Started today off by meeting with a group of pastors for our weekly prayer gathering. These are pastors from a variety of denominational and theological backgrounds but who share a few things in common:
we believe in the Bible wholly and fundamentally,
we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior,
we believe that the Church has been commissioned with the Gospel and is the only hope of the world,
we believe that we, as churches and leaders, are more powerful and effective together than we are apart,
we believe in the power of prayer,
we believe that we agree on more than we disagree,
we believe that unless we unite and serve together the Church will fail and continue to slide towards irrelevance and stale religion,
we believe that our prayers and unity of faith will matter for eternity so that the population of heaven will be different because we got out of bed and prayed.
What are we praying?
renewal of our city- true transformation to sweep through this region that will lead to physical needs being met, less crime, more caring, communities serving one another, and a significant drop in corruption,
The Church- that The Church would be unified, powerful, and effective in both showing and sharing the Gospel of Jesus with a city desperately in need,
salvation of those who are far from God- that the many who don't know or follow Jesus would be reached and discipled into true Jesus-followers, not so we can have more converts or fill churches, but that their lives would be rescue from the grip of sin and their souls freed from the bondage of hell, and that each person in our city would discover the eternal life of Jesus Christ,
holiness- that we, as pastors, would live God-honoring lives, and in turn, those who profess Jesus as their Lord, would begin to live more like Jesus- in word and deed.
Ok, we're praying tons more but those are just a few things that are weighing on my heart as we pray.
I was jogging recently and thinking and stressing about a few issues that were upsetting me. So, I did what any God-fearing, super-spiritual pastor would do- I complained about them to God. I let Him know what was upsetting me and why and then asked Him to fix them. Sounds good and right?
While I was praying, er... complaining, a thought (maybe the Holy Spirit) struck me,
"Does what upsets me upset God?" Doh! That hurt. Do the things that stress me out, preoccupy my thoughts, attention, and energy also upset God? Is God sad over the things that make me sad?
Then, an even more disruptive thought raced through my mind like a run-away train about to dramatically change my day,
"Do the things that upset God also upset me? Or do I even think about the things that upset God?"
Maybe you're thinking, "God, upset?" Yes, certainly there are plenty of examples biblically of things that upset, anger, preoccupy the attention of God. Want just a few? People going to hell. Care for the orphans and the widows. The health and beauty (holiness) of the Church (Bride of Christ). Yea, those things are important and should be on my mind and when they are not given proper attention or care, they should upset me.
So, what I'm praying now, "God, break my heart with the things that break yours. Upset me with the things that upset you. And remove from my awareness or conscious thinking worries and stress of this life that matter little in the scope of eternity."
Are the things that upset you also upsetting God? Do they matter for eternity?
Are the things that break God's heart also breaking your heart?
Sunday, April 18th is Friend Day so invite your neighbors, friends, classmates, co-workers, family. Just make sure they are NOT plugged into a church already and then do WHATEVER it takes to get them to Lifehouse- bribe, kidnap (just make sure they're over 18), tranquilize, offer a dinner out on your dim... Just get your friends to church on Sunday. There are plenty of sets available in 9am service, but get there early for sets to the 10:30am service.
Also, kicking off a new sermon series called "Mixed Signals". It's about how to get clear direction from God in the midst of the noise around us. Watch the trailer here.
In case you were wondering where I was this past Sunday, I was grateful for a Sunday to visit one of our network churches down in Winchester (Lifehouse Church Shenandoah). Had a great time hanging out with Pastor Joel & Crystal Flower, who are doing a great job church planting. I feel privileged to serve alongside of them in Lifehouse Church Network.
Reflecting on Easter and Lifehouse services. Thanks to all volunteers and leaders who gave their best, served their guts out, and made Lifehouse a welcome center for people coming to experience God. Way to go! We really have an amazing team of servants and leaders.
We launched 2 services back in mid-January because we were at capacity in one service, and our second service yesterday felt like our only service did back in December. Hope everyone enjoyed a packed house! Always exciting to see so many engaged in worshiping and following Jesus. First service was a blast as well. Great to see the 9am crowd inviting their friends!
One thought that struck me yesterday, "The Resurrection changes everything!" If there was no resurrection, than we have no hope, no life, no meaning. If Jesus didn't rise, than Christianity is no different than any other religion, except that we should be most pitied (Apostle Paul said that no me), since we have a false hope then. BUT if Jesus died rise, and he DID, than the Resurrection changes everything. Through Jesus, we have life, forgiveness, hope, healing, purpose, power, and an eternal destination and the mortgage has already been paid in full.
Here's the video for the video trailer that introduced the sermon. Tough, messy scar story, but if you listen to the sermon you'll discover how God can bring people THROUGH seasons of despair, depression, and anguish.
Daylight Savings Time begins THIS Sunday, March 14th, so move your clocks FORWARD one hour THIS Saturday Night and pass on this video to other forgetful friends...
Baptism in Water is a significant step in the journey of a Jesus-follower, and if you or someone you know has not been baptized in water, take advantage of this special Baptism Ceremony held at Leitersburg Cinemas!
For more information- check out our event page here.
ALL sermons for "is TRUE LOVE only in fairy tales?" series are up here. See the previous post for the trailer for the series. I'm strongly encouraging you to download the mp3 files and SHARE them. Get your kids to listen to them, pass them on to your friends, classmates, or secretly load them onto someone's iPod.
We took a lot of time on this series, and I addressed some tough, but very relevant issues, as we walked through the Song of Songs. These messages are straight from the Bible with no fluff, just honest, timeless truth that will profoundly impact the lives of those who will live them.
Really preached my heart and guts out on this series. Hope you enjoy and are impacted for eternity!
We'll also have the whole set on CD available on this Sunday, March 14th.
A reminder that tomorrow is Valentine's Day and FRIEND DAY! Invite your FRIENDS! We would strongly encourage you to invite them to either 9am or 10:30, but really want to encourage stronger attendance in the 9am service.
Here's our video to promote this FRIEND DAY and the Kick-off of "Is true love only in fairy tales?"
If you're wondering, graphics and video were taken from a series down by Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. Always nice when we don't have to spend 80 hours creating designs and videos from scratch.
few want to be in a miracle- requiring situation. We like miraculous healing, provision, protection, wisdom, and strength. But how many of us are willing to allow God to place us in situations of that require such miraculous breakthrough.
We read the Bible with the end of the story in mind, but for those who lived it, they were desperate and in need of God's power. Put yourself in these situations, could you have handled them as these biblical heroes did?
Moses and Israelites were cornered between the Red Sea and the charging Egyptian army BEFORE the Sea was parted (Exodus 14),
Israelites were wandering in the desert, Elijah was enduring a famine, a widow was about to eat her last meal, and 5000 men were hungry BEFORE God supplied an abundance of food (Exodus 16; 1 Kings 17; Matthew 14)
Daniel broke the law against prayer, was thrown into a den of lions BEFORE he saw God's protection (Daniel 6),
Gideon has challenged by God to narrow his vastly outnumbered army down to 300 men against the Midianites that were as vast as locust over the valley BEFORE God used them to deliver Israel from their siege (Judges 6),
Elisha and Gehazi were surrounded by a vast army of Arameans BEFORE God sent chariots of fire to destroy the opposing army (2 Kings 7),
Early Jesus-followers endured persecution, beatings, martyrdome, running for their lives BEFORE the gospel spread throughout all the regions surrounding Jerusalem and Asia Minor (Acts 8:1-8).
