Did you hear about the 28-year-old guy with over 300,000 followers on Twitter? I heard a report on CNN about this guy who moved back in with his parents and started tweeting the funny things his elderly father says. One of the quips from his dad was something like, "Don't touch the bacon, I'll take care of the bacon and you take care of whatever it is you do...I guess nothing!"
That is good stuff! And it made me think about sharing a few classic quotes from L.D., who has served First Church as pastor-teacher for the last 37+ years. The guy oozes wisdom (often in a witty sort of way)! And when it comes to pastoral effectiveness most people would agree that L.D. is the man! Since I'll be following him as First Church's next pastor, I'm doing my best to pick up as much from L.D. as possible.
This weekend L.D. shared what he called his "agenda" (yeah, he quite unapolegitcally said he had one!). For the last four decades L.D.'s driving agenda has been: "to see as many as possible, as soon as possible, by all means possible, come into the house of God." That statement met with rousing applause from the congregation.
I can definitely get into following that kind of passion for reaching those who need Jesus! After all, wasn't that also God's "agenda"? Oh yeah...John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
GETTING AHEAD OF GOD
Joshua chapter 9 got me this week! It deals with how people called the Gibeonites deceived Israel. God instructed Joshua to avoid making treaties with any inhabitant of the Promised Land. But the Gibeonites pretended to be a wayfaring people from a land far, far away. They pulled off the ruse to the last detail.
The Gibeonites donned old clothes, saddled their donkeys with moldy bread, cracked cheese, and old wineskins, and wore worn-out flip flops. When Israeli investigators searched their supplies they were convinced that these people had travelled a great distance. The truth was that they lived just down the road and had cities that were the class of Canaan!
The key to the deception is in verse 14, "The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord." Israel saw their stuff, but did not see through their sham! And the result of rushing into a decision without seeking God first? Deception! From that day forward the Gibeonites were like a thorn in Israel's side.
When I'm honest with myself, I have to admit that most of my decisions are made without "inquiring of the Lord" first. No, not the big "life" decisions like career choices. Not even ministry related choices like what sermon to preach. It's more often the conclusions I draw about things like which car to buy, when to take vacation, and daily things like the TV shows I watch. As a result of leaving God out of those decisions more often than not, I know I've been deceived. If I'd only inquired of God first, I'm sure I would not have wasted 2-hours of my life last week watching Obama's address to Congress -- and certainly not the talking heads arguing over what he said afterwards!
I think I'll take to heart a little more God's great advice in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
The Gibeonites donned old clothes, saddled their donkeys with moldy bread, cracked cheese, and old wineskins, and wore worn-out flip flops. When Israeli investigators searched their supplies they were convinced that these people had travelled a great distance. The truth was that they lived just down the road and had cities that were the class of Canaan!
The key to the deception is in verse 14, "The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord." Israel saw their stuff, but did not see through their sham! And the result of rushing into a decision without seeking God first? Deception! From that day forward the Gibeonites were like a thorn in Israel's side.
When I'm honest with myself, I have to admit that most of my decisions are made without "inquiring of the Lord" first. No, not the big "life" decisions like career choices. Not even ministry related choices like what sermon to preach. It's more often the conclusions I draw about things like which car to buy, when to take vacation, and daily things like the TV shows I watch. As a result of leaving God out of those decisions more often than not, I know I've been deceived. If I'd only inquired of God first, I'm sure I would not have wasted 2-hours of my life last week watching Obama's address to Congress -- and certainly not the talking heads arguing over what he said afterwards!
I think I'll take to heart a little more God's great advice in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Saturday, August 29, 2009
NO REGRETS!
Have you ever been halfway into a new endeavor and thought, ""What in the world am I doing! This is crazy! If only I'd been content with how things were before I got into this mess!" That's exactly what Joshua was thinking soon after He led the Israelites into the Promised Land. In Joshua 7:7 he cries out to God, "If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!"
The honeymoon period had been pretty sweet for Joshua. As soon as he assumed leadership of the Hebrew people, God parted the Jordan River (during flood stage, I might add) and Joshua led the people across into the land of Canaan. The buzz in the Israeli camp was, "God is with Joshua just like He was with Moses!" Everyone, including Joshua, was feeling really pumped about it. Even their first battle in the Promised Land was a miraculous victory. God delivered Jericho into Israel's hands and they didn't have to fire an arrow! With a simple shout the walls came tumbling down. At this point, not a single Israeli was regretting the decision to charge into Canaan and take possession of the land of promise. It was all good.
But then came the city of Ai. Joshua's advisor's thought it would be an easy win. But it turned into an absolute disaster for Israel. They were soundly defeated. That's when the remorse hit Joshua. The pain of his regret literally put him face down on the ground. How he wished they had stayed on the other side of the Jordan. Can you hear his thoughts? "It was so easy on that side! Back then there were no battles to fight. Back there we didn't have had to shed tears or blood. If only we had been satisfied to stay in our comfort zone!"
