turn away, not from our faces, but from your own fears. From those things inside you that you think mark you as someone unlovable to your family, and society, and even to God. All those years, I kept my bad stories in the dark, but not anymore. Now I am stepping out into the light. And this face has turned out to be an elaborately disguised gift from God.”

Taking Risks For Jesus

2005-05-09T20:10:00.000-05:00

God is calling us to take some risks, and here are a few:

1) RISKING COMMUNITY: Are we ready to be vulnerable enough to open our lives to other people, welcoming strangers, that is, people without a place? Dare we continue to live with one another for the sake of the world, and so unleashing the treasure? After all, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2) RISKING GENEROSITY: In imitation of God who demonstrated His own generosity to us by pouring out his life, we too are learning to be generous people. We share with one another and with our community not expecting a return on our investment, storing up instead treasures in heaven. We share lavishly rather than storing our treasures on earth. We are no longer afraid of not being able to buy the next great toy, instead sharing with those who may simply need a meal, or what’s more, a friend. We are generous with our wealth and our love, but not necessarily in that order. Generosity unleashes the treasure. After all, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

3) RISKING BEING DIFFERENT: We live in this world, but we know that this is not our true home. Our priorities are not the priorities of this world. We will not practice power and call it Gospel. But neither will we remain silent at the injustices of greed and any practice that uses people. We will not put faith in our own understanding, but we will instead prayerfully seek to be a church who pleases God. Seeking God’s priorities unleashes the treasure that we are tempted to keep only to ourselves. After all, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God takes risks, and we need to take some risks as well, not for our sake, but as Romans 1 begins, for Jesus’ sake. God placed his greatest treasure (his own gospel) in each of us. We are risk takers in imitation of the greatest risk taker of all....while we are still sinners, Christ died for us.

Mother's Day

2005-05-08T07:38:00.000-05:00

“Mama exhorted us children at every opportunity to jump at de sun. We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.” - Zora Neale Hurston

“God could not be everywhere at once, so he gave each child a mother.” - Hasidic saying

“An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest.” - Spanish proverb

“Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.” - Lin Yü-tang

“My mother was all mother.” - Ella Fitzgerald

Lego Church

2005-05-06T08:59:00.000-05:00

A friend just sent these pictures to me.

How long to build it? It was about a year and a half of planning, building and photographing.
How many pieces of Lego to build it? more than 75,000
How big is it? About 7 feet by 5 ½ feet by 30 inches (2.2 m x 1.7 m x .76 m)
How many Lego people does it seat? 1372
How many windows? 3976

It features a balcony, a Narthex, stairs to the balcony, restrooms, coat rooms, several mosaics a nave, a baptistery, an altar, a crucifix, a pulpit and an elaborate pipe organ. The question I have is why do Lego people need bathrooms?

I'm sure I could wax eloquently (and sarcastically) about the relationship between a lego church and our contemporary situation, but I'll leave that to your imagination and musing for the time being. Feel free to offer a comment or two...humor is always welcome as well as critique.

2005-05-06T08:57:00.000-05:00

Lego Church

2005-05-06T08:56:00.000-05:00

Lego Church

Quote For The Day

2005-05-05T18:08:00.000-05:00

From Soren Kierkegaard:

Authenic religion has to do with passion, with having passion. Sadly, there are thousands who take a little something out of religion, and then dispassionately "have religion."

Maybe this gets a little at what Jesus meant when he said to seek FIRST the kingdom of God. Whatever I am passionate about will have first place in my life.

Pepperdine Arrival

2005-05-04T08:35:00.000-05:00

OK...the sunshine, the ocean view, the salty air, the flowers on the mountain, tell me again why anyone would come to Pepperdine?

But I guess I am not here for the scenery (yeah, right). The Lectures started last night with David Fleer preaching. His text: If I be lifted up, I will draw all people to myself (John 12:32). What a great night! What a challenging text to our churches.

I came away with this thought. If Jesus is to be lifted up, our churches are going to have to NOT be lifted up. We are called to death, to obscurity, to give ourselves away. We have to trust the light so that we can be children of light (John 12:36). We must quit trusting in ourselves. It's time to let Jesus be lifted up.

I wonder what a church would do if this was their identity? How would we look at the world? How would we interact with it? What would God's mission call us to be?

Have a great day! It will be tough, but I'll try to enjoy this southern California life.

Trust

2005-05-04T06:28:00.000-05:00

Psalm 37:1-4 (CEV)

Trust the LORD
1Don't be annoyed by anyone
who does wrong,
and don't envy them.

2They will soon disappear
like grass without rain.

3Trust the LORD and live right!
The land will be yours,
and you will be safe.

4Do what the LORD wants,
and he will give you
your heart's desire.

We seem to like lists. Lists of the things we want in this life. I’m convinced that many times my lists reflect my lack of trust in God as my provider.

A quote from Max Lucado:
“God withholds what we desire in order to give us what we need. You desire a spouse, he gives you himself. You seek a larger church, he prefers a stronger church. You want to be healed so you can serve. He wants you confined so you can pray.”

A quote from Scot:
"The most significant times of my life have been in times of struggle. For it is in our struggles that we come to trust God!"

Here’s some good advice for the day… stop listing what you want, and start trusting God to be your provider.

enjoy the day!

Scot

Leaven and the Lump

2005-05-02T12:42:00.000-05:00

I was listening to a lesson "A New Point of View" from Landon Saunders the other day and was struck by a statement he made. He said something like–– we are leaven and the world is the lump. Rather than criticizing how horrible the world is, we need to feel the burden to be the leaven for the lump.

Ironically, today I was reading through Mike Cope’s blog for April 28 and found this particular thought, provoking:

I've seen lots of angry Christians on television in the past week. One late-night comedian said, "They're tired of being the persecuted majority, and they're not going to take it any longer!" The ironies are too great.
We can hardly understand the New Testament when we live with a "persecuted majority" complex where we're mad at people all the time.
As the church's influence continues to decline, some will just continue to be apoplectic. Others, perhaps, will return to founding documents like 1 Peter. There we're told to expect persecution -- especially since we follow one who was crucified. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."
Peter encourages Christ-followers to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in them -- but with GENTLENESS and RESPECT for those who aren't (yet) believers. He tells women who have unbelieving husbands that the key isn't to nag them into the kingdom but to live with beauty--the beauty of GENTLE spirits.
Right now many don't accept our status as "aliens and strangers" in this world.

My guess is that we're not (always) accepted as “aliens and strangers” in this world because we don’t (always) live like “aliens and strangers.”

May we be leaven for the lump, today!

BTW- Thank you for praying for my sister, Kim Merrill.

Scot,

I like this! I preached yesterday from Romans 1:5--"Through Christ, and for his sake, we have received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus." (The Message)

What I see our mission to be as church is this: Be a church who lives for the sake of the world, longing for its redemption, striving for its peace, and living by the grace of Jesus Christ and the obedience to God we are to model as a congregation of His people. If that is our mission, then we are going to have a perspective that lives for the sake of the world, not live in spite of it or seek to remove ourselves from it. Salt, light, and leaven (though alien) is very subversive and engaging.

Thanks for sharing.

Pepperdine Bound

2005-05-02T11:31:00.000-05:00

My two months of traveling adventures continue as tomorrow Leanne and I head to the Pepperdine Lectures for the week. This is a wonderful event filled with inspiring worship, thought-provoking classes, and great preaching. Not mention the sun, sand, and climate of Malibu.....Oh well someone has to go. Here am I send me!

If I get the chance I'll share some thoughts as the week progresses.

Have a great week everybody!

BTW, keep praying for Scot's sister and family. Last week a couple of cancerous lesions were discovered on Kim's brain. Let's keep them close in prayer.