Curious as to why you might be in a difficult situation, enduring hardship, suffering?
For Israel in Judges 7:1-4, God "stacked the deck" against them so that they wouldn't take credit for the victory but so that God would get ALL the glory. Are we giving glory to God in our situations and with our victories?
In 2 Kings 7:15-17, Elisha prayed that Gehazi's eyes would be opened to see spiritually that "those who were with us are more than those who are with them". Maybe God wants you to see with spiritual eyes rather than with eyes of doubt and fear?
In Acts 8:1-8, the persecution and suffering was necessary to scatter the believers and spread the God News of the Gospel to the "ends of the Earth". How can we grow through hard times?
In each situation, obedience is required before the miracle comes. And always, God wants the Glory for His miraculous power.
Great to see so many brave Lifehousers and guests out at Lifehouse for our 10:30 service. It was a wild weekend with anywhere from 18-30+ inches of snow around the region. Wow!
Grateful for all who pitched in to make our service possible- Bill Anderson for plowing and getting the parking lot ready (did you even go to sleep on Saturday night?), Simanes for having coffee & cafe ready when everyone arrived (we all were in desperate need of a cup o' Joe), to the guys that were willing to walk people safely from the parking lot into the theater, and all the volunteers and staff that improvised, served, and worshiped together. What a way to SHARE LIFE TOGETHER.
Here's a picture I took when I went out to check out the roads early Sunday morning. Couldn't help but pull over and enjoy the moment!
Lifehouse Church East will have 10:30am services ONLY on Sunday, February 7th.
For those of you who are volunteering, serving, and leading tomorrow, you may want to arrive between 9-9:30, depending on how much time you need to prep.
Please be careful and safe.
After being snowbound since Friday, I'm sure most of you are ready to get out anyway, and I've got a sermon I'm ready to preach. I spent the bulk of the day digging out as I'm sure you did. Here's a pic of my girls enjoying our giant mound of snow outside our door.
Enjoy your evening and we look forward to seeing you at 10:30AM.
DON'T FORGET, NEXT SUNDAY is FRIEND DAY!! So, invite your friends!!
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." I Peter 5:5
This is a re-post from www.evotional.com by Mark Batterson. Just thought it was an excellent post and great insight. I completely agree.
Let me make a confession: our family watches American Idol. I watch it for my kids, of course! Here's an observation I've made during the try outs to get on the show. The judges almost always react negatively to contestants who are cocky. It turns them off. It's almost like they naturally oppose them. But the judges seem to love contestants who have a quiet confidence or don't know how good they are. In a sense, pride and humility have almost as much to do with the contestants making the show as their voice quality.
Pride is a turn off isn't it? It invites opposition. But humility is endearing. It invites grace. And it's not just true in the natural realm. That is a reflection of the spiritual realm.
If I had one piece of advice for leaders I think it might be this: stay humble. If you have pride in your heart, God will oppose you and it's awfully hard to do the work of God when God Himself is opposing you! Stay humble in the way you treat others. Treat them as more important than yourself. And stay humble toward God. Keep giving credit where credit is due. And make sure you spend time on your knees kneeling before Him. The leaders that God uses the most have well worn knees.
Our focus in prayer today is for fruitfulness and faithfulness. Read John 15:1-11 as a reference point, and let's pray for "much fruit" through pruning, so that we are able to see increased impact in our community, many transformed lives, changed hearts, saved souls- all to the Father's Glory!!
When we are fruitful and faithful, the enemy will attack to discourage us, frustrate us, and lead us to believe that we should quite. But that is no time to quite. Instead,
"Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9.
Here's a very encouraging letter written by an anonymous pastor from the jungles of New Guinea explaining His situation to the preacher John Yates:
"Man, it's great to be in the thick of the fight, to draw the old Devil's heaviest guns, to have him at you with depression and discouragement, slander, disease! He doesn't waste time. He hits good and hard when a fellow is hitting him.
You can always measure the effectiveness of your work, by how hard Satan hits back. When you're on your back with fever and at your last ounce of strength, when some of your converts backslide, when you learn that your most promising inquirers are only fooling, when your mail gets held up and some don't bother to answer your letters, is that the time to bail out?
"No Sir! That's the time to pull out the stops and shout hallelujah! Satan’s really getting it and he’s launching an all out attack. And all of heaven is watching and asking: 'Will he stick it out?'
And they see who is with us…and they see around us the unlimited reserves, the boundless resources, and they see the impossibility of failure with God on our side…how sad the angels must be when we run away from hard times. Glory to God! We're not going to run away. We're going to stand."
So, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, BE ENCOURAGED, STAND FIRM, NEVER GIVE UP to the GLORY of GOD!
The prayer focus for today (day 19) is for our missionaries and those ministries on the "front lines" of spreading the gospel to the furthest reaches of our world. Here's a brief list, pray for:
safety, generous provision to the missionaries and humanitarian workers in Haiti.
our missionaries serving everywhere from US university campuses to Belgium, Central Asia, Japan, and beyond.
other missionaries that come to mind and those that you are familiar with.
the work of these missionaries, for fruitful ministry, protection, and great impact in make disciples of all nations,
financial provision for missionaries, especially since the economy is rough and many people are pulling back in their support,
renewed strength since ministry can be very tiring and spiritually exhausting, and that they would not "grow weary in doing well".
A great passage to read and use as a guide when praying for our missionaries and church leaders on the front lines of the Kingdom: Exodus 18:8-15 especially,
"When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword."
We've all seen the unbelievable devastation and heartache in photos and news feed out of Haiti. Like me, your heart breaks and you wonder what you can do. On that later this week! For a moment, allow me to pour out my heart and reflections from Scripture as I've processed this great tragedy in Haiti.
First, our American perspective is so limited. There are 10's of millions of people all over the world deeply suffering, without clean water, bathrooms, food, shelter from cold or heat, no medical help, and on and on. We have it SO good, yet we complain to God over our "suffering" when we do without the most lavish of luxuries. This season of fasting reminds of how much I DON'T need!
Second, the biblical perspective on gratitude and provision. I modified my prayers with my daughters over the last few days. I always emphasize our need for GRATITUDE and GENEROSITY! We take time to thank Jesus for our food, home, stuff, and his faithful provision. However, recently, I started leading them in a prayer that went more like this,
"Jesus, thank you for your lavish blessings of food. You amaze us with your daily provisions of food to eat, water to drink, and a home to live in. Together, we are not only grateful, but also want to say that we are thankful, not because you always give us what we want or even need, but we are thankful for YOU, for salvation, and for the promise of heaven. Even if we had nothing, we would still love you and be thankful."
