Tattoos - signs of change

Check out this manequin at a local department store - with a tattoo on his left arm. Tattoos are becoming more "accepted" in our culture today, and that is reflected even in some of our large department stores. I like it. They are stretching ... taking risks. Thoughts?

Vision

Vision is an amazing thing. I'm realizing more and more that without vision and dreams that lead to real goals - nothing much gets accomplished in life. This is true personally, in marriage and family, in business, in the Church, etc. People with vision are proactive and set goals and seek to attain them. Those without vision seem to wander aimlessly, just kind of reacting to life. Lately I've been creating vision and goals for my family life - with my wife and kids. My wife and I are creating a "vision statement" for our family right now. I'll post it when it's done. Just some random thoughts ....

Remembering ...

Was looking back at some old pictures today of when The Quest Church actually began. Here's one of our community just beginning to form in our very first year. We were meeting in small groups and then gathering once a month at a local restaurant (after hours) for worship and community building. There are a dozen and a half people in this gathering I think. Sometimes I struggle with where I am RIGHT NOW. But when I LOOK BACK it reminds me that God has been faithful and has been with me every step of the way. Remembering how God has grown The Quest community into what it is today is incredible. It shows me how small I am and how big God is.

Bloom

Excited about a new series we've got coming up soon at QC. It's called "Bloom" and we'll be looking at how God plants us in certain places at certain times so that we can be used by Him. It makes me think of people in the Bible like Moses and others, who felt so inadequate to be used by God, but once they just accepted that God could and would use them - they bloomed where God planted them.

We've been in a Proverbs series this summer - that has been great - but sometimes a series can get long and even I'm ready to move on! Can't wait for "Bloom" to start ...

Reds Game

Went to a Cincinnati Reds game during a family reunion this weekend. Haven't been to a pro sports game in awhile - forgot how much fun these can be!

A couple things about the game that made me think about my spiritual life:

1) There were only a handful of people actually "playing the game." There were thousands of us watching other people play. Made me realize that as followers of Christ, we're called to do both, really. Sometimes we play - and sometimes we cheer on others who are playing. Both roles are important if you think about it.

2) The Reds were playing San Francisco - the team Barry Bonds plays for. At the game I was at, he was just 4 homeruns away from breaking the all-time homerun record set by Hank Aaron. This is a big deal. But here's the thing - every time he stepped up to the plate to bat - he was "boo-ed" in a big way. No clapping. No cheering. Just boo-s. I asked my dad what was up (I'm not a big sports follower) and he told me about his alleged use of steroids. People were yelling things like "Juice-man" and "Cheater," etc. It made me think - that's pretty much how real life is. You make a mistake and it follows you like that. It also made me think about how being a Christian, though, is often counter-cultural. By that I mean that we're called to forgive each others' offenses/wrongs.

Never knew baseball could be such a spiritual experience.

Discipline

We've been in a series at our church this summer - exploring the ancient book of Proverbs. There are so many amazing and practical themes in this book. This past week we talked about what Proverbs says about money and resources. The word that came to the surface as I studied this theme in Proverbs was the word "discipline." Proverbs teaches that it takes discipline to handle money wisely, etc. I've been thinking alot more about discipline the past couple of days - and realizing that discipline relates to every area of life. Think about it - anything you want to do, and want to do well at - takes discipline. Whether it's being a friend to someone, a good spouse, a great father or mother, playing a sport or instrument, getting in shape, learning to cook, whatever. And I've been thinking about how this is so true of our spirituality and walk with God as well. It takes discipline. The root of "discipline" has the word "disciple" in it. Perhaps discipline and discipleship are related - I think they are/must be. Maybe that's why being a follower of Christ is so hard. Because it takes discipline - getting up every single day and committing to this life again. And again. And again. Just stuff I've been thinking about ...

Books I'm Reading

Recently, I decided I needed to read more. Reading energizes me. So I just thought I'd mention a couple books I'm currently reading:

Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna. Incredible book so far. Very challenging and potentially life-altering for parents (and kids - b/c if parents change the way they parent - kids change!). Main thing I'm learning is that it takes a lot more than most parents (including me) realize to pass on their faith to their children. Status quo "religous parenting" is just not enough. It takes "revolutionary parents" to raise children who love God and make an impact for Him in the world.

They Like Jesus but Not the Church by Dan Kimball. I've read several books by Dan before (he's the pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, CA - www.vintagechurch.org) and this one is as good as the others. If you really want to break outside the "church bubble" and see the world from the perspective of someone outside the church - read this book. I'm only about a quarter of the way into it, but I've been challenged once again.

Got a couple other books I'd like to start soon, too. Just need to get through these first!

