DOING vs BEING

There is a significant difference between doing something and being somebody. The difference may only be in identity, but that matters.

Do you swim OR are you a swimmer? You may go swimming, but a swimmer IS more.
Do you run OR are you a runner? It's a matter of commitment and accomplishment.
Do you parent OR are you a mom or dad? Not just a behavior but a way a responsibility and identity.
Do you do Christian disciplines OR are you a Jesus-follower? One is legalistic and behavior focused, the later is a way of life, an identity.

We're not just going through the motions. There's no set stuff that we "do" that makes us something or somebody. "Being" is a way of life, a commitment or devotion to something. Being requires more from us, and outlast the actions themselves. We're parents even when our kids are at home with the babysitter. We're runners even when we're not running.

We are Jesus-followers regardless of the setting, posture, or moment. "Being" doesn't require pews, organ music, robes, or even a Bible in-hand. Being a Jesus follower is a way of life.

Don't just do stuff, BE!

Don't Spend Side-ways Energy

I've been reflecting recently on the idea of expending "side-ways energy". Here's a definition first: an investment of time, resources, emotions, and/or spiritual focus on issues or situations that are not productive or expedient. They are typically situations or issues that are contestable but provide little or no effective ministry or relational growth or benefit. They simply create trouble, arguments, or require an unbalanced amount of personal investment compared with the return.

We will give our time, energy, and resources to something. May we see all of these as resources that God has entrusted to us, and now we are stewards of these things. I don't want to waste them in areas that will not produce the greatest, most effective results. How we spend our personal resources must be in line with our spiritual values and seem pleasing to God. However, I realize that we may not all agree on what is an issue that demands side-ways energy. (And debating that would probably require a certain amount of side-ways energy.)

The challenge is to be most intentional about the use of my life and energy so that it's being used on what matters most. Here are some areas that I'm beginning to avoid spending side-ways energy:

• denominational theological issues, i.e. doctrines that separate on church from another that are not part of what we consider to be part of the essential beliefs of the church.
• political banter. While I'm deeply passionate about my political views as well as an ardent patriot. I'm convinced that I can do more good leading people to Jesus and helping them in their journey with God than I can argue political views.
• petty conflict. There are certain things that I think we just have to get over. How cares if the toilet seat is up or down? (ok, that's not even an issue in our home, just an example).
• justifying mistakes. I used to spend time explaining why I did something wrong, even though I knew it was wrong, so that I wouldn't look bad. Then I realized, it's okay to just apologize and say, "I'm sorry" without trying to explain myself. It's so much easier too.
• micromanagement. This isn't one of my deep challenges, but every once and a while, my perfectionist juices kick in and I stick my nose into an area of life or church that is unnecessary. We have great people in leadership who I profoundly trust, and they should be given the freedom to lead, fail, and win big.
• TV/ internet/ games. Laura and I are disciplined about our family time and what we watch on TV. I stink at video games and hardly have time for the internet except for research and an occasional blog or facebook. However, this may be one of the all-time great America side-ways energy suckers. At the end of the show, game, viewing- what do you really have... nothing. This is opinion not gospel. But certainly worth chewing on.
  

I'm sure I could think of more examples, but you get the point.

What are some areas in your life that demand side-ways energy that can be eliminated or avoided? Where can your time and energy be better spent?

Sunday in the Rearview Mirror

Here was Sunday in all it's fun:
5:15 woke up and got 4 sets of clothes, my computer bag, and Bible/ notes ready
5:30 on the road to Snook Park- Hagerstown, MD
6:00 check in for the race, get body markings (not what you think, they just right your number on your arms and legs)
6:45 got ready for race time
7:00 the Hagerstown Sprint Triathlon began
7:08 got handed our team band, jumped on my bike and took off riding
7:41 got a flat tire 3 miles from finishing that leg of the race, and road on a flat the rest of the way. While that slowed me down, I wasn't about to get off and lose more time.
7:51 dismounted and took off running (if you could call that running)
8:15 crossed the finish line after biking 11 miles and running 3.1. Not bad, but could have been better without the flat.
8:50 off to the YMCA to shower and get ready for Lifehouse
9:35 arrived at Lifehouse and got ready to preach
10-11:15 Lifehouse service, preached message in series "Anatomy of God"
11:50 lead an orientation for those who wanted to be baptized in the evening
1-3pm final group session with Spring Life Developments students who are our newest leaders and disciplers at Lifehouse
3-5 BBQ with my Ironheart buddies who race in the Sprint Triathlon as relay teams
5:30 arrived at Lifehouse- Bethel to prep for the baptism service
6-8 enjoyed the connection of 4 churches celebrating together as 1 family. We baptized 4.
9:30 made it to Rich Vieira's house to taunt the Red Sox getting smacked in the mouth by my Yankees, only to watch them lose miserably.
12:30 finally went to bed.