I'm reminded that Christians throughout history, and currently throughout the world suffer immeasurable persecution, devastation, and tragedy. While we are spared from so much of that in America, we must be mindful that we are not promised to be spared, but just the opposite,
Paul wrote to the Philippian Church, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him..." Philippians 1:29 Paul reminded other believers, "To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly." 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 And a thorough summation of many Jesus-followers pain, suffering, and willingness to endure hardship laid out in Hebrews 11: 32-40. Here's the highlight reel,
"Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground."
These verses (and hundreds that I didn't include for sake of brevity) make it so clear that suffering, hardship, and even tragedy are not marks of a lack of faith but of true Jesus-followers.
This isn't an exhaustive statement of my thoughts as I reflect personally, and I'll try to continue to blog those for you.
Our hearts, prayers, and soon (our generosity) are with those in Haiti.
What lessons are you learning as you observe the news of the devastation in Haiti?
Let's pray BIG prayers! Prayers that scare us and shape history. Prayers that require faith and please God. Prayers that match our inability with God's omnipotence. Let's pray believing that our prayers spoke in agreement with God's Word and by faith are heard by the Creator and Master Architect of Life.
Prayer focus for Day 11 of 21 days of fasting and prayer:
Pray for:
God's favor, blessing, protection, and provision over all ministries and para-church organizations that serve the community and the needy.
strength over those who serve our neighbors and communities and for sustained passion and vision to continue to impact our communities.
boldness and focus for all ministry leaders and volunteers to serve the community and needy, not out of social justice, but to share and show the message of the Gospel, and that they would be willing to speak up and present those they serve with the great message of salvation through Jesus,
financial blessing over all these service-oriented ministries that present Christ during this challenging economic season,
NEW ministries and organizations and efforts to be initiated in 2010 with the purpose of serving people and meeting needs to show and share God's love and the message of Jesus to a world desperately in need,
Hagerstown Convoy of Hope and that we'll reach many thousands more people, have sufficient funding, and tons of volunteers to reach broken, hurting people in this surrounding region. Also, remember those in Convoy (and other organizations) serving in Haiti right now- for safety, boldness, strength, and provisions. Sign up to help on Facebook here.
A few passages of Scripture to meditate on today as we pray for the service of the Church and all Jesus-followers to SHINE in 2010:
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Luke 4:16-19, especially: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
1 Corinthians 12:12-31, especially: "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
Sunrise this morning was a great reminder that God's powerful and in charge. That's an especially necessary thought when things seem out-of-control or profoundly tragic. This is critical now both, personally and globally.
I imagine that those who have family and friends in Haiti are praying most passionately for those they love and for the rescue/ humanitarian efforts. Let's pray with that same level of fervency, urgency, and conviction that we would if our loved one was unreachable in Haiti. Let's cry out to God for people's lives to be spared, safety for humanitarian workers and efforts, and for an open door of the Gospel to penetrate a spiritual dark and antagonistic nation. Pray that many people would discover Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior through this devastating, tragic earthquake.
Our prayer focus today, as part of our topical approach during these 21 days of fasting and prayer, is from Matthew 9:35-38. Read the challenge from Jesus,
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV).
Pray:
those who attend the Church (not just Lifehouse but we're praying for transformation in the whole Church) would become fully devoted Christ-followers,
Jesus-followers would obey Him through service and ministry, both in the local church but also to the needs and needy in their community,
that God would stir the hearts of people so that they would be Spirit-prompted to serve, give, lead rather than need to be compelled by leaders in the Church.
for many servant-minded people to step up to volunteer, serve, and minister,
that ministries would be fully staffed and that new ministries would be launched through people passionate to begin living their service to Christ.
"Pray like everything depends on God". -Martin Luther
Join us in praying for the leadership of Lifehouse and the Church! Read over Ephesians 4:11-16 to get insight into God's call for pastors, elders, and ministry leaders.
Pray for encouragement, renewed strength, wisdom in decision-making, anointing in speaking/ teaching/ leading, protection over their families and from temptation and the enemies strategies, and fresh vision and passion to fulfill God's purposes for His Kingdom in 2010.
First, I really enjoyed leading our 2 services and preaching twice yesterday. It fired me up, and that's after not eating for a week, since we're in 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer.
Secondly, please be patient with us as we work out some kinks in the services and the building. I know it was still cold in the lobby. We're working aggressively on it!
In leading both services, there are things I really like about both of them. I can see why some of you said that you wanted to attend both, just to see what they'd be like. Hopefully, you enjoyed which ever service you participated in and were impacted and changed by God's presence.
Third, join us at 6am and 6pm Mon - Fri at the theater for 1 hr of prayer. There is a different focus each day, and it'd be great to have a group of people to rally in prayer and truly cry out to God for our community and church.
Finally, don't forget that we have a very important "business" meeting this Saturday starting at 8am. If you're a ministry partner at LHE, we need you there, since you'll be deciding whether to approve the decision to move forward to purchase the theater or not. Once we meet, we will break into groups and begin renovations.
If you are planning on joining a renovation team, please let us know ASAP, since we'll need you to be ready to work and bring tools depending on which team you serve on.
Thanks for reading and let's walk with the confidence that our lives and invest of time, energy, and money is making a huge difference for God's Kingdom and eternity!
We're launching 2 (that's two) services TODAY! They're at 9am and 10:30am. Both have same service and ministry opportunities. There are a few different life groups available during each service.
This morning I'm kicking off our theme for 2010 and our latest sermon series called "SHINE". Come discover who your life can become vibrant and full. Live a life that others notice and wish for.
You don't want to miss THIS Sunday AND Bring a Friend!!
On our summer trip to the aquarium, I strongly encouraged my daughters to touch the stingrays in the pool. Carissa was very reluctant, so like any loving father, I "helped" her touch them. After she finished crying, she did eventually touch them willingly. I challenged her to get “uncomfortably close” and go beyond her comfort zone.
I have my own moments of getting uncomfortably close- when I went surfing near sea turtles, standing ready to bungee jump, tip-toeing to a very high cliff edge. All these experiences forced me to go beyond my comfort zone. The turtles got IN my personal space and I didn't like it. The heights were a "little too close".
The point: few experiences are worth resisting innate inhibitions and boundaries.
We spend most of life compartmentalized into convenient categories. These compartments allow us to keep things from spilling over into other areas, and keep people comfortably distant from our darkest secrets, deepest hurts.
However, there is a tension of keeping our personal space and boundaries. We develop compartments in life to protect ourselves, but struggle to balance compartments of life. That'w where spill over happens. You know, the frustrations at work that are carried home, the argument last night that we brought to work. Depleted checkbooks that rob our Christmas cheer. We try hard to guard our fragile compartments. To keep a avoid getting uncomfortably close to things that scare us or allowing the "unknown" into our personal space.
We do the same with God, keeping Him at a safe distance. We have a compartment for God- Sundays before noon, grace before diner, in moments of crisis, an occasional prayer after we hit a golf ball or while struck in traffic. God has His place in our life, church fits into our boundaries, where we keep things from getting too uncomfortably close.
We certainly don’t let Go IN our whole world, rock our status quo, or give him the keys to every door and closet in our home.
