Well, we appear to have an unbroken chain of prayer so far. (I think!) We have entered the second day. It is neat to see a car trickle in every hour over night to pray. It pumps me up to think of this prayer vigil in comparison to Nehemiah. The idea of having someone constantly 'manning the walls'...standing in the gap to protect and battle for the people of God. Very cool.
I seem to hit various walls in my ability to concentrate and be productive on these overnights. Case in point, I was making really strong progress on sermon and then hit a wall that has me on fumes.
Keep praying for this journey for Wadsworth UMC! We are being stretched. I am excited to bring the closing message to this sermon series on Sunday. As usual I am feeling inadequate to bring the freight and weight of the message that God is stirring in my heart.
Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
120 Hours of Prayer
Churches do 24 hour prayer vigils. Some ambitious churches do 48 hour prayer vigils.
But I'm not sure I've ever heard of a church going before God's throne for 5 straight days. I am really excited for what God will do in this last week of the One Prayer Series.
One of my privileges is to be on night duty for this journey. So I'm at the church all this week from midnight to 7 a.m.
God mark your church in this season of calling on your name...and let your answers be wiser than the prayers we pray!
One of the cool parts of this experience is that the young adults who are off at school get to be a part of the prayer vigil. So on Wednesday of this gig, 24 college and career folk will be going for it in prayer from all over the state and country. Pretty stinkin' sweet.
I have two tasks this week during my overnights. Finish a sermon and create a meaningful video that captures the One Prayer experience.
Here goes nothing.
But I'm not sure I've ever heard of a church going before God's throne for 5 straight days. I am really excited for what God will do in this last week of the One Prayer Series.
One of my privileges is to be on night duty for this journey. So I'm at the church all this week from midnight to 7 a.m.
God mark your church in this season of calling on your name...and let your answers be wiser than the prayers we pray!
One of the cool parts of this experience is that the young adults who are off at school get to be a part of the prayer vigil. So on Wednesday of this gig, 24 college and career folk will be going for it in prayer from all over the state and country. Pretty stinkin' sweet.
I have two tasks this week during my overnights. Finish a sermon and create a meaningful video that captures the One Prayer experience.
Here goes nothing.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Does God Heal Today?
Luke 18:35-43
Blind dude finds out Jesus is going to walk by him.
"Have mercy on me," He pleads twice.
Jesus stops. "What do you want?"
"To see," says blind dude.
Jesus says, "Your faith has healed you."
And blind dude sees, gives glory to God...others see it and do the same.
*********
So, now we have a few different schools of thought a couple thousand years later.
Some believe that illness and disability can be eliminated if one's faith in God is big enough/strong enough.
Some believe that God has given such revelation and development to modern science that healing is done through medicine.
Some believe that if you have illness or disability it has something to do with sin that you need to confess.
Some believe that it is God's will that those He has saved not be sick and they just need to pray against the devil's attacks.
So what do we do with this? I just came off a five day bout with the flu. Was it because my faith in God was too small to be healed? Was it that I've been living in sin and God is punishing me because of it? Was it because the enemy was attacking me?
This is really complicated...but I think if we get this wrong, our view of God becomes distorted...our view of ourselves becomes distorted and our view of others becomes distorted.
People who say that God's ability to heal is dependent on our faith to believe are misguided. I've seen letters written to saints explaining that the reason they still have cancer is because their faith is too small. This is wrong. People have cancer because the fall of humanity guarantees us all one thing...that we will die. People that believe healing is dependant on their faith are very likely to be distraught if healing does not come their way. And the God they depict is some sort of drill sergeant God who demands that you get your 100 push ups in order to get the reward you're seeking.
God heals and we should be praying for healing in our churches...but the motivation of why we pray is the most important part of this...If blind dude gets healed and that is the end of the story...then the story is a waste of time. But blind dude could see and he couldn't help but GLORIFY GOD. And others saw it and they couldn't help but GLORIFY GOD. That is the point of healing...not so that we don't experience pain or suffering or ilness...we are guaranteed that because of sin. The point of healing is that when it happens it invokes wonderment and praise at the Healer.
So if you are praying for healing because being sick isn't ideal...its idolatry. If you're praying over a loved one to be cured of cancer because you can't stand the notion of being without them...that's narcissism...but if your prayer is "God, bring yourself fame and glory" then you are on the right track! Some people will suffer for a long time with cancer or other diseases and they very may well die. But the point sometimes is that God can be brought more glory in hardship and suffering than He could in healing.
So sometimes your narcissistic prayers for healing may actually be contrary to God's plan to bring himself glory in the lives of the ill, broken and crippled. But sometimes God heals so that the healed and the onlookers can be captivated by the Healer...and that is a pretty sweet gig.
Blind dude finds out Jesus is going to walk by him.
