What I am made of…What I am made for

Posted on June 13, 2013 by

How richly did the small (Daleth section) of Psalm 119 open to me this morning (verses 25-32). It made me realize that I should consider the importance of repeated words or restated phrases in any passage read.

Among insights that jumped off the page were these:

The contrast of what we hold on to is significant; “I cleave to the dust” compared with “I cleave to Your testimonies.” This is a contrast of core focus in life – seeing life from the standpoint of humanity or divinity. dust we areDust is what I am made of, but the divine is what I am made for. We are earthly bodies, yes. But these bodies are the houses of spiritual beings. How much higher is the life viewed through the divine, the stuff of eternity as opposed to simply the stuff of life.

Again, the Psalmist contrasts “my ways” with God’s way, “the way of Your commandments.” When I turn to my own way, it proves the false way. As we hold out for spiritual direction from scripture, we are guided in the faithful way.

Note the confession of the Psalmist, “I have told of my ways and You have answered.”  This is the personal examen before God that becomes the daily habit of maturing followers. “My soul weeps because of grief” (awareness of the sin I have committed today) so we cry out, “strengthen me by Your Word” (prepare me to live more faithfully tomorrow).

When I read and reflect on Your Word and consider Your wonders (the mighty faithful Works of God) I will be guided to and in Your way. Attention to His Word and His works will point us toward His way.

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Register Now for Soul Care Retreat

Posted on June 7, 2013 by

soul care retreat imageJesus needed soul care. His rhythm of going away to pray and reflect, connecting in community with his disciples, followed by engaging in mission is a model for pastors and leaders today.

According to Milfred Minatrea, “few pastoral leaders develop a rhythm of caring for their own soul in the midst of their service to others. The mission of God is first a call to intimacy with Him. In the quiet place alone with Him, the hurry of ministry subsides, the soul calms, the body rests and the Spirit renews. Then we return strengthened vessels in His hand.”

Soul Care Retreat
September 9-10, 2013
Glen Eyrie Conference Center
Colorado Springs, CO

Cost
$215 per person (includes lodging, 4 meals and materials). Second person in room is $105 (two queen beds per room).

Register
Register or request additional information here.

Download
Download event flier here (PDF).

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5K4KiDS and Fun Run as Mission?

Posted on May 24, 2013 by

5K4KidsI have been asked why our congregation is sponsoring a 5K4KiDS and Fun Run in our community. How does that have anything to do with God’s mission? Great question.

First, let me set the stage. Participants in the 5K and fun run will not set foot on our church properties. In fact, the event will be held in a neighborhood across an Interstate highway from our location. So, no one is going to get their first introduction to our campus as result of the 5K4KiDS and Fun Run. Any proceeds from the event will go to our Kids Beach Club afterschool ministry at Porter Elementary School, part of the Mesquite Independent School District. It is there each Thursday afternoon that members of our congregation invest in the lives of some 75 children whose parents have authorized their staying for the afterschool ministry designed to build Biblical truths into student lives.

So, any funds raised will help to augment that part of our mission. But, augmenting funds for the ministry would actually be a by-product rather than our primary reason for hosting the event. As runners run through the neighborhood, we have asked those who live along the route to come out and meet their neighbors while cheering the runners on. That is our primary focus.

You see, this neighborhood is within our church’s adopted Corporate Mission Field. More than a decade ago, there was a strong sense of community in the area. Neighbors got together twice a year to cook out, share meals, and spend time getting to know each other. As the community transitioned, that sense of community gradually faded. Now it has been years since the neighbors have done anything together. Many live isolated from those around them.

As we have met people in our corporate mission field, many have shared how they would like to see a sense of community develop. They would like to know their neighbors. Now, from where does that desire originate? Who created people wired for relationships? Who said, “It is not good to be alone?” Hmmm.

We believe the Father is working in the lives of those in our corporate mission field, creating in them a desire for community. And so, as just one small step in community building, we are inviting neighbors to come out tomorrow morning for about an hour, meet each other, and cheer passing runners who are running to benefit students in the community as well.

Let’s see, I believe the question was “…and who is my neighbor?”  The question paved the way for one of Jesus wonderful stories. And His stories, change lives forever!

5K4KiDS and Fun Run…a baby step in a missional vision! And that is why!

For event details visit http://www.grandviewbc.org.

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Accumulating Pain and Tragedy

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

My heart is filled with sorrow as I observe the agony of families affected by recent tragedies: Boston Marathon, West, Texas, Cleburn, Grandbury, Moore, Oklahoma, and the loss of a single veteran firefighter in Dallas. My memories rush back to disasters where I served: Mexico City Earthquake, Jarrell Tornado, September 11 in New York City.  In each instance, I do not only observe the agony, I cannot help but feel the pain. Literally hundreds of times immediately following disasters, I have listened as grieving family members speak of their losses – of loved ones, of faithful pets, of personal property. It is always an humbling experience to be trusted with stories of deep personal pain.

Our training in Disaster Response and Victim Care seeks to prepare us to serve those whose lives will never be the same again. And we know that we are not immune to the soul pain ourselves. We too can become tertiary victims.

