May 31, 2010
Let us Remember
I couldn’t say it any better than Mark Batterson did today on his blog…
“Very few people can name the twelve Apostles and even fewer know anything about them. Hope this changes that. On this Memorial Day weekend when we remember those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy, it seems appropriate to share how each of the twelve apostles died.
James the brother of John was killed with a sword during a persecution initiated by King Herod in AD 44. Andrew was hung on an olive tree around 70 AD. Doubting Thomas was thrust through with pine spears, tortured with red-hot plates, and burned alive around 70 AD. Philip went to Phrygia where he was tortured and crucified in AD 54. Matthew was beheaded sometime after 60 AD. Bartholomew was flayed after he refused to recant. After the removal of his skin, he was crucified in 70 AD. James the lesser was taken to the top of the Temple where a crowd gathered. When he refused to recant, he was thrown down. He survived the fall so a mob beat him to death with clubs in 63 AD. Simon the Zealot was crucified by the governor of Syria in AD 74. Judas Thaddeus ministered in Mesopotamia where he was beaten to death with sticks in AD 72. Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot, went to Ethiopia and was stoned to death while hanging on a cross in AD 70. According to Eusebius, the third century historian, Peter thought himself unworthy to die in the manner in which Jesus was crucified so he requested that he be crucified upside-down. And last but not least, John the beloved is the only disciple who died a natural death, but that doesn’t mean he was exempt from persecution. He was exiled to the Island of Patmos and according to legend, thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil.
I’m not sure what that does to you. In fact, I’m not sure what that does to me. But I know this: I’m grateful for the estimated 70 million martyrs who have died because of their faith in Jesus Christ. And I’m grateful for the freedoms I enjoy as an American. May we never take them for granted.”
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May 28, 2010
Sun Stand Still
Do you believe in the God of the Bible? No, really. Do you really believe in the God that in described in the pages of Scripture? ]
I’m currently reading through the book of Joshua and came across a story that I’ve read several times in my Christian journey. This time though it really stood out.
In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites, trick Joshua into thinking they were from a country far away by wearing old clothes and bringing dry, crusty food. Joshua does not inquire of the Lord and makes a covenant with them.
In chapter 10, a group of kings find out about Gibeon’s defection and mount a major military campaign against them. The Gibeonites cry out to Joshua and, because of the covenant he made them, he comes to their rescue.
Before he does, he prays a very interesting prayer…
On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:
“O sun, stand still over Gibeon,
O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped,
till the nation avenged itself on] its enemies,
as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!” (Joshua 10:11-14)
Did you catch that? Joshua prayed that the sun would stand still in the sky. And Scripture records that the sun “stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down for about a full day.” This is the day that the sun stood still!
People throughout the ages have tried to explain this miracle away. But if you believe in the miracle working God of the Bible, who created the sun and the earth and came up with the idea of the earth rotating, this is small change for Him.
So that’s the question, does the God you believe in have the power to make the sun stand still?
If He can do this, do you think you could trust Him with that problem you are worrying about today?
Steve Furtick, lead pastor of Elevation Church in North Carolina, has a new book coming out based on this passage of Scripture called Sun Stand Still: What Happens When we Dare to ASk God for the Impossible. I love reading his blog and I’m looking forward to reading this book, which comes out this September. Here’s Steve talking about the idea behind the book.
Sun Stand Still - Steven Furtick from waterbrook multnomah on Vimeo.
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May 26, 2010
Do you fight with your family or FOR your family?
I’m telling every parent I know about the website Orange Parents. It is our desire to “think Orange” here at PBC. Yellow represents the light of the church and red represents the heart of the family. They are the two institutions that God created to tell the story of His redemptive, crazy, illogical love for us. When the church’s influence and the family’s influence collide - watch out! Yellow + Red = ORANGE!
Orange Parents is a blog that the leaders of Think Orange write specifically for parents. Today’s blog is “How to have a family fight.” We all fight. The question is will we fight with our families or FOR our families?
Check out the blog this week!
How to have a Family Fight
by Carey Nieuwhof
Although most of us start our marriage and family with the adage that we won’t be the family that fights, face it – every family fights.
I love the honest conversation about parenting with grace and truth we started a few days ago. But one of the things that dialogue revealed thus far is that the tension between grace and truth provokes conflict between spouses, which in the end, isn’t healthy for the kids either.
So here’s a principle that I hope helps: when you fight – fight for the person you’re fighting with, not with the person you’re fighting with. There’s a world of difference between the two.