A voice for the Kingdom of Heaven

2005-04-29T07:29:00.000-05:00

Hey Paul,

We’re back in the saddle again… I trust your time in Abilene was uplifting and worthwhile.

I appreciate the piece you shared yesterday from Carlson Reed. It is always healthy for us to think about why we do the things we do. Currently I’m teaching a series of lessons on habits that help a church be effective. By effective I do not mean successful. By effective I mean to say how a church can be more of what God calls it to be. Churches that are motivated by fear say things like "We’ve never done that before," or "I’m not sure we’re ready for it," or "It’s a good idea but impractical for now" or "Couldn’t that get us criticized?" or "You’re right about that, but . . . "

A church motivated by hope says things like “We have to listen to the voice of God" or "The Spirit of God is calling us to this" or "What would Jesus do here?" or "Can this make a kingdom difference in someone’s life?"

A church motivated by hope desires to be a voice for the kingdom of heaven. And this voice values healthy relationships, unselfish service and faithful witness.

Why You Do the Things You Do

2005-04-28T15:42:00.000-05:00

I like this little piece from Carson Reed:

What motivates a church?

Some churches can find themselves motivated by guilt. “We’ve got to do it the right way or we will be wrong!” Of course, often the right way is really simply doing things the way they were done twenty years ago. But worrying about doing it wrong, more often than not, keeps a church from doing something right!

Some churches are motivated by fear. “We can’t do that; we might fail!” The fear of failure has stopped many churches from doing anything at all. Paralyzed, like a deer in the headlights of the oncoming collision with cultural shifts, some churches simply hunker down and hope that the truck hurdling down the road will miss.

Some churches are motivated by innovation. “Let’s do that; we want to be different and distinctive!” Some churches think that the key to the future is by promoting change. Now it is true that churches have, through the generations, worked through change. And it is vital that churches must understand the need for change and courageously bring about change today. Yet, for some churches, the tendency is to think that the answer is innovation. “If we keep changing, then something will finally work to help us grow.” My response: Nothing grows on a rolling stone.

Yet other churches are motivated by hope. “We trust in God’s power to work through us.” These churches believe that the gospel is stronger than fear and refuse to be paralyzed in the swiftly changing currents of culture. These churches believe that God’s love is larger than any narrow memory of tradition and reject thinking that God’s purposes will be disclosed in doing things the same way year after year. And these churches believe that the truth of the Christian faith means that even in changing times, the eternal realities of Jesus’ message are changeless and are ever powerful. Innovation takes a back seat to authentic Christian witness.

Guilt, fear, innovation, or hope. Of these four motivators, only hope provides the necessary resource for a bright future for a congregation. Hope in the work of God, not in the past. Hope in God’s grace to sustain, even when we are uncertain of the outcome. Hope in the simple confession of Jesus, not in the latest fad. Hope in God’s faithfulness—hope that spurs us to leave Ur and venture forth into the land that is promised (Genesis 12).

What motivates a church?

On Being Church...

2005-04-21T17:30:00.000-05:00

I am in Abilene, Texas for the next couple of days. Mark, Bill and I are attending a church leadership conference. The presenter for this conference is Alan Roxburgh. I recently read an article he wrote on what it means to be church for today and the future. Below is a snipet. Here's the link for the full article:

Reflections on Being Church

"I see a new imagination at work in these places and sense the contrast from so many of the congregations I encounter where the primary activities are shaped around the anxious need to figure out how to get people to come and join their congregation. This in no way suggests that there’s no place for a worshiping community shaped around Scripture, learning and liturgy. Of course there is - there is no church without a gathered community formed around Scripture, prayer, Eucharist and baptism. That’s not the point! Each of the communities I’ve described is integrally shaped around these basic marks of the church. But they’re discovering something radically different – that they’re formed as witnessing communities as they enter, live in, love, listen to and participate within the neighborhoods and communities where they live. This means living and forming church within neighborhoods; it means taking seriously the Incarnation and pitching tents beside neighbors as a way of life. They are discovering a Luke 10 way of being the church which is such a radically different imagination from the way so many congregations still operate.

In these emerging experiments are we getting a glimpse of what God may be shaping and the church that might be emerging? These stories are not the result of powerful, entrepreneurial leaders, big programs or an expert’s prescriptions. They’re about ordinary Christians rediscovering neighborhood, entering their communities to discover what God is already doing, listening to the narratives of neighbors (rather than assuming they know already) and forming communities of the kingdom in the midst of this living, listening and talking. The good news is that any congregation can do this! Any pastor and any leader can enter this narrative of the kingdom."

Jesus and Donkeys

2005-04-19T20:53:00.000-05:00

What a quote by Chris Erdman!

"I think a congregation rarely responds well to being told what to do. And a leader who pushes and cajoles a congregation into missional engagement will tire and often times get downright cranky. It's hard to push a donkey from behind, and too often pastors view their congregations as resistant beasts. They are not asses and so long as we think and talk about them with derision we will fail to lead them and certainly will not love them. Jesus liked donkeys; I think we should too. And if your congregation is like a donkey and seems stubborn and willful and difficult to get moving, well, lead the delightful little creature by walking in front, talking her past her fears, inviting her to faith. She might come along. Then again she might not. If she doesn't, you've still had a ball being yourself, seeing the world from out in front, and not made your happiness dependent upon the response of a creature over whom you have wonderfully very little control."

Blogging Blues

2005-04-18T18:28:00.000-05:00

Scot and I want to let you know that our postings will be sparse this week. Besides our weekly ministry responsiblities, we each are swamped with some extra projects. I am trying to finish a couple of presentations in preparation for a trip I am taking to Texas at the end of the week. Scot is finishing a major project for his graduate class. It is due by week's end.

So...we've got the blogging blues this week. But, please, don't forget us. We'll be back on-line shortly. Keep checking back, something will show up this week perhaps. I'll even try to reflect while on my trip.

Have a God-blessed week all!

Getting In The Way Of The Bible

2005-04-15T11:05:00.000-05:00

I read this reflection this morning and found it to be pretty challenging. Here's a quote and a link to read the full article (but beware of reading if you like your life just the way it is):

Full Article

If I Do That...
by Soren Kierkegaard

"The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament."

And I count myself to be a Christian "scholar." Oops! I better look at myself in the mirror and see if I might be getting in the way of the bible....who it is calling us to be and what it is calling us to do.

Love is Patient

2005-04-14T06:34:00.000-05:00

The series of lessons I'm preaching are title "Living in the Overflow of God's Love." The series is focused on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. This past Sunday we spoke about love being patient. Below is a story I pick up as I organized my lesson...

There was a monk who was very impatient. You may wonder why would a monk be impatient? Don't they become monks so that they don't have to deal with the world? Yes, that's true. So imagine how impatient this monk was...

The more he tried, the more impatient he became, so he decided that he must get away altogether, to learn to be patient. So he built himself a little home deep in the woods, far away from civilization.

Years later, a man was traveling in those woods and met him. The man was amazed to find anyone living so far away from the rest of the world, so he asked the monk why he was there all by himself.

The monk said that he was there to learn to be patient.

The traveler asked how long he had been there, and the monk replied: seven years.
Stunned, the traveler asked, "If there is no one around to bother you, how will you know when you are patient?"

Annoyed, the monk replied, "Get away from me, I have no time for you."

Well, I'm off to Connecticut for the day...

remember, be patient with those you come in contact with today and be patient with God...

Scot ;-)

Baptism Evangelism

2005-04-13T18:00:00.000-05:00

I had lunch yesterday with Bob Randolph. Bob is a good friend who lives in Boston and works as a Dean of Students at MIT. Bob is also a minister. Over lunch, Bob told me about last Sunday at his church. A young man, a college student at Harvard, had shared the Good News with his girlfriend. In response, she wanted to be baptized. So, last Sunday, a baptism took place at the church building. A few friends from Harvard were there as well in support of their friend. To Bob's understanding, these friends are not regular worshippers.

