Sorry I missed yesterday. I had a huge sinus headache and took a big nap in the afternoon, which helped immensely.
An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
Continuing on with Blinding Speed
In relationship to velocity, the catalyst's first focus is calling people out to the purpose of God. Movement will not happen if people do not move together in common mission. The catalyst takes seriously the description of the first century church being of one heart and mind.
The second focus is the need to accelerate the group's response to the Spirit of God. The spiritual catalyst experiences God as the wind of his spirit and recognizes that momentum remains fragile in the time between understanding and commitment. Momentum is both powerful and fragile at the same time: powerful in that, once it is obtained, its force can be unstoppable; fragile in that it can be easily lost.
The church that learns to celebrate the spontaneous movement of God's spirit and even the unexpected invitation to follow him increases the force of its movement. The catalyst not only calls God's people to move toward intentionality, but continually inspires and motivates God's people to accelerate their rate of spiritual response.
Seeing at Blinding Speed
I want to make clear that what focuses the speed of the church is not a plan but a purpose and a passion.
Spiritual leadership is not the ability to define everything the future holds. It is the willingness to move forward when all you know is God. The apostolic leader finds his direction from the compass of the purpose of God, is fueled by the passions of God, and, while he's moving to do what he knows, God clarifies and directs.
Spiritual Magnetism
If you're committed to velocity - to focused speed - but you're all alone and h ave no mass, you might wonder how you can be a part of creating movement. You may not be able to immediately affect volume, but you can affect density. The beginning point is always ourselves. We must submit our lives to Jesus Christ, let him change our hearts and character, become servants, and model a life of humility and sacrifice. Then our spiritual density will make us magnetic. The more Christ reigns in our lives, the more people will be drawn to the Jesus in us.
That's the end of Chapter Two. Blogging about this book motivates me to read faster. As you have probably figured out, my passion is church leadership. I love discipling people one on one, whether in a 1-2 hour meeting, in passing, or in casual conversation. I love to pour. I love helping leaders learn how to disciple their volunteers and leaders. Some of you may be called to teach others God's character and model his relationship to his creation. Some of you are called to serve, some of you are called to pray. some of you may not even know what your call is. One way to find out is to take a Spiritual Gifts Inventory. It's a great place to start in finding out how God is shaping you for service. Blessings to you this Sabbath.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Nuggets #6
Continueing on with the book An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
Intelligent Speed
Obedience is the spiritual equivalent of speed. Light speed is immediate obedience to the voice of God. When you bring together the willingness to obey and the wisdom to know what God is saying, velocity emerges. It is a synergy between direction and decision. As God brings light into your life through his Word, you accelerate.
Gaining the Lead
The leader must have a clear direction and must move with intentionality in that direction. I know that it's been said many times before, but the leader actually does need to be in front.
Blinding Speed
When you move with spiritual velocity, with a clear sense of God's calling, with clarity of vision, and with a heart that moves with immediate obedience to the Spirit, the environment that once overwhelmed you with its rate of speed can now be experienced in slow motion. The way not to be overwhelmed by the radical changes and speed in our world is to know where you're going to know why you're going there, and to do it with urgency.
(Now this is really good)
Speed is an important leadership dynamic because it helps the leader identify emerging leaders, as well as helping others identify him or her as a leader. When the pace of the church is unusually slow, those individuals who desire to get somewhere quickly will be naturally filtered out. If the person who stand in the role of leadership or in the position of leadership moves slowly, or even cautiously, he will not only be seen by those who appreciate that pace. At the same time, the leader who values a slow rate of change often perceives those who try to move faster as rebellious, insubordinate, undisciplined, and adversarial.
The tragedy is that many who are perhaps crafted by God to become apostolic leaders become invisible to those who see velocity as the enemy of the church. By the same token, the leader who moves at an accelerated speed with intention and a God-given direction can more effectively identify those who have apostolic gifts. Such a leader literally begins to see certain people more clearly. It is almost as if we lie in a different space-time continuum.
For those who choose to move slowly, those who move too fast are a blur. And for those who move rapidly, those who move slowly can be virtually invisible. It is as if we're moving at a blinding speed. The rate at which you lead determines who remains in your field of vision. The practical result of this is that, many times, revolutionary leaders are seen as indifferent and perhaps uncaring. They don't stop long enough to check the wounded.
Apostolic leaders understand that what God is creating is a community with a cause. Both the needs of the community and the sacrifice necessary to accomplish the cause are clearly before them. It is through such leadership that movement is initiated. Fueled by faith, these leaders move forward to accomplish the purpose of God. They personify velocity: speed with a purpose.
These four paragraphs are so true. I've seen it played out with many people I know, including me. So, are you fast, purposeful, fueled, decisive and leading? Are you slow, not knowing where you're going, not hearing from God, flailing about in the abyss of your Christian faith? If so, it's time to pray! Pray for direction, purpose, passion, clarity and light. God will answer. Again, it comes down to a willing heart. Are you surrendered?
I met with a vendor yesterday. He's a very open person for a salesman. He says things he probably shouldn't, but fortunately, I'm not one to take advantage of his transparency. We have been working out the details of switching copiers. He had called me a few times to see if I was ready to sign. I didn't sense it at the time, but he told me yesterday it had been a slow month, and with Christmas, he was really happy I decided to sign yesterday. He said Monday he had resigned himself that this deal would happen in January. I could see a teaching moment. I said, "See, once you let go of the situation . . ." I could see the light go off in his head. He stopped, wagged his finger at me as if to say, "Yeah, you've got something there, you're right." Are you letting go of whatever situation is keeping your from following God with everything you have? It's when we open those tightly closed fists that God is able to pour something better into them.
Intelligent Speed
Obedience is the spiritual equivalent of speed. Light speed is immediate obedience to the voice of God. When you bring together the willingness to obey and the wisdom to know what God is saying, velocity emerges. It is a synergy between direction and decision. As God brings light into your life through his Word, you accelerate.
Gaining the Lead
The leader must have a clear direction and must move with intentionality in that direction. I know that it's been said many times before, but the leader actually does need to be in front.