Read Luke 1:26-38, NIV. This event is known theologically as the “virgin birth”. It sounds so pious, sterile. But for Mary, God interrupted her normal? Disrupted her with an invitation to become uncomfortably close and intimate with the Christmas experience. Her life would be profoundly altered.
Mary sets amazing example and provides incredible challenge to us?
Big Idea: Allow Christ IN Every Part of Life
More than Christmas story. This is The Invitation of God to us. Mary is an example of how incredibly close Jesus wants to come to you.
While we have compartments, boundaries, and comfort zones. Mary story is the example. What does God want in my life?
Lord was WITH Mary, but now He wanted to be IN Mary.
Throughout Old Testament, God was with lots of people. God was with Adam and Eve, walking with them in the cool of the evening. God was with Abraham, even calling “friend”. God was with Moses and the children of Israel in the fire by night and cloud by day. They were confident that God was with them. Through Jesus, God was with the disciples- eating, sleeping, teaching. Immanuel “God WITH us”. (paraphrase of Max Lucado's: Next Door Savior, 2003, p. 91)
But know an invitation to be IN Mary- “Holy Spirit will come upon you” and “overshadow” These words invoke a picture of enveloping, like Mt. Sinai enveloped in the cloud of God’s presence.
God invites us to tear down our inhibitions, step beyond our comfort zone, welcomes our intimacy, and gets close enough to be known, not just with us, but in us.
To his disciples, Christ declared, “I am in you” John 14:20 NCV. Paul prayed, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” Ephesians 3:17, NIV. “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27, NIV. “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them”1 John 3:24, NIV. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” Revelation 3:20, NIV.
How does God come IN my life?
God enveloped Mary, and Mary’s common life was transformed. At first, only physically, hormonally, privately. But over time, the in-dwelling of God in her life transformed everything about Mary. It became obvious to everyone that God was IN her.
What part did Mary have in this conception and pregnancy? She willingly submitted.
See Luke 1:38, NIV. Mary made herself completely available to God. Much like the way a wife makes herself completely available to her husband.
We want to be in control, manage our compartments, but God simply invited Mary to allow Him into her life, beyond her inhibitions, comfort zone, status quo. Not just a part of her life, but ALL of her, IN her.
Transformed from just learning of God to intimately knowing God. Mary intimately knew God- understood His will and willingly obeyed His plan for her life.
What’s our part? To make our life completely available to God and accept His invitation to dwell IN us, IN every intimate detail and compartment of our life.
We neither resist or assist. Mary couldn’t guide, advise, or assist God in the process. She didn’t volunteer for this role. She only responded willingly and completely, then offered herself in full service.
Are there areas in your life that you’ve tried to do God-size things on your own? Quit a life-controlling habit or addiction, overcome past hurts, forgive the abuser, heal the marriage, conquer a fear, defeat the worry? We can’t do it on our own.
We can only surrender, willingly allow Christ in every part of life.
Like Mary to be so pregnant with the life of Christ that He lives through us.
“I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20, NIV.
Here's a "poem" that my daughter Rebecca wrote this morning about Christmas. Amazed at how well she can communicate what seems so hard for so many adults to comprehend.
Jesus is God's Gift to Us, by Rebecca Grach
Jesus is God's Gift to us,
He died on the cross
for our sins,
He is the reason we celebrate Christmas,
His death gave us Easter.
So thank God for sending his son,
and giving these two holidays to us.
Couldn't say it better myself. I have a feeling some day she'll be communicating the life-transforming message of Christ more powerfully than myself. My greatest dream come true. My deepest prayers revealed.
I take time nearly daily to pray over my girls that they will grow to love God, follow and serve Him, and that their life-destiny would dwarf my calling and ministry.
My 8-year old daughter, Rebecca, led our church service at home yesterday. Let me set this up by giving you the background, but keep reading to hear one of the best devotions on the meaning of Christmas and salvation.
Since Lifehouse services were canceled due to inclement weather, we had a family worship time with both sets of grandparents, who were all snowbound in our townhouse. That devotion I prepped for everyone at LHE, we threw out the window when Rebecca was willing to lead the whole service.
Words can't describe my pride as I watched and experienced her lead us. She, with the help of her sisters, sang Joy to the World, Away in a manger, Jesus loves the little children, I have decided (all 5 verses), and Silent Night.
Then came the sermon. Rebecca and Carissa read from their children's story Bible and incredibly illustrated the Creation, using a flashlight as light, stuff animals to show when God made all different kinds of creatures, and so on. They even had an apple for when Eve ate from the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil". Rebecca explained that Jesus came to pay the price/ penalty for our sins and the sin of all mankind. And flip over to the Nativity stories in their Bible. More illustrations using our manger figurines. At this point, we were all enjoying the simple truths in the teaching. Then...
Rebecca wrapped up the illustrated sermon with this devotion:
The Recycled Life, by Rebecca Grach
Can you think of some things that get recycled? Paper, plastic, metal cans.
Our life is a lot like a piece of paper. It gets worn out, dirty, and messed up. It becomes useless and damaged. Sin destroys what used to be clean and perfect. Our soul is damaged, messed up, and destroyed.
God takes all our mess, trash, and He RECYCLES our life. Through His love and forgiveness, Jesus reaches into our life, makes everything perfect and new.
Do you need your life recycled? What is damaged, trashed, messed up that you need to allow God to completely remake and recycle? What is destroyed that only God can transformed into something new and beautiful?
BTW, we do have pictures which I'll post later. If I had a video camera, you'd all be in tears.
Here are my notes to correspond to this devotion for your family. Enjoy!
Start with worship: sing some easy songs that you and your family will easily know. Focus on the words, and remember that the whole point is to give honor to God, not how good or bad you sound. • Joy to the World • Away in a manger • Amazing Grace
Before reading: ask yourself or family: Ask: what are the first things that come to mind when you think of Christmas?
Bible Reading: read the following passages. Consider having different family members take turns reading. Read Luke 2:25-35, but here are the essential verses: And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Read Matthew 2:9-11, When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Remember back to the answers you gave to the question above. Most images of Christmas are warm, romantic, joyful, touching, and possibly, we think of the manger scene under the Christmas tree.
Most of us don’t immediately think of death, the cross, and burial. But that’s what these passages speak of: Simeon foretold the piercing of Jesus and the Magi gave the gift of myrrh (a burial ointment foretelling Jesus’ death).
The key thought in these passages is that Christmas or the Nativity of Jesus is really about the amazing Invitation of God to introduce all mankind to Himself, and give Himself in death so that we could truly know God.
An amazing quote: The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of man could become the sons of God.
Jesus was born to give His life for us, born to die.
“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17, NCV.
This is the message of Christmas: God became a man like us, to rescue us from our guilt, pain, and condemnation, and to offer us a new life in Him forever.
Before continuing: ask yourself or family: Ask: how do we receive gifts? How do we receive the gift that Jesus came to give?
Simply, by accepting His gift of life through Jesus Christ, who gave His life to purchase ours. The Son of God became the son of man so that the sons of man could become the sons of God. To receive: accept in faith, believe in Jesus Christ, obey His teachings and Word. If we lack, it’s because we have not received TODAY!
