Ezra 8:21-23, 31-32 It would be nice if we received a package at the time of our salvation that explained all the benefits of membership. Then we could see how our decision to join would cause us to receive automatic protection and blessing. However, that is not how it works. Our salvation is secure, but our lives are still day to day. Crises occur, illnesses afflict, and uncertainties abound. I wonder if these seemingly bad things are around because they keep us talking to God? Our petitions to God for protection keep us close to God in a deeper way than our thanks for blessings will ever do. When we walk through the dark, scary places; holding only to His hand, we really get to know His nature.
Go to Him with everything. He'll be glad to hear from you.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Bless Me!
1 Chronicles 4:10 The Prayer of Jabez, a little book written several years ago by Bruce Wilkinson caused many in Christian circles to talk about Jabez for the first time. Hidden in a long genealogical record, Jabez stands out because he prays for a blessed life and increased influence. The book was very nicely written. Nothing wrong with the book. But, as with most things church-related, there were errors and extremes involved in the application of this short prayer. Some advocated the continual word for word reciting of this prayer as a way to unlock health, wealth and influence in the life of anyone who would participate. If it really worked like that, wouldn't someone have discovered this magic incantation centuries ago? And where are all the influential millionaires who bought into the plan?
We should pray for God to bless us. But the blessings of God may look much different than a bloated checkbook balance. He may bless us to be able to have influence in our middle class neighborhood. He may bless us to have influence in a child's life. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Being in right relationship with God is the greatest blessing of them all.
We should pray for God to bless us. But the blessings of God may look much different than a bloated checkbook balance. He may bless us to be able to have influence in our middle class neighborhood. He may bless us to have influence in a child's life. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Being in right relationship with God is the greatest blessing of them all.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
What is important?
1 Kings 8:22-30, 9:1-3 In our day and age, most of us don't worship in huge elaborate houses of worship. Most of us worship in fairly pedestrian settings; whether it is in a modest building built to be a church, or as in my case, a remodel of a structure which once served a very different purpose. The space tells a lot about our idea of who God is and what His presence means to us.
A downtown mission may have very rustic benches and scarce decoration. This scene may be desirable to create the sense that God is not put off by those who are down and out. A church in the historic section of town may have been built decades or even centuries prior and serve as a reminder that God is not put off by riches or solid planning.
What is important is the priority which is placed on the actual presence of God in the space used in His name. Building a place of magnificence solely so people of influence will have a place worthy of their attendance is wrong. Just as wrong is the group which prides themselves on their poverty, and hides their laziness or stinginess behind a mask of holiness.
Solomon's prayer of dedication for the temple showed his understanding that we cannot build something that is too majestic for God. Anything we come up with is an embarrassment if we think that God will be impressed with our labors. Solomon's prayer recognizes God's promises and faithfulness in the past and counts on God's continued faithfulness in the future, recognizing that it is all a gift from God. God owes us nothing. Yes, He made a covenant with Israel, but it is completely one sided in our favor. We do what we can do with what He gave us to begin with, and He protects and provides for us and gives us eternal life. So God's presence in our midst is the bottom line. If He's not here, we have nothing.
What to we have to brag or complain about?
A downtown mission may have very rustic benches and scarce decoration. This scene may be desirable to create the sense that God is not put off by those who are down and out. A church in the historic section of town may have been built decades or even centuries prior and serve as a reminder that God is not put off by riches or solid planning.
What is important is the priority which is placed on the actual presence of God in the space used in His name. Building a place of magnificence solely so people of influence will have a place worthy of their attendance is wrong. Just as wrong is the group which prides themselves on their poverty, and hides their laziness or stinginess behind a mask of holiness.
Solomon's prayer of dedication for the temple showed his understanding that we cannot build something that is too majestic for God. Anything we come up with is an embarrassment if we think that God will be impressed with our labors. Solomon's prayer recognizes God's promises and faithfulness in the past and counts on God's continued faithfulness in the future, recognizing that it is all a gift from God. God owes us nothing. Yes, He made a covenant with Israel, but it is completely one sided in our favor. We do what we can do with what He gave us to begin with, and He protects and provides for us and gives us eternal life. So God's presence in our midst is the bottom line. If He's not here, we have nothing.
What to we have to brag or complain about?
Friday, October 28, 2011
Why So Long?
