I have been reading an entry in Thomas a Kempis' book "Imitation of Christ" in the mornings I come into the office. This morning it was an entry on "Works Done in Charity." Here is a quote from the entry:
"God weighs the love with which a man acts, rather than the deed itself."
It reminded me of what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:3, "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
In a church culture that places a high emphasis on serving others and giving to the poor throughout the world, it is important to stress the motivation for such charity. Kempis correctly points out that God weighs the love more than the act itself. If we are giving to and serving others for self promotion or self fulfillment, we have missed the mark.
Charity is a way to show our love for both God and others. This should be our motivation. This is what we are called to do as followers of Jesus. Jesus, surrendered his body to the flames because he loved us. He did not surrender himself for his own good. His surrender showed all humanity the weight of his love for you and me.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Teaching topics for 2009
We (the staff and myself) just spent two hours brainstorming teaching topics for Sunday morning in 2009. Some of the topics we have come up with include:
- Rediscovering Christology (a study on the life of Jesus)
- Taboo's: Topics we normally stay away from (homosexuality, Abortion, Suicide, Pornography and etc.)
- Parents role in discussing spirituality with Children
- Fire Proof, a series on marriage
- First Love: Finding it, losing it, keeping it and rediscovering it
- Discovering Rhythm with God
- Leadership Development (Heroes) - Mentoring
Any ideas? What do you think?
- Rediscovering Christology (a study on the life of Jesus)
- Taboo's: Topics we normally stay away from (homosexuality, Abortion, Suicide, Pornography and etc.)
- Parents role in discussing spirituality with Children
- Fire Proof, a series on marriage
- First Love: Finding it, losing it, keeping it and rediscovering it
- Discovering Rhythm with God
- Leadership Development (Heroes) - Mentoring
Any ideas? What do you think?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Shane Claiborne
I was invited to a Pastors breakfast this morning where Shane Claiborne was the guest speaker. Shane wrote "The Irresistible Revolution: living as an ordinary radical" and "Jesus for President."
I have read both books and am more fond of "The Irresistible Revolution." "Jesus for President" was a little to anti-war for my taste, yet has some good thoughts as well.
Seeing him in person was quite a treat though. He stood up with his dread-locks, black rimmed glasses and home made clothes (that's right, I said home made clothes). He spoke with a southern accent (which I love because it took me back to the mountains). Then he proceeded to talk about the kingdom of God in a way that most don't. He talked about a radical way of living that brings real hope and real change to the world.
He talked about his internship with Mother Teresa where he learned what it really meant to love people. He talked about his disenchantment with the institutional church. While he is thankful for the teaching he got growing up in a Methodist church, he still sought to discover what it means to really be a follower of Jesus. He talked about community living in the inner city of Philadelphia. He talked briefly about politics and said, "We need to stop worrying about donkeys and elephants and think about the lamb of of God."
At times in his books he has gone a little to far for my comfort, but I do not know if it is because I don't agree with him or if it is my unwillingness to give up some of the things I enjoy in life. Regardless, he makes me think about my relationship with Jesus and at times it gets a little uncomfortable. But, Jesus never called us to a life of comfortable living.
Here is my question to you: Have you gotten to comfortable in your Christian walk? What is it you can do to shake it up a little bit? Trust Jesus and he will take you places you never dreamed you could go.
I have read both books and am more fond of "The Irresistible Revolution." "Jesus for President" was a little to anti-war for my taste, yet has some good thoughts as well.
Seeing him in person was quite a treat though. He stood up with his dread-locks, black rimmed glasses and home made clothes (that's right, I said home made clothes). He spoke with a southern accent (which I love because it took me back to the mountains). Then he proceeded to talk about the kingdom of God in a way that most don't. He talked about a radical way of living that brings real hope and real change to the world.
He talked about his internship with Mother Teresa where he learned what it really meant to love people. He talked about his disenchantment with the institutional church. While he is thankful for the teaching he got growing up in a Methodist church, he still sought to discover what it means to really be a follower of Jesus. He talked about community living in the inner city of Philadelphia. He talked briefly about politics and said, "We need to stop worrying about donkeys and elephants and think about the lamb of of God."
At times in his books he has gone a little to far for my comfort, but I do not know if it is because I don't agree with him or if it is my unwillingness to give up some of the things I enjoy in life. Regardless, he makes me think about my relationship with Jesus and at times it gets a little uncomfortable. But, Jesus never called us to a life of comfortable living.
