Tuesday, December 30, 2008

World Missions Summit

Carole and I are leaving today for Cincinnati, Ohio to attend the World Missions Summit. This event, the second one of its kind, is geared for college age young adults. We will have the opportunity to draw from the energy of more than 4000 young adults who are seeking God's direction for their lives. We will also have the opportunity to reconnect with many of our friends who serve God in various parts of the globe. Since I don't have an awesome laptop (see earlier post) I don't know if I will have an opportunity to post any updates during the event, but I will be sure to let you know what happened when I get back.

On another topic, I don't experience many "firsts" at Lakeside after attending there for 40 years, but this Sunday's experience of delivering the Sunday morning message at Lakeside was a first for me. I enjoyed it, and the people who were there were gracious and made me feel like they were listening. The message is on the Lakeside website, www.lakesideassembly.org. It is under the media tab. It is also availabe on cassette and 8-track for a donation of only $20. (Not really)

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Good Looking, or God Looking?

Our world values beauty over plainness. It always has, and it always will. It is no secret that physical attractiveness will open some doors much more quickly than they do for someone who lacks our current definition of attractiveness. As one who hits the middle of the average scale, it has been annoying, at times, to see someone who is less committed to a task than I get first shot at an opportunity because of better looks. But to the one who is truly homely, or even ugly according to our standards, the whole situation must look completely unfair and demoralizing.

In scanning a book I will read sometime later, I came across an old Jewish parable about "The Rabbi and the Exceedingly Ugly Man". In the story, a rabbi was in a good mood as he was on his way home from the synagogue. He chanced to meet a man who was exceedingly ugly. The rabbi questioned the man rudely about his ugliness. The ugly man replied, "I do not know, but go and tell the craftsman who made me, 'How ugly is the vessel which you have made.'" The rabbi was immediately repentant and prostrated himself before the man and asked his forgiveness.

The rabbi, just like we who are average or above in looks, possessions, education, status, etc. understood the concept of being created in the image of God lightly, as though it was of small consequence. The ugly man, however, grasped the importance of that knowledge because the added difficulty of physical ugliness caused him to hold to his creator very tightly. He realized that in doing so others might see the resemblence between him and his creator.

I sin when I make fun of others simply because birth gave us different appearances. We are all made in the image of God. In that way, we are all equally God looking.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

HDWRTYA part 5

Here are my conclusions:
The bad news is that young adults are poor.
The good news is that they don't have to have a building. They don't have to have paid staff. They don't have to have a sound system. They don't necessarily have to have a budget for anything other than outreach ministry.

They don't like to do church the way traditional churches do it. They shouldn't. The traditional church can't make them.

How about this concept? How about if the local church provided ministry training to passionate young people? These young people could attend college to attain a degree which will allow them to make a living in the business world. They would be commissioned by the local church to lead a group of young adult believers. These groups could meet in coffee shops, parks, homes, or wherever they wanted? They would be micro-churches operating under the covering of the local church, who would provide all of the administration, charitable organization status, and continuing minsterial training. These pastors would be bi-vocational, earning a living at a job and shepherding their congregation. The staff pastors of the local sending church would be a resource to help the pastor of the micro church with hospital visits, filling in, etc. The office equipment of the sending church would be available for copies, postage, and other routine operations. There would not be a large financial burden on the sending church and there would not be a huge financial pressure on the pastor as he builds his micro church.

My concept is that micro churches could be established very strategically. Small language centered or cultural congregations could start this way. Churches could be started which could never begin under the conventional model. The style of ministry could be very specific. Groups would be easy to move around if they outgrow a place. Without the structure of a conventional church building, the pastor would be free to conduct his meetings in ways never thought of before.

Many see young people leaving the church. Many see young people as not having the resources to start churches. I see young people who need a relationship with Christ more than they need a piano and organ. The innovators see what they have instead of what they lack. Can we be innovative?

Saturday, December 20, 2008

HDWRTYA part 4

I know that the last post comes across as harsh and jaded, but in many churches across the nation, and at some level, my own church, that is the reality. And if I hadn't painted the picture so clearly, you would have lost interest in the post or failed to see what is happening. Now, you are either mad at me, or agreeing with me. Either way, you are probably interested to see where I am going with this.



Another reality is the main topic of this series of posts, the young adult. Now, please recognize that I am 52 years old, so I haven't been a young adult for some time. Also, many of the things I will say are gross generalizations and won't apply to everyone, just as the story I wove in the previous posts won't apply to every church.



The young people I have talked to in the past year aren't really impressed with organizations and structures as much as they are by having and experience with God in community with others. Denominational branding isn't all that important to them. They do, however, want to experience God personally. And if the gospel or theological teaching comes to them from someone they know is living a life filled with aggravations similar to what they are experiencing, the will receive the teaching passionately. They are also very interested in social justice and they are invested in living out the gospel in a real way. Many would rather help others with their tithes than to build a comfortable place to meet.

It sounds like they are perfect, doesn't it? Well, we're not, and neither are they. If they grew up in traditional church, many are terribly mistrustful of anything having to do with the traditional church. As a result, they miss out on opportunities to relate to (and reverse mentor) some of the older believers who could really be an asset in their lives.

So where am I going with all this? Next post I will try to come to a conclusion.

Friday, December 19, 2008

HDWRTYA part 3

I spent the last two posts laying out some history and facts concerning the way we do church. Basically, the existing model is this: A church is just a gathering until it has enough members to register as a "put in order" church. It looks for a building so it can be respected as a "real" church. When it has a building, it has a budget to maintain the building. It needs a full-time pastor, and eventually several paid staff members. With a building, comes 24 hour access. With 24 hour access, come the reasonable requests of the members who contribute to pay for the building. These requests come in the form of ministry programs they would like to see established, and since we have a building which is only used a few hours a week, we now have room to get started. Rooms get reserved, new tables and chairs are ordered, the kitchen gets an upgrade, and multiple sound systems are purchased. The operating budget increases. Most of the ministries are designed with our church people in mind. Yes, the church is growing, but it is growing because people are coming from other churches because we are doing a better job of providing a program that is important to them. You fear that if you modify that program, you will lose families.

Eventually, without aggressive attention, the church becomes a clubhouse where we come to meet with people we really like. Occasionally, someone "odd" or "rough" comes in, but they don't stay long because they aren't like us, and we fear for our children when the tough kids from the neighborhood come in. They just don't meet our spiritual standards. Maybe we can contribute to a ministry which is better equipped to reach that kind of kid. Well, we can't really spare any money to help the outreach ministry because we have to replace our dated light fixtures.

This church does a great job of having church services we enjoy attending and providing a safe place to raise our children, but is that really what the church is supposed to be doing?

Again, more tomorrow.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

HDWRTYA part 2

Turning our existing churches over to the young adults is not the answer. They cannot afford to maintain these buildings, and, honestly, they are not particularly interested in buildings. My parent's generation were builders. They were very interested in permanence; owning land and building facilities which would survive them were the things that motivated them. Many of the churches, universities and hospitals we enjoy today are products of the sacrifices of my parents's generation.

My generation, the infamous baby boomers, were organizers. We leveraged assets to maximize return on investment. We lobbied, we championed legislation. We guarded our voice and vote at all costs and the church annual business meeting was graded by the level of discussion and the adherence to Robert's Rules of Order. We prided ourselves on doing church with excellence, setting growth oriented goals and assessed our progress with quantifiables that could be compared to previous years and to other churches. We organized ministries, and when the local church failed to do a certain type of ministry, we organized parachurch ministries to fill the void.

Both generations were effective in their own times, but today we find ourselves bound by our facilities and reluctant to change or eliminate ministry programs which we were instrumental in developing.

Once again, an abrupt ending. More tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

How Do We Reach The Young Adult?

In my previous life as a businessman, I had a strength that came naturally and was beneficial in evaluating existing business models and building new business models. That strength was the ability to see trends and assemble facts of the moment. When I could establish facts and identify trends, I could put together a plan that could acheive specified goals utilizing the realities of assets and markets.

Now I know that you are wondering why I am writing all of this business gobbledygook instead of something crudely humorous like I did a couple of days ago. The reason is because I see a trend in Church (not just the local church) and in large part the Church is continuing down a path that was successful for decades, but will not be successful in reaching the next generation.

The trend I see (and it is well documented by many authors and statisticians) is that the young adults (both those who grew up in church and those who didn't) of our nation are becoming increasingly interested in spiritual things, but they are not seeing the church as the place to find spiritual fulfillment. They enjoy a different type of worship experience than the traditional "church service as pep rally" experience that nearly all churches provide.