Ask: what do you need to receive from God today? Are you having trouble holding a grudge? Struggling with someone at work? Maybe even your spouse or other family member? Does anger destroy your peace? Do the smallest things set you off?
Before continuing: ask yourself or family: Ask: what do you do with this gift now that you have received?
Jesus came to give. And the response of all who receive? Give what they’ve received away to others. What do we do with this idea of Christmas? The generous gift-exchange of God, priming our souls with an abundant supply of forgiveness, hope, life, and love? The challenge of Christ’s gift to us is that it’s not ours to keep. God’s abundant love, forgiveness, hope, purpose, and life are like water in a funnel, poured in to pour through to others. He gives so that we can be the instrument of giving to others.
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life (The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life, Msg).” John 4:13-14, NCV.
Don’t let it grow stagnate! Have you ever seen or smelled stagnated water? Many peoples’ relationship with God is like that- stale or stagnate. They received at from God at one time, but it just sat there. What causes stagnation? A source without an outlet. Water flows in, but doesn’t flow out. Because the water sits unused, bacteria and disease fester. Instead of becoming a nourishing fountain, it becomes a dangerous cesspool for the diseases of doubt, discouragement, disunity, frustration, and anger. Like a stagnate pool of water, when God pours into our lives, but we don’t release the life of God into others, our faith grows stagnate and diseased.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Albert Einstein said, “Only a life lived for others is worth living.”
Offer love, forgiveness, concede the right of way in life, be a word of encouragement. Let the life of God flow in you and through you to nourish the parched soul of those around you. Give what you receive!
A critical moment and turning point in my studies happened during a class in AP Biology while I was in 10th grade. I asked how it was theoretically possible for simple proteins to form from the necessary ingredients in "primordial soup", when every calculation clearly shows it's a mathematically impossibility. My teachers response went something like this,
"That's a good question that I don't have an answer for. However, there are really smart people who "discovered" the scientific facts behind evolution, so, even though I don't know the answer, I'm sure the answer is out there."
The response left me feeling dumber for having heard it, and from that point, I understood that I was in a faith-based class with people unwilling to even acknowledge difficult questions or address hard issues. Scientific method was chucked out the window and replaced with presuppositions established to "prove" an agenda rather than open-minded, honest research. My experience in church wasn't much better. It was certainly no bastion of free-thinking, question probing, thought provoking research, and open debate. Like me, most people have felt like they have to check their brain at door of church, and accept an absent-minded religion, and journey into blind faith.
Unlike the pillars of great faith that I was following, I personally struggled with (and continue to struggle with) doubts and questions. I'm desperate to research, study, and prove whether my beliefs, presuppositions, and convictions are accurate and true. Are we allowed to ask hard questions? Can we question, research, investigate what we believe, and then seek truth? Yet I felt like I couldn’t ask questions, and that questioning and researching means I lack faith.
Wrestle through questions. Questions force us to search out truth- wherever truth is found. Many people refuse to ask questions or allow us to doubt, but in turn rob us of opportunity to find truth, and establish our own deep convictions and life- transforming faith.
Read Matthew 2:1-2. Who were these Magi? Wise Men, Magi (Greek root ‘magic’), from the East (Arabia, Persia). Most likely a class of the Medes, scientists, portrayed as astrologers (studied the stars), and definitely not Jews or believers of the Messiah. Popularly held to be three (based on 3 gifts), and as kings in light of Isa. 60:3.
Imagine that? Unbelievers who study science, astronomy, and literature seeking "truth" and find Jesus/ God.
Read Matthew 2:3. King Herod responded to their search for truth with fear. His power would be challenged. Way of life threatened. Response to this Invitation from God to discover Jesus? Fight, resist, and destroy!
Read Matthew 2:4-6. Didn’t want to know Truth (the one with a capital T), but were content with knowledge, empty religion. Rather than accepting the Invitation to know God, they chose ignorance, lies, and false meaning. Those who should have known, Priests and teachers, didn’t know and weren’t looking.
Read Matthew 2:7-12. Magi questioned, searched, journeyed to accept the Invitation to find TRUTH, and they discovered THE Truth in Jesus!
God meticulously orchestrated, scripted every intimate and cosmic detail of The Invitation so that all men could meet Jesus and know Him personally in relationship.
What example and challenge do the Magi provide to us? Seek TRUTH
Christmas embodies The Invitation of God to seek truth, and when seeking truth we find truth, not in physics, chemistry, mircobiology, astronomy, even astrology or literature. All “ologies” are a branch of theology. All truths point to the ultimate Truth.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6, NIV. (Bold and Italics mine)
How do you respond to the reality of TRUTH embodied in a child, revealing God among men, who came to be know personally by us?
Like King Herod, do you resist and fight against Truth, because He doesn’t fit your agenda, and will remove you as king of your own life?
Like the scribes and religious teachers, do you ignore Him, because He’s inconvenient, doesn’t match your perception of what Truth should be? Do you approach your studying to prove your hypothesis and advance your agenda, or open to what your study teaches you?
Read Matthew 2:1-2 again. The Magi studied, investigated, pursued truth, and when they discovered that Truth in the coming of the King, they chose to journey to find Him by following a star.
God took the time to script His coming, His Invitation with great detail, even in the stars. Astronomy pointed to the ultimate Star!
Their trip from Persia (or Arabia) would have taken 5-6 months.
How far will you go to accept God’s meticulous Invitation to meet Him?
Seeking Truth Leads to TRUE Worship
We all seek to "worship" something- superstars, models, money, job, possessions. It's part of our human nature? Read Matthew 2:10-11 again.
For the Magi, extensive research and study, a year’s journey through deserts and difficult terrain, to accept the Invitation to meet a pauper child in the home of a carpenter?
How long did they stay? Long enough to explain their purpose and give gifts?
Did they think it was worth it? They bowed down and worshiped him. Their seeking led them to TRUTH in Jesus. Seeking culminated in the ultimate understanding, discovery, and revelation.
God seeks us as we seek truth. This woman intuitively knew that the Messiah would embody Truth, and that He would lead her to true worship. Jesus said that time has arrived. We seek truth so that we can truly worship- God.
The more we seek truth, ask hard questions, research, examine, and investigate the greater our worship. Our view of God isn't diminished through questioning and studying, but magnified.
Deep research into examining the interworkings of our galaxy leads to a greater wonder of God!
The microscope doesn't negate God's handiwork, it reveals His perfection. Ophthalmology doesn't darken our eyes to see God, this science illuminates our eyes to the wonder of God.
TRUTH SEEKING LEADS TO TRUE WORSHIP! Ask away. Study, research, learn THEN worship the true God who meticulously crafts truth to lead us to the ultimate Truth found only in Jesus Christ.
’Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family.
This is a repost from Mark Driscoll's blog at Mars Hill Church. So good I had to pass it on.
So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.
#1 – Dad needs a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?
#2 – Dad needs to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family. In Seattle it’s here.
#3 – Dad needs to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?
#4 – Dad needs to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?
#5 – Dad needs to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?
#6 – Dad needs to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?
#7 – Dad needs to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?
#8 – Dad needs to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?
#9 – Dad needs to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?
#10 – Dad needs to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?
