We are one (./?/:(/etc)

CLC Sermon question for the week - (sorry, no Michael Jackson performances this week)

If you hear the words "We are one" within a religious context, do you hear them spoken as a statement, question, or something else entirely?) I wonder if your response is directly correlated with your comfort level in church on Sunday morning or with the idea of church/organized religion to begin with?

Responses to this BLOG can and will be repeated during the sermon tomorrow! :)

Take up your cross...with Me.

This past weekend I delivered a message based on the last portion of chapter 8 in the gospel of Mark. This is an excerpt from the larger passage which was used... (34b-38)

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

This time of year, pastors often provide sermons/messages on Christ's journey to the cross. One of the ways we can follow Christ's example is indeed to do what he asks in the scripture above...take up our cross. This week, there were people in the congregation who both stopped me after service and also mentioned to me in emails that they WANT to give up their life as Christ asks...they want to give up their personal/selfish desires...they want to take up their cross, but they feel like it will be so hard. Or they feel like when they do try, it is too heavy to carry alone.

Some also mentioned to me that they feel like they've made small changes in their lives, but feel Christ calling them to MORE sacrifice...MORE service. All of these things can cause us to fear what we know to be true. As disciples of Christ, we are called to the cross.

I tried to tell each of them that I often feel the same way. Whenever I decide to "take up my cross", I find myself not only wondering how I am going to carry the cross more than a few feet, BUT ALSO how I will be able to carry it tomorrow.

What I didn't talk enough about in my sermon was this...taking up your cross is not something you have to do alone. Check out Matthew 11:29-30...

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Admittedly these scripture passages were not recorded together, but in the larger context of Christ's teaching I think they help provide to us a more complete promise and message. Jesus has already carried the cross for you. He asks us now, as His disciples, to be willing to do the same. THAT BEING SAID, he also promises us that we can learn from Him, lean on Him, and walk WITH HIM as we carry our cross.

My yoke is easy and my burden is light...those words DON'T tell me that a choice to live sacrificially and carry a burden/cross will necessarily be EASY, but they do remind me that I am making a mistake when assuming I ever have to carry the cross alone.

This lenten season, as I pray that God reveals to me ways that I can be a better disciple by taking up my own cross, I will also pray that God reminds all of us that HE has already carried the heaviest burden, the sin of all creation, with Him to the cross. That is a much heavier cross than I will ever have to bear. So, what burden should I fear? If Christ has already conquered the cross, let us all have the faith to acknowledge there is no cross we cannot bear WITH Christ when we choose to be yoked to Him.

I'm praying for you...would you pray for me.

Mmm...coffee...

I had an encounter with a starbucks "Barista" yesterday. As a way to say thank you, I had decided to pick up some coffee for the church office staff who support the church in so many ways. As I was attempting to carry all of the coffee away from the starbucks counter, it became clear to me that it wasn't going to be easy to get out to the car without dumping the coffee on the ground.

I mentioned to the Starbucks barista, "what are the chances I make it to the car without spilling?". Her response was interesting..."you are a man of God...the coffee won't spill. God wouldn't let that happen...

I have never talked about my church/faith/job with this particular "barista" other than once when she asked me where I worked. Because I was curious where this conversation might go, I responded to the gal by saying (with a smile on my face) "well then, what if I do spill? Does that mean I have to abandon my belief system?".

Her response was both confusing and also exactly what I needed to hear..."No, if you spill, it is only because you didn't have enough faith..."

My immediate reaction was "Wow...what a profound statement". Now, before anyone jumps to the conclusion that I somehow believe that all you need do is believe, and nothing bad will ever happen to you, trust me...that is not the intent of this blog. However, there are times in our lives where I believe God does ask us to simply have faith that the coffee won't spill...to step out, even if we think the burden might be too great, or the load too heavy to carry.

I've been wrestling with the next steps of my job/calling lately. I often worry that if/when I take the next steps in service to Christ, the "coffee" is going to be too much carry. So, I've been stalling. Just sitting at the Starbucks counter, refusing to leave because I'm scared of what is next.

Maybe...no, not maybe, I believe that God had a message for me that day which I am going to share...My plan is not for you to spill. My plan is not for you to fall. My plan isn't necessarily going to be easy, but if you have faith in Me, I won't ever leave you alone.

Prophets and angels, messengers of God are walking next to you today. God is reaching out to us, reminding us that faith in God is not something which guarantees a stress-free life...it guarantees a isolation-free life. It guarantees an ever transforming life.