COOL JULES

This is my 4 year old daughter - Julia (we call her Jules). Just thought she looked cool/hip in these sunglasses. She was sporting them at my ordination worship service last week!

A BIG DAY

Last Monday was a big day for me. I was ordained an "elder" in The United Methodist Church (UMC). Basically, this means that after completing seminary and then a 3 year process of examination, The UMC affirms my call to be in mission and ministry as a pastor. In many ways this process has felt like jumping through "hoops" ... if you've ever had to do anything like that. But I was surprised at how meaningful the day ended up feeling to me. It was pretty overwhelming, to be honest. It made me think that this might be how it feels for a marathon runner - you know - running and running and running - never feeling like the finish line will arrive - but then it finally does. I've never run a marathon, but I think I kind of know what it must feel like.

Note: I don't usually wear a "robe" - but it was required for this day and so I did. Just wanted to let those of you know who don't usually see me dressed like this, what I was wearing! The robe has been around for a significant period of time and has certain meaning. However, I have chosen not to wear the robe in my ministry and context.

Celtic Christianity

Saint Patrick's Day is every March. But ask most folks about him, and you'll find that people connect him with Ireland, the shamrock, and the color green - but that's about it.

Awhile back I read a book that caused me to really appreciate Saint Patrick and his contribution to faith-sharing. Hundreds of years ago, a large percentage of Ireland became Christ-followers during the lifetime and ministry of Saint Patrick. I believe that a huge part of this can be attributed to his approach to people and faith-sharing with them.

In the book - The Celtic Way of Evangelism - author George Hunter describes how Saint Patrick's approach to faith and community (and specifically the process of sharing Jesus with others) was revolutionary for the time. It marked a changed from the older "Roman" model of evangelism/faith-sharing. The two models (Roman vs. Celtic/Saint Patrick) are:

ROMAN MODEL
- Presentation
- Decision
- Enter the fellowship

CELTIC MODEL
- Enter the fellowship
- Ministry and Conversations
- Belief, Invitation to Commitment

You'll notice that the processes are basically reversed. One model made "community" (fellowship) the final step of evangelism - following the linear pattern of someone presenting the Gospel, the hearer then making a decision, and finally entering community/fellowship.

Saint Patrick believed that the process should begin with inviting any and all people into community FIRST. He believed and demonstrated that this led to openness and conversations, and in many, many cases finally led to belief and a life lived for Christ.

I really believe that Saint Patrick was on to something ... and onto something biblical. One of my favorite sections of Scripture is Luke 15, which begins by saying that Jesus was hanging out with (ie, community and fellowship) people who were "outside" the Church community. Luke describes how the religious leaders of His day condemned Him for this. But Jesus didn't budge. He loved people. All people. Invited them into community and fellowship for the purpose of loving and serving them and showing them God.

Saint Patrick has been gone from this world a long time, but I believe we could learn alot from Him in the in the 21st century Church.

Remembering the Past

Last night I spoke at "Fountain" Campground near Camak and Washington, Georgia. It was founded in 1822 - almost 200 years ago. These are a couple pics of what they call the "tabernacle" (Old Testament idea of God dwelling in "tabernacle"). As I sat there before speaking, I was somewhat overcome with an awesome realization of history. What I mean is that for almost 200 years, people have been gathering in this same tabernacle and sitting on the same benches - singing, praying, and listening to people talk about God and life. It made me feel "small" - in a good sort of way - and that I ought to approach life a little more humbly, if you know what I mean. There have been other people who have come before me, and there will be plenty that come after me. I have an opportunity to live for a short time and be a part of history and what God is doing in the world. Pretty profound if you really think about it. I'm glad I had the opportunity to speak at the tabernacle last night.

"COMPASS" video link

This Sunday we're beginning a new series on the ancient book of Proverbs at our church. We made a video to introduce this series. You can check it out on our YouTube site by clicking here.

Supra-cultural Christianity

On the way home from the gym last night I heard a preacher on the radio using a term I don't think I've heard before - "supra-cultural." He was talking about how there are biblical principles that are "supra-cultural" - and that these principles are the ones that are most important. By this he meant that these principles are not tied to a certain time and location in the Bible (occasional or situational principles) but transcend time and place. There are biblical principles that work in America in the year 2007, as well as in a remote African village 100 years ago, and so on.