"Have mercy on me," He pleads twice.
Jesus stops. "What do you want?"
"To see," says blind dude.
Jesus says, "Your faith has healed you."
And blind dude sees, gives glory to God...others see it and do the same.
*********
So, now we have a few different schools of thought a couple thousand years later.
Some believe that illness and disability can be eliminated if one's faith in God is big enough/strong enough.
Some believe that God has given such revelation and development to modern science that healing is done through medicine.
Some believe that if you have illness or disability it has something to do with sin that you need to confess.
Some believe that it is God's will that those He has saved not be sick and they just need to pray against the devil's attacks.
So what do we do with this? I just came off a five day bout with the flu. Was it because my faith in God was too small to be healed? Was it that I've been living in sin and God is punishing me because of it? Was it because the enemy was attacking me?
This is really complicated...but I think if we get this wrong, our view of God becomes distorted...our view of ourselves becomes distorted and our view of others becomes distorted.
People who say that God's ability to heal is dependent on our faith to believe are misguided. I've seen letters written to saints explaining that the reason they still have cancer is because their faith is too small. This is wrong. People have cancer because the fall of humanity guarantees us all one thing...that we will die. People that believe healing is dependant on their faith are very likely to be distraught if healing does not come their way. And the God they depict is some sort of drill sergeant God who demands that you get your 100 push ups in order to get the reward you're seeking.
God heals and we should be praying for healing in our churches...but the motivation of why we pray is the most important part of this...If blind dude gets healed and that is the end of the story...then the story is a waste of time. But blind dude could see and he couldn't help but GLORIFY GOD. And others saw it and they couldn't help but GLORIFY GOD. That is the point of healing...not so that we don't experience pain or suffering or ilness...we are guaranteed that because of sin. The point of healing is that when it happens it invokes wonderment and praise at the Healer.
So if you are praying for healing because being sick isn't ideal...its idolatry. If you're praying over a loved one to be cured of cancer because you can't stand the notion of being without them...that's narcissism...but if your prayer is "God, bring yourself fame and glory" then you are on the right track! Some people will suffer for a long time with cancer or other diseases and they very may well die. But the point sometimes is that God can be brought more glory in hardship and suffering than He could in healing.
So sometimes your narcissistic prayers for healing may actually be contrary to God's plan to bring himself glory in the lives of the ill, broken and crippled. But sometimes God heals so that the healed and the onlookers can be captivated by the Healer...and that is a pretty sweet gig.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
What does this mean to you?
Many of you have likely seen the above image. A few weeks ago, during the Egyptian protests to oust President Mubarak, this image surfaced of Egyptian Christians gathered around to protect Egyptian Muslims as they prayed.
This coming just weeks after Coptic Christians were bombed and killed during a New Year's Worship Service by militant Muslims.
My question for us is, what does this picture speak to you, good or bad? Respond to this post and give your 2 cents!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
It's Official!
We're Having a Cantaloupe!
You've got a heavyweight in your belly at 20 weeks pregnant (well, in baby terms, anyway). Your little champ weighs about ten ounces and has a height, crown to rump, of about six and a half inches. Think small cantaloupe (and probably as sweet too).
Is it a boy cantaloupe or a girl cantaloupe? You'll be able to find out your baby's gender via the ultrasound by this point. If you're carrying a girl fetus, her uterus is fully formed this week and her vaginal canal is starting its development (which means that in about twenty-five or thirty-some-odd years, she could be just where you're at, Grandma!). She also has primitive eggs in her tiny little ovaries now, seven million of them — though by the time she's born, that number will be down to two million (still more than she could ever hope to use). And interestingly, your baby girl will be born with all the eggs she'll ever have.
Have you got male? If your fetus is a boy, his testicles have begun their descent this week, though they're still located in the abdomen, waiting for the scrotum to finish growing so they'll have a place to drop into in a few weeks.
Though the external genitals in both male and female fetuses still have a way to grow, you should be able to find out the sex of your baby (if you want to) during an ultrasound exam.
You've got a heavyweight in your belly at 20 weeks pregnant (well, in baby terms, anyway). Your little champ weighs about ten ounces and has a height, crown to rump, of about six and a half inches. Think small cantaloupe (and probably as sweet too).
Is it a boy cantaloupe or a girl cantaloupe? You'll be able to find out your baby's gender via the ultrasound by this point. If you're carrying a girl fetus, her uterus is fully formed this week and her vaginal canal is starting its development (which means that in about twenty-five or thirty-some-odd years, she could be just where you're at, Grandma!). She also has primitive eggs in her tiny little ovaries now, seven million of them — though by the time she's born, that number will be down to two million (still more than she could ever hope to use). And interestingly, your baby girl will be born with all the eggs she'll ever have.