My hope for you, and for me, is that we will turn our lives over to God again today. Recommit yourself to the work which He calls you to. And, if you find yourself wondering if you will make it from the coffee bar to the car without your life crashing into a brick wall, remember that God's plan for your life isn't for you to fail. It is for us to boldly step out in His name and walk together in faith, that others might see our lives...our deeds...our faith, and praise our Father in Heaven.

I'll be praying for you...would you do the same for me?

We NEED each other!

Today, our church staff participated in a workshop which was designed to teach us about how we communicate. As with any staff, corporate or otherwise, we are comprised of VERY unique individuals. I'd be lying if I said that we all ALWAYS got along, or that we are even able to completely tolerate one another.

So, we participated in an "Insights" development session. We learned about our communication methods, what we are good at, what we need to work on individually, and how to best communicate with others who have different strengths and weaknesses. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I took away from this session. We often hear someone say "there are no bad ideas/questions", but my cynical mind always adds in "yeah, but there are stupid people with bad ideas/questions!" ;)

After reading about my own strengths and weaknesses, it became more apparent to me that I need everyone else on staff. Those other staff members whom I don't always agree with are necessary to provide things to the congregation in the name of Christ which I don't have the skills to do. I left our meeting with high hopes that I would be more open minded to different communication styles. I am certainly not better than others...just different.

I was struck especially by a comment provided by the leader of the session...She very briefly remarked that Jesus' disciples were (paraphrased) a rag-tag, seemingly thrown together bunch of folk who might not always have gotten along or even associated with each other had it not been for Jesus.

So I ask you today, WHO ARE YOU SICK OF?!?! Is there someone in your life, in your home, in your church who is driving you UP THE WALL?! Do you feel like your life would be easier if they were just OUT of the PICTURE for a little while. OBVIOUSLY, no good can come from their presence any longer. Trust me...I've got a few of them too.

But today, reflecting more on the example of Christ, I'm working to see them as different, imperfect just as I am, but different reflections of Christ. The way that I relate to people, the way I write a blog, the way I understand Christ is NOT the way everyone sees it. It is impossible for me to communicate perfectly with everyone, hence I need help spreading the message of Christ. Jesus is the ultimate "communication seminar leader"...he is the guide which we should follow. If we follow his example, we can be confident that in our own ways (and in whatever rag-tag assembly of people we are a part of) we will be affecting and impacting people for His glory.

With what is left of this week, might we turn our differences into opportunities to reach more people for Jesus? I am not very organized. I need someone to help me reach people for Christ who think I am an unorganized lunatic! The person best equipped to reach others today might be the same person I just CAN'T STAND right now because they are so anal about X/Y or Z.

Embrace your differences today. Embrace the idea that while you have gifts, you also have weaknesses. We need each other, created by both genetics and all of our unique life experiences, to reach the world for Jesus. Too often we sit back and watch (or participate with) each other; moaning and groaning about which group is better/worse/smarter/has a bigger budget/gets more publicity/has a better leader. INSTEAD we should look for opportunities to serve where we have been gifted and where we are needed. Then, encourage others to serve in their own way...according to their gifts and graces.

I need you today. I am not equipped to reach some of you, some of your friends, some of the people in your neighborhood. I am imperfect, and while my personality profile said I'm outgoing, its not an "outgoing" that everyone will love. My personality profile said that my "personality" is engaging to some, but turns others off because it is too "outgoing". That is why I need you...why we need each other.

Most importantly, that is why Jesus needs whoever you are, whatever your personality profile shows, to reach out and serve with your gifts today.

REALLY STUPID BLOG today...but I enjoyed the session. If you ever have an opportunity to do a "communications" learning session with your staff/friends/church family, I strongly recommend it.

I'll be blogging tomorrow on my sermon for the weekend. Until then, I'll be praying for you. Would you do the same for me?

woah...didn't expect to see you here?

(preface)

I work for a church. Within the last year and a half, our church has expanded to 3 sites. I am the site director at one of these 3 sites, the Christian Life Center (CLC). It is a multipurpose facility that uses a "gym" as both a worship and recreation space. Our vision statement is to "involve people in a transformational relationship with Jesus Christ through sports, recreation, and fitness ministries."

When the site was being planned/first opened, as with any new endeavor, not everyone thought it was the best idea...one of many (well intentioned) concerns was that a facility such as the CLC would only be catering to only one group of people...that it was going to be a place ONLY for young people.

