New Book

Looking forward to reading Wild Goose Chase, by Mark Batterson. I'm waiting for my copy to arrive pre-release, and I'll post a review here for you. In the meantime, here's some info on the book:

Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect.

“Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something...

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” -from the introduction.

More about the Author:
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com). He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.

You can order a copy here (and no, I'm not getting any royalties. Just wan to encourage people to live the adventurous life as well).

Olympic Mind-set

Awesome to watch the Olympics, especially when we get to see the best in history. Mike Phelps crushing world records and winning gold medals in droves. Wow!

I also watched a documentary on how the Chinese build their Olympic team. Since their Communist, they tell the people what to do. So, if they find a family that is athletic and decide that their 3-yr will be a great athlete one day, then they kindly drag the kid from the parents and off to the gym. They groom them into world-caliber athletes and then put the best on their Olympic team. Great to be an American! We do it just a little different, but have unbelievable success. Parents and children here volunteer to train rigorously for years to obtain greatness. From a young age, parents are taking their kids to intense training, home schooling them to keep them in athletics as much as possible, and forking out $10,000s, if not $100,000s. The young athletes train about 8 hrs daily for years. They have a focused-intensity on only achieving greatness in their sport.

I wonder what would happen if we would put that kind of intense focus and discipline into
our relationship with God and giving our all to Him. What if we devoted ourselves to following Jesus the way these Olympians have to a sport? What if we gave our kids and all new believers in our churches the same kind of focused support and backing to grow spiritual as these parents have? We would probably develop an "Olympic-class" of Jesus-followers.

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Hebrews 12:1-4.

How can we step up our own intensity in following Jesus?

What holds us back from being as intense about Jesus as these Olympians are about sports?

Can We Make God Smile?

I don't feel that spiritual. I mean like all those really spiritual people. The ones that make me feel inadequate, not good enough. What's worse? I don't really feel that bad about it.

I'm learning to define my spirituality, less by what others think, and the measurements of the religious world, and more by how often I'm making God "smile". I have this thought that worship is simply anything we do that causes God to look in at our life and smile. So, I ask myself, "What do I do everyday that makes God smile?" It has begun to change my outlook on spirituality.

Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Luke 12:30)

How does that impact ordinary spirituality? We can worship God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Have you ever thought that by simply using your mind in creative, intelligent ways you can express your love to God? Or by using your strength and physical abilities, God is smiling down on you?

Eric Liddell is quoted in Chariots of Fire as saying, "I believe that God made me for a purpose... but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel HIS pleasure." Maybe we can be spiritual while running, swimming, thinking, reading, painting, studying, climbing, writing, feeling, dreaming, or doing anything that brings a smile to God's face. Maybe it's un-spiritual to waste what's in our heart, soul, mind, and strength to bring God fame.

How can you use your passions, gifts, strength to bring a smile to God's face?

How NOT to Burn Out

I shared this simple devotion with our staff yesterday:

Remember the story of Moses and the burning bush. Moses was attracted up the mountain to see a bush that burned but wasn't consumed. When he got close, God spoke to Him, and warned him to take off his sandals because the place where he stood was holy ground.

What's my point:

• Others are drawn to people who burn, are passionate, full of life.
  
• In order to not be consumed, the source of the flame must always be God.
• The moment the we (or the bush) become the source, we're consumed.
  
• The only way to keep God as the source of our "fire" is to keep God as the center and the fuel of our life.
• We are only the conduit of God's presence and "fire". It's not about us but God.
• Maintain a constant relationship and daily time with God to keep your "fire" hot.

Just a thought?

What do you do to keep your fire hot?

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!

My Greatest Leadership Challenge:

I recently posted this on another blog where the author asked what pastors' greatest leadership challenges were:

Balancing the biggest priorities! Allow me to explain:

I love being a husband, father, church planter, and leader. Most of the time, I'm red-hot passionate, even in dealing with tough stuff. My on-going greatest challenges is balancing my passions for family, ministry, and leadership. To me it's not "work" planting, leading, and pastoring our church. I love what I do (and that's not because we haven't been through tough stuff).

I believe firmly the core value communicated well by Martin Luther, "pray like everything depends on God work like everything depends on you". But type A, entrepreneurs will finish praying and keep on working.

I'm learning to balance putting down what I'm passionate about and what I'm called to and prioritize my marriage and family.

• What are yours?
  

It's Scary When...

The worst thing possible for me is to be stuck in a rut or consumed with details and administrative responsibilities. It stifles my passion and fire. And as you know, I want to stay fired up, focused on God's purposes for my life and at Lifehouse Church East.

Recently, when reviewing my weekly schedule with our administrator, I noticed that I'm actually in control of my weeks... wow! I can plan meetings, schedule sermon prep and event prep and set aside time to plan, read, pray, meet with lots of leaders, organize ministries, or even meet with other pastors. My schedule and the urgent aren't driving me.

And that's when it gets scary. Oh, not for me... but for everyone else on our team. Why you ask? Because the more time I have to think, pray, plan, study, and lead leaders, the more passionate I get, the more our vision grows for Lifehouse East, the more I'm convinced that we've only just begun, and the more I know that we've only seen the tip-of-the-iceberg of God's favor working through us to impact this city.

Let's change the world. Not just make a difference, but make it different. That's what I'm praying and planning for. I've got red-hot vision and passion running through me. And I don't want to just spew it all over this blog. So, little by little you'll be hearing of the ways we are going to continue to organize and strategize to impact this city, region, and world for Christ.