Have you got male? If your fetus is a boy, his testicles have begun their descent this week, though they're still located in the abdomen, waiting for the scrotum to finish growing so they'll have a place to drop into in a few weeks.
Though the external genitals in both male and female fetuses still have a way to grow, you should be able to find out the sex of your baby (if you want to) during an ultrasound exam.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday Meanderings on Church and Leadership V
I heard an interview with former Browns coach Eric Mangini towards the end of the 2009-2010 season. The Browns had struggled to a 1-11 start before rallying off four consecutive wins to finish the season (including a win over Pittsburgh to dash their playoff hopes).
Mangini was asked how to get the guys to play for him after a 1-11 start. He said something along these lines...Its times like these when you learn who you want to be in the fox hole with when the battle is the thickest.
I have no idea why that has remained in my head for well over a year, but it has...and the question for leaders is who they can trust and count on in the trenches when the war rages most fierce.
There aren't many more important questions than this. Here's where leaders mess up.
1. They go Rambo...Rambo couldn't survive in Church Leadership with his solo flying style...Many leaders wonder why the war seems to be coming in from every direction...And part of that may be because he/she is trying to go it alone
2. They are in the trenches with Fools...Nothing worse than getting shot at from your own trench. Sometimes church leaders allow the wrong people into the battle...hint...if they complain and bash the church more than they pray and serve the church...they should not be in your fox hole!
3. They are in the wrong trench...Leaders get confused and sometimes they alienate the Mission and the Vision for something less meaningful. (People Pleasing /Politics/Personal Agendas). When this happens, these leaders start firing at some of the key people in the organization and it will almost certainly end in death...of the leader and the organization.
Led Leaders find the trustworthy, God-abiding people who are ready and willing to go to battle for the hope and future of the church and those people hold up the leaders arms so that the battle will be won.
Mangini was asked how to get the guys to play for him after a 1-11 start. He said something along these lines...Its times like these when you learn who you want to be in the fox hole with when the battle is the thickest.
I have no idea why that has remained in my head for well over a year, but it has...and the question for leaders is who they can trust and count on in the trenches when the war rages most fierce.
There aren't many more important questions than this. Here's where leaders mess up.
1. They go Rambo...Rambo couldn't survive in Church Leadership with his solo flying style...Many leaders wonder why the war seems to be coming in from every direction...And part of that may be because he/she is trying to go it alone
2. They are in the trenches with Fools...Nothing worse than getting shot at from your own trench. Sometimes church leaders allow the wrong people into the battle...hint...if they complain and bash the church more than they pray and serve the church...they should not be in your fox hole!
3. They are in the wrong trench...Leaders get confused and sometimes they alienate the Mission and the Vision for something less meaningful. (People Pleasing /Politics/Personal Agendas). When this happens, these leaders start firing at some of the key people in the organization and it will almost certainly end in death...of the leader and the organization.
Led Leaders find the trustworthy, God-abiding people who are ready and willing to go to battle for the hope and future of the church and those people hold up the leaders arms so that the battle will be won.
Up From the Bed He Arose
5 Days
That's the length of time I spent stuck on couch or bed, cycling between chills and sweat, congestion and coughing.
Shaina got it first and she was down like I've never seen her in all of our marriage. She started last Sunday...Me being a good husband, didn't want her to suffer alone. I picked it up Tuesday and with the exception of a church event Saturday night, I was pretty much useless all week.
Which is why you're starving for witty blog posts that enrich your soul, make you smarter and more attractive.
Have no fear.
Just like Douglas Macarthur,Arnold Schwarzenegger and that guy named Jesus...I'm back.
I just happen to be swamped haha.
That's the length of time I spent stuck on couch or bed, cycling between chills and sweat, congestion and coughing.
Shaina got it first and she was down like I've never seen her in all of our marriage. She started last Sunday...Me being a good husband, didn't want her to suffer alone. I picked it up Tuesday and with the exception of a church event Saturday night, I was pretty much useless all week.
Which is why you're starving for witty blog posts that enrich your soul, make you smarter and more attractive.
Have no fear.
Just like Douglas Macarthur,Arnold Schwarzenegger and that guy named Jesus...I'm back.
I just happen to be swamped haha.
Monday, February 14, 2011
40 Minutes To Enrich Your Life
So this is David Platt. Heard him at a Break Out session at Passion 2011. You need to get acquainted...and you better brace yourself.
Risk or Retreat? Where ya at?
David Platt: SBC Pastors Conference 2009 from Todd Thomas on Vimeo.
Risk or Retreat? Where ya at?
Monday Meanderings on Church and Leadership IV
52...Thats the number of opportunities you've got on a Sunday morning in a year.
Considering that many in your church will only come on an every other week basis, make it 26.
Depending on your context, you may only have an hour for your worship time.
