In year's past I've let this week in between the holidays slip away while doing a bunch of nothing. But I've made it a point to handle this year differently.
I'm spending my time:
1) playing with my children
...wrestling in the living room floor with my boys and dating my daughter.
2) practicing my guitar
...I finally conquered the riff at the beginning of David Crowder's "Oh for a thousand tongues"!
3) praying
...that sounds obligatory, but I've been praying more than usual. It's nice.
4) setting goals for 2009
...historically speaking, I'm not a goal setter. I just do what I think I'm being called to do as best I can and let God take care of the rest. But after three years of working with Pastor Chris and seeing how he does things, I'm gonna give his approach a try. I'll still be doing what I feel called to do as best I can a leaving the rest to God. I'm just gonna do my best to be a little more intentional in certain areas.
5) Watching light-hearted movies
...now that I've cancelled my cable, I don't have any TV tempting me on a regular basis. So I've treated myself to some movie rentals. They're all comedies. It's been a long, hectic December. I'm going to laugh a lot this week.
How are you spending your week? Are you ready for a new year?
Grace and Peace
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
Grace and Peace
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
Grace and Peace
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
A quiet time
I spent some time studying in my office this morning alone. I say "alone" because the church office is closed today because of the Holiday, and for that reason none of my coworkers are here. It's quite interesting to note just how peaceful my office is on a morning such as this. Charter Oak Church's admin wing is a surprisingly loud and distracting environment to try and get in any meaningful time alone with Jesus. But not this morning...I sat at my desk and centered on Jesus as I listened to the pitter-patter of the rain on my windows. As I stilled myself and leaned in to my Abba, I became so aware of His presence that I had to remove my shoes.
I share this with you today because I've been reminded that, over the course of the remainder of the day, some seventeen hundred or more people will be coming to Charter Oak Church to celebrate the birth of the Christ...and for many of them this will be their only trip to church for the entire year, yet God is waiting. He is patiently waiting for us all to separate ourselves from the crowds, go a little out of our way, and put ourselves in an environment without distractions so that nothing can invade our thoughts except for Him...God...Christ...the baby...the King...our Savior.
I dare you to lock yourself in a room alone with Jesus today. Even if it's only for 10 minutes of silence, I dare you to leave the crowd and all of the Christmas excess to behold the Christ.
The shepherds left their flocks to see Him.
The Magi left their lives to travel in from the East.
Will you give Him quality time today?
Grace and Peace be with you.
I share this with you today because I've been reminded that, over the course of the remainder of the day, some seventeen hundred or more people will be coming to Charter Oak Church to celebrate the birth of the Christ...and for many of them this will be their only trip to church for the entire year, yet God is waiting. He is patiently waiting for us all to separate ourselves from the crowds, go a little out of our way, and put ourselves in an environment without distractions so that nothing can invade our thoughts except for Him...God...Christ...the baby...the King...our Savior.
I dare you to lock yourself in a room alone with Jesus today. Even if it's only for 10 minutes of silence, I dare you to leave the crowd and all of the Christmas excess to behold the Christ.
The shepherds left their flocks to see Him.
The Magi left their lives to travel in from the East.
Will you give Him quality time today?
Grace and Peace be with you.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
My book : All You Get is Jesus
Over the past several weeks I've had many people contact me regarding the book that I am currently writing. They've asked me to share some of its content here. So...here is the Preface of the book.
Preface
I believe in Jesus. But you might find in this book that what I believe about Jesus is different from you. I hold fast to the Apostle’s Creed and all that is contained within the 66 books of the Bible, but I’m learning to let go and walk away from that which resembles religion. In fact, I’m un-learning everything I know about this generation’s Jesus in an effort to better understand the Nazarene mentioned throughout Scripture.
I am a pastor who serves the local church to see Jesus transform people’s lives for all eternity. But many of the churches that I know of would never want me on their staff. I preach the Good News of Jesus both in season and out of season, but I’m learning that Jesus’ Gospel is not always the message of the church. In fact, I’m un-learning everything I know about this generation’s church in an effort to better understand the fellowship that spread like wildfire in the book of Acts.
I am a follower of The Way. But the discipleship that I practice, and pass on to those in my ministry, may not even remotely resemble your’s. I practice the spiritual disciplines and I am slowly (very slowly) finding these practices are making me more like Jesus, but I’m learning that discipleship should make one dirty. In fact, I’m un-learning the cleanliness that you find in most Sunday School classrooms in an effort to become covered in the dust of my Rabbi.
I am a trophy of God’s grace. But you might find that what I believe about God’s goodness has nothing to do with gifts that He would give me apart from what His Son, Jesus, gave me at Golgotha. I love the cross of Christ, and I am still amazed by grace. But I’m learning that nothing other than salvation is promised to those who call Jesus Lord. In fact, I’m un-learning the concept of having a “mansion in Glory” in an effort to appreciate having a “room in my Father’s house” (John 14: 2).
