Its Christmas Eve and DFW is enjoying a rare white Christmas. With the entire family here and snow falling, Pam is more excited about Christmas than I have seen her in a long time. It feels really good to be home.
Between the anticipated church move in January, a crazy busy schedule and numerous accounts of Jesus showing up just on time, it is impossible to find words to express exactly how I feel today. I am incredibly proud of how our Church Staff and our Church Family has been able to stay focused on the work of God in the midst of chaos and, in many cases, personal crisis. I am looking forward to the Christmas Eve service tonight, and can already feel God's peace resting on me.
At this time of year there are so many things I could talk about in this blog. It is Christmas after all. A time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. A time to stand in wonder of the amazing God we serve. So, forgive me if the rest of this blog is not all that, well, "Christmasy."
I was listening to a show on Christian radio recently where the topic was whether the Church, and particularly the evangelical Church, is in decline because for too many Christians faith is based mostly on emotion. If you know me at all, you know I feel strongly that our relationship with God should be powerful on an emotional level -- Jesus said we are to love the Lord our God with all our mind, heart, soul and strength. So, I don't think we can love God with our heart too much. There is a question in my mind, however, whether too many Christians give God less than their all in the mind department.
(This is where I start to get preachy, so if you just want to relax and enjoy your Christmas this is the time to stop reading.)
I don't think I will get any disagreement with the idea that, as Christians, we need to KNOW GOD'S WORD. In fact, in today's American culture I believe it is more important now than it has ever been to know and understand the Bible.
A recent study concluded that more and more Americans, including many people who identify themselves as Christians, adopt a "mix and match" view of religion. What I mean by that is some Christians have been deceived into thinking that there are many ways to "truth" and that they can simply draw from various religions and philosophies and come up with a custom made faith that meets their particular needs.
When others were running from Jesus and Peter was asked if he would leave too, Peter responded: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68. We may live in a society that wants there to be multiple ways but, like it or not, Peter was right 2000 years ago and his answer is still right today.
Of course, Jesus is no longer with us in the flesh. He has, however, left with us at least two things that are essential to our journey: the Holy Spirit and the very words of eternal life. Those words are called the Bible. So, the question I would like you to ask yourself on this Christmas Eve is this: "Do I honor God by taking full advantage of this gift called the Bible?" If the answer to that question is "no," maybe Christmas is the perfect time to open up this precious gift and see what God has to say.
I can say without hesitation that discipleship is a huge priority for everyone on the pastoral staff at Heartland Church. We have spent a great deal of time in recent weeks thinking about classes we want to offer in 2010 and the need for discipleship generally. But while classes and Bible studies are always good, nothing can replace each of us spending personal time in the study of God's word and in prayer. Let's spend a little time with the words of eternal life this Christmas.
Oh, and by the way, Merry Christmas!!!!! I hope God blesses you during this wonderful time of year. Now, go in peace, serve the Lord.
Love God - Love People - Advance the Gospel
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thanksgiving
On November 26, 2009, millions of Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving. For most, the day will be rich in a tradition that includes friends, family, food and football.
Of course, the Thanksgiving meal will be the centerpiece of the day. It will likely feature a turkey with all the trimmings. If your Thanksgiving experiences are like mine, the meal will also no doubt include a side dish or two that no one actually likes -- or at least no one likes enough to eat any other day of the year. In my house, we will put cranberry sauce on the table. We always do. I'm not sure I have ever seen anyone actually eat that stuff. But, its tradition.
I like to think that most people also have a tradition of saying a prayer before the Thanksgiving meal. It seems like most people I know do -- even those folks who don't pray over their meals the other 362 days a year. (If your questioning my math, think Christmas and Easter). I mean, what's the point of Thanksgiving if we don't take at least a moment during the day to thank God for all He has done for us?
I do have to wonder, though, whether God figures into Thanksgiving at all for most Americans anymore. The folks at Wikipedia don't seem to think so. Not that Wikipedia is necessarily a reliable or definitive source, but here are the first few lines of the discussion of Thanksgiving in this on-line encyclopedia:
"Thanksgiving day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. ... While perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday."
I have a lot of questions about these three sentences. For example, what do they mean by "perhaps religious in origin"? Is there any doubt about that? And, when they say "express gratitude in general," express gratitude in general to who? The most troubling question I have, though, is whether there is truth to the idea that most Americans view Thanksgiving as a primarily secular holiday. Put another way, has God been kicked out of Thanksgiving too?