When you fight with someone:
You want to win
Walls are built up
Relationships are jeopardized
When you fight for someone:
You want them to win
Walls are torn down
Relationships are prioritized
The claim for truth parents is that marrying grace and truth helps us fight for our kids and for our spouses, not with our kids and with our spouses. It helps us communicate in way that gives the relationship value because we’re not concerned that we win or even that just the truth wins, we’re concerned that they win because the truth won.
Now the claim for grace parents: often, it’s actually worth fighting. Conflict avoidance is not automatically biblical. If it was, the Gospel makes no sense (I believe there is a cross involved). People who truly live in the grace of God also live in his truth, and to fight for someone is often the loving thing to do.
What aspect of fighting for your family challenges you? What makes you want to avoid a fight at all cost, or makes you too ready to have a fight?
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May 24, 2010
What do the pros take on the road? How about a Bible?
I love ESPN the Magazine! Love it! My brother Mark gave me a subscription as a gift a couple of years ago. I love it because it’s BIG! Also, it has great articles and pics. And it doesn’t have a “swimsuit issue” like Sports Illustrated.
The latest edition has an article about what pros take on the road with them.
* Tyreke Evans, basketball player for the Sacramento Kings and a former Memphis “one and done,” takes his 2K portable gaming system.
* Bobby Ryan and Joffrey Lupul of the Aniheim Ducks (hockey, eh?) bring their guitars.
* Patrick Willis, Line Backer for the San Francisco 49ers, brings a HUGE bag of candy.
What caught my attention was Channing Frye, center for the Phoenix Suns. The picture is of Channing riding in a limo with the window down and he’s holding a Bible.
Channing says, “I bought this one [his new Bible] last year, when I got married and joined the Suns, to signify a fresh start. For me, the Bible isn’t a book of rules; it’s a voyage of self-discovery. During flights I write notes or highlight passages that touch me. Later, I’ll go back to see how I felt at the time and whether I’ve applied the lesson to my life. Most hotel rooms have a Bible, but I’ll stick to mine. They probably wouldn’t appreciate my scribbling in their copy.”
You can check the link out above to read Channing Frye’s blog. I love his description of it - “The view from 6’11’’ about what’s new, fun, interesting, entertaining, delicious, and more.”
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May 21, 2010
Parenting Beyond Your Capacity
I’m currently reading, Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof.
Reggie tells of a time when he was going through a particularly difficult time with his daughter and sat down to write out what he thought God was saying to him about the situation:
I am not trying to make them happy;
I want your kids to really live.
In the middle of their pain,
I can be a better friend than anyone,
even you.
I am the only One who can really
love them unconditionally,
forgive them forever,
and be a perfect Father.
So maybe you just need to trust Me
enough so they can see Me.
Besides…
with all of your issues,
I think it’s probably better
for them to trust Me more
than they trust you.
Isn’t it more important for them
to love Me more
than they love you?
I can heal their hearts;
you can’t.
I can give them eternal life;
you can’t.
I’m God;
and you’re not.
If you are struggling right now as a parent, read this again slowly and allow God to help you put things in perspective.
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May 20, 2010
Swagger Wagon
There are times when I’m so impressed with someone, or some organization’s creativity, that I want to share it. After everything that Toyota has been through in the past year with the recalls and all the bad press, they are in desperate need of some good public relations.
So what did they did? They created a “commercial” that will never actually play on television. It was created for the internet and placed on You Tube. Now, after going viral and receiving millions of hits, this has to rank as one of the most effective advertisements of all time!
If you are a company that needs to win the confidence of the American middle class family, what better way to start than with “Swagger Wagon.”
I think this is Maxine’s theme song! Enjoy!
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May 19, 2010
Pray for Jennifer
Seven years ago, Jennifer Knapp was a Christian music artist,(whatever that actually means), that was making some pretty cool, meaningful music. I saw her at Cornerstone and distinctly remember finding her sitting alone on a table watching a band. I leaned in and she thought I wanted an autograph. I told her that I, as a dad, I just wanted to thank her for using her gifts for the Lord. She smiled and said a soft thank you.
Then…she disappeared. Literally off the music dial. No new music. Nothing.
Until now.
She’s back with new music and has written a piece for CNN’s religious section detailing her journey into the freedom of being gay.
Pause…
Yep, she came out.
Read the article here.
As I read it, I was struck by what a beautiful writer she is. I was also struck by her spiritual confusion that she experienced as she played different churches.
Read the comments only if you really want to get mad. Sometimes Christians can be so cliche. They throw the verses out there but are not willing to listen and dialogue. You don’t have to compromise the truth but you also don’t have to be a jerk.
Here’s a recent blog post of Jennifer’s:
“I share my life with a woman. I have approached this relationship with gratitude, joy and humility. I am honored to have the support of my loving family, a caring partner, friends and people of faith who have accepted me as I come, while encouraging me to become who I am meant to be. My loved ones – you have endured much, loved much and made full the lives of all those around you. I thank you as one who has been blessed by your generosity and gentle spirits.
