Fish Guts & Disobedience

Lately I've been intrigued by Jonah.  You know the guy that got sucked up by a big fish, then puked back up on the beach.  Imagine looking for shells and looking up and seeing that!   But really, this is the story about someone who heard what God was saying, and decided to run.  He knew loud and clear what God was telling him to do, but wanted absolutely no part of it, so he ran and hid from God.  Or so he tried.  You can't really "hide" from God.  And you can't really tell Him no thank you.  He will be heard, and He will have the final say.  Jonah came to his senses after three (very long) days in a stinky old fish belly.   He probably didn't get a lot of sleep, and had plenty of time to plead with God and realize his lack of obedience.  God spared his life, and Jonah went on to Nineveh.  A place he hated, and wished God would punish for what it had become, instead of giving them a second chance.  The story continues and has Jonah prophesying to the Ninevites, and over 120,000 DO repent!  

Are you running from God?  Is there something you have flat out told Him No!  Let this be a lesson to all of us to listen and heed God when He calls.  I doubt we will get swallowed by a big stinky fish, but he could get our attention in many other ways.  You can decide what that might be.  We are all Jonah-vites, and run from God.  Don't we?   

What's your Nineveh?

How Dare You Say Christmas!

Well, it's that time of year again, and it wouldn't be complete without the usual annual Christmas bashers.  I know, it's ridiculous, but it happens every year.  And seemingly every year it gets worse, and we become increasingly calloused towards the Christ bashers.  I've become more numb to the ramped up anti Jesus sentiment, and as I reflect on Christmas, it just pisses me off to see how our society is so dumbed down by the media and all the squeaky wheels.  For example.  The Holiday Tree.  It's a freakin Christmas Tree!  What other holiday do you specifically put your tree up for?  If there was not a Christmas, would you put it up for New Years?  You don't put it up before Thanksgiving, unless you're some kind of compulsive Christmas gnome or something.  So really, it is a "Christmas" tree.  

Also, what day does everyone (except JW's) celebrate?  December 25th.  Right?!  What does your calendar say for December 25th?  Christmas?  Duh?  Is it offensive to say Merry Christmas?  No.  Not unless you have some real character issues.  If someone says Happy Kwanzaa, or Happy Hanukkah, I don't go crying to my mom, or call the newspaper with complaints of unfairness, or offensive-ness.  Grow up!  

Well, some people don't believe in the birth of Jesus.  But they still open their presents on December 25th and say "good morning kids!  Merry Holiday!"  Come on, give me a break.  Now my kids have "winter break" and "winter or holiday pageants."  I get offended when my kids have to watch a certain movie of read a certain book at school.  But I don't dress up like an idiot and storm city hall, or dig a cave and hide out with a full supply of can goods.  It doesn't surprise me, but it frustrates me.  So this Christmas season, when your sucking on one of those delicious candy canes...enjoy it!  Open your presents, have a great day!  But also remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.  Use yourself and your children to be a light and a sounding board for Jesus this year.   It's a birthday celebration for baby Jesus.  Don't let anyone bring you down this year.  Smile and love on them and tell them Merry "stinkin" Christmas!  

Do You Really Believe What You Really Believe?

Jesus.  This post starts with Jesus, because everything should start with Him.  

This week my faith was tested big time.  I'm not talking about the faith that comes from being pretty sure something is going to happen, but the kind where you just say - there's no freakin way this can happen.  Like the Cubs winning the world series!  Or Ted Kennedy turning Republican! Just can't happen.  This week is a testament to the power of our God and one souls unshakable faith. This post goes out with a fist pound and a double high five to my Jesus, because he rocks!!

The beginning of the week I needed a large sum of money to pay an even larger business bill.  The beginning of the week started with no work on the books.  (We have a home inspection business) On Monday my wife (killer lady) and I got on our knees and prayed, and prayed, and prayed some more.  I fasted that day.  Monday afternoon I got a call to do a job.  A big job! Paid alot of money in one day. The next day I had an inspection scheduled and got a call the night before from the realtor who said they had to cancel the inspection for tomorrow.  Our client lost her job that day.  When it rains it pours.  The next day I got a call to do another job.  And on Friday afternoon I got a call from a realtor asking if I could do a job on Saturday.  Are you kidding me!  The night before we had just sold my wife's snowboard and boots on craigslist.  Do you see God working here people!?  This evening I totalled up the dollars for the week, and we had 60 dollars extra!  Understand that this is happening in December.  Traditionally the worst month of the year for us.  Tell me there's not a God in heaven, and I'll tell you we don't have a black man for president.  Un-stinkin-believable.  Want more?

