It is crazy how difficult it is to get away for a week and a half. I have never wanted to be important; I have only wanted to be influential. My daily goal is to empower others to make good decisions, and to encourage them when they are stepping out into new territory. I try never to be the only one who knows about something or how to do it, because I have worked with people in the past who hindered progress by hoarding power. I am always expecting to be called elsewhere. (This is not new, this has been going on for years and years) And when you think that any time you could be called somewhere else, I would judge my performance at the current place by how easily I could be replaced. My top goal would be to do my job so well that no one was needed to do that job because I had elevated the people around me.
Judging by the last couple of days, I am failing miserably at that.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Traveling Light
As Carole and I have traveled to many various places we have become better packers. If you travel often, even for overnighters, you will notice things you take that you never use. When I first started traveling I imagined all manner of situations and packed items I imagined I needed for those situations. What happened is that either those situations never arose, or they arose when I was separated from the item I packed for that situation, so I made do with what I had.
My packing list now is quite small and the items I take are well trusted. I can go out for the day with only a few things in my pockets and return to my stuff at the end of the day without missing anything I didn't bring.
It really doesn't take much to live well when you think about it.
My packing list now is quite small and the items I take are well trusted. I can go out for the day with only a few things in my pockets and return to my stuff at the end of the day without missing anything I didn't bring.
It really doesn't take much to live well when you think about it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Getting Old
It is an old but accurate metaphor about our parents becoming our children. Both of my kids are grown, married, and doing well in life. Although I am still concerned for them and enjoy being involved in their lives, I don't feel as though I have to think ahead for them to keep them out of trouble. They are each capable of making important life decisions on their own.
Dad is 91 now, which means that he was 40 when I was born. I never thought of him as old until a few years ago. When he was in his mid sixties he could still walk me into the ground out quail hunting. He worked in the oilfield, taught me how to fish, shoot, use hand tools and play golf, and generally kept me fearful of getting too far off track. It never occurred to me to smart off at him. I knew that there would be a "disproportionate response" to borrow a term from the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
But for the past couple of years, now, Dad and my brothers and I have taken on different roles. Dad now depends on us to navigate many things that would have been simple for him not too long ago. He still lives unassisted in the house I grew up in and he still drives more than I am comfortable knowing about. But now, we the boys, are his teachers and protectors. I worry about his well-being, and I worry about his decision making. My brothers and I have become the dad, and dad has become the little boy, grateful for time that we spend with him and for the assistance we give him. I'm glad to do it, and with him in his 90's it won't last forever. I'm not really sad about this changing of roles. What makes me sad is knowing that before I know it my children will become my parents.
Dad is 91 now, which means that he was 40 when I was born. I never thought of him as old until a few years ago. When he was in his mid sixties he could still walk me into the ground out quail hunting. He worked in the oilfield, taught me how to fish, shoot, use hand tools and play golf, and generally kept me fearful of getting too far off track. It never occurred to me to smart off at him. I knew that there would be a "disproportionate response" to borrow a term from the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
But for the past couple of years, now, Dad and my brothers and I have taken on different roles. Dad now depends on us to navigate many things that would have been simple for him not too long ago. He still lives unassisted in the house I grew up in and he still drives more than I am comfortable knowing about. But now, we the boys, are his teachers and protectors. I worry about his well-being, and I worry about his decision making. My brothers and I have become the dad, and dad has become the little boy, grateful for time that we spend with him and for the assistance we give him. I'm glad to do it, and with him in his 90's it won't last forever. I'm not really sad about this changing of roles. What makes me sad is knowing that before I know it my children will become my parents.