Blinding Speed
When you move with spiritual velocity, with a clear sense of God's calling, with clarity of vision, and with a heart that moves with immediate obedience to the Spirit, the environment that once overwhelmed you with its rate of speed can now be experienced in slow motion. The way not to be overwhelmed by the radical changes and speed in our world is to know where you're going to know why you're going there, and to do it with urgency.
(Now this is really good)
Speed is an important leadership dynamic because it helps the leader identify emerging leaders, as well as helping others identify him or her as a leader. When the pace of the church is unusually slow, those individuals who desire to get somewhere quickly will be naturally filtered out. If the person who stand in the role of leadership or in the position of leadership moves slowly, or even cautiously, he will not only be seen by those who appreciate that pace. At the same time, the leader who values a slow rate of change often perceives those who try to move faster as rebellious, insubordinate, undisciplined, and adversarial.
The tragedy is that many who are perhaps crafted by God to become apostolic leaders become invisible to those who see velocity as the enemy of the church. By the same token, the leader who moves at an accelerated speed with intention and a God-given direction can more effectively identify those who have apostolic gifts. Such a leader literally begins to see certain people more clearly. It is almost as if we lie in a different space-time continuum.
For those who choose to move slowly, those who move too fast are a blur. And for those who move rapidly, those who move slowly can be virtually invisible. It is as if we're moving at a blinding speed. The rate at which you lead determines who remains in your field of vision. The practical result of this is that, many times, revolutionary leaders are seen as indifferent and perhaps uncaring. They don't stop long enough to check the wounded.
Apostolic leaders understand that what God is creating is a community with a cause. Both the needs of the community and the sacrifice necessary to accomplish the cause are clearly before them. It is through such leadership that movement is initiated. Fueled by faith, these leaders move forward to accomplish the purpose of God. They personify velocity: speed with a purpose.
These four paragraphs are so true. I've seen it played out with many people I know, including me. So, are you fast, purposeful, fueled, decisive and leading? Are you slow, not knowing where you're going, not hearing from God, flailing about in the abyss of your Christian faith? If so, it's time to pray! Pray for direction, purpose, passion, clarity and light. God will answer. Again, it comes down to a willing heart. Are you surrendered?
I met with a vendor yesterday. He's a very open person for a salesman. He says things he probably shouldn't, but fortunately, I'm not one to take advantage of his transparency. We have been working out the details of switching copiers. He had called me a few times to see if I was ready to sign. I didn't sense it at the time, but he told me yesterday it had been a slow month, and with Christmas, he was really happy I decided to sign yesterday. He said Monday he had resigned himself that this deal would happen in January. I could see a teaching moment. I said, "See, once you let go of the situation . . ." I could see the light go off in his head. He stopped, wagged his finger at me as if to say, "Yeah, you've got something there, you're right." Are you letting go of whatever situation is keeping your from following God with everything you have? It's when we open those tightly closed fists that God is able to pour something better into them.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Nuggets #5
Now we're on Chapter Two of An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus: Momentum
In Isaiah He (God) clearly declares that, while we are to remember the past, we are not to remain in the past. Our memories of God's activity in our lives are to move us into the future. Our experiences from the past are to give us the confidence to face the challenges of tomorrow.
A Refuge FOR the World, Not FROM It
But the church was never intended to be a monastery. In fact, God intends that there be no place that we can hide, except in his presence. When the church becomes our shelter from a radically changing world, we fail to turn to God and make him our hiding place and our shelter.
Mass Can Be a Mess
Conferences and siminars are jampacked with church leaders who come with one simple questions, "How can my church grow?" Only after we begin to deal with the complexities and challenges of growth do we tune in to issues such as assimilation and discipleship. Anyone who has experineced significant growth in a congregation knows that assimilation and discipleship are integral to growth and, in many ways, impossible to separate from that dynamic. But when you're standing at the front end of the challenge of leading a congregation to grow, you're just asking the simple question, "How do I get more people here?" It doesn't take that much intuition to figure out that if you don't have any people, you're not pastoring a congregation.
Mass equals people. Without people there is no momentum. When people move together with common purpose, momentum happens. And while most Christians would quickly acknowledge that it is important to reach people for Christ, an underlying comfort level is often threatened when growth actually happens.
The same people who make the church messy also make the church meaningful. We must be willing to make a mess to save a life.
That's probably enough for today. Chapter two is fascinating. It's all about growth and momentum and how pastors often think the way to make their church grow (which unfortunately seems to be the goal of many) is to read blogs, listen to podcasts, and read books on how other pastors in other parts of the country have done it. I think what some pastors don't realize is that growth happens in two ways. The first is that the pastor wholeheartedly seeks God and His direction for that particular church. He listens for God and doesn't just shoot in the dark by trying different things, or copying someone else. It's also about connecting individuals to other individuals and having a discipleship strategy in place. That means Bible studies, small groups and one on one discipleship relationships. When all people get is teaching on Sunday morning, it's a buckshot approach. You're hoping that what is said to the crowd actually lands in people's hearts. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't because everyone is in a different place with different issues and questions, but there is no one to ask questions of during a Sunday morning teaching.
Jesus addressed the crowds. Many were added to their number. These people accepted the Gospel. But that's not how you make leaders. Jesus then walked alongside his disciples. That was his small group. Then He took a few off to the side and taught them individually. That's one on one discipleship. It was His disciples who became leaders and started the church when Jesus rose, not the crowd.
So, the question for today is . . . Where are you? Are you part of the crowd, sitting and listening once a week? Are you growing by serving and practicing God's commands? Are you being discipled in a small group? Are you leading a small group or growing someone individually? Are you turning out leaders who will turn out leaders? Are you reaching even furuther than that? God has a purpose for your life. How willing are you? He's watching your heart and your actions. Surrender all and be in for the ride of your life!
In Isaiah He (God) clearly declares that, while we are to remember the past, we are not to remain in the past. Our memories of God's activity in our lives are to move us into the future. Our experiences from the past are to give us the confidence to face the challenges of tomorrow.
A Refuge FOR the World, Not FROM It
But the church was never intended to be a monastery. In fact, God intends that there be no place that we can hide, except in his presence. When the church becomes our shelter from a radically changing world, we fail to turn to God and make him our hiding place and our shelter.
