I think a common blog post beginning has to be: "I am sorry it has been so long since I posted!" So since it is probably the most common, I am not going to start that way...
I truly feel as though God has been placing in my path many things to convict and challenge my Christianity. I don't think I am headed for Hell or anything, but I do believe that I have been raised with a misconception about life with Jesus. Let me update you on what I have been reading. I have in the last two months read "Crazy Love, by Francis Chan" (a must read for everyone beleiver), and 'The Present Future" (another great read for those frustrated with Christianity as we know of it today - but caution...it is disturbing! True, but disturbing!) I am also reading "Preaching from my Feet" (a great challenge for all who preach - I recommend it as well!) Along with all of that I am reading "One Month to Live" while the church where I serve is preparing to spend 6 weeks going through this together beginning in September. All this to say, I am convinced that the church needs a over-haul, make-over, and a bath!
While I don't question my relationship with God to be genuine or not, I do question the church's misunderstanding of what the Church is to be about. We seem to have forgotten HIS purpose for the Church and have turned it into "my" church. I am so sick of hearing people complain because their comfort level is disturbed because of changes. HELLO! It was never your church to begin with. God wants it back! I challenge you to read these books mentioned and tell me your thoughts on the subject. I wonder if I am alone? Is anyone else bothered by what we call church? Is anyone else seeking to live as if Jesus did die for them too? I have resolved to live differently. I seek to no longer live as I have and I am expecting the true followers to stand up too! There is much to do and so little time. To GOD be the glory! Amen.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Crazy Love book
How many blog posts start with, 'I know I haven't updated in a while...sorry...'? This is one of those blogs...
I have been reading the book 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan. I got to tell you - I love it. Why is it that we read something that should be simple truths to believers and yet we find it profound. This is the first book I have ever known to have a online video intro. to each chapter. This I believe is very cool! I guess what impresses me most is the humble attitude that comes across in his (Francis) approach to life with God. He sends a message that he is just like me - I don't know about you, but I connect to that. If you get a chance check out his book and website. www.crazylovebook.com - I think you will enjoy it immensely!
On another note, I feel like God has really been preparing me for something lately. I am not sure what it is, but I have been drawn to pray for guidance more and more in my role as a pastor/preacher/leader! Who knows what God has in store? But I am excited about the journey that's coming!
I have been reading the book 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan. I got to tell you - I love it. Why is it that we read something that should be simple truths to believers and yet we find it profound. This is the first book I have ever known to have a online video intro. to each chapter. This I believe is very cool! I guess what impresses me most is the humble attitude that comes across in his (Francis) approach to life with God. He sends a message that he is just like me - I don't know about you, but I connect to that. If you get a chance check out his book and website. www.crazylovebook.com - I think you will enjoy it immensely!
On another note, I feel like God has really been preparing me for something lately. I am not sure what it is, but I have been drawn to pray for guidance more and more in my role as a pastor/preacher/leader! Who knows what God has in store? But I am excited about the journey that's coming!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
“I have a dream for FC2 in 2009!”
What are your hopes and dreams for First Christian Church in 2009? WHAT? I can’t hear you…oh well, I guess I will share with you what I hope and pray will take place in 2009! Before we do that, can we take a quick glance at the past 3 years? In the past year (2008), we baptized 12 people, in 2007 – we baptized 13 people and in 2006 we baptized 13 people. Those numbers show we are changing lives and they are pretty consistent, but I think we are headed for greater transformation in us and in the lives around us by an extraordinarily active Holy Spirit.
So what are my hopes for FC2? What is my prayer for FC2? First, my prayer is that we never look at people as numbers! The last thing a person wants to feel is that they are a number and we don’t like being treated that way either. Secondly, my prayer is that we don’t treat people as a project. People aren’t projects! We should treat them as we have been treated by God – with unconditional love.
I believe two things are stirring in our community. (This is nothing profound, and it’s nothing new.) I believe that one (evil) is pulling people away from what is best [A HOLY GOD] and the other (Holy Spirit) is revealing a God [a compassionate, gracious and forgiving God] who is extremely in love with HIS creation specifically in this community. You can see evidences of these stirrings through many lives in our community. Tragic deaths! Teen pregnancies! Substance abuse! Marital infidelity! Divorce! All of these mentioned (and many more evil desires) are rampant in our community. Why? We also see: changed lives, people becoming more and more like Jesus, marriages strengthened, freedom from addictions, purity. All of these mentioned (and many more things that please God) need to be rampant in our community. There are definite evidences of both workings in the community.