What's interesting is God's response to Joshua. The Lord said, "Get up off your face! You've got business to take care of." Long story, short, God revealed to Joshua that there was sin in the camp and that was the reason they'd been defeated. With this news and renewed hope from the Lord, Joshua pushed through his regret and got back to the task at hand. The result was that Israel got rid of the sin holding them back. They reached a new level of dedication to God and determination to follow His plan.
I've been praying for the 113 people who were baptized into Christ at First Church last weekend. My own experience on the journey tells me that at some point each of them will hit a wall of discouragement, even disillusionment, in their faith. It just happens. And when it does, that's when we need to find renewed hope in Christ. We need to hear God say, "Get up and keep on keeping on!" If we persevere our regrets will fade and God's promises will grow brighter. That's why God tells us in Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Sometimes people regret starting a family. It's hard at times, but in the end, to say it's worth it is a huge understatement. Sometimes people regret beginning to tithe their income to the Lord. It's not easy, but in the end there are no regrets!
Many years ago the young heir to the Borden dairy fortune, Bill Borden, left his life of ease to become a missionary in China. While there he contracted a disease that caused an early death. On his deathbed he penned these words, "No reserve, no retreat, and no regrets."
I want to lean into the life God has called me to! When tempted to retreat, I want to heed God's call to keep charging. At times Joshua may have wished he had been content on the other side where life was comfortable. But in the end he lived a "strong and courageous" life for God's glory. On my deathbed that last thing I want to do is regret failing to "cross the Jordan" when God said go.
The honeymoon period had been pretty sweet for Joshua. As soon as he assumed leadership of the Hebrew people, God parted the Jordan River (during flood stage, I might add) and Joshua led the people across into the land of Canaan. The buzz in the Israeli camp was, "God is with Joshua just like He was with Moses!" Everyone, including Joshua, was feeling really pumped about it. Even their first battle in the Promised Land was a miraculous victory. God delivered Jericho into Israel's hands and they didn't have to fire an arrow! With a simple shout the walls came tumbling down. At this point, not a single Israeli was regretting the decision to charge into Canaan and take possession of the land of promise. It was all good.
But then came the city of Ai. Joshua's advisor's thought it would be an easy win. But it turned into an absolute disaster for Israel. They were soundly defeated. That's when the remorse hit Joshua. The pain of his regret literally put him face down on the ground. How he wished they had stayed on the other side of the Jordan. Can you hear his thoughts? "It was so easy on that side! Back then there were no battles to fight. Back there we didn't have had to shed tears or blood. If only we had been satisfied to stay in our comfort zone!"
What's interesting is God's response to Joshua. The Lord said, "Get up off your face! You've got business to take care of." Long story, short, God revealed to Joshua that there was sin in the camp and that was the reason they'd been defeated. With this news and renewed hope from the Lord, Joshua pushed through his regret and got back to the task at hand. The result was that Israel got rid of the sin holding them back. They reached a new level of dedication to God and determination to follow His plan.
I've been praying for the 113 people who were baptized into Christ at First Church last weekend. My own experience on the journey tells me that at some point each of them will hit a wall of discouragement, even disillusionment, in their faith. It just happens. And when it does, that's when we need to find renewed hope in Christ. We need to hear God say, "Get up and keep on keeping on!" If we persevere our regrets will fade and God's promises will grow brighter. That's why God tells us in Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Sometimes people regret starting a family. It's hard at times, but in the end, to say it's worth it is a huge understatement. Sometimes people regret beginning to tithe their income to the Lord. It's not easy, but in the end there are no regrets!
Many years ago the young heir to the Borden dairy fortune, Bill Borden, left his life of ease to become a missionary in China. While there he contracted a disease that caused an early death. On his deathbed he penned these words, "No reserve, no retreat, and no regrets."
I want to lean into the life God has called me to! When tempted to retreat, I want to heed God's call to keep charging. At times Joshua may have wished he had been content on the other side where life was comfortable. But in the end he lived a "strong and courageous" life for God's glory. On my deathbed that last thing I want to do is regret failing to "cross the Jordan" when God said go.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
TODAY IS THE DAY!
The last 6 months has been a whirlwind! Basically due to an incredible transition in life. In March I wrapped about 12 years of ministry with Heritage Christian Church in Fayetteville, GA and began a new ministry at First Church in Burlington, KY. My wife and children moved from our home in Peachtree City to our new home in Union, KY in May. As wild as it has been, we've seen God's hand in it each step of the way. Still it was crazy enough to keep me away from the blog spot!
But what happened this weekend at First Church was more than enough to get me off the "blogging bench" and back into the game! Over the course of three weekend services 113 people were baptized into Christ. The 14-foot diameter pool on stage was rocking as students, grandparents, men, women, and even entire families plunged into the waters of baptism with Jesus. It's was the closest thing to Acts 2 I've ever experienced! God showed up in a powerful way to lead people to say, TODAY IS THE DAY!
