The Economy and Sin

It's good for us to get the world's definitions about the foundational truths that we have embraced as God's people. How about this definition of sin?


"Even sin isn't secure anymore. Gambling, sex, cigarettes and alcohol are among the supposedly recession-proof businesses hit hard by the economic downturn." Sin threatened by the economy? Oh, no! Interesting view of sin, don't you think?

"In this economy, even the wages of sin aren't what they used to be.
Market lore says people keep spending on sex, booze, butts and slots in hard times, no matter what. Sin is supposedly recession-proof." Sin described as a business. And, by the way, Mr. Brush, it is recession-proof.



Sin is not, however, Jesus proof! Praise God for this indescribable gift!







p.s. If you want to read the article by Michael Brush of MSN Money in its entirety you can do so by clicking here.

More From Yesterday

Abraham Piper's blog entry dates January 15th, 2009 began with a question that led to the question we discussed yesterday:

Why do some Christians bash Christianity like they’re not a part of it?

Disappointment with the Church

Sitting yesterday morning with a group of people in a new Regional Gathering that has emerged moving us one step closer to the vision "One Church, Regional Impact," I realized that there are some pretty deep scars that have been left by the church. This is not a new realization, just one that was reaffirmed yesterday. Yet, there is also a deep yearning for vibrancy of faith, and deep community that blossoms into self-giving love for neighbor, community, and city.

It all reminded me of a quote I read at Abraham Piper's website "Twenty Two Words."

"When a Christian expresses discouragement with or disapproval of the Church, shouldn't it be from a spirit of remorse rather than criticism?"

What do you make of his question? What emotions/ thoughts does his question stir up in you?

Opposing Jesus

Let's pick it up where we left off yesterday. Joining Jesus as He goes to the synagogue, we can see His heart, both in what He does, and in how He responds to opposition.

Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him. 5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! 6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus. Mark 3:1-6 NLT

Jesus breaks the religious law of the day, and apparently breaks the Ten Commandments. You know the one, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy." Exodus 20:8-11 NLT Jesus breaks the rules. A rebel! Our strong desire for independence, our strong urge to break the rules, our rebellious nature is kind of drawn to Jesus. But is that what is really happening here? Is Jesus anit-institutional, anti-religious? Is he just another rebel? Look closely before you judge. Jesus notices a man with a deformed hand. Moved with compassion, He does what His mission demands; He heals. He does what His nature compells Him to do; He loves. He sets the man free from His deformity. Jesus' healing power is not restricted, bound up, by the Law. He is here to fulfill the Law! I love how He responds to His critics! “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” Every day is a day to save life! For Jesus, every day is filled with opportunity to set someone free.

Have you ever wondered why there was so much opposition to Jesus by these religious leaders? Haven't they dedicated their lives to serve humanity? Haven't they made sacrifices to serve God and His desires? Why aren't they on Jesus' side? What is it about Jesus that they are so afraid of? What is it about Jesus that threatens them? They quickly became His enemies. Why? Notice the strength of the opposition as it begins to mount against the Lord of Life! Three things are noticeable:
1) Jesus' enemies weren't concerned with obeying the Law given by God. They simply were
trying to find something to bring Jesus down; to eliminate the threat that He was to their
control, to their power. We're told that they "watched Him closely" and that "they
planned to accuse Him." These guys were organized and thoughtful about their
opposition.

2) They, these enemies of Jesus, were not interested in discovering truth. They
refused to answer Jesus when He attempted to engage them in a dialogue about the
purpose of the Sabbath. Why?

3) Check out the alliance that is immediately formed between these religious enemies and the
political leaders! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod
to plot how to kill Jesus. vs. 6

Jesus still has opposition today. Perhaps you are among the opposition. What is it that you are actually opposing? Why? What is it about Jesus that you are so afraid of? What is it about Jesus that threatens your way of life, your power, your control?

Anger Reveals the Truth

Last night I was so angry. Really unsettled. Genuinely miffed.

It caught me off guard a little. I'm not really sure how to process it. Talking about it with others didn't really help. It only riled me up more. It's not really important why I was angry. I think I'll keep that to myself for now. But, it really made me think today. "What makes me angry?" "What really ticks me off?" And, what does my anger have to tell me about the condition of my heart and what's really important to me? Is there a connection between what my real priorities are and what I get bent out of shape over?

Looking at Jesus, helped me a little today.

Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.
3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him. 5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! 6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus. Mark 3:1-6

What makes Jesus angry?