The reason most churches provide this type of worship experience is because that type of experience (with its moving music and motivational message) appeals to the largest demographic group. Those who are in their thirties or older find their spiritual satisfaction in this type of service. And, not meaning to sound cynical, this demographic is the one most likely to support the church with their substantial tithes and offerings, allowing the local church to maintain a nice facility, a quality ministry team, and even do some outreach.

But the fact is, we are losing our young adults at alarming rates. Realities of life and administration preclude us from making aggressive changes to our way of doing church for fear of running off those who have been faithful attenders and supporters and being left with a group that is in a stage of life that is pre-wealth.

I am going to end abruptly because this post is too long. More on this tomorrow.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Congratulations, Sam!

Of course we are all proud of Oklahoma's most recent Heisman trophy winner, Sam Bradford. He is a graduate of Putnam City North, one of the two schools in our Square Mile.

What struck me when the finalists were announced a couple of weeks ago was the similarities among the three. They are all underclassmen. This will probably become the norm as fewer premier athletes complete their entire college eligibility before going pro. They are all quarterbacks in charge of powerhouse offenses. Their statistics made great cases for each of them to be potential winners.

But what was immediately apparent was the quality of character each of these fine young men exhibited. Each of them readily professed his faith and was ready to give the majority of credit for his success to others. And finally, each of them had moms and dads who were involved in their entire lives. It is so incredibly important that children know that the unconditional love of parents is a non-negotiable.

In this day we live in, with so many families in peril, many children live in situations without positive male role models. I applaud the single mom for the incredible influence she exerts in the lives of her children. She sacrifices everything to protect and provide for the children. But nearly all single moms know that there is a part of her children's development that must come from men. That is where the men of the church must step in. We must be alert to times when we can come alongside the single mom and offer help; not to replace the father, but to give assistance in being a resource to both mother and child to provide guidance, friendship, and time and be a positive male influence in the lives of children.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

It's a Wonderful LIfe

I just finished watching "A Wonderful Life" for about the zillionth time, and I still am amazed at what a desipicable person Mr. Potter is. I also tear up every time at the end of the movie as the people whose lives were touched by George Bailey come with their gifts to help George out of his jam. As the characters come forward, we remember how they were affected by the simple and kind things that George did for them. He gave of himself and gave others preeminence over his own plans and dreams. The message left in the book from Clarence sums it up: "No man is a failure who has friends."

Being a middle aged man, I often think about the life I have lived and the opportunities that are yet to come. I wonder sometimes how I will be remembered. And I often think of an old song that is not sung much these days except by me to myself:

I wonder have I given my best to Jesus,
Who died upon that cruel tree.
To think of his great sacrifice on Calvary,
I know he must expect the best from me.
I wonder, have I cared enough for others,
or have I let them die alone.
I might have helped some wanderer find the savior,
the seeds of precious life I might have sown.
How many are the lost that I have lifted,
How many are the chained I've helped to free.
I wonder, have I done my best for Jesus,
when he has done so much for me.

We all have George Bailey opportunities to impact someone else's life every day. How will you be remembered?

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Relationship Wisdom

You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you can't wipe your friends on the couch.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Nehushtan

When it comes to church life, we are all guilty at times of taking good things and making them more important than they should be. We start to do something because it benefits a particular circumstance, but after time, that action becomes a policy and any reduction in that activity is seen as a step backward for the church. Those who embrace that action or program see any reduction as disrespect for their ministry and a reason for dissention. So the program continues to be supported and funded even when the fruit of that activity has long since diminished.

In Numbers 21 there is the story of Moses and the Israelites. The people started whining for the umpteenth time since their liberation from Egypt and God judged them by sending venomous snakes to bite them. God also supplied the means for deliverance from his judgement by directing Moses to make a bronze snake and put it where everybody could see it. Anyone who got snakebit and looked at the bronze snake lived. If they didn't look at it, they were on their own. That odd story points to, among other things, that an infinite God has an infinite number of ways to accomplish his purposes.

What happened later, though, is significant. After the snake crisis passed, the people kept the snake and carried it around with them for years and years. Originally it was a reminder to serve God without grumbling and that God will deliver his people in times of distress. Over time, it stopped being a reminder and it became an object of worship. They named it Nehushtan and they burned incense to it.

When Hezekiah became king of Judah, he recognized that the Nehushtan had ceased to benefit. Rather, it became something that hindered believers from worshiping God directly. Hezekiah didn't try to steer people away from it; he broke it into pieces. Even though it had been commanded by God and constructed by Moses, it had served its purpose in its time. Now it was a hindrance to true worship, and it had to go. As a result of taking this bold and risky action, God blessed Hezekiah. He was successful in whatever he undertook. (2Kings 18:4-8)

What is our Nehushtan? What traditions, programs, or objects do we make so important that they become a hindrance to becoming all that God wants us to be? If we "can't" enter into worship without a particular style of music, an instrument, or architectural element, or if we get angry and defensive when our favorite program or area of ministry is changed or eliminated, we are probably dealing with a Nehushtan. I know I have Nehushtans in my life. I must break them, because God has so much more in store for me than what I already know about. What about you? What good things do you need to break into pieces so God can be larger in your life? I want to be successful in whatever I undertake, and I think you do too. We need to do away with the "good" to make room for the "great" that God has ready for us.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Salvation Doctors

Imagine that I am your doctor. You come to me and I check you out. I discover a terminal illness. I also know a sure cure. But in talking to you I sense that you want to get a good report from me so I tell you that you have nothing wrong with you and you leave happy. Did I help you? Of course not. My lying to you to spare you any discomfort today would be an outrageous breach of my obligation as a doctor. On your deathbed, you would not be saying that you were happy that you left my office with a good report. You would be cursing me for not telling you what was wrong when it was curable.

Now I hesitate to finish this comparison, because we are not spiritual doctors charged with diagnosing everyone's spiritual ills. But we do know the one major ill, which is sin. And we know the one sure cure, which is salvation in Jesus.

Often we have relationships which allow us to speak into someone's life. Our culture tells us not to offend or be judgemental by thinking our way is better than anyone else's way. We are told to build people up, not tear them down. But when we fail to point the way to salvation, we are not building up anyone; we are insuring their eternal doom. If we really believe what we say, we are being criminally negligent when we fail to point others to Christ.

Monday, December 1, 2008

How Simple Can I Make It?

I've recently become involved in discipling a new convert who has almost no church foundation. It has really been a stretch for me to begin at an elementary enough level to really give him the foundations he needs to take off on his spiritual journey. Many of our church jargon has no meaning to those outside the church. Some of them are even alarming to the unindoctrinated. Telling someone to come to the cross and be washed in the blood of the lamb seems like so much jibberish to someone who has never learned the significance of the cross, or the imagery of the perfect sacrificial atonement for our sins.

It causes me to think before I say anything and I wonder if he has sufficient background to understand what I am telling him. Where do I start? If I quote from the Bible, does he understand that the Bible is the infallible Word of God? Or does he think of it as only an ancient book of wisdom similar to other ancient writings?

Does he have an adequate concept of sin and his need of a savior? He has made a commitment to Christ so I know the Holy Spirit is moving in his life. (See all of the Christian phrases I used?)

I'm looking forward to progressing on this path. We should all be thinking, "How can I make something with eternal consequences easily explainable?

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Thunder wins!!!!!

Okay, that's more like it! A night after an almost win (loss) our Thunder pulled it off at Memphis! It was a great game which was overshadowed by the Bedlam game by those watching tv. They came from behind earlier in the game and gutted it out down the stretch. In this game, they were the team that executed at critical times and got the win. This doesn't make them playoff contenders by any stretch, but it does give them confidence that they can finish a game and get occasional wins. Hopefully they don't have any more losing streaks as long as this one.

And by the way. This year's bedlam game was exciting beyond belief. I didn't feel that the outcome was settled until the fumble recovery with a minute and a half left. Both teams gave everything, but the better team prevailed in the end. Hats off to the Sooners and the Cowboys!

Nearly winning is still losing

Last night I watched the last half of the Thunder basketball game on tv. It was another game where the Thunder was tied or in the lead with less than a minute left, but ultimately lost because the other team was able to make a clutch play as time expired. I was so disappointed for our guys. They worked so hard and were so close. It looks like it is incredibly hard to actually gain a win in the NBA. It seems like when it comes down to crunch time it is always the other team who makes the critical play at the critical time. I know that losing at the last second is better than giving up in the third quarter like they did several times earlier in the season, but nearly winning is still losing.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! It is an incredible privilege to serve at Lakeside. As I see our unlimited future begin to be revealed I am blessed and humbly thankful for all that God has done to show His faithfulness to our church. I am seeing the fulfillment of things spoken over Lakeside several years ago. I am seeing the sprouts coming up from seeds that were planted in recent months. And I know that as we increase the number of laborers in the global harvest we will see the harvest increase.