Mass Can Be a Mess
Conferences and siminars are jampacked with church leaders who come with one simple questions, "How can my church grow?" Only after we begin to deal with the complexities and challenges of growth do we tune in to issues such as assimilation and discipleship. Anyone who has experineced significant growth in a congregation knows that assimilation and discipleship are integral to growth and, in many ways, impossible to separate from that dynamic. But when you're standing at the front end of the challenge of leading a congregation to grow, you're just asking the simple question, "How do I get more people here?" It doesn't take that much intuition to figure out that if you don't have any people, you're not pastoring a congregation.
Mass equals people. Without people there is no momentum. When people move together with common purpose, momentum happens. And while most Christians would quickly acknowledge that it is important to reach people for Christ, an underlying comfort level is often threatened when growth actually happens.
The same people who make the church messy also make the church meaningful. We must be willing to make a mess to save a life.
That's probably enough for today. Chapter two is fascinating. It's all about growth and momentum and how pastors often think the way to make their church grow (which unfortunately seems to be the goal of many) is to read blogs, listen to podcasts, and read books on how other pastors in other parts of the country have done it. I think what some pastors don't realize is that growth happens in two ways. The first is that the pastor wholeheartedly seeks God and His direction for that particular church. He listens for God and doesn't just shoot in the dark by trying different things, or copying someone else. It's also about connecting individuals to other individuals and having a discipleship strategy in place. That means Bible studies, small groups and one on one discipleship relationships. When all people get is teaching on Sunday morning, it's a buckshot approach. You're hoping that what is said to the crowd actually lands in people's hearts. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't because everyone is in a different place with different issues and questions, but there is no one to ask questions of during a Sunday morning teaching.
Jesus addressed the crowds. Many were added to their number. These people accepted the Gospel. But that's not how you make leaders. Jesus then walked alongside his disciples. That was his small group. Then He took a few off to the side and taught them individually. That's one on one discipleship. It was His disciples who became leaders and started the church when Jesus rose, not the crowd.
So, the question for today is . . . Where are you? Are you part of the crowd, sitting and listening once a week? Are you growing by serving and practicing God's commands? Are you being discipled in a small group? Are you leading a small group or growing someone individually? Are you turning out leaders who will turn out leaders? Are you reaching even furuther than that? God has a purpose for your life. How willing are you? He's watching your heart and your actions. Surrender all and be in for the ride of your life!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Nuggets #4 & Christmas
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! We did! It started by taking a walk Christmas Eve afternoon. The kids went to their dad's Monday evening and we went out to dinner. Ahhhh. We did our traditional 'open one present Christmas Eve' then headed for bed. I asked God to wake me up between 2 and 3 in the morning so I could fill the stockings and set out the Santa presents. Exactly at 2:00, I woke up wide awake. As I did my Santa duties, I noticed Mark had sprayed all the windows with snow after we went to bed. I love his Christmas spirit!
The next morning, after sleeping in a little, we got up and did the stockings. Greg and I then made a big breakfast, and then we opened the gifts. Halfway through my mom called to wish us a Merry Christmas. It was our first Christmas without any family. It was so stress free, we had a ball! Greg and I took another walk yesterday afternoon, and I fell asleep after a great filet mignon dinner, while the family watched Pirates 3. Ahhhhh. It was great!
Nuggets #4 An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
Chapter One, Friction Traction
His approach toward us is often to invite us to believe in him and move in his power. God's first choice is to search for a heart that is wholly his and then strongly support it. But many times that is not the condition of our hearts. Often it is God who forces circumstances upon us in which it becomes necessary for us to rely on God's goodness.
For two thousand years Jesus has commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations. We have, at best, given this command nominal adherance.
Meet Your Neighbor
When everyone in the community looks just like you, it is not difficult to justify isolation and exclusivity.
For years the bulk of American Christians who were committed to "missions" could only participate through giving and praying. Today the call to cross-cultural ministry doesn't even require going; it just requires staying with a purpose.
The friction increases as we feel the church surrendering Spirit to technique.
When the Many Become One
If your goal is a diverse church, then you need to ask God to give you love for people who are different from you. People go to church where they have friends or make friends. You can't expect people who are different from you to come to church simply because you want to paint a picture of diversity. This only happens when love actually brings people together.
Seeing the Board Differently
Concede the center - the church is supposed to live on the edge anyway. Send the bishops to the edges - the leaders of the church need to be apostles, prophets, and evangelists, not simply pastors/teachers. And embrace positional sacrifice - no longer hide our weaknesses, but stand in them so that, through them, God can be revealed as our strength.
The next morning, after sleeping in a little, we got up and did the stockings. Greg and I then made a big breakfast, and then we opened the gifts. Halfway through my mom called to wish us a Merry Christmas. It was our first Christmas without any family. It was so stress free, we had a ball! Greg and I took another walk yesterday afternoon, and I fell asleep after a great filet mignon dinner, while the family watched Pirates 3. Ahhhhh. It was great!
Nuggets #4 An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
Chapter One, Friction Traction
His approach toward us is often to invite us to believe in him and move in his power. God's first choice is to search for a heart that is wholly his and then strongly support it. But many times that is not the condition of our hearts. Often it is God who forces circumstances upon us in which it becomes necessary for us to rely on God's goodness.
For two thousand years Jesus has commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations. We have, at best, given this command nominal adherance.
Meet Your Neighbor
When everyone in the community looks just like you, it is not difficult to justify isolation and exclusivity.
For years the bulk of American Christians who were committed to "missions" could only participate through giving and praying. Today the call to cross-cultural ministry doesn't even require going; it just requires staying with a purpose.
The friction increases as we feel the church surrendering Spirit to technique.
When the Many Become One
If your goal is a diverse church, then you need to ask God to give you love for people who are different from you. People go to church where they have friends or make friends. You can't expect people who are different from you to come to church simply because you want to paint a picture of diversity. This only happens when love actually brings people together.