They say you can discover a person's character by what he/she cries over, and what he/she gets angry about? What do you discover about Jesus' character in this account from His life?

And, what does it tell you about your own?

HOPE!

Hope.

Confidence in the future.

Expectant.

Today was an historic day. It really was. But, behind it, for me at least, is a dangerous reality that still exists. We as human beings, with our strong innate desire for independence, are the cause of our own dilemma. See Genesis 3. We, who have been created by God and for God, so easily lose sight of Him. We forget Him. And, at grand events like those that took place today in our nation's capitol, we bring Him out of the closet for at least a moment and ask a blessing of Him for our dreams and desires. Some of the "calling upon Him" is cast out to a nameless God, a generic, not-to-offend-anyone god.

The true and living God, the One who is capable of delivering on all of the requests raised up today, is not nameless or generic. He is the Lord of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He is the only author and deliverer of hope. He is the only One able to govern a people with truth and justice. He is King of all Kings. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the designer of freedom and the giver of peace. He is the ruler of nations. He, Father, Son and Holy Spirit has revealed Himself to be, shown Himself to be, proved Himself to be true and abiding love! He is the One who allows and positions people, like President Obama, to govern. He is our HOPE. He is the One who gives us enduring confidence in our future. He is the One who fires expectant hearts with great anticipation.

Thank this One who abides and leads today for the privilege to live in a nation who can, with great freedom, elect a new Chief Executive every four years! Thank this One for the prosperity and freedoms we enjoy in this great country! Thank this One for freedoms that have been won and change that has been unleashed. From the travesty of slavery and civil right violations, to leader of the free world, praise God! For President Barack Obama, praise God! For real....praise Him, and only Him!

Today, this will be my prayer for the American people: (myself included)
I pray that God, the source of HOPE, will fill every American with complete joy and peace
because they trust in the true God. Then, and only then, will they overflow with confident
HOPE, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (based on Romans 15:13)

Cultivating Environments that Release People for the Harvest

This past Friday I met with 4 gentlemen I lovingly refer to as the "Preacher's Learning Community." It was a blessing to gather with these guys. It was our second time together in this kind of environment. Our agenda had three major points. The first point was to discuss how our "Preacher's Learning Community" fit in with our vision, "One Church, Regional Impact." Secondly we had some specific calendar issues for 2009 that we needed to nail down. And finally, this last Friday we had a dialogue about expectations concerning ongoing support, training, collaboration and accountability. The ultimate goal is that these guys would be prepared to preach the word.

I have been working with these guys over the past several years at various levels, allowing them to preach, using their gifts to proclaim the Word of God mostly while I have been away on vacation or other church-related trips. With our vision of "One Church, Regional Impact", however, the need for a more regular rotation has arrived as I will be spending one Sunday per month working in our new Verona location, getting that region aligned to connect people in Verona to life in Jesus. It's exciting to see God work in these men! It's exhilarating to watch them grow, to witness their increased passion for God's Word, for leadership, for the call of God on their life.

This is one way that I am trying to "to cultivate an environment that releases the missional imagination of the people of God." pg. 21 The Missional Leader

What are some of the environments that you are cultivating to release people for the harvest?

Capacity

Yesterday I shared a quote from "The Missional Leader."

"We need leaders with the capacity to cultivate an environment that releases the missional imagination of the people of God." pg. 21

I asked three questions. They are big questions, thought provoking questions. Why not take some time today considering the first one:

What are you doing presently to increase your capacity to cultivate an environment that releases the missional imagination of the people of God?

Capacity...capability, ability, capableness

I have to admit, much of this for me has been wrapped up in unlearning some of what I learned in my training to be a pastor. Most of what I learned was how to do, not how to cultivate environments in which other people can be released. In fact, releasing others was never really a part of my training to be a spiritual leader.

So, in order to raise my capacity to cultivate such environments, I have had to unlearn, and then learn anew. Reading, collaborating with other missional leaders, putting myself under the influence of experienced missional leaders, and receiving coaching from someone who could help get me from where I was to where I wanted to go, trial and error (thanks Christ Memorial)...have all been a part of the learning, of the raising my capacity.

What have you had to unlearn? And what have you done to raise your capacity?

The Missional Leader

I'm really enjoying working my way through "The Missional Leader". Yes, it's another book....another leadership book. Some of you are saying, "How boring! Doesn't he ever read anything fun?"

Not really.

Here's a nugget from pg. 21

"We need leaders with the capacity to cultivate an environment that releases the missional imagination of the people of God."