From Frozen to Fried
While I have been shivering and sliding while scraping my windshield I have in the back of my mind that next week Carole and I will be in Sudan which is 100+ degrees this time of year. For several days Carole and I will be in different villages and the one I will be working in is supposed to have less than rustic accomodations. I've stayed in some pretty bad places in my travels, but I have never been promised less than I have been promised at this place. I'll report on the place when I get back. It is a little strange to be taking malaria medicine during an ice storm but I'm sure that I will be glad we took this precaution. Reportedly the discomfort comes from high humidity and high temperature combined with no air conditioning, mosquitos and bugs in your bed. Honestly, I can't wait.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Vida Victorioso
Today I would like to highlight another work that I intend to be involved with: Vida Victorioso. This is a Spanish speaking church being planted by Martin and Clarissa Urbina, who are, of course, part of our Lakeside family. When Inner City Action Group moved into the former Grace A/G facility, they vacated their former place on SW 22nd. Martin and Clarissa now occupy it and have begun to provide services in the past couple of weeks.
Martin works two jobs and is raising a family while beginning a church, so he doesn't have any spare time. He would like to quit one of his jobs, and is seeking monthly support to help him do that. Talk to me if you would like to get involved. He also needs help on Sunday morning. He has no worship team. Spanish language is needed to help here. He could also use some help with the English language classes they offer during the week. Spanish is not required to teach these classes.
Martin and Clarissa are incredible people and I want to help them all I can. Maybe you can help them as well.
Martin works two jobs and is raising a family while beginning a church, so he doesn't have any spare time. He would like to quit one of his jobs, and is seeking monthly support to help him do that. Talk to me if you would like to get involved. He also needs help on Sunday morning. He has no worship team. Spanish language is needed to help here. He could also use some help with the English language classes they offer during the week. Spanish is not required to teach these classes.
Martin and Clarissa are incredible people and I want to help them all I can. Maybe you can help them as well.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Inner City Action Group Update
Saturday morning we had our monthly GUYS breakfast. We had as our guests Toby Sullivan and Trevor Clark, who are on staff at the Inner City Action Group. We have committed our next service project to them. We will be refurbing an area into a food pantry for them. I encourge you to get involved at whatever level you can. It will benefit you more than them. Toby's talk to us was encouraging because of his level of passion to do the work he is doing. But as he talked, I couldn't help but think that they are doing church the right way; they determined the needs of the people they were trying to reach and tailored their ministry to meet those needs. They didn't assemble a team of people who would do church they way they like to do church then wonder why no one came. Since moving into the former Grace A/G facility they have been growing because of their focus on those they wish to help over their wish to have a "nice" church. I will be telling you more about them in the future.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
We're getting comfortable with them
I realized last night as I watched the Thunder win their game with Golden State on a Jeff Green buzzer beater that I am now very comfortable pulling for our NBA team. It wasn't always that way. I was one of the people who was crazy for the Hornets during their two season visit to OKC. They were good for us and it seemed that we were good for them. We loved Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, David West, Desmond Mason et al, and everything Hornet. The games were exciting during play and during timeouts. Their name was fun, and the Honeybees were hopelessly cute and energetic. I really hoped that it would work out where they could stay here.
Then the Sonics were purchased and there was the drama of when they would come. I still harbored dreams that a last minute deal would bring the Hornets to OKC and send the Supersonics to New Orleans in two years. It didn't happen. The "team to be named later" was coming. I was not impressed by the name Thunder. I didn't like the logo. I didn't know the players, (except Desmond Mason). I pined for the Hornets. But last night I realized that I like the Thunder. I haven't thought about the name, recently. I am okay with the logo. The games are fun. The young team is coming together and playing competitive basketball. I like Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and the rest. I would hate to see them leave.
This is a lot like a pastoral change in a church. When a pastor leaves, whether it is by good or bad circumstances, there are a lot of emotions involved. When a new pastor arrives, he is constantly compared to the former guy, whether it is positive or negative. People realize that he is now the person who is here, but they are not sure if they like him or can trust him. They miss old team members because they don't know the new team members. Maybe the new team doesn't "perform" as smoothly as the old team did. But, if given enough time, the team will begin to function. We get to know the new team, and gradually admit that it is possible to like them without being disloyal to the former team.
