A DAY IN THE LIFE WITH PK

SCORPION

2012-02-01T10:53:00.001-06:00

I mentioned at the end of the January 9th, 2012 blog that I had eaten scorpion (and grasshopper) during this last trip to Thailand.

I give you undeniable proof ...

And be blessed.

REFLECT

2012-01-31T14:07:00.000-06:00

The world must see a difference in the lives of those who claim to have been in God's presence. There is no exception to this truth in the Scriptures or in the history of the church.

Moses - Abraham - David - Isaiah - Ezekiel - Mary Magdalene - Peter - Paul - you name them.

'If you have been with God, you will reflect Him in greater measure.'

If you have been with God, you will reflect Him in greater measure. How can we think that, after having been in His presence - touched and moved by Him - that our human lives remain unchanged? How is that possible?

If you have been with Him, you reflect Him.

And be blessed.

GIVING BACK

2012-01-30T09:03:00.000-06:00

I loved the meeting of 30 men yesterday after church to beef up the Ironmen Giving Back ministry here at KFA. The ministry is to assist single moms/women and widows with odd jobs and help around their homes - yard work, handyman jobs, clean up, leaky faucets, loose hinges, drywall patching, small electrical jobs, you name it. The ministry takes place the 3rd Saturday morning of each month, unless there is an emergency that requires quicker response.

The passion of the men in the room to just serve and help was amaaaaaaa-zing.

If you are a widow or single mom and need help of some kind around your house, notify us at www.kenoshafirst.com.

If you know of someone who could use our help, let them know we're available.

If you're a man and want to put your God-given skills and abilities to good use for the Kingdom, make us aware of what areas you're skilled in and we'll put you on the contact list.

Many thanks to Matt Hedstrom for heading up this ministry. I love his heart for helping others.

And be blessed.

DEDICATION

2012-01-29T16:37:00.002-06:00

Today was the dedication of our amazing granddaughter, Ruby Layne Lee (parents Darren & Allison Lee). She was dedicated at Oak Hills Church in Eagan, MN. Sure wish we could have been there. She is 3 months old and is just about the cutest little girl you're going to see all year ...

And be blessed.

DOOR

2012-01-28T15:51:00.000-06:00

Those of us in the 'clergy' (I hate that word - it sounds like a disease to me - "I just got back from the doc and he says I have 'clergy') have had opportunity for off-the-record accounts with people who didn't know we were 'clergy.'

It's happened to me at the hospital, at the gym, at the grocery store, at the library, at the beach, at restaurants, you name it.

'If opportunity doesn't knock, then build a door.' -- Milton Berle

Witness this fairly typical exchange, after the guy at the gym has used about 47 curse words, mostly beginning with 'F,' in a verbal paragraph with only 63 words total:

'So, what do you do for a living?'

'You don't want to know.'

'What do you mean, I don't want to know?'

'Just trust me. It will ruin the rest of your workout if I tell you' (which of course piques his interest all the more).

'What are you, an IRS guy or something?'

'No. Worse. I'm a pastor.'

'Oh, my God.' (Sorry, but that's pretty much the typical response. At least it brings them closer to Jesus.)

'Why didn't you tell me that sooner?'

'I don't know; it didn't really come up until now.'

'So ... you don't really look like a pastor.'

I never tell them that's pretty much my goal (even when I'm on the clock).

At that point, you can see the mental gears churning. The 'F' bombs reduce by at least 50%, though they don't disappear. Either way, a door of opportunity has opened. That's what we pray for any time we enter a place. And when God opens it, it's up to us to walk through.

'Pray ... that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ ... ' (Colossians 4:3)

And be blessed.

CHOCOLATE CAKE

2012-01-27T19:41:00.002-06:00

TODAY ... January 27th, 2012 ... is National Chocolate Cake Day. That fact is significant enough in my life that it rises to the level of 'blog for the day.'

This is an example of a pretty near perfect looking piece.

I am accepting free offers and donations throughout the weekend.

And be blessed.

NON-CHURCHGOING

2012-01-26T23:29:00.001-06:00

We have made a decision at KFA that just about the most important thing we can do is to make reaching non-churchgoing people a priority. We're always grappling with that, but at the end of the day, we know it's about people who are headed for eternal separation from God unless something happens in their life.

It was Jesus' mission - to seek and save the lost - so it has to be our mission as well. Everything else is second-place.

That has impacted how we spend some of our money. It has impacted the music we do, our church calendar, the way we communicate the Gospel, how we view our community and how we live our lives outside of our meetings.

Just about every pastor and church who has put searching, non-churchgoing people at the top of their ladder has come up against criticism from sincere already churched people. 'You are dumbing down the Gospel. We want to go deeper. We need to be fed.'

But we have come to the conclusion that the definition of 'mature' as it regards a follower of Christ is not 'How much do you know?' but 'How do you love?'

And be blessed.

HEART

2012-01-25T11:24:00.001-06:00

It was great to be invited last evening to speak at InterVarsity at Carthage College. I always love being with the students there.

I had a chance to be part of their series the has centered on growing in Christ. I spoke about 'guarding your heart.' It's a message I need as much as they.