Another person was there too. A young man who attends MIT. He is a student in a class that Bob teaches on Judaism, Muslim, and Christianity. This young man googled Bob's name, found out where Bob worshipped, and one Sunday showed up at church services. Surprised the socks off Bob. He hadn't engaged this young man in an intentional conversation about Christianity, but he knew Bob was a Christ-follower. This young man and his girlfriend have been attending Bob's church somewhat regularly, even showing up when Bob wasn't in town. This young man knew the baptism was going to take place last Sunday, so he came to the baptismal ceremony. Following the baptism, this young man wanted to set up a time to visit with Bob. Evidently, he has some questions about Christianity.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that this young man is Muslim?

Can you imagine that...some Harvard friends and a Muslim MIT student moving closer to the Kingdom of God as they witness a baptism?

Pretty cool stuff!

A New England Tradition of Worship

2005-04-12T07:55:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a cool day. Ok, so the weather was cool, but something happened that was even more cool. It was the opening day at Fenway Park and the 2004 World Series championship ring ceremony. In case you didn't hear about it, you can read a summary at the Boston Globe site: Homecoming Kings. Here are a few choice article quotes:

"But it was the pregame festivities that connected generations of New Englanders, moved grown men to tears (I saw one in the press box), and created a memory guaranteed to be shared whenever two or more Sox fans gather to reminisce about the glory days of 2004."

"Baseball. The best game. The New England game . . . the thing that brought so many people together in yesterday's celebration for the ages."

There is one thing in common about us New Englanders: we love tradition. We love the past. We worship our sports hero's. Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins. Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. Teddy Bruschi of the New England Patriots. And our beloved Boston Red Sox. We love baseball. It is a religion up here. Yesterday, worship was held at Fenway. Two or more gathered....

I know we are not allowed to have any other gods before THE GOD. And I don't want to take the Lord's name in vain. I know we are supposed to worship the Lord and serve him only. God is the only one worthy of true worship. But yesterday's ceremony was as close to worship that many fans have experienced...probably in quite some time.

And it was a celebration. People didn't care about themselves, they only wanted to honor their hero's. They simply wanted to sing their praise. They event particpated in a moment of reverent silence when called to remembrance. The crowd became a community of worshippers. And they left Fenway to tell the good news of the ceremony and the win (Red Sox over the NY Yankees, 8-1).

Sounds like a pretty good worship service yesterday....perhaps we could learn a little from the Fenway Faithful?

All I know is that I hope the tradition continues. I wouldn't mind watching a 2005 ring ceremony next year. That would be a worship service worth participating in.

Hey Paul (aka- Basketball Jones),

Interesting post today my friend.

Just last week I shared a lesson from Luke 7. This is the story of the woman (perhaps an ex-prostitute) who comes to a Pharisee’s house (Simon) unannounced. What amazes me about this story is that this woman is so moved by Jesus presence and by his love and forgiveness––she crashes Simon’s party, knowing that Jesus is inside. No doubt that Simon’s house was filled with religious people who would have some pretty strong opinions about this woman and her lifestyle. But amazingly, she doesn’t let this stop her from coming to Jesus. Evidently this woman was not coming to Simon’s house for them! She was coming to see and touch Jesus. And what we see her doing once she gets inside Simon’s house is… well… it seems to be a little over the top, doesn’t it? This woman, moved by Jesus’ love and forgiveness… falls to Jesus’ feet… washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair, and then massages Jesus’ feet with perfume.

Now this is a little much for almost anyone’s standards of worship. After all, what will people think?

Paul, I’ve discovered that there comes a time in a person's journey with Jesus, that it doesn’t matter what others think about our desire to worship Him with all of our heart, mind, and soul.

OK... back to Red Sox mania!

Go Sox Go!

The Wind of the Spirit

2005-04-10T07:54:00.001-05:00

Last night, some from our church gathered for worship. Our worship team facilitated the experience and we worshipped in the Spirit. Two special moments occurred during the evening.

First, a young girl, Hannah (age 4) just burst out in song. She could be heard over the whole gathering. She sang out in pure joy! It was incredible.

Second, towards the end of our time together each person gathered with others in small circles to pray. The Spirit moving in our midst, people praying for each other, people seeking God, people asking God to produce the fruit of His Spirit in their lives. It was amazing!

The wind of the Spirit is blowing through this church, I can't wait to see what the Holy Spirit does next! May we be ready for it! May we partner with him.

Here's a thought for today:

Something New
by C. F. Blumhardt

It is my fervent hope that we Christians will not be forever stuck in our Christianity. Look for something new; for a life in God. Look for God's spirit in everyone you meet.

Can I Get A Witness!

2005-04-08T07:00:00.002-05:00

Leanne heads back to school full-time this fall. Actually, she'll start this summer. Hopefully, after three semesters, we'll have an elementary school teacher in our family.

She let her boss and the principal at the elementary school (where she works) know about her intentions. She'll have to leave her current para-professional job at the school. As some of you know, another woman from our congregation (Candace) works at the school too. She and Leanne are great friends and people know their connection of friendship and church participation. They have witnessed both of these women handle a lot of things together, both good and ugly. They have heard them speak words of faith. They have seen them interact with their co-workers, the parents, and the kids.

When Leanne's principal heard that she was leaving, he said, "Do you think someone from Candace and Leanne's church would take Leanne's place? I'd hire that person."

Salt! Light! Leaven! Kingdom action! Making the world a beautiful place!

Can I get a witness!

Saints

2005-04-07T07:45:00.000-05:00

Scot,

Thanks for your thoughts yesterday on grace. God really is believable, isn't he. I am so grateful that he is truly "for me and not against me."

Your word, "saint," caught my eye. I've been working this week on an epilogue sermon to the Fruit of the Spirit series I've been preaching the last couple of months. It strikes me that the common word that the Apostle Paul uses to describe the people of God is that word: saint. To Paul, it simply means: God's holy people. And for Paul, he understands saints to be God-intoxicated, Christ-following, Holy Spirit-filled folk who live differently in their relationships with one another, and are empowered to do so, because they are Spirit people. We are set apart for God, to be his holy people in this world. We are a community who lives for the sake of God and for the sake of our neighbors. Loving God and loving neighbor is our saintly calling.

You are so right to say that being a saint is a gift. And we are empowered to live as saints by, through, and because of the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit really lives in us and reproduces the life of Christ within us and among us as his people.

Now THAT is a gift worth celebrating!!!! That is GRACE!!!

Have a great day! The Masters golf tournament starts today. It is my official indication that Spring has arrived!

God is Believable

2005-04-06T21:00:00.000-05:00

I was thinking about grace today. Grace is one of those difficult things to get our minds around. Don’t get me wrong–– I think I understand what it means. It’s that sometimes my mind just doesn’t buy it. Talk about something that’s to good to be true. Grace––a free gift, “unmerited favor.”

I like what Marva Dawn says about grace. “We became saints not by working harder, but totally by sheer, unadulterated gift.” The idea of being a saint is probably where the hang up is for most of us. Hang-up or no hang-up, it is essential we know we are saints. And if it’s true that you know that you’re not good enough to be a saint––I’m happy for you.

Perhaps some of us struggle with the reality that we’re not good enough for grace. And because some of us struggle with this we struggle with not being good enough to be saints. If so, consider this––perhaps we struggle with grace due to our longing to be in control of our own lives and therefore put forth our own effort in hopes of being credited with some level of righteousness. Look at how shocking and how truthful the following statement Dawn makes is: “absolutely all of our efforts are unnecessary.” I know what you’re thinking… I’m thinking it too. But the truth is, I’m not a saint by my own righteousness because I have no righteousness (the Lord knows this is true!). But I do have the righteousness that God grants to those who have faith in Jesus Christ.