Statistics tell us that on average 10-12 percent of a congregation will leave when there is a pastoral change. Some have a true difference of vision and it is in the best interest of all involved if they find a place more in line with their expectations. But too many leave too early. They leave because they miss the way church was. They grieve for ministry team members they were close to. They don't like seeing people looking so happy about the new direction, because they liked the old direction. And they feel that they must leave because friends of theirs left so there must be something wrong. I wish that our church congregants could show the patience that our sports fans show when major change comes to their teams.
Then the Sonics were purchased and there was the drama of when they would come. I still harbored dreams that a last minute deal would bring the Hornets to OKC and send the Supersonics to New Orleans in two years. It didn't happen. The "team to be named later" was coming. I was not impressed by the name Thunder. I didn't like the logo. I didn't know the players, (except Desmond Mason). I pined for the Hornets. But last night I realized that I like the Thunder. I haven't thought about the name, recently. I am okay with the logo. The games are fun. The young team is coming together and playing competitive basketball. I like Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and the rest. I would hate to see them leave.
This is a lot like a pastoral change in a church. When a pastor leaves, whether it is by good or bad circumstances, there are a lot of emotions involved. When a new pastor arrives, he is constantly compared to the former guy, whether it is positive or negative. People realize that he is now the person who is here, but they are not sure if they like him or can trust him. They miss old team members because they don't know the new team members. Maybe the new team doesn't "perform" as smoothly as the old team did. But, if given enough time, the team will begin to function. We get to know the new team, and gradually admit that it is possible to like them without being disloyal to the former team.
Statistics tell us that on average 10-12 percent of a congregation will leave when there is a pastoral change. Some have a true difference of vision and it is in the best interest of all involved if they find a place more in line with their expectations. But too many leave too early. They leave because they miss the way church was. They grieve for ministry team members they were close to. They don't like seeing people looking so happy about the new direction, because they liked the old direction. And they feel that they must leave because friends of theirs left so there must be something wrong. I wish that our church congregants could show the patience that our sports fans show when major change comes to their teams.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Winter Golf
Playing golf in the middle of January on a sunny day with no wind and mid 60's temperature is as close to stealing as a preacher can get and not lose his credentials. It was great today. Kenny and I got teamed up with another twosome who were nice guys and not quite as good of golfers as we are. We get to play on the cheap at Silverhorn because the senior rates kick in at age 50. (This is the only advantage I have yet found to be in my 50's)
We both played average rounds, which is not all that good. But to have the freedom to take advantage of a nice day in the dead of winter and to go play golf is a blessing I don't take lightly.
We both played average rounds, which is not all that good. But to have the freedom to take advantage of a nice day in the dead of winter and to go play golf is a blessing I don't take lightly.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Congratulations, President Obama!
I watched the inauguration this morning. I don't typically watch this sort of thing live, because I'm not all that interested in politics. I am, however, fascinated with history and today was an historic occasion. Although I chose not to vote for President Obama, and although I hold differing viewpoints on several issues, there is something that swells up inside of me as I realize how much has changed in my brief lifetime.
When I was a boy, it was commonplace to make comments or tell jokes which are now patently offensive. Even in church, it was acceptable to use terms which are now completely out of bounds. I remember changing words to certain songs sung in Sunday School and getting a laugh from my teacher. I wonder now how any of these actions were supposed to square with the gospel.
So to see now that we are ready to bring in President Obama with a greater mandate than we have seen in several elections speaks to progress. It is sad that much of the church world had to be dragged toward this progress. We should be at the forefront of "judging a man not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character". Regardless of your political persuasions, President Obama is our president. You can't say, "He's not my president, I didn't vote for him". He is America's president, and if you are an American, he's your president. I am praying that he will be the best president of my lifetime, and that God will protect him, bless him, and give him uncommon wisdom and understanding as he leads us through the many difficult challenges we face during the next four years.