There are some things that tend to get stuck in your heart - and when they do, they cause huge damage and you have to deal with that because if any of those things get lodged there, you'll spend the rest of your life covering up your own heart ... and there is huge consequence to that because those things will alienate you from God and from others and you’ll never become the person God intends -- a person 'after His own heart,' like David in the Old Testament.

'Our harsh words don't come from our mouths ... they come from our hearts.'

Jesus taught: 'What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth. That is what makes him unclean. Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?' (That’s a 2,000 year old ANATOMY lesson there.) 'The things that come out of the mouth originate in the heart, and it is these things that make a man unclean. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'' (Matthew 15:18-20)

Jesus called the crowd and said: “Our harsh words don't come from our mouths.”

‘Wait a minute; I thought they DID come from my mouth’ -- but NO, they come from my heart.

Our evil thoughts don't come from our minds. ‘Wait a minute, I thought my thoughts did come from my mind,’ but no, they come from my heart.

Murder? From our hearts? Adultery? From our hearts? Sexual immorality? From our hearts. Lying? Gossip? Theft? From our hearts.

That's why Solomon, the wisest guy who ever lived, said: 'Above all else, guard your heart ... ' (Proverbs 4:23). So let me ask you - what’s going on in there ... in your heart? Because I know you want to be a man and woman after God’s heart. To get there, you have to examine it regularly and guard what goes in it.

And be blessed.

GODLY

2012-01-24T16:39:00.001-06:00

I had the opportunity to join a couple of our staff pastors today in a meeting at Starbucks with Paul Hurckman from Venture Expeditions (www.ventureexpiditions.org).

Venture heightens awareness and makes significant global impact on trafficking, hunger, clean water, AIDS and HIV, and other justice issues by raising funds via cycling, hiking and running across America and the world.

"Godly people do Godly things -- or they aren't Godly."

Love the passion. Love the mission. Love the call of God on people's lives to make a difference. This is fruit that counts - fruit that lasts. It is a Divine assignment that takes precedence over the unending tasks that live around us every day. It is being motivated by the very compassion of God, as if the prodding presence of the Father Himself has moved us to act. Because it has. Because He has.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a practical Gospel that is as concerned with doing something as it is with being something. Good works won't get you into heaven, but once you get new life in Christ, He expects you to do what He did --- for the rest of your life. Godly people do Godly things -- or they aren't Godly.

Thank you, Paul and associates. Thank you, Venture Expeditions, for your passion for justice and your love for people, and for doing something about it.

And be blessed.

GLIMPSE

2012-01-23T21:27:00.000-06:00

It was both amazing and exciting to host 18 potential new students to our Journey Ministry College (www.journeycollege.com) at the Glimpse lunch today at KFA (www.kenoshafirst.com)

I love what God is doing thru JMC. Students are being trained academically, on their way to Bachelor's Degrees in Biblical Studies -- they are being mentored one-on-one by great leaders -- they are doing hands-on ministry thru weekly practicums in youth ministry, evangelism, children's ministries and other areas of specialization.

Look for this to be the wave of the future in ministry training, returning education to the church and to the ministries these students will one day run and operate.

Very exciting.

And be blessed.

SIN

2012-01-22T17:21:00.003-06:00

SIN. It was the early church’s problem, and it’s our problem today. We're not just sinners by choice, we're sinners by nature. As Adam’s sons and daughters, his sin nature was transmitted to us. And the result is that we commit acts of sin. And the only way to deal with the acts of sin is by repentance. And repentance is a change of heart and a change of mind. It’s turning in the opposite direction. It's an acknowledgement and a decision, in light of the holiness and goodness of God that we are sinful and that that is a problem to Him. And so, we must repent.

But what tends to happen when we think of repentance is that we just think of calling sinners to repent of their sins. So if you're a drunk, if you're an adulterer, if you're a thief, you need to repent of that and live a holy life. Sure. But that’s only half the truth. The other half of the truth is that religious people are also called to repent of their religion.

"We can never be about rules that men have made ... what you wear, where you go, what you eat or drink."

Religion is man’s effort to earn the favor of God - and that is an insult to God, because God is a God of grace. God gives love, salvation and mercy as gifts. Religion wants to earn them so it can be smug and proud.

That can never be us. We can never be about rules that men have made ... what you wear, where you go, what you eat or drink. That is all an offense to God. Because what tends to happen is that religious people end up calling sinners to repent of their sins and no one ever tells religious people to repent of their religion. That's why people are attracted to Jesus in a way they're not attracted to religion.

But when you realize Jesus lived the life you have not lived, that He lived the life you could never live, that He died the death you should have died, and that He rose to give you a gift you could never earn, then you’re liberated from religion.

There are those who need to repent of sin. And there are others who need to repent of religion and tradition and manmade rules and legalisms that are apart from the grace of Jesus.

And be blessed.

LDR

2012-01-21T15:47:00.000-06:00

I traveled to Milwaukee today with three of my favorite people and fellow staff members (Pastors Mat Angulo, Jonathan Foster & Jason Lowe) to teach the third session of Life Development Resources to a couple of the metro church staffs. We're teaching them to develop their church mission, purposes, values and strategies so we can keep our Wisconsin churches growing and thriving, not merely surviving.