26 hours to try to cultivate transformation and spiritual maturity...to try to lay out the Gospel and invite people into a new reality...an upside down kingdom.
"The crisis of the Church isn’t that fewer people are coming to church, it’s that the people that are coming to church aren't being transformed." --Pete Wilson
As leaders, we have a few options with this reality before us.
We can attack the system. Who in their right mind thinks transformation will happen in 26 hours? Those same people who show up 26 hours a year to church will watch 26 hours of television this week. They will spend 26 hours driving this month for work. How on earth can we think that 26 hours in a year can lead to breakthroughs. Some will hate the system...Some will try to reinvent the system (focus on discipleship/small groups).
As flawed an imperfect as the systems tend to be...the reality is that you still have 26 hours this year. 26 opportunities to lead people to the throne of grace. 26 opportunities to take people to the cross and the resurrection.
26 hours...Don't waste a minute of them on something trivial or secondary.
Considering that many in your church will only come on an every other week basis, make it 26.
Depending on your context, you may only have an hour for your worship time.
26 hours to try to cultivate transformation and spiritual maturity...to try to lay out the Gospel and invite people into a new reality...an upside down kingdom.
"The crisis of the Church isn’t that fewer people are coming to church, it’s that the people that are coming to church aren't being transformed." --Pete Wilson
As leaders, we have a few options with this reality before us.
We can attack the system. Who in their right mind thinks transformation will happen in 26 hours? Those same people who show up 26 hours a year to church will watch 26 hours of television this week. They will spend 26 hours driving this month for work. How on earth can we think that 26 hours in a year can lead to breakthroughs. Some will hate the system...Some will try to reinvent the system (focus on discipleship/small groups).
As flawed an imperfect as the systems tend to be...the reality is that you still have 26 hours this year. 26 opportunities to lead people to the throne of grace. 26 opportunities to take people to the cross and the resurrection.
26 hours...Don't waste a minute of them on something trivial or secondary.
Valentine Rant
Dear Valentines Day,
Its not that I don't care for you, it's just that I think you've taken something really important and distorted it into a narcissistic, self-indulgent bunch of mularkey.
The way I understand this day is that I'm supposed to go head over heels, bend over backwards, pull out all the stops (insert any other cliches you'd like) for Shaina. This one day is supposed to rekindle the flame. I'm supposed to make it all about her and how, in the words of Jerry Maguire, 'she completes me'.
But see V-day...she doesn't complete me. And thinking so is just adding another idol that steals my affections from the only One who can complete me. I love Shaina, but its unfair to put an expectation on her to fill a void in my life that cannot be filled by any woman, or any thing, but the one who by His very nature is a Void Filler. Shaina is my helpmate...God is my soulmate. Shaina helps me...I help her. We help each other and when we do it well, God is glorified.
So ladies, I sincerely apologize if this is one of the only times of the year that your man takes you out or gives you special attention. Help mates should do that all the time. I'm also sorry if you think that you are entitled to a lavish day that is all about you and if he doesn't meet your expectations you're upset.
And men, its time we relearn the concept of how to honor and serve our ladies. Its not about making up for a year of neglect in a big way on 2.14...Its about leaving no doubt in our lady's mind day after day that you value her and that you value the One who made her even more.
So Valentine Day, I'm not going to indulge. I'm just going to help and serve my wife...because that is more at the center of love than diamonds, chocolates and gluttony.
Cordially,
B-smooth
Its not that I don't care for you, it's just that I think you've taken something really important and distorted it into a narcissistic, self-indulgent bunch of mularkey.
The way I understand this day is that I'm supposed to go head over heels, bend over backwards, pull out all the stops (insert any other cliches you'd like) for Shaina. This one day is supposed to rekindle the flame. I'm supposed to make it all about her and how, in the words of Jerry Maguire, 'she completes me'.
But see V-day...she doesn't complete me. And thinking so is just adding another idol that steals my affections from the only One who can complete me. I love Shaina, but its unfair to put an expectation on her to fill a void in my life that cannot be filled by any woman, or any thing, but the one who by His very nature is a Void Filler. Shaina is my helpmate...God is my soulmate. Shaina helps me...I help her. We help each other and when we do it well, God is glorified.
So ladies, I sincerely apologize if this is one of the only times of the year that your man takes you out or gives you special attention. Help mates should do that all the time. I'm also sorry if you think that you are entitled to a lavish day that is all about you and if he doesn't meet your expectations you're upset.
And men, its time we relearn the concept of how to honor and serve our ladies. Its not about making up for a year of neglect in a big way on 2.14...Its about leaving no doubt in our lady's mind day after day that you value her and that you value the One who made her even more.
So Valentine Day, I'm not going to indulge. I'm just going to help and serve my wife...because that is more at the center of love than diamonds, chocolates and gluttony.