Chew on this a little–– “Are you faithful to God because you are a good “faith-er,” or because God is absolutely faith-worthy?”

I have come to this understanding that I do not believe that I am a good believer or even good at believing. No… what I understand is “I believe because God is believable.”

What has been the Pope's influence on the Lives of non-Catholics?

2005-04-05T15:01:00.000-05:00

My friend, Greg Taylor, has today written a fascinating piece over on the Wineskins blog. He reflects on the place of the Pope in the lives of non-Catholics. I'd encourage you to read it when you have time.

Wineskins Blog

What's On The Inside AND Outside?

2005-04-05T08:06:00.000-05:00

Scot,

You're sick (or is it "gross")! HA! Just what I'd want to do on my day-off...look at a colon. Next thing you'll want me to do is to go with you to attend an autopsy. :-)

But you do make an interesting point. How many times we look at the outside and say, "What a vibrant, healthy body." But inside, it is decaying or dying or at least it is diseased. It seems to me that for a body to BE a body it should be vibrant and healthy BOTH on the outside and on the inside.

How does this consistency come about? How is a church body called authentic? How does a church environmnent experience wholeness (that is, the outside and inside are connected not dis-connected)?

On the inside, it has to do with our interaction with the Holy Spirit and with our understanding of what God's mission is all about. On the outside, it is forming a congregational culture through common habits, values, and practices that support the DNA (internals)of that group. In other words, a church will act like it is a place of the Holy Spirit and will behave in ways consistent with God's missional intent.

If there is a dis-connect between the inside and the outside, then the body may be ill...not to mention it may not be all that pretty to look at. Kind of like a colon, eh?!

Sunday's Sermon

2005-04-05T06:38:00.000-05:00

Paul,

I really did have my sermon done this past Friday. In fact, I'm preaching a new series of lessons titled "Living in the Overflow of God's Love." This series is influenced by Max Lucado's book "A Love Worth Giving." I appreciate Max's talent to see, but I so much more appreciate how powerful the Word of God is for our lives.

Here's a quote I picked up a few weeks ago:

If you have any knowledge at all of human nature, you know that those who only admire the truth will, when danger appears, become traitors. The admirer is infatuated with the false security of greatness; but if there is any inconvenience or trouble, he pulls back. Admiring the truth, instead of following it, is just as dubious a fire as the fire of erotic love, which at the turn of the hand can be changed into exactly the opposite, to hate, jealousy, and revenge. Christ, however, never asked for admirers, worshippers, or adherents. He consistently spoke of "followers" and "disciples." Soren Kierkegaard

Scot,

I love this quote. Kierkegaard, as you know, was a Danish theologian of the 1840-50's who lived in a land that was "Christian" but that had so few christians. He fought for an authentic expression of faith that would consistently live out the values and mind of Christ. In other words, you were not christian simply by drinking the water (or just by attendance in a church or simply by belonging to a christian state). He called for a purity of the heart to will one thing....to be a lover of God and consequently to follow him in all aspects of living.

Sounds a like a wonderful sermon series. I'm sure it will bless the good folks at Chelmsford.

A Colon Connection?

2005-04-04T13:21:00.000-05:00

Scot,

What's this I hear about your recent interaction with a colon? You've got me curious..........do tell.

Paul,

Yeah... I did have an interesting encounter today. My wife works at a local hospital where she is surrounded by body parts. I know it sounds like a sick job. I assure you–– it is a sick job! But it helps to pay the bills.

Today, I stopped by Helen’s station in the Pathology lab to ask her out for a coffee. Her co-worker, a PA, was "grossing." No, the word "gross" doesn’t mean what you’re thinking, but it is pretty gross. Grossing is a part of every surgical pathology report. Each separately identified tissue specimen submitted for individual examination and diagnosis has its own gross description. Whether "part" or "all" of the specimen has been submitted for microscopic examination, it’s always recorded in the gross description. A good gross description includes measurements of the specimen in three dimensions, appearance or color (tan, yellow, white, etc.), consistency (soft, hard, rubbery, fleshy, etc.). Gross lesions, tumors or abnormalities within the specimen should also be described in detail: location within the specimen, if single or multiple, measurements, color, consistency, and if relevant margins of resection, etc.

I know, this is probably a whole lot more than you ever wanted to know.

Well, today’s surprise was that I saw a colon being grossed. The colon was large and ugly. And I mean this thing was ugly! Helen’s co-worker pointed out where the cancer was and then proceeded to show me the healthy parts of the colon. Other then the texture of the cancer being different than the rest of the colon, the entire thing was ugly.

You know, we spend so much time making the outside of our bodies look nice and attractive, but take a look on the inside and it’s a whole different story.

Beauty my friend is only skin deep!

There’s got to be some spiritual significance to this!

Sunday's Sermon

2005-04-02T22:49:00.000-05:00

This Sunday I am preaching on the final fruit in the Spirit's list (Gal. 5)...the fruit of self-control. More and more, I am discovering that the key to living a self-controlled life is to remember (and therefore act on it) that SELF has been put to death. When SELF is off center stage, the Spirit can take control. And living this self-controlled life can then focus on authentically loving God and neighbor.

Here's a quote I read today that compliments the life of self-control:

"Of what use to God is all our cleverness? What does he get out of it if we move heaven and earth to amass great wealth and provide ourselves with a pleasant life? Everything that we do that is not done for God is harmful. Whether it is your piety or your money you keep for yourself, it is all the same; it does nothing but harm, and nothing good will come of it.

But in Jesus all things are for God. This is why we raise him high above all else. He is our consolation, and in him we see victory, even over death. When we join with him in this victory, our self-seeking flesh dies, and we have the faith that overcomes the world. This is something we will never know if our belief in Jesus centers only on what we will gain through it."

Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt, from Die, and Jesus Will Live.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Weekend Reading

2005-04-01T12:25:00.001-05:00

Well...my sermon is written (Scot, are you done?) and I am anxious to get into a new book. It arrived at my door yesterday and I had to fight hard not to pick it up and start right then. But with Sunday's responsibilities ready to go, I am ready to dive in.

The book is Brian McLaren's latest: The Last Word and the Word After That: A Tale of Faith, Doubt, and a New Kind of Christianity.

I am a HUGE fan of McLaren's writings. I have also heard him speak on CD as well as in person. He is someone who has a keen sense of the gospel, culture, and the church's role with both.

This book is his conclusion to A New Kind of Christian trilogy. These three books center around a fictional conversation between two friends (and other acquaintances)about gospel, culture, and church. In particular, this book discusses the ways we view God and subsequently how we live our life in response.

Here's one quote to get you interested (McLaren quoting William Temple): "...If your concept of God is radically false, the more devoted you are, the worse off you will be."

And I'd add: the worse off others will be who come in contact with you. Sobering words and challenging words to us all.

I can't wait to hear what happens to Dan and Neo (the main characters). It's going to rain all weekend. Sounds like a good time to curl up with a good book. I'm certain you'll be reading a few selected quotes in the coming weeks.

Thank You, My Shepherds!

2005-03-31T11:06:00.000-05:00

I want to say a huge THANKS to my church shepherds. When we meet each Wednesday night, it is like a breath of fresh air in my sails. These four guys have hearts of gold. They are not into control. They are not into making decisions FOR the church, they desire to make decisions WITH the flock. They want to help people discover and implement each person's God given vocation or calling. They have such a heart for people. They have such passion for the journey of the Gospel into the world and in our church. They are flawed human beings who know their weaknesses...and they know God's grace. I love to hear them pray.

Margaret Wheatley writes this (I found it on Chris Erdman's blog): “Order is never imposed from the top down or from the outside in. Order emerges as elements of the system work together, discovering each other and together inventing new capacities” (Leadership and the New Science: 111).