When I was a boy, it was commonplace to make comments or tell jokes which are now patently offensive. Even in church, it was acceptable to use terms which are now completely out of bounds. I remember changing words to certain songs sung in Sunday School and getting a laugh from my teacher. I wonder now how any of these actions were supposed to square with the gospel.
So to see now that we are ready to bring in President Obama with a greater mandate than we have seen in several elections speaks to progress. It is sad that much of the church world had to be dragged toward this progress. We should be at the forefront of "judging a man not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character". Regardless of your political persuasions, President Obama is our president. You can't say, "He's not my president, I didn't vote for him". He is America's president, and if you are an American, he's your president. I am praying that he will be the best president of my lifetime, and that God will protect him, bless him, and give him uncommon wisdom and understanding as he leads us through the many difficult challenges we face during the next four years.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Something new to think about
In a couple of weeks Carole and I will be going to East Africa to some work with a group that is doing humanitarian work in southern Sudan. A new dynamic for me is that my daughter is concerned for our safety because of our relationship to our grandson. In fact, we are going on this trip at the invitation of Elizabeth's mother-in-law, so three of Tyler's grandparents will be on the other side of the world in a part of the world with well-documented unrest. We accepted the invitation to go just prior to Tyler's birth, and it honestly didn't dawn on me that it might cause concern for Elizabeth. We have been going on mission trips nearly all of Elizabeth's life, but her relationship to us has changed since she became a mother.
Obviously we have returned from every trip we have made, but this is the first time to a country that is currently having the level of unrest that Kenya and Sudan are having. Please pray not only for success in the work we will be doing, and for our safe return, but also for peace for Elizabeth while we are away. I know that for me, personally, I am compelled to go to places that are in chaos, because it is during times of chaos that the message of the Gospel is heard most clearly. Carole and I have a new freedom to go to those places since we are empty nesters, but there is a new tug on our hearts to stay home because of our grandson. I can only imagine that this tug will become greater with additional grandchildren. I am sure that we will continue to go, but it is a factor that will need to be dealt with.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Holiness
In our culture it is the fate of holiness to be banalized. Holiness is reduced to blandness, the specialty of sectarian groups who reduce life to behaviors and cliches that can be certified as safe; goodness in a straightjacket, truth drained of mystery, beauty emasculated into ceramic knickknacks. Whenever I run up against this, I remember Eileen Glasgow's wonderful line in her autobiography. Of her father, a Presbyterian elder full of rectitude and rigid with duty, she wrote, "He was entirely unselfish, and in his long life never committed a pleasure."
But holiness is in wild and furious opposition to all such banality and blandness. The God-life cannot be domesticated or used- it can only be entered into on its own terms. Holiness does not make God smaller so that he can be used in convenient and manageable projects; it makes us larger so that God can give out life through us, extravagantly, spontaneously. The holy is an interior fire, a passion for living in and for God, a capacity for exuberance in the presence of God. There are springs deep within and around us from which we can drink and sing God.
Eugene Peterson- The Jesus Way, page 128
But holiness is in wild and furious opposition to all such banality and blandness. The God-life cannot be domesticated or used- it can only be entered into on its own terms. Holiness does not make God smaller so that he can be used in convenient and manageable projects; it makes us larger so that God can give out life through us, extravagantly, spontaneously. The holy is an interior fire, a passion for living in and for God, a capacity for exuberance in the presence of God. There are springs deep within and around us from which we can drink and sing God.
Eugene Peterson- The Jesus Way, page 128
Friday, January 16, 2009
The Way of Jesus
Excerpt from The Way of Jesus by Eugene Peterson (pge 120)
One of the bad habits that we pick up early in our lives is separating things and people into secular and sacred. We assume that the secular is what we are more or less in charge of: our jobs, our time, our money, our opinions, our entertainment, our government, our house and land, our social relations. The sacred is what God has charge of: worship and the Bible, heaven and hell, church and prayers. We then contrive to set aside a sacred place for God, designed, we say, to honor God but really intended to keep God in this place, leaving us free to have the final say in everything else that goes on outside that space.