Cordially,
B-smooth
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Prayer and Praise Service Recap
Had a good night of worship tonight. It is hard to know what to expect when you bring people of different ages and style preferences together for a service.
I don't always have a good reading of the pulse of people, but I sensed a readiness for God tonight that was uncommon. We did at least 3 or 4 songs that 90-100% of the people who came had never heard before or sung...which the text books would say is a terrible thing to do.
The highlight for me? Two moments...first Shaina, Jake and Andy starting the night off with "Spirit Fall", a song we sang at Passion 2011 that isn't even available for download yet...the mixture of violin, piano and guitar was fantastic. Second, seeing people kneeling in droves...people being prayed for. Maybe a third moment was the impromptu benediction...people young and old singing Glory to God as they left the service...Then I go back in after the people had left and find that the Youth are still singing and haven't left yet. On top of that, the people who had exited the sanctuary weren't leaving the church...they were lingering. Sweet Spirit.
"Come Magnify the Son, Savior of the World, The Hope for Everyone."
I don't always have a good reading of the pulse of people, but I sensed a readiness for God tonight that was uncommon. We did at least 3 or 4 songs that 90-100% of the people who came had never heard before or sung...which the text books would say is a terrible thing to do.
The highlight for me? Two moments...first Shaina, Jake and Andy starting the night off with "Spirit Fall", a song we sang at Passion 2011 that isn't even available for download yet...the mixture of violin, piano and guitar was fantastic. Second, seeing people kneeling in droves...people being prayed for. Maybe a third moment was the impromptu benediction...people young and old singing Glory to God as they left the service...Then I go back in after the people had left and find that the Youth are still singing and haven't left yet. On top of that, the people who had exited the sanctuary weren't leaving the church...they were lingering. Sweet Spirit.
"Come Magnify the Son, Savior of the World, The Hope for Everyone."
Friday, February 11, 2011
Prayer and Praise
This Sunday is going to be a Prayer and Praise service at 7 p.m. at the Church. Since, I've been on staff, we've not done anything like this, so I am pretty excited to just lift high His name. Some pretty neat and unique moments in the works right now.
I am pumped for who God is.
I am pumped for what God wants to do.
I am pumped about the cross.
I am pumped that my wife and my good buddy Jake are going to share in leading us to the throne of grace.
I am pumped.
You should be too.
7 p.m. at Wadsworth United Methodist Church. Contrary to the weed smokers, this is what the cool kids will be doing. Hope to see you there.
I am pumped for who God is.
I am pumped for what God wants to do.
I am pumped about the cross.
I am pumped that my wife and my good buddy Jake are going to share in leading us to the throne of grace.
I am pumped.
You should be too.
7 p.m. at Wadsworth United Methodist Church. Contrary to the weed smokers, this is what the cool kids will be doing. Hope to see you there.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thoughts on Futility
The Cavs have already set the record for most consecutive losses in franchise history.
They've already set the record for most consecutive losses in NBA history.
They have now tied the all time record for consecutive losses in any of the four major professional sports.
In defense of the Cavs: If you take the top 5 to 7 players off of any NBA roster, that team will be miserable. (Lost from the Cavs roster from last year's top NBA team-LeBron--Heat, Zydrunas Ilgauskas--Heat, Shaq--Celtics, Anderson Varejao--out for year, Delonte West--Celtics, Mo Williams--hurt most of the season, Jawad Williams--released.)
In criticism of the Cavs: Being terrible shouldn't cause you to quit. You're professionals. You get paid to lay it out there every night. LeBron was criticized last year because he 'allegedly' quit in the playoffs. The fans despise him because of that...Why on earth would you want to be categorized in the same vein as LeBron in that area?
Cavs play the LA Clippers (20-32) on Friday. Its at least a winnable game.
Then Sunday they've got a home game against the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have not won a game all year on the road...so somebody's horrendous streak has to end on Sunday.
When the going gets tough...and for every single person it will get tough along the way...what you do in those moments will define you.
They've already set the record for most consecutive losses in NBA history.
They have now tied the all time record for consecutive losses in any of the four major professional sports.
In defense of the Cavs: If you take the top 5 to 7 players off of any NBA roster, that team will be miserable. (Lost from the Cavs roster from last year's top NBA team-LeBron--Heat, Zydrunas Ilgauskas--Heat, Shaq--Celtics, Anderson Varejao--out for year, Delonte West--Celtics, Mo Williams--hurt most of the season, Jawad Williams--released.)
In criticism of the Cavs: Being terrible shouldn't cause you to quit. You're professionals. You get paid to lay it out there every night. LeBron was criticized last year because he 'allegedly' quit in the playoffs. The fans despise him because of that...Why on earth would you want to be categorized in the same vein as LeBron in that area?
Cavs play the LA Clippers (20-32) on Friday. Its at least a winnable game.