Blessings to all of you.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Pressure of Anointing

In our partner appreciation weekend, Pastor Darren revealed to those in attendance the concept of Lakeside moving to the forefront of ministry training. The concept is to become very intentional in discipling believers to prepare them for service not just for Lakeside, but for the Kingdom of God at large.

I am so behind this concept it isn't funny. The 1st century church wasn't the domain of paid professional ministers. It was peopled by new converts whose lives had been radically transformed and they could do nothing else but share their experience with everyone else. I used the term "pressure of anointing" to describe what builds up in believers who are seeking what God wants to do their their lives. They have to minister to relieve that pressure. We have seen in recent years that ministry takes on so many more forms than just preaching, and every believer has a ministry within that needs to be developed and utilized for the Kingdom.

I can't wait to see how this develops.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Teen Challenge

I went to a banquet for Teen Challenge last night. 2009 is the 50th anniversary of the formation of Teen Challenge. It was 50 years ago when David Wilkerson felt moved to go to New York City to intervene in the lives of young people who were living a life of drugs, crime and violence. Now there are TC centers around the world who are staffed with ordinary people powered by an incredible call on their lives to change lives. A testimony from one of the graduates of TC said that Teen Challenge doesn't only change lives, it changes family trees. It breaks cycles of addiction, abuse and neglect. It restores children and spouses.

The national Teen Challenge office produced a DVD celebrating the 50 years of miracles. I saw it for the 4th time last night and it still brought tears to my eyes when I listened to the testimonies. I have a copy of it if you would like to see it.

Oklahoma has 4 TC centers: Sonrise Ranch for men, Freedom House for women, Brush Creek Ranch for adolescent boys, and New Life House for adolescent girls. All of them are doing a great work and are worthy of your support. If you would like to help, there are a lot of possibilities. Let me know. Lakeside's Womens Ministry has taken on a project at Freedom House. They are renovating one of the residence rooms. It is really great to see the excitement building in the women who are involved in this project. All of the centers can use help in many practical ways. Let me know if you want to do something.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What is our responsibility? part 3

At the church office we have a simple procedure that we follow. Pastor Mike is the principle pastor in charge of benevolence and he knows about any help that is given. We have had people who have worked many different people in the congregation asking help for the same need and collecting from several people. Hopefully by Mike knowing about these situations, they can be kept to a minimum.

We have a simple form that the person fills out and signs. Any help given this person is tracked on that form and we make sure that the same person does not get an inordinate amount of help for the same problem over and over.

If the person says they need help with rent or utilities, we will only issue a check to the landlord or utility company. We don't keep cash in the office and we don't give cash to people. If they need help with food or gas, we give them a gift card from the grocery store across the street. The card can be use for gas or groceries.

We try, whenever possible, to refer people to ministries or agencies which specialize in the area of the person's situation. There are food banks, rescue missions, and credit counseling services who are resourced better to make a real impact in a person's situation than we are. We applaud all of the organizations who are involved in benevolence ministries.

If a person gets worked up when we tell them of our no cash policy or suggest one of these organizations, it gives us a glimpse into the real nature of their request. Someone who is really in need will be glad to accept help when it is offered in love and good faith. If they insist that the check be made out to them, personally, they get nothing. I suspect many times that the person is mistaking their request for their need. They are asking for money when they need training in money management or job interviewing, but that is another subject for another day.

Even when everything works smoothly, we seldom know if we have helped or if we have been taken. We do the best with the information we are able to gather and depend that God will honor our heart and desire to help those who are in need. If the person is scamming us into giving them some of God's money, he will have to answer to God for that.

I hope that this series has helped you a little. Don't lock up your generosity in fear of being taken. But don't be stupid, either. Case by case, there is an answer for every situation. Stay close to God so he can whisper the answer in your ear.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

What is our responsibility? part 2

There is much in the Bible about helping the poor. Matthew 25 tells us that when we help "the least of these" we are helping Christ. James 1 tells us that pure religion is to look after the widows and orphans. The story of the good samaritan was in answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" The answer was basically anyone who has a need we can help with.

I certainly don't come close to having all of this figured out. It is easy when a widow, single mother, or child who is part of our church family presents a need. We know the person, we know some of the situation, and we can respond with confidence. It is the unknown person; that person who presents us with a need without any comfort of relationship that causes the difficulty. It would be nice to set a policy of not helping anyone who is not already in our community of believers, but Hebrews 13:2 tells us "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." So we have to take a chance sometimes. Sometimes we will be scammed. Sometimes we will entertain angels without knowing it. Most of the time we will not know which happened. The important thing is that we put ourselves out there. We took a chance.

Tomorrow I will give some practical tips that we have worked out here in the office.

Monday, November 17, 2008

What is our responsibility?

What is our responsibility to those who ask us for help? All of us at one time or another have been approached in a parking lot or street corner and asked for help(translation: money). Nearly all of these approaches make us unconfortable. Will this person leave when I say no? Is this person just sizing me up to see if maybe he might rob me? Is this person really in need, or is he just scamming me?

At the church we get a lot of phone calls and visits at the office from people who are asking for money for gas, food, rent, utilities, etc. We have to make snap judgements many times as to whether we should give them something and if so, how much should we give them? It can get really difficult sometimes because on one hand we sincerely see helping those in need as a foundational purpose of the local church, but on the other hand we know that any money given has come from the tithes and offerings given by those who trust us to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us, and we don't want to support the lifestyles of those who are just taking advantage of our good nature.

Sometimes the answer is clear; sometimes we get cussed out when we turn someone down, and sometimes we get a warm fuzzy when see that our gift has really helped someone. Most of the time, however, we give what we give and never hear back from the person who received the gift.

I know that I, personally, have been scammed at least two times. I have been in situations where I have helped someone who told me that they were in a situation and I gave them money only to read in the paper a few days later that the story I was told was the latest in scams to prey on the generous nature of good people.

It is easy to dismiss every request as a scam or panhandler. Everyone has a story of someone who acted crippled but wasn't and who claimed to be stranded on the road, but were just too lazy to work. But something nags at me. I think that we are the losers if we don't put ourselves out there and make ourselves vulnerable sometimes.

More tomorrow.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Work Morning

If things look brighter in the fellowship hall and in the Life Cafe, you can thank Gregg Yeilding and Mark Wiebe. They changed all of the burned out bulbs in both rooms at our work morning.

Ronald Fister installed another paper towel holder and the toilet paper dispensers in the newly remodeled men's bathroom.

Mel Franklin washed dishes and cleaned up the fellowship hall and got it ready for Sunday morning.

Nelson Alfaro got our flagpole lights working again. Sadly, it was just way too windy to get up in a lift and change the parking lot lights. That will have to wait until another day.

Richard and Jake Fister checked out several issues with our furnaces.

They were through by 11:00.

Guys like we have here at Lakeside are priceless.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Men's Breakfast and Work Morning

We are having a men's breakfast and a brief work day Saturday morning. We are renting a bucket lift so we can replace the light bulbs in the parking lot. Also there are a few miscellaneous items that need to be taken care of. Our goal is to be finished by noon. Since OU isn't playing, there aren't any important games to watch, anyway, so you might as well come and enjoy some good food and hang out with some of the best guys on the planet!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

What's happening in College and Career class?

Tonight we (the college and career class) took a road trip to one of the most interesting parts of the city. We went to the Asian district and over to the Paseo district. As you go down Classen Boulevard, you find a part of town that has been rescued by the Asian community. Once a high-end part of OKC, this area fell into disrepair in the 80's and 90's. When the Vietnamese moved in, they remodeled many of the buildings and added a large measure of their culture. There are delicious cafes and interesting markets. Oklahoma City is fortunate to have this district. As you go west from Classen, you find many ethnicities and economic levels. There are some historic neighborhoods which have kept their value. There are run-down neighborhoods with everything that comes with poverty. A little farther west is Oklahoma City University.

As you go east from Classen, you encounter the Paseo district; an arts district with many cafes and galleries. It is dominated by artists, musicians, and eclectic personalities. There are also neighborhoods of historic homes which sell for astronomical prices relative to the OKC real estate market.

There is much to be found in these neighborhoods. Asians, African-Americans, Latinos, artists, musicians, and upscale young families reside in this part of town. There is good food in abundance, entertainment, and good shopping. What I have not found is any evidence that anyone is really reaching out in an effective way with the Gospel message. This has been a burden on my heart for 5 or 6 years, now.

