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?

missed a week...

...for the MILLIONS of people who read this blog (haha)...

My apologies for not writing a blog before giving my sermon last week. I was ill the last half of the week, and barely had enough time to finish my sermon as it was! For those who weren't in the service, our question last week (as a part of our sermon series "Got Doubts") was "Do you need church to be a Christian?".

I won't re-write my message for you, but I would like to add some content to the message. I think it will stand alone fine if you weren't in attendance.

Hebrews 10:25

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the day approaching.

On Sunday, I spent about 2% of my message on the last 10 words of this scripture (and all the more as you see the day approaching). I'm not sure if I think about that line enough in my life, or in my conversations with people every day.

ALL THE MORE --> doing something MORE than I am doing now.

AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING -->as you see time running by/running out/running toward an event.

Are we meeting together with a sense of urgency? Are we looking to NEW opportunities, as a body of faith, to spend time TOGETHER in worship/study/fellowship/etc. Do you look for changes with your family at home to spend more time than you did yesterday talking about God? How much more focused on God would be be if we made an attempt to spend just 5 more minutes together today WITH our families talking about God. (praying to God, counting our blessings, asking for help, etc)

OR

Are we meeting together in church, and then through worship cultivating a desire to share the good news about God with others outside of our church, inviting them INTO the body of faith with URGENCY? Are we falling back on statements like "everyone I know goes to church, so I guess I'm safe and don't have to invite people to come"?

ALL THE MORE as you see the day approaching says to me that I should probably be trying to do more than I did yesterday to spread the news of God's kingdom.

I know the verse itself is talking about how early Christians shouldn't stop meeting together. But, if we are meeting today, and hearing the good news of the gospel which tells us that salvation is for WHOEVER BELIEVES in HIM and that we should make disciples of all nations, then I put 2 and 2 together and wonder if I am doing ANYWHERE NEAR ENOUGH as I see the day approaching. Don't stop meeting together...when you are together, don't stop ENCOURAGING each other to SPREAD the good news and INVITE new people to experience Christian fellowship with you in your church.

I'll pray this week that WE decide to do more...that when we see new opportunities to fellowship with our friends, we take advantage of them. I'll pray this week that when we see opportunities to share the good news, that we do so without hesitation.

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

Non-sermon week, but I still "got doubts"...

This is a 'non'-sermon week blog...but I thought I would share some of my own "random" thoughts in the middle of the "got-doubts" sermon series.

It was right about 1 year ago that I had some serious doubts of my own. Is this really what you want me to do? Are you sure I'm supposed to consider taking this job? Can't you make this decision any easier for me? I'll be okay if you decide to close the door...God, what do I do?

I was in the interview process for the Site Director position at the Christian Life Center, one of 3 sites that make up Ankeny First United Methodist Church. I distinctly remember feeling like this was my last shot. I had heard God calling me back to Him in some way, shape or form for a LONG time, but I was too selfish to listen. I can't describe to you what I was feeling other than saying that I felt like I was at my last "Y" in the road. Are you going to follow John, or are you going to walk away from Me.

I had doubts. What if this feeling isn't real? What if I'm buying into a voice in my head that it self-created as a way to calm my fear of the unknown...Our current sermon series at AFUMC has been about some of these same questions...what is going on? Why do we feel this way? Who is Jesus? Why does it matter?

As I reflect on my own doubts...even the ones I still have today...I hope one of the things that is clearly stated/understood in this sermon series is that DOUBT isn't necessarily equal to SIN. That questions and fear don't have to be one way streets away from Christ. I know that often times in my own life, it is the QUESTIONS and FEAR that cause me to rely even more on God, to listen closer for His voice, and then ultimately to make choices, hopefully, with HIS will in mind.