Seeing the Board Differently
Concede the center - the church is supposed to live on the edge anyway. Send the bishops to the edges - the leaders of the church need to be apostles, prophets, and evangelists, not simply pastors/teachers. And embrace positional sacrifice - no longer hide our weaknesses, but stand in them so that, through them, God can be revealed as our strength.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Christmas Prep
Today Greg, Kristen and I went to Escalon to visit Greg's mom, pick tangerines and oranges, and exchange gifts. Mark had to work. It was fun.
The rest of the day was sprinkled with exercise, shopping, laundry, cooking, cleaning, crocheting and eating. Not a day of rest, but that will be Tuesday.
Tomorrow we work 1/2 day then I will try and get my car's oil changed. Everything is wrapped, and all I forgot at the store was asparagus and TP, so FoodMaxx will get another visit tomorrow.
Can't wait until Christmas! It's my favorite holiday. Blessings to you as you celebrate our Savior's birth.
The rest of the day was sprinkled with exercise, shopping, laundry, cooking, cleaning, crocheting and eating. Not a day of rest, but that will be Tuesday.
Tomorrow we work 1/2 day then I will try and get my car's oil changed. Everything is wrapped, and all I forgot at the store was asparagus and TP, so FoodMaxx will get another visit tomorrow.
Can't wait until Christmas! It's my favorite holiday. Blessings to you as you celebrate our Savior's birth.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Prayer Walk con't and Nuggets #3
I forgot one other thing God showed me yesterday.
We walked past a house that had trees and vines that had overgrown the yard. There was foliage everywhere. God said that people's lives can get like that. With the busyness of life and the accumulation of things, people can become slaves to their possessions and lose sight of what's important. God didn't intend for us to be slaves but to have freedom. Pruning takes hard work, but we must cut the things that aren't beneficial to us. Only through routine pruning can God bring health and growth to our lives.
Greg had a similar thought from God. It was a Mulberry tree. They are those knotty, large trunked trees you see in people's yards. They prune them every year because they've been taught that that is what you do to Mulberry trees. However, what people don't know is that if you let a Mulberry tree grow, it will actually slow down after several years and it really doesn't need pruning each year. He said that's how the people on the West Side are. They get going, things are starting to look up, then something happens to take them down again. Over and over they start to grow and then they're stopped, cut down. When a Mulberry tree is pruned it's root system becomes invasive. It become a detriment to the yard.
Nuggets #3 from Erwin McManus' An Unstoppable Force
Continuing in Chapter None:
"We've been taught that we are the center of the universe, and we evaluate everything on its abililty to meet our needs. Some of the best communicators of the Scriptures who I know have had people leave their churches for the express reason that they're not being fed. I know that we are the sheep of God, and sheep require the Shepherd to feed them, but there must come a time when we become the shepherds who feed others."
"Is it really all about us being fed? I think it might be important to remember that over 60 percent of Americans are overweight or even obese. Is it possible that this is also true in the arena of personal spirituality? Are we too much about us getting fed and too little about us exercising our faith?"
"Too many of our statements about the crisis in the American church center on the superficial arena of style and neglect to go to the core issue of self. At the core of so much of the resistance the church is experiencing is the preservation of selfishness and self-centeredness. It is one thing to have a preference; it is another to demand that one's preferences be honored above the needs of those without Christ."
Safe Theology:
You've heard it said that the safest place to be is in the center of God's will. I amsure this promis was well intended, but it is neither true nor innocuous. When we believe that God's purpose, intention, or promise is that we will be safe from harm, we are utterly disconnected from the movement and power of God."
Thoughts?
We walked past a house that had trees and vines that had overgrown the yard. There was foliage everywhere. God said that people's lives can get like that. With the busyness of life and the accumulation of things, people can become slaves to their possessions and lose sight of what's important. God didn't intend for us to be slaves but to have freedom. Pruning takes hard work, but we must cut the things that aren't beneficial to us. Only through routine pruning can God bring health and growth to our lives. Greg had a similar thought from God. It was a Mulberry tree. They are those knotty, large trunked trees you see in people's yards. They prune them every year because they've been taught that that is what you do to Mulberry trees. However, what people don't know is that if you let a Mulberry tree grow, it will actually slow down after several years and it really doesn't need pruning each year. He said that's how the people on the West Side are. They get going, things are starting to look up, then something happens to take them down again. Over and over they start to grow and then they're stopped, cut down. When a Mulberry tree is pruned it's root system becomes invasive. It become a detriment to the yard.
Nuggets #3 from Erwin McManus' An Unstoppable Force
Continuing in Chapter None:
"We've been taught that we are the center of the universe, and we evaluate everything on its abililty to meet our needs. Some of the best communicators of the Scriptures who I know have had people leave their churches for the express reason that they're not being fed. I know that we are the sheep of God, and sheep require the Shepherd to feed them, but there must come a time when we become the shepherds who feed others."
"Is it really all about us being fed? I think it might be important to remember that over 60 percent of Americans are overweight or even obese. Is it possible that this is also true in the arena of personal spirituality? Are we too much about us getting fed and too little about us exercising our faith?"
"Too many of our statements about the crisis in the American church center on the superficial arena of style and neglect to go to the core issue of self. At the core of so much of the resistance the church is experiencing is the preservation of selfishness and self-centeredness. It is one thing to have a preference; it is another to demand that one's preferences be honored above the needs of those without Christ."
Safe Theology:
You've heard it said that the safest place to be is in the center of God's will. I amsure this promis was well intended, but it is neither true nor innocuous. When we believe that God's purpose, intention, or promise is that we will be safe from harm, we are utterly disconnected from the movement and power of God."
Thoughts?
Friday, December 21, 2007
Our First Prayer Walk
Today Greg and I went on our first prayer walk together. We walked in the West Side of town. We decided to walk for an hour. On our walk, we saw a poster for an even at one of the parks that included food and a medical exam. On the flyer it said, "Come meet Jimmy Webb, a 49'ers football player." I felt honored I knew a 49er football player!!!!! Then we saw Tricia drive by. We felt at home.
I spent about half the time praying for those there, the other half listening to God. God used the sights of the West Side to speak to us. Here's what I got!