Our class went there on Wednesday evening and stopped at the Pho Cuong cafe for some soup and coffee. We drove through the Paseo district and saw the neighborhoods. We prayed while driving through the area that we would know how God might want to use us to reach people in an effective way. God has been stirring me for some time about being a resource for people who are uniquely qualified to reach out to distinct groups of people. I told the students something that has become a mantra for me: The question is never "Can we afford it?". The question is always, "Is this what God is calling us to do?" If we have that answer, we will have all of the other answers.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Bible Streaker- part 3

Yesterday I talked about a life of reverence. Today I will talk of being prepared. Obviously this young man was not prepared for anything but going to bed. He was in an inappropriate place for what he was wearing, and it cost him his dignity. I would imagine that he was scared to death when the swords were drawn and the guards arrested Jesus. It was not at all what he expected. Just like the commercials say, "Life comes at you fast". We must be prepared for the unexpected. How do we do this?

In Ephesians 6, Paul didn't tell us to put on the pajamas of God. He exhorts us to put on the full armour of God, because the Christian life is a spiritual battle. Verse 13 says, "Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm." When we are dressed appropriately, spiritually speaking, we won't run when the battle starts. We will be able to stay on the battlefield, and when the battle is over, we will still be standing. Still wearing our armour. Without appropriate spiritual dress, we will run away, naked and ashamed, just like the young man in the story.

Don't forget to stop and think about the little parenthetical anecdotes when you're reading the Bible. Stop and think about them and ask yourself why they are there. Every story has a purpose.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Bible Streaker- part 2

As I pondered this cute little story, I wondered why this guy was in the garden with Jesus and his disciples wearing only pajamas? It seems as though what he was wearing was totally inappropriate for the setting, not to mention inappropriate to wear around the Messiah at such a crucial time. Now, I know that very few realized that Jesus was the messiah at this time, but everyone understood that there was something special about Jesus. He had been healing people, treating people with a graciousness that they were not expecting, and stirring up the religious establishment in ways energized the crowds. So, why would this young man appear in his jammys?

It is easy to forget sometimes that this kind, compassionate, friendly Jesus is the holy Son of God. While it is true that Jesus accepts us just as we are, we should always have a reverence for Jesus' holiness. Maybe this young man was present to see Jesus in his street ministry being so kind to people who weren't used to being treated kindly by church leaders. He saw Jesus healing people and feeding hungry crowds. It could be that he felt so comfortable around Jesus, he forgot to respect Jesus. I can imagine him hearing that Jesus was at the garden and he thought that he would go and hang out around Jesus. And Jesus was such a nice guy, and, by the way, Jesus said that he looked on the inside of a person, not at the outward appearance, so I don't need to change into proper clothes to go out. I'll just go and hang out awhile; see if he is healing or feeding anybody and then I'll be ready for bed when I get home. But as we see, the young man was not at all dressed for an arrest and the chaos which followed. He went home naked and ashamed.

I know that this is pure conjecture. But there are those today who make Jesus such a nice guy to hang out with, we forget who Jesus is. We make Jesus our best friend, which he is. But he is also the holy Son of God. Anytime we read in the Bible of someone being in the presence of God, we don't see a casual attitude. Moses removed his sandals as a sign of respect for standing on holy ground. Isaiah realized his unholiness when he saw the Lord, high and lifted up. His response was that he realized that he was unclean. But so many times we treat the presence of God casually and without reverence. But without a proper reverence for the presence of God we are unprepared for the chaos which ensues in our life and we are likely to be rendered naked and ashamed by the trials of life.

I am not talking about wearing ties or dresses to church. I am talking about living a life of reverence for the holy Son of God .

More tomorrow.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Bible Streaker- part 1

We find many little anecdotes as we read the Bible. They show up in the middle of a bigger story and we are tempted to breeze past them. This morning I was reading in the gospel of Mark. In chapter 14 the main story is the arrest of Jesus and Peter's denial of Jesus. But tucked away in vs. 50-52 there is a strange little mini-story:

"Meanwile, all his disciples deserted him and ran away. There was a young man following along behind, clothed only in a linen nightshirt. When the mob tried to grab him, they tore off his clothes, but he escaped and ran away naked." (NLT)

As I read this I began to wonder why this story was included. Was it just for comic relief because the story was going to get really heavy in the next chapter? Or is there a deeper meaning? If we really believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God given to man, then we can't honestly believe that there are any throwaway verses. There has to be a purpose for every word in the Word. I confess, as I dwelled on this passage, I didn't receive any life-changing revelations concerning this passage, but I did have two life-affirming thoughts. I will share them over the next two days' posts.

Another thought. I'll bet this guy's mother told him never to leave the house without wearing clean underwear. Now he understands why.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Waxing Poetic

Ode to a Hardboiled Egg
*
Have a hardboiled egg.
Raise it high into the sky.
When you're sad and wistful,
Won't you try a fistful
of hardboiled eggs.
-author unknown

Friday, November 7, 2008

No Surprise Here

I am currently reading a book by Eugene Peterson called The Jesus Way. Although I am only about a third of the way through it I have already noted many thought provoking ideas in it. Peterson spends a great time of the early part of the book in the account of Abraham's commitment to sacrifice Isaac and the subsequent God-ordered supply of a substitutionary sacrifice. Even though I have read this story dozens of times and heard countless sermons about this story, I continue to find fresh meaning as I read and re-read this account.

Peterson says, "Still, even after many years of reading this story I am surprised to find myself surprised. I am surprised that Abraham, Isaac bound and knife raised, is not surprised to hear the voice tell him that there is a ram in the thicket. And Isaac is not surprised to end up not sacrificed. Not a word in the narrative indicates anything like surprise. Not a word of surprise, not a single emotion of surprise in the story as written. Why am I surprised and Abraham and Isaac are not?"

The answer is at the same time obvious and incredibly complicated, and beyond my ability to explain within the confines of this post. But it makes me increasingly hungry for a relationship with God that expects His involvement instead of being surprised when I see evidence of His involvement.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

OKC Thunder


Okay, with all of that other craziness behind us, let us look now to our own Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team. They've played three games, now, and stand at 1 win and 2 losses. That is about where we were told they would be. They are not going to surprise us and be playoff contenders, but hopefully they will be youthful and energetic and will continue to play competitively for the entire game throughout the entire season, giving us promise for greater days ahead.


Here is the question for today. Do you think that the Thunder will win more than 25 games this season? Let me know what you think.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Election Day

Back in February, when this whole election campaign was just getting into full swing I committed to support and pray for whoever was elected for president. At that time we didn't know who the democratic or republican nominees would be. I just want to reconfirm my stance. Whoever the president is needs the support of all christians. We are in perilous times as a nation, and we can't take the luxury of being petty. Even though the election percentages may be nearly evenly divided, we must support our leaders with our prayers for wisdom, discernment and protection.

Who is God's candidate? Both of them. God loves both of them equally and Christ died for the sins of both. As much as we would like to see any election as a clear-cut choice between good and evil, we will never have that choice. Both candidates are men of intelligence and ambition. Both shine in some areas and are lacking in others.

These may be perilous times for the US, but not for the church. The Church is still the Church regardless of who is president. God is not up for election. Our first allegiance is to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. If every elected official in the US was a tongue speaking pentecostal and every law passed aligned perfectly with the Word of God, the heart of mankind would still be desperately wicked and we would need a Savior. We saw that Israel was governed by laws written by the actual hand of God and still they acted badly. It took a savior; that perfect sacrifice for sin to restore them. We still need that savior today.

If the US government is friendly or hostile to the church, it really doesn't matter. God is still in charge. We are still called to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. God will still supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

Go and vote. Then give your unflinching prayer support to whoever is elected. He's gonna need it.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Stretching a shriveled hand

Matthew 12 recounts the story of Jesus' encounter with a man who had a shriveled hand. The Pharisees saw the man as a theological object lesson. Knowing how people are, I suspect that this man had been the object of many cruel comments and jokes. I can imagine kids taunting him or asking him to hand them something to highlight his limitations.

I suspect that the man was not really looking forward to these religious types having a discussion about him while standing near him. It must have been incredibly de-humanizing to have healthy people debate the theological theory of proper Sabbath activities using his handicap as the focal point.

It struck me recently that Jesus' request for the man to stretch out his hand would have been incredibly cruel and mean spirited if uttered by anyone else. Jesus asked him to do what he was incapable of doing. But since it was Jesus doing the asking, the man was able to do what was impossible to do; he stretched out his hand. If he hadn't attempted the stretch, I don't think the healing would have occurred.