I have doubts. I was supposed to have a rather significant meeting with the district superintendent of our church conference to discuss my "future" today. In my mind, it was to be a "here is your future plan dictated by the conference" type of meeting. I was, mistakenly, hoping that the meeting would satisfy my doubts by providing me clear direction as to the path I should take. Ordination? Licensing? Garbage collector? But, alas, the meeting was cancelled due to the bad weather...

What I am realizing, even again today, is that the only place I can look for answers to my questions, to my doubt, is Jesus Christ. My prayer for you today is that you not ignore the questions you have about life...is that you not consider doubt as a stumbling block, but as an OPPORTUNITY to talk to God. Ask Him a question today.

Maybe we'll both get some new answers. I'll be praying for you. Would you do the same for me.

Is the Bible relevant?

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

This week's message tied to our sermon series "Got Doubts" relates to relevancy. It shouldn't surprise us that our perception of relevancy is often FAR different than what I believe to be reality. Relevancy is measured, unfortunately, by opinion and individual morality. We say that certain societal changes/events are not relevant to us because there effects can't be measured, OR WORSE we turn a blind eye to relevancy because we have preconceived prejudices.

In my message this week, we'll be talking about whether or not the BIBLE is relevant to us as humanity today. I think it is important to look at the Bible's relevancy not only to those who call themselves Christian, but also to the rest of the world.

One of the scriptures for the message the passage from Hebrews above. With regard to the passage, I have certainly 'FELT' the double-edged sword penetrating my spirit and judging my heart. While this passage could be applied to the way we feel as the holy spirit moves and works within us, Hebrews 4 is talking about the GOSPEL being taught to the ancient believers. Hebrews 4 also reflects on those who have HEARD the gospel, but did not combine it with faith.

(as a related tangent, re-read the passage above, but think about the word "word" (no pun intended) the way the gospel of John uses the word "word" at the beginning of the Gospel. 'In the beginning there was the word...and the word WAS God'...while maybe not its intended meaning, it does speak to me about how the very essence of Jesus, the spirit of God, the holy spirit that penetrates my soul just as the gospel teachings do...)

(back to topic!!)

How many people do you know who have "heard" the word/gospel, but have done nothing with it because it isn't RELEVANT to them. Jesus was just a man...Jesus might not have even been anything special at all...Jesus isn't relevant to me because he isn't TANGIBLY affecting my life. The Bible is an unsubstantiated fairy tale which has no more meaning to me than Jack and the bean stock.

We make the mistake as Christians and non-believers of considering 'relevancy' as a side dish on life's dinner plate that WE somehow can choose "a la carte". "Oh, I don't feel as though this is relevant to me", so I will ignore the TRUTH there is for ME in it. How UNFORTUNATE!

As an ELEMENTARY EXAMPLE of relevance for today, I watched the news yesterday about a massive earthquake in Haiti which has potentially killed tens of thousands of people. Think about the portions of the Bible where we are commanded by God to love our neighbors, to take care of orphans and widows, to give freely for EACH OTHER...and then step back away from our primitive view of relevance, and let go of the NONSENSE which would tell you that because you don't believe in God, because church is to political, because I don't need a "God" to make my understanding of the world work, the teachings of the Bible are IRRELEVANT.

Today, with the world seemingly at war with itself, with global economies failing, with children starving, with people dying of diseases that are curable only a few thousand miles away, I CANNOT THINK OF A MORE RELEVANT BOOK, of a MORE RELEVANT TEACHING, of a MORE RELEVANT MESSAGE THAN THE BIBLE PROVIDES. LOVE ONE ANOTHER! LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU!

In our sermon this week, we'll spend more time on scripture(s) and God's will for our lives in light of "relevance" than on this blog. My belief is that ALL scripture is relevant, because all scripture is ultimately pointing back to the glory/power/wonder/majesty of our God, to the salvation offered by Jesus Christ, and to the teachings which would help us to be more like Him...maybe even be MORE relevant people.

This blog turned into more of a sloppy rant than a formulated argument about ANYTHING, but that's where I am today. My apologies to the 5 people reading this!