FRIEND DAY promo...

Here's our video promo for Friend Day. This is crazy, fun, and incredibly biblical. Don't know why we didn't think of it sooner, but tons of kudos to Melody, our administrator for the idea (heaven will be populated differenlty because of this event and because Lifehousers will "be the Church").

Check it out:



Here's the plan:

• on May 4th we're asking that all Lifehousers invite 4 people/ families to church
• then out to lunch- whether over for a BBQ or to a restaurant.
  
• Hang out with them, build relationships. That's it.
  

HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?

Often I will challenge people with a what seems like a brash statement, "I think you have a wimpy God!" or the question, "How big is the God YOU believe in?" Why? I don't think Christians have a very magnified view of God. We do the God-of-All-Creation a serious disservice. Now, before I vent too much, please forgive me too... I'm in the same boat. There are many times when my view of God is pitifully small.

Maybe if we believed what we say we believed about God, we would pray bigger prayers, take impossible risk-steps of faith, sacrifice anything, dream anything, and actually follow his plan.

Do you need a glimpse into God's vastness? Here's something I shared in a sermon recently from Isaiah 40, and couldn't tell you where I borrowed it from:

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand: He can hold the oceans of the earth in the smallest part of his palm. That’s a few drops of water 841 miles in diameter.

or with the span of his hand marked off the heavens? He measures the universe with His hand, meaning from tip of His pinky-finger to the tip of his thumb. Imagine this- just what you can see with your naked-eye off the horizon is 28 billion light years wide. Light travels 186,000 miles per second. Light takes 8.5 minutes to go 96 million miles from the Sun to Earth. And travels about 6 trillion miles per year. That means that God’s hand is at least 28 billion x 6 trillion miles wide.

Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?

Can you compare God to anything? Can you compare him to an image of anything?

Who created all these stars? … The Lord is the God who lives forever, who created all the world.

He does not become tired or need to rest.

So, let me ask YOU: HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?

I'll be kicking off a new sermon series this week called, "Magnum Opus Dei" meaning "the great work of God". Excited and can't wait to preach it and lead our church in discovering that they are and their life is the masterpiece of God. God has placed Destiny into our very DNA. As we live according to God's plan, our life is becoming a significant part of His Magnum Opus.

I hope each of us have open hearts and mind to follow God's design for our life.

Here's the design we had created to go along with the series.

Being Proactive

As a kid I used to hope for the best and then not plan at all, counting on the fact that what I hoped would happen actually would happen. You know, so some kid was mean to me, I hope he would just go away. Or I needed to write a paper, get some chores done, and study for a test- I just hoped school would get canceled. You see what I mean.

What I'm learning is to be proactive, plan ahead, pray for and hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. We are responsible to do all that is humanly possible, then leave the impossible up to God. Many people suffer from doing only part of what's possible and then expect God to come through- not only on what's impossible, but also what's possible.

Here are some areas to consider becoming more proactive in (and I'm listing them because I feel like I'm being proactive in these areas as an example, and the one's I'm not doing, I didn't list:)

• Taxes (for those who are panicking, waiting in long lines, my apologizes), but Laura and I try to file our taxes as soon as all the necessary paperwork arrives. Ok, seems impossible, you can do it.
• Savings and retirement: the Bible teaches that a righteous man leaves and inheritance to his children's children. We should plan ahead, save, and invest for retirement. Don't hope that money will be there to live on, plan for it and save.
• Life insurance and wills: Laura and I just got this one taken care of, and it was scary. We sat down and had a will, living will, and all that done. I hated answering some of the questions, but it's necessary. I hope that if you read this, and you haven't set up a will, living will, etc that you'll do it very soon. I actually have this thought that if I've prepared and got everything in order, I'll never need it.
• Conflict resolution: NO! the tension won't just go away, we've got to talk about it, look people in the eye and deal with issues. Go out of your way to make things right with others, and take personal responsibility for the tension. Give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Make the phone call. Go visit them. It will pay off!

again, be proactive. Things won't just take care of themselves!

FRIEND DAY- MAY 4
Here's the plan:

We're asking everyone at Lifehouse to invite 4 friends, families, co-workers, neighbors, who-ever, who don't currently go to church TO Lifehouse on Sunday, May 4. AND invite them to lunch, either at their home or out to eat. That's it!!

It's so brilliantly simple, and biblical! Here's the thing, we're challenging Lifehousers not to make a big deal about the meal. Don't stay up Saturday cleaning the whole house or cooking for hours. Just invite people over and hang out. You can even ask people to bring something. Matter of fact, I'd HIGHLY recommend asking those you invite to bring something, they're significantly more likely to come over.

All right, so start connecting and inviting friends. I'm busy inviting my neighbors and friends.

Spring Cleaning

One of the great things about living in a townhouse is that it takes about two days a year to landscape and keep my property looking good. So, the other day I bought and laid mulch, trimmed my bushes, and cleaned up my lawn. Oh... in about 4 hours. It's called "spring cleaning" to most people.

I'm doing some other spring cleaning. It's my time to evaluate my health, get more consistent in my diet, my work-out regimen, get back outside where I love to pray, make time for personal solitude and fasting, and spend more time with Laura and my girls outside enjoying the fresh air.

It's also time for connecting with neighbors and the community. I'm really excited about our upcoming FRIEND DAY on May 4 at 10am. I think our plan is both BIBLICAL and BRILLIANT. I blog that next.