We went to write our tithe check tonight also.   When we figured the total.  We had 2 dollars left over in that account!  Can you hear me jumping up and down!  Oh, we serve a mighty and awesome God.   I believe with all of my heart completely that there is nothing Jeus can't do.  I really do beleive that.  If you really believe what you really believe, you will have that mustard seed. Thank you to all who threw up their prayers this week.  Thank you.

Jesus.

I am Thankful

I am thankful for the roof over my head.

I am thankful for the food in my cupboards.

I am thankful that no one can take my car away.

I am thankful for clean water.

I am thankful for my wife.

I am thankful for my awesome kids.

I am thankful that my family is going to heaven someday.

I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ.

and mostly, I am thankful for Jesus Christ.  

Starbucks is in the (RED)!!

I do love my Starbucks coffee, but now I love it even more.  My heart cries for the orphans and AIDS victims of Africa.  Here is the best reason to date to buy your  half caf triple pump shot double non fat soy whip thing at Starbucks!  Yeah yeah, i know some of you out there will still B&M about the "corporate" giants, but millions of dollars is just that - millions of dollars!  Here is the article from the November 3rd post at (BLOG) RED.  

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2008

Starbucks is (RED)

This week, Starbucks announced that they are partnering with (PRODUCT)^RED, making an historic multi-year commitment that will give millions of people the opportunity to generate millions of dollars for the Global Fund and save the lives of thousands of Africans living with HIV and AIDS. This surprise announcement was made by Starbucks CEO Howard Schulz on a stage before an audience of more than 10,000 Starbucks partner employees who had come from all over the world for an arena-sized company meeting.

When Schulz said the words and the audience saw the (Starbucks)^RED logo, there was an immediate and deafening cheer from the Starbucks partners. (And this was before they found out that (RED) founder Bono was backstage, waiting to meet them.)

It was an amazing moment for us because it was so clear that Starbucks and their partner employees were ALREADY (RED)—(RED) 10,000 times over. They know that their company can change the world. When Bono challenged them to join the front-lines in the fight against HIV and AIDS by turning their own stores (RED), they were out of their seats again and ready to get started.

Starting on November 28th, those same Starbucks partners will be unveiling (Starbucks)^RED Holiday Exclusives—every time you buy one, a nickel goes to The Global Fund. And Starbucks makes a lot of coffee, giving all of you the chance to turn those nickels into millions of dollars just by choosing (RED). And the (RED) products will just keep on coming at Starbucks so that you can keep on doing something good every day.

We’ve gotten to know some amazing people at Starbucks while planning this partnership. This week, we met 10,000 more. Okay, so you know how big Starbucks is…but you may not know how committed they are to making the world a better place.

Did you know that all 10,000 of them volunteered to rebuild homes in New Orleans this week? They did.

Did you know that they made an announcement this week to double the amount of Fair Trade coffee beans they buy each year to 40 million pounds? They did that too.

It’s all part of their core values—they call it SHARED PLANET. We call it SHA(RED) PLANET—some of the best coffee beans Starbucks buys come from countries in Africa that are faced with the threat of HIV and AIDS every day. Now, you can help them do something about it, every day.

Seeing all the store managers gathered together was a reminder that Starbucks isn’t just a big company, it’s also the actual person who makes you your coffee every day. Yesterday, that person joined (RED) and for the price of a cup of coffee, you can too. Coming this holiday season to a corner near you… BUY (RED) COFFEE, SAVE LIVES.

Starbucks and (RED) today announced a multi-year partnership that will give coffee lovers a chance to do good every day.

Throughout the holiday season, Starbucks will contribute five cents from the sale of any of (Starbucks) RED Exclusive beverage (the three beverages that make up the Starbucks popular holiday trio) at all of their US and Canadian stores to the Global Fund to invest in AIDS programs in Africa. 

“(RED) is making remarkable progress in the worldwide effort to address AIDS in Africa,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and CEO. “We have a deep partnership with coffee growing regions in Africa. We are proud to partner with our customers to contribute toward an AIDS-free Africa.” 

Schultz joined Bono, co-founder of (RED), for today’s announcement in front of 10,000 Starbucks partners (employees) at the company's 2008 Leadership Conference in New Orleans. 

“(RED) is coming to a corner near you thanks to Starbucks. I’m very excited to be able to say that,” said Bono, co-founder of (RED). “The business of Starbucks with roots in Africa and branches all over the world is an ideal fit for (RED). It’s pretty mind-blowing to think that millions of people can buy (RED) going about their daily lives and in doing so raise millions of dollars to fight AIDS in Africa. That’s not a bad hit from your caffeine.”

