It’s crazy! So many things all around me are in an accelerated season of change. People are coming. People are going. Some people feel blessed…others feel forgotten and overlooked. Some are receiving answers…others are asking questions.
When I’m in the midst of transition, in my personal life or corporately, I tend to get anxious. When the secure suddenly becomes the unknown, it freaks me out!
Confession: “I’m addicted to comfort.” It’s true. I like things safe. I like things to be predictable.
But the truth is God hasn’t promised me a “comfortable” life.
He hasn’t promised me a “safe” life.
I'm not called to an easy life...I'm called to live an obedient life.
And what this means for me is that I can't base my calling on the circumstances and situations around me. In my experience, those change all too often.
What I need to do is respond to what God has called me as a follower of Him to do...Minister His love and His Grace to the world around me. And that...will NEVER change.
Caution: That kind of life is highly UN-predictable!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Change Change Change: Part 1
Change freaks me out. Change makes me uncomfortable. It makes me doubt. It makes me question.
Change always thrust me into the realm of the unknown...it strips me of my security.
It robs my self-confidence...It separates me from loved ones...it makes me angry.
Yes, it can do all of that and yet...I truly believe, Change Is GOOD. Why?
Change causes me to pray.
Change brings me to my knees where I remember that God is in control. I remember to depend on Him. I remember to let Him be my confidence. In the midst of change, I NEED to hear from God. He HAS to show up.
And living in the realm of faith is where I'm called to be.
Change always thrust me into the realm of the unknown...it strips me of my security.
It robs my self-confidence...It separates me from loved ones...it makes me angry.
Yes, it can do all of that and yet...I truly believe, Change Is GOOD. Why?
Change causes me to pray.
Change brings me to my knees where I remember that God is in control. I remember to depend on Him. I remember to let Him be my confidence. In the midst of change, I NEED to hear from God. He HAS to show up.
And living in the realm of faith is where I'm called to be.
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Pastor Has A Limo!
I had two conversations take place yesterday...
Both loosely related things made me ask this question:
"Are we as followers of Christ living out what Jesus had in mind when He commissioned His followers to spread His teaching to every nation?"
Ok. So my first conversation took place after attending a worship experience at a "mega-church" here in San Diego. Following the service, after approximately 100 people responded to the invitation to receive Christ, a friend of mine mentioned how disgusted he was in the presentation of the Gospel...or lack there of.
He went on to say that everything from the lights, fog machines, cameras, and production...to the "diet-caffeine-free" version of the gospel made him sick. "There's just so much more to it than this!" he kept saying. (I gave him some of my Easter candy and calmed him down.)
The second conversation happened shortly after that. A friend of a friend of a friend said that she walked out of a service after hearing that the limo parked in the front of the church belonged to a pastor who was guest speaking that night. "It doesn't matter who you are...you DON'T come to church in a limo...especially if you're a pastor!" (There was no more candy to give away at this point.)
The truth is, there are people everywhere who are doing things differently. We may not agree with "how" they preach or what "strategies" they use to spread the Gospel. I know I could talk with you for a long time all about how I think churches should do things. (Yes, I can be a little opinionated.)
But instead of launching a full investigation into why and how a pastor decided to show up to church in a limo...and instead of questioning the use of fog machines during a worship set, I've been encouraged by someone special in my life to do what Paul did...try to think like he thought. Check this out:
18-21So how am I to respond? I've decided that I really don't care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!
Philippians 1:18 (The Message)
Also see what the NIV says.
It was just what I needed to hear. In these matters we run the risk of confusing principals with preferences. I know I have a difficult time sifting through the two.
And...I'm not saying it's a good idea to stick our heads in the sand when it comes to peoples doctrine. Don't do that.(Sand gets in your ears and is messy.)
Do this: Rejoice that Christ is being preached which equals...the Great Commission!
Both loosely related things made me ask this question:
"Are we as followers of Christ living out what Jesus had in mind when He commissioned His followers to spread His teaching to every nation?"
Ok. So my first conversation took place after attending a worship experience at a "mega-church" here in San Diego. Following the service, after approximately 100 people responded to the invitation to receive Christ, a friend of mine mentioned how disgusted he was in the presentation of the Gospel...or lack there of.
He went on to say that everything from the lights, fog machines, cameras, and production...to the "diet-caffeine-free" version of the gospel made him sick. "There's just so much more to it than this!" he kept saying. (I gave him some of my Easter candy and calmed him down.)
The second conversation happened shortly after that. A friend of a friend of a friend said that she walked out of a service after hearing that the limo parked in the front of the church belonged to a pastor who was guest speaking that night. "It doesn't matter who you are...you DON'T come to church in a limo...especially if you're a pastor!" (There was no more candy to give away at this point.)
The truth is, there are people everywhere who are doing things differently. We may not agree with "how" they preach or what "strategies" they use to spread the Gospel. I know I could talk with you for a long time all about how I think churches should do things. (Yes, I can be a little opinionated.)
But instead of launching a full investigation into why and how a pastor decided to show up to church in a limo...and instead of questioning the use of fog machines during a worship set, I've been encouraged by someone special in my life to do what Paul did...try to think like he thought. Check this out:
18-21So how am I to respond? I've decided that I really don't care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!
Philippians 1:18 (The Message)
Also see what the NIV says.
It was just what I needed to hear. In these matters we run the risk of confusing principals with preferences. I know I have a difficult time sifting through the two.
And...I'm not saying it's a good idea to stick our heads in the sand when it comes to peoples doctrine. Don't do that.(Sand gets in your ears and is messy.)
Do this: Rejoice that Christ is being preached which equals...the Great Commission!
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