Then Sunday they've got a home game against the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have not won a game all year on the road...so somebody's horrendous streak has to end on Sunday.
When the going gets tough...and for every single person it will get tough along the way...what you do in those moments will define you.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Miserable Cities 2011
Forbes came out with their 20 most miserable U.S. cities to live in for 2011.
They combined things like crime, jobs, housing, weather, sports teams and other criteria and came up with the list.
In the top 20?
-Cleveland (10)
-Toledo (12)
-Youngstown (14)
So, dream with me here...what ought to be the Church's response?
They combined things like crime, jobs, housing, weather, sports teams and other criteria and came up with the list.
In the top 20?
-Cleveland (10)
-Toledo (12)
-Youngstown (14)
So, dream with me here...what ought to be the Church's response?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Golden Calves (not Cavs)
A year ago today, I wrote this
And preached at one point not too long after that post on the Church as a Holy Nation (and got beat up afterwards). Though it was a tough message, I am certain it was God's message and I can say I have never been more biblically honed in, spiritually prayed up and informationally researched up than that message.
A year later and we are approaching another Sunday just like last year's Sunday. And it will mask the true message of the day, ONE BAPTISM. It will dilute a message about the power of the cross and its ability to bring the dead to life. I know I'm in the minority, but I also know that no one has made a case biblically to sway me from the conviction that our God is the God of the nations...the God Most High...and when He starts the 10 commandments by saying that we shouldn't have any other gods...He meant it. Dual Allegiance is idolatry. And we've had a long history of claiming "For God and Country"
Again, not everyone shares this conviction...but I cannot take part.
Irony of Ironies...My one prayer for 2011? ONE GOD.
And preached at one point not too long after that post on the Church as a Holy Nation (and got beat up afterwards). Though it was a tough message, I am certain it was God's message and I can say I have never been more biblically honed in, spiritually prayed up and informationally researched up than that message.
A year later and we are approaching another Sunday just like last year's Sunday. And it will mask the true message of the day, ONE BAPTISM. It will dilute a message about the power of the cross and its ability to bring the dead to life. I know I'm in the minority, but I also know that no one has made a case biblically to sway me from the conviction that our God is the God of the nations...the God Most High...and when He starts the 10 commandments by saying that we shouldn't have any other gods...He meant it. Dual Allegiance is idolatry. And we've had a long history of claiming "For God and Country"
Again, not everyone shares this conviction...but I cannot take part.
Irony of Ironies...My one prayer for 2011? ONE GOD.
City.Prayer
Last night, with the snow falling, I got to be part of a Prayer Initiative called City.Prayer. 14 of us braved the elements, met in the sanctuary of our church to receive instructions and then split up and covered the city in prayer. The overarching breath prayer for all of us..."Show me What you see Lord"
Groups went to WalMart, restaurants and hotels, to other area churches, to the schools all over town, to the city hall, police and fire departments, with one thing to pray...Show me what you see Lord. I got to take 3 of the youth from the church to the cemetery and to the hospital. We walked around the cemetery in silence and solitude. There was an eerie peace in this endeavor. We gathered and prayed for families who had lost loved ones. We prayed that we would live in such a way that our spiritual legacy outlasted the breaths we took. We prayed with the reality that everyone of us (short of the second coming) is guaranteed a 6 foot slab of real estate to push daisies up from...and that only those who experience the cross of Christ will have the sting of that death removed.
We prayed at the hospital for doctors and nurses...for the suffering...the dying...for the families who are adjusting to new types of normal...for friends and church members who were in the hospital as patients...for new moms and new babies...we prayed for EMTs...prayed for healing...but not just so that people would feel happier or better in life...we prayed that healing would come to those who would Make Much Of Him because of the healing...We prayed that in other circumstances people would find ways to make much of Him in their suffering.
Its amazing how us/me focused prayer can be...But the city needs the hope of Christ. And we can't see how to be that until He opens our eyes.
Show me what you see Lord...A dangerous prayer that will forever change the course of your life.
Groups went to WalMart, restaurants and hotels, to other area churches, to the schools all over town, to the city hall, police and fire departments, with one thing to pray...Show me what you see Lord. I got to take 3 of the youth from the church to the cemetery and to the hospital. We walked around the cemetery in silence and solitude. There was an eerie peace in this endeavor. We gathered and prayed for families who had lost loved ones. We prayed that we would live in such a way that our spiritual legacy outlasted the breaths we took. We prayed with the reality that everyone of us (short of the second coming) is guaranteed a 6 foot slab of real estate to push daisies up from...and that only those who experience the cross of Christ will have the sting of that death removed.