I know Jesus to be a healer. But I accept that He doesn’t always heal. For some divine, yet unknown reason, His will and His plan don’t always include that. I know God to be a provider. But I accept that on many occasions our Father allows for lean times…sorrowful times…tragic times…I don’t try to explain His behavior in those moments, and I don’t love Him any less for it. He is who He is, and who He is should be called love. In fact, I am un-learning everything I know about love in an effort to love with the heart of Jesus.
If I haven’t run you off yet by sharing my beliefs with you, you should know that this book is a “living text” for me. It is an expression of my ongoing journey with Jesus finding out (often the hard way) what it means for me to deny myself, pick up a cross, and follow Him. It is a refinement of theology and a story board of Biblical “snapshots” detailing how I’ve begun to understand that, while we serve a God who is big enough to give us anything in all of creation, the only thing that is guaranteed to us as Christ followers is Jesus. It is my prayer that God will use this book to open the eyes of your heart to this truth.
May you come to know that all you may ever get is Jesus.
And may Jesus, just Jesus, be enough for you.
Amen.
Grace and Peace be with you.
Preface
I believe in Jesus. But you might find in this book that what I believe about Jesus is different from you. I hold fast to the Apostle’s Creed and all that is contained within the 66 books of the Bible, but I’m learning to let go and walk away from that which resembles religion. In fact, I’m un-learning everything I know about this generation’s Jesus in an effort to better understand the Nazarene mentioned throughout Scripture.
I am a pastor who serves the local church to see Jesus transform people’s lives for all eternity. But many of the churches that I know of would never want me on their staff. I preach the Good News of Jesus both in season and out of season, but I’m learning that Jesus’ Gospel is not always the message of the church. In fact, I’m un-learning everything I know about this generation’s church in an effort to better understand the fellowship that spread like wildfire in the book of Acts.
I am a follower of The Way. But the discipleship that I practice, and pass on to those in my ministry, may not even remotely resemble your’s. I practice the spiritual disciplines and I am slowly (very slowly) finding these practices are making me more like Jesus, but I’m learning that discipleship should make one dirty. In fact, I’m un-learning the cleanliness that you find in most Sunday School classrooms in an effort to become covered in the dust of my Rabbi.
I am a trophy of God’s grace. But you might find that what I believe about God’s goodness has nothing to do with gifts that He would give me apart from what His Son, Jesus, gave me at Golgotha. I love the cross of Christ, and I am still amazed by grace. But I’m learning that nothing other than salvation is promised to those who call Jesus Lord. In fact, I’m un-learning the concept of having a “mansion in Glory” in an effort to appreciate having a “room in my Father’s house” (John 14: 2).
I know Jesus to be a healer. But I accept that He doesn’t always heal. For some divine, yet unknown reason, His will and His plan don’t always include that. I know God to be a provider. But I accept that on many occasions our Father allows for lean times…sorrowful times…tragic times…I don’t try to explain His behavior in those moments, and I don’t love Him any less for it. He is who He is, and who He is should be called love. In fact, I am un-learning everything I know about love in an effort to love with the heart of Jesus.
If I haven’t run you off yet by sharing my beliefs with you, you should know that this book is a “living text” for me. It is an expression of my ongoing journey with Jesus finding out (often the hard way) what it means for me to deny myself, pick up a cross, and follow Him. It is a refinement of theology and a story board of Biblical “snapshots” detailing how I’ve begun to understand that, while we serve a God who is big enough to give us anything in all of creation, the only thing that is guaranteed to us as Christ followers is Jesus. It is my prayer that God will use this book to open the eyes of your heart to this truth.
May you come to know that all you may ever get is Jesus.
And may Jesus, just Jesus, be enough for you.
Amen.
Grace and Peace be with you.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Scrub it like this is Jesus' house...
...that's what I said last night to a group of students who joined me at a local homeless shelter. My A.B.S. group has decided to devote the entire month of December to various "serve" projects in our community. The way we see it...there's no better way to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child than to spend the entire month sharing His love with the needy on a weekly basis.
Last night was the first outing. A group of 18 of us went to a shelter in Greensburg for a night of serving. When we arrived, we were divided into two groups. Half of us were designated to be a "clean-up crew" and the other half was a "craft crew". The "craft crew" spent the night with the families at the shelter playing with children, and the "clean-up crew" scrubbed the place.
It was a huge success! There were smiles all around as our group of 18 stepped out of their comfort zones to be a blessing to the staff and resident's of the shelter.