CONFESSION TIME

First, I have this really annoying habit of buying lots of books, reading 1 or 2 chapters, then piling them on top of each other, and going on to another book. So, I have about 10 half read books on my desk. Eventually, I'll finish the ones I like or feel are valuable. But the challenge, if they don't grab me, I don't bother...

Yesterday, I cracked open one that's been waiting to be read, The Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley. Laura was out with some ladies and the girls were in bed, so, with some alone time, I sat down to read. Right off the bat- wow!

Now, for my confession. I love the quote and have made it a core value at Lifehouse Church: Pray like everything depends on God, work like everything depends on you (Martin Luther). My tendency is to pray, then work, and if that's not enough, I'll work harder and harder. So, I'll put in too many hours.

I know that I must train leaders, give away ministry responsibilities, and I'm doing that to the best of my ability. However, while reading the first chapter, Stanley challenges the reader to evaluate what 2 or 3 things you are good at and are passionate about doing and do that. Give everything else away to others!

I thought I'd already done this, but it's time to re-evaluate. My new mission is to evaluate better what I'm currently doing, narrow down my scope of ministry to only a few things, then develop other leaders to do what they love doing and trust them with ministry.

Here's my list of things I'm passionate about and will focus my energy on at Lifehouse:

1. Preaching- to relevantly and creatively communicate the Truth of the Bible,
2. Vision casting- to lead Lifehouse in toward our God-given Cause and to inspire as many people as possible to join us in fulfilling this cause,
   
3. Leadership development- to raise up new leaders as pastors, ministry leaders, and influencers; also, to develop new church planter.

Stanley states that if leaders will do what they're best at, we will be most effective and the whole church will grow and be significantly more impactful.

So, here's what we need:

• pastor or leader of pastoral care- counseling, pre-marriage counseling, visitation, hospital visits, personal mentoring, etc.
• administrative assistant/ book-keeper.
  

Valentine's Day

I get the quite the privileged Valentine's Day (actually we're going out on Friday)- take several ladies out for Valentine's and come home with all of them. Laura and I have decided that Valentine's is a great opportunity to model love to our girls. So, I ask each one of them if they'll be my date and my Valentine, then we all go out to the Olive Garden. Looking forward to wearing my tie this evening. I wasn't even sure if I had one left... ha!


This is also an opportunity to honor my bride. Here's what I think of Laura:

After 15 Valentine's Days, we actually have perspective of life to look back on, and here's what I've learned about Laura. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for her.

She's believed in God and me against impossible odds and without actually seeing the dreams herself. That takes great faith. It's one thing when God speaks to YOU, to believe and follow. It's another thing altogether, for God to lead your husband and you still believe and follow.

I wouldn't be the person, the leader, the pastor, the husband or the father I am without my wife. She's offered strength when I wanted to give up, hope when I despaired, perspective when I had tunnel vision, laughter when I was to serious, wisdom when I was blind, tenderness when I was hurting, and a model of gentle power.

Oh, some people meet Laura and think that she's quiet and mild-natured. That's true... partially. Laura is very strong, capable, and full of will-power. She doesn't give up easily and rarely is shaken. It takes a very strong woman to temper my passionate approach to life.

Thank you Laura for being my bride, wife, best friend, and partner in life and the adventures of ministry!!

A Full Week

Normally when I say something about having a full week, I'm talking about doing what I love in ministry for about... ah, say... 60 or so hours. Sometimes I wonder if I can actually call pastoring, especially leading Lifehouse Church, work. I mean, I love it and am having fun most of the time. It's a pretty cool thing when you can work passionately doing what you love and were created to do.

But... that's not the point of this entry.

So, this week (Tues the 12th) included Laura's (30th- don't tell her I told you) birthday. We had a blast, and I was able to surprises her by getting the house in order, making a full 4-course meal with a gourmet salad, hours de vours, Chicken Marsala, and cake. We had candles, flowers, all kinds of pretty stuff like a thing called a "runner" that has tassels on it that goes in the middle of the table... So, when Laura arrived home with our girls- SURPRISE! It was great. Laura loves enjoying time with me and the girls, and they enjoyed the "posh" dinner together. I even let them stay up late (as in 'til 7:30) so they could eat ice cream cake with mommy.

Next on the docket... Valentine's Day. It's a lot of pressure for the average guy who's dating or married anyway. Add to that the growing expectations of my daughters, and wow! I feel an unbelievable burden to be romantic, creative, and both the knight in shining armor and the sweep-you-off-your-feet-so-no-boys-will-ever-impress-you dad. Two nights ago, Carissa asked me if I'll wear a tie when I take them all out to the Olive Garden to celebrate. Now that takes love and devotion... I mean me and a tie. That's like water and oil. So, of course, in my leadership/ pastoral voice I said, "of course, Sweetheart. Would you like me to wear suspenders and a sport coat as well."

An Afternoon with Rick Warren

I had the privilege of going down to Capitol Hill, DC yesterday to sit in a pastor's forum to listen to Rick Warren speak. He pastors Saddleback Church and authored Purpose Driven Life.

I'll be honest, I initial was hesitate to expect too much from him, you know, not believing all the press and hype. Then, I learned while listening to him, there's a reason he's gained the influence he has. God has entrusted him because he's faithful and has a great heart for people. He doesn't take himself all that seriously, and even stated, "see, I'm not that much to look at... but neither are you. That's right, God uses humans!"