1Samuel 1:1-11,19-20,27-28- Many of the most moving stories in the Bible involve the inability to have children. Think of Sarai, Rachel, and now, Hannah. Who can explain how God works? Why does He seem to delay so long in fulfilling these women's desire to bear children? But are these the right questions? He did answer. Each of these children were significant characters in the story of the coming Messiah. It is our human desire to control God; to require Him to do things the way we want him to do it in the time frame we specify. But He doesn't have to. He's God. We're not. Many times one of my grandsons will demand that they be given something NOW when I know what the day has in store for them just a little later. They may be hurt or angry that I don't give into their demand, but I know that something better awaits. When it is revealed to them what they've been forced to wait on, the former request is forgotten in the glory of what has been revealed to them.
I don't know all the "whys" of what we go through, but I trust in God's love and providential care. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 says, Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Hang in there.
I don't know all the "whys" of what we go through, but I trust in God's love and providential care. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 says, Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Hang in there.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Bitter/Sweet
Exodus 15:22-27- Moses led the people from the Red Sea. The Red Sea that had seen the Children of Israel completely delivered out of their Egyptian bondage. A place of total, convincing, unquestioned miraculous victory. But just a few days after, they were thirsty and needed water. For three days they searched and finally water was spotted! But when they arrived they found that the water was not fit for drinking. That's when the trouble started. As long as they were all in the same boat and looking for water, they shepherded their resources and made the water they carried go as far as they could. But when the promise of fresh water turned into disappointment, they turned against their leader.
Moses went to God in prayer, but God answered in a strange way. The Lord showed Moses a tree. Moses broke off a branch from the tree and tossed it in the water. I think of the insurance commercial where the farmer yells at the woodchucks, "Hey, you dang woodchucks! Stop chuckin' my wood!"
When the wood hit the water, Moses declared it fit to drink, and it was. What a strange way for a prayer to have been answered. What if Moses had had his own idea of how God should have answered and dug his heels in until God revealed reverse osmosis water purification technology to him? There would have been an entire nation of skeletons left as a monument to Moses' thoughts of how things should work.
God reserves the right to meet our needs in the way He wants to do it. He will not be limited by our plans or opinions. He used this circumstance to speak to them a promise that serving Him faithfully (meaning even when our circumstances don't coincide with our expectations) He will be faithful to us.
After leading them to the place of bitter waters, and after He showed them that He could meet their need anywhere He placed them, God led them to a true oasis with palm trees and a dozen good wells. He was the same loving Heavenly Father at Marah as He was at Elim. No mistakes, no crisis in God's view. He was in charge all the way.
Moses went to God in prayer, but God answered in a strange way. The Lord showed Moses a tree. Moses broke off a branch from the tree and tossed it in the water. I think of the insurance commercial where the farmer yells at the woodchucks, "Hey, you dang woodchucks! Stop chuckin' my wood!"
When the wood hit the water, Moses declared it fit to drink, and it was. What a strange way for a prayer to have been answered. What if Moses had had his own idea of how God should have answered and dug his heels in until God revealed reverse osmosis water purification technology to him? There would have been an entire nation of skeletons left as a monument to Moses' thoughts of how things should work.
God reserves the right to meet our needs in the way He wants to do it. He will not be limited by our plans or opinions. He used this circumstance to speak to them a promise that serving Him faithfully (meaning even when our circumstances don't coincide with our expectations) He will be faithful to us.
After leading them to the place of bitter waters, and after He showed them that He could meet their need anywhere He placed them, God led them to a true oasis with palm trees and a dozen good wells. He was the same loving Heavenly Father at Marah as He was at Elim. No mistakes, no crisis in God's view. He was in charge all the way.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
When God's People Pray
Wednesday night I will be leading a new study. "When God's People Pray" by Jim Cymbala is exactly what I feel that the faithful Wednesday night group at Living Water Church will benefit from participating in. This week's topic is "God's Heart For Us". As we go forward, focused and committed prayer coming from many hearts is what will cause us to break free from what has held us back and allow the Holy Spirit to move and work freely in and through us to do great things for God's church. If you don't usually come on Wednesday night I would urge you to start now. You will benefit greatly from this study.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Let Your Light Shine
Thursday, October 13, 2011
TOP PRACTICES OF WELCOMING CHURCHES
TOP PRACTICES OF WELCOMING CHURCHES
06/19/2008
Anxiety. That’s the one best word that would’ve described what Mike and Melissa were feeling as they were commuting to a church service. Why? Shouldn’t the gathering of the Body of Christ be exciting? Of course. But, Mike and Melissa were not yet part of the “Body of Christ.” They had both grown up in church, but as they went to college, found each other, and started a family of their own, church had gotten lost in the mix. It had now been well over 10 years since they had been to a church service. Today was a big day.