1. Potholes - Some people have potholes in their hearts. They've been so hurt they have huge holes that only I can fill.
2. Cracks - Some people have many fractures in their hearts. Left untreated they can become potholes.
3. Concrete slabs lifted by roots or unstable ground - Through no decisions of their own, some people experience huge upheavals in their lives. Divorce and abuse are examples. They're still basically together, functioning for their kids because they have to, but their foundation has been shaken. Often it requires the root be taken out, the underlying ground leveled and new layers of level dirt added to create a solid foundation (God). If the foundation is solid, not even the waters of life's stresses will shake the slab again.
4. Boarded up house - Though the house looks well kept and new on the outside, it is empty inside. Something happened to the heart so severe, the owner knew nothing else to do but board up the windows and lock the door. Keep knocking and don't give up. Eventually the owner will open the door a crack to see what you want. Fill the house with love. keep pouring and pouring and pouring. When the house if full of love the owner will be open to you. Since the boards were hammered on from the outside, they can't remove them from the inside. Ask them if they will come out and help you remove them together. They they will be able to see the world again.
5. Nice cars, rundown houses - These are a prideful people. They want to look successful in front of co-workers and others so they spend their money on nice cars, not on nice housing. If others saw their homes they wouldn't think of them the same way.
6. Look at the sky - Do you see how vast it is? My love is wider and farther than you can even see. Tell them I love them. Tell them I love them. Tell them I love them.
I spent about half the time praying for those there, the other half listening to God. God used the sights of the West Side to speak to us. Here's what I got!
1. Potholes - Some people have potholes in their hearts. They've been so hurt they have huge holes that only I can fill.
2. Cracks - Some people have many fractures in their hearts. Left untreated they can become potholes.
3. Concrete slabs lifted by roots or unstable ground - Through no decisions of their own, some people experience huge upheavals in their lives. Divorce and abuse are examples. They're still basically together, functioning for their kids because they have to, but their foundation has been shaken. Often it requires the root be taken out, the underlying ground leveled and new layers of level dirt added to create a solid foundation (God). If the foundation is solid, not even the waters of life's stresses will shake the slab again.
4. Boarded up house - Though the house looks well kept and new on the outside, it is empty inside. Something happened to the heart so severe, the owner knew nothing else to do but board up the windows and lock the door. Keep knocking and don't give up. Eventually the owner will open the door a crack to see what you want. Fill the house with love. keep pouring and pouring and pouring. When the house if full of love the owner will be open to you. Since the boards were hammered on from the outside, they can't remove them from the inside. Ask them if they will come out and help you remove them together. They they will be able to see the world again.
5. Nice cars, rundown houses - These are a prideful people. They want to look successful in front of co-workers and others so they spend their money on nice cars, not on nice housing. If others saw their homes they wouldn't think of them the same way.
6. Look at the sky - Do you see how vast it is? My love is wider and farther than you can even see. Tell them I love them. Tell them I love them. Tell them I love them.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Nuggets #2
Moving on from the prequel of An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus to Chapter None (not a typo) here's what struck me.
"Seminaries began to produce what local churches perceived they needed: godly men who had a professional understanding of theology, pastoral care, and management. Pastors were valued for their ability to bring and keep order rather than for their ability to bring and lead change. The reality was that pastors were being equipped to preserve the past rather than to create the future. We beame known for being traditional rather than transformational. The ritual replaced the radical. The pastor/teacher replaced the apostle/evangelist."
"In many ways the emergence of the parachurch reflects the paralysis within the local church. When we stopped calling youth to the mission of Christ, Youth With a Mission emerged. When we ignored the opportunity to reach university students, Campus Crusade emerged. When we settled for church attendance and neglected discipleship, Navigators emerged. When we hesitated to call men to the role of spiritual leadership, Promise Keepers emerged. The church became a fortress from the world rather than the hope of the world. Seekers are looking for spiritual integration. This means that we must provide community with cause and meaning with healing."
"The focus is not in serving the world; the church itself became the focal point. Our motto degenerated from "We are the church, here to serve a lost and broken world" to "What does the church have to offer me?" This move has made the pastor the only minister, while making the members the only recipients of ministry."
"The church became a refuge from the world rather than a force in the world. Predictability and stability became dominant themes. The cultural environment became comfortable, and the Gospel shifted from a church "on mission" to a church that supported missions.
Another aspect of our culture that emerged from this era was the concept of customer service. We both expect and demand to be treated as consumers. "If you want my patronage, you had better cater to my needs." This type of ideology became a reality for the church. In both traditional and contemporary churches the member became the customer to whom the product was tailored."
That's probably enough to chew on for today. I hope this stirs some radical thoughts in your heart and I also hope it makes you want to pick up this book by a man who is very clear and on track in his theology. He sees and explains the past and present and offers prescriptions for where we've brought ourselves. Great stuff!
"Seminaries began to produce what local churches perceived they needed: godly men who had a professional understanding of theology, pastoral care, and management. Pastors were valued for their ability to bring and keep order rather than for their ability to bring and lead change. The reality was that pastors were being equipped to preserve the past rather than to create the future. We beame known for being traditional rather than transformational. The ritual replaced the radical. The pastor/teacher replaced the apostle/evangelist."
"In many ways the emergence of the parachurch reflects the paralysis within the local church. When we stopped calling youth to the mission of Christ, Youth With a Mission emerged. When we ignored the opportunity to reach university students, Campus Crusade emerged. When we settled for church attendance and neglected discipleship, Navigators emerged. When we hesitated to call men to the role of spiritual leadership, Promise Keepers emerged. The church became a fortress from the world rather than the hope of the world. Seekers are looking for spiritual integration. This means that we must provide community with cause and meaning with healing."
"The focus is not in serving the world; the church itself became the focal point. Our motto degenerated from "We are the church, here to serve a lost and broken world" to "What does the church have to offer me?" This move has made the pastor the only minister, while making the members the only recipients of ministry."
"The church became a refuge from the world rather than a force in the world. Predictability and stability became dominant themes. The cultural environment became comfortable, and the Gospel shifted from a church "on mission" to a church that supported missions.
Another aspect of our culture that emerged from this era was the concept of customer service. We both expect and demand to be treated as consumers. "If you want my patronage, you had better cater to my needs." This type of ideology became a reality for the church. In both traditional and contemporary churches the member became the customer to whom the product was tailored."