Prophets will have none of this. They hold that everything, absolutely everything, takes place on sacred ground. God has something to say about every aspect of our lives, the way we feel and act in the so-called privacy of our hearts and homes, the way we make our money and the way we spend it, the politics we embrace, the wars we fight, the catasrophes we endure, the people we hurt and the people we help. Nothing is hid from the scrutiny of God; nothing is exempt from the rule of God; nothing escapes the purposes of God. The ground is holy; people are holy; words are holy: Holy, holy, holy.
One of the bad habits that we pick up early in our lives is separating things and people into secular and sacred. We assume that the secular is what we are more or less in charge of: our jobs, our time, our money, our opinions, our entertainment, our government, our house and land, our social relations. The sacred is what God has charge of: worship and the Bible, heaven and hell, church and prayers. We then contrive to set aside a sacred place for God, designed, we say, to honor God but really intended to keep God in this place, leaving us free to have the final say in everything else that goes on outside that space.
Prophets will have none of this. They hold that everything, absolutely everything, takes place on sacred ground. God has something to say about every aspect of our lives, the way we feel and act in the so-called privacy of our hearts and homes, the way we make our money and the way we spend it, the politics we embrace, the wars we fight, the catasrophes we endure, the people we hurt and the people we help. Nothing is hid from the scrutiny of God; nothing is exempt from the rule of God; nothing escapes the purposes of God. The ground is holy; people are holy; words are holy: Holy, holy, holy.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A Good Day in Oklahoma
It was a good day for the Oklahoma sporting world. None of the OU underclassmen are leaving for the NFL, meaning that next year is not a rebuilding year. I think it really speaks well of the caliber of young men being recruited to OU and the atmosphere created by the coaches when the desire to remain a team overcomes the desire for big bucks a year early. On a side note, the incoming freshman receiver who was dismissed from the OU team last summer has been arrested. I wondered several times during the season what he was thinking as OU progressed through the season and he realized that he could've been part of that had he not made bad choices. It doesn't appear that introspection is one of his attributes.
The OKC Thunder is now the team we hoped they'd be at the beginning of the season. They beat a team with a winning record. Can a 2 game winning streak be far behind? They are playing well and there seems to be good team chemistry. I'm hoping in the second half of the season they will win most of the games they should win, win a few that they weren't supposed to win, but play competively in every game. Hats off to Scott Brooks, who seems to be making the most of his opportunity to be head coach.
The OKC Thunder is now the team we hoped they'd be at the beginning of the season. They beat a team with a winning record. Can a 2 game winning streak be far behind? They are playing well and there seems to be good team chemistry. I'm hoping in the second half of the season they will win most of the games they should win, win a few that they weren't supposed to win, but play competively in every game. Hats off to Scott Brooks, who seems to be making the most of his opportunity to be head coach.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Roller Coaster
I enjoy listening to the Bible teaching of Alistair Begg, who pastors a church in Cleveland, Ohio. I listened to a message of his recently in which he gave an acrostic for the word "faith".
Forsaking
All
I
Trust
Him
What I like about the message of this is that it doesn't describe faith as something I use to get what I want. It assumes that I forsake all, meaning all of my desired outcomes, to trust Him, who knows so much more about what I need than I do. Faith is not a ticket to peace and prosperity. It is a ticket to a roller coaster. But if we watch, we will see that everyone who gets on the roller coaster gets off with a grin on their face.