#11 – Dad needs to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?
#12 – Dad needs to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?
#13 – Dad needs to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?
#14 – Dad needs to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?
#15 – Dad needs to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?
#16 – Dad needs to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?
Excited to announce that Lifehouse will have 2 Sunday services starting on January 10th. Here's some important info you'll want and need to know about the WHY's and WHAT's of this transition to 2 services.
First, the WHY's:
So grateful that so many guests and regular Lifehousers show up every weekend. We've been averaging about 485 people per Sunday, and that means we're running out of seats.
To reach more guests, we need more chairs. By adding a 2nd service, we double our seating capacity. This gives us more space to reach more people with whom we can share the amazing message of the gospel. And that is our ultimate Cause- to share and show our world the gospel of Jesus!
More options: for more people to attend (can pick time that works best for them), and allow people who couldn't come before, to now join us!
More opportunities to serve: some people don't want to serve in ministry during the service, because they don't want to miss it (we totally understand!). This way, everyone can participate in one service and serve in the other, and always get to participate in a service.
INVITE YOUR FRIENDS. Our main purpose is to give us room to reach more unchurched and de-churched people. God loves everyone you know, and He wants them to discover the abundant life and salvation through Jesus. Invite them to join us during one of our services.
Children's ministries: will be available during BOTH services. Additionally, for children that will be in both services (since many parents will be serving during one services), there will be Kidz Life Groups (discipleship classes) available during the 9am service.
Sunday morning Life groups: we do offer adult life groups at 9am currently. We will offer life groups during both services. So, you can participate in one service, attend a life group in the other. Most life groups are available during the week in homes, but Sunday morning groups are available for those who need childcare and are only available on Sundays.
Addressing a few concerns/ questions you might have:
Won't 2 services mean it will feel like their are 2 churches? Service styles will be the same, including sermons. We will be giving our best to both services, so quality and experience will be very similar. Primary difference will be time.
Won't I feel disconnected from people in the other service? Great question! Yes, but do you feel connected with everyone in our service right now? Probably not. Why? If any church has over 40 people attending, it's impossible to be intimately connected with everyone. Additionally, Sunday services are NOT designed to help people feel more connected to each other, that's what life groups and ministry groups are for. We passionately believe in relationships. To get more connected to a small group of people, so that you feel like you're part of the Lifehouse "family of friends", join a ministry and a life group. Trust me, those small groups are the best place to find friends and feel connected NOT MATTER how many people Lifehouse continues to reach on Sunday mornings.
How can YOU help? Thought you'd never ask! Between Now and Jan 10th, we'll be asking you to commit to the following:
which service will you be participating in: 9 or 10:30?
Hope this helps provided so much needed information.
Please PRAY for God's favor during this transition and that we would continue to REACH many unchurched and de-churched people with the message of Jesus' salvation.
Ever had a season when you are RE-facing an issue or situation you thought you had already dealt with or gotten victory over or passed that test? You're dealing with a pattern in your life, a mental block, or chronic emotional battle.
So, did David, and it's a great account of living/ leading on principle rather than on methods.
Some background: David had recently become king over all Israel, and the Philistines come to pick a fight and whip David out (ever felt like that?). While David is camped out in his "stronghold" seeking God, his enemies are gathering in the Valley of Rephaim (known as Valley of Giants. Hmm, that sounds familiar). Read 2 Samuel 5:17-20. God tells him to lead his army against them, and when David does, there is a great victory. So far so good...
Then, just win David is feeling good about his victory, the Philistines gather back up in Valley of Rephaim again. Same place, same enemy!
What would you be thinking? what would you do? David could have thought, "ok, been here before. Must have not been as big a victory as I initially thought. Well, God told me to go fight them before, guess I'll go fight them again. Pretty sure if it brought us victory the first time, it'll work again this time."
Did you see it? Methods are developed from past victories, either our own or someone that we're familiar with.
But that's not what David did. Instead, verse 23 says, "David inquired of the LORD". Read the rest of 2 Samuel 5:22-25. But this time, God gave David a different strategy- to have his army surround them from the back on the hillside where the Mulberry trees are, and then wait to hear the stirring in the trees. Once David heard the stirring, then he was to attack the Philistines. David follow the strategy precisely, and there he defeated the Philistines again.
What's the point? The strategy isn't what worked. Strategies must change. David had to first pray and inquire of God, then follow His plans and strategies. The previous strategy wouldn't have led to victory but destruction.
Just because David was facing the same enemy in the same place didn't mean he had failed, God was just testing him to see if he would seek God or default to some prescribed strategy, then write a book called "How to defeat the Philistines in 5 Simple Steps". No, David had to listen and obey. The only explanation for both victories was GOD!
I'm fired up! If you know me or have ever gotten an email from me- you've heard this. If you know me well, you know it's true, almost all the time. It's not an act.
So, here's how I stay so committed (with passion) to the course of ministry, responsibility, and to my community? Here's my response:
CALLING:
A certainty that I am doing what God destined for me to do, specifically in planting Lifehouse and in raising up other church planters. Very little else fuels me for long except the confidence I have that God called me to do this- He choose me, I didn’t choose Him.
Constant reminder from passages of Scripture that have gripped me from the beginning of my call (Jeremiah 1:4-10; Joshua 1:1-11 and 3:1-6).
Vision is a picture of the “preferred future” (Leading at a Higher Level). I can close my eyes and see, at least generally, what my purpose is, even several years down the road. I know for a fact that I’m still on the front end of completing the work that God has called me to. Since I know this is the beginning, I’m resolute in finishing. My dream is to lead a Kingdom-impacting church for a long time (LHE) and through Lifehouse, develop as many church planters as possible then send them out to plant as many churches as possible.
FOCUS: this encompasses 2 critical areas:
Giftedness: staying narrowed in my unique destiny, temperament, and calling. I realize that I’m not that good at a lot of things, but extremely gifted in a few areas. So, I leverage the areas I’m strong in, do those better, and keep developing/ releasing/ coaching other leaders to do everything else! This is huge! When I’m busy doing what I’m not gifted at or passionate about, I feel de-motivated, uninspired, and I won’t stay the course.
Eternal perspective: the Cause of Christ grips me so completely and passionately that I can’t help but recklessly abandon myself to His purposes for my life, regardless of the cost, sacrifice, or hard work. My prayer everyday,
“Oh Lord, may what I do TODAY matter for ETERNITY so that the population of heaven will increase because I got out of bed this morning!”
This isn’t always easy, that’s why I need prayer time and devotions- to keep me focused and centered on the WHY.
DREAM TEAM: having highly committed leaders around me has been one of my greatest strengths.
This requires lots of invest of time, conflict resolution, prayer, and high level of faith in people, and a critically important ability to see the potential in others and to invite them to leverage their potential in God’s Church. I have a passion to see people WIN and excitedly BELIEVE in them more than they believe in themselves.
Read “Building a Dream Team” in Courageous Leadership, by Bill Hybels. When other high level people join you, it’s emboldening and empowering. When they sacrifice alongside of you, it makes you believe in the Cause even more, and you recognize that the Cause is bigger than you.