We prayed at the hospital for doctors and nurses...for the suffering...the dying...for the families who are adjusting to new types of normal...for friends and church members who were in the hospital as patients...for new moms and new babies...we prayed for EMTs...prayed for healing...but not just so that people would feel happier or better in life...we prayed that healing would come to those who would Make Much Of Him because of the healing...We prayed that in other circumstances people would find ways to make much of Him in their suffering.
Its amazing how us/me focused prayer can be...But the city needs the hope of Christ. And we can't see how to be that until He opens our eyes.
Show me what you see Lord...A dangerous prayer that will forever change the course of your life.
Week 18
This week your baby is about five and a half inches long, crown to rump, and weighs about five ounces. And fetal development has reached the stage for you to start feeling those movements some time in the next few weeks — so get ready!
At 18 weeks pregnant, your baby is hitting the height chart at five and a half inches long (remember, that's crown to rump) and weighs about five ounces (the weight of that boneless chicken breast you're making for dinner).
And now for the skill of the week (drum roll please…): The art of the yawn has been mastered by your baby (someone's sleepy!). In fact, you might catch a glimpse of that adorable yawn if you're getting an ultrasound this month. You'll also catch a glimpse of all the fetal movement your baby's doing — twists, rolls, kicks, and punches. And would you believe your baby is finally big enough for you to start feeling those movements now (or anytime in the next few weeks). So get ready!
Something you won't see on the ultrasound, but you'll know is in working order, is your baby's nervous system, which is maturing rapidly at this time. Nerves, now covered with a substance called myelin (which speeds messages from nerve cell to nerve cell), are forming more complex connections. And those in the brain are further specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Talking about hearing, your baby's is growing more acute, making your little one more conscious of sounds that come from inside your body (which means you could both be listening to each other hiccup — a skill that your baby has by now).
At 18 weeks pregnant, your baby is hitting the height chart at five and a half inches long (remember, that's crown to rump) and weighs about five ounces (the weight of that boneless chicken breast you're making for dinner).
And now for the skill of the week (drum roll please…): The art of the yawn has been mastered by your baby (someone's sleepy!). In fact, you might catch a glimpse of that adorable yawn if you're getting an ultrasound this month. You'll also catch a glimpse of all the fetal movement your baby's doing — twists, rolls, kicks, and punches. And would you believe your baby is finally big enough for you to start feeling those movements now (or anytime in the next few weeks). So get ready!
Something you won't see on the ultrasound, but you'll know is in working order, is your baby's nervous system, which is maturing rapidly at this time. Nerves, now covered with a substance called myelin (which speeds messages from nerve cell to nerve cell), are forming more complex connections. And those in the brain are further specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Talking about hearing, your baby's is growing more acute, making your little one more conscious of sounds that come from inside your body (which means you could both be listening to each other hiccup — a skill that your baby has by now).
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Super Bowl Reflections
I rooted for the Packers for essentially two reasons.
1. They played the Steelers.
2. I wanted Brett Favre's shadow to lessen in the NFL, particularly Green Bay
Packers won.
That's fine. Steelers don't get a 7th ring. That's good.
But, a Steelers loss doesn't give me swagger as a Browns fan. The Browns are still a cellar dweller. So Browns fan...don't taunt...just sigh a big sigh of relief...the Steelers Shadow over our franchise didn't get bigger tonight. So, to Mike, Tom and Pat...its your go now. Hit a home run in the draft. Build a winning mentality around McCoy, Hillis, Ward and Haden. And lets get our own swagger goin'.
And congrats to the Packers whose 'fill the gap' mentality of replacing injured guys with back ups was a pretty impressive story all season. Congrats to Aaron Rodgers who is now officially the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers and who has cemented himself in the category of top 5 quarterbacks in the league.
1. They played the Steelers.
2. I wanted Brett Favre's shadow to lessen in the NFL, particularly Green Bay
Packers won.
That's fine. Steelers don't get a 7th ring. That's good.
But, a Steelers loss doesn't give me swagger as a Browns fan. The Browns are still a cellar dweller. So Browns fan...don't taunt...just sigh a big sigh of relief...the Steelers Shadow over our franchise didn't get bigger tonight. So, to Mike, Tom and Pat...its your go now. Hit a home run in the draft. Build a winning mentality around McCoy, Hillis, Ward and Haden. And lets get our own swagger goin'.
And congrats to the Packers whose 'fill the gap' mentality of replacing injured guys with back ups was a pretty impressive story all season. Congrats to Aaron Rodgers who is now officially the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers and who has cemented himself in the category of top 5 quarterbacks in the league.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Daniel Fast Day 20
Won't be long now. Of course that's what the monkey said when he got his tail stuck in the lawnmower.
Some thoughts/reflections on the Daniel Fast experience
-From a food perspective, it is amazing to think/experience how the body detoxes. In 3 weeks, eliminating meat, sugars and dairy (along with preservatives, additives,etc) will cause the body to detox. This is a bit alarming in regards to what we put in our body that is pretty harmful.