Some of my favorite moments include:
-Hearing the children giggle at Alex Kessler's impersonations of cartoon characters
-Hearing one of my students sing the song "How He Loves" as he scrubbed a toilet...I just couldn't fight the tears in that moment
-Watching Christian Jonczak smile as he spent almost 35 minutes scrubbing a single deep carpet stain
-Hearing Corey Silvis say, "PM, I've never had fun cleaning before." The look on his face was priceless.
-Seeing Amber, Lorris, Cate, and Jess become like little girls as they crafted and played with the children
-Teaching Tyler Riggle how to run a carpet cleaner...and then watching him use it...he did a GREAT job!
To the group who went last night, WAY TO GO!!! You truly exemplified Christianos to everyone at that shelter. I'm so grateful to have been a part of our efforts last night. I knew you guys were gonna do a great job, but I had no clue how blown away I was going to be after seeing you give of yourself for the sake of the Kingdom.
Grace and Peace be with you.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Something we could be covering in prayer
Amber has something she would like for us to cover in prayer.
Crappy Dancers/Great Christians
I'm too blessed right now to even tell you how I feel about this. I got the prayer request below on our Student Ministry's webpage after our dance party at Powered Up tonight. To God be the glory!
PM when you asked me to come tonight I was skeptical because I have a bad history with church. But after hearing about the love of Jesus and the kingdom of God, my heart was softened. And dancing the rest of the night with a bunch of people who were willing to accept me for who I am just makes me want to give Jesus another chance. You guys are crappy dancers, but you are great Christians. I'm gonna come grow with you on a regular basis. Please keep me in your prayers.
Oh, and, thanks! Tonight saved my life.
Friends, be reminded...this is why we do what we do.
Grace and Peace be with you.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
pics from Undergrounds
To view the pics from our Student Ministry's recent musical "Undergrounds", click on the "view" button below and scroll through the thumbnails in the upper right hand corner.
Grace and Peace
Grace and Peace
Monday, December 1, 2008
Important quotes from a week of vacation
I took a week away over the Thanksgiving holiday. And, as I usually do, I spent a considerable amount of time with my nose in a book and my ears tuned in to various podcasts. Here are some of the quotes that left an aftertaste.
"If the church would catch on fire, the world would come to watch it burn."
-Jentezen Franklin (talking about the Pentecostal fire of God)
"The Bible begins with Abel's blood crying out from the ground. The Bible ends with God wiping away every tear saying, 'There will be no more death or crying or pain.' Hope. The church is always about this hope."
-Don Golden
"We (followers of The Way) should not be about building Temples unto God anymore, for no building can house that much grace."
-Rob Bell
"Beware them dogs who in their perfect religiosity have built walls instead of bridges."
-Rob Bell
"An item is only worth as much as someone will pay for it. In light of that, have you considered how much God paid for you?"
-Greg Boyd
"Jesus wants to save our church from fear."
-Don Golden
"Grace and peace be with you."
-Rob Bell (his congregation replied, "and also with you" so loudly that the hair on the back of my neck stood up)
"God may you put our defense mechanisms unto your ways to an eternal rest."
-Greg Boyd (praying before he began his sermon)
"The beauty of our new life in Christ is that death is necessary, but Jesus raises us up and empowers us to really, fully, completely live this new life in Him. Regardless of how frail and hopeless you may be, once Friday is done...Sunday will come. May the redeemed of God never forget that Sunday IS coming."
-Tony Campolo
Grace and Peace be with you.
"If the church would catch on fire, the world would come to watch it burn."
-Jentezen Franklin (talking about the Pentecostal fire of God)
"The Bible begins with Abel's blood crying out from the ground. The Bible ends with God wiping away every tear saying, 'There will be no more death or crying or pain.' Hope. The church is always about this hope."
-Don Golden
"We (followers of The Way) should not be about building Temples unto God anymore, for no building can house that much grace."
-Rob Bell
"Beware them dogs who in their perfect religiosity have built walls instead of bridges."
-Rob Bell
"An item is only worth as much as someone will pay for it. In light of that, have you considered how much God paid for you?"
-Greg Boyd
"Jesus wants to save our church from fear."
-Don Golden
"Grace and peace be with you."
-Rob Bell (his congregation replied, "and also with you" so loudly that the hair on the back of my neck stood up)
"God may you put our defense mechanisms unto your ways to an eternal rest."
-Greg Boyd (praying before he began his sermon)
"The beauty of our new life in Christ is that death is necessary, but Jesus raises us up and empowers us to really, fully, completely live this new life in Him. Regardless of how frail and hopeless you may be, once Friday is done...Sunday will come. May the redeemed of God never forget that Sunday IS coming."
-Tony Campolo
Grace and Peace be with you.
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