God Bless. I am praying for you. Would you do the same for me?

John

First week of 2010 - GOT DOUBTS

I'm taking some time over my lunch to share some thoughts on our sermon series for the first part of 2010..."GOT DOUBTS?" The idea is that folks from AFUMC might be empowered to answer for themselves fundamental questions about the faith through this series AND then also invite their friends who may not have a church home to join us in worship.

I'm responsible for the first message of the series at the Christian Life Center. The title/subject chosen for the message was "WHO IS JESUS". 2 of us (One of our lead Pastors and me) will be providing different messages (different sites) on this same subject on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010.

As I work to finish the message today, I am left with new questions, new revelations of my own on this topic. WHO IS JESUS? I'm dividing my message into biblical/historical/currently relevant sub-sections, and I am finding that some are MUCH EASIER to 'preach' about than others.

(I 'quote' the word preach, as I am still just a lay-person who is looking to answer God's call to serve...I still feel WEIRD saying preach and 'John' in the same breath!)

Back to topic! Specifically, the case for the religious "apologist" in our time is both difficult and concerning. As Christians, what do we make of the push in the last century, at least in terms of the volume of publications, stating that there IS NO PROOF historically of a man named Jesus who would match our Biblical description of said person? Holes have been, and continue to be poked in nearly all historical writings (non-canon/non-christian authored) which have been used by theologians in the past, at very least, to DATE/CORROBORATE Jesus' earthly existence.

I am still young in my study outside (and quite frankly inside) the Bible. What I know/believe is this...the gospels, letters of apostles/disciples collected in the New Testament point to a revolutionary man...a revolutionary God who had in mind a NEW commandment and a new way of being in relationship with God. After His life, (and I believe also His death and subsequent resurrection), disciples of His teachings were so moved that they were willing (according to the New Testament and even SOME outside historical texts) to be persecuted and die for their beliefs. What type of RADICAL influence must this God...this man have had? The movement to follow the teachings of said Man/God grew, and eventually became at least large enough that an EMPIRE would adopt the religion for its own, changing the religious landscape of the early civilized world. A tiny group of Jews, a small group of "gentiles" becomes millions of people across the world today? All this change/growth simply as a method of political/crowd control? A convienent side-plot to a fairy tale which has grown out of its own false clothing?

OR, the work of a God to bring about GOOD in humanity in whatever way He sees fit?

What to make of all this? I'm sure, even in my generalities stated above, there are holes to be viewed/reviewed/etc.

This week in my message, we'll reflect on these things, ultimately with the hope and prayer that God, through the Holy Spirit, will remind us that FAITH is essential to nearly ALL religious and historical accounts of ANYTHING/EVERYTHING! That history itself is like a puzzle, with missing pieces that ultimately take study, intuition, and FAITH to complete.

(that last quazi-analogy is not my own...this whole worship-leader/pastor gig has me feeling UBER-honest all the time...probably a good thing!) :)

Who is Jesus? He is my savior...my God...revealed to me through the Bible, and through a connection with God that I feel, and that I cannot describe to you as anything other than NECESSARY to my existance...my very being.

God Bless...see you Sunday.

INTRO to my blog

While I'm not sure anyone will ever read this, my name is John.

The intent of this blog is to better connect to those who I have the pleasure of worshipping God with every single week...whether that be at Ankeny First United Methodist Church or somewhere else.

The leadership staff of our church is toying with the idea of blogging about our thoughts/concerns as we prepare to lead worship for the week. This blog is one of my 2010 GOALS, so here we go.

AS A LEAD IN TO ANY BLOG YOU READ HERE, these are just honest thoughts from 1 man trying to know God better. I believe there is one path to God...Jesus Christ, who was sent to us by God the Father, who has also afforded us help/guidance/insight through the Holy Spirit.

So there you have it...read on if you like...if this isn't your cup o' tea, GOD BLESS YOU anyway!

:)