I took four pages of notes, most I'll share with my leaders. So, here are a few nuggets:

• never confuse significance with prominence- our nose may be prominent, but our heart is significant,
• how would history be different if we said "no" when God asked us to obey?
  
• focus on growing people, not building churches,
  
• there are seasons to life, learn to respond appropriately during the seasons of life,
• spiritual growth doesn't happen by accident. We grow through commitment, not before commitment- we commit to something, then grow up,
• humility isn't denying our strengths; it's being honest about our weaknesses,
• "A rising tide raises all the boats in the harbor"- when we grow, we bring others with us.

Good stuff. It's great when, as a pastor, you get pastored. Yesterday afternoon, a group of us pastors got pastored by Rick Warren. That was refreshing!

It may feel like old news to some, but we just want to let you know what God is doing through “The Give Project” at Lifehouse Church. Since you’ve already been getting the news stories, I won’t give you all the links, but here’s the latest one from Monday on ABC 7 (DC). If you’d like to read more, especially our site and the stories of how Lifehousers are helping others, go to www.thelifehouse.org/thegiveproject. I'm trying to use my blog to answer some of the "why" questions about this project.

We believe that God is using this as a “drop to tip the bucket of giving, generosity, and selflessness” in our church, community, and maybe across the region.

IS THIS EFFECTIVENESS?

Since launching "The Give Project" this past Sunday by giving away $6,000 to everyone that was at Lifehouse Church, there has begun a buzz...

Here are two news stories- local NBC 25 and FOX 5 DC. Our local newspaper's reporting as well.

Now, 99% of the people at Lifehouse are out in our community serving and helping and sharing God's love by using money that was given to them for that purpose.

But don't think that we/ I consider this effectiveness. Is it cool? Yea. Neat to see how God has used this to spread His News and message of hope? Yep. But effective? NO!

Why?

Remember, I preached about "All for One" and how we are challenged biblically to "give to the One Cause" of sharing God's love with others.

So, news coverage is cool. Excitement among Lifehousers is electric. But the measure of effectiveness will be when...
-people start giving their own money to help others,
-we start looking for ways to meet needs every day,
-we start noticing the hurting, broken, needy, and lonely,
-others who hear the story begin giving and living selflessly,
-we begin to help others without the gift from the Church,
-when the entire world's perspective of the Church CHANGES,
-when they believe that we want to help more than we want to fill the church coffers,
-when the message of Jesus is relevantly modeled and preached to everyone,

YES, THAT WILL BE EFFECTIVENESS!

Until then, may this be a drop that tips this bucket of love, giving, and selfless living.

THE SNOWBALL IS ROLLING AND GROWING...

you must know that our only intention for www.thelifehouse.org/thegiveproject was to help needy people in our community by empowering Lifehouse Church people with resource.

Already, people are being impacted and needy people are being helped and encouraged. Imagine the people of the Church rallying around sharing God's love through helping and serving others. We can change the world through a revolution of love and kindness.

And now the ball is rolling...

word is spreading and people are joining the cause of giving and living selflessly.

We can join together in this by abandoning our selfish ambitions, serving others (with money, time, kind words, whatever), looking for needs and meeting them, as well as giving to the one organism that God established to spread the message of His love and hope to the world- THE CHURCH. Not the greedy organization we so often despise, but the missional gathering of people who believe that they are ambassadors of hope to our community and needy world.

CHURCH IN A THEATER here we come...

We've moved to Hagerstown 10 Cinema. We love it. This past Sunday was our first at our new location, and it felt like HOME. It seemed like we'd been there for years. It's great when you can leverage your location rather than feeling like you have to hide it (such as at the school- no one wants to go back to school). We had a great service, and I genuinely believe that lives are being changed by God through Lifehouse.

I felt like I was watching myself preach on Sunday, you know, like third person. It was one of those moments that felt "once-in-a-lifetime". Here's the premise, church for too often has felt like one of the greediest places on earth, but biblically, it should be the most generous, serving, and loving place in all the world.

So, I preached about how in the Book of Acts, Jesus-followers willing gave to and care for each other and the growing Church (Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-35). We need to be willing to GIVE to the ONE CAUSE. What's the one cause? Sharing God's Love with the whole world. It's really that simple. And the Church is the organism God created to fulfill that cause.

Then, the clincher...

We're putting our money where our mouth is...

We ask people to give (tithes and offerings) out of their need. Saying, "we can't afford not to give" AND "we can't out-give God". So, my thought, "let's try as hard as we can to out-give Him and prove that it's not possible."

So, we've given the Church (that is the people) the funds to serve the community. What? Yea, we gave an envelope to every person that was their on Sunday (from 6yrs old and up) that had anywhere from $5 to $100 and one person got $1000. The gifts totaled $6,000. I believe that we, as people, are the church, and I also believe, that God is us is the HOPE of the world. We carry the love of God to all. So what?

The mission...

Everyone was challenged not to keep the money, but to use it to personally help someone one in our community with their needs.

Who needs what God can do with people who are willing to give and serve others.

Oh, and this wasn't tithe money others gave. Laura and I personally gave it.

We're Moving!

Would love to hear feedback on how you think our move is going.

We’ve grown out of Eastern Elementary School.

We’ve been using every adult chair available at the school and were bringing in more from our mother and network church (Lifehouse- Bethel). And we were praying about what our next step was- move or go to 2 service.