If most Americans truly feel that Thanksgiving has nothing to do with God, that is obviously a terribly sad thing. It has not always been that way.
George Washington issued a proclamation in 1789 setting November 26 as a day of "public thanksgiving and prayer." To save you on the math, this November 26th will mark the 220th anniversary of that first national day of Thanksgiving.
In that Thanksgiving day proclamation, the President of the United States, at the urging of both houses of Congress, asked the American people to set aside November 26 as a day to thank God Almighty for the many things He had done for the people of the United States, including for the very existence of the country itself. President Washington appropriately described God as "the Beneficent Author of all good that was, that is, and that will be." The proclamation went on to ask the people to pray for the forgiveness of our national and other transgressions, and that the government "be a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws ...."
Personally, I love Thanksgiving. I love the family getting together. I love the turkey and I love the football. I don't think there is anything wrong with all that. I have even accepted the idea that Thanksgiving is the time when we all begin to think about and look forward to Christmas.
At the same time, I am not sure I can get behind the idea of a national holiday that is simply dedicated to over-eating and football -- even if it means a couple of extra days off work. If God has really been kicked out of Thanksgiving, as Christians I think we need to make a point this November 26 to invite Him back in!
Of course, the Thanksgiving meal will be the centerpiece of the day. It will likely feature a turkey with all the trimmings. If your Thanksgiving experiences are like mine, the meal will also no doubt include a side dish or two that no one actually likes -- or at least no one likes enough to eat any other day of the year. In my house, we will put cranberry sauce on the table. We always do. I'm not sure I have ever seen anyone actually eat that stuff. But, its tradition.
I like to think that most people also have a tradition of saying a prayer before the Thanksgiving meal. It seems like most people I know do -- even those folks who don't pray over their meals the other 362 days a year. (If your questioning my math, think Christmas and Easter). I mean, what's the point of Thanksgiving if we don't take at least a moment during the day to thank God for all He has done for us?
I do have to wonder, though, whether God figures into Thanksgiving at all for most Americans anymore. The folks at Wikipedia don't seem to think so. Not that Wikipedia is necessarily a reliable or definitive source, but here are the first few lines of the discussion of Thanksgiving in this on-line encyclopedia:
"Thanksgiving day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. ... While perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday."
I have a lot of questions about these three sentences. For example, what do they mean by "perhaps religious in origin"? Is there any doubt about that? And, when they say "express gratitude in general," express gratitude in general to who? The most troubling question I have, though, is whether there is truth to the idea that most Americans view Thanksgiving as a primarily secular holiday. Put another way, has God been kicked out of Thanksgiving too?
If most Americans truly feel that Thanksgiving has nothing to do with God, that is obviously a terribly sad thing. It has not always been that way.
George Washington issued a proclamation in 1789 setting November 26 as a day of "public thanksgiving and prayer." To save you on the math, this November 26th will mark the 220th anniversary of that first national day of Thanksgiving.
In that Thanksgiving day proclamation, the President of the United States, at the urging of both houses of Congress, asked the American people to set aside November 26 as a day to thank God Almighty for the many things He had done for the people of the United States, including for the very existence of the country itself. President Washington appropriately described God as "the Beneficent Author of all good that was, that is, and that will be." The proclamation went on to ask the people to pray for the forgiveness of our national and other transgressions, and that the government "be a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws ...."
Personally, I love Thanksgiving. I love the family getting together. I love the turkey and I love the football. I don't think there is anything wrong with all that. I have even accepted the idea that Thanksgiving is the time when we all begin to think about and look forward to Christmas.
At the same time, I am not sure I can get behind the idea of a national holiday that is simply dedicated to over-eating and football -- even if it means a couple of extra days off work. If God has really been kicked out of Thanksgiving, as Christians I think we need to make a point this November 26 to invite Him back in!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Of Moths and Rust
My wife, Pam, has been a fan of the British rock group "The Who" since she was a teenager. She was particularly crazy about the lead singer of the group, Roger Daltry. Pam had seen The Who in concert several times before we met, and she and I have seen them three or four times together. In other words, Pam has a pretty impressive list of close encounters of The Who kind on her concert-going resume.
So, it came as no surprise that when Pam found out that Mr. Daltry was appearing solo in a small venue about an hour from home we were going to be there. In fact, Pam ultimately managed to get us front row seats. And there we found ourselves, not more than ten feet from Pam's teenage-era rock-n-roll crush.