How would your church welcome Mike and Melissa as they reach out for a life change? Too many times our own ideas and prejudices can actually get in the way of reaching those like Mike and Melissa. We’ve been given the great responsibility each week to provide an experience that brings people like Mike and Melissa to Christ, rather than distracts them from Him. Let’s examine some of the top methods that welcoming churches are using.
THEY EVALUATE THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE
Realize the visit does not begin with the first song. The visit begins from the moment the guest pulls into the parking lot. Train yourself to pay attention to the details of every element of the guest’s experience. For example:
• Is the landscaping neat and in order? Are the grounds free from trash and debris?
• Does the building appear inviting or neglected?
• Are the entrances clearly marked and easy to find?
• Is there guest parking? Is it clearly marked?
• Is parking difficult? If so, are there attendants present to help direct cars?
• Is there a logical flow to the traffic? Is it clearly indicated?
• Are there any means to help the elderly or disabled into the building?
• Is the landscaping neat and in order? Are the grounds free from trash and debris?
• Does the building appear inviting or neglected?
• Are the entrances clearly marked and easy to find?
• Is there guest parking? Is it clearly marked?
• Is parking difficult? If so, are there attendants present to help direct cars?
• Is there a logical flow to the traffic? Is it clearly indicated?
• Are there any means to help the elderly or disabled into the building?
Evaluate in detail every moment of the experience to see if there is anything you can do to help facilitate what God wants to accomplish in the guest’s heart that day.
THEY THINK THROUGH THE MIND OF THE GUEST
I used to have a favorite sandwich shop. They always featured a daily special. All the regulars knew that you had to order “The Special” to get the special pricing. If a club sandwich was on sale and you ordered a “Club Sandwich,” you’d get charged the regular menu price. The words “The Special” were the password that got you the discount. Does your church have any practices that newcomers would be oblivious to?
Try to think through everything as if it were your first time at your church. Sometimes, this can be extremely difficult. Consider having some trusted friends from outside your congregation visit your church and give their unbiased opinion. You may want to even prepare some questions for them to keep in their minds prior to their visit.
THEY DON’T SINGLE OUT THE GUEST
Nothing can be more intimidating to a newcomer than to be singled out as an outsider. Sure, you want to make them feel special and you want your congregation to recognize the guests and welcome them, but find a way to do this without having the guest stand, speak, wave, or wear any badge, ribbon, or article that identifies him or her as an “outsider.” Most guests arrive and want to blend in like a chameleon. While many guests do not mind special treatment (e.g., close parking, a special gift, the attention of staff, etc.), they do not want this special treatment to single them out.
THEY TEACH EVERYONE TO BE HOSPITABLE
Hosts and greeters are wonderful! They are never a replacement for a close, hospitable community beyond the church doors, though. This takes the message of your church beyond the “professionals” to the “users.” When the “name tag” people are nice, I assume that they’re probably supposed to be that way while wearing the name tag. It’s when the average church member takes time for me that I feel special. Good leadership is able to model open community and inclusiveness in a way to be contagious to the whole congregation.
THEY FOLLOW-UP
A great follow-up program can help solidify what God has started to do in a newcomer’s heart. It can also be one of many steps in a process of connecting the guest to your congregation. If you have collected data on the guest, use this data to customize your follow-up approach to them. For example, if Mike and Melissa indicated on their communication card that they have two elementary aged children, present them with the most exciting aspects of your children’s ministry. Give them information about how they can connect to your congregation as a couple with young children. The most effective follow-up occurs within 36 hours of the church visit.
THEY HAVE GREAT SIGNAGE
You may have a logical, excellent layout for your church building, but without proper signage, it will be difficult for the guest to navigate. Here are some questions guests may have that proper signage would answer quickly:
• Where should I park?
• Which door is the entrance?
• Where is the auditorium?
• Where are the restrooms?
• Where do I take my children?
• Where do I find more information about this church?
• Where should I park?
• Which door is the entrance?
• Where is the auditorium?
• Where are the restrooms?
• Where do I take my children?
• Where do I find more information about this church?
In creating signage, go beyond simply labeling doors and entrances to providing directional signage to help guests navigate your facilities. These signs should be simple and easy to read.
THEY CREATE CONNECTING ENVIRONMENTS
In education, the hallmark of a great school is a low student-to-teacher ratio. When more students are added to a class, the odds of a student slipping through the cracks academically increases. Think in these terms with your assimilation process. Although you may have a large worship gathering, the welcoming church creates multiple environments for people to connect with each other. Many times these consist of medium sized groups and small group environments. Find ways for people that have things in common to connect.