Here is my question to you: Have you gotten to comfortable in your Christian walk? What is it you can do to shake it up a little bit? Trust Jesus and he will take you places you never dreamed you could go.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
"It" messed with me
Louie Weber recommended a book to me. When Louie recommends a book, I usually read it. Although we serve in two different places at two different churches, I know we are trying to pursue the same thing. Before I go on, I just want to thank Louie personally for this recommendation.
The book is called "It." The subtitle is "How Churches and Leaders Can Get 'it' and Keep 'it.'" Craig Groeschel spends time writing about churches that have it. He starts out by saying we have all been to churches that have it. You can tell pretty quickly if a church has it or not.
It is not about the quality of worship, teaching, ministry to teens and children or location (the big four in church growth). It is not about being contemporary or traditional. It is not the friendliness of the church.
So what is it? It is about having a passion for God. And this book messed me up!
Here is my confession:
In chapter 11 Craig Groeschel tells his story of how he shifted from it. My story is similar. He wrote, "It's difficult to describe, but while doing the work of God, I drifted from God. So many of us do. As pastors, we wholeheartedly believe that God exists, but we often do ministry as if he doesn't."
Let me explain. As Groeschel wrote, "I wasn't consumed by bad things; its just that I was not consumed by the best things." I began to think, if the walls are just the right color. If we have the right style of worship. If we just had more money. All these things are fine, but none of them is relying on the best thing (the best thing is God). We put our trust in so many things other than God.
You see, I often look back on my time as a student minister. We did not have the resources to have all the cool gadgets. We were not able to buy the best curriculum. We did not have a cool place for students to hang out. But the student ministry grew. Why? Because that was a time in my life that I had it.
We had to rely on God. Things were simple, but God provided.
Then something shifted. I became a senior minister. Again I really related to what Craig Groeschel said, "I was more concerned about issues that had never crossed my mind before. Instead of measuring success by my obedience to God, I measured success by how many people showed up and how many guest returned. With all my heart I wanted to be that good pastor. Since people offered more verbal feedback than God did, they became my primary audience."
I was once asked by someone to define success in ministry. After I thought about it for awhile I told the story of my father and me hiking on a small portion of the Appalachian trail. We hiked to a point called Mcafee's Knob view 1 view 2
As I look at the landscape I see a journey. A journey that changes often with the terrain. As I survey the journey I have just made, I see green valleys that remind me of the times the journey was peaceful and easy. I see hills and mountains that had to be climbed which remind me of those hard times in life. Now I stand and look at the journey and am reminded that God was there every step of the way.
My success is not built upon anything earthly, it is built on whether I relied on God. When this is our focus, we will have it. When we stop relying on things and start relying on God it is present.
I must go back to my old ways of relying on God, not men, not things and not myself.
Do you have it?
The book is called "It." The subtitle is "How Churches and Leaders Can Get 'it' and Keep 'it.'" Craig Groeschel spends time writing about churches that have it. He starts out by saying we have all been to churches that have it. You can tell pretty quickly if a church has it or not.
It is not about the quality of worship, teaching, ministry to teens and children or location (the big four in church growth). It is not about being contemporary or traditional. It is not the friendliness of the church.
So what is it? It is about having a passion for God. And this book messed me up!
Here is my confession:
In chapter 11 Craig Groeschel tells his story of how he shifted from it. My story is similar. He wrote, "It's difficult to describe, but while doing the work of God, I drifted from God. So many of us do. As pastors, we wholeheartedly believe that God exists, but we often do ministry as if he doesn't."
Let me explain. As Groeschel wrote, "I wasn't consumed by bad things; its just that I was not consumed by the best things." I began to think, if the walls are just the right color. If we have the right style of worship. If we just had more money. All these things are fine, but none of them is relying on the best thing (the best thing is God). We put our trust in so many things other than God.
You see, I often look back on my time as a student minister. We did not have the resources to have all the cool gadgets. We were not able to buy the best curriculum. We did not have a cool place for students to hang out. But the student ministry grew. Why? Because that was a time in my life that I had it.
We had to rely on God. Things were simple, but God provided.
Then something shifted. I became a senior minister. Again I really related to what Craig Groeschel said, "I was more concerned about issues that had never crossed my mind before. Instead of measuring success by my obedience to God, I measured success by how many people showed up and how many guest returned. With all my heart I wanted to be that good pastor. Since people offered more verbal feedback than God did, they became my primary audience."
I was once asked by someone to define success in ministry. After I thought about it for awhile I told the story of my father and me hiking on a small portion of the Appalachian trail. We hiked to a point called Mcafee's Knob view 1 view 2
As I look at the landscape I see a journey. A journey that changes often with the terrain. As I survey the journey I have just made, I see green valleys that remind me of the times the journey was peaceful and easy. I see hills and mountains that had to be climbed which remind me of those hard times in life. Now I stand and look at the journey and am reminded that God was there every step of the way.