Hard Questions

Many people feel the need to apologize for asking hard questions about Christianity, the Bible, God, the Church, or Lifehouse. But here's the thing, if we stand on TRUTH, questions and scrutiny should never intimidate or scare us.

It's similar to the idea, "only liars need good memories". Only dishonest or deceitful organizations, religions, etc need to be scared of honest questioning and scrutiny. Why do you think cults have "all" the answers to what they believe? They want to appear intelligent, polished, and as though they have it all figured out. If they have an answer to every questions, then there's no reason for you to doubt.

But faith includes a component of doubt and questioning. Unquestioned faith isn't faith at all- it's blind allegiance. I'm confident that the TRUTH of Jesus and the power of the gospel have, are, and will continue to endure all scrutiny, critique, and critical analysis. We have the TRUTH so we don't need to be frightened by the investigation of it.

Invite questions. Ask hard questions. Wonder! Think! Ask, "what if?" God is big enough for our ponderings. Besides, if you/ me can explain everything there is to know about God, maybe we're not following a very big God. I want to believe in a God that I can't entirely explain. I like moments when I'm caught off guard by God, or confused by what He does or amazed by His mystery.

New Sermon Series

You can say you saw it here first. Here's the preview for my next sermon series kicking off this weekend, "the Anatomy of God".



The goal of this series is to challenge Lifehousers on our core beliefs about Jesus. So often the media defines our theology, and I want everyone to be on the same (biblical) page as far as our views on who Jesus was/ is and what He did for us. These aren't just dry theological ideas but deeply impactful truths that guide the way we live everyday.

Growth and leadership

When training for any race, the experts have figured at a pattern that helps you reach peak performance (however, pitiful that "peak" may be, as in my case). This patter includes incrementally training to build endurance and stamina, while also increase speed. As you approach race day, you have days where you simulate race distances. Then, as you near race (about 5 days out), you do one last long day (about 25% more than the race), then start backing off, so that you have one easy day (about a 33% of race distance), and finally a day off.

It's critical in life and leadership, that we make it our mission to grow regularly. Leadership and growth is a process not a destination, and we can't expect to go 0-60. It's a slow life process that is lived out over an extended time. Slowly, we build leadership experience, clarity of vision, credibility in character, fortitude under pressure, skilled communication, and the ability to discern next steps. These come through hard work, determination, perseverance, and prayer.

There is also a necessary season of rest. We can't push hard all the time, 24-7, and expect to "perform" well on "race day". We need to allow for days off, vacation, and lighter seasons at work. If we are diligently growing and pressing, then we are not only justified, but actually need to rest in preparation for growth to higher levels.

By the way, cheer our Ironheart teams on Sunday morning 7am as we do a relay sprint tri at Snook Park in Hagerstown, MD.

Bumper Stickers

Would love to hear your ideas for a new Lifehouse bumper sticker. I think bumper stickers, t-shirts, car wraps, and tattoos (just kidding)- are some of the best organic marketing tools around. So, I want to leverage these simple tools (minus tattooing peoples bodies).

Here are a few of my ideas:

So, these are ones that I think are funny, but I probably should keep to my self and not even post here, but they make me laugh so, here you go:

1. my pastor beat up your honor student.
2. my pastor ran over your pastor.
3. Jesus goes to Lifehouse (only)
4. if you were cool, you'd go to the Lifehouse
5. Mike goes to the Lifehouse (I know, but it'll make people think)
   
6. Lifehouse Church... just because we can.

Can you give me some funny and actual usable ones?