Forsaking
All
I
Trust
Him
What I like about the message of this is that it doesn't describe faith as something I use to get what I want. It assumes that I forsake all, meaning all of my desired outcomes, to trust Him, who knows so much more about what I need than I do. Faith is not a ticket to peace and prosperity. It is a ticket to a roller coaster. But if we watch, we will see that everyone who gets on the roller coaster gets off with a grin on their face.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Share Learn Go
In our Discover Greatness Banquet last Sunday night it was my privilege to share the goals of the capital improvements we wish to make to our facilities. I will get to the point. We need to improve our facilities only to the extent that these improvements improve our ability to fulfill the vision that Pastor Darren explained; that of Share, Learn and Go. We do not need a nicer or more comfortable place for us to meet. We need a more effective place to bring in others to experience commuity, grow in Christ, and impact the culture. Our facilities cannot be our crowning glory. They can only be tools used to build the kingdom of God. Remember the disciples admiring the architecture and grandeur of the temple? Jesus wasn't all that impressed. He knew that the temple would be around as long as people valued its existence, and no more. The next generation may choose to tear down our facility and do something new, and if I am around I will applaud that decision if it is carrying out the Great Commission. All buildings are temporary. What is eternal is the life that is changed.
We at Lakeside are at this point in time because God brought us here for this time. It is not a coincidence that He is calling us to simplify at a time when external situations are difficult. And He will supply all our need out of his unfathomable riches in Jesus.
What could we do better if our best efforts were not diluted doing the many things that are good but not great?
We at Lakeside are at this point in time because God brought us here for this time. It is not a coincidence that He is calling us to simplify at a time when external situations are difficult. And He will supply all our need out of his unfathomable riches in Jesus.
What could we do better if our best efforts were not diluted doing the many things that are good but not great?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Over the Top for Jesus
The battles of World War I were fought in a fashion that is unknown to us today. Airplanes were very new, small, and fragile. Their use in battle was in its infancy. The effective range of artillery was much less than our current laser guided systems. Battles were fought mostly in up close in hand to hand combat. The soldiers would be staged close to the battle in long trenches. These were dirty and disease ridden, but they offered some protection from the bullets of the enemy.
When it was time to fight, the command would be given to leave the trench and engage the enemy. To fight the battle, it was necessary to go "over the top". The soldiers would hear the bugle blast calling for the charge. With their rifles loaded and bayonets fixed, they would head toward the enemy, not knowing who would finish the battle unharmed and who would be wounded or killed.
In 1918, near the end of World War I a song was written entitled, "Over the Top for Jesus". It was written in march time. Today it seems quaint and disturbingly militaristic, but it contains a truth that cannot be denied. We are in a spiritual battle and we must be fearless as give our lives for the cause of Christ. We must be as Paul in believing that to live is Christ and to die is gain. This realization that we must be willing to sacrifice all to serve Christ is not a new idea. Previous generations understood it and lived it. It has been obscured by the temptations of comfort from time to time, but the message has been around for centuries and it can be found in songs from every generation.
Over The Top For Jesus
There’s a battle raging over the land and sea,
True to Christ our Captain we will be;
Satan’s hosts are mighty, fighting for ruin and sin,
But in this great conflict right is sure to win.
Refrain
Over the top for Jesus bravely we will go:
Over the top for Jesus, routing ev’ry foe,
Never delaying when we hear the bugle blow,
We’ll fight for right with all our might,As over the top we go.
There’s a cry of sorrow rising from hearts oppressed,
There’s a world in sadness and unrest;
But the hope that thrills us, looking out into the night,
Christ, the Lord of battles, leads me in the fight.
Refrain
When the pow’rs of earth before our Redeemer shall kneel,
When the joy of triumph we shall feel;
Then with Christ Who conquered, into the realms of the blest,
We shall march in vic’try to eternal rest.
When it was time to fight, the command would be given to leave the trench and engage the enemy. To fight the battle, it was necessary to go "over the top". The soldiers would hear the bugle blast calling for the charge. With their rifles loaded and bayonets fixed, they would head toward the enemy, not knowing who would finish the battle unharmed and who would be wounded or killed.