Due to this belief, my final prayer is that we as a beacon in this community will continue to be contagious disciples that draw more and more of HIS children into the relationship in which God is calling every one of us. I am reminded of Romans 10:14 (MSG) “But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? Church, we have an obligation to this community that God has placed us in as disciples of Jesus. We CANNOT JUST PUT THE BLAME ON THE SCHOOLS. WE CANNOT JUST BLAME THE PARENTS. WE CANNOT JUST BLAME THEM ALONE! If we must put the blame somewhere we should blame sin and its destructive path! We must realize it is about a spiritual oppression on and in the community where we live. We must accept the fact that we have the answer and therefore we MUST be faithful to that answer to speak it and live it and also share it.
I believe that if we are serious about sin and serious about loving sinners, the number of baptisms will more than double! I think we can win more people for Christ this year than the ‘average’ of the last three! I believe that we CAN AND SHOULD baptize more people in the year 2009 not for the sake of accomplishing a task, but to live out our beliefs in a gracious God. But in order to do this, we have to live on purpose for HIM. This means I MUST make changes and so MUST you! Will you dream with me about 2009? Do you believe it can happen? Will you join me in 2009 and seek out our friends who need to make a decision for Jesus as their Christ and help them to discover who HE really is? I pray so! Let’s get even more serious about who we are and how we live. Let’s truly live out the disciples faith!
So what are my hopes for FC2? What is my prayer for FC2? First, my prayer is that we never look at people as numbers! The last thing a person wants to feel is that they are a number and we don’t like being treated that way either. Secondly, my prayer is that we don’t treat people as a project. People aren’t projects! We should treat them as we have been treated by God – with unconditional love.
I believe two things are stirring in our community. (This is nothing profound, and it’s nothing new.) I believe that one (evil) is pulling people away from what is best [A HOLY GOD] and the other (Holy Spirit) is revealing a God [a compassionate, gracious and forgiving God] who is extremely in love with HIS creation specifically in this community. You can see evidences of these stirrings through many lives in our community. Tragic deaths! Teen pregnancies! Substance abuse! Marital infidelity! Divorce! All of these mentioned (and many more evil desires) are rampant in our community. Why? We also see: changed lives, people becoming more and more like Jesus, marriages strengthened, freedom from addictions, purity. All of these mentioned (and many more things that please God) need to be rampant in our community. There are definite evidences of both workings in the community.
Due to this belief, my final prayer is that we as a beacon in this community will continue to be contagious disciples that draw more and more of HIS children into the relationship in which God is calling every one of us. I am reminded of Romans 10:14 (MSG) “But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? Church, we have an obligation to this community that God has placed us in as disciples of Jesus. We CANNOT JUST PUT THE BLAME ON THE SCHOOLS. WE CANNOT JUST BLAME THE PARENTS. WE CANNOT JUST BLAME THEM ALONE! If we must put the blame somewhere we should blame sin and its destructive path! We must realize it is about a spiritual oppression on and in the community where we live. We must accept the fact that we have the answer and therefore we MUST be faithful to that answer to speak it and live it and also share it.
I believe that if we are serious about sin and serious about loving sinners, the number of baptisms will more than double! I think we can win more people for Christ this year than the ‘average’ of the last three! I believe that we CAN AND SHOULD baptize more people in the year 2009 not for the sake of accomplishing a task, but to live out our beliefs in a gracious God. But in order to do this, we have to live on purpose for HIM. This means I MUST make changes and so MUST you! Will you dream with me about 2009? Do you believe it can happen? Will you join me in 2009 and seek out our friends who need to make a decision for Jesus as their Christ and help them to discover who HE really is? I pray so! Let’s get even more serious about who we are and how we live. Let’s truly live out the disciples faith!
Monday, November 24, 2008
“Have I ever told about the time someone gave time to me?”