My leadership is all about relationships. They understand relationships. They sense the connection of people and events to other people and events. And they understand that they are not in control. Our ordering (being a true and authentic community that is healthy, vibrate and alive) doesn't result from a top-down approach. They are all about helping relationships to emerge and helping us to work together. They want us all to be involved in discovering and following the future of our congregational mission. Leadership is a thing of mystery. And it is a thing of beauty, especially when leaders "get it."

I am grateful my shepherds "get it." (Though I'm sure they'd tell you they haven't arrived. They'd say they have a lot to learn). We are all on the journey.

Basketball Pride

2005-03-30T09:28:00.000-05:00

Scot,

Just remember, we had some infirmities on our end. In fact, here is what one of my Nashua companions wrote to me today:

"That was the first time in a few years for me and it reawakened my "Basketball Jones" and it stirred up my competitive juices and got me thinking that we definitely need to schedule a re-match with the Chelmsford Chums. We can give them a MUCH better challenge then we did. You guys were severely handicapped with "One Leg Willy" on your team. The good news is that my knee held up pretty well and the ankle sprain is much better with some icing so I will be ready and able to help next time in defending the Nashua C of C hoops pride."

So, you're on! Game on! April 10?

From Scot

Paul... your “Basketball Jones,” "One Legged Willy" story is so lame my friend! I mean... I'm actually embarrassed for you. If this Nashua guy... BILL... is that bad, shoot'm now and take him out of his misery, will ya!

We're on for April 10th, dude!

We'll call it "April Madness!"

Basketball

First-Aid Kit--A Church Picture?

2005-03-29T16:14:00.000-05:00

So...Scot and I are playing pick-up basketball last Sunday night. A few friends got together to show each other just how out of shape each really are. A few hours of jungle ball and you are basically toast. My two boys came along as well (I think they just wanted to see their Dad pass out).

We are about 1/2 hour into things when one of my sons needed a band-aid. He was developing a blister. He asked Scot to help. Scot looks in the bathroom. He looks in the ball closet. He can't find the First-Aid Kit. Until...I pointed it out to Scot. It was in front of him all along. It was a blue box with a BIG RED CROSS on it. It was hanging on the wall above the water fountain.

So...I go over to the kit to get a band-aid. I open it. And guess what I find? NOTHING! Nothing is in the kit except for a booklet. What is the booklet? It is a paper guide that describes how to administer first-aid. But that's it. Nothing else in the kit. No band-aids. No bandages. No ice packs. Nothing. It was just a blue box with a BIG RED CROSS hanging on the wall containing a booklet guide.

Scot laughed. I chuckled. Scot then said, "I know some churches like that!" I replied, "Me too! I'm going to my car to get MY first-aid kit. It has a band-aid in it."

What kind of churches are these? What do you think? Can you come up with a description of what a church looks like that might be a first-aid kit but with little else in it but a booklet?

BTW, I have a blister on my heel too...I guess jungle ball got the best of me as well.

From Scot:

Okay, let's get the record straight… some of us got pretty beat up out on the court Sunday evening… anyone out there care to guess whom? Also, we had a couple of 3-on-3’s between the young bucks from the Chelmsford church (which included me!) and three frail old guys from that Nashua church (which included Paul). I know that I’m risking sounding braggadocios but we won the majority of the two games (do you get it?).

All right, back to the First-Aid Kit:

There’s nothing more frustrating than looking in all the wrong places for something as important as a First-Aid Kit, only to realize that it’s been right in front of you all along (with the Big Red Cross on it), glowing… jumping up and down… laughing at you and trying to get your attention. You sort of roll your eyes in embarrassment and make your way to the box with an eager anticipation of what you’ll find inside.

Our world has sincere, needy and broken people who are looking for God in all the wrong places. Then suddenly they come across a church that has been right in front of them the whole time. Like the First-Aid Kit, the Church also bares the image. It is the image of the Cross. The Church offers healing to those who are hurt or sick or needy.

Paul’s discovery of the empty First-Aid Kit was funny––at the beginning. But now it holds a meaning of–– disappointment. The disappointment that comes when you seek something as important as a First-Aid Kit and simply find a bunch of instructions with nothing else to aid and help the problem that first lead you there.

Many people discover that a church can bare the cross––at least symbolically, rather than finding lives radically changed because of the Cross.

How disappointing for someone to look into the church only to find a booklet with instructions of how to tend to wounds and sickness leaving them without the persons of healed lives because of the Cross. A church that only provides the booklet leaves people in the condition that led them to look inside in the first place. A church without people living the crucified life and willing to help others do the same is like finding that empty First-Aid Kit. For Paul and I–– we left that empty First-Aid Kit rather disappointed.

Sincere, needy and broken people also leave unhealed and disappointed!

Back to the basketball:
For the record… I didn’t need any band-aids for little boo-boos!

However, I did go to my orthopedist on Monday afternoon to get a Synvisc injection in my right knee (ouch!).

First-Aid Kit

2005-03-29T11:49:00.000-05:00

Wait till you hear about our interaction with a First-Aid kit last Sunday night. I'm sure you'll enjoy it and you can bet we'll be spinning this story into some kind of church analogy.....watch for it soon.

He Is Risen!

2005-03-27T07:47:00.000-05:00

He is Risen!
May your worship celebrate your new life!
He is Risen!
May your life celebrate your worship!
He is Risen!
May you walk in the power of the Spirit!
He is Risen!
May the Spirit empower your walk!

"...The proclamation of Easter Day is that all is well. And as a Christian, I say this not with the easy optimism of one who has never known a time when all was not well but as one who has faced the cross in all its obscenity as well as in all its glory, who has known one way or another what it is like to live separated from God. In the end, his will, not ours, is done. Love is the victor. Death is not the end. The end is life. His life and our lives through him, in him. Existence has greater depths of beauty, mystery, and benediction than the wildest visionary has ever dared to dream. Christ our Lord has risen."

Frederick Buechner, “The End Is Life”

Just a Video Game?

2005-03-25T11:57:00.000-05:00

You have got to read this reflection from my friend, Jamie:

"In the recent past I decided to try out the game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, which was the highly acclaimed RPG video game of 2004. At first I figured it would be like many other video games that I have played, which would eventually lead to my loss of interest before I got very far. This time however, I was wrong... what an addictive game! Solving puzzles, interacting with other characters, making decisions that affect your characters alignment towards the light side or dark side. Every decision and interaction you have during the quests changes slightly the way you relate to the other members of your band of heroes. How you act as an individual to solve problems can alter the fate of entire populations... it's a game that hinges on all the personal choices you make for your character.

I decided that I would play through the game trying to follow the light side. Every opportunity I got I chose to help others that were in need or less fortunate, and I never thought of asking for a reward even if my character was running low on cash. It may have been just a game, but it was fun and felt good to have the respect and thanks of total strangers in the game because of my choice to be so selfless and generous. I ended up beating the game, with the help of a few online guides to help me through the tough spots, and my character beat back the forces of evil and aided countless individuals and many civilizations.

However, since the game's ending and interactions can change depending on whether you choose to follow the light side or dark side, I decided that I should play the game choosing the dark side so I could see what happens... I still haven't finished the game! It's been almost 3 months, and its not because the game got harder... I don't enjoy the game quite as much. It almost pains me to choose the dark side options, to think that I could ever choose such cruelty or lack of compassion is just appalling. It's not exactly a moral compass, but it does makes you think. The choices you can make in the game range from pure evil to completely selfless and good, with self-centered, indifferent, and casually helpful all smattered in there. I still play from time to time, and I mindlessly check the guide for the choices I should make to become the all-powerful dark lord that becomes bent on galactic conquest... but I am not as engaged in the game as I was the first time since the choices are not the ones I would make. From time to time I keep thinking to myself, just this once I could help these people, eventually I'll get back to the dark side stuff. Trying to play the role of a power-hungry, greedy, egotistical person just doesn't sit well with me... good thing it's a game.