It was great to share the day with my brothers and partners in ministry - great to have them along - great to hear their wisdom - great to be inspired by their insight.

You guys rock. KFA is blessed to have them as part of the team.

And be blessed.

ELEPHANT ROOM

2012-01-19T10:21:00.000-06:00

Last year, several church leaders/pastors from around the country met face-to-face to discuss matters of theology, church life and mission. Some of the conversations got controversial, others confrontational, all passionate. Here are ten quotes from that forum's website, called 'The Elephant Room' (www.theelephantroom.com).

10. Matt Chandler – Depth is not the enemy of conversion.

9. Mark Driscoll – It’s a Shepherd’s job to be unloving towards the wolves, OUT OF LOVE for the sheep.

8. Steven Furtick – It’s easy to say, “Shoot the wolf” until people start calling you the wolf.

7. James MacDonald – If you want only enough of Christ to save yourself, then you probably don’t have enough to do even that.

6. Greg Laurie – If a church doesn’t evangelize, it will fossilize.

5. Mark Driscoll – God’s plan A is humility, God’s plan B is humiliation … to be proud is to pick a fight with God.

4. Greg Laurie – The greatest critics of video sites are people who haven’t attended one.

3. James MacDonald – It’s not wrong to have. It’s wrong when things have you.

2. Perry Noble - (on homosexuality) I think one of the reasons people joke about it is if that if the enemy can get us to laugh at something on a consistent basis, we don’t take it seriously. All media is now geared to make us think it’s funny.

1. David Platt – I think the best way to reach people is to exalt the glory of God.

Your comments are welcomed.

And be blessed.

WIFE

2012-01-18T07:10:00.002-06:00

A huge shout-out to my amazing wife of thirty years on the occasion of her birthday today.

I am most blessed to have found such a fantastic life partner. The old saying is: 'I married up.' Never more true.

She's wise and smart and full of common sense.
She's caring.
She's tender with a balanced streak of firmness.
She's a great mom and grandmother (Noni).
She's beautiful.
She has a great sense of humor.
She's techie.
She's respected.
She's a hard worker and good at what she does for a living.
She's a gourmet cook and awesome designer.
She's a great lead pastor's wife.
She loves God with all her heart.
I could go on and on.

Can it get any better? Nope.

Happy birthday, honey. As beautiful and amazing as you were thirty years ago. More, actually.

LoVE

And be blessed.

STREET

2012-01-17T12:57:00.001-06:00

A lot of believers suffer from what somebody once called the 'rooftop syndrome.' We become so absorbed in our 'rooftop' worship that we don't want to leave it long enough to take Jesus to the streets.

Maybe that's more on my head and heart since I just got back from Thailand where our men's team hit the streets every night to talk about Jesus.

'The mission of the vision is to take it to the street.'

Still -- I believe God is determined to get the Gospel from rooftop to street. There are people all around us every day who are saying without really saying it out loud: 'I'm lonely - I'm hungry - I'm destitute - I'm confused - I have no purpose - I'm searching - I'm hurting. Will someone help me?' Too often we reply: 'Excuse me. I'm having a vision over here.'

But the mission of the vision is to take it to the street.

When God's presence doesn't produce action, the message becomes meaningless.

And be blessed.

PERSPECTIVE

2012-01-16T22:45:00.000-06:00

Sometimes life doesn't wrap itself up in a nice little package. Sometimes the answer doesn't come when you thought you needed it. It's late. It's a different answer than you expected. Sometimes the good guys don't win.

As one young man said, after being injured and requiring several surgeries over several years' time, with many hospital stays, with all kinds of pain and with the chances that life would never be the same - when asked if he thought God had been unfair to him, said: 'Not at all. The way I figure it, God has all eternity to make it up to me.'

What if we really believed that? What if that was our default perspective? I'll confess that I live far too many days without the awareness that I have an eternal home and future. Discouragement forgets the final destination - that 'no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.' (I Corinthians 2:9)

And be blessed.

SONGTHAEW

2012-01-15T19:09:00.000-06:00

We are finally back home after 11 days in Thailand. I loved our team on this trip - loved the ministry - loved watching our guys teach and play with kids during the daytime and then do something so insanely opposite by witnessing to men on the streets at night. It was like unscrewing your head and turning it around two times every day. This was an amazing group of guys (see past two blogs).

I was reflecting on all the modes of transportation our men's team engaged in during the past 11 days:
Airplane
City Bus
Taxi
Car
Van
Songthaew (pictured above)
Back of a pick-up truck
Boat
Raft
Elephant
Ox Cart
Tuk-Tuk (pictured below)
... and we used our Legs a lot.

Good to be home though.

And be blessed.

BANGKOK

2012-01-14T12:07:00.000-06:00

We're sitting in a beautiful airport lounge in Hong Kong for a 15 hour layover with our Thailand missions team - on our way home. This is the longest layover I've ever experienced. Our team took advantage of it by taking the train into Kowloon to visit the night market for a couple of hours this evening. What an amazing place - loved it. Thought I'd get thru the entire trip without buying anything at all and then, bam! Hong Kong. We opted to spend the night in the deluxe airport lounge instead of traveling all the way into the city with all our luggage for hotel rooms. The lounge has showers and dinner / breakfast. Very nice - and quiet.