I am not kidding – this has to be the fastest year ever! Maybe, because our times in Memphis have been fewer and we have actually spent more time at home this year, which I have enjoyed so much! But it is soon gone! What is wrong with this picture? I don’t like it! My kids are older than they should be, my wife is still a beautiful as the day we met, yet I feel like I missed most of the year because the time went so fast! Of course, with the year being almost gone, it must mean it is close to Christmas. Christmas time has always been a favorite of mine. The only bad thing about Christmas is that it means another year is basically up. I love Christmas time because it is about family time, giving and getting time, and most importantly (saving the best for last of course) the Celebration of the birth of my KING – Jesus! But to know another year is almost gone CAN BE a bummer unless I have made the most of my time this year.
How about you? Have you made the most of your time? Maybe for you, this year has flown by more than ever too! Can I give a few suggestions in order to help you and I be wiser with our time. I pray that this will help keep us on track with our time, so that we won’t repeat this error another year. 1. Give of your time…specifically at home with your loved ones. No one dies and says – “I spent too much time with my kids and spouse…” Many have been known to say when death is knocking on their door – “I wish I would have spent more time with my kids and spouse…” 2. Give of your time at the office…specifically give without expecting something in return. Most people give their best when it benefits them. Most never give to benefit others with a no-strings-attached type mentality. Be different for Jesus sake. You never know who at work is watching your every move and attitude 3. Give of your time at the church…specifically for the sake of being who God called you to be. Many during this time of year begin thinking of resolutions to make for the coming year. Why not break the mold and be a giving person before the year ends instead of waiting for the New Year? Let’s change now instead of putting it off until tomorrow!
Christmas time is a great time of giving and giving of time is an incredible thing to give. Money can by things that won’t last. Time given can never be taken back or returned or reused, but it can be the greatest thing you can give even if it hurts a little! God has only given us so much time. What you do with your time can make an incredible gift. Will you give the gift of time for the celebration of THE BIRTH.
How about you? Have you made the most of your time? Maybe for you, this year has flown by more than ever too! Can I give a few suggestions in order to help you and I be wiser with our time. I pray that this will help keep us on track with our time, so that we won’t repeat this error another year. 1. Give of your time…specifically at home with your loved ones. No one dies and says – “I spent too much time with my kids and spouse…” Many have been known to say when death is knocking on their door – “I wish I would have spent more time with my kids and spouse…” 2. Give of your time at the office…specifically give without expecting something in return. Most people give their best when it benefits them. Most never give to benefit others with a no-strings-attached type mentality. Be different for Jesus sake. You never know who at work is watching your every move and attitude 3. Give of your time at the church…specifically for the sake of being who God called you to be. Many during this time of year begin thinking of resolutions to make for the coming year. Why not break the mold and be a giving person before the year ends instead of waiting for the New Year? Let’s change now instead of putting it off until tomorrow!
Christmas time is a great time of giving and giving of time is an incredible thing to give. Money can by things that won’t last. Time given can never be taken back or returned or reused, but it can be the greatest thing you can give even if it hurts a little! God has only given us so much time. What you do with your time can make an incredible gift. Will you give the gift of time for the celebration of THE BIRTH.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
A ‘Time’ To Be Thankful?
Aren’t we funny? We love to be thanked, but we often forget to thank others and most importantly thank God! Maybe it is because we have been extremely blessed, so much that we just assume things should take place. I will be the first to admit that I am terrible and writing ‘Thank-You’ notes! Bless my wife’s heart, she has been the ‘half’ of us that takes that responsibility on. I don’t necessarily think of it as ingratitude, but that is mostly because I justify my life in areas like this. (Did I actually admit that in print? Opps!) I often tell you all, that I am not the best example for many things unless your looking for – ‘how not to do it’ principles. I don’t want that to keep me from improving and changing to be better. (After all that, is the way dead people act!)