Why I Love Lifehouse

Now that I'm back into the mix of things, and enjoying my busy schedule, I'll take a moment and tell you what I love about Lifehouse:
10. Blue jeans while preaching.
9. cool website and I can even drink coffee on the web.
8. my next door neighbors come to church with me.
7. we're not hypocrites (at least I hope we're not).
6. authenticity and candor.
5. raw Christianity.
4. I actually like everybody at Lifehouse.
3. Even though I'm the pastor, I feel like I can be real and have friends at Lifehouse.
2. Our leadership team may be the best team of any church.
1. Coffee and breakfast every Sunday, even while I preach.
0. Jesus goes to Lifehouse Church East.

So, there you have it. I love Lifehouse Church East unabashedly.

From Vacation and Beyond

My family and I returned from vacation last night, and deeply enjoyed sleeping in our own beds... ahhh! And since I didn't blog anything along the way, here's a quick overview of our 1,700 mile, 10 day (including missing two consecutive Sundays for the first time ever) vacation:

• to Brewster, NY to see Laura's family,
  
• onto Greenwood Lake, NY for 4th of July weekend and BBQs and fireworks on the lake,
• to NYC for church at the Journey which meets at the Manhattan Center right in the shadow of the Empire State Building,
  
• then onto Toys R Us at Time Square where our girls enjoy the largest Barbie house ever,
  
• then into the subway to Battery Park, where we waited forever in line to get on the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, only to get to the front of the line and learn that we can no longer get into to the Statue since it was so late in the day. So, what better thing to do next, but to go get some NY PIZZA...
• on Monday we decided to head back to the City to see the Aquarium and Coney Island,
• golfing Tuesday (shot a 89) then meatballs and pasta at the Costellos,
• then to the beach for two days... ah, I love the beach. I could have easily been a beach bum. I love it, everything about it. But it is challenging getting the girls to bed after 11,
  
• then, back to Brewster for some hang-out time, and chicken marsala,
• and we took a Sunday off at my parents, just relaxed, had a private church time with our family, and even sang a few worship songs (although Bethany is convinced "Twinkle, Twinkle little star" is a worship song.
• and beat rush hour traffic all the way home.

Thanks for your prayers. I have lots more thoughts from our trip, the beach, church at the Journey, and fresh vision for Lifehouse East. But there are more blogs ahead.

Fired up (and watch out 'cause I'm rested up too)

Must-Listen to Music

Just a heads up that Jon and Carrie (our worship pastor) just released a new CD, (here). Great stuff. Some of the music we sing on Sunday mornings is on their CD, so it's definitely not just any CD, but a worship CD. So, what does that mean for you:

• you can buy it, listen to it, and encourage others to check it out.
• we want to promote them as the promote God. If you know of other churches, cafes, or groups that would be interested in bringing them in to train other worship teams or play a worship set, contact them at jnc_lewis@yahoo.com.
  

Here are some links to check out:
Jon and Carrie's home page. On the air, so listen here. And you can purchase here.

Great Weekend

Came into the weekend already exhausted, but somehow doing what I love and being with people that I enjoy sharing life with, is rejuvenating.

After traveling back and forth to Montgomery Co for the viewing and funeral of my good friend Chris Patton, and speaking at his funeral, I then spent 2 days in DC at Unplugged Conference (notes coming soon).

Saturday we celebrated with our new pastoral couple, Joe and Lois, on their 50th wedding anniversary. To hear more about them, look back about 2 posts and watch their youtube video. How cool to have pastors with tons of life and marriage experience coaching and guiding a young pastor and church. How refreshing that they are willing to embrace changing styles without losing the passion for the Truth.

Onto Sunday, I preached my heart out. I give it my all every week, but not every week feels like my best. But for "On the Shoulders of Giants: Courage" I left it all at Lifehouse. Looked at Acts 1:8 and read chapter 3. These disciples of Jesus were transformed from cowering students to courageous leaders.

Our challenge: BE BOLD by relying on God's power and as witness of Jesus. The commitment I asked for: talk with at least ONE person about Jesus and invite someone to Lifehouse next week.