After doing ministry in Pattaya, Thailand (see Monday's blog), our men's team left the ladies team and travelled to Bangkok. Our daytime ministry there consisted of partnering with ARK Ministries (YWAM - www.arkintl.org) and at night we continued with the MST Project (www.mstproject.com).

These have been long days. Starting early in the morning, and not back to our rooms until 1:30 or past - tiring, but so good.

This past week, our men's team has been involved in:

- Ministry in two different Slum Communities of Bangkok - our guys did teaching, played games with the kids, helped clipped their nails, did crafts with them, brought gifts, and just loved on the kids.
- Ministry in schools, where we did some of those same things. One of the largest schools let us be part of their Kids' Week, so we got to be in a mile-long parade with 200 children, walking the streets of Bangkok in bright colored costumes (the kids, not us). The guys carried school flags and we even got a group picture taken with the mayor of Bangkok.

One of the things that moved us so deeply was the comments we received from the ARK group about their appreciation of a group of men who would come all the way to Thailand to love children. Thailand is a nation desperately in need of appropriate male figures and most of the people who do that kind of work are women, so our team made a huge impression on both the ministry leaders and the children themselves.

Here are props to my friend, Chris Lenty at the MST Project, as well as his small, but amazing team of passionate warriors - Scott & Michael - who are going to win a city for Jesus. And to our brand new friend, Amy Brock-Devine and her team at ARK for their vision and love for children at risk in Bangkok. Blessings on you guys.

And be blessed.

PATTAYA

2012-01-09T01:02:00.000-06:00

First four days in Pattaya, Thailand - first chance to blog.

Thanks for praying.

It is the most amazing place to be -- with so much of God needed here. Thousands of men and women (and small children, unbelievably) walking the streets of Pattaya each night surrounded by bars and drunkenness, bawdy entertainment, decadence and sex.

Our six men (Joe Emery, Chris Karnowski, Steve Dutler, Justin Miller, Tom Bonner, David Border) have been incredible in their heart for the lost and their focus to reach men. Their prayers each night before and after the evening ministry have been passionate.

God has given us the opportunity to do many things while we've been here - with each night ending on Walking Street, the place made famous for girls selling themselves each evening. It is there that they endeavor to connect with men and share the love of Christ. It is hard ministry.

So far, our daytime ministries have been:
- To disabled children's homes to pray for them - give them food - sing to them - love them. Extremely moving moments.
- To a Thai jail, where two of the guys (Justin Miller & Joe Emery) gave their testimonies and we saw six men come to faith in Christ. We brought lunch and handed out newly bought underwear to the prisoners. Great to see the huge smiles on their faces when they saw the underwear.
- To 'THE BRIDGE' (www.GCAwareness.com), a new ministry in Pattaya started by Jason & Sarah Ricketts. Their dream is to care for the young children at night and in the early hours of the morning whose mothers are out 'working' the city each night. Our team spent the morning and afternoon cleaning, grinding metal, priming, painting, sewing (the ladies, yeah) and a variety of other tasks they need to get done in order to open THE BRIDGE to the public. Love these guys, the Ricketts.

Our group of ladies (14 of them) have also been serving on their own. Some of their individual ministries while in Pattaya have been:
- A prayer walk down Walking Street during the daytime.
- Praise & Worship at the Tamar Center.
- To the bars, dividing up, and start relationship building with the bar girls, telling them about Tamar Center.

The two teams together ministered on Sunday at Pattaya Full Gospel Church, where I was so blessed to be able to speak. Their pastor is so very gracious - a lovely man. The young female interpreter was an absolute joy and I think she preached my message better than I did. Pretty sure about that. The team sang a special song all together that we had worked on and the ladies team ministered an amazingly beautiful song in sign language. A woman came to faith that morning, completely sold out for Jesus.

The two teams also did a beach party with the slum children on Saturday. The men were in charge of it and it was great to see our guys organize beach games (Justin Miller) for the kids - play with the - throw beach balls and footballs - and play in the ocean with them. One of our guys (Chris Karnowski) gave the Gospel presentation to the slum children. Great, fun day.

The teams have worked very hard so far -- this evening, we're gonna ride some elephants.

Tonight the men leave the ladies' team and drive to Bangkok, where we will finish our ministry here in Thailand. The ladies will meet up with us there on Friday before we fly home.

O yeah -- I ate a scorpion and a grasshopper too. Big ones. Scorpion - unimpressive - like crunching metal. Grasshopper? Not bad actually - not for an insect, if you know what I mean.

Again, keep praying.

And be blessed.

PRAYER

2012-01-04T13:32:00.001-06:00

Please pray for us as we travel today to Hong Kong and then on to Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand to do outreach. We're traveling with 16 other KFA-ers to do ministry toward the slum children of Thailand, in prisons, disabled homes, with YWAM Thailand as well as on the streets doing evangelism with those involved in renting themselves for sex and those coming to purchase such activities.

We would ask for your prayers daily while we're there.