In 1918, near the end of World War I a song was written entitled, "Over the Top for Jesus". It was written in march time. Today it seems quaint and disturbingly militaristic, but it contains a truth that cannot be denied. We are in a spiritual battle and we must be fearless as give our lives for the cause of Christ. We must be as Paul in believing that to live is Christ and to die is gain. This realization that we must be willing to sacrifice all to serve Christ is not a new idea. Previous generations understood it and lived it. It has been obscured by the temptations of comfort from time to time, but the message has been around for centuries and it can be found in songs from every generation.
Over The Top For Jesus
There’s a battle raging over the land and sea,
True to Christ our Captain we will be;
Satan’s hosts are mighty, fighting for ruin and sin,
But in this great conflict right is sure to win.
Refrain
Over the top for Jesus bravely we will go:
Over the top for Jesus, routing ev’ry foe,
Never delaying when we hear the bugle blow,
We’ll fight for right with all our might,As over the top we go.
There’s a cry of sorrow rising from hearts oppressed,
There’s a world in sadness and unrest;
But the hope that thrills us, looking out into the night,
Christ, the Lord of battles, leads me in the fight.
Refrain
When the pow’rs of earth before our Redeemer shall kneel,
When the joy of triumph we shall feel;
Then with Christ Who conquered, into the realms of the blest,
We shall march in vic’try to eternal rest.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Brighten the Corner Where You Are
There is an old song that was written in 1918 entitled, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are." Even though its phraseology may seem strange today, the message is just as current now as it was the day it was written.
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar;
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Refrain:
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!
Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.
We might not be able to be a gospel "superstar" and preach to thousands or go to the far reaches of the earth, but there are no insignificant believers and no unimportant days.
Brighten the cornere where you are.
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar;
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Refrain:
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!
Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.
We might not be able to be a gospel "superstar" and preach to thousands or go to the far reaches of the earth, but there are no insignificant believers and no unimportant days.
Brighten the cornere where you are.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
National Championship Game
At this point I am sure that the national championship game is nearing its end and I don't have any idea of the score. I have intentionally kept myself from watching or even getting updates on the progress of the game. Those of you who know me know that this is extremely unusual behavior for me. The reason I am doing this is because I have let something that is intended to be a recreational diversion become something that is too important to me and I am doing something about it. In a way, I am fasting this game. In recent seasons, I have let my emotions erupt too quickly in these game situations. I cannot enjoy an OU game unless they are winning handily. I can enjoy a close game between teams in which I have no emotional investment, but I have seen myself become a person I don't like when OU plays. I have allowed ESPN commentators to send me into a rage when they have disrespected OU.
I have let OU football become an idol in my life. It has become far too important to me. I take the taunts and cheers of the other team personally. I want to hate the the other team, their coaches and their fans. I have to let it go. I hope that I can get to the place where I can just enjoy the strategy, the talent and the athleticism and enjoy the contest. If I can't, I've got to let it go. I've got to give it up. It's just not that important in the whole scheme of life and eternity.
I have let OU football become an idol in my life. It has become far too important to me. I take the taunts and cheers of the other team personally. I want to hate the the other team, their coaches and their fans. I have to let it go. I hope that I can get to the place where I can just enjoy the strategy, the talent and the athleticism and enjoy the contest. If I can't, I've got to let it go. I've got to give it up. It's just not that important in the whole scheme of life and eternity.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Simplification
Every year there are lists posted of top new years resolutions. Of course, every year there are such staples and losing weight, working out, promotions, etc. Then each year there are trendy picks that change from year to year. One of the top trendy picks this year is to "simplify my life". This means different things to different people. Buying a 2 million dollar home instead of a 4 million dollar home may define simplifying to some people; getting along on one income may define it for another.
At the World Missions Summit it was discussed that many young adults feel that they have a special call on their lives to do something special for the kingdom of God, but the realities of life such as marriage, student loans, mortgages, and car payments keep them away from the work they feel they have been called to.