I have to say that the front row seat thing was pretty cool, even if there were a few glitches in the concert itself. At one point Mr. Daltry had voice problems, apparently because of cold air blowing on him from an air conditioning vent. At another point he forgot the words as he tried to navigate his way through a medley of Johnny Cash tunes (which I don't think had anything to do with the air conditioning). Still, I left feeling like I got every penny's worth out of our tickets (and Pam probably would have thought they were a bargain at ten times what we paid for them!!!!!).
There was one thing that struck me about the concert though, which leads me to the reason for this post. Mr. Daltry has, by most measures, been a phenomenally successful individual. The Who have sold about 100 million records and have charted 27 top forty singles in the United Kingdom and United States and boast an impressive 17 top ten albums. The Who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and their display in the Hall describes them as "Prime contenders, in the minds of many, for the title of World's Greatest Rock Band." The Los Angeles Times wrote that during their tenure as a quartet, the band "rivaled The Beatles, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones as the most vital rock voice of youth."
Yet, despite all of this success, their was a very subtle, but unmistakable, sadness to Mr. Daltry that night. It may have been due in part to the thin crowd, and maybe even to the technical glitches that I am sure drove the performers crazy but were hardly noticed by the audience. I think, though, that what really was on his mind was that, like it or not, his career was coming to an end.
I have never known that kind of success, so cannot appreciate what it must feel like to see it ending. What I do know, though, is that no matter how successful we are in business, no matter how big our house is or how expensive the car we drive, some day no one will care and some day no one will even remember those things.
Jesus warned us about investing in temporary, worldly things. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19 - 20. So, what are those things that don't rust or get eaten by moths?
Today I had the privilege of attending a memorial service for Joe Pena, one of our partners at Heartland Church. Four men from the family spoke at the service; a son, a nephew and two grandsons. Each of the men naturally spoke about what an influence Joe had been in their lives. But what really impressed me was how each man wove into his words a clear expression of the importance Jesus in his life. That faith, which Joe undoubtely fostered in his family, is a great legacy. And that legacy is something that rust, moths and thieves can't touch!
So, it came as no surprise that when Pam found out that Mr. Daltry was appearing solo in a small venue about an hour from home we were going to be there. In fact, Pam ultimately managed to get us front row seats. And there we found ourselves, not more than ten feet from Pam's teenage-era rock-n-roll crush.
I have to say that the front row seat thing was pretty cool, even if there were a few glitches in the concert itself. At one point Mr. Daltry had voice problems, apparently because of cold air blowing on him from an air conditioning vent. At another point he forgot the words as he tried to navigate his way through a medley of Johnny Cash tunes (which I don't think had anything to do with the air conditioning). Still, I left feeling like I got every penny's worth out of our tickets (and Pam probably would have thought they were a bargain at ten times what we paid for them!!!!!).
There was one thing that struck me about the concert though, which leads me to the reason for this post. Mr. Daltry has, by most measures, been a phenomenally successful individual. The Who have sold about 100 million records and have charted 27 top forty singles in the United Kingdom and United States and boast an impressive 17 top ten albums. The Who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and their display in the Hall describes them as "Prime contenders, in the minds of many, for the title of World's Greatest Rock Band." The Los Angeles Times wrote that during their tenure as a quartet, the band "rivaled The Beatles, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones as the most vital rock voice of youth."
Yet, despite all of this success, their was a very subtle, but unmistakable, sadness to Mr. Daltry that night. It may have been due in part to the thin crowd, and maybe even to the technical glitches that I am sure drove the performers crazy but were hardly noticed by the audience. I think, though, that what really was on his mind was that, like it or not, his career was coming to an end.
I have never known that kind of success, so cannot appreciate what it must feel like to see it ending. What I do know, though, is that no matter how successful we are in business, no matter how big our house is or how expensive the car we drive, some day no one will care and some day no one will even remember those things.
Jesus warned us about investing in temporary, worldly things. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19 - 20. So, what are those things that don't rust or get eaten by moths?
Today I had the privilege of attending a memorial service for Joe Pena, one of our partners at Heartland Church. Four men from the family spoke at the service; a son, a nephew and two grandsons. Each of the men naturally spoke about what an influence Joe had been in their lives. But what really impressed me was how each man wove into his words a clear expression of the importance Jesus in his life. That faith, which Joe undoubtely fostered in his family, is a great legacy. And that legacy is something that rust, moths and thieves can't touch!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
She Must Be Crazy
It is 4:55 p.m. on Friday. I have been home sick for the last two days. My wife, Pam, has been sick too (as has our daughter), but at least Pam caught the bug later than me and got to the antibiotics earlier in the cycle. Still, she is not feeling well herself.