I only had a 5 minute drive home, so I only heard a little bit from this preacher. But it got me thinking over the past day - that I like what this guy was saying. I like it because it really seems to make sense if you think about it. But if you go on thinking about it, you'll begin to realize that some of the things we make "biblical" aren't really biblical at all. For instance, today in the Church in America there's alot of talk (or arguing) over worship/worship style/etc. There's also much discussion over things like leadership and church structure, etc. And what happens is that we find a way we "like" it to work - and we make that "biblical" in a sense. I know I do. When in fact, it's more occasional or situational. It doesn't mean what I like isn't good, etc ... It's just that I need to be careful to say MY WAY is the right way/the biblical way. Because when I say that I'm saying your way is not.

"Supra-cultural" - probably not a word I'll add to my vocabulary. But a good word.

Proverbs Series Video

I've had several requests for a link to our "Proverbs ... real direction for real life" video that introduces our 2007 Summer Series at The Quest Church. Click here to view this video.

Extreme Room Makeover

This past weekend my kids were gone with grandparents and my wife and I "made over" our girls' room. I spent the day hanging shelves, putting down a new carpet, and even "stamping" (at least that's what my wife told me it is called) butterflies all over the walls. What suprised me about this whole experience was how excited I was for my little girls to come home and see their new room. I wanted to see and hear their reaction. In a strange, but real way ... it made me realize how much I love them. I didn't want a "thank you" or anything like that from them ... I just wanted them to enjoy their new room.

This has caused me to think about the reasons I "do things" for people. Is it because I really love them in this same way, or is it because I just want to be noticed, thanked, etc. Kind of sobering and humbling to think about really. Causes me to question my motives, etc. If I'm honest, I will have to admit that I often do things to be noticed and praised - not simply to demonstrate love.

It's funny how little things like an "extreme room makeover" can challenge you spiritually.

Coffee

I noticed something about coffee this week. Not about the taste or anything like that ... but about the way it can be a cause for relationship-building and conversation. For example, this week I can think of five great conversations I had with people while drinking coffee. It may seem like a coincidence, but could there be more to it? In the ancient world (during Jesus' time) community and relationship-building almost always centered around the "table" - ie. meals, drink, etc. So maybe it's no coincidence that sitting at a table with a friend or friends drinking coffee (or anything else for that matter) builds community. Maybe that's why "coffeeshops" are doing so well. Maybe it's not just about the coffee, but about the community that exists there. It makes me think that coffeeshops may be doing a better job than churches at creating a sense of community. I don't know. Interesting to think about though ...

PRAYER

Been studying Jesus and prayer this week for a series called "VERTICAL" we're doing at our church, The Quest (www.theQUESTonline.com). In my study I'm amazed at the number of times the Gospel writers talk about Jesus going off to be alone and "pray." I don't know how I missed it before, but it's everywhere! Here is God's Son making SPACE in His own busy and crazy life for time alone with His Father. I feel like my life is busy and crazy, too. I don't know a person who doesn't feel this way. The problem for me is - I don't create this SPACE in my life for the kind of time alone with God (prayer) that Jesus did. Yet I feel that I can somehow survive without it, I guess. I'll don't know what it's going to take for me to "get it." Even as I'm writing this blog, a book just popped in my mind that my wife gave me several years ago - called "Too Busy Not to Pray." Guess what? I haven't read it. Not a page. I guess I'm too busy. I've got to find that book.

I've got to be honest - sometimes I struggle with preaching. The reason - it's too convicting/challenging to my own life. But I guess that's the point. If it doesn't speak to me, it won't speak to anyone else. I'm really dealing with that this week - centering in this issue of prayer. It just won't let go of me.

"God help me create SPACE in my life for You. Amen."

GO

I hate red lights ... unless I'm munching on a burger or something and I need a little extra time to get a bite down. Usually at a red light I'm sitting there saying "Come on, come on, let's GO!!!" You know the feeling, don't you? Just sitting there, waiting, dying for the red light to switch to green?!

We're a "go" kind of culture. Except for one place - the Church. Man, the church has become a "red-light" community. What I mean by that is we're all about just sitting around, waiting, feeding ourselves ... and that's about it. I know that sounds harsh, and I may be overemphasizing it, but I really believe that for the most part it's true. Just ask someone who isn't a part of the Church community what they think. Could be enlightening.

I'm becoming more and more convinced that the light is GREEN and God is calling the Church to GO. By that I mean we're supposed to have a passion and desire to get out into the real world where people live and breathe every day ... and in that world we're supposed to have a hunger to live out the radical message of God's love in such a way that people are drawn to it. I'll be the first to admit this isn't easy, and even though I'm "supposed" to want these things ... sometimes I don't. But even so, I just can't get away from this growing conviction and passion inside of me to do it. To get out. To Go. To live out the message of Christ ... not just inside the walls of a "church" building, but outside the walls.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this? Your experiences?