How do we change the expectations of young adults when they don't see anyone else living simply? When all of popular culture celebrates excess and conspicuous consumption? When televised ministries promote books that tout prosperity messages such as "How to get rich and have everything you ever wanted?"
There is an incredible amount of wealth tied up in real estate owned by churches, denominations and individuals who profess Christ. I don't know where I am going with this, but I do know that we underutilize the assets that God has entrusted to us by using them for our own comfort or for the comfort of a group of believers instead of using them to reach a lost world who is unconcerned with the value of our properties and portfolios. I know that Carole and I are looking at what is in our hands and finding much that we could do without. The coming years will, in my opinion, see a tremendous shift in the priorities of the Church (the whole Church, not just Lakeside) as we hand off the work to the next generation.
At the World Missions Summit it was discussed that many young adults feel that they have a special call on their lives to do something special for the kingdom of God, but the realities of life such as marriage, student loans, mortgages, and car payments keep them away from the work they feel they have been called to.
How do we change the expectations of young adults when they don't see anyone else living simply? When all of popular culture celebrates excess and conspicuous consumption? When televised ministries promote books that tout prosperity messages such as "How to get rich and have everything you ever wanted?"
There is an incredible amount of wealth tied up in real estate owned by churches, denominations and individuals who profess Christ. I don't know where I am going with this, but I do know that we underutilize the assets that God has entrusted to us by using them for our own comfort or for the comfort of a group of believers instead of using them to reach a lost world who is unconcerned with the value of our properties and portfolios. I know that Carole and I are looking at what is in our hands and finding much that we could do without. The coming years will, in my opinion, see a tremendous shift in the priorities of the Church (the whole Church, not just Lakeside) as we hand off the work to the next generation.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
WMS2 report
The World Missions Summit II has to be judged as a great success. It was very well organized, the venue was very well suited to the event, the exhibits were interesting and informational, and the services were incredible. Kudos to everyone who was involved in organizing and administering this event.
The message on Wednesday evening delivered by Dick Brogden was a highlight for me. I feel that my generation has failed to engage the young adults in large part because we have made church too "nice" and have catered to the wishes of the members so that we won't lose their "partnership" which is church code for offerings. Because of this, many young adults find church boring and irrelevant.
The message Dick Brogden delivered was neither boring nor irrelevant. His outline was simple and strong. He said that we must be willing to try, willing to cry, and willing to die in proclaiming the truth of the gospel to the "inconvenient" lost. I can't imagine many pastors feeling that they could survive preaching a message with a point entitled willing to die, but it is the exact message we are needing to hear. Those who attended the WMS2 want to be a part of something real, life changing, and eternal, and the gospel is all of that. (The real, ancient gospel, that is, not the north american 20th century version)
I have had confidence for several years that this current generation will use the tools developed by earlier generations, benefitting from the incredible sacrifices of pioneer ministries around the world, and make an impact that is unimaginable for the Kingdom in these last days.
I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be in the room with 4000 world changers for these last few days.
The message on Wednesday evening delivered by Dick Brogden was a highlight for me. I feel that my generation has failed to engage the young adults in large part because we have made church too "nice" and have catered to the wishes of the members so that we won't lose their "partnership" which is church code for offerings. Because of this, many young adults find church boring and irrelevant.
The message Dick Brogden delivered was neither boring nor irrelevant. His outline was simple and strong. He said that we must be willing to try, willing to cry, and willing to die in proclaiming the truth of the gospel to the "inconvenient" lost. I can't imagine many pastors feeling that they could survive preaching a message with a point entitled willing to die, but it is the exact message we are needing to hear. Those who attended the WMS2 want to be a part of something real, life changing, and eternal, and the gospel is all of that. (The real, ancient gospel, that is, not the north american 20th century version)
I have had confidence for several years that this current generation will use the tools developed by earlier generations, benefitting from the incredible sacrifices of pioneer ministries around the world, and make an impact that is unimaginable for the Kingdom in these last days.
I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be in the room with 4000 world changers for these last few days.
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