What An Amazing Year, "to come"

The best part of this time of year, for me, is having some time to reflect about what has gone on in the past and what I believe I am able to expect in the future. All of this in the context of God's purpose for my life and the life of Journey, the church where I pastor.

Just to be candid, the last year and a half has been a mixed bag for me, and the church. We went through some difficult transitions and challenges--some were self-inflicted, some were because of hard hearts and some were out-and-out attacks by Satan. The other side of the mixed bag, lives were changed, people confessed their faith and were baptized, we had to expand our building in order to facilitate the ministry, and the Lord blessed us with the resources to do these things.

I preached a sermon this Sunday that reminded me that I shouldn't be surprised or shocked that there will be difficulties, challenges and attacks--Jesus' birth started a war that we are still engaged in (Revelation 12). And, because we are about God's purposes in Christ, Satan's fury rages against us, especially when we are growing by reaching out and making an impact.

I also was reminded of the image of Jesus on a white horse as the King of kings and Lord of lords, who is all-powerful in the purest and greatest way (Revelation 19:11-16). I need that image of Jesus to be burnt into my mind and on my heart.

So, reflecting on the last year and a half, wow, we were seeking and doing God's will as we allowed God to fulfill his purposes in us. No reason to fret over the battles along the way. They are just testings and reminders that we are in a "life-and-death" battle.

So, I anticipate and expect an amazing year ahead, as we (and any church) seek and do God's will allowing him to fulfill his purposes in us. What an amazing year we have had and "What an amazing year, to come!!" As the song states, the "God of this city" is ready to do "greater things."

Our worship pastor led the church this last Sunday in "God of this City," saying that this should be our theme song for the coming year. I agree, greater things are yet to come, because God is ready to do them. So, ready yourself for the raging war ahead, Satan will not be happy, but the One in us is greater than the one in this world. God's purposes cannot be stopped, and we are his instruments in this world to carry them out. WOW!

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18

31He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." Matthew 13:31-32

Christmas--Love It!? Maybe

I love Christmas, but could do without December. (Actually it begins in October, that is when I first saw "Christmas" ads). What a wonderful holiday, a day when we celebrate the 1st coming of Jesus. What a wonderful time when "peace and goodwill" is the theme. What a wonderful experience, giving gifts to those we love while being together as a family.

Why have we, like with many good things, allowed such a wonderful "day" of celebration turn into months of stress and burden? For some reason, we Americans take things that are enjoyed for a short time and turn them into things that consume all our time. No longer having the sweetness it had when it was something special--now having a heaviness of something stressful.

Just think about what we have done to great past-times, special days, and summertime activities, creating monsters. Just think about two:

1)Summer kids organized sports: year-round weekend consuming, budget busting, family breaking, childhood robbing must does.

2)Christmas: credit overextending, stress making, selfish promoting, consumer satisfying, commercializing, hurt feeling causing, have to's.

What would happen if we slowed down, took a breath, looked at what is really important, and simplified? This Christmas--think about this: God sent his Son to reconcile, to bring peace, to give joy. Are you and your family experiencing reconciliation, peace and joy?

I love Christmas--Christmas always reminds me of what is really important.

They Really Don't Care or Aren't Interested in....

I recently had a conversation that was similar to many I have had with several different church members at several different times and locations. The conversation centered on "religious" debates and concerns. Are certain theological seminaries "liberal?" We talked about "tests" that determine who really believes the Bible to be "true" or not. Then we discussed church "government" and how things "should operate." I was asked several questions concerning Revelation, and how if one didn't believe a certain way they were denying the "truth." These and other traditional debates that the churched often have filled our conversation, until in the middle of this specific conversation I finally said, "You know, the lost really don't care about any of this and those who are disconnected from God or the church aren't interested. All they really want to know about is Jesus. If we show people Jesus, that is what really matters."

What was amazing is that God was actually speaking to me more than I was speaking to the other person in the conversation. That's right, people who are seeking really are interested in the One who is able to give them peace, rest, comfort and empower them to live giving them hope of the brightest future!!

I needed to hear this myself--you see, God is doing great and awesome things in and through the church where I pastor. We are going on 4 years old, and the Lord has brought many to him and transformed all who seek him here at Journey. The reason is that we have many people who not only take Jesus to heart, but Jesus is in their heart transforming them into his ambassadors of hope. This church is Jesus incarnate--they love on people, call people to live for Jesus, and show his grace and compassion to all with whom they come in contact. God is doing amazing and wonderful things.

You would think that I would be filled with joy and excitement, and I am. However, there is something that constantly bothers me and pierces my heart. There are people who I believe should be leading the way, but they are the M.I.A.'s, those who threaten to leave, or those who just leave--for programing reasons or preferences having nothing to do Jesus. Some are M.I.A.'s because of the constant tug and pull of earthly pursuits and passions that should be optional, but have become the driving forces in their lives--whether their kids or their own desires. I look out at the crowd on Sunday mornings and am saddened at those who are missing out on what God is doing--either due to spiritual blindness or habitual absenteeism.

I use to chase as hard as I could, people who became disgruntled or upset over something about Journey not meeting their expectations. What I found out--even if I am able to please them for the moment, there will be another time coming when I have to chase again. I'm not talking about going to someone who has fallen to sin or truly stumbled in faith, but someone not happy about this or that. I'm not chasing any more--not because I am hardened or lack graciousness, but because my energies and gifts that Jesus gives me needs to be spent doing the mission he called me too--making disciples by showing them, teaching them and nurturing them in Jesus.

I have a pastor's heart, so I hurt every time I don't see someone on Sunday who I know was pulled by earthly things so much that they "took Sunday off." I hurt when I see people missing out on God, not experiencing the real peace and joy that they could have. I hurt every time someone leaves Journey for any reason, even if it has nothing to do with Jesus. I think that is one reason God put that statement on my heart, "You know, the lost really don't care about..."

You know what, the lost really don't care if we have side lights or not, they are just looking for the Light of the world. The truly unchurched really are not interested in whether they get to vote on the color of carpet or not, they are just looking for Jesus' love that sees no color. The lost don't care if we sing a hymn or a chant, the just want to know about the One we say we worship. The unchurched aren't interested in whether the youth wear black or cowboy hats, they are just looking for Jesus', the One who looks at the heart. The lost don't care what the worship times are, they just want to know if we really take the time to worship the One we say is our Lord and Savior. The unchurched aren't interested in what kind of chairs we have, they are just looking for Jesus to be displayed in our lives, authentically. The lost don't care if we are a "well oiled machine" getting everything done perfectly, they just want to see the One who makes us "perfect" in the heart of God.

What an exciting time it is for us at Journey. We are in a true revival, experiencing God's presence in real ways. I hope wherever you are going to church, you are experiencing Jesus' love and presence. If not, before you jump ship and go to another church, check your own heart, who has control of it? The reason you want to leave, is it really about Jesus? Instead of hopping to another church, try this. Seek to make a difference where you are--don't get caught up in petty debates and discussions that the lost don't care about or the unchurched aren't interested in. Make a difference by showing people Jesus in the way you worship, live and serve others. If the church where you are really isn't interested in being Jesus in this world, you might need to go somewhere else. But you might be surprised. You might find that you are a catalyst for a revival right where you are.

I praise and thank God for the privilege and blessing it is to be a part of a church who seeks to be Jesus in a world who desperately needs him.