Tonight my heart is overwhelmed. Too much pain shared by too many people. Tonight my faith in the Father’s care has not lessened at all. Tonight I sense His tears with those who cry. And I pray that He will comfort where no one else can, in the innermost place within, where victim’s hearts find no relief unless it comes from Him. 

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What a Day

Posted on March 24, 2012 by

There are some days when it just seems impossible to get everything done that needs to be done. You know how that feels, right? Today we started with a scheduled work day at the facilities of our church, Grand View Baptist in Mesquite. From the time the workday was planned until this morning a number of things changed…that impacted what those gathered would do.

Our peoples were so flexible. Instead of preparing and planting in flower beds, they ended up repairing shingles that were blown off the root during high winds this week, replacing light bulbs high up in the worship center, punching holes and attaching rubber bands to 1800 Easter invitation cards, walking streets hand delivering invitations to our neighbors, and practicing all the events that children will participate in during our Egg Olympics on Saturday, April 7. What may have seemed unorganized to some, resulted in significant accomplishment.

Following the work day, I came home and cleaned up before going to visit members who are in the hospital. In one room, four generations of one family were enjoying just being together. Great-granddaughters who had played in soccer games earlier were now quietly encouraging great grandmom. Praying together with this family, awaiting the outcome of tests ordered to learn her prognosis, was a sweet moment with God – one of those times when His presence is powerfully evident.

Then it was by the house to pick up Pam and make our regular trip to Whole Foods in Arlington. Why, oh why, can our city not land a Whole Foods Market? But since there is not one in Irving, and since we have no comparable stores either, we drive into the next county to buy organic produce, meats, and personal favorites that are not available elsewhere! Today, it seemed everyone else from nearby counties decided to come at the same time. There were no cheese samples left in the displays! (one of the first places I go when I get in the store)

When we got home, it was then time to complete and send promised information for our church’s new website. Finally, before spending a final few minutes prayerfully reviewing tomorrow’s message, I made sure the PowerPoint files were ready for the studies that I will be leading this week at First Baptist Church of Hillsboro. So, why am I writing this at 10:30 PM when it doesn’t have to be done? I guess I just wanted to take a moment to assess the day and celebrate its completion. This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!

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Seek God for the City 2012

Posted on March 22, 2012 by

Since February 22 I have once again joined others in concerted prayer utilizing Seek God for the City 2012. Image Personally, I have found this year’s guide to be especially anointed by God and a tool through which the Spirit has energized my prayer for the nations as well as for people groups in the corporate mission field of our church,Grand View Baptist Church in Mesquite,Texas.

It has been five months since we were called to serve bi-vocationally as pastor. In that time I have been blessed to be, once again, a practitioner in local church ministry in addition to our continued role as Director of Missional Church Center. Our congregation has been blessed through praying with a common focus. It has been amazing that prayer for nations in which I have direct mission involvement has fallen on days when our congregation was gathered for corporate prayer. So, we have been able to personalize the stories of God’s work in Kenya, Latvia, England, Mali, Argentina, Canada, etc.

If you have been praying through Seek God for the City 2012, I would love to hear your stories. How has God revealed Himself in profound ways during this season in your life? In your congregation? In your nation?

We owe Steve Hawthorne and Waymakers.org a major “thank you” for their faithfulness in annually producing this outstanding resource that blesses the Kingdom of God. See where Seek God is being used this year at http://www.waymakers.org/map.html.

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Encouragement when I Fail

Posted on April 23, 2011 by

The repeated failures of Peter, as he learned to follow Jesus, encourage me.

“Well, that didn’t work” is a practical commentary on failure. Not that failure is accepted. Failure as a follower of Christ is never accepted, but it must be acknowledged. When confronted in repentance, failure gives way to restoration, to a renewed walk that, because of the experience, is better prepared for similar situations in the future. Colloquial wisdom calls it “Learning from our mistakes.”

Peter was exposed to endless hours of instruction as he journeyed with Jesus, living in community day after day, night after night. His instruction clearly included the stories of Israel, the heritage to which his own story was being added. When confronted with the “kill and eat” dream on the rooftop of Simon Tanner’s home in Joppa, Peter’s reaction was informed by the theology that was the fabric of his own story, “By no means. I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.”

Obeying God’s direction, Peter went with those who had extended him an invitation to visit a gentile home in Caesarea. As result of Cornelius’ prayer and God’s response, Peter encountered a community of people who were waiting in the soldier’s home to hear good news from God.

At that moment, Peter made an interesting statement, “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality” (Acts 10:34). “I most certainly understand now.” To what did the “now” of Peter’s statement refer? It must have referred to the total experience of the last twenty-four hours: a dream on a rooftop, an argument with God, relinquishing tradition to obey God’s direction, entering a gentile’s home, hearing how his being there was God’s answer to Cornelius’ prayer, responding to people who were waiting for God’s promised message.

The totality of that experience, all the parts combined, became Peter’s “now.” Apart from the “now” Peter had only words of instruction; propositional truth. But as he obeyed God, theological propositions became experiential truth for him. Let me be clear, I do not mean to imply that the theological propositions alone were untrue. Their truth was activated by obedience. As he confronted his own failure to fully grasp the truth of God, as he repented (turned around, going where he thought he would never go), restoration brought him one step closer to being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. And that is God’s intent for every disciple.

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