In prayer, we felt led to pursue moving to a theater about 4 miles north of our current location. The same week we began the process, it became apparent that we wouldn't be able to stay at the school. I know this was a God-thing!

“WE’RE MOVING to a theater near you” is our new marketing message. Yep, God has opened a door for us to lease a huge theater, with about 3x the space, for the same cost as we’ve been paying the school ($450/ wk). Wow again! We’ll be using a 500-seat theater for our main service, and they’re allowing us to install lighting, sound equipment in a booth, a stage, and store everything on site. That means a lot when you’ve been portable for almost 2 ½ years+. We’ll also be using a large café area for serving breakfast and meals. We’ll have a theater for our KidzRock class (1st-5th grade), and set up 3 other kid’s classes. Our team has been awesome getting everything ready.

We’ve upgrade lots of equipment and marketing: we’ve just bought a new projector (to shoot 150 ft), and other gear that we badly need for this new venue. We’ve also been blessed by another church who is lending us a professional stage.

This all will cut our set up time down to about 45 min. That’s great!

Just thought I give everyone out in the blogosphere a heads-up and I'll wait for feedback.

Risk-taking

I believe faith is well placed in the God of all Creation, who loved us enough to become one of us. However, faith steps don't always feel like faith, sometimes they're scary. In business, we'd call them risks. Daring, bold moves that could end badly, but are necessary to advance the organization. The difference for us, we take risks based on our confidence that God is faithful.

Since I'm in the middle of leading Lifehouse through some exciting but "risky" faith-steps, thought I'd encourage you with this quote:

Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

WELCOME TO 2008

I'm excited to be in a new year. '07 was great, but I love starting fresh, and invigorated for the "new". And this year is already certainly full of lots of "new". So, buckle up and hang on, this is going to be one heck of a ride.

By the way, enjoyed my families transition into the New Year. We even stayed up late and watched a movie until about 2:30 in the morning. But I think this may be my last. When our girls woke me up at 6am, I was regretting the late night movie. Oh well...

Now on to our 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer. I'll be doing my best to regularly post prayer needs, testimonies, and devotions for this season at Lifehouse. We've started out the last few years with 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. It's NOT some religious thing we do. I genuinely believe it's one of the most powerful, meaningful, and life-transforming disciplines and challenges we have here at Lifehouse. Basically, we pray, seek God, and give up desired appetites for 21 days, and you've never seen anything impact a person, family, church, community as much as this. I dare you to try it. By the way, we invite everyone to join in fasting. You can do a "liquids only" fast, or give up meats and sweets, or just give up a particular thing that you're really consumed by, i.e. TV, video games, recreational internet, whatever. Then, every time you feel the urge/ appetite to consume that (whatever it is), just let that push you toward prayer and reading the Bible. Enjoy...

A First

I'm posting this from my cell phone. That's right... after not getting to post for more than 6 weeks, I've found the answer. A phone that I can use to also edit my blog, answer my emails, log my calendar, etc. Thanks for welcoming me to the 21st Century. I also used a webcam for the first time ever today to talk to my brother in Eurasia. Wow.

Hope it's worth it to all who read.

BTW, Laura and I will be returning from our white Christmas in NY soon. We've enjoyed our time up here.

LIGHT WEEK

Not bright, cheery, sunny...

As some know, I have continued training, after my first triathlon, for future races. While I won't race again until Spring '08, it requires this much time to get ready, especially for the BIG, CRAZY goals I set for myself.

However, this week is my light week. Basically, training is 3 steps forward, 2 steps back. The regimen is designed scientifically to allow your body to build both endurance and allow time to rest and rebuild to prevent muscle and tissue damage.

Imagine that! Our bodies can't go at 110 mph non-stop for days, weeks, months, like so many of us believe. So, while I'm still training at about 80% of what I did last week, my body appreciates the slow down and is in rebuild mode.

Have you ever thought that the best thing for you, your mind, spirit, family, business, whatever... was a light week. You know, 2 steps back from the hectic pace you've been keeping. Look at it like you've been going through life at break-neck speed and know it's time for a re-building season. So, take some time to slow down, pray, meditate, ask some "why" questions, take a walk, eat dinner as a family for several nights in a row, do a family devotion, take some time one evening for solitude and personal reflection. Better yet, stop trying to do anything, turn off the TV, and just go to bed early this week.

Don't worry, there's always next week, when we'll be amping back up by 10% increments, then this time next month, it's another LIGHT WEEK. Maybe that's why God established that whole once-a-week Sabbath thing. We need REST!

Did you know...

Quiet time, devotions, prayer time... whatever you want to call it, is not a religious formula.

Your time alone with God should be as unique as your fingertips. You may incorporate the same elements as I do- prayer, meditation, Bible reading, and personal solitude. But that's really where the similarities end.

Much like a romantic relationship, there are elements that everyone of us enjoy in romance. But how we interact with the one we love is very unique. Each couple has a special love language and enjoy very different experiences than others. View time with God the same way!

Maybe you prefer to walk outside in the wood (like I do). You feel most connected with God out in nature.

OR you get excited reading books (any book), and can see God in everything you read.

OR when you are serving or giving, that's the highlight of your experience with God. God speaks to you most when you're giving to others.

OR you feel strengthened and encouraged when you pray and talk about God with someone else. It's not that you can't pray alone, you just feel more deeply connected to God when you're journeying together with someone else.

I could go on. The point, whatever pathways fit your personality best, veer into that sacred pathway more often so that you are connecting with God in your personal and unique way.