-Fasting with wrong motivations is not good. If I'm doing it because I put a few lb's on over Christmas, it might be good for the body, but wrong motivations don't nourish the soul.
-Satisfaction in Jesus is really the sweet spot. But for me at least, it was so hard to stay there. The first couple days it was feeling the body's 'needs' for substances or foods. Then all throughout the rest it was a battle to stay honed in on God's presence and prayer rather than meals, ingredients and temptations. But those moments that you throw off everything that hinders and fix your eyes on Jesus, are moments where your ears have been dug out and your eyes have been opened.
-It is easy to see a self-rightoeousness flair up in me as I think I'm something impressive or what I'm doing is something sacrificial. When the fast was working the way it should, I was not puffing myself up, but puffing God up as my sustainer and provider.
-Won't be long now.
Some thoughts/reflections on the Daniel Fast experience
-From a food perspective, it is amazing to think/experience how the body detoxes. In 3 weeks, eliminating meat, sugars and dairy (along with preservatives, additives,etc) will cause the body to detox. This is a bit alarming in regards to what we put in our body that is pretty harmful.
-Fasting with wrong motivations is not good. If I'm doing it because I put a few lb's on over Christmas, it might be good for the body, but wrong motivations don't nourish the soul.
-Satisfaction in Jesus is really the sweet spot. But for me at least, it was so hard to stay there. The first couple days it was feeling the body's 'needs' for substances or foods. Then all throughout the rest it was a battle to stay honed in on God's presence and prayer rather than meals, ingredients and temptations. But those moments that you throw off everything that hinders and fix your eyes on Jesus, are moments where your ears have been dug out and your eyes have been opened.
-It is easy to see a self-rightoeousness flair up in me as I think I'm something impressive or what I'm doing is something sacrificial. When the fast was working the way it should, I was not puffing myself up, but puffing God up as my sustainer and provider.
-Won't be long now.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Daniel Fast Day Nineteen
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Hebrews 12:1-4
This passage speaks for itself. We don't grow weary or lose heart because He didn't do so on us.
The writer of Hebrews is basically saying, "If you haven't endured the humiliation, pain and blood of the cross...you really don't have it that bad. So buck up and keep your eyes on Jesus, who began your salvation and continues your sanctification.
3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Hebrews 12:1-4
This passage speaks for itself. We don't grow weary or lose heart because He didn't do so on us.
The writer of Hebrews is basically saying, "If you haven't endured the humiliation, pain and blood of the cross...you really don't have it that bad. So buck up and keep your eyes on Jesus, who began your salvation and continues your sanctification.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Daniel Fast Day 17-18
Sorry I missed yesterday.
This passage is pretty much where I'm at right now:
Romans 7
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
For all the smooth sailing and closeness to God I felt in the first two weeks, I feel bombarded in this last week. I can identify with Paul in this passage. I know what I want to do and what I don't want to do, yet there is a war raging in me to taint or flip my desires. v.24 What a wretched man I am!...I am prone to wander...I am prone to live out of my own strength...I am prone to cast my affections on inadequate lovers (food, money, me, my wife, my career). I am convinced they will satisfy me...that they will complete me. And this divided allegiance is taking me to certain death. Who will save me from my self? From this path of destruction?
v. 25 is the answer...THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO DELIVERS ME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!
This passage is pretty much where I'm at right now:
Romans 7
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
For all the smooth sailing and closeness to God I felt in the first two weeks, I feel bombarded in this last week. I can identify with Paul in this passage. I know what I want to do and what I don't want to do, yet there is a war raging in me to taint or flip my desires. v.24 What a wretched man I am!...I am prone to wander...I am prone to live out of my own strength...I am prone to cast my affections on inadequate lovers (food, money, me, my wife, my career). I am convinced they will satisfy me...that they will complete me. And this divided allegiance is taking me to certain death. Who will save me from my self? From this path of destruction?
v. 25 is the answer...THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO DELIVERS ME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Daniel Fast Day Sixteen
Song of the Week this week: Bethany Dillon's "You are all I need"
When the day is done
And there's no one else around
While I'm lying here in bed
You're in my heart, You're in my head
You're all I need, You're all I need
There are a million voices
Calling out my name
But You're the One I want to hear
So make the others disappear
You are all I need when I'm surrounded
You are all I need if I'm by myself
You fill me when I'm empty
There is nothing else
You're all I need
When the morning comes
And Your mercy is renewed
There's a fire in my bones
I'm not afraid to go alone
You're all I need
You're all I need
The sun on my face
I hear You whisper loud
You're still the God that opens seas
Every flower, even me
You're all I need
You're all I need
I'm drawn to everything that You do
Nothing compares with You
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