That's probably enough to chew on for today. I hope this stirs some radical thoughts in your heart and I also hope it makes you want to pick up this book by a man who is very clear and on track in his theology. He sees and explains the past and present and offers prescriptions for where we've brought ourselves. Great stuff!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Nuggets
Though I'm only 80 pages into this book by Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force, I wanted to give you some nuggets I've discovered on these pages.
One topic in the prequel is Spontaneous Reproduction. "Species do not have to be taught to reproduce. It is inherent in their nature. In much of the church, however, this characteristic seems to be missing. The church must be relased to do that which comes naturally."
"Mules are best know for being stubborn and sterile. In some ways they illustrate all too well what happens when man begins to play God. All to often we have to acknowledge such a description in our manmade churches. Churches that are born by God have the capacity for spontaneous reproduction that is a result of an internal force that drives a species. When the church is a vibrant organism, life is reproduced over and over again. Vibrant Christians reproduce new believers, vibrant small groups reproduce new communities of faith, and vibrant chruches become the catalysts for an apostolic movement."
Another topic is called the Nurturing Instinct. "Insufficient nurture can be seen when new converts too easily and too often fall away, and excessive nurture can be seen when those that we consider mature Christians have yet to embrace the mission of Christ in a personal way. The first one creates too big of a back door and the second one creates a logjam at the front door. An apostolic environment nurtures the full and dynamic expression of faith, love, and hope."
And the last topic for today, Life Cycle Harmony. "This is simply the realization and embracing of one's own birth, life, and death. It can be sobering to realize that a major portion of our lives is given to preparing the next generation for life. Each generation is connnected to the generation before it and the generation that follows. In the prime of our lives we begin the process of replacing ourselves.
When a healthy relationship exists within the life cycle, a selflessness of givng oneself away is created. The more one focuses on one's own living, the less one is concerned about giving life to others. The only way church buildings stay filled through generations is if the church lives and dies and is born again over and over."
What do you think? Do you want to read more?
One topic in the prequel is Spontaneous Reproduction. "Species do not have to be taught to reproduce. It is inherent in their nature. In much of the church, however, this characteristic seems to be missing. The church must be relased to do that which comes naturally."
"Mules are best know for being stubborn and sterile. In some ways they illustrate all too well what happens when man begins to play God. All to often we have to acknowledge such a description in our manmade churches. Churches that are born by God have the capacity for spontaneous reproduction that is a result of an internal force that drives a species. When the church is a vibrant organism, life is reproduced over and over again. Vibrant Christians reproduce new believers, vibrant small groups reproduce new communities of faith, and vibrant chruches become the catalysts for an apostolic movement."
Another topic is called the Nurturing Instinct. "Insufficient nurture can be seen when new converts too easily and too often fall away, and excessive nurture can be seen when those that we consider mature Christians have yet to embrace the mission of Christ in a personal way. The first one creates too big of a back door and the second one creates a logjam at the front door. An apostolic environment nurtures the full and dynamic expression of faith, love, and hope."
And the last topic for today, Life Cycle Harmony. "This is simply the realization and embracing of one's own birth, life, and death. It can be sobering to realize that a major portion of our lives is given to preparing the next generation for life. Each generation is connnected to the generation before it and the generation that follows. In the prime of our lives we begin the process of replacing ourselves.
When a healthy relationship exists within the life cycle, a selflessness of givng oneself away is created. The more one focuses on one's own living, the less one is concerned about giving life to others. The only way church buildings stay filled through generations is if the church lives and dies and is born again over and over."
What do you think? Do you want to read more?
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Two Kinds of Exercise
I had a wonderful time with my son last night. Greg had come home from Physical Therapy for his back tired and sore and didn't want to do our normal walk after dinner. Fortunately, I was able to recruit my son to walk with me without much trying! As we walked around the neighborhood we talked about Christmas, friends, and church. One thing I so enjoyed was that I was able to walk quickly and he kept up with me just fine. Greg prefers to walk slower, which was hard for me to grasp at first because he has such long legs. I got a good workout with Mark last night!
The other kind of exercise I got on my walk was intellectual. I'm reading a book by Erwin McManus called An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God Had in Mind. I just love this book. It really speaks to me about the way church is typically done and how it could be done so much more effectively. As Mark and I talked about church, we got into a debate (we both love to debate) about big churches vs. small churches. We talked about the pros and cons of each and it gave me an opportunity to really exercise my brain by speaking about what I had learned and what I believe. As we walked up to the door, Mark said, "Well, I hope we both learned something." I love that. He shares the same heart I do for learning from others through conversation, challenging each other's beliefs, proving our own beliefs, and coming away with an admiration and respect for the each other. What a blessing it is to learn from other people as well as from books. I welcome anyone to challenge my beliefs or knowledge. I think we all become stronger as a result of the exchanging of ideas.
Tomorrow I'll blog about what I've highlighted in the book. It's great, and at times, an intellectual challenge. Love it!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Behold
Last night we went to Behold the Lamb of God, The Hope of Man. It was fabulous. What talent! It's a mystery to me how Jon sang that lineage song. What a blessing. I hope someone taped one of the performances so we can have it on DVD. it definitely would be a family favorite to be played each year at Christmas time.
God gave Greg and I an interesting ministry experience yesterday. We went to take a walk after lunch. Normally it is our 'twice around our block, once around the block across the street' mile. Kristen asked us where we would be walking and confirmed it once or twice, and that's what we told her. However, when we shut the door, I had a thought to walk to the park, a 2-mile walk in a near straight line south of our house. Greg said, "I want to walk to the park." Well, plans change! The last time this happened, we ended up counseling a couple in our neighborhood for a few months and helping them stay married.
We walked to the park, swung on some swings, where I giggled my silly head off! We headed back home and heard some loud yelling a few houses in front of us. My instinct was to turn down Tom Lombardo's street and head home a different way. Greg, being the direct, confronter type, pulled my hand forward. I reminded him about safety (a mother's instinct to is stay alive until her kids are out of the nest). He said I had the same big God he did and we were going to be protected. Can't argue with that!