PRAYER: I know it sounds obvious, but I’ve bathed every step of ministry and life in prayer, and especially in seasons of fasting. When you know your walking in devotion to God, hearing from Him, and radically living His purposes- you can’t quit!
People want to copy or replicate what works, whether in business, ministry, marriage, parenting, or any other life- pursuit. That's why their are how-to books that top the best-seller lists week after week. We all want the techniques and methods on how to get rich, parent an all-star, or lead a community-impacting church.
But does replication and duplication really work? Can I copy your methods and reasonably expect to get the same results?
The answer is emphatically NO! Now, don't panic, it's not that you should throw away every book, stop reading this blog, and ignore every teacher. It's just that we can't COPY or duplicate a method and expect the same results as our method trend-setter.
Most books and methodologies get established, because someone experimented, diligently worked, prayed, re-tried, failed, cried, fasted, struggled THEN experience, over time, what we call "success". Then, they write a book , teach a class or seminar EXPLAINING the techniques that took them a lifetime of process and brokenness to uncover and live.
It's NOT the techniques that produce the results we all desire, it's the process of living by God-ordained principles.
DON'T look for the techniques or methods to effectiveness. That will only lead you to unhealthy comparisons and frustration.
DO study the principles that underlined another person's effectiveness, and follow their example. Jesus lived a principled life and taught us His WAY! He did not offer us a bunch of methods. When we lived on principle, methods will come and go, but we will live solid on TRUTH!
That's right, I'm using every digital means possible to get help. Here's what we are looking for:
Invite as many people as possible to Lifehouse on December 6th,
Help us FIND some necessary props for Christmas decorations.
Here's how you can invite friends for Red Carpet Sunday:
To invite friends and family who are NOT currently in church, send them an evite from our website here or from Facebook here.
Get a bunch of flyers and pass them out to neighbors, co-workers, friends, family.
Ask them to "commit" to joining you for Red Carpet Sunday on December 6th at 9:30 for breakfast AND 9:45 to get seated for the 10 am service.
Once they commit to coming, fill out a ticket with their information and turn it in at the registration table, so that they can be entered into a drawing to win a VIP package of gifts.
follow up with them and encourage them to actually come on December 6th.
Here's what we want/ need for Christmas decorations BEFORE December 6th: (we would need to keep decorations for the whole month of December, so don't lend us your tree if you want it for Christmas)
3-4 normal size outdoor lamp stands- would like 2 with 3 lights and 1 or 2 with 1 light.
large wreath, probably at least 4 foot in diameter,
2- 12' Christmas trees (preferably pre-lit)
2- 9' Christmas trees (preferably pre-lit)
2 old fashion candle holders (the ones you see in movies that people would use to carry around their house and light a room)
Thanks for your passion and help. Keep inviting friends!
Sharing with you our steps in preparation for a new year (for church planters and pastors). I'm including in this several resources and links that might help you as you approach the end/ beginning of the year.
1. Evaluate/ assess the following: personal life, ministry life, church life. Goal should be to invite leadership team to honestly and candidly evaluate how they are doing personally, how YOU are doing as a leader, how their ministry is doing, and then, how the overall church is doing.
We have worked hard to create a culture that is honest, candid, and willing to embrace the brutal (in love) facts.
Honesty and candidness are two way streets. Usually, I have to be willing to take honesty and opinions on the chin several times before my team trusts me enough, that they'd be willing to hear my brutal honesty of their leadership and ministries.
2. Review all evaluations and condense them into one document. Here's ours from this year.
3. Leadership Advance or gathering point: we go away for a day and a half each November for prayer and planning. Here's what we do when we get away:
Spiritual renewal: as leaders, we're often working in ministry, that it's easy for us to start running on "E" and that leads toward burnout. So, I encourage and challenge our leaders to get renewed and refocused on their personal life.
Celebrate "wins": we take time to talk about the great things God did in us and through us this year.
Review the combined evaluation form to determine: what we need to keep doing? what do we need to stop doing? and what do we need to do better?
Cast vision for next year. Based on prayer, vision, and evaluation, we're able to make a fair and prophetic look at what God is calling us to do next year. This should certainly start in the heart of the leader and be embraced by the entire leadership team.
4. Theme for next year: as I just mentioned, it's my responsibility to hear from God, and determine the prophetic "season" or direction of our church as we transition into a new year. Couple of thoughts on themes and annual vision statements:
This isn't biblical, but it's also not unbiblical. Just realize that there are no expectations for having a statement or theme for every year. I have personally adopted a prayer focus as we approach closing out one year and entering a new one. There are times when I am confident that God gave me clear insight into what would happen broadly in the life of our church.
It's important to evaluate the "season" of the church. Like the sons of Isaachar, we must be people who "know the times and seasons".
The theme must be born of God and focus on the positive direction of the church.
A theme might not end on December 31, so ask God if you are to continue to point towards this years theme. Additionally, a theme usually builds on last years. So, if God has been "pruning" then it might be time for growth, then fruit.
5. Calendar planning. Take time now to look over next years calendar, look for important holidays that must be planned for and around. Pay attention to "pitfall" dates on the calendar. Determine when new sermon series will begin, and when is the best time for a Friend Day, baptisms, and vacation time.
6. Planning your preaching calendar. Nelson Searcy has an incredible resource on planning your 2010 preaching calendar (listen to it here). This should be done with great prayer and fasting. Believe and ask God to speak to you NOW about what to speak on throughout 2010.
Ok, gave way more content than should probably be dissemenated via blog or email. But wanted to provide the best information to those who need it.
What do you do as you lead out of one year and toward a New Year?
I'm really enjoying preaching the Gravity sermon series. The whole premise: just like there are basic "laws" of the universe and nature, that we must cooperate with, there are fundamental principles established by God to govern life. We don't have to like them, but we must cooperate with them.
It was fun to welcome 2 tree frogs to the stage and share the preaching platform with them. They did as good a job as I did, some may say better. I illustrated the "frog syndrome", explaining how we can adapt to destructive situations. Sin is out to destroy us.
Jesus used nature to teach some of the deepest principles of life and God's Kingdom. A kernel of corn or a grain of wheat can illustrate better than a thousands words that we must "die to live".
Just a thought:I present the toughest messages with the highest level of creativity and illustration. Why? I believe that creativity and powerful illustrations invite people to lower their guards and presuppositions about God, religion, and the Bible. Great illustrations are memorable, and when the TRUTH of God's Word is presented in a memorable way, the Holy Spirit has room to bring it back to remembrance in our hearts.
Privileged, favorite moments don't occur often but when they do, enjoy them. Revel in them! And that's just what we did at Lifehouse 2 weeks ago. We hosted our first raucous baptism gathering following our morning service. Here's what I loved about it:hundreds of people from Lifehouse were able to celebrate with the 10-12 that were baptized,
it felt more like a family celebration than a religious ceremony,
we screamed and cheered wildly for those who were making their public declaration of faith in Jesus,
the theater was transformed into sacred ground, a place where so many have made decisions to follow and grow in their decision for Christ. Now, it has become a place where we can also celebrate those decisions through the next step of baptism,
the water was warm (thanks Don for getting the gas-powered heater to warm up the water)
I love firsts, so it was cool that it was our first baptism at the theater (and only a week after the previous cinema company moved out,
I got baptized (well, not in a theological, sacrament sense, but in a chucked in the water like a play toy by Pastor Dave sense),
Here are some cool photos:
Congratulations to all who were baptized!