(preface concluded!)

I left work for a meeting yesterday to see over 30 cars in the parking lot at the CLC. If you are new to church, 30 cars in the parking lot on a Monday morning at 10:00am typically means there is a funeral. But there was no funeral at the CLC. Instead, there were about 50 people inside for a "S.E.T." Fitness class. (Seniors Exercising Together) I stopped and reflected on this simple observation...

Less than a year ago, who would have thought that we'd be using this space on a Monday morning for fitness classes...for SENIORS...in a building which some were concerned was built just for "young people".

I smiled, got in my car, and was extremely excited. I was excited that people (members and non-members of the church) were using our church to fellowship and experience God. I was excited that I had met so many new FRIENDS through the S.E.T. group. I was excited that our mission was working.

God was working...and in simple ways, in simple activities, and in places we might not have predicted. We offer more than just fitness classes at the CLC, but who would have thought our most popular fitness ministry would be a twice a week S.E.T. class? Admittedly, not even me...

So I got to thinking...where else is God ready to WORK that I am ignoring because of perception...where else is God ready to be made apparent that we are forgetting because we assume that God has no plans to be involved there?

...because that building is obviously just for young people, because that skate park is obviously just for kids skipping school, because that mall is just full of people who have no where else to go on a hot summer day, because the people in this neighborhood are too rich/poor/white/black/etc to think about God...

Today...I believe in my SOUL that as you read this blog, TODAY Christ is WAITING for you in unexpected places.

I can't remember (I should look before I type!) any place in the Bible where Jesus says "You know what, I'm only where you take me. I only exist in places where you have decided to say my Name outloud". RATHER, I think the exact opposite is true. Christ is sitting in the neighborhood you are scared to drive through, Christ is hanging out in the mall, Christ is outside the nightclub, Christ is inside the bar, Christ is at your dinner table, Christ is inside the building which was "just for young people" waiting for you to POINT HIM OUT! You aren't taking the gospel to them...I believe the TRUTH WAS IN THE BEGINNING and IS TO COME! GOD has been, and always will be. I think GOD IS ALREADY THERE, and we're just pointing to the gospel which we are blessed to know exists...

It is my job, it is YOUR JOB to point out the elephant/gorilla/SAVIOR in the room. "Hey, Jesus is real...oh yeah, and he's ready to be talked about and affect your life right here, right now".

This random collection of thoughts was intended to imply that even in places you LEAST EXPECT HIM, Christ is waiting for you to say His name...Jesus is here. He wants to talk. He wants to be a part of your life. He is ready to bridge the gap between where you are, and where He IS...between lost and found...

...between the "building for the young" and the "old".

I couldn't have been more excited on Monday that 50 of God's children (who just happen to be between 20 and 50+ years OLDER than me) were participating in a ministry...learning about themselves, fitness, and God all in a place where we dared to think that God had no intentions of talking to them...

God is working!...right in front of you...offering you opportunities to SERVE OTHERS, and indeed to be SERVED...don't turn away from serving or receiving simply based on the "location".

I'll be praying for you right now. Will you do the same for me?

...called to serve...

Notice, the title of this blog isn't "called to blog"!

I recently took an unintentional break from my short foray into blogging. 85% of the reason (don't you just LOVE STATS!!) I took a break was that I simply forgot to blog. (oops) The other 15% was because when I did remember to blog, I felt that had nothing profound to say.

WHAT A MISTAKE! I apologize. (before you think I've taken a head-first dive into an ocean of narcissism, hang on for a few more paragraphs...)

(I started this blog to accompany sermons which I was giving at the church. It was nice to have an outlet to talk about things which came to my mind during the sermon writing process...I really didn't think anyone would read it, or CONTINUE TO PESTER ME when I stopped writing) :)

What do YOU do when you realize someone is listening to you? More often than not, it causes me to think more about what I say. As I've grown in my role here at the church, I find myself fighting to stay 'relevant'. I find myself fighting to always have a 'home-run' message. I can't afford to only hit a "home-run" in my messages 2/3 out for 4 times in a month...at least in my mind. Quite frankly, who knows if I've ever even hit a single?! :) I know that on my own I've barely got enough strength to complete a bunt, and it is God who really drives in the runs.

Where I'm headed is this...I have been called to serve my God. I have been called to attempt to be TRANSPARENT and allow God to preach a message through me that an audience of 1, 2, 500 people might hear it an consider following Christ more consistently. With that comes a definable amount of pressure to complete that call...what if I don't say it right?