Fortunately he at least had us cross the street so we weren't directly in front of the confrontation. About 6 caucasian boys in their late teens were yelling obscenities at these two hispanics walking away to a house a few doors down. They had a ten speed bike and were throwing it over and over into the street, threatening the two. As we continued to walk, we saw many neighbors come out and stand in their garages, looking to see what would happen next. A police car whizzed down the street and stopped in front of the boys' house. Then a second police car. When we got about 4-5 houses past the altercation, Greg stopped at one house with a hispanic lady in her late teens or early 20's and a teenage hispanic boy. Greg made a comment and she replied and then we learned their story.
There had been many altercations with this house and theirs. The police talk to both families and nothing can be done. A young parolee in the house had been riding the bike when a BMW parked across the street from the first house had side-swiped him. He got off the bike and made his way home. He came out limping while we were talking to the lady. One of the police officers came and questioned Greg and I and took all our information. Then the next police officer did the same. When we were done telling what we had seen, we went over to the lady and now about 5 other hispanic young men who had come out of the house and prayed for them. We learned that the lady's little sister gets off the bus in front of the boys' house and once they pulled a gun and she ran home.
This was an important experience for me in ways I can't blog about yet. Though I was a little scared at the hostility of the young men swearing and throwing the bike, I felt totally at ease with the other family. Through tattoos, piercings, low pants and backwards baseball caps, these were very sweet people. Greg reminded me I didn't necessarily know the whole story, which is a good reminder, but I felt like I didn't see the exterior, I saw the heart.
God gave Greg and I an interesting ministry experience yesterday. We went to take a walk after lunch. Normally it is our 'twice around our block, once around the block across the street' mile. Kristen asked us where we would be walking and confirmed it once or twice, and that's what we told her. However, when we shut the door, I had a thought to walk to the park, a 2-mile walk in a near straight line south of our house. Greg said, "I want to walk to the park." Well, plans change! The last time this happened, we ended up counseling a couple in our neighborhood for a few months and helping them stay married.
We walked to the park, swung on some swings, where I giggled my silly head off! We headed back home and heard some loud yelling a few houses in front of us. My instinct was to turn down Tom Lombardo's street and head home a different way. Greg, being the direct, confronter type, pulled my hand forward. I reminded him about safety (a mother's instinct to is stay alive until her kids are out of the nest). He said I had the same big God he did and we were going to be protected. Can't argue with that!
Fortunately he at least had us cross the street so we weren't directly in front of the confrontation. About 6 caucasian boys in their late teens were yelling obscenities at these two hispanics walking away to a house a few doors down. They had a ten speed bike and were throwing it over and over into the street, threatening the two. As we continued to walk, we saw many neighbors come out and stand in their garages, looking to see what would happen next. A police car whizzed down the street and stopped in front of the boys' house. Then a second police car. When we got about 4-5 houses past the altercation, Greg stopped at one house with a hispanic lady in her late teens or early 20's and a teenage hispanic boy. Greg made a comment and she replied and then we learned their story.
There had been many altercations with this house and theirs. The police talk to both families and nothing can be done. A young parolee in the house had been riding the bike when a BMW parked across the street from the first house had side-swiped him. He got off the bike and made his way home. He came out limping while we were talking to the lady. One of the police officers came and questioned Greg and I and took all our information. Then the next police officer did the same. When we were done telling what we had seen, we went over to the lady and now about 5 other hispanic young men who had come out of the house and prayed for them. We learned that the lady's little sister gets off the bus in front of the boys' house and once they pulled a gun and she ran home.
This was an important experience for me in ways I can't blog about yet. Though I was a little scared at the hostility of the young men swearing and throwing the bike, I felt totally at ease with the other family. Through tattoos, piercings, low pants and backwards baseball caps, these were very sweet people. Greg reminded me I didn't necessarily know the whole story, which is a good reminder, but I felt like I didn't see the exterior, I saw the heart.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Tamalada
Last night we went to our first Tamalada. We were so blessed to be invided by Dennis and Holly Padilla to their home for a night of fellowship and food. I didn't even make it to the tamales and I was stuffed! They had a coffee company come and set up a tented coffee bar. I had 2 hot chocolates and Greg had his white mochas. We got to watch people make tamales, and if we so fortunate to be invited back next year, we will definitely do our minimum 20 tamales too! Making tamales is an all day process I learned. One couple made them the whole 2 hours we were there!
The Hughson Fire Department came with Santa and handed out things to the children. It was an eventful evening! Loved it!
The Hughson Fire Department came with Santa and handed out things to the children. It was an eventful evening! Loved it!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
A Very Embarassing Moment
I admit it, I was due for one of these. I can't remember my last embarassing moment, but this one happened yesterday.
I took Kristen to her drum lesson. As we pulled up in front of the music store, Kristen said, "What's he doing?" There was a man with scruffy hair standing in front of the window with his back to us. A bush was covering him from the waist down. As I looked at him up against the window, I noticed his right hand shaking up and down very quickly. I thought, "Oh great, how am I going to get her inside the building without her seeing this?" I told her "Don't look." She said, "Eeewwww gross!" I made sure I positioned myself between her and him as another music student held the door open for us. We went in as quickly as possible, looking straight ahead.
We were immediately met by the drum teacher and went in the music room. I said, "You might want to check the guy standing in front of the front window." He said, "Really?" I said, "Really." He left right away and came back about 15 seconds later. He said, "You mean Jerry? The guy painting our window? He's a helper around here." I said, "It didn't look like he was painting the window." He hadn't started painting yet, he was just standing in front of a clean window, obviously shaking a can of paint. There were no rocks to climb under.
Uuuuugggggghhhhhh . . .
When I got home and the kids were out of earshot, I told Greg. He laughed so hard and turned so red I thought he would never stop. He asked permission to tell a few of his guy friends from church and I said, sure. I'm happy to give a good laugh when I can.
I took Kristen to her drum lesson. As we pulled up in front of the music store, Kristen said, "What's he doing?" There was a man with scruffy hair standing in front of the window with his back to us. A bush was covering him from the waist down. As I looked at him up against the window, I noticed his right hand shaking up and down very quickly. I thought, "Oh great, how am I going to get her inside the building without her seeing this?" I told her "Don't look." She said, "Eeewwww gross!" I made sure I positioned myself between her and him as another music student held the door open for us. We went in as quickly as possible, looking straight ahead.