Sometimes Jesus will ask us to do what we are incapable of doing. But since it is Jesus doing the asking, we have to stretch and allow Him to enable us to do what we are incapable of doing.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Time Changes Everything




If you stay with something long enough, it will eventually become cool. As a boy, just about all I listened to was Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. I was thought of as being incredibly dorky because I didn't listen to the Monkees. Most of my friends thought johnny cash was money you put in a pay toilet.
Roll the tape forward about 40 years. Both Hank Williams and Johnny Cash are revered as rebels and groundbreakers in the music industry. Now all of my Johnny and Hank albums are considered collector's items. Now being able to recite the words to "I'm so lonesome I could cry" and "Folsom Prison blues" is a sign that I am "with it" instead of being hopelessly lame.

I even get to sing "Ring of Fire" at the 50's dinner tonight, and people think I'm awesome.

Maybe, some day, my knowledge of "Leave it to Beaver" will help me bring world peace.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Man at the Pool

During prayer time last Sunday morning I was reminded of the story in John 5 about the man who lay at the pool of Bethesda. The man had been an invalid for 38 years and was lying among many people with needs waiting for a miraculous healing. He was waiting for his answer in the only way he knew; which was to get into the pool first when the water was stirred. Since others were always able to beat him to the water, he continued to suffer. He could only see one way of receiving his answer. He had to find a more efficient method of getting in the water. He had faith that if he could get to the water first, he would get his healing, but his faith was limited by the method. He couldn't see any other way to get what he needed.

When Jesus appeared, the man found that an unlimited number of "methods" could be used to bring about his healing. Jesus asked him, Do you want to get well? The man gave his response based on his understanding of how things worked, saying that he didn't have anyone to help him to the water. To him, an answer to his prayer would have been for Jesus to give him a helper to wait with him until the next time the water was stirred. Jesus just bypassed all of his thinking and answered the need rather than the request.

We display our own undersized idea of God many times by praying for specific outcomes based on our understanding of the situation. It is fine to ask God for what you believe you need, but don't be surprised if the answer looks different than the request. The invalid asked for a helper. Jesus told him to get up and walk. Remember that God knows what you need. Trust Him to give you what you need.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Drag Racing is no drag!

Saturday I went to the drag races, (sore kidney and all) at Thunder Valley Raceway near Noble, Oklahoma. Why would I do such a thing? Because my son-in-law's dad is a drag racer in the Top Sportsman category. I always thought that drag racing was simply a matter of getting the most power out of the loudest car possible and going from 0 to 900 or so mph in 4 or 5 seconds.

As I observed and visited with my son-in-law, Mark, (who fathered the smartest and best looking child in the universe, so I like him a lot) I learned that there is actually strategy involved in drag racing. It was really quite intricate and involved. What appeals to me is that with my short attention span, strategy that plays out in four and one half seconds is strategy that I can keep up with.

It is always a good day for me when I can learn something I didn't know before, especially if it involves something I really didn't know anything about before. So Saturday was a good day.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Lithotripsy is not a blast

I'll spare you any graphic or gross descriptions, but suffice it to say that lithotripsy is no walk in the park. I know it is better than conventional surgery and I guess it is making me better, but I'll be glad when I don't dread going to the bathroom again.

Kids- Take it from me. Just say NO to kidney stones.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Throw me a bone, here!


By the time you read this, I will be under the influence of anesthetizing drugs. I've been doing battle with kidney stones for the past week or so, and now I have called in the big guns. By the end of this little excursion, I will have added another adventure to my life list- lithotripsy. Basically, the way I understand it, they drug me and put me in a pool where sharks with laser beams on their heads blast away at the stones until they are vaporized. Very Austin Powerseque, don't you think? Oh, behave.

The down side to all of this is that I had a tee time to play golf with some good friends today and I had to cancel. But I should be able to go the the drag races this weekend, assuming I escape the clutches of Dr. Evil today.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Sister Hill is the Coolest Person Ever!


Alma Hill is awesome. She and her husband Mel were missionaries in West Africa for like a bazillion years and is one of those people who you respect for what they have done and one of those people who you would never ask to do something out of the ordinary. Even though I am a very informal person, she is a person I cannot call anything other than Sister Hill. Last week I was at the Light for the Lost banquet at the Inner City Church. The workers from Inner City were wearing t-shirts like the one in the picture. There are two meanings to the shirt. The expressed meaning is spelled out on the back of the shirt where it says "I will make you fishers of men". The other meaning is even more compelling in that Jesus loves us even before we come to him. The shirt is intended to provoke conversation and it does.

In visiting with Greg Tiffany, who is the Oklahoma director for campus ministry, I jokingly told him that I would contribute $100 to campus ministry if he could get Sister Hill to wear one of those "Jesus Loves Hookers" t-shirts to Lakeside on Sunday morning. I never dreamed that Greg would have the nerve to ask such a thing of Sis. Hill, and it never occurred to me that she might actually do it, but he had the nerve and she wore the shirt.

That is so cool. She was willing to forego her own tastes and preferences to help college students in their walk with God. She is an example for us all.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Blog Envy

I haven't posted in a while. I got out of the whole rythym of blogging. I gotta get back in the groove. While reading the blogs that I subscribe to, I noticed a common theme of the people who blog daily. They seem to be busier than I am doing better things than I am doing, so I can't blame my lack of posting on being busy. I think the mainmost reason that I don't post often enough is that I don't have a cool enough computer and cell phone.

These busy, awesome bloggers are always posting from airports and bus stations from their laptops or iphones. That elevates their coolness quotient into the stratosphere. Here I am, strapped down to my desktop. My cell phone only makes phone calls. I am hopelessly uncool.

I know that occasionally I post from places like Zacatecaluca, El Salvador, but it is not on my own laptop. It is from a borrowed desktop in a small, inner city school with a very slow connection.

Someday, I will own a laptop. It will be the coolest laptop ever with the fastest wireless internet and will work in jungles and on mountaintops. Then I can post multiple times a day and just happen to drop in lines like "Just sitting in the little four seater bush plane waiting to parachute into Crocodile Swamp in Kreplaukostan, and this thought popped into my head and I wanted to share it with you."

But until then, I will try to get back into the groove with boring posts from my boring office on my boring desktop.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Budgeting is Moving- Too Boring!

I am moving this discussion about budgeting to my other blog, On My Mind. The posts will be too long and boring to belong on this blog. If you need help getting to sleep, go to http://rwhitlow-onmymind.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Another Exciting Budgeting Post

We have used several budgeting methods over the years. All of them are better than not having a budget, some some methods require a lot of work for the small benefit received. The past several years when we were going through some transition in both attendance and giving, we went very basic in our budgeting. We established a payroll budget based on the paid positions we planned to maintain, and then we established what the average general and administrative budget was. In other words, we determined what it cost to keep the church open and staffed and figured out that amount on a weekly basis. The various ministries were instructed to operate with the income that they produced with no help from the "general fund." That way when we tallied the weekly offering, we were able to determine if we met the basic operational needs that week. Whatever was received over the basic operating budget amount was available to be used for departmental ministries, or for capital improvements. It was simple, and it gave us latitude to make the decisions necessary to take care of priorities. On weeks that the offering didn't cover the basic budget, we didn't do anything extra, and if we could delay or reduce an expense, we did. On weeks that the offering exceeded the basic budget, we could do a repair or purchase a ministry item.

The disadvantage of this method is that it is so short-term focused that it is difficult to think long-term. And now that we are in a period of growth it is important to think long-term. It is over that long haul that ministry excellence is enhanced. And it is counter productive to ask that ministries be self-sufficient on a long-term basis. What happens is that there are a great number of fund-raisers sponsored by the various ministries and these can eventually wear out the congregation.

Next time I'll talk about another philosophy of budgeting.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Holy Ghost Budgeting?!

I am currently working on the church budget for 2009. I have been involved in the church budget since the late '80s and it is never fun. It is weird that I don't consider myself a "numbers" guy since "numbers" is the main part of my job here at the church. I am a "words" guy. I love words and stories. However, I understand the importance of accurate numbers in the whole accounting/budgeting thing. Accountability and integrity are the non-negotiables of finances.

There are some who feel that budgeting "limits the Holy Spirit" in church life and resent any mechanism that would inhibit the ability to follow His leading. They are the ones who operate under the banner of "if we have the money we will do it". There are others who see the budget as paramount and value the process of planning over spontenaity. They are the ones who say, "if it is in the budget, we will do it. It it's not, we won't." I fall somewhere between those two points.

Budgets are a lot of work. If we are going to do all of the work, but then enter 2009 and disregard the budget in light of new directions in ministry, that is frustrating. It is also frustrating to be bound by a budget that will not allow a church to follow new opportunities that may be presented during the course of the year. So what is the solution? How do we plan ahead and remain flexible? Can we and should we budget without limiting the Holy Spirit? Is God limited by our plans? I'll talk about this for the next few days.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

How cool is that?