Some changes to our next baptism, coming soon:
I'd like to invite the person who invited the baptism candidate to share their personal story of how they met, introduced Jesus to the new Jesus-follower,
Invite the friend to baptized the candidate.
As the lead pastor, I want to give away to others this awesome moment, rather than holding on to it. Let's pass around the joy and victory.
There are elemental laws, forces, principles of nature and universe that "operate" to meticulous perfection. Mankind, especially scientists for thousands of years, has worked to discover “how” these laws work. However, they always work, whether we know or understand them. So, our goal is to not only figure out how they work, but more importantly, to cooperate with them.
All of these forces and laws are so finely "tuned" to perfection that to the objective observer, the whole of existence can be described as nothing less than the “Elegant Universe".
The force of gravity is perfect, but it didn’t have to be that way. Newton discovered and theorized gravity (the force of attraction between any 2 atoms). Gravity is usually undetectable, but with great mass can come significant gravity, i.e. on earth, which makes apples fall from trees, but also keeps the moon in orbit (9.81m/s2 or 32ft/s2).
Gravity on earth doesn’t change because the mass of earth doesn’t change, but what if it did? Exact pull keeps not only us from being thrown form earth as it spins, it keeps certain gases in our atmosphere in and others out. It keeps sea water in the ocean, and air breathable. That’s why if you go to higher elevations, it’s harder to breathe. Atmospheric pressure (based on gravity) is lower, which means fewer O2 molecules concentrated per unit of volume of air.
Newton figured out most of the formulas that we still use to this day, and he didn’t even know WHY it worked. Einstein came along and wrote theory, discovered laws of relativity, including gravity.
If you’re thinking, “I don’t get it.” That’s okay. Remember, you don’t have to understand the laws for them to work. Sometimes things do work as we think, like a bowling ball sinking in water. We certainly try to understand, more importantly cooperate with and live in harmony with these “laws”.
Then, there are times when these laws don't work as we expect. Then what do we do?
For sake of illustration, what about this 10 lbs bowling ball that floats? Not what we expect, right?
Explanation: density is the key (mass in volume). Density of water (about 1 g/cm3, or 8lbs/gal). If the density of the bowling balls are greater than the density of water, they'll sink. If less, then they'll float.
Don’t always work as we think they should, sometimes even want to fight them. We can try to resist, and become frustrated, or fight them to own misfortune and destruction.
Similarly, there are fundamental principles in human life that are always in operation, whether we know or understand them. And like the laws of nature, it is always best to live in harmony and cooperation with these principles.
However, sin messed up natural tendencies and instincts, reversed our innate understanding, more importantly to cooperate. Sin turned everything upside-down, broken.
Our sin nature is out to destroy us. Like someone with an urge to jump from high places, which everyone agrees is contrary to nature and a destructive tendencies (Psychologists would call it Masochistic/ Self-Defeating Personality Disorder).
The Bible states that sin fractured our nature, our understanding, and even messed up the whole of nature, by inserting death and sin into a perfect world.
Here's one example of how sin messed things up. When God designed creations, it was absent of death and destruction. However, through sin, death entered into our world, death led to the basic instinct of self-preservation, which leads to all sorts of evil, especially selfishness.
We are hard-wired by our fractured nature to be selfishness. Even my "perfect" daughters say things like, “I want” and "It's mine", too often. We are constantly looking out for MY needs. We want the last cookie.
This instinctive selfishness doesn’t preserve us, however, but actually destroys us and the relationships with others that we value.
When we follow our natural tendencies, it's similar to following the urge to jump from a cliff against the force of gravity. However, instead of protecting or liberating us, it destroys us and others.
Sin is always out to destroy us, and therefore, our nature is a destructive force in our life. Read John 10:10. Were not not alone, as soon as sin entered world back in Eden, mankind has been living under it’s cruel curse. Even Jesus’ disciples show the self-protecting, self-exalting cycle with all it's selfish instincts: Read John 13:3-8, 12-17.
This is a counter-intuitive model of life, that goes against everything instinctive and selfish.
Jesus came to restore our lives back to the original design, help us re-discover the basic principles of true life so that we would not live destructive lives leading to death, but so that we could truly live in cooperation with God and in harmony with His perfect plan. Now, read the full verse from John 10:10.
So, what can we learn from Jesus teaching that will help us prosper, live in harmony with God’s absolute principles of life so that we can experience true life and blessing, as Jesus promised in John 13:17?
Here's the Big Idea: To be first, be last!
No, were not in kindergarten anymore! So, we’re not pushing and shoving to get to the front of the line, well unless you're driving down the road in rush hour traffic... But Jesus wasn’t talking about trying to get to first place in line, but about posturing for fame, greatness, recognition, and self-preservation.
His completely counter-intuitive lessons challenge us to stop following our natural, sinful tendencies that lead toward the destruction of all things, and start following His way and listening to God’s Spirit inside of us, leading us toward a new way of living and thinking.
What does it mean to “be last”?
If we want to be greatest, become the servant of all. If we strive to be in charge as a master, then we must follow His example and become a servant in the most humble of circumstances.
This isn’t about looking down on yourself, or having low self-esteem or any lack of self-worth. Jesus had great self-worth and a knowledge of His value and position with the Father, as clearly stated in John 13:3-4.
Just the opposite is the case, when we’re aware of our true value and worth to God, then we stop fighting and posturing. We stop living so cut-throat, and following the self-defeating life that leads to destruction. Then, we can willing serve others, because we’re not looking out for our interests but God’s.
By trying to be first or greatest or most recognized or to be see as important, we fall into the self-defeating, destructive trap that destroy us and leave us as the least. We become a slave to sin and in bondage to the very things we seek. Money becomes a snare, fame a curse, and power a tool for destruction.
BUT when we take on the role of a servant (counter-intuitive), we reverse the forces of sin, and embrace a whole new way of true life that Jesus offers.
TO BE LAST means to serve others, rather than ruling over them. Preferring others ahead of ourselves. Wanting the best for them, as much as for ourselves. Lift others up rather than always wanting to puff ourselves up. To be humble and bend down, while others stand proud. To wash feet while others refuse to ever do the work of the slave.
Do you want to get ahead in this life? You may achieve it, only to arrive at that end, and discover that it gave you the opposite results as you expected.
Jesus’ teaching is NOT complicated. It’s just so contrary to our instinctive way of living, that it seems wrong, weak, “it’ll never work”. But we, and our world, are the ones who are broken, not this teaching.
Jesus reveals one of the most profound, yet basic principles of life. It's even taught in MBA programs, politics, business, consultation- servant leadership. 820,000 links on Google. It’s always at work, not matter whether we understand it or not, whether we agree wit it, or expect it to work as it does.
Jesus challenged His disciples, and in turn us, to live in harmony and cooperation with God’s plan for all life.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13: 17, NIV.