And be blessed.

TOP TEN

2012-01-03T20:29:00.002-06:00

This is my regular 'beginning-of-the-year' post that evaluates the Top Ten Favorite PK Blogs of the previous year, 2011, according to responses and hits. Here are my most-read blogs of the year - in order:

1. 'CONDEMNED' (December 12th blog)
By far the most widely read of the year, this short blog was based on Romans 8:1 and was about how you are not condemned - that your connection with God is not broken even though your connection with life sometimes feels like it is.

2. 'FAIL' (August 21st blog)
A self-reflective blog because I am, at heart, a failure. Everyone has failed in ways big and small. This day was an attempt to remind myself I am among them.

3. 'CONFESSION' (January 28th)
Another short blog - but also personally revealing as well as extremely painful - about what many believers really do when they say, 'I'll pray for you.'

4. 'PSEUDO' (April 6th)
A blog about six different brands of pseudo-Christians.

5. 'SEUSS' (January 22nd)
I saw this video of a girl speed-reading a Dr. Seuss story and I couldn't resist posting it. I was glad so many others liked it too.

6. 'PACKER' (January 23rd)
Predictably in the Top Ten for rabid Wisconsinites, this day was a tribute to the Green Bay Packers, who ultimately went on to win the Super Bowl last season.

7. 'WORLD CITIES,' U.S. CITIES' and 'WISCONSIN CITIES' (May 28th, May 29th, June 1st)
Kind of whimsical and spontaneous, these were back-to-back-to-back blogs listing cities in Wisconsin, the U.S. and the World that I've never been to but would like to visit one day.

8. 'SOUP' (June 23rd)
It started out with a review of my favorite hearty soups, but ended in a discourse about being 'hearty' for God.

9. 'GROCERY' (February 24th)
I loved this blog day because it was a re-telling of something that happened when I spotted a KFA-er at the local grocery store. Way to go.

10. 'CULTURAL' (December 15th)
This is a great way to round out the Top Ten - one of my personal favorites - this blog was about cultural containers vs. truth. I was particularly happy to see this one make the Top Ten because I'm going to speaking at-length on this topic a few weeks from now.

Again - thank you for participating. Looking forward to the coming year of blogging.

And be blessed.

DEAL

2012-01-02T14:45:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, a mom told me she was upset with me as she was leaving KFA (www.kenoshafirst.com).

My message for the day was 'You're Not the Point.' The past couple of days blogs have been downloads of parts of that message. So, it was about how God is God ... God is amazing ... God is the point ... God is the center of the universe ... God is - not you - not me - GOD.

This past weekend at KFA was a 'family day,' when all the kids are with their families in the services. We have two or three of those a year. So it seems this particular mom, in order to keep her three kids well-behaved in the service, offered them money - if they would keep track of it - for every time I said the word "GOD" in the message. So there they sat, with pencil and paper, quietly tallying every time "GOD" got spoken.

Grin.

Not a great day to make that deal, mom. The kids made a haul. But I salute you. And thanks to you, KFA mom, for the easy blog day today. You know who you are. :)

And be blessed.

YOU

2012-01-01T13:18:00.002-06:00

The Westminster Catechism, one of the grand doctrinal statements to come out of the English Reformation of the 17th century, says that "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

Right on. You exist to worship, praise, love and to make much of God. That’s why you’re here. That might make us a little uncomfortable because that’s not where we live.

Everything in our culture goes another direction ... ‘You’re the point. It’s about you. Why shouldn’t you have that? Why shouldn’t you be thanked? Why shouldn't you be honored. You’re entitled.” Every marketing campaign, even churches -- are built around this philosophy. “It’s what you deserve. What do you want? You can have it. You’re the point. You need to be pleased. You deserve happiness. God loves you. He’s for you. You’re the objective.‘

And I want to lovingly tell you ... you’re not. If we get anything deep into our hearts in 2012, let this be it. You're not. In fact, if we look at it Biblically, you’re not even in second place. God says He's uppermost and then you are to love others better than yourself. You're bringing home the bronze. Nothing better than that. You’re way down the list. You didn’t even make the cover. You’re a distant third.

Think how incredibly arrogant it is to say, ‘I’m here for a few seconds in the scope of all eternity and yet, it's about me,' -- or -- 'I know better for me than the One who created all this ... my ideas about purity ... my ideas about marriage ... my ideas about money are better than the One who designed all those things.'

"You exist to worship, praise, love and to make much of God. That's why you're here."

The love of God toward me as a sinner is not for God to make much of me, it’s Him freeing me to make much of Him. So when God says, “I’m going to call Kevin Taylor to Myself. He’s going to be My son. I’m going to fill Him with the Holy Spirit and he’s going to follow Me,” it’s not God going, “That guy is going to have one prosperous and amazing life, courtesy of Me, Almighty God.” No, God is freeing me up to make much of Him, because He is the point ... not me ... not you.

A few years ago in the glory of the Brett Favre years, I had the opportunity to attend a Green Bay Packer game during the regular season at Lambeau Field. It was my very first time there and I was excited to be in the historic stadium where the Packers play. We had great seats. I got the full treatment, including - in all the excitement - a little Miller Lite spilled on me from above and behind. The Packers won and the place exploded like only Lambeau can. I was high-fiveing strangers and hugging people I didn’t even know. It was an electric evening. I didn’t know I could have that much fun paying twelve dollars for a hotdog.