In this morning's Daily Oklahoman sports page there is a small segment called Welcome To My World and the featured athlete is Putnam City North football player David Lamb. He is a massive young man who plays offensive line for the Panthers. What caught my attention came early in the article. He says, "The morning of home games is my favorite part of game day. We have a team breakfast at the church next to our school. Eggs, bacon and biscuits and gravy. As a lineman, I love it. But it's also a chance for everyone to sit down and talk about what we're going to do to get ready."

That "church next to our school" is, of course, Lakeside. How cool is that?

Monday, September 29, 2008

2008 Fall Missions Explosion

Last night was the final event in Lakeside's 2008 Fall Missions Explosion. There were so many people who were involved, and they made it a huge success. I was so blessed last night at the involvement of so many men and women doing the cooking, the decorating, the sound work, the video work, the table and chair moving, and the clean up. Pastor Mike and Rebekah put on another fun filled children's banquet and the room looked so great. We have an awesome group of people at Lakeside.

We had a great group of missionaries who honored us by attending our dinners with missionaries and attending our banquet.

We heard a stirring report from Deborah Burke about what is going on at the Inner City Church, and Greg Mundis challenged and inspired us in both the morning service and the banquet.

I am anticipating that we will be involved in missions on a greater level in finances, but in an even greater measure on a personal level, as many of you are challenged to follow God's leading for your own lives in your own personal mission fields.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Dinner with a Missionary Report

Last night Carole and I hosted a dinner as part of our Fall Missions Explosion. Our guest works with Project Rescue in India. She is very involved in the whole arena of human trafficking, including sexual abuse and slavery. This is a huge issue not only in southern Asia; it is a big problem here in Oklahoma City as well. Statistics show that 1 in 4 of our children are being abused and abuse begins early in their lives. The discussion we had with the families who were there got heavy at times, but we left with a sense of determination to do what we can do to help.

Here are the conclusions we reached:
1. There is no reason to believe that our church children are any less likely than others to become victims of sexual abuse. We must assume that children we know today have already been victimized.

2. The Church has been unwilling to talk openly about this topic in the past, but there is now a greater openness to discuss difficult issues such as this, and a greater desire for the Church to be involved.

3. There is no better place for this discussion to take place than in the safety of the church family, so we must be diligent to create environments where those who have been vicitimized can come forward without fear of being ostracized.

I am confident that as we keep this issue as a matter of prayer, we will begin to see how we can become involved in sharing the unconditional love of Christ into this type of situation, and how we can become involved to break this horrible stronghold of sexual abuse.

Friday, September 19, 2008

What do I do with this stuff? Cont'd

As I said in the previous post, I am not planning a garage sale to sell all that I have. That is not because I am rebellious, and I don't think it is because I love my stuff more than God. I just want to do right. I think the reality of this is subtly direct. There is nothing inherently wrong with having stuff as long as we recognize that everything we have belongs to God. This is where it can get sticky. We can say that our house, car, church building, etc. belongs to God for Him to use in whatever way He seems fit, but if we don't use them in ways that might seem messsy or inconvenient to us, are we really living the way we are professing? How do we live in such a way that we use things entrusted to us as an answer without seeing them as the answer?

It is the same tension that we see in so many things. We are saved, but our salvation is not complete until we leave this life and are in heaven. We are more than overcomers, but we are still engaged in the battle with sin. By His stripes we were healed, but we still struggle with disease.

As I grow in the Lord I see fewer and fewer areas where I can look at an issue and see it as totally and easily black or white, even as my faith and trust in the absolute truth of God and His word grows stronger and stronger. If that seems to be as contradictory as the subtly direct reference I made earlier, I'm sorry. I may never get it completely figured out on this side of life, but I am loving the depth of the journey.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Look Who's Crawling

Well, he's mobile, now. Life will never be the same for Mark and Elizabeth.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

What do I do with this stuff?

I'm really having a difficult time getting past some scriptures that seem to be ganging up on me. A few days ago I wrote a post on the rich young ruler. He was someone who had all of the externals, had spent his life in church, and the lifestyle down pat. He knew that something was still missing. He said he had kept all of the commandments, but he wanted to know what he lacked. Jesus told him to sell everything and give to the poor. The young man was sad because he had so much stuff.

Jesus said that it was incredibly difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. This is not because wealth is evil; rather wealth just gives us so many options to play out prior to trusting God.

Luke 12 has Jesus teaching and he says not to be afraid of doing without food and clothing because our Father knows we need them. Then in verse 33 he again says to sell your possessions and give to the poor.

What is stirring up inside of me is this question. If I didn't have the savings and the income producing assets that "allow" me to work cheap and go to help other missions works, would I be limited in what I can do for Christ? In other words, if I didn't have those things to depend on, and God was truly directing my footsteps, might I actually be able to do more for God in a true faith life? Are the things I see as liberating because they are owned debt-free actually holding me back from God's best for my life? I really don't know, and at this point I don't have any plans to hold an enormous "everything goes" garage sale. But the question still nags.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Football Breakfasts

We just finished the final cleanup after our second football breakfast of the season. In case you didn't know, Lakeside prepares a hot breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy for the Putnam North football team on days that they play games at PC stadium. We arrive at 5:30am and scramble 16 dozen eggs, cook 21 pounds of bacon, bake 15 dozen biscuits and prepare 2 gallons of gravy. The team will usually drink 4-5 gallons of orange juice and a couple gallons of milk. They arrive at 7:30 and hang around until about 8:30. Some 75-80 players, coaches and managers come and eat breakfast in our family life center.

This is the fourth year we have done this. The first year, Sam Bradford (yes, that Sam Bradford) was the quarterback for PC North and ate game day breakfasts in our FLC. It most likely contributed to his success later in life.

This is a great time of connection with some of the students and coaches of one of the two schools in our square mile. If you would like to be involved in this, see Pastor Trent. We could use the help, and you will enjoy it.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

New Missionary Friends

Wednesday night I had the pleasure of meeting a family of new missionaries. Steven and Kimberly Snow received their missionary appointment this past April and when their budget is raised they will be going to the Philippines to work in a children's home. They have three beautiful girls, Kylee, Karlee, and Katelee. They currently live in Fletcher, and they live next door to one set of grandparents. The sacrifices our missionaries make don't end with the family that moves to another country. They extend to the grandparents who won't get their daily hugs from their precious granddaughters, as well as siblings, cousins, and friends.

I sensed a wonderful heart of abandonment of everything but God's desire for their lives. We need to be prayer partners and financial partners with the Snows. Please pray with me as we determine the level we will be able to partner with them. They will be back at Lakeside for our missions banquet on Sept. 28. If you didn't meet them Wednesday night, be sure to look them up at the missions banquet. They'll be easy to spot and you'll enjoy getting to know them.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

What if I really believed?

How would I live if I lived as though I really believe all that I profess? If I really believe that to live is Christ and to die is gain, shouldn't I be doing more things that appear to be risky for God? If I really believe that my God will supply all my needs according to His riches, shouldn't I be releasing more of what I have to further the spread of the Gospel? If I really believe that if I seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness that all the things will be added, wouldn't my decision process be a lot simpler? If I really believe that all things work for good for those who love him, shouldn't I spend less time asking "why" and more time asking "how"? And if I believe that miraculous occurrances come about only by fasting and praying, shouldn't I be spending more time fasting and praying?

What I have been praying lately is, "Lord, I want to live like I believe what I profess." I'm a long way from being there.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Coffee Slingers


A couple of weeks ago I asked you to tell me about locally owned coffee shops here is OKC. My daughter told me about Coffee Slingers located at 10th & Broadway so I went and tried it out. The feel of the place is kind of like a warehouse because there is no carpet, with lots of glass and steel. The floorspace is roomy and the tables have a good amount of space between them. That is good if you are having a meeting over coffee and don't want to be cramped or distracted by other conversations, but it is not so good if you go to coffee shops to strike up conversations with people you have never met.


I cappucino I had was excellent. It was real cappucino served in a real cup with the milk art heart setting it off. The guy who took my order and made the coffee was friendly. All in all, it was worth the trip. If you are a lover of espresso based coffee drinks, you should give it a try. I think you'll like it.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Don't blame the rich young ruler

I am prepared to let the rich young ruler of Matthew 19 off the hook, at least to some level. He came to Jesus and asked him what was needed to get eternal life. Jesus recited some of the ten commandments and was told that the young man did them all religiously. (my attempt at intentional irony) Then Jesus told him to get rid of his stuff and follow Him. As you know, the young man left sorrowfully because he had a lot of stuff.

