Jesus loves the church

Yes, I've seen some bad stuff under the name of "church." Here's a few: abuse, division, quackery, mishandled funds, affairs and more. For this reason, some have said, "I'm a part of the invisible church." Or, "I don't believe in organized religion." Behind every statement like that is a hurt or disappointment. Someone somewhere in the church let them down.

But I've also seen some amazing, miraculous things in the "church." Just this weekend, here are a few stories from people. (Names changes to protect identity):

T.S. - former alcoholic, suicidal, marriage "on the rocks." Now? marriage restored, secure in Christ, solid Bible teacher
K.W. - rape victim, suicidal, raised by single parent. Now? secure in Christ, great leader, financially stable
R.K. - sexually abused as a child, disappointed and hurt by church leadership, struggled with homosexuality. Now? secure in Christ, training for vocational ministry, leading and helping others.

For every bad story about church, I could give you several good ones. No wonder Jesus loves the church and gave Himself for it.

You need to love it too. Don't love Jesus and dis' His bride. (see Eph. 5.25, 1 Cor. 3:16-17)

Sunday's Coming

It's Friday but Sunday's coming. That ought to be the  mantra of the Christian. Jesus was dead on Friday, but it's only Friday. Resurrection Sunday is the hope in every dark night that a Christian faces. All suffering, despair and tragedy should be viewed in the light of Easter. There it looks totally different. Wow, I can't wait to celebrate this. Think I'll start now.

If you haven't seen this clip of "It's Friday" by S.M. Lockridge, or even if you've seen it before, watch it again and get some hope.

No commitment?

What is friendship without commitment? Just an acquaintance. What happens to a marriage without commitment? Divorce. What are team members without commitment? Losers. Not much can be accomplished without commitment.

Some friends of mine have marked their calendars for a sprint triathlon which is a shorter version of the swim, bike, run competition. But without "commitment to training" they will not finish. They will pass out, fall short or permanently impair their body. Marking your calendar for a competition is useless if you don't commit to training.

How many marriages don't go the distance simply because there is no "renewed commitment" daily, weekly, monthly?
How many churches close their doors because there is no commitment to the next generation of leaders? The church dies because there is only a commitment to "now."
How many jobs are lost simply because there is little commitment to excellence, but rather simply a commitment to "get my check"?

If you want to finish the race, you must commit to training. I found a quote attributed to marathoner Frank Shorter. Frank finished second in the Montreal Olympics in 1976. Moments after, a reporter asked him, "I know you must be disappointed...Do you plan to go for the gold medal again in 1980?" The Olympian calmly looked back at the reporter and said, "Well, of course I wanted to win the gold medal. But the question I have to ask myself now is, "Will I commit myself to running 10 miles per day, every day, for the next 4 years?"

Jesus said, "A wise man hears my words and puts them into practice." (Matthew 7:24) 

When they heard "this"

Great time this morning with staff and interns on a mark of a healthy church as found in Acts 2: spirit-empowered gospel preaching. "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”Acts 2:37. What does "this" refer to? Peter's spirit-empowered gospel message. The message cut through to the heart. What else can do this!!!

On the same day, I see this video on the power of God's Word. You've got to see THIS!

The Meek shall inherit...

You may despise PBS. You may never have been a fan of Fred Rogers, a.k.a. "Mister Rogers." But this clip of him testifying at a Senate hearing in 1969 demonstrates passion and more; perhaps we see why Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth. Strength and passion come in different models. God led 2M+ through the leadership of the meekest man. "Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth" (Numbers 2.3 ESV).

Who is our God?

This is something I wish I'd said:

It is madness to wear ladies' straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping God may wake someday ... (Annie Dillard in Teaching a Stone to Talk)


Renew our vision of the true and living God:


....the still small voice (1 Ki 19:12)
... Presence that melts the mountains like wax (Ps 97.5)
... a God who is jealous (Deu 4.24)
... His voice splits the cedars (Ps 29.5)
... the One who makes the clouds His chariot (Ps 104.3)
... the One whose eyes are blazing fire and on His head many crowns (Rev 19:12)


This is our God.

Stuff I'm Reading

Maybe you don't care, but in case somebody does, here's a few things I've been reading:

• Living By the Book. LBTB is a great book for anyone who wants to get more out of personal Bible Study. It will fire up your devotional time! This is a supplemental text I'm using in the C3mi class I'm teaching on Hermeneutics (which means to interpret/translate). Howard Hendricks known as "Prof" at DTS is widely respected and has taught many well-known speakers like Chuck Swindoll, Andy Stanley and Chip Ingram. (How about having that list as people you've influenced!)
• Between Two Worlds. BTW is a great book for anyone who communicates through preaching/teaching. One thing John recommends is having a resource group that reads a book a month that represents contemporary issues. In the meeting, they discuss the Christian implications/response. Great idea. This man has a passion to get the message across. John W Stott is respected world-wide by many Christian pastors. A faithful, man of integrity who pastored All Souls Church in London most of his life. He turns 80 this year.  
• What Your Contractor Can't Tell You by Amy Johnson. Becki and I have looked at remodeling or building and this book is amazing. It arms you with the background info you need when talking to a contractor or architect. If you're building something, you need this book.
• Act Like a Lady, Think like a Man by Steve Harvey. Months ago, I knew I'd be doing a series on Original Design and God's Good Gift so I picked up this book. Not really for advice obviously, but to hear another contemporary perspective on male/female issues. He's a funny guy. Not always appropriate. But I did find the book helpful as a window into another guy's mind. 

I'm looking for a great fiction or a book on a contemporary issue. If you have a great suggestion, shoot it my way.