Black Holes

There are a lot of books out there that say the same things in different ways. Sometimes, it is those perspectives or different ways of hearing things that finally strike the chords in our lives that cause breakthrough. In Pastor Tullian Tchividjian's book Jesus + Nothing = Everything, he says some things that really challenged me as a young youth pastor. I encourage you to get yourself a copy!

In chapter 4 titled Black Holes he says, "Our performancism leads to pride when we succeed and to despair when we fail. But ultimately it leads to slavery either way, because it becomes all about us and what we must do to establish our own identity instead of resting in Jesus...the most dangerous thing that can happen to you is that you become proud of your obedience." Our obedience proves our love for Him (John 14:15). It should be something that is natural for us as believers but rarely do we obey the FIRST time God speaks! When we do obey immediately, we begin to feel pretty good about our obedience because it doesn't happen as often or as naturally as it should. What a wake up call! Tchividjian goes on to talk about the beauty of grace by saying, "Disobedience happens not when we think too much of grace, but when we think too little of it...Progress in obedience happens only when our hearts realize that God's love for us does not depend on our progress in obedience."

Man, I've been in that place a lot before. Thinking that God loves me more when I'm obedient and the opposite when I screw up. Maybe you've thought those things too. Maybe you too have been impressed with your obedience. But that is not the Gospel. Again, grace is way more amazing when fully understood. My obedience does not gain love. My disobedience does not lose love. In terms of 'justice', we don't deserve grace but it's my understanding of grace that brings freedom. The true kind of freedom that Christianity talks about. Doctrine and theology are important but I know way too many people who know a lot of doctrine and theology but don't know who Jesus is. The law was fulfilled when Jesus said, "It is finished!" Live in His grace today because nothing you do can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:35).

Success

For me, as a young youth pastor, it's easy to get caught up in or strive for 'success'. Success can be a wide range of things but one of my favorite quotes on success is one by Henry Blackaby. He says, "Success can distract you as you seek to follow God's will." Tony Miller says it this way, "We are hindered by our last great success because we believe that's the only way God can do it again." Wow, think about that. We can actually be so caught up in our 'success' that we either stop seeking daily after God or, we never change or do anything different because it worked so well before.

In ministry, it's not about a spectacular experience but about a sincere and faithful heart towards God. Do you rely more on the momentum that you have created to carry your ministry, marriage, friendships, etc. When was the last time you stopped to listen what it is that God has for you today? Focus on your own walk with God, then watch as others will benefit from your obedience!

Recovering Legalist

I was visiting Willow Creek Community Church a month ago in the middle of a transition in my life. I was really looking forward to hearing from Pastor Bill Hybels when Steven Curtis Chapman was brought out on stage to do a morning of worship and share some of his life stories. Now if you're anything like me, you would have been immediately disappointed and wondered how a morning of worship with an outdated, old school, corny Christian songwriter would impact your life but I was so very wrong!

First off, you never know where someone is going until you know where they've been. You never really know what someone is going through or how their life experiences have changed them. We are so quick to judge based on what we see with our own eyes without really trying to understand how or why people react the way they do. I had heard of some of the horrible stories that happened to the Chapman family but when you really get to hear from someone why they wrote a certain song or how they hold onto God even in the darkest moments of their life you find a new perspective and appreciation for them. This particular Sunday morning rocked me in an unexpected way.

Steven Curtis Chapman would profess himself as a recovering legalist. He grew up in the Church and knew all the right things to do and say. He found himself judging others and trying to stay in line with the traditions of the Bible, all wrapped around the idea of doing enough good and 'earning' your salvation. The sad reality is that this sounds like many of the "Christians" who attend churches today. We compare ourselves constantly and have a cheap understanding of grace. We think that if we do enough good, 'bad' things won't happen to us and we'll live in our comfortable, middle-class homes, doing just enough 'church' to get by without conviction. We really ignore all the bases of love and rarely inconvenience ourselves to serve. Unfortunately we miss several opportunities to share the love of Christ daily.

Maybe you're a recovering legalist and you don't understand the Gospel fully, or you don't want to give some things up in your life that you deem as necessary, or you feel too judged or not 'good enough'. Whatever your excuse may be, God wants to communicate two things with you: that He loves you right where you are, and are you willing to trust Him?