It is at this point that we preachers get all sanctimonious and condemn the young man for putting his stuff before following Christ. But the young man is not totally to blame because he had never seen that lifestyle displayed by anyong else who had a lot of stuff. I imagine that he thought of all the guff he would receive if he took such a radical step. His parents would accuse him of wasting what they worked so hard to provide for him. The local church would see the lost tithe revenue and would caution him to think through such a major decision. They would be quick to tell him that he could do a lot of good over many years by continuing to "steward his resources" in such a way that they would continue to grow. He was being asked by Jesus to throw away the old model of the solid blessed believer and write a completely new model, and he was scared to do that. Small wonder. There was not an incubating environment for that kind of radical devotion to God.

We have a lot of stuff today. I am blogging on a church owned computer connected to a network and in an air conditioned office provided by the church. Does this stuff enhance or inhibit our effectiveness for Christ? I don't have that answer in this post, but I do have another question. What if we had a clear indication that God wanted us to sell our property and use the proceeds to finance micro-congregations who met specific needs for specific parts of town? Would our response be any different from that of the rich young ruler?

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

World Events Update

I took a few days off from blogging. During that time a number of things happened. I am grateful that the impact of Hurricane Gustav will not be as severe as feared. The levees held, people were evacuated in an orderly fashion, and everyone comes across as being very competent and responsible. Oklahoma City is taking care of some 400 evacuees and it looks as though they will not be here long because they will be able to return home soon.

In golf news, it appears that Vijay Singh has occupied the void left by Tiger Woods. How wierd is it that the only guys to win three tournaments this year are in their 40's? None of the twenty somethings with all of the good looks and athleticism have been able to step up to the forefront while this window of opportunity exists.

College football has begun and all of the madness that goes with it. OU, OSU and Tulsa all won their games. Texas A&M continues to fail to be even mediocre. Rick Neuheisel has sparked new hope at UCLA (my hope is that they can knock off USC) and we won't have to hear about Hawaii this year after their sound thrashing at the hands of Florida. Michigan may have found a long-term solution, but they didn't find a magic instant cure to their underacheiving ways.

In baseball, my New York Yankees will not reach the playoffs in their last year in Yankee Stadium. That's sad at so many levels. Maybe now they will be willing to pay their players enough to motivate them. (I need a sarcasm font for the previous statement)

At church, things are going so well. Pastor Darren is preaching with great freedom and the Spirit of God is moving in an awesome way. This week is Friend Day. Make sure that you come and bring someone with you!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

What if I wasn't afraid?

How would I live my life if I didn't fear anything? If I had no fear would I do things differently than I do now? If I wasn't afraid of getting sick would I try different food? If I wasn't afraid of what people would say would I wear a Speedo to the swimming pool? If I wasn't afraid of getting hurt would I take up rock climbing? If I wasn't afraid of heights would I try sky diving? If I wasn't afraid of losing would I engage in more contests? If I wasn't afraid of sleeping on the ground without a shower would I go to remote villages with the gospel? If I wasn't afraid of rejection would I engage more people in spiritual discussions? If I wasn't afraid of looking silly would I take dance lessons?

Fear keeps us from trying so many things. Fear is a barrier to so much potential enjoyment and fulfillment. But God's perfect love replaces fear. When we have confidence in the security of God's love, there is no place for fear. When you fear something, give it to God. Give yourself more completely into His love and watch the fear disappear.

Please- No Politics in Church.

I don't like political discussions (arguments) between Christians. Here is why. If you are talking to someone who agrees with you, then what is the point? You just confirm one another and cement your belief that it should be clear to everyone that you hold the only position that makes sense. If you disagree politically with someone else, you feel a need to point out how uninformed, inconsistent or ignorant the other person's position is. After both sides fire their shots, neither side has changed their mind, but the potential for a wedge between the two exists. I have friends and family from both parties and from all along the political spectrum, and my friendship with them has nothing to do with their political views.

Committed Christians will vote for both McCain and Obama. Some will not vote at all but try to act like they dd. Some will not vote and tell you why they didn't vote. God is not aligned with either party. He is found in the hearts of those who follow Him.

I don't want to know who you are voting for or who you are not voting for. I am pretty sure who I will vote for, but don't ask. I watch the news just like you do. I have access to all the information that you do, including most of the forwarded e-mails. Voting preferences are not a litmus test for who really loves God and they should not be a litmus test to determine relationship between believers. We show that we love God by loving one another. And when we love one another, something as as unimportant as voting preferences doesn't matter. I understand that voting preferences are of supreme importance in political matters, but they are irrelevant to the advancement of the Kingdom of God. And I believe that each citizen, acting as a good citizen should cast an informed vote, but our eternal citizenship is in heaven.

I am glad that we have Christians working in politics. We need Christians working in every facet of life. It is the individual Christian living the Christian life in the workplace; being salt and light to their sphere of influence that will effect change that will last.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Here he is!


I know that you all have been suffering from Tyler withdrawl. Some of you have even questioned what kind of grandpa I am since I haven't posted a picture in months. Maybe this will help. This is Tyler at Target. He is 7 months now.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

I need some help.

Our Fall Missions Explosion will be the week of September 21 - 28. On Monday and Tuesday evenings, September 22 & 23 we will be having "Dinner with a Missionary" in several homes. These are informal affairs where someone opens their home to a missionary guest and the host can invite other people (as many or as few as their home will allow). Over a meal, pot luck or however the host wants to do it, people get to meet and get to know a missionary on a personal level. In this setting, you can ask the questions that are not possible to ask when a missionary comes for a service. They are always enjoyable, enlightening and encouraging to both the missionary and those who attend.

I currently have 5 missionaries who are available on one or both evenings. They are Wayne Gray, who is our new executive director of Teen Challenge Oklahoma, Gary Gunsolus, who directs the construction teams who help churches in our region, Bill Hicks, who is a missionary in Northern Asia, Christy Perry, who works with Teen Challenge in Russia, and Joni Middleton, who works with Project Rescue in Calcutta, India. All of them are interesting and passionate people.

I need some people to volunteer their homes for these dinners with a missionary. Please let me know if your are interested and I can get you more information.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Seeker or Sought?

I'm currently reading a book entitled Off-Road Disciplines by Earl Creps and it is making a fundamental positive change in my assumptions about evangelism. We hear different terms for those who are not in relationship with Christ, with "seeker" being a very common one. Creps takes the position that Christ is the "seeker" and that those who don't yet know Him are the "sought". He refers to the three parables in Luke of the lost coin, lost sheep, and lost son. In those cases, the ones doing the seeking were the owner of the lost coin, the shepherd for his lost sheep, and the father looking for his lost son. There was great rejoicing when the seekers found what they sought.

Creps says on page 145, "The practice of evangelism involves making room for the Spirit to draw the sought into a saving encounter with the Seeker through Christ. The Church's job is not to save people but to shape the space in which God calls them to Himself."

This sounds a lot like Lakeside's strategy statement of creating environments where the needs of people are met. These environments can look a lot different than any of the environments we have seen before. Many if not most of the environments must look different than what we have seen before.

Let's strive to be creative instead of conventional in our approach to our personal Great Commissions.

Friday, August 22, 2008

What am I supposed to do?

Today I got one of those phone calls I get every now and then. Pastor Mike usually gets the benevolence calls, but he was away from his desk, so it came to me. Usually I answer these calls with the expectation that I can do something to help. We try to assess the need, the legitimacy of the request, and our way of helping to meet the need at an appropriate level. We get several of these calls every week.

The guy who called today had called before and Pastor Mike had helped him with some rent. After that, subsequent conversations led Mike to decide that it was not good stewardship to give him any more. Today I didn't know any of that history when I talked to the guy. I listened to his story and asked him a number of questions. Without going into detail, I decided that we should not give him the help he was looking for. It was not a really difficult decision to make.

What was difficult, however, was the question that remains in my mind. What can I do for that guy? He is as well known and well loved by God as I am. As christians, don't we have a responsibility to help? I know all of the answers, I just don't know "the answer".

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Ministry isn't always pretty.

This is a picture of me on the mission field. You can thank Chris Griffin for recording this "Kodak Moment". This occurred in El Salvador on the day we visited a refugee camp for people who had lost their homes due to a volcanic eruption. We were playing with the kids and a game sprung up where one of the team members would be singled out and the kids would do their best to tackle. Finally my number came up and as they converged on me I turned all "Incredible Hulk" on them. They never got me to the ground. It was tremendous fun. This may be my favorite picture of me of all time.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Last Night's Guy Night

Last night was Guy Night and even after all the rain of the day, we had a perfect night to see a baseball game. The rain stayed away, and in the middle of August we had a cool, overcast evening to enjoy. I got to visit with several guys that I didn't know very well before and that was great. I also got to hang with some of the guys I have known for a long time and I like that, too. We had many Dads with their sons and that was very cool. Matt Stomprud took care of all of the details and made everything look easy. Donovan Dufrene drove the bus and made the ride comfortable and convenient. We have some really great guys here at Lakeside and I am always blessed when I get to be around them.