It may be just a game, but it does spell a few things out clearly. Strip away the cultural context of the here and now, and get down and dirty with the fundamental struggles with good and evil. It strips away the comfortable, known environment that you are used to and faces you with situations you will never exactly be in. Sure, you may never come across an alien being verbally and physically abused by human teens... but you might come across a minority (Arab, Asian, etc) being harassed by some racially prejudiced people - would you walk away, join in, or come to the aid of the person being harassed?

Star Wars may be a fictional universe... but the games and movies illustrate how the actions and decisions of a few can vastly impact the lives and attitudes of the world around them."

From Unresolved to Resolved--Easter Reflection

2005-03-24T13:22:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been in a situation when you felt the dark before the dawn?

It might have been a conflict that was coming to a head. The two sides knew the day was close when each would have to engage the conflict head on. It might have been a decision you were called to make...and make it sooner rather than later. How nervous you were knowing that day would come. It might have been the time you waited for the phone call from the doctor. He said he would call you the next day with the results and it is the night before that next day. Oh, how you could feel heaviness of the dark before the dawn.

If you are like me, I'm fairly certain you like to live in a resolved state. You like to know there are no loose ends hanging out there. You like to have your life fairly predictable and settled. You like your life to be like listening to music that resolves in a wonderful concluding note.

But have you ever listened to a song that either doesn't resolve or takes forever to settle? You hang on waiting for that last note to sound so that it offers the peace you were looking for. Some times, though, you hang on forever. Some times a song doesn't resolve and you are left unsatisfied.

Mary went to her Lord's tomb in an unresolved state. In fact, John 20 states that Mary went to the tomb while it was still dark. Perhaps she was going to the tomb to convince herself that it was all true. Or, come to think of it, perhaps she went to the tomb resolved to the fact that he was gone. She went to pay her respects. Regardless, she went to the tomb while it was still dark. And what did she find?

You know. She found the empty tomb. Whatever she went looking for, she found the opposite. She went looking for a body but she found none. She went looking for a her dead friend but she discovered a risen Lord. But notice, even after coming across an empty tomb, she still had an issue unresolved. It was only when she discovered that the supposed gardener was not actually a gardener but was her Savior (John 20:15) that the final note began to sound. The unresolved began to resolve. Jesus spoke her name. Mary left the empty tomb to find her friends and tell them the good news, "I have see the Lord!" (John 20:18)

May this Easter be a time for your unresolved to resolve. May this Easter be an opportunity for you to see your Lord and to hear him speak your name. May this Easter be the eternal moment when the dark turns into dawn. May this Easter be a time of joy. May you hear your life's song sing out in clarity, peace, and satisfaction. Even if it is still dark, may you live in hope that the One who was in the tomb is no longer there. He has resolved everything. May we wait in hope for that final note to sound.

An Easter Reflection

2005-03-23T16:58:00.000-05:00

An Easter reflection

As I ponder the coming of Easter this Sunday, I’m struck by the reality of God’s profound love for us and for his world. In fact I’m so moved by his profound love, he has wooed me to love the one who would humble himself to such a level and to suffer such a death for the sake of someone as unworthy as I am and as unworthy as you are.

I’m thankful that it’s God who forms and shapes us by his being. I’ve come to realize more how much it’s not about me–– or about you for that matter. I recognize so much more that the focus of our lives is really about God’s being.

What I’m most impressed with is when we find ourselves in the depths of despair or in sin–– Jesus doesn't come saying, “hey Poirier, or, hey Clark, you ought to get out of that pit!” Nor does he give us a ten-step checklist for how to get out of pits. Instead, what he does is–– jumps in the pit with us.

Here’s what Christian ministry to the world looks like–– it looks like Jesus.

It was Jesus who went to the depths of the abyss, and it is Jesus who is in fact in the pit with us right now. Easter is a reminder to me how deep and dark the pit is. And left in the pit on our own, we could never find life.

But the beauty of Easter is that we are invited to sit by the tomb of Jesus and know the truth about why he was there. Then we get to “celebrate the inconceivable victory that only God could accomplish.” And because of what God has done we too can proclaim the good news of the resurrection–– that it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us!

Again, Again?

2005-03-22T18:17:00.000-05:00

Scot,

Here's a quote that I think compliments your thoughts, I just read it on Carson Reed's blog. Thanks for sharing some great reflections.

"Scripture will help you to become a better person. It will help you to discover both your strengths and your weaknesses. It clarifies the meaning of sin. It will help you determine what to avoid and what to do. With its guidance you can perceive the most subtle activities of temptation.
The Bible will make love burn in your heart. It will sting you to tears. It will prepare you for a banquet with God.
But be careful of your motive! Do not let a desire for the honor and applause of others drive you to gain a knowledge of the Bible. Intend only to please God. Make it your goal to learn how you may love God.
When you teach your neighbor, sharing what you have learned, do so without attempting to appear wise. It would be better to hide your knowledge of the Bible than to show it off for your own praise."

Richard Rolle (1295-1349)

Again?

2005-03-22T13:36:00.000-05:00

Paul,

I was re-reading some of the posts on our blog over the past week or so. I especially appreciate your post on March 11 about "No More Church Talk? Again." This was quite a mouthful and perhaps even scary for some of us to read.

Okay… here’s what you said Paul (eyebrows raised): “The Gospel must be allowed to be in control of our church. If not, we might not be worthy to wear the name ‘Church OF CHRIST.’"

Wow… how scary is that? You got my attention bro!

You shared some insightful questions that are no doubt designed to help us understand better if we are about gospel or about the institution.

The questions listed below are challenging ones. Of course this list is scary if one looks through the lens of what “my church believes", or what doctrines I hold over and above other doctrines. Imagine with me for a moment looking at the list of questions below from the perspective of loving God with all your heart, mind and soul and loving your neighbor as yourself.

Are you committed to only Me or are you more committed to doctrine, church or denomination?

Do you speak of faith as a lived-out experience with Me or as a fossilized heritage needing preservation?

Do you design ministries for those who have yet to accept Me as their King, or do you design ministries to accommodate those already secure?

Do you grasp unexpected opportunities as God-directed providence or do you worry about following the rules and maintaining the procedures?

Do you promote mentoring relationships or merely nominate people to offices and positions?

Do you accept My appointment of leaders or do you prefer choosing your own?

Do you foster authentic small groups of faith and sacrificial service or do you permit power-based, self-centered cliques?

Do you, in addition to speaking "about" God and "to" God, do you allow God to speak too?

Do you give Scripture the liberty to be living and active in your church by allowing it to transform your relationship with Me?

Do you worship in your assemblies with excited expectation or do you come to only discharge a duty?

Do you seek to live more fully “in Me” or do you remain tied to the worldly structures of society, economics, gender, and class?

Do you encourage all people to use their Kingdom gifts for Me or do your program frustrate my dreams and desires for them?

Do you expect newcomers to be invited to find Me among your people or do you merely expect them to show up on their own?

Do you welcome the stranger…are strangers welcome?

Do you understand that I have called you to be a church that is “sent” for my mission to the world?

Do you value seeing lives transformed or merely belonging to an institution?

Are you willing to make a revolutionary Kingdom commitment or do you expect more of the same?

The most humbling part of my walk with Jesus is to love God with all that I am and to love others as Christ loves me. But… I’m sorry to say though that I consistently fail in this... but God continues to invite me to love him and neighbor. Oh Lord, give me your strength to not only walk with you, but to love you with all that I have and all that I am and to love those around me as you have loved me, amen.