(Starbucks) RED Exclusive Holiday beverages go on sale November 27, 2008 and continue through January 2, 2009.

Just One can make a difference

Last night was a record night for our "church within a church" that we call Journey.  On any given Sunday evening we have between 70-80 people.  Last night we were just under 130.  All this growth is organic.  It's really cool.  As long as we continue to not lose sight of our focus which is Jesus - period - we will glorify Him and the numbers will continue to grow naturally.  It was our last night in our "What If" series.  Our focus was on what if we really served the world.  Our guest speaker was Greg Russinger from Just One, an organization designed and committed to end social injustice, i.e. poverty, orphans, and specifically last night - human trafficking.  It was a real eye opener, and even though our service went almost 2 1/2 hours, no one seemed to notice.  The Spirit was on the move.  You see Greg hangs out where Jesus would be hanging out.  With the Lost.  Jesus operated / operates where it's messy.  Our culture, our world is messy.  So ask yourself, as an employee for Jesus, where do you spend your time with the gifts and talents  He gave you?  

How does a doctor heal the well?  About as well as we Christians can add life to our brothers and sisters.  If we are not engaged with the lost, then we might as well be fired.  If a doctor got paid for only engaging well people, he would most certainly lose his job!  Right?

That being said, I was totally stoked and convicted at the same time.  Stoked to see the growth last night, and convicted that I wasn't doing enough to serve the world.  So tonight I was going over some notes I took at an Exponential conference last April in Orlando.  Here are a few the notes I jotted down regarding doing church right.  It's a good litmus test to see if we (Journey) are still on task - still have the right focus - still taking the right steps to further engage and grow the Kingdom.  

NOTES:

* Follow Jesus' lead.  He sets the primary template. 

* The "church" comes out of missionary engagement. 

* The recovery of discipleship should be a core task. 

* Our movement/growth can grow only in proportion to our disciples! 

* Expand your disciples & expand your movement/growth! 

 

We need to recover, or rediscover, the apostolic movement.  To do that we need to cultivate missionally responsive, culturally adaptive, organizationally agile, multiplicituous people.  In short, we need to mobilize the people of God.  Own up to our missional responsibilities.  We need not only to produce, but to reproduce.   Employ missional leadership. (Eph.4) 

Now understand what I am saying here.  I am not saying it's all about numbers.  What I am trying to say is that this is what we should be doing regardless.  The question we have to ask ourselves is - are we?  

After last night at Journey it was evident that our ever increasing "movement" is indeed doing just that - moving.  I do believe we are on the right track, and that our focus is still ALL ABOUT JESUS. 

It reminds me of what Jesus says in Revelation 22 - Behold, I am coming soon.  

Are YOU moving?  He is coming you know.   Soon!  

What Is Church?

A friend of mine (Jeff Goins) whom I met through the blogoshpere recently posted and article asking "what is the church?"  Great question.  Below is a link to his article.  Check it out and leave a comment if you like.  I would also like it if you left a comment on my blog as well.  What is church to you?  This could open up a pandorian like box with follow up questions such as - is church doing it right?  what our church is doing wrong? should we church plant?  how big should a church get?  Church doctrine, rules etc.  But for now...let me know what you think church is.  If you want to elaborate on the latter - feel free.  It may make for an interesting discussion.  In the meantime check out my friends article and peruse his blog while you are there, he has some great stuff / links.  If we are the body...

http://jeffgoins.myadventures.org/?filename=what-is-church-blog-tour

So be it.

Disgusting Pride Spills Over

This past week has been a trying one.  We moved into a new house and are still going through some of the "headaches" of a new address - i.e. getting our business phone and fax line hooked up, trying to fit a 3 car garage worth of "stuff" into a two car garage, and going from a 1/2 acre lot to a very small lot.  Work is slow and our local football team got beat in the first round of the playoffs.  