Pam knows I need to catch up after missing two days of work, and offers to make me something to eat before she goes to get some sleep. But first, she hands me a contract relating to the new church building that I need to sign and send back before 5:00. Church business, it seems, doesn't go away just because I am sick. Pam, though, thinks nothing of it -- "church business" is just part of our life.
When I was first asked to serve as the Executive Pastor of Heartland Church, my first thought was "what's Pam going to think." You know the saying: "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Well, I wasn't really sure that this "offer" was going to make her very happy. When Pastor Dan and Pastor Sherry told Pam what they had in mind, her immediate response was that this was something I had to do. It was like we had no choice to make. In fact, her response was so quick and so confident I thought "she must be crazy."
You see, Pam doesn't make big decisions just like that. She asks questions, she does research, she wants to talk it over. If it is a really big decision, and to me this was a REALLY BIG decision, she insists that we get her father's opinion.
Well, Pam isn't crazy. In fact, when Pam signed us up for this job I think she had a pretty good idea what kind of sacrifice she -- and the whole family -- would be making. I also think the reality has fully met her expectations!!
So, what was it that made this decision so easy for her? I think it comes down to one thing -- faith. Its not just that Pam has great faith that God exists and that God wants each of us to serve in Him some way. If that were the case, she could have simply declined this invitation and been content with the other ways we were serving at the time. Rather, I think it was Pam's great faith that God has a very specific plan and purpose for each of us that, for her, in this case meant there was really no decision to make at all.
Pam knows I need to catch up after missing two days of work, and offers to make me something to eat before she goes to get some sleep. But first, she hands me a contract relating to the new church building that I need to sign and send back before 5:00. Church business, it seems, doesn't go away just because I am sick. Pam, though, thinks nothing of it -- "church business" is just part of our life.
When I was first asked to serve as the Executive Pastor of Heartland Church, my first thought was "what's Pam going to think." You know the saying: "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Well, I wasn't really sure that this "offer" was going to make her very happy. When Pastor Dan and Pastor Sherry told Pam what they had in mind, her immediate response was that this was something I had to do. It was like we had no choice to make. In fact, her response was so quick and so confident I thought "she must be crazy."
You see, Pam doesn't make big decisions just like that. She asks questions, she does research, she wants to talk it over. If it is a really big decision, and to me this was a REALLY BIG decision, she insists that we get her father's opinion.
Well, Pam isn't crazy. In fact, when Pam signed us up for this job I think she had a pretty good idea what kind of sacrifice she -- and the whole family -- would be making. I also think the reality has fully met her expectations!!
So, what was it that made this decision so easy for her? I think it comes down to one thing -- faith. Its not just that Pam has great faith that God exists and that God wants each of us to serve in Him some way. If that were the case, she could have simply declined this invitation and been content with the other ways we were serving at the time. Rather, I think it was Pam's great faith that God has a very specific plan and purpose for each of us that, for her, in this case meant there was really no decision to make at all.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Casting Shadows
Acts 5:14 - 16.
As Peter walked through the streets of Jerusalem, do you think he fully appreciated the impact he was having on people? Do you think Peter realized that people thought if his shadow would just pass over them their illnesses would be cured?
Personally, I doubt Peter was thinking much about where his shadow was falling. I suspect he was more concerned with preaching the good news.
The truth is, though, that as Christians we all "cast shadows" whether we are aware of it or not. By that I mean that we impact people just by the way we live.
John Ferris is an Elder at Heartland Church and is one of many men who have profoundly impacted my life. Whenever I thank John for being an inspiration, though, John always shrugs his shoulders and gives me a puzzled look. John's reaction is no doubt partly due to modesty, and partly due to John's desire to give any credit to God. I also think, though, that John is truly a bit perplexed about what exactly he has done and why it has been so meaningful to me.
Of course, the shadows we cast can have the opposite effect as well. I can't tell you how many times people have told me that the reason they either don't believe or don't go to church is because people who do go to church are hypocrites. In other words, they believe that Christians, and particularly church-going Christians, say one thing and do another. Ouch!! Could that sometimes be true?