But can I tell you what was happening there? We were simply tapping into this deep, base purpose of our existence, which is worship. That’s what that was at Lambeau that night. When you go to that concert and you get that feeling of energy -- buy the t-shirts and gather with other participants to yell and scream at the band and get caught up in this euphoria -- the reason that feels so good is because it’s what you were created for. The problem is what you’re worshipping continues to fail you. All that gives way to having to go back to work on Monday morning. So you have to start looking for another high, another worship opportunity, another experience.

But what God has enabled me to do by saving me from eternal death is to spend my days making much of Him ... and He never gets old, He never lets me down, He never runs out of areas for me to be amazed at. If God’s salvation of us is not ultimately about us but rather about setting us free in order to make much of Him, then a billion years from now when we’re in heaven, you and I who are believers will just be scratching the surface of how infinite the glory of God is.

Let’s be crystal clear about why we’re here. I have to get over me. You have got to get over you. You’re not the point, and the more you think you are, the more your life will be enslaved.

But if you’ll get over you, you’ll have a better marriage. Because when it’s about you, then your spouse is your servant, given to you by God to make everything better for you. If you’ll get over you, you’ll be a better parent. It’s not hard to spot the guy whose world is all about him and even whose kids are all about him. Because when his kids don’t play well, that’s somehow a reflection on him. And so the volume gets cranked up in the bleachers, and the jabs at the coaches and even at the kids get cranked up. When you’re the point, you are easily angered and bothered by others. When you’re the point and somebody cuts you off in traffic, it was always on purpose. But when you’re not the point, they just didn’t see you. See how that works?

But when it’s not about you, you’re free. When it’s not about you, you get to extend grace.   When it’s not about you, you get to rest. When it’s not about you, you believe the best. When it’s not about you, you get to breathe. When it’s not about you, you sleep better. When it’s not about you, you’re happier.

We are not here for ourselves. We’re here to make much of the God who created us. What a great way to start 2012.

And be blessed.

FOCUS

2011-12-31T22:55:00.002-06:00

I think people look at the world and look at themselves and imagine that God’s focus must be about them. They say: ‘The reason everything exists is that God might save me, might rescue me, might help me, might ultimately have children who are mature like me. That’s the focus of God.’

And they point to the fact that God created us and loves us and provides for us and cares about us and protects us. They point to those things and go: ‘See? Isn’t it obvious? We're the point. We're what God is after.’

God is for you, God does love you, God does provide for you, He is a shield around you, Jesus did come to seek and save the lost -- that's you and me -- but there is a motivation behind all that protecting and guiding and loving and saving that goes well beyond you.

The beginning of Psalm 23 says: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness ... “ (vss. 1-3)

Now if we just stopped there, you could argue, “Well, there it IS. He is shepherding us, He is loving us, He is restoring us, He is providing for us, He is leading us ... ’

It’s easy to see God’s activity toward us in those verses. And if that’s all you’re going to read, it really does look like we are the point ... except the reason for His leading and loving and shepherding and providing and restoring is clearer if you read just a few words further in that verse: ‘ ... He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Names’s sake.’

AH! Why does God pursue you? Why does God shepherd you? Why does God care for you? It’s not because of you. It’s for the sake of His name. It’s for the praise of His glorious grace.

"The point and focus of the Bible is God - it's not you."

There’s a college class called Perspectives in World Religion where they unpack what is called 'cat and dog theology.' A cat goes, “My owner feeds me, cares for me and cleans up after me. I must be God." A dog goes, “My owner feeds me, cares for me and cleans up after me. He must be God.” Far too many Christ-followers are feline in their theology. “God loves me and He’s for me - so I must be the point of all His activity.”

Alas, you are not. God created you for His glory. Jesus suffered the final hours of His life for His Father's Glory. Today, He answers your prayers so God will be glorified. God forgave our sins for His own sake. He instructed us to do everything - everything - for His glory.

The point and focus of the Bible is God; it’s not you. God is about God. You’re not here because of you; you’re here for God.

And be blessed.

TRAVELED

2011-12-30T12:30:00.001-06:00

My favorite quote of all time found outside the Bible comes from Robert Frost, who said: "I took the road less traveled by, and it has made all the difference."

Is this not our basic calling as believers - taking the road less traveled?

The life with Christ calls us to exercise conscious choices to delay gratification; it calls us to sacrifice some present comfort for future reward.

Denying yourself isn't a popular message in today's America. Our society would encourage us: "If you want it, get it; If you have the money, buy it; If you feel it, do it; If you need it, take it."

Contrast that with the words of Jesus: "Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel's will save it ... Whoever would come after Me must deny himself, take up a cross daily and follow Me." A true cross, given or allowed by Christ is not a punishment but an opportunity for growth.

"If you want it, get it; If you have the money, buy it; If you feel it, do it; If you need it, take it."

Jesus says "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. But narrow is the gate and hard is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).