Hearing the faithful words of Jesus encourages me to love God with all of my being and to love my neighbor as myself, rather than being held hostage by a religiously rationalistic perspective designed to convince me that I can be right, exercise the right practice and therefore be right with God. Jesus told the Pharisees that they were deeply mistaken by convincing themselves that their diligent study and understanding of the Scriptures somehow guaranteed them eternal life–– sadly, they were wrong. Jesus’ response to them in John 5:40 is that their problem was they refused to come to Him for life.

Hey Paul… I want a greater knowledge of the Scriptures! But I’ve also come to a fuller understanding that knowing Scripture and understanding my relationship to Scripture is two different things. The Scriptures are not to be used by me. When we use Scripture, we have a tendency to control it, using it for our own ends thus preventing us from meeting others “halfway” who believe differently than we do. I thank God for meeting me “halfway” then and still, now! However, to submit to Scripture is to find ourselves living in the world of Scripture and letting “it” have its way with us. This, my friend is a healthy biblical understanding of Scripture and our relationship to it.

I hope your lunch in Burlington was good… I think I’ll go eat something now.

Enjoy your day!

Fruitfulness

2005-03-21T09:32:00.000-05:00

Paul,

We are currently waiting to hear from Kim's doctor today. She went through a bone scan last week due to the possibility of bone cancer. We continue to be prayerful, leaning on God for his strength and his movement in our lives.

I want you to know that I'm thankful for the Kingdom of God and for the many friends we have been blessed with. We are on a journey! A journey that God has invited us on. A journey that is filled with wonder and at times–– moments of uncertainty. But I continue to accept the invitation to walk with God. For I am convinced that God knows... God knows our joys and our hurts... God knows about everything in our lives.

Today it is my prayer that as I continue to walk on this journey, that I can be fruitful in the Kingdom.

Fruitfulness
Henri J. M. Nouwen

We are called to be fruitful - not successful, not productive, not accomplished. Success comes from strength, stress, and human effort. Fruitfulness comes from vulnerability and the admission of our own weakness.

May you have peace in this day

Thanks, Scot. It has been a good day. I have seen God move powerfully in a situation that had the potential to be ugly. But it all worked out. It's amazing how the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control really are more valuable, life affirming, and life redeeming than that of strength, might, power, and law. I think that is why Paul would conclude his listing of the fruit of Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) with "against such things there is no law." I have seen the ugliness of law but I have seen the power of the Spirit working today in far greater ways. God certainly does know our lives, doesn't he!

My prayers are again with you, Kim, and all the family!

Appreciate you, my friend.

Giving To The Body of Christ

2005-03-19T21:28:00.000-05:00

Josh called me in a groveling voice. The local Christian Church (the one with whom we have shared a growing relationship, for instance, our annual Christmas Eve candlelight service) where he ministers was in a bind. Josh was in a panic.

His church is having a special Sunday event tomorrow. It is a major marker in the life of their church. They are calling their whole church together in one service as they seek to ask their worshippers to commit to raising funds to buy some land and build a building. They have rented their facilities since they've opened their doors. They are seeking to go on a mission with God and they want to be used for His kingdom good.

Why did Josh call me? This event will have a separate children's ministry time. And...they have had a boat load of kids sign-up. More than 70 children. More than they expected. This means they are short staffed. They need more adults to help. Josh called to see if we might be able to spare a few of our folks to help them. He was groveling. And I am glad he groveled to us.

A few calls to some people, a few emails sent out, and we have 6 people going over to the place where this event is being held to assist in the children's ministry time.

Josh was blown away. He is so pleased and so grateful, but I am more than willing to help out. When the body of Christ needs help, this is a no-brainer. When we love God it shows in loving our neighor as we love each other. If this will help God's kingdom to take deeper root in our city, there is no question what our response should be. If this is a way for the good news of Jesus to get out to our community, we'll provide the support. It is good to give to the Body of Christ.

More and more, I am learning that it is not about us. It's about being ready and available for whatever God sends our way for the sake of his Kingdom, for the sake of His body, and for the sake of the world.

So...thank you Leanne, Lori, Amber, Sue, Candace, and Sarah for your servant hearts. Thank you Josh and Cross Way Christian church for groveling. Thank you God, for putting this opportunity before us. It's all for you, our Lord!

Would this even be on our radar screen?

2005-03-18T14:21:00.000-05:00

Carson Reed wrote this reflection this morning:

"I began the morning at the “Original Pancake House” (not to be confused with all the other pancake houses—in case Sam Mankin gets to reading this) on Memorial. I was meeting my friend Drew. While setting there, I witnessed one of those sacred moments of character and compassion.

Not many people were in the restaurant--just a man who look like he had just finished his shift somewhere, a single mom with a four or five year son, and me. The mother and boy were quietly have a good time with each other and the man looked like he was about finished with his meal.

As the waitress brought a cup of coffee to my table I saw out of the corner of my eye the man rise and walk over to the table where the family sat. He paused and then reached out his right hand and held it over the ticket at the corner of the table. He then said, "Would you allow me the honor of taking your ticket this morning? I've watched your young man and I want to honor him."

The mother smiled and then nodded. The man bowed slightly, winked at the boy, and slipped the check off the table.

No other word was spoken. There was no need to speak anymore. Grace had entered the room."

Now that's Kingdom living! Would this family even be on your (my) radar screen? Go and do likewise. God needs us to be his instruments to change the world and make it a better place.

Update on Scot's Sister

2005-03-17T15:06:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

I know that many of you have been informed that my sister, Kim has been diagnosed with breast cancer. It goes without saying that the past couple of weeks have been difficult for us.

Helen and I returned home late Tuesday night (11:30pm) from a long day at Backus Hospital in Connecticut. There is no doubt that Kim is quite ill. We found out Monday afternoon that Kim's breast cancer had spread through the lymph nodes into her liver. The major concern at this point is to deal with the liver as aggressively as possible. She has numerous masses throughout her liver and lesions on her sternum-- which concerns us greatly. We were told that without treatment (thank God for the treatments we have) Kim would not survive for more than a few months. However, we have great confidence that God is in control of her treatments and her life.

We have been deeply encouraged by the prayers of many faithful people on Kim’s behalf. Please know that we have peace as a result of yours prayers and anticipate God's continual care and response.

Kim had other procedures to endure Tuesday including a surgical procedure (8pm) to insert a portacath in her upper chest wall (the space between your collarbone and your breast) to make chemotherapy easier and more comfortable. The procedure was successful.

At approximately 2pm Wednesday, Kim had her first Chemo treatment. She was sedated and it took about 1.5 hours for the treatment to be administered. I spoke with Kim at 5:30 and she was already eating a little. She's weak, but she's definitely hanging in there pretty good. I plan on traveling back to Connecticut tomorrow to visit with Kim and her husband, Glen. Please remember to pray for Kim's new husband, Glen as well. Kim & Glen were married on January 29, 2005.

Thanks for your concern and mostly for your prayers!

PS. The most humbling place to spend a day is on the Oncology unit in a hospital. What a tremendous reminder that life is fragile. I’m reminded that there are only a few things worth my time, effort and worry…

Grace and peace to you this day…

Scot

On Demand Christians, Part 2

2005-03-17T13:16:00.000-05:00

My friend, Jamie, has written another relection on his blog. Check it out: Christianity in the On Demand era, part 2. There are some really good points to consider.

Listening To Strangers--Becoming Friends

2005-03-17T09:29:00.000-05:00

Can I just say I am proud of my church!

Ok, I said it. Yesterday, something happened that was so encouraging and showed me that we are on this journey of transformation. What happened?

Well, our church has a food pantry. Each month we receive a number of requests for food. We have been doing this for a while so, as a result, we have a regular crop of folks who come through. We know them by name and they know us.

Two women from our congregation decided they wanted to do something more. They wanted to connect with these strangers and get to know them. They wanted to become friends. What did these women do?