We were immediately met by the drum teacher and went in the music room. I said, "You might want to check the guy standing in front of the front window." He said, "Really?" I said, "Really." He left right away and came back about 15 seconds later. He said, "You mean Jerry? The guy painting our window? He's a helper around here." I said, "It didn't look like he was painting the window." He hadn't started painting yet, he was just standing in front of a clean window, obviously shaking a can of paint. There were no rocks to climb under.
Uuuuugggggghhhhhh . . .
When I got home and the kids were out of earshot, I told Greg. He laughed so hard and turned so red I thought he would never stop. He asked permission to tell a few of his guy friends from church and I said, sure. I'm happy to give a good laugh when I can.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Options
I'm not usually one to share gobs of personal financial information, but knowing (for the most part) who's reading my blog, I feel very safe. So, here's what we did today!
Greg and I went to the bank that has our mortgage. We had them run numbers for a 15 year and 30 year fixed mortgage refinance. The average nation-wide interest rate is actually a little lower than what we're paying currently. The rates quoted by our mortgage holder were somewhat higher, so I need to shop around for sure.
The good news is that after working all the numbers and following Crown Ministries guidelines, we can get a $50K loan added to our current loan, pay off the truck and add what we're paying for that to the principle of this new loan, and pay what we're paying now for only 2 1/2 years more (which wold be a total of 9 years) and our house and remodel will be paid off completely! This looks do-able! Now the question will be, how much of the remodel labor can we do ourselves without messing it up, to keep the costs under $50K?
Today Greg showed me his plan to re-landscape the backyard. He's excited about doing it and so am I. We found a pretty waterfall wall at a model home he fell in love with and I loved the matching stone bench seats, so he had both in his plan. He also added a fenced in area that would be concrete to keep the dogs in if we had company and needed them contained. He added grass and planters. I didn't see grass, I saw a pool, but that will probably be over 9 years out at this point I'm thinking, maybe less, as we'll have more money when Kristen gets out of Turlock Christian in 2 1/2 years.
I would be foolish if I didn't give full credit for our financial position to God, our only provider. As I've written before, he's pulled money out of some very unlikely places when I've needed it and has given us wisdom in our decisions along the way.
Greg and I went to the bank that has our mortgage. We had them run numbers for a 15 year and 30 year fixed mortgage refinance. The average nation-wide interest rate is actually a little lower than what we're paying currently. The rates quoted by our mortgage holder were somewhat higher, so I need to shop around for sure.
The good news is that after working all the numbers and following Crown Ministries guidelines, we can get a $50K loan added to our current loan, pay off the truck and add what we're paying for that to the principle of this new loan, and pay what we're paying now for only 2 1/2 years more (which wold be a total of 9 years) and our house and remodel will be paid off completely! This looks do-able! Now the question will be, how much of the remodel labor can we do ourselves without messing it up, to keep the costs under $50K?
Today Greg showed me his plan to re-landscape the backyard. He's excited about doing it and so am I. We found a pretty waterfall wall at a model home he fell in love with and I loved the matching stone bench seats, so he had both in his plan. He also added a fenced in area that would be concrete to keep the dogs in if we had company and needed them contained. He added grass and planters. I didn't see grass, I saw a pool, but that will probably be over 9 years out at this point I'm thinking, maybe less, as we'll have more money when Kristen gets out of Turlock Christian in 2 1/2 years.
I would be foolish if I didn't give full credit for our financial position to God, our only provider. As I've written before, he's pulled money out of some very unlikely places when I've needed it and has given us wisdom in our decisions along the way.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
I'm baaaccccckkkk . . .
I think. We have a couple of things going on in our life right now, one of which I can't disclose yet, maybe in the spring. The other is our remodel. It's scarry just to say the word.
We're getting plans drawn up to enclose our patio to extend our livingroom and diningroom. Along with this is a kitchen remodel, paint, and tile. We don't know yet just what it will cost but have an idea of how much we're not going to spend.
We've looked at countertops, tile, appliances, etc. It makes my head swirl. Too many choices, too many stores to go to. It makes me uncomfortable not knowing if I'm getting the best deal or if saving money is just around the corner if I had just gone to another place.
Through all this, though, I have God's peace. Next year at this time our lives could be very, very different. I reminds me of when I knew I was going to marry Greg. There was anticipation, and I felt like I was riding on the coattails of something far better and faster than myself, legs flailing about in the wind behind me. I just had to hold on. I'm holding on now. I can't let go. Where we're going will be amazing, hard work, super high highs, and super low lows, but all worth it because it is God's will for us at this time.
Some say that being in God's will by following Him is the safest place to be. I agree. Some say that being in God's will by following Him is the most dangerous place to be. I agree with that too. I guess it's how you look at it.
Are you willing to be wherever God calls you to be? Safe or dangerous? Do you even have a choice, really?
We're getting plans drawn up to enclose our patio to extend our livingroom and diningroom. Along with this is a kitchen remodel, paint, and tile. We don't know yet just what it will cost but have an idea of how much we're not going to spend.
We've looked at countertops, tile, appliances, etc. It makes my head swirl. Too many choices, too many stores to go to. It makes me uncomfortable not knowing if I'm getting the best deal or if saving money is just around the corner if I had just gone to another place.
Through all this, though, I have God's peace. Next year at this time our lives could be very, very different. I reminds me of when I knew I was going to marry Greg. There was anticipation, and I felt like I was riding on the coattails of something far better and faster than myself, legs flailing about in the wind behind me. I just had to hold on. I'm holding on now. I can't let go. Where we're going will be amazing, hard work, super high highs, and super low lows, but all worth it because it is God's will for us at this time.
Some say that being in God's will by following Him is the safest place to be. I agree. Some say that being in God's will by following Him is the most dangerous place to be. I agree with that too. I guess it's how you look at it.
Are you willing to be wherever God calls you to be? Safe or dangerous? Do you even have a choice, really?
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