Why I'll Always Be Part Of A Church That Needs Money - By Jud Wilhite

Here is a different perspective on generosity that was written by Jud Wilhite, a Pastor in Las Vegas. This is why we as believers should be the first to serve others with our finances. Not only is it biblical, but we could be missing out on the opportunity to bless others and honor God...

A while back someone sent me this story written by Don Linscott on why he is glad his church needs money. I found it very powerful and a good perspective for churches and members doing their best to faithfully be the hands and feet of Jesus to a hurting world.

Here is his story:

On July 23, 1970, my wife, Connie, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. For three years we had tried unsuccessfully to start a family so our joy was great with the arrival of what was to be our only biological child. We later adopted a daughter. Lance was born before it became acceptable for the father to be present in the delivery room. (A fact for which I have ever been grateful!)

I waited in the hallway just outside the delivery room. At precisely 4:13 p.m., I heard a sound I will never forget, Lance’s first cry. The nurse emerged with a smile and said, “You have a baby boy.”

I casually responded, “Yes, I know.” I had never doubted we would have a son. I could hardly wait to get Connie and Lance out of the hospital and back home so I could get my hands on them.

The wonderful glow of fatherhood was soon dimmed, however, when I was asked to visit the business office of the hospital. They wanted me to pay for Lance! In fact, it seemed to me that my wife and child might be held hostage until the hospital bill was settled. I wrote the check paying all the expenses in full, freed my family, and we made our escape. That check turned out to be only the first of hundreds, maybe thousands, I would write on Lance’s behalf.

Children are expensive. There was formula and food to buy. Doctor visits and vaccinations assaulted my banking account. Diapers and toys took their toll. And clothes were a constant drain. Just about the time we built a great wardrobe for the kid, he would grow, forcing us to start all over again.

As his age and size increased so did the expenses. Soon it was baseball gloves, Nike shoes and uniforms. There were glasses for his eyes and braces for his teeth. And then, disaster struck.

Lance became a teenager! Now it was cars and dates and name-brand clothes. Then came college. Lance had always, and only, wanted to be an architect. It seemed to me he would be in school until he was forty-two years old. Expenses soared! Tuition, books, and drawing tools led the long list of essential expenditures. But, of course, just like parents everywhere, we were happy to be able to help him and we did all we could to support his growth and his dreams.

And then, one day, Lance died.

On Halloween Day, 1991, we buried twenty-one-year-old Lance in our church’s country cemetery. That afternoon we walked away from his grave and since that day we have never spent another nickel on Lance.

That’s how I learned it.

Death is cheap. Death can be sustained without expense. It is living that is costly. It is growth that is expensive. Our dreams, visions, and hopes require sacrifice. Death doesn’t!

That’s why I will always belong to a church that needs money.

A living, growing, thriving church will always require the continual, consistent, and conscientious financial support of its members.

Acts 21

Have you ever had someone tell you what God's will is or try to manipulate God's calling on your life? Here's the fact: God sometimes uses people to help direct you in the way you should go or spark some kind of interest in your life but unless God reveals things to you, no one can tell you God's will for your life. If God says something to someone else, I'm sure He will let you know!

Or maybe you have someone discouraging you from doing what you feel God has called you to do. Don't be discouraged because it happens a lot. In fact, it happened in Acts 21. Starting in verse 10 it says, "A prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, 'The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, 'Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.' When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, 'The Lord's will be done.'"

The people tried to discourage Paul from doing what He felt God calling him to do. However, Paul was willing and ready to die for the name of Jesus Christ. Family and friends may try to persuade you to stay close to them when and if God calls you elsewhere. People will discourage you from selling everything and being bold in your faith, following Jesus wholeheartedly. People will claim you need to get educated, a good job, raise a solid family, etc. All those are great things and that may be what God wants you to do, but don't let those things distract you if you feel God is calling you to do missions or ministry elsewhere. Apostle Jamie Englehart says, "Unhealthy family ties resulted in Jonathan dying in battle next to Saul instead of dinning in royalty next to David. Loyalty to family comes second to loyalty to the Kingdom!" We should never discourage people from doing what they believe God has called them to do. "The Lord's will be done" should be our first response, not our last. God will lead you but you must be willing to follow where ever and whenever! Be bold and trust. God never forsakes those who seek Him (Psalm 9:10).