Since we keep a contact list, these women contacted our pantry folks and invited them to a reception. The sole purpose was to make a connection and to listen to them in order to help. They wanted to ask, "What can we do for you? Is there anything you need that we can provide: skill development, training in some life aspect, bible study?" Our church wanted to listen to our strangers-becoming friends and to be present with them and for them.

Yesterday, three came. Others called and said they could not make it but wanted to be included in the next reception. Three women from our congregation sat with them, ate light snacks, drank coffee and tea, and sought to simply offer their friendship to these strangers-becoming friends. A woman from our church who participated said that those who came were not so much interested in what we had to offer by way of assistance, but they were thrilled to have someone to sit with and to talk with, laugh with, and to share with. They liked being WITH some strangers-becoming friends. Hmmm......maybe this reception accomplished exactly what God wanted it to accomplish.

Perhaps we are starting to glimpse this kingdom life afterall and discovering what it means to be Christ-followers. Maybe God is starting to use us for his missional purpose.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do with us next.

I am so proud of my church!

On Demand Christians

2005-03-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

A very good friend of mine writes his own blog. Jamie had a great post on Sunday. I am posting his complete reflection here, but I encourage you to check out his writings as you are able. He is a fresh, young thinker and I thoroughly enjoy our conversations. BTW, he works for IBM and he's been a life-long church attendee.

Christianity in the On Demand era

If you watch any amount of television, you've probably seen the IBM commercials that advocate their On Demand philosophy towards technology and IT services. The basic premise is that businesses need to be poised to take advantage of opportunities at a moment's notice, and often the traditional models for doing slow are too slow and cumbersome to act quickly enough. In IBM's commercials the business overcome that obstacle by taking advantage of "On Demand" services that give them what they need right away - their needs demand it, and thus it is delivered instantly. That kind of mentality is quite prevalent in US society; when we want something, we want it as fast as possible. I mean look at the shipping business alone - I could order something online at 4:00pm Monday and have it in hand by 10:00am the next morning if I paid enough. No trips to local stores in the hopes that they carry it at all or if they do that it is in stock. A few clicks of the mouse and it's taken care of. This sort of "on demand" thinking is also behind the move of many businesses to continue outsourcing more of their IT services to other companies better outfitted to handle them. Your business is not responsible for maintaining those skills, but if they are ever needed an army of skilled people are just a phone call away.

I wonder if church could ever adapt to an "on demand" mode of operation. Just like computing slowly moved away from large centralized systems to more distributed environments or even new grid technologies, could Christianity move away from its current centralized brick and mortar fellowship? You may say, "But there are lots of small group studies at our church!" I would reply, then why does a large building who's primary purpose is Sunday morning preaching need to be used? Could not we move to a model where the building owned by a church is a multi-purpose environment suitable for reaching out to the local community? (Paul - this was a great discussion!) Could we not gather together at a local Starbucks, drink coffee, and discuss with our brethren? Couldn't communion be had a local Italian restaurant among friends as long as time was taken to remember and pray? Certainly regular worship service at the Christian community center (a.k.a the church's building) would continue to be a blessing as the community of believers would need to have time to gather as one. We could become the On Demand Christians, wherever one is needed, they'll be there. Whenever the local community has needs, the Church is ready to respond and offer its services. The building becomes a tool for outreach and integration with the community, open to all and available for any number of uses (some obvious restrictions would apply). Come to think of it, wasn't Jesus an "on demand" kind of guy. Not in the sense that you could demand he do something and have him do it. Rather, someone truly in need was never turned away, and he chastised his disciples when they tried to limit anyone's access. I'm ready to be an On Demand Christian, are you?

Scot's Sister--Deep, Persistent Prayer Needed!

2005-03-14T17:50:00.000-05:00

As I write, Scot and Helen are headed to CT to be with his sister (Kim) and his mother (Theresa). Kim just received word that her breast cancer has spread and is advancing rapidly. It is a very serious situation and we need to be in deep, persistent prayer on behalf of all the Poiriers...Kim and her husband especially!

Psalm 123

I look to you, heaven-dwelling God,
look up to you for help.
Like servants, alert to their master's commands,
like a maiden attending her lady,
We're watching and waiting, holding our breath,
awaiting your word of mercy.
Mercy, God, mercy!
We've been kicked around long enough....

This family has been kicked by the ugliness of life. God please have mercy! Please wrap your arms around them and hold them close! Please bring a healing!

No More Church Talk? Again

2005-03-11T21:01:00.000-05:00

Scot,

There was a rumor I heard growing up. It was the rumor of the Kingdom of God. Yet I also heard other messages associated with this rumor that often muffled the rumor’s voice. I had to strain hard to hear the rumor. It was often mixed with other words; words like Church of Christ, Restoration Movement, Non-Denominational. It was often directly and only tied to what we called "authorized acts" of worship, the required steps of salvation, and the pattern of church organization. It seemed like church was equal to the Kingdom. I had to fight through the church to get to the Kingdom. Some times it seemed like church got in the way of Kingdom pursuits. We had to test a person's orthodoxy (do they believe what we believe) before we'd even consider participating with them. We even ignored the poor because the agency or activity wasn't CoC sponsored. Or, we started our own service and "competed" with other Kingdom focused people...all because they were not part of our church.

So I can understand why it might be good to call for a moratorium on church talk. the good news (gospel) of the kingdom should always be our first conversation. I wonder what we'd look like as church if we let Jesus' words (start with the Sermon on the Mount) be our guide before we talked about patterns and church organizations. In some cases, we'd look the same as we do now. But in other ways, we'd look radically different. The Gospel must be allowed to be in control of our church. If not, we might not be worthy to wear the name "Church OF CHRIST."

If Christ were actually physically present with us today and was our church "consultant", I wonder if he'd ask us questions like this:

Are you committed to only Me or are you more committed to doctrine, church or denomination?

Do you speak of faith as a lived-out experience with Me or as a fossilized heritage needing preservation?

Do you design ministries for those who have yet to accept Me as their King, or do you design ministries to accommodate those already secure?

Do you grasp unexpected opportunities as God-directed providence or do you worry about following the rules and maintaining the procedures?

Do you promote mentoring relationships or merely nominate people to offices and positions?

Do you accept My appointment of leaders or do you prefer choosing your own?

Do you foster authentic small groups of faith and sacrificial service or do you permit power-based, self-centered cliques?

Do you, in addition to speaking "about" God and "to" God, do you allow God to speak too?

Do you give Scripture the liberty to be living and active in your church by allowing it to transform your relationship with Me?

Do you worship in your assemblies with excited expectation or do you come to only discharge a duty?

Do you seek to live more fully “in Me” or do you remain tied to the worldly structures of society, economics, gender, and class?

Do you encourage all people to use their Kingdom gifts for Me or do your program frustrate my dreams and desires for them?

Do you expect newcomers to be invited to find Me among your people or do you merely expect them to show up on their own?

Do you welcome the stranger…are strangers welcome?

Do you understand that I have called you to be a church that is “sent” for my mission to the world?

Do you value seeing lives transformed or merely belonging to an institution?

Are you willing to make a revolutionary Kingdom commitment or do you expect more of the same?

So, Yes! Let's unleash the Gospel and see what we get in church! Let's let Christ be our consultant and see what church he can produce. Let's have the Gospel speak while we in church go silent and listen. That's an adventurous journey in which I would love to participate.

Pray for Scot's Sister!

2005-03-10T14:50:00.000-05:00

I am sharing this on Scot's behalf.

Please be in deep prayer for his family. Scot's sister just found several lumps in her breast and her liver is possibly enlarged. An MRI is scheduled for tomorrow. Test results should be in by Monday.

Please hold-up Kim (Poirier) Merrill in prayer. Also pray for her husband, Glenn, as well as Kim's mother, Theresa Poirier. This is a wonderful family and they need and value our support at this time.