Unpack that one.

If you have the privilege to provide leadership within the family of God, take this opportunity to ask yourself:

1) What are you doing presently to increase your capacity?

2) What does an environment that releases the missional imagination of the people of God look like in real time?

3) What is your plan to cultivate it in your context?

Rhythm of Remembering

One of the disciplines that I have been really lousy at (My wife, Amy, and my mother-in-law have mastered it.) is journaling. Keeping a daily record...dreams, concerns, God-sightings, prayer requests. To me it has always seemed like busy work. So, I've started many a journal, only to "get out the habit" and abandon it. In my office and in my house you will find many journals that have about 5 or 6 entries.

I understand the blessing that this discipline can bring, but, still I have never been able to find a consistent rhythm. God has always called His people to remember His faithfulness, but so often we are consumed with the living of life that we miss His presence!

Even today I was looking through some old notes from a year-ago. Dated January 08 Here's what I discovered:

Pray for Lynn Schoener...that she would feel compelled to Coach our Coaches
Pray that Laurie Pinkert would sense God's call to the Ministry of Prayer
Pray that God would give us a clear vision

Lord,
Here I am a pastor of a small to mid-sized congregation--not impressive--not noticeable--
not recognized as great. Yet, you are working. I see the gradual erosion of what was &
am trusting You to use me to help build what will be. I long for that day & trust You to
bring it about. I love You and am thankful for this opportunity. Help me be faithful and
successful day in and day out. Amen.


What a blessing to go back and read these entries! God has answered every one of these prayers. Now, there are other entries that I continue to pray for, or have seen that they were not the right prayers, and have started praying differently, or more specifically. For this exercise, I am thankful!

What has your experience with journaling shown you? Any helpful tips that have helped you maintain a rhythm of remembering?

One Step At A Time

We are in the middle of pursuing a God-sized vision. The big idea (what) is "One Church, Regional Impact." This vision has been thrust upon us and we have been working to "make a go of it." Since April we have planning, adjusting, planning again. And as we have pursued this grand vision, one of the emerging lessons we have learned is that the vision is best accomplished by taking one step at a time, trusting in God to guide us.

Paralysis has set in at moments when we tried to figure out how"it" would ultimately look. So, a recent mantra for this group of leaders has been....."Don't think ultimate. Think next." Have a clear picture of the ultimate (the "what") and keep taking the next step that God puts in front of you. (the "how")

We are learning:
"Victory is won not in miles, but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win
a little more." Louis L'Armour

But here's the interesting thing: you can't begin to figure out the next (the "how") if you don't have a vision of the ultimate (the"what"). So here's what I'm learning as a leader: there is a difference between a clear vision of the future and the detailed ultimate picture. God will paint that as we pursue the vision He's given us. "What could be and should be won't be until God allows it to be." Andy Stanley, Visioneering pg. 83

I guess what I am saying is that the "what" always precedes the "how." Visioneering pg. 55 And, what's been so exciting for us, is that God has been faithful at just the right moments to unveil the "hows" as we trust Him for them.

Won't you share your experience with the "whats" and the "hows"?

Interruptions

Did you know that it takes, on average, 16 minutes, 33 seconds, for a worker interrupted by an e-mail to get back to what he or she was doing?

Joint study from the University of Illinois and Microsoft, 2007

Two questions:

1) How do you handle e-mail so that you are not constantly distracted?

2) What are the some of the other interruptions that effect you?

Expectancy

I was intrigued by the this quote from a friend's e-mail that I received yesterday:

"The heart of the adventurer is full of expectancy, not expectations."

I had never really thought about it before, but there is a difference between expectancy and expectations. The one who is on a journey, an adventure, is anticipating great experiences, views and discoveries. Sometimes on the journey we are not sure what to expect. We trust the guide to lead us on a fulfilling expedition. There is great expectancy!

Consider these thoughts:

"Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come." Jeremiah 33:3

"For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are." Romans 8:19

"You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." Matthew 24:44

You and I can live with full expectancy! Even when our short-sighted and limited expectations are not met. As followers of the greatest Expedition Guide we are simply to ask, wait, and prepare. Indeed, "Come Lord Jesus quickly, many of us are waiting for You. And not one of us will be dissapointed. Amen."

What do you make of this distinction between expectations and expectancy?

Missional People

At our staff meeting this morning, we were sharing all that God has been doing around here! He is truly transforming this congregation to be a mission outpost in Madison and beyond. The evidence is clear, if we take time to pay attention. The journey has not been easy, but so worth it!