Quick To Hear

I've experienced leadership in all kinds of aspects: the good, the bad; the humble, the proud; the hard working, the lazy...the list goes on. There are all kinds of character traits that make up a solid leader but for me, the most important are threefold. Someone I want to follow as they follow Christ is a leader who is humble, a leader who constantly learns, and a leader who listens! For me, listening is so important and I'm not just talking about being still and quiet while someone else is speaking. I'm talking about the genuine care, "I'm actually concerned with what you have to say" kind of listening. I find this huge working with students. I quickly have found out that most of the time the 'thing' that the student is sharing isn't really the 'thing' that needs to be addressed. Often times what they struggle with is much deeper, and if you actually listen to what they are saying you will be able to get to the root of the problem; which usually leads to how they view God, or a lie that they've believed.

In the movie Bowling for Columbine there is an interview between Michael Moore and Marilyn Manson right after the shootings at Columbine High School. Marilyn Manson was taking a lot of heat because of his musical style and lyrics and he was being blamed for the horrible incident. It was an interesting conversation that the two had. Moore asks Manson, "If you were to talk directly to the kids at Columbine or the people in the community, what would you say to them if they were here right now?" Manson simply responded, "I wouldn't say a single word to them, I would listen to what they have to say and that's what no one did!" That response threw me off big time. I think these types of people in history were never really given a chance, maybe because no one wanted to listen to them because they were 'different'. Or maybe it's because we like to act like we don't struggle with anything and have life all figured out.

The fact of the matter is we all have a voice but no one is willing to shut up and listen. Few are willing to let go of the busyness of life and build into relationships. James 1 says to be quick to hear and slow to speak but in today's society, we are wired to talk over each other and voice our every opinion. Many forget that for 30 years Jesus observed, learned, and listened before He started His ministry. Leaders might have some great things to say and they often cast great vision, resulting in followers. But the day the leader stops learning and listening is the day he or she stops leading!

When Grief Strikes

Today, our family had to put down the dog that we have loved for 12 years. Her breed, the Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier is one of the best kept secrets among dog owners. She was a great dog and well loved and will leave us with many fond memories! I think the hardest part for me is seeing the affects that it has on my family as a whole. I say that because this has been the year from hell for our family. We have all been attacked and gone through the emotional stages that life often brings us but rarely is my first response to give God the glory. Here's a thought...When tragedy or hardships strike, do we immediately worship the Creator?

We all know the story of Job and the affliction he faced but I noticed something for the first time recently. In the first chapter, he is informed four times by four surviving servants of the loss to his oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels, servants, sons, and daughters. Then verse 20 says: At this, he fell to the ground and worshipped! Wait, what?! The very first thing he did after he received the horrible news of the tragedy that literally took everything from him was he worshipped God. I read that and think about the trails and hardships I have faced and rarely do I worship immediately. There are countless stories throughout the Bible that show men and women worshipping God immediately after tragedy. Jeremiah worshipped after God used the Babylonians to judge Judah, Habakkuk worshipped at the reality of his abandonment, David worshipped following the death of his child, and Jesus worshipped in the Garden right before he was crucified. The point is, our first response should be worship in the face of tragedy. Unfortunately for me, it hasn't been.

Grief however, is something we all will experience. Grief is normal and apart of the recovery process but our attitude in our moments of grief determine our worship. After a conversation with my friend Reggi, he explained that there are three responses when life hits rock bottom and I wanted to expand on them. Our first response is we either question God with why He allowed this to happen or blame Him and turn from our 'faith'. Sometimes things happen and we don't understand why, nor will we ever receive an explanation but know this: God is more concerned with your development as a believer than He is with delivering you from your circumstances. Our second response may be that we begin to understand that God knows what we are going through. He knows how we feel and therefore we see God as sympathizing with us. We are comforted by His grace and are able to persevere through our moments of grief. The third response towards grief is being able to sympathize with God. We often times forget of what Christ actually went through. We forget how bad it was for Him! We forget that the religious people didn't like him, that His message was ignored, and that He constantly was mocked. We forget that He experienced the betrayal of one of his disciples, a man that He loved and had experienced life with. We forget that He paid our penalty on the cross and suffered more than any of us ever will. Our response to the grief we experience and the hardships we endure should be that we now have an idea of what Christ went through. God, I thank you for the hard moments because it gives me a glimpse of what you actually endured! "Our grief should cause us to sympathize with Christ!"