My success is not built upon anything earthly, it is built on whether I relied on God. When this is our focus, we will have it. When we stop relying on things and start relying on God it is present.
I must go back to my old ways of relying on God, not men, not things and not myself.
Do you have it?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Love and Respect Conference
November 7-8 Northwest is hosting a "Love and Respect" Video conference. This conference is for married couples, couples about to get married, singles who will some day get married, people who have gone through a divorce and you.
The Love and Respect Conference is based on a book by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. The concept is from the Bible in Ephesians 5:33, "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
It starts though in Ephesians 5:21, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This is why anyone should come. We all have relationships in which the "submit to one another out of reverence to Christ" applies.
One of the illustrations Paul uses to teach us what it means to submit to one another is the marriage covenant. So that weekend, we will learn how to love and respect each other.
If you would like to sign up, go to the Northwest's website and download a registration form and send it in today.
The Love and Respect Conference is based on a book by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. The concept is from the Bible in Ephesians 5:33, "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
It starts though in Ephesians 5:21, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This is why anyone should come. We all have relationships in which the "submit to one another out of reverence to Christ" applies.
One of the illustrations Paul uses to teach us what it means to submit to one another is the marriage covenant. So that weekend, we will learn how to love and respect each other.
If you would like to sign up, go to the Northwest's website and download a registration form and send it in today.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Awesome Video
I am reading a book by Craig Groeschel called "It" (No it is not a take on Stephen Kings book "It." I never read this one but the movie freaked me out a bit). Groeschel is the Lead Pastor at LifeChurch.tv. They have some videos posted on youtube and this one simply cleared up the concept of grace and the two choices we can make.
I loved the point that both thieves on the cross wanted to be saved, but they both had different approaches. The reality is that everyone will come to a point in life where they are confronted with the end. At this point people can not help but think about the reality of the after life (even Bill Maher).
As my friend Louie Weber says very simply to people "If you died today do you know where you will spend eternity?" Be honest with yourself as you answer that question. You have two choices- that's it. Which thief are you?
If you ask yourself this question and it moves you to want to know more about Jesus or grace email me at twochoices@nwachurch.org
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Prudent Living
I am reading Thomas a Kempis' "Imitation of Christ" every morning. This morning I read an entry called, "Prudence in Action." It had such great wisdom I had to share some quotes from it.
"Do not yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God's will."
A question to ask ourselves here is: How often do we really contemplate God's will in the decisions we make? How often does it get us in trouble when we yield to impulses and suggestions quickly?
Dave Ramsey teaches people that they should walk away and come back the next day before they make a purchase that sounds like a good deal. Most of the time when people walk away and think about it, they don't make the purchase.
This is true for every life decision we make.
"Perfect men, however, do not readily believe every talebearer, because they know that human frailty is prone to evil and is likely to appear in speech."
Wow! What a time for this quote. During this political season there are so many talebearers out there that it is hard to discern the truth. It is out there, if we're prudent and do not jump to conclusions based on our own bias.
"Not to act rashly or to cling obstinately to one's opinion, not to believe everything people say or to spread abroad the gossip one has heard, is great wisdom."
"Great wisdom" is what Thomas a Kempis calls the ability to slow down and discover God's will. How are you doing? Are you showing prudence in the decisions you are making? Are you truly seeking God's will in your decision making or are you trying to live independent from God? Independence from God is what gets us in trouble.
"Do not yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God's will."
A question to ask ourselves here is: How often do we really contemplate God's will in the decisions we make? How often does it get us in trouble when we yield to impulses and suggestions quickly?
Dave Ramsey teaches people that they should walk away and come back the next day before they make a purchase that sounds like a good deal. Most of the time when people walk away and think about it, they don't make the purchase.
This is true for every life decision we make.
"Perfect men, however, do not readily believe every talebearer, because they know that human frailty is prone to evil and is likely to appear in speech."
Wow! What a time for this quote. During this political season there are so many talebearers out there that it is hard to discern the truth. It is out there, if we're prudent and do not jump to conclusions based on our own bias.
"Not to act rashly or to cling obstinately to one's opinion, not to believe everything people say or to spread abroad the gossip one has heard, is great wisdom."
"Great wisdom" is what Thomas a Kempis calls the ability to slow down and discover God's will. How are you doing? Are you showing prudence in the decisions you are making? Are you truly seeking God's will in your decision making or are you trying to live independent from God? Independence from God is what gets us in trouble.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)