THEY RESPECT THE CONGREGATION’S TIME
A full-time job is 40 hours per week. A salaried professional typically puts in much more than 40 hours each week. After factoring in commute time and America’s obsession with extra-curricular busyness, many families find it difficult to find time for each other. In this time-pressed environment, many can come to view the worship gathering and other church activities as an added bonus, rather than a necessity. Help your guests realize the importance of coming together as a Body to worship. Beyond this, help them realize that you respect the time they are investing by not wasting it. If something is not uplifting God or contributing to the evangelization or spiritual development of those in attendance, consider if it really deserves a part in the service schedule. If you find yourself adding “fluff” to your sermons to fill a specified amount of time, consider cutting the fluff and sticking with the things that matter. Your guests will have a better understanding of what you’re trying to communicate and you will show that you value their time.
THEY MAINTAIN THEIR WITH-IT-NESS
As I was checking out from a store last week, the cashier left the register just after ringing my last item and just before receiving my payment. He’d gotten distracted and left me hanging in the middle of a transaction. Ever have anyone do that to you in a conversation? Maybe they’re physically with you, but you can tell from their glazed eyes that their mind is somewhere else. It’s essential to maintain your “with-it-ness” with your guests! Nothing speaks to someone’s value more than individual attention. No marketing campaign or clever service element can ever take the place of a personal heart to heart connection. Take time to be in the moment with your guests. It could be what it takes to move them closer to a relationship with God.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
It's not that far
OK, friends who live in Oklahoma City. Time for a geography lesson. I'm not pastoring in North Dakota. I'm pastoring in Guthrie. Guthrie is the next town north of Edmond. No one says that Edmond is "so far away", but I commonly hear that excuse when I ask when you are gonna come visit me some Sunday morning. Let me attempt to dispel some myths about visiting Guthrie:
It does not require an overnight stay to visit Guthrie. From north OKC it takes 35-40 minutes to reach Living Water Church.
We speak the same Oklahoma English that you do.
We have electricity and flush toilets.
There are good places to eat after church.
You can actually take your cup of coffee into the sanctuary during service.
Our morning worship experience begins at 10am and ends around 11:15.
The preaching is getting better.
It wouldn't hurt you to visit us some time. Seriously.
It does not require an overnight stay to visit Guthrie. From north OKC it takes 35-40 minutes to reach Living Water Church.
We speak the same Oklahoma English that you do.
We have electricity and flush toilets.
There are good places to eat after church.
You can actually take your cup of coffee into the sanctuary during service.
Our morning worship experience begins at 10am and ends around 11:15.
The preaching is getting better.
It wouldn't hurt you to visit us some time. Seriously.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Bad Memories
Tonight I was visiting an art exhibit of paintings created by a friend. My son-in-law did an amazing job of converting an empty cafe into an elegant art gallery. While inside, however, I realized that I had been in this building before. Way back when I was in high school, this place had been a Pizza Planet where our youth group would occasionally go after Sunday night services.
Soon after getting my driver's license, I was allowed to take the car to Pizza Planet one Sunday night on the condition that I take my little brother with me. I was so flush with the excitement of driving myself, I didn't really mind. I entered Pizza Planet as a newly ordained young man. I had cash in one pocket and car keys in the other. I sat down with the confidence only a 16 year old male driver possesses, and ordered my drink and pizza.
The drinks arrived and the banter began. Within seconds, my little brother knocked over his completely full strawberry soda. Immediately it rushed the short distance to the edge of the table where it cascaded in a crimson waterfall directly in my lap, ruining my evening's coolness; not to mention my brand new white double-knit slacks.
Tonight I stood for a moment on the exact spot. Some day I'll have to forgive my brother.
Soon after getting my driver's license, I was allowed to take the car to Pizza Planet one Sunday night on the condition that I take my little brother with me. I was so flush with the excitement of driving myself, I didn't really mind. I entered Pizza Planet as a newly ordained young man. I had cash in one pocket and car keys in the other. I sat down with the confidence only a 16 year old male driver possesses, and ordered my drink and pizza.
The drinks arrived and the banter began. Within seconds, my little brother knocked over his completely full strawberry soda. Immediately it rushed the short distance to the edge of the table where it cascaded in a crimson waterfall directly in my lap, ruining my evening's coolness; not to mention my brand new white double-knit slacks.
Tonight I stood for a moment on the exact spot. Some day I'll have to forgive my brother.
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