Too busy to pray?

Yesterday in life group, the topic of being busy and hurried and working non-stop in the 24-7, rat-race of life...

who has time to set aside time to pray, read the Bible, and do all the things we're supposed to do as Jesus-followers.

Ever felt that way? You have the spiritual obligations that must be fulfilled, a card that must be punched?

Allow me some candor with a hint of challenge.

It's tough for me too. I don't find it easy to pray. To focus my attention on God while I know that there are a pile of other things I'm supposed to be doing.

But here's the challenge: we NEED to stop and give some quiet time to God. This isn't a luxury for the "non-busy" among us, but a necessity for the ADHD, adreline-filled, no-time-to-slow-down-and-take-a-potty-breakers among us. We absolutely need our time with God- time to devote our life to him. Time to express our love to him. Time to get refueled. Time to get our priorities in order. Time to glean wisdom from the author of all wisdom. Time to ask the Creator what the purpose of the creature is all about. Time to be reminded of who we are and why we're here.

It's not easy but it's vital. Go too long without and we'll begin to feel depleted and emaciated. Go even longer and we become spiritually destitute.

So, pause, take a moment and quiet your heart before God. Trust me, we all need it.

Who's Our Primary Teacher?

Here's what I've learned at the gym recently while listening in on a variety of conversations:

• Ohio St will sweep through the Big Ten and win the BCS.
• The health care crisis in America is unsolvable. Why? We are a capitalist society, therefore, health care is a money-making industry AND people do not take personal responsibility for their health BUT expect every resource that money-making business can discover/ create/ produce. THEREFORE, what people want is more than what they can have. Politicians say this is unfair. No, it's reality.
  
• Steelers will beat the Pats in the playoffs.
• Steelers won't even make the playoffs.
• the Redskins will upset the Pats this weekend.

Since I'm concluding "Let's Talk" series this weekend, I've talk openly about how, for most, the primary educational tool and influencer, is the media, i.e. TV, movies, print material, etc.

Maybe I'm just cynical. Maybe I have reason to be cynical. How do I know what is true and what is manipulation or laced with an agenda. I suspect most carries at least an undertone of agenda.

So, who's my primary teacher or source for education on the plethora of topics that confront me in life on a daily basis? Great question!

My first and primary resource for TRUTH is the Bible. I consult it regarding any and all topics. I want to discover God's principles, laws, and standards regarding everything that I deal with in life.

I'm not suggesting that every answer to every question in life is there. But it's certainly got the answers I need, and points me in the right direction. It keeps me grounded in truth. It centers me on what's most important. It keeps me ask the RIGHT questions. God's Word guides me into ALL truth.

So, just as a thought, before calling, asking, consulting, or tuning into any other source for information or guidance, make sure your life is founded on the TRUTH of God's Word and your reading and applying the principles of the Bible.

Weekend in the Rear View Mirror

Wow! What a weekend.

Saturday kicked off with the Community Harvest Festival. Kudos to all who worked so hard to pull off the event. I'm convinced it was second-to-none. The games, candy, inflatable bounce games, pony rides, great band, FREE food and kids stuff, and the dunking. Oh, the dunking. Seemed like everyone was hitting their target when I was sitting in there. All for a great cause- CASA. I think we raised about $300. That's a lot of dunks.

Hope ya'll had a blast. It was exciting to see the cars lining Yale Rd since the parking lot was full. That's great! Our guestimates put us at over 500 guests. Hope our community knows that we're here to serve and love!

Then... it was waking up and off to Sunday morning LifeHouse. The plus was that all our stuff was nearly set-up. What a boost!

Wrapping up this "Let's Talk" campaign. Hope everyone is growing through this series. It's important and tough to talk, not only about sex, but also about overcoming the challenges and guilt from bad decision and abuse from the past.

GIVE WHAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN!

So far we've raised over $800 toward the abstinence education program of Washington County.

Conflict is an Opportunity for Growth

This could be considered one of my personal core beliefs. Anytime there's tension in a relationship, we have a these options:

• if the issue isn't a big deal, let it go: people, even people we don't know well, are more important than petty issues.
  
• if the issue is a big deal, be proactive: that means dealing with the tension as soon as you notice it.

How does this work in real life? Basically, the moment I notice that their is tension in a my relationship between anyone, I go to them and talk about it. Here are some thoughts and what that looks like:

• give others the benefit of the doubt. Even when I think the tension or problem has developed because of the other person, I'll say something like, "I have felt some tension between us, have you been feeling the same thing?... What do you think is causing it?"
• deal with it quickly, don't let busyness delay you.
  
• deal with it in person: either over the phone or face-to-face, preferably the later. Never using email or texting or IMing.
• don't place blame, take personal responsibility for feelings: "I feel angry when you laugh at me every time I talk about my job."
• relationships are more important than winning a fight: be willing to meet in common ground and make an effort to see the situation through the others eyes.
• if resolution can't be found, set parameters to continue working on the issue.

Growth comes from working on difficult issues together. As we deal with conflict in relationships, we build trust and respect, as well as discover that we are not all that different from others. Plus, we learn a lot from working through these challenges together. We especially learn about ourselves- our strengths and weaknesses.

Let's Talk...

We're already talking about it anyway, why not hear what God has to say? Right? We've kicked off this new campaign called "Let's Talk Sex" during the month of October. It's in partnership with Washington County's coalition on teen pregnancy, addressing the need to communicate more openly and effectively with parents and teens about sex.