That being said, WHAT A MISTAKE it has been to fool myself into actually believing that I have nothing profound to say?!

Jesus loves you. Jesus died for you. Jesus needs nothing from you other than a gift of exactly who you are right now. Let Him transform you from the inside out. Listen to the voice which has been calling out to you. Do not ignore His call today. Love the Lord your God, serve each other as if you were taking care of yourself, and share the good news AS it is transforming you. Christ in you has the power to reshape the world around you! Answer the call.

A popular saying around the Iowa United Methodist Church is "be encouraged". I'll hit that one in a later blog. Instead, what I would extend to you today (simply as a humble follower of Christ) is to "be called". "BE" - as in its definition "to equal in meaning".

You need not wait for Christ's call. BE called. You have been called by Christ to serve...BECOME THAT CALL. Become a reflection of Jesus and His love for this world.

For the 3 of you who read this blog (I know 2 of you... :) ), I'll be more faithful to my call within the context of this blog. I'm also hoping to start a podcast with a very intelligent colleague of mine which I hope will be a reflection of a passion we have to connect the raw gospel with our time.

The most profound thought I have...the most AMAZING thing I know...Jesus loves you.

If you haven't ever considered just how PROFOUND that is, join me in BEING called.

I'll be praying for you this week. Would you do the same for me?

People are listening to the simple/stupid things I say....(scary!)

I was reminded in the last few weeks, by a member of the congregation where I serve, that I had stopped blogging.

"Where did your blog go?" Honestly, my response was 1 part confused, 1 part shocked.

1 part Confused - "Blog? Oh yes, the blog I was doing for the sermon series...right...I guess I stopped writing after the series was over".

1 part Shocked - (internal monologue) "WHAT?!? People actually listen to/read what I say? I better be careful!!"

While I haven't been as deep into my Bible as I know I should be as of late, I've been hounded by the Holy Spirit through other methods: Small group study, continuing education, outreach, sermon preparation, etc. A few distinct themes have been on my mind, but the one I'll share with the 1-2 people out in world listening today is this...More people are listening to you than you know.

Its amazing how your view of community interaction/conversation changes when you put a BIG OL' HONKING CROSS necklace around your neck. Since I've started working for the church, quite often I wear a "larger than typical/rapper sized" cross in public. As it slaps against my chest when I walk, it is a CONSTANT reminder to me of whom I serve. When I do wear it out in public, people respond to me differently. Sometimes, they are more courteous...other times, they are more distant. Either way, I am consistently struck by the trend (at least in my mind) which is that people remember more of what I say when I wear the cross!

Simple example - The lady behind the starbucks counter remembers my name is John when I have the cross on...when I show up without it, I am "Hello sir, what can I get you?" I find this type of thing happens to me ALL OF THE TIME! (and no, not just when I'm feeding my caffeine habit at starbucks)

What does this mean for you? I'm not asking you to wear a GIANT CROSS today out in public. I am asking you to imagine that you are...

Imagine/remember that when people see you in church worshiping God, and then yelling at your spouse/children/friends in public, that they associate you with "church-you", with CHRIST. I'm reminding all of us that Christ calls us to be different...to be the light of the world. Part of being a light in a dark world means that others will NOTICE you, and you might be judged by the world at a level which you may not realize.

I can't tell you how many times I've caught myself saying "I can't do this or that...I'm wearing a cross?!?!" How awesome, and yet embarrassing for me to tell you that. If only we "wore" Christ as well or as often as we wear our favorite piece of jewelery/clothes. I don't go mud-bathing in my best suit. Not only would I ruin the suit, but others would see my dirty suit and wonder if I was out of my mind.

Likewise, if we are to emulate Christ, remember that it is not only for our benefit. Remember that our likeness (or lack there of) to Christ affects everyone who looks at us. Sometimes the best thing I can do is CONSCIOUSLY act like Christ. By forcing myself to think "WWJD" (I just used that acronym...ugh) I act in such a way that not only pleases my God, but also allows others to see Christ in me.

To those who might read this...my apologies...I'm not even an average blogger...I'm A.D.H.D....I haven't learned how to stream a singular thought, or learned how to use correct grammar.

Know that my point was supposed to be PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR CHRIST in our world, and they are FINDING YOU! Are they seeing Christ? Are you wearing your cross?

I almost forgot...I'll be praying for you this week. Would you do the same for me?