BUSY DAYS

These are busy days for me. Not saying it's good, but the last 3 nights I've been miserable, because I did what I hate doing... coming home and kissing my girls on the check while they're asleep. Getting home between 10-12 each night is not a healthy pattern. But we'll make up for it soon with vacation. The girls are begging to spend time with daddy. So, I really owe it to them to get home early. I also owe it to Lifehouse, since my family's my first ministry, and if their not happy no one's going to be happy.

I'm in DC today finishing up a conference called Unplugged at capital hill. It's a great informal setup for conversational development among church planters. I'll blog more later.

New Tech Stuff Going Live

This is an arena that I think is a giant waste of time, but really do hope somebody reads it and uses it. If not, I'll truly feel as though I wasted a lot of time with little impact. So, help me out- if use facebook, I just set up and account. Go ahead and check it out.

Also, I'm trying to figure out how to add an rss feed chicklet to my posts. And soon, we should have podcasting up live both on my blog and at our website.

Finally, after much work, several of my most recent sermons are now available at our website here.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

I was just doing some reading between my morning swim and our prayer time as a staff, and came across this news story. Here's the brief: Americans are becoming increasingly less exclusive in their views about their own faith and path to heaven. A majority believe that there are many ways to heaven, and that their personal faith doesn't have a handle on heaven, nor the right to suggest that if a person doesn't follow their faith, that they will end up in hell. Alright, just read the article...

Tolerance is very trendy and 21st Century and American. It makes people feel good and doesn't put others in a disparaging light. And therefore, it makes the holder of those views more civilized and sophisticated for not holding to a "narrow", bigoted theology.

However, when I was in college calculus and was asked a question, the goal wasn't to make all my classmates feel good about their varying and opposing answers. I wanted to know the right answer and how that answer was derived. Same in chemistry, in English, in history, in physics, and in just about every academic and life pursuit I've studied.

It is primarily because people don't like the premise of being wrong about something so profoundly life-altering as their personal faith, that they expected others to "lighten up" on their theology, and give them a pass or let them off the hook. I'm not being harsh, just honest.

I'm confident that the Bible doesn't just contain A way, but THE Way to an eternity in heaven. I believer passionately in Jesus and His LOVE for all mankind, that I'm willing to risk offense, my own reputation, and even a little "political correctness" backlash, to communicate as broadly and as relevantly as possible that Jesus is the Answer that ALL people are looking for.

And He is the ONLY way! If you don't like it, that's okay... my classmates didn't like it when they got the answer wrong and I had it write on the final either, only this time there's a lot more at stake. The beauty of this final is we are all willing to share the answers and even show everyone how to come to the same answer.

ON THE SHOULDERS sermon media

how many faces can you find in the clouds?

If you missed yesterday's message at Lifehouse East, to bad for you...

No, it was great. These are the times when I feel like I'm preaching as a third-party. It feels like I'm watching myself preach. The message is so powerful, the content so BIG, that I quickly realize I'm a very small part of this amazing Cause of Jesus. Here's some media stuff and the videos from yesterday. Watch both to see the contrast.

This is good:


Now for the better, more powerful video:

WE ARE ONE VERSE IN THE SONG...

If you can't tell, I'm having a blast preaching this message series "On the Shoulders of Giants". It's amazing to put our life into the broader context of history. It forces me to get my eyes off of myself and onto what I've been given by the heroes/ giants before me and what is expected of me.

It's an incredible challenge to think about your part as a verse in the song of redemption, a chapter in the book of Life, a stanza in the great love poem of God. We're responsible to carry with wisdom a baton that has been handed to us by giants like Abraham (no last name needed), Moses, David, Gideon, Samuel, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Peter, John, James, Paul, JESUS himself, Ignatius, Polycarp, Tertullian, Jerome, Augustine, Martin Luther, Calvin, Tyndale, Wesley brothers, and Billy Graham, just to name a very small few. Who among us will rise up and be counted? Who will we pass the baton to? How well will we have apprenticed them and model for them what it means to be a Christ-follower?

A side note: every time a start preparing for a sermon series, which is usually a few months in advance, I think that I'll never come up with something more creative or as powerful as the one I'm in at the moment. So, I'm constantly amazed by the reality that God is the other of creativity, and He is omni-creative. Never runs out of ideas and always offers us new insight to present the same powerful message of God's love in new, fresh, and powerful ways.