In the abundant amount of private time I have been afforded to reflect, I have been deeply moved by the memory of rich experiences brought about through the intersection of faith and music. Generous fans, humble churches, believers, stumblers, seekers, the broken, the faithful and the faithless, alike, through the common thread of music we have found ourselves in the same spaces ignoble in our own humanity. Where I often begin, alone in sacred spaces, to plumb and pen the depth of my own person, music draws me out to the land of others. I discover that I am not alone, nor have I ever been.”
Read the article and tell me how you would respond to Jennifer.
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May 19, 2010
Like a Rainbow in the Dark
This past weekend, rock legend, Ronnie James Dio, died of stomach cancer at the age of 67. Dio is most famous for fronting Black Sabbath and Rainbow. He stood five foot two but had a voice eight feet tall.
The only reason I mention this is because in my junior year of high school I was in a band called “Vizion.” The classic Vizion line up was:
Me on electric guitars
Paul on Drums
Chris on Bass
Mark (my brother) on lead vocals
We were terrible but had a lot of fun making lots of noise in Paul’s bed room. In a fit of insanity, we signed up to try out for the school’s talent show. This was my first year at White Station, and the preppies were more into Duran Duran than heavy metal. That settled it - we would play Dio’s “Rainbow in the Dark.”
We practiced, not very much actually, and decided that instead of the guitar solos, which I couldn’t play any way, we would have Paul do a huge drum solo in the middle of the song.
When Vizion took the stage, we looked the part. My brother Mark had on the Motley Crew bandana, ripped up jeans, and some obscure tour shirt. We were all dressed like the rockers we were. I think I may have worn red leather pants on stage!
Things started okay but then it all fell apart. Mark’s mike went out halfway through the song but he just continued to belt out the words while running all over the stage. Chris and I missed more notes than we hit but head banged like pros. Paul, by far the best musician of the group. did a drum solo that would have made Neal Pert proud. He even spun the sticks!
We ended with jumps and kicks and growls. It was hilarious and fun and embarrassing all at the same time. When we came of the stage, there were no groupies ready to greet us. If fact, you could have heard the crickets chirping.
Needless to say, we didn’t make the talent show and that was okay. The band that made it played, “Hey Joe,” by Jimmi Hendrix nearly perfectly. I think the judges got it right.
But, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Ronnie James Dio’s “Rainbow in the Dark.”
Here’s his version of it. As you watch this, just imagine me and Mark trying our best to do this. It will make you smile!
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May 18, 2010
How do you Erupt?
Thirty years ago today, a little known, long dormant volcano in Washington state erupted. Scientists had been monitoring Mt.St. Helen’s and were convinced she was going to blow so they issued a warning to evacuate the area around the volcano. By doing so, they saved many lives. But not their own. 57 people, including many of the scientists studying the volcano, were killed when she erupted.
One of the interesting things about they way Mt. St. Helen’s erupted was that, instead of erupting vertically, out the top shaft, the pressure literally blew the side off the mountain. That’s where the scientists were and that’s why they died.
I’ve always used that story when talking to people about anger. As humans, we get angry at people. . But instead of going directly to that person to try to work it out (see Matthew 18), we go home and “erupt” sideways on the dog, or our wife, or our friends. It is usually those closest to us that get the hot lava flow of our anger.
The Apostle Paul assumes we will experience anger but tells us there is a right way and a wrong way to handle anger - “in your anger do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26).
So when you feel the pressure building up, and you think you are going to blow, follow these steps:
1. Go directly to the person you have an issue with. Do not talk to anyone else about it.
2. Explain why you are upset. Do not use “you” statements but “When you did/said that, I think/felt….”
3. Stop talking and listen to their side of the story. There is always more to the story than we know.
4. Give forgiveness quickly and ask for it readily.
5. Do not hold this situation against them. As the great rock theologians The Beatles, sang, “Let it Be!”
These steps will help release the pressure and unsure that an eruption won’t destroy any relationships that you have.
Make sense?
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May 17, 2010
Impossible Odds
“Too often our prayers revolve around asking God to reduce the odds in our lives. We want everything in our favor. But maybe God wants to stack the odds against us so we can experience a miracle of divine proportions. Maybe faith is trusting God no matter how impossible the odds are. Maybe our impossible situations are opportunities to experience a new dimension of God’s glory.” - Mark Batterson in “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive when Opportunity Roars.”
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May 16, 2010
Find Us Faithful
We are ending the services this morning with “Find us Faithful” by Steve Green.