Check out our NEW website at www.letstalkmonth.com.

The idea: we should be talking in church about the things that everyone is talking about outside of church, and offering the God- biblical- perspective. Since nearly everyone wants to know about and needs to know about what God has to say on the topic, this is incredibly relevant and practical in our everyday lives.

Feel free to post your questions and comments.

You know what's great about our kids? They make us appreciate the little things in life, that we often are moving to quickly... to preoccupied... to many more important things going on.

Here are some things I've learned from my girls:

• killing bugs is great entertainment (even for girls)
• rock, paper, scissors is really fun right before bed
• they have a significantly longer attention span than I do, particularly when it's reading stories about princesses.
• their prayers are more honest, real, and spiritual than just about anything I've ever prayed. My favorite so far, at the end of one of the prayers a few days ago, "...and thank you Jesus that you didn't give us any brothers!"
• the best moment in the world is coming through the door, I get mobbed by 4 loving women in my life, it's like every teenage boys dream. Lot's of hugs and kisses and "I love yous."
• If I'm ever late for a meeting or anything, it's probably because I had to stop and kiss my girls one last time, okay, about 4 times. Every time one gets kissed, the others want another.
• Whatever you do, they will do. Yell, laugh, make glaring faces, or spend too much time in the facilities:)

Just thought I'd keep us focused on the right things. Share what you've learned or are learning.

Doing a little survey or inquiry:

1. What are the walls that unchurched/ de-churched people have built in their lives against church?

2. What walls do they come into church with?

3. What are their attitudes or feelings about "church"?

This is the diagnosis. Next, we'll be talking about how to tear down these walls.

Ok, not very flattering, but frankly, after that humbling and arduous race, I don't feel a need to save-face. Thought you'd like to see my look after already going for about 2 hrs. This photo is of me running through the transition after just getting off the bike.

The Olympic tri is a 1500m (almost a mile) swim, 40k (or 25m) bike, then finishing with a 10k (or 6.2m) run. Don't have much else to say except, "I finished... and I invite you to join me at the next race I'll enter in May '08. This time, I'll train a littler harder and actually be competitive. We'll see... aiming for 2:45, instead of my pitiful 3:17. But hey, I finished.

The race did make me think a lot about these passages:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ^25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ^26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. ^27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (NIV)

Hebrews 12:1-4: Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" (The Message)

2 Timothy 4:7-8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ^Now, a crown is being held for me—a crown for being right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give the crown to me on that day -not only to me but to all those who have waited with love for him to come again."

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS

I know that the vast majority of guests at LifeHouse come because you've invited them.

Here's the new design for our upcoming Friend Day and sermon series. So, start inviting your friends and let's make an awesome impact on our community!

T minus 10

I'll be finishing up my sermon series called "T-10" this week. This is one of those series that can rock our world if we'll open our hearts up. Imagine how different our life would be if we lived as though we had ten days to live.

It challenges our priorities, our goals, our scheduling. It puts things in perspective. It makes us think about things we don't think about enough. Things like, "How will others remember?" "Do I really need to be spending my time and energy doing...?" "Is what I'm doing as important as my family, my faith, and sharing my life with others?"

Not a big country music fan at all, but I threw Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were dying" out there for those who do enjoy the style. You're welcome. But to be honest, I actually liked the song. And yes, it was edited. The theme is incredible, "I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying."

Here's the full video from youtube.com.

Let's live everyday at T-10. One day we'll actually be right!

Sunday in the Rear-view Mirror:

Character: Faithfulness
Here's the commercials you all missed for the sermon this morning.
In my next blog, I'll be asking for some feedback from the service this morning, curious to hear what your thoughts and comments are.




Read Joshua 9-10.

We're challenged to be Faithful- Keep our word no matter what!

Too Busy Not to Pray

I borrowed it from Martin Luther, but it's a great quote and a great core value for LifeHouse:

"Pray like everything depends on God and work like everything depends on you."

This is critical. It means I have to work my butt off AND completely rely on God.

If you're entrepreneurial or task-oriented or just ADHD, it's easy to get the working-hard thing down. Go non-stop until the job is done, then recheck it to make sure you crossed the "t"s and dotted the "i"s. But this praying-like-everything-depends-on-God thing is tough. That means, we live realizing that we're too busy NOT to pray. So, when I get stuck or feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, I stop and pray. And it's best to start the day off right- in prayer.

I'm writing this 'cause it's on my mind, as in, I just lived this. I can get busy, start the morning off with my workout, breakfast, then dive right in to work. Sitting a working on my sermon, I started to feel lost and couldn't gather my thoughts... Then, I felt that tug. That reminder in your gut. The one that helps you stay focused on the big stuff in life. So, I stopped and prayed. Wow! God's great. He picks us up, puts us back on our feet and keeps us headed in the right directions.

Sometimes I Don't Know What to Say

Okay, well that happens often. And many times it's very appropriate to not know what to say. Often because there aren't the right words (read the book of Job if you don't believe me). However, sometimes it's because, even though I've prepared, God intervenes. These are "God-moments."

I had two moments in the service where they were "God-moments". Let me explain. I believe that everything we do on Sundays are God moments, and we prepare in an attitude of prayer and believe that God leads us to preach, chose songs, and format the service as he directs. However, there are still times when he takes over.

First, Jon played "Be Near" and we felt that it was the right time to just pause and allow us all to be reminded that God is near. Hope you were encouraged or are now while reading this.