Maybe the problem is that I have had such a blessed life that I forget what it is to be in need. Sure I grew up without a father in the house, but I had an extremely giving mother who made up for the difference. Life as I knew it was normal. We weren’t rich by the world’s standards, but we didn’t know it! My mother didn’t focus on what we didn’t have, but who we did have – an incredible-loving, heavenly Father! We didn’t focus on being poor and unable to have everything we wanted, but we focused on the great gifts we received from God through HIS people – an incredible home church that centered on the incredible-loving, heavenly Father. We didn’t focus on having medical bills, and monthly bills that we couldn’t afford to pay, but we focused on Jehovah-Jireh, an incredible providing God who provided through HIS people – an incredible body of Christ who lived in light of the incredible-loving, heavenly Father! (Whew! That’s a mouth full!)
I guess the truth is that every time you read ‘we’ in the paragraph above it should really read ‘she’ - my mother. While the rest of the ‘we’ took for granted at times the incredible pursuit that the incredible God was in to show us how much HE loved us and cared for us! Wow, when you stop to pay attention to the past you begin to understand that thankfulness is really about a daily encounter with a HOLY GOD who is active year round. This same God who says in HIS word (specifically found in 2 Thessalonians 5:18) “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I know the original language doesn’t have punctuation, but we put a period at the end of that (and I agree with that.) But I think we think it needs an exclamation point because most often we only are thankful when it is something HUGE. And HUGE needs an exclamation point!
Does this possibly mean that we are living outside of God’s will? Well that is what Paul said. God’s will is that I am thankful. When I focus on God and HIS will for my life, a natural by-product is thankfulness. So let us be people who focus on God and HIS will. Thankfulness (that means me, too!) is not just a November thing, but daily duty. God says so!
Maybe the problem is that I have had such a blessed life that I forget what it is to be in need. Sure I grew up without a father in the house, but I had an extremely giving mother who made up for the difference. Life as I knew it was normal. We weren’t rich by the world’s standards, but we didn’t know it! My mother didn’t focus on what we didn’t have, but who we did have – an incredible-loving, heavenly Father! We didn’t focus on being poor and unable to have everything we wanted, but we focused on the great gifts we received from God through HIS people – an incredible home church that centered on the incredible-loving, heavenly Father. We didn’t focus on having medical bills, and monthly bills that we couldn’t afford to pay, but we focused on Jehovah-Jireh, an incredible providing God who provided through HIS people – an incredible body of Christ who lived in light of the incredible-loving, heavenly Father! (Whew! That’s a mouth full!)
I guess the truth is that every time you read ‘we’ in the paragraph above it should really read ‘she’ - my mother. While the rest of the ‘we’ took for granted at times the incredible pursuit that the incredible God was in to show us how much HE loved us and cared for us! Wow, when you stop to pay attention to the past you begin to understand that thankfulness is really about a daily encounter with a HOLY GOD who is active year round. This same God who says in HIS word (specifically found in 2 Thessalonians 5:18) “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I know the original language doesn’t have punctuation, but we put a period at the end of that (and I agree with that.) But I think we think it needs an exclamation point because most often we only are thankful when it is something HUGE. And HUGE needs an exclamation point!
Does this possibly mean that we are living outside of God’s will? Well that is what Paul said. God’s will is that I am thankful. When I focus on God and HIS will for my life, a natural by-product is thankfulness. So let us be people who focus on God and HIS will. Thankfulness (that means me, too!) is not just a November thing, but daily duty. God says so!
Trying to figure out...
I don't know about you, but for me church has changed! I remember going to church as a kid and it being something special. I would dress up, and by that I mean putting on my three piece suit with a clip-on tie and head out the door with my mom. (My suits were always hand-me-downs! My favorite was my pink suit. :) ) I remember sitting in Sunday School and listening to stuff I didn't understand...all of it lecture based and then heading to 'big church' to sit with next to my mom. We would sing a few songs from 'the book' and then take communion. I always like to sing, but not so anyone could hear for fear of embarrassment. I really couln't tell you much about any sermon I ever heard in church. I couldn't even tell you one sermon text, or topic either...
Today, I find myself as the preacher who prepares and spends much time thinking and praying about 25-35 minutes I will share on Sunday mornings. At times I think back to those childhood days and getting nothing, and I think/pray to God..."Is there really any true impact?" I don't dress up anymore, and by that I mean no suit and tie! I feel not that I should relax in church, but that my daily/weekly life should match my Sunday mask! So I decide that my appearance has nothing to do with my relationship with God. But at the same time I don't want to be a slob, because I don't think my daily life is slob-ish!