Maxine had the honor of being part of an orchestra that backed up Steve Green as he sang this song.
May God Find us Faithful.
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May 15, 2010
5K Fundraiser
This morning, I went down to Eastview Christian Church to run a 5K. This event was a fundraiser for their college group’s FUEL upcoming mission trip to the Domincan Republic.
There are 100 college students going on this trip and they have been divided into 9 teams. Each team is responsible for coming up with a few creative fundraisers. Casey Heimer, a student at ISU, was in charge of this race and his team did a GREAT job.
The course was laid out well, registration was organized and I was greeted with a smile, and Casey even prayed before we began.
There was about 40 runners and walkers and 90% were under the age of 21! I was feeling old so I decided to go out with the first pack of young guns. That didn’t last long! But I ran great splits and ended with the best time of this summer and 4th best time overall. I finished 11th which was encouraging.
Kyle Robson, who attended our student ministry when he was in high school, won with a time of 17 something. (He’s a real puma!)
Casey was waiting at the finish line cheering each runner on and I got an Avanti’s sandwich afterwards.
Say a prayer for Brandon Grant, college pastor, as he shepherds these young adults to serve and love the world! Pray that their money would come in and they would be encouraged as they go to serve in the DR this summer.
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May 15, 2010
The Man I Want to Be
Every man I know wants to be a better man…to his wife, his children, to the world.
I love this song and video by Chris Young. I love the fact that older man sends him to God for help in being a “better” man.
If you are a woman, know that your man has prayed this prayer at some point in his life. (Maybe not to country music, but he has prayed it)
Enjoy!
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May 14, 2010
Never Too Old to Read to Them
When my boys were younger, I would read to them at bed time. We read the Chronicles of Narnia and other books. That’s when they were younger.
When children grow up, parents often stop reading to them.
I’ve decided to change that. In the past, I’ve read several books to Josh that we both really enjoyed. The most notable being Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller.
Recently, I’ve started the practice again.
I’m currently reading The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living like He doesn’t Exist by Craig Groeschel, founding pastor of LifeChurch, to Austin.
Josh and I will start on In the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: Learning to Survive and Thrive when Opportunity Roars by Mark Batterson, pastor at National Community Church in Washington, D.C. We plan to attend services there on our vacation in June.
So…here’s the challenge - if you are currently not reading anything to your older kids, what would you want to read to them?
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May 13, 2010
8th Grade Night
Another year of junior high ministry came to an end last night with our “8th grade night” at the church. With a roaring fire, (thank you Mrs. Watson), hot dogs, and lots of other less than nutritious food products, we had a great time celebrating our promoting students. There was basketball, frisbee, and the ever popular rolling down the hill - hey, junior high students are easily amused!
I gave a talk about Jesus washing his disciple’s feet then gave the 8th grade students the opportunity to give us their words of wisdom. We ended the night with the leaders and 6th and 7th grade students laying their hands on the our 8th graders and commissioning them for their great adventure of faith in high school.
Here’s how I ended my charge to these students last night:
Small things done with great love can change hearts.
I recently heard about one of our high school students who started praying every morning this prayer, “Lord, help me to see needs.” She was walking down the hall and saw a guy drop all his books and papers. Some people laughed at him. Others ignored him. She stopped and helped him pick up everything. Because of her kindness, she was late for class. The teacher asked her why she was late, and as she explained, he began to smile. He said if you going to do things like that, you can be late every day!”
I forgot your age though. I need to record this talk and let you hear it ten years from now. Your obviously too young to really make a difference. Your just the future of the church…
We are the Church!
Then act like it in second period when that guy wants to cheat off you, and study hall when you see the girl crying, and on the baseball diamond when the call goes against you, and in the locker rooms when everyone is talking, and at lunch when you see that guy or that girl sitting alone, and and in the hall when everyone is gossiping, and in the halls when you notice that teacher who looks sad.
The local church is the hope of the world. And you are the church! I beg you to make it your mission to love extravagantly, serve intentionally, and share the hope you have in Jesus without fear or shame. Teenagers are hungry for purpose and they’re tired of jokes that have no meaning. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but set the believers an example in your life, love, faith, speech, and purity.
I want to end with a quote from a friend of Todd Beamer. Todd was part of the group of guys that foiled the hijacker’s plans of flying Flight 93 into the While House. His famous last words, “Let’s roll” now serve as a rallying point for America pride. One of his best friends said this about Todd: “It does not surprise me that Todd died a sacrificial death because he lived a sacrificial life.” May that be said of all of us who claim the name of Jesus Christ!
It really comes down to two things - Love God with al your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love others through service. That’s the mash potatoes, everything else is just gravy!
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