Second, when I was concluding my message, I had this personally WOW-moment. I write out all my messages very thoroughly, then present them as best I can without notes. Yep, I do my best to memorize my messages now! Anyway... I was struck by the connection between the story of David and Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9 and what God has done for us. I didn't notice it while I was preparing, but when I was wrapping up the message, I was amazed by the parallels. Here's what I mean:

• David invited Meph... into his throne room, even though he should have killed him; God invites/ welcomes us into his throne room, even though we deserve death and banishment (see Romans 5:8).
• David invited Meph to his table to a permanent seat to eat and fellowship. We are invited to God's table for eternity and will share together at the "Marriage feast of the Lamb".
  
• David's invitation to Meph was more than just a provision to eat at his table, it brought status and rights. When we accept Jesus as Savior, we are brought into right-standing with God and welcomed at his table as a righteous person.
• Meph was given the full inheritance of his grandfather (made very wealthy). When we begin a relationship with Jesus, we become co-heirs of heaven, with all the rights and privileges that brings.

WOW! Maybe it doesn't amaze you as much. But that's pretty cool stuff. I never saw it before, but glad I caught it yesterday.

Weekend in the Read-view Mirror

Busy but fun!

Hope you enjoyed Sunday morning as much as I did. If you missed it, then you'll be saying, "This always happens when I'm out-of-town or miss LifeHouse". 'Cause it was a great service.

Here's the highlights from my message:

• Big Idea: Kindness is Lifting Others Up!
• There's is a tension between looking out for ourselves and looking out for and helping others.
• Read 2 Samuel 8-9. David was kind to Mephibosheth (wow, say that 10x fast), but it clearly wasn't in his best interest.
  
• He chose to be kind (lift up) rather than look out for his own interests.
• How do we do that TODAY? Lift others by being PLEASANT and PRACTICAL.
• If we did this, we would show God's love to those around us everyday, and we would be creating the world we wish for and believe should exist.
• So, in a nutshell, kindness says, "Good morning" and makes the coffee.

Hope we live this out Monday through Saturday, otherwise it's knowledge without action, which seems empty and meaningless. So, let's live it!

Here's a quick one:

Church should be FUN!

I remember going to church and falling asleep or wishing I could. And even my parents fell asleep on occasion. And then they tried to convince us that it was really compelling. Not busting on my parents, and thank God for my heritage.

Just saying that I want LifeHouse to be a place of laughter, excitement, passion, energy, and joy! I want you and everyone else out there to know that God is no bore. Look around a creation- there are some absolutely freaky weird and really cool and hysterical things out in creation. Don't believe me. Check out all the variety of animals. Go people-watching.

Doing the Right Things No Matter What!

Let me begin by reviewing a sermon I recently delivered called “Don’t drop the ball”. The big idea: the best way to balance life is to determine and live our priorities. You may have seen it before, but I used an illustration with a clear, empty pretzel container. First, I filled it with several fist-sized rocks. Then, I asked if it was full. No! Then, I dropped a few pounds of gravel into it, and asked,

“Full yet?” No! Then came the sand. Still not full! Then and finally the water. And the point you asked?

“You can always fit more into your life!!!” some said.

“Not quite… although that would fit our driven, never slow-down American mindset. PUT the BIG ROCKS in FIRST!” That’s the point. If we don’t put the big rocks in first, life will fill up with urgent, busy, weighty things, but less important things.

God has entrusted us with “big rocks”: children, spouses, friends, our church. The balancing act of life is to put the “big rocks” in first. It’s not trying to figure out how we can juggle all the balls or fit everything into the jar, but making sure that we put the most important things in first. What are those “big rocks” that we put into our life to balance first? And how do we do that?

READ Luke 10. Luke 10 is a chapter on priorities. The chapter begins with, “After these things…” so I looked back at the end of chapter 9, which has three different stories about excuses people gave for not following Jesus, and He makes the point clear, “What’s most important in your life?” Where will you focus your energy, your time, your money, and your talents?

That’s right where Jesus picks up in Luke 10. At the beginning of the chapter, He challenges his followers to make their lives count. Then he uses an anecdote to ask whether we should look out for others or ourselves. Finally, the chapter concludes with a simple little incident that summarizes the whole point. It’s the Mary and Martha story.

And the application: we must choose, resource, and protect our priorities!

And why am I sharing this with you?

Not only do we need to live this, but we need to encourage others to apply this truth.

The tendency seems to be that people will live by and resource priorities as long as it’s convenient or immediately in front of them. But the moment life comes at them, the gravel starts getting poured in OR there’s not enough room for all the sand they just bought,

“Pull out a ROCK to make room!” What gets chucked- values and priorities. And I think I have the instinct to apologize for teaching and encouraging people to have biblical priorities and to do the right things. It’s actually hard for me to challenge people to pray instead of work, follow God’ morals rather than do what they want, or even tithe rather than panic and hoard.

What I do know, however, and it helps me teach and model the right things, is that God blesses and honors those who keep biblical priorities and do the right thing. He doesn’t bless the opposite. So, I’m actually causing people to live outside of the blessings of God if I don’t challenge them to get things in order and live by biblical truths. This means SPEAKING THE TRUTH (yea, some of you like that part) IN LOVE (oh, that’s there too?).

As a pastor, my purpose in teaching, challenging, and guiding is to see people thrive in the favor of God and fulfill their life purpose.

Not a sermon, just a thought!