Even today, trying to establish a team goal/objective to shoot for in 2009 led to a conversation about how we know when we have been effective at year's end. The old measurements we have trusted, seem to us to be more and more empty.



Here are some things we are coming to grips with:



We must increase "missional people" in depth and numbers. pg. 110 The Tangible Kingdom



We need to be more concerned about who is with us on mission rather than how many people show up on Sunday. pg. 113 The Tangible Kingdom













I would love to hear from you. What are some tangible measurements you use to measure "missional people" in depth and numbers?

New Life in the New Year

Look around. Take note of the concerns of people. With what do they concern themselves? Listen to the conversations. Read the paper. Surf the web. Catch the news.

Look inward. Take note of your concerns. With what do you concern yourself? Listen into your own conversations. Take time to reflect on what is "being written" about your life.

You will be surprised how much of our lives, and the lives of the people around us is marked by a sort of hyper self-concern. And this self-focus often spins out all sorts of behaviors that are hurtful to ourselves and to others.

If we are honest, truly honest with ourselves, many of us want to live differently than that. We want to live an anxious free life, a life that portrays peace, wellness, wholeness, and love, right? We don't want to let the concerns of our lives, big and small control us, do we?

So how do we get from here to there?

Making New Year''s resolutions? Trying harder? Reading self-help books? Even trying to obey the words of someone like Jesus?

How do we move from a life often marked by hyper self-concern that spins out all sorts of behaviors hurtful to ourselves and others toward a life that breathes peace, wellness, wholeness, and love?

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my burden I give you is
light." Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)

How do we move? Come to Jesus, that's how!

Anyone who belongs to Jesus has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has
begun! Paul, 2 Corinthians 5:17

We do this keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
The writer to the Hebrews 12:2

Have you ever noticed that the harder you try to overcome those self-focused ways, you can't do it? The more focused you try to be in displaying a non-anxious presence, the more anxious you become? The more you try to live as Jesus would have you live, the more the burden of legalism burdens you?

The key to the life change we crave is to interact responsively with Jesus. What does that mean? For me it means that I come to Him, sit with Him, trust in Him, take Him at His word, believe Him. It means I give Him the space to speak to me. That's a discipline, calendar, life-rhythm thing! It means that I truly consider what He says to me. I think about it, process it, apply it, saok it in, allow Him to reach my heart! It means that I let Him teach me, let Him lead me.

Read and reflect on the passages above. Allow the words to grab you. How will you respond to Jesus' invitation? How do you/ will you interact responsively with Jesus?

Epiphany 2009

revelation...to manifest...to show


...a greek word






...the sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something

epiphany

...a day, January 6th








...a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in human form in the person of Jesus Christ








...a day to celebrate the visit of the Wise Men (Magi) (astrologers from the East) to the child Jesus








...a celebration that acknowledges that God came for all people, even the Gentiles, as the Magi were not from the house of Israel...they were not Jews








What does this revelation mean to you? How will you acknowledge His presence in your life today?








Happy Epiphany!

The Future

The kids are getting ready for their first day of school after a long break. My oldest left last night to return to college. I'm preparing for a full week after intermittent time off during the Christmas season. I read stories about unrest in Gaza. I am bombarded by discussions about the economy.

It seems that in this new year, when hope for change, for new life, for a fresh start is encouraged, where a vision for a brighter future is supposed to emerge, that life can still be pretty normal. The world is still groaning and stumbling in darkness.

What will 2009 bring? Who can predict the future?

Jesus takes a crack at it. Luke 21

Jesus Foretells the Future

5 Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6 “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”
8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
Luke 21:5-11 (New Living Translation)

What is your attitude toward the future? Are you open to God's plan?

Do you put, place, invest your hope in God, or in...
buildings
your abilities/ gifts
powerful institutions
progress
government?

What are you counting on as you approach your activities for the day?

I hope that I can allow God to lead this new year. That I will be open to His future and not be tied down by human expectation, my expectation. How about you?

A Great Time to Reflect

Happy New Year!

Our family took advantage of the opportunity the New Year brings. We reflected on 2008 and anticipated 2009 using these simple questions:

1) What was the most significant/ important/ meaningful thing that happened to you in

2008 that has the potential of having the greatest impact on your life?

2) What are you most looking forward to in 2009?

We gained some pretty neat insights and discovered new things about each other.

Why don't you try out these questions before you get too far into this New Year? And if you would like to post them here, that would be awesome!