Remember Lakeside GUYS- God Uses Your Strengths!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Guy Night Status

As of 2:30 today the game is still scheduled to play. I talked to the Redhawks office and they said if the rain will stop they will play because the field has been covered. So Guy Night is still a go. If the game is cancelled we will move to Thursday night.

Keep checking back. If I hear something different I will let you know.

"Stay tuned. We'll keep you advised."- Gary England

Monday, August 18, 2008

Guy Night Tomorrow Night!


Don't forget- Guy Night is tomorrow night! We are going to have a great time. It won't be burning up hot. The rain will hold off and it will be a great night. We have sold out the original 40 seats and have reserved 5 more. But if you still haven't talked to Matt Stomprud, call him right away. I'll bet we can figure out how to get you there. I am stoked about the new guys who are taking this opportunity to get connected to the great guys of Lakeside. This is awesome!!!


Remember- Bring your dads-bring your sons-bring your grandsons- bring your cameras!


Meet at the church at 6:15pm ready for a good time.


BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

He Did It!


Well, he did it. Eight events. Eight gold medals. Seven world records. Michael Phelps is the undisputed king of the Olympics. What he did is unimaginable; to keep focus, stay rested, give everything over the past week and compete at the highest level in four different strokes.


What does a 23 year old who has reached that level have to look forward to? What will he be doing when he is 33?

Friday, August 15, 2008

Coffee Shop Culture

Yesterday Carole and I visited the Red Cup on Classen Blvd. for an afternoon coffee. It has been three or four years since I was there, but I wanted local coffee shop atmosphere. I wasn't disappointed. It was peopled with an interesting blend of personalities and appearances. This is not a coffee shop review. I just wanted to be around some people whose theology and political positions were most likely different from mine. It is easy to assume that "a lot of people feel like I do" when you are only in the company of people who feel like you do.

Learn to feel at ease around people who are not like you and you might be surprised at what you find.

Also, feel free to recommend other coffee shops around OKC for me to try. (I've already been to Starbucks.)

Thursday, August 14, 2008

It doesn't take much.

Last Monday I went to McDonalds after my morning round of golf. As I was walking to the door I saw a lady headed to her car with both hands full of bags and trays of drinks. I saw that she was unaccompanied and I saw that she would have a lot of trouble getting her car door open so she could unload her cargo. I just asked her if she could use some help getting her car door open and she gratefully said yes. I opened the door and she unloaded. Took about 6 1/2 seconds out of my life. She said, "I guess there are still good people out there."

It doesn't take much to be exceptional these days.

Random Question

Are you pro or anti- histamine?

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Michael Phelps


Is this guy superhuman or what? So far, 5 races, 5 gold medals, 5 world records. What a story. Imagine a guy so dominating that expectations will not be met unless he wins 8 gold medals in 8 events. If he wins a silver in one event, people will be asking him, "what went wrong" and "are you disappointed?" I can't even imagine what that would be like. Is the glory enough to justify the pressure?

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

What is the Deal?

What is it about southern gospel music that elicits such an immediate and powerful response from people? I was in a quartet Sunday evening with Robert Reeder, Larry Riggs and Pastor Darren and we sang an old favorite, "Sweeter as the Days Go By". It has a catchy tune, with lyrics that are nice, but light. But when we sang it, the Sunday night crowd erupted. I know it wasn't just that song; rather it was the type of song that elicited the response.

My guess is that the southern gospel songs represent a time in a generation's life when the Word was new and fresh in their lives. They were young, with career issues, new children, and Cold War fears (later, Vietnam War concerns) on the evening news. Their time at church in the company of dear friends, singing songs of hope in heaven, and listening to good old fashioned gospel preaching was precious. Hearing one of those tunes sweeps them back immediately to a time when all of life's possibilities lay ahead and their trust in God was foundational to their existence.

Today's young families face the same problems in different wrappers. All of life's possibilities lie ahead of them, as do all of life's difficulties. Their new children cause excitement and fear as they realize the responsibilities that come with raising children. Career issues are different because the day of the "company man" is gone, but the need to feed the family is the same. Cold war superpower foes have been exchanged for idealogical terrorists, but the songs written with the chord stylings and rythmns of today touch their hearts just as dearly as the southern gospel style did for the generation before them. I can envision 20 or 30 years from now, the 20 and 30 somethings of today will hear a song from today and be immediately drawn to the powerful tug of the Holy Spirit on their hearts they feel now. They won't be able to comprehend how the young people of that time won't appreciate their songs, but they will appreciate it when someone cares enough to sing one of "their" songs.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Props to Ali and Ken

Saturday morning we had our monthly men's breakfast and had about 25 men there. Ali Afshari and Ken Wickham prepared a great breakfast of eggs, bacon, pancakes and fruit. Those guys are a blessing. They showed up early, did all the cooking and cleaned up afterward. They are a prime example of our Lakeside GUYS acronym- God Uses Your Strengths. They have an ability to cook and they make that ability available to God.

Great job, Ali and Ken!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Are You Called?

My entire life has been lived in the pentecostal church culture. There has never been a day in my life when I wondered whether or where I would go to church. But lately I have been giving much thought to the topic of "the call". Throughout my lifetime I have heard many different preachers talk of their call to ministry and it always sounded emotional, mysterious and specific. As a result, for most of my life I considered myself among the "not called" because I never had a specific revelation concerning ministry. The fact that I had specific abilities and general predispositions toward things of God were ignored because I hadn't received a "call". I did things for the Kingdom when I saw a need and knew that I had ability to help with that need, but I never saw it as "evidence of a call" and I never had a career minister challenge me or encourage me in any other way than as a good church member.

A couple of years ago I made the decision to pursue ministry credentials for several reasons, none of which are pertinent to this post. But I was disturbed in the application process when there were questions about the "clear evidence of a call", because I was never awakened in the middle of the night and given a vision concerning the specific call placed on my life by God. I just wanted to do some things that would only be possible with ministry credentials. I wondered if I was an imposter.

In Bible study and reading of books related to this topic I have decided a few things. First is that I believe that God does call people in a miraculous, mysterious, and specific way, but that not everyone gets that kind of call. Second, that everyone who has received salvation is called to ministry. We are all to be involved in evangelism and discipleship and we should all be preparing and ministering constantly. Thirdly, God gave me the gifts He gave me to be used for His Kingdom purposes. For me to see a situation which I am uniquely suited to do and not to do it because I haven't felt "led" or "called" is wrong. Fourthly, the qualifications for ministers listed in the New Testament focus much more on character than calling.

I would encourage you that if you have a predilection toward some type of ministry activity, don't wait for a shining light from Heaven to get involved. Obviously there are issues of preparation and submission, but don't live your life without doing ministry because you haven't experienced "the call". That is an excuse; not a reason.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Men's Breakfast

This Saturday morning at 9am we will have our monthly men's breakfast in the church fellowship hall. Ali and Ken will be cooking, so you know it will be good. We will have a special guest by the name of Gary Gunsolus. He is the coordinator for MAPS construction teams in our region. He coordinates teams who help local churches with construction projects. Some of our guys met Gary back in June when we were in Arizona on our construction trip. Gary will be sharing with us how we can get involved in MAPS teams here in Oklahoma and also he will be telling us about a new concept for local disaster outreach, such as immediate response to a tornado that would hit close by.

Come on out for the food. Stay for the fellowship.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Why does golf have to be so hard?

I played golf yesterday, which is my usual golf day. I have been playing golf, off and on, since I was a teenager, and it is as hard now as it was then. I still shoot the same terrible score. I have flashes when I seem to be gaining consistency, and then all of a sudden I start playing like I am playing my first round ever. I have never worked so hard to stay so mediocre at anything in my life. But wait until next week. I think I have it figured out!

Friday, August 1, 2008

What good does it do?

Who benefits from a mission trip? Certainly the people we minister to even if the ministry is just being friendly. Of course the missionaries are glad to have people come and help in the work (if indeed they help and don't just use the missionary as a local travel guide). Projects get completed sooner when churches partner with missionaries financially and with people to do specific tasks. People from the local churches who go benefit by having a greater understanding of how our missionaries do their ministry. They see that God works in ways that they haven't witnessed before and that expands their outlook on God possibilities. Local pastors get members who have an enlarged vision of God. I guess everyone benefits from a mission trip.