Some of the stories were amazing. One couple told me that their son baptized a buddy who is heading off to college next week...this couple had been praying for their son's friend to accept Christ since he was in 4th grade! I was blown away as entire families stepped into that pool together. It must have been a lot like that in the Bible as Lydia's entire houseld and the Philippian Jailer's whole family were baptized into Christ. The tears, shouts of joy, whoops of praise, high fives and huge hugs among those baptized said it all. God was there and He was changing lives!
For the past month our mantra has been "Don't put off until SOMEDAY what God is calling you to do TODAY." And wow, what a day TODAY has been!
The last 6 months has been a whirlwind! Basically due to an incredible transition in life. In March I wrapped about 12 years of ministry with Heritage Christian Church in Fayetteville, GA and began a new ministry at First Church in Burlington, KY. My wife and children moved from our home in Peachtree City to our new home in Union, KY in May. As wild as it has been, we've seen God's hand in it each step of the way. Still it was crazy enough to keep me away from the blog spot!
But what happened this weekend at First Church was more than enough to get me off the "blogging bench" and back into the game! Over the course of three weekend services 113 people were baptized into Christ. The 14-foot diameter pool on stage was rocking as students, grandparents, men, women, and even entire families plunged into the waters of baptism with Jesus. It's was the closest thing to Acts 2 I've ever experienced! God showed up in a powerful way to lead people to say, TODAY IS THE DAY!
Some of the stories were amazing. One couple told me that their son baptized a buddy who is heading off to college next week...this couple had been praying for their son's friend to accept Christ since he was in 4th grade! I was blown away as entire families stepped into that pool together. It must have been a lot like that in the Bible as Lydia's entire houseld and the Philippian Jailer's whole family were baptized into Christ. The tears, shouts of joy, whoops of praise, high fives and huge hugs among those baptized said it all. God was there and He was changing lives!
For the past month our mantra has been "Don't put off until SOMEDAY what God is calling you to do TODAY." And wow, what a day TODAY has been!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The Difference A Year Can Make
One year ago today I was frantically finalizing a number of last minute details in preparation for my first pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The anticipation of experiencing God in the very places Jesus walked, taught, touched, lived, died, and lived again rivaled the anticipation of holding each of our children when they were first born.
God did not disappoint! I'm sure I can speak for each of the pastors on our pilgrimage journey in saying that God met us there, He walked with us there, He transformed us there. In fact, God "deconstructed" me on a number of levels during that pilgrimage. As He builds us into His image the Lord's "reconstruction" process sometimes includes a wrecking ball. And I was wrecked in Jerusalem.
Leaning against the trunk of an olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus sweat ran as drops of blood. Kneeling before a mosaic of Judas betraying Jesus with a cold kiss. Ascending the stairs the Lord himself ascended to be mocked and falsely accused before Caiphas the High Priest. Standing in the dark pit where the Christ was held only hours before his crucifixion. Walking the "Way of Suffering" - Jesus' path to the cross.
Each place made Christ's sacrifice more real. Each experience brought a deeper understanding of the price Jesus paid to forgive my sin. Each moment wrecked me with the realization that God loves me in spite of me. So the desconstruction began.
It's now been a year since that wrecking ball began crashing into my soul. And God has been faithful to rebuild what He had to tear down. His reconstruction process has forced me to deal with old wounds, think with greater complexity, listen more deeply to His calling, and to live with greater abandon for His cause.
In a way that is similar to building with legos, God sometimes needs to deconstruct us in order to construct us. It's all part of the process to get the peices in the right places. He is reconstructing my heart of flesh into His heart of holiness. And though I'd love to be furiously packing once again today for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, perhaps I should just enjoy this season of God's re-creating rather than His wrecking!
God did not disappoint! I'm sure I can speak for each of the pastors on our pilgrimage journey in saying that God met us there, He walked with us there, He transformed us there. In fact, God "deconstructed" me on a number of levels during that pilgrimage. As He builds us into His image the Lord's "reconstruction" process sometimes includes a wrecking ball. And I was wrecked in Jerusalem.
Leaning against the trunk of an olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus sweat ran as drops of blood. Kneeling before a mosaic of Judas betraying Jesus with a cold kiss. Ascending the stairs the Lord himself ascended to be mocked and falsely accused before Caiphas the High Priest. Standing in the dark pit where the Christ was held only hours before his crucifixion. Walking the "Way of Suffering" - Jesus' path to the cross.
Each place made Christ's sacrifice more real. Each experience brought a deeper understanding of the price Jesus paid to forgive my sin. Each moment wrecked me with the realization that God loves me in spite of me. So the desconstruction began.
It's now been a year since that wrecking ball began crashing into my soul. And God has been faithful to rebuild what He had to tear down. His reconstruction process has forced me to deal with old wounds, think with greater complexity, listen more deeply to His calling, and to live with greater abandon for His cause.
In a way that is similar to building with legos, God sometimes needs to deconstruct us in order to construct us. It's all part of the process to get the peices in the right places. He is reconstructing my heart of flesh into His heart of holiness. And though I'd love to be furiously packing once again today for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, perhaps I should just enjoy this season of God's re-creating rather than His wrecking!
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