But He also says: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

Yes sir, you CAN have it both ways.

And be blessed.

ADVERSITY

2011-12-29T15:23:00.003-06:00

J. Naisbitt talks about excelling during adversity. He says the three great presidents of the United States were George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. They were great because each led the nation thru times that were the worst for her ... The American Revolution, the Civil War and World War II, respectively. In between each of them, most of the presidents were 'What's His Name?'

During adversity is when great leaders are needed. So don't give up the ship. We can muddle thru good times by ourselves - it doesn't take any stroke of genius to get a bunch of people thru times that are going great - but we need great leaders to get us through the tough times.

It was said of King Edward VIII of England, who abdicated the throne in order to marry Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee he loved: 'He was at his very best when times were good.'

Ugh. Please don't let that ever be said of me -- or of you. Great leaders excel in their leadership when there is difficulty. So don't resent the rocky times. These are what makes you stronger. These are what bring your greatest opportunities.

And be blessed.

SPIRIT

2011-12-28T14:10:00.002-06:00

I think I say it every year, but that's because I mean it every year. One of the most inscrutable things about the Christmas season, particularly the 'week of,' is the sheer joy of the average person on the street. People you've never seen before - never met - don't know - will smile at you for nothing. They'll hold doors open for you for nothing. They'll start friendly conversations over nothing.

It's just weird - and maybe a little regrettable - that three days after Christmas, it's a different story. Perhaps it's a little passe to remark about that, but it seems to worsen with each passing year. It ramps up starting sometime around Black Friday on Thanksgiving at midnight and we enjoy almost a whole month of this other-worldly amazing attitude -- and then, around December 28th ... CRASH.

Scrooge is not a person so much as it is a behavior - a spirit. Let's keep the spirit of Christ with us throughout all of 2012, so when next Christmas rolls around 362 days from now, it won't feel so wonderfully strange and then three days later, so all too familiar.

And be blessed.

QUOTES

2011-12-26T19:40:00.001-06:00

I hope you had an amazingly fulfilling Christmas Day. Here are some Christmas quotes worth paying attention to:

The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart.
-- Helen Keller

Christmas gift suggestions: to an enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.
-- Oren Arnold

The worst Christmas gift is a fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world and people keep sending it to one another.
-- Johnny Carson

To cherish peace and good will and to be plenteous in mercy is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
-- Calvin Coolidge

Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.
-- Dale Evans

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they're all 30 feet tall.
-- Larry Wilde

He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.
-- Charlotte Carpenter

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 greatness 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.
-- The prophet Isaiah

And be blessed.

EVE

2011-12-24T21:09:00.001-06:00

It was great to be 'in the Christmas Eve house' tonight at KFA (www.kenoshafirst.com) with a couple thousand others, all celebrating the life we live because of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Enjoy your evening and the wonder that tomorrow brings in the arms and hearts of family and friends. It only happens just like this once a year.

Here are some of my favorite Christmas Eve pics to share with you (just click to enlarge). Good night.

And be blessed.

EVE EVE

2011-12-23T23:37:00.000-06:00

It was just another 'Day in the Life' today on Christmas Eve Eve:

- Had the day off today, so a little opportunity to sleep in.
- A great workout with my youngest daughter, Olivia.
- Fighting Racine, Kenosha & Pleasant Prairie traffic, returning all kinds of Christmas stuff we didn't need to buy after all (Sorry, fam. But you still get gifts - don't worry).
- Out to a movie with Joelene & Olivia - "I Bought A Zoo" starring Matt Damon.
- Chinese for dinner.
- Wrapping a bunch of Christmas gifts in the basement with Olivia (See fam, we didn't take everything back).
- A little bit of TV.
- Time for bed.
- Goodnight.

And be blessed.

"Y"

2011-12-22T21:59:00.003-06:00

Our three children are all part of what many societicians call Generation Y -- those born between 1985 and 2000 (people from 12 to 27 years old). They also form a significant segment of our church, KFA (www.kenoshafirst.com). Two of our staff pastors fall in this category.

I don't know what words come to mind when I say Generation Y, but many immediately think of 'entitled' and 'self-absorbed,' but I think more of words like 'creative,' 'technically savvy,' 'comfortable with change' and 'downright smart.'

There is no doubt Generation Y will change the face of the future and the face of the church just as much as their grandparents impacted their own.

They will change it with their sense of loyalty. Time was, loyalty was shown by how long you stuck around and paid your dues --- the older generations still think along these lines. "Y," on the other hand, says: "I'll show you loyalty by how hard I work and how faithfully I serve/give, not by how long I stick around and do it."

They will change the future with their sense of tech savvy-ness. And not only are they tech savvy -- they're tech dependent. They need it to survive. It is an appendage for them sitting in the auditorium at 6 p.m. during a Saturday evening service.

They will change the future with their sense of teamwork. "Y" is comfortable spreading the message fast and often - again, often thru social media and communications. A lot of their school work was done in groups or as 'equal' team members. Therefore, "Y"s function naturally and well as team players.

They will change the future with their honesty. It isn't that the rest of us haven't been honest, but "Y"s take it to a new level. They say how they feel when they feel it and are comfortable readily discussing personal information.