But even more than that is the animosity and outright fighting I have (we have) been going through in our house.  I have had more arguments and full on fights with my wife and my oldest son, than I can remember in a long time.  I know - the easy thing to say is that I'm being attacked by Satan, and there is real spiritual warfare going on here.  And I think for the most part that is true.  I have been slack at spending time with Jesus this last week, and have let down my shield and my armor, and exposed my weak spiritual self.  Enter Satan and his cronies. I don't deny that.  However; my own stinking rotting pride has started to seep out again.  An excellent pastor in Sisters OR named Tim Kizziar from Sisters Community Church gave an awesome example in one of his sermons that really stuck and had an impact on me that's so relevant here:  it's like carrying around a vase of muddy dirty water that no one can see inside of.  But as you move around some of the goo starts to spill over the rim of the vase and land on the ground for everyone to see.  I'm not hiding it very well anymore.  Soon, (as in this weekend) it doesn't just spill over, it pours over, until I've dumped it all on the ground for my family to see.  It's like dirty brown sewer water just flowing out now.  I have a lot of ugly stuff inside me that just spills out.  For me it's my pride.  I think my vase is so stained inside that even when I fill it with fresh water, it still looks dirty inside.  Thank God for His undeserving but beautiful grace.  Jesus please help me to see my faults and my weaknesses.  Please help me to change into the man, husband, and father you expect and want me to be.  Let me love my son and my wife like the example of love you have shown us.  Protect me from the darkness that surrounds and wants to attack.  Draw close to me Jesus.  

You know Satan has been around for almost - ever!  It's not a new strategy he employs, but a time tested effective strategy that cuts to the core.  It's family.  If he can drive a wedge in your family, and pit you against each other, he will also drive a wedge between you and Jesus.  He has been very effective in that task this last week.  I'm glad I can realize the problem, but that's only half of it.  I need to address it by putting my armor back on fighting for my family.  I don't know what I'm smoking if I think I can do it solo without Jesus.  Lord I am sorry for being so busy this last week that I have neglected you.  I'm ready to saddle up this week and rejoin your army.

Thank you for your unconscionable patience in me Jesus.  

Thank you 

What If?

We are starting a series next week at our Church "Journey" titled "What If", and it got me thinking just that.  What if I was as concerned about my bible as I was my cell phone?  Oh, my gosh!  where's my Bible?  I can't leave the house without my Bible!  What if I spent as much time praying to Jesus, as I did watching TV?  Half the time!  What if I really loved my wife as much as Christ loved the church?  Is that even possible?  According to Christ it's really not an option.  What if I practiced the fruits of the spirit?  Love, patience, joy, peace, gentleness, faith, kindness, self control (woo) and goodness?  What if I really did?  We are so good about practicing the rotten fruit of the evil spirits.  Hate, anxiety, depression, conflict, hardness, unbelief, bitterness, rage, and mean-ness. It's no wonder we don't see the glass as half full, yet always as half empty.  What if lived like I really believed that Jesus was all powerful?   What if I really wanted God to control my life?  What if I really wanted His advice?  What if I listened to what He says?  What if I really applied His words to my life. 

What If?

My Life Sucks

Not really, but that's what a lot of people (Americans in particular) think.  Times are tough for us right now.  Really?  I think so, this is the hardest I've had it in the last 25 years!  What's hard?  Let's see...for starters my laptop is 2 1/2 years old!  My kids laptop is 3 years old, and my other computer (for my small business which I own) is 3 years old.  My car is 10 years old, and my other car (big SUV suburban) is 12 years old!  We don't own a house, we have to rent - God forbid!  We have 4 cell phones and a business line.  But, once again, my phone is not too cool, it's 2 years old.  Well - times are so tough, I had to sell my beloved tent trailer, and my canoe is up for sale as well.  Yes the bills are mounting, but somehow God seems to provide.  Isn't that just amazing?  I don't know how we are surviving with all the hardships we are enduring.  

Yeah.  Imagine now the millions of orphans around the world.  Imagine the 11 year old girl who's parents died of HIV and she is responsible for providing for her little brother.  Imagine the only way to get a loaf of bread is for her to have sex with some perv of a man...or two.  Can you imagine that?!  Well that's what real hardship is like and it's real.  That 11 year old girl now has a loaf of bread for her brother.  She also now has HIV and will die like her parents did.  

This and other stories like it and the plight of of orphans infected with HIV/Aids are all told in a gut wrenching, eye opening, must read book by Tom Davis called RED LETTERS.  If you think you can - read it.  This is the real world!  This is the world we don't want to hear about.  Out of sight out of mind.  That's easy enough.  I think I'll go turn on the Red Sox, and sit on my leather sofa while watching the game in the comfort of my heated home, all the while complaining that my chips are stale, and my beer is warm.  Please read this book.  Please read this book and do something.  Anything!  There are a ton of great organizations in the back of the book to get involved with.  

Click on the badges on the right side of this page for more information on the Red Letters Campaign and the 5 for 50 Campaign.  

One last thought...well, maybe two.  When you stand before Jesus and He asks you "what did you do with the gifts I gave you?"  what will your answer be?  

And two - remember what James 1:27 says -

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself form being polluted by the world.