As a preacher, I also want to create a sense of change of what church was as a kid, to what I believe should impact my life and those around me. I think the atmosphere should be about living in the reality of the presence of an incredibly HOLY GOD! (That was a mouthful! - grammatical people - give me a break, please!) Yet, I do see this problem within the church today. A problem with making my life count for Jesus' sake. It seems to me that something hasn't just gone wrong, but that believers must not fully, totally, truly believe. Obviously, if we did our commitment level would be tremendously different. But it's not. Why? Maybe, we have created too much of a 'buddy god', instead of an omniscient (all-knowing) God. Maybe we have conjured up a soft god, instead of an omnipotent (all-powerful) God. Maybe we have thought of a temporary god, instead of an omnipresent (all-present/everywhere) God. When I see these areas we have slipped from, I understand why the generation before me held or hold on so tightly to 'its church'.
However, I don't think that we should keep a system that just 'functioned' for the sake of having something functional! I believe also that what has happened in the churches isn't because we walked away from the way 'our parents did it', but I think it was set to happen because we 'did church' because it was a habit, not about a holy relational God...
Today, I find myself as the preacher who prepares and spends much time thinking and praying about 25-35 minutes I will share on Sunday mornings. At times I think back to those childhood days and getting nothing, and I think/pray to God..."Is there really any true impact?" I don't dress up anymore, and by that I mean no suit and tie! I feel not that I should relax in church, but that my daily/weekly life should match my Sunday mask! So I decide that my appearance has nothing to do with my relationship with God. But at the same time I don't want to be a slob, because I don't think my daily life is slob-ish!
As a preacher, I also want to create a sense of change of what church was as a kid, to what I believe should impact my life and those around me. I think the atmosphere should be about living in the reality of the presence of an incredibly HOLY GOD! (That was a mouthful! - grammatical people - give me a break, please!) Yet, I do see this problem within the church today. A problem with making my life count for Jesus' sake. It seems to me that something hasn't just gone wrong, but that believers must not fully, totally, truly believe. Obviously, if we did our commitment level would be tremendously different. But it's not. Why? Maybe, we have created too much of a 'buddy god', instead of an omniscient (all-knowing) God. Maybe we have conjured up a soft god, instead of an omnipotent (all-powerful) God. Maybe we have thought of a temporary god, instead of an omnipresent (all-present/everywhere) God. When I see these areas we have slipped from, I understand why the generation before me held or hold on so tightly to 'its church'.
However, I don't think that we should keep a system that just 'functioned' for the sake of having something functional! I believe also that what has happened in the churches isn't because we walked away from the way 'our parents did it', but I think it was set to happen because we 'did church' because it was a habit, not about a holy relational God...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Going Deeper Seminar
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!! Have you heard? On the weekend of October 10th-12th, we will be having a “Going Deeper Seminar”. I know that everyone is busy…I know that you have a million other things to do…I know your ‘honey-do’ list is just as long as mine (if not longer!)…I know, I know, I know. I also know that the things of this life pull us from what is best for us! But do you know what this weekend is about. It is about God’s best for you! I can I tell you that this will be an incredible weekend like no other. We have people praying about this for three weeks leading up to the “Going Deeper Seminar.” Why? Because I believe, and so does Dean Trune, the speaker and many FCC people, that there is POWER in PRAYER!!! We are dedicating this weekend to HIM, for the purpose of strengthening who we are as HIS dearly loved children. This weekend is about you and God! My list of to do’s will always be long and waiting on me and so will yours. Will you do me and yourself a favor? Will you put everything aside for just one weekend and see what God can do? Then you can pick right back up where you left off…if things are ‘just the same’, but my guess is that after this weekend you will never want to go back to ‘normal’ again. I believe that through this weekend great things will come. Transformation will take place, lives will be change in how they live, and God will be glorified. Don’t you want to be a part of that?
So what do you say? Can you give FCC one full weekend? What if it changes your life forever?
Praying that you will be there,
David
So what do you say? Can you give FCC one full weekend? What if it changes your life forever?
Praying that you will be there,
David
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