POLITICAL OPINING

Here's my thoughts from Memorial Day weekend, and I shared this on Sunday morning...

I have been careful to keep my political opinions to myself and my personal views personal. But NOW, for this weekend only, I'm putting it all out there, my thoughts, allegiances, and voting patterns.

I AM...


an American. That's right! First and foremost, I am an America. Not a Republican or Democrat, not voting for one party or another. I'm an ardent patriot, and passionately believe in the United States of America. I believer that we live in the greatest nation in the world. I believe in protecting the freedoms of our nation and her citizens. This nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values based on the Bible and heralded by God-fearing Jesus-followers. When studying American history, I am amazed by the deep Christian roots of America. And so, I love America.

It is always appropriate to honor those who have served our great nation and say THANK YOU! Thank you to ALL who have served to protect freedom both in the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement. THANK YOU!

DO CHURCH-GOERS ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THEIR PASTORS?

I'm a little annoyed (ok, more than slightly annoyed) by the premise in the news that people can attend a church for a long period of time, completely disagree with their pastor's teaching and ideology, and not be impacting in any way by his messages.

Why do I say this? Thanks for asking. Allow me to explain so that I can make the point.

It's old news, and that's why I've waited this long to say anything. My comments are not political in nature. But, if you've been listening to the news about Barak Obama's pastor, Jeremiah Wright, you'd know what I mean and why I'm ticked. Here's the thing: Obama and his family sat under Mr. Wright's pastoral teaching and leadership for 20+years. His rhetoric, vitriol, and hate-centered talk have made the headlines recently. I actually listened to one of his sermons nearly in its entirety, and it was disturbing.

And I don't care about your political bent, we are after-all one America, one nation under God. But no matter your tradition, this kind of speech is wrong, contrary to Scripture, and a horrific, if not entirely sac-religious interpretation of the Bible. And this isn't even the point of my blog...

And what is Obama's out? How did he get away with attending and sitting under this kind of hate-filled preaching?

He said things like:
-I wasn't there that day.
-I never heard him say that stuff
-He's my pastor but his teachings have no impact on my personal beliefs and values
-yea, he's a little out there, but I don't really get effected by anything he says
-yes, he did our wedding, dedicated our children, and I've attended regularly for 20 years, but I don't think anything like him and actually disagree with most of what he says

Those aren't exact quotes, but down-right close.

WHAT'S MY POINT?

If anyone who sits under my leadership, teaching, and preaching regular is as equally un-impacted, un-transformed, un-challenged and un-changed by your experience at church and under my leadership. You need a new church. I'm not doing my job. I've failed. If anyone says that about the ministry of Lifehouse East, even after only 2 years, I'd be devastated.

I hope that people are so changed, transformed and impacted by their experience at Lifehouse East, my teaching, and God's love that they are dramatically different. That your thinking, living, and values have so changed that it's undeniable.

May it be OBVIOUS to everyone around you and may it be provable in the court of Law that we are JESUS-FOLLOWERS. By the way, I'm a die-hard Lifehousers. And I'll stand behind our teachings, experience, and family!

RECENT NEWS

We're on the news... maybe you saw the story last night on NBC 25 or at Hagerstown Magazine.

I'm also doing an interview with WGTS 91.9 this afternoon to tell the Lifehouse and give project story. These news stories and interviews always make me nervous, because I want to present the message of Jesus and say all the right things. And when I'm done, it never came out quite right.

We have gotten emails of people who read or heard our story and felt challenged. People all over the US are giving and helping others. Let's keep following Jesus!

SUNDAY in the REARVIEW MIRROR

What a blast!

Enjoyed the excitement of leaders, volunteers, and the response from all who invited over 50 first-time guests out to Lifehouse Church East yesterday. I thought everything from the cafe to the rocking opening song to the atmosphere was incredible. Okay, we'll have to overlook the extra 2 seconds on the video clip and the references to other religions, but... hopefully all there (about 300) will extend grace. We had 6 people commit their lives to following Jesus! Wow!

And I spent the afternoon with my family at a neighbors house hanging out with some of my other neighbors who came out to church. Now, to all who did similarly- YOU ROCK! Way to BE THE CHURCH!