In my last post I talked about a choice we all have. We can choose to live our lives in a way that is mostly indistinguishable from our neighbors. Or, we can strive to live a "more excellent way." I guess my point is that which option we choose doesn't just impact our eternity -- it very likely impacts the eternity of many others as well. Something to think about.
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Radical Christian
What an exciting time in the life of Heartland Church!! I am really looking forward to the move to Carrollton and am anxious to see all the great things God has planned for us there. I hope you are excited about the move too.
What I'm really excited about though, and what I want to talk about, is what is happening right here and right now. I am excited about how focused we are as a Church on who we are and what God has created us to do. I am excited about the momentum that is building (which happens to be the subject of the current sermon series!). I am excited about how we are growing together as a church family. I am excited about the four goals we have set for our partners. I am excited about changed lives!!
The preacher described the second group of Christians as people who not only avoid any appearance of evil, but as people who are zealous to do good works of all kinds, who take up their cross daily, who constantly strive to achieve God's will at the expense of their own pleasure and who "agonize without intermission" to achieve a life of Christian holiness. (think about how this description ties in to our four goals of inviting and investing, living generously, taking the next bold step and living without limits).
I want to emphasize that the point of this sermon was not to condemn or criticize the first group of Christians. Instead, the point was to remind us that the Holy Spirit invites and prompts all believers to pursue a "more excellent way." Like faith itself, God issues the invitation but gives each of us the free will to accept or reject His offer.
I am not by any means suggesting that I myself have made any real progress in my own pursuit of the "more excellent way." There are many things in my life that bring no particular glory to God.
What I am saying is that I am grateful to be part of a Church that is not afraid to challenge us, no matter where we are on our walk with God, to do better. I am excited about applying the four goals of Heartland Church to my own life.
By the way, in case you are wondering, the sermon I am talking about was written by John Wesley over 200 years ago. Wesley believed that through devotion to prayer, the reading of scripture and so forth God can transform believers so that His love reigns supreme as the guiding force in their lives and in their hearts. : )
What I'm really excited about though, and what I want to talk about, is what is happening right here and right now. I am excited about how focused we are as a Church on who we are and what God has created us to do. I am excited about the momentum that is building (which happens to be the subject of the current sermon series!). I am excited about how we are growing together as a church family. I am excited about the four goals we have set for our partners. I am excited about changed lives!!
Speaking of our four goals, if you have not taken time to study and think about them I really urge you to do so. (You can find them right on the first page of our web site) The more I think about those goals myself, the more I realize they are not so much goals as they are a challenge. And the challenge is this: for each of us to continually strive to live our lives according to God's will. Simple, huh?
I read a sermon recently where the preacher observed that there are two types of Christians. Paraphrasing a bit, this preacher described the first group as believers who generally try to do the right thing, who do good works from time to time, who "abstain from gross evils," who regularly attend church and so forth. Though these Christians are certainly redeemed by the blood of Christ, their day-to-day lives are for the most part indistinguishable from non-believers.
I read a sermon recently where the preacher observed that there are two types of Christians. Paraphrasing a bit, this preacher described the first group as believers who generally try to do the right thing, who do good works from time to time, who "abstain from gross evils," who regularly attend church and so forth. Though these Christians are certainly redeemed by the blood of Christ, their day-to-day lives are for the most part indistinguishable from non-believers.
The preacher described the second group of Christians as people who not only avoid any appearance of evil, but as people who are zealous to do good works of all kinds, who take up their cross daily, who constantly strive to achieve God's will at the expense of their own pleasure and who "agonize without intermission" to achieve a life of Christian holiness. (think about how this description ties in to our four goals of inviting and investing, living generously, taking the next bold step and living without limits).
I want to emphasize that the point of this sermon was not to condemn or criticize the first group of Christians. Instead, the point was to remind us that the Holy Spirit invites and prompts all believers to pursue a "more excellent way." Like faith itself, God issues the invitation but gives each of us the free will to accept or reject His offer.
I am not by any means suggesting that I myself have made any real progress in my own pursuit of the "more excellent way." There are many things in my life that bring no particular glory to God.
What I am saying is that I am grateful to be part of a Church that is not afraid to challenge us, no matter where we are on our walk with God, to do better. I am excited about applying the four goals of Heartland Church to my own life.
By the way, in case you are wondering, the sermon I am talking about was written by John Wesley over 200 years ago. Wesley believed that through devotion to prayer, the reading of scripture and so forth God can transform believers so that His love reigns supreme as the guiding force in their lives and in their hearts. : )
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