They will change the future with their diversity. They don't just embrace it, they expect it. They will have great difficulty understanding why others struggle with issues built around differences.

They will change the future with their views of work vs. life. "I love my job, but I love my life more" is something you may hear Generation "Y" saying a lot. They will have no problem with work or with working hard -- but their jobs will never be the whole of their identity. They don't want a job, they want a life that hopefully includes a job.

Refreshing.

And be blessed.

INITIATE

2011-12-20T12:28:00.006-06:00

I'm always harping on how incredibly terrific our KFA team is. I suppose that gets old, but they keep proving it, so I keep writing about it. And trust me, they do so many great things that if I told you about them every time, that's all I'd be writing about.

When he was president of the United States, Ronald Reagan had a desk motto in the Oval Office that read: 'It is amazing how much you can get done if you don't care who gets the credit.' Boom.

Those are words most of us should take to heart. They are words I believe our team has learned.

Sometimes in our team meetings, someone will speak an idea and it hits a responsive chord. This person may serve as the opening catalyst for change - a spontaneous initiator - who may be forgotten as the process continues its course - who may not be remembered or even thanked as the positive change begins to take form and shape and become reality.

But before it becomes reality, there is trouble. In a perfect model all the changes are laid out on a table orderly and nicely and sensibly and sequentially. Life, however, rarely works that neatly. Life is not naturally organized, though we make our best attempts to organize it.

Take a family vacation, for instance. "Family A" determines every detail two months before they ever get into the minivan. They schedule meals at restaurants, make hotel reservations, figure out toll budgeting and plan activities. The know just where they'll be when they'll be there. "Family B" gets in the car and drives south, deciding what they'll do as they go.

Which is better?

Neither is. Either plan is fine as long as there is a direction set at the beginning and an overall purpose for the trip.

The initiator of change in an organization must set the direction and start the group on the first mile. He/she doesn't have to decide every turn and twist to get from Point A to Point Z. That's why you have a team in the first place. Peter Drucker said: 'All beginning is difficult.'

Along the way there will be setbacks, roadblocks, detours, stops and stalls. If your team understands that, it will not only help them cope with the steps along the way but will also help expedite the changes.

Our team is achieving much of this right now - I think, without them even realizing they're doing it in such a healthy way. Shhh! Let's not tell them.

And be blessed.

ABCs

2011-12-19T16:38:00.003-06:00

Here are some ABCs of doing ministry in the 21st century ...

A - Authenticity is king.
I don't know how many times I've had someone approach after a weekend message and thank me for just being real. I don't think I'm the 'realest' person on the planet, but people sure seem to connect whenever I open the cracks of those doors.

B - Balance vs. burnout
We're all feeling the pressures of living in a world that is rapidly changing as well as a society where margin is thin. I don't mind wearing out because of a day or week or month that was particularly busy, but I don't want to burn out. Gotta find the rhythm of life that works for me and those dear to me.

C - Community
It's one of our five stated KFA purposes: Authentic Community (also see letter "A"). We are a nation increasingly disconnected and the result is people desperate and struggling for community and belonging.

D - Disciples vs. decisions
The days of hand-counting are done. People are sitting in our church auditorium for weeks and months on end absorbing the Gospel without announcing they've prayed a prayer, raised a hand, or visited a lobby booth for materials. Yet we see hundreds of people continue to be baptized, proof that transformation as well as obedience and discipleship are taking place.

E - Enthusiastic Service before membership
Today, people want to 'test the waters' before making a formal commitment to your organization. They want to know if you're going to accept them first and so they put their toes over the edge of the pool in by serving and participating before diving in all the way.

G - Growth via groups
Personal growth comes in the context of group life, not so much the big weekend gathering, good as that is. For us at KFA, Group Connect has been an answer to get people growing in life groups.

R - Relationship instead of religion
Enough said.

T - Transitions
Everybody is changing - families - organizations - institutions - governments - economies - churches - individuals --- everybody. We need to be sensitive and 'ahead of the curve' of societal change in order to meet the needs screaming at us every day.

It is a very exciting time.

And be blessed.

PATTAYA

2011-12-18T19:32:00.004-06:00

Joelene and I are headed to Thailand in January with seven men and ten ladies from KFA to do ministry on two unique fronts: Among those Thai women who have found no other good way to support their families than by giving their bodies to sex-for-money -- and among the Western men headed to those red-light districts to purchase it.

The men's team will be doing street evangelism on the streets of Pattaya (Walking Street in Pattaya pictured) and Bangkok, where men come to buy a woman for the night. Think New Orleans' Bourbon Street on steroids.

Steve Neyman, stateside coordinator for MST Project (www.mstproject.com), with whom we're partnering in Thailand, did our men's orientation today via Skype.

Some of the things we learned in that time together:
* All ages and all kinds of men come to places like these seeking love and intimacy, filling voids currently taken up by hurt and great need.

* Hurting people hurt people.

* God has called us to be an extension of love rather than judgment.

* We aren't fighting against people - not against flesh and blood - it's bigger and deeper than that.

* 'Grace and love are more transforming than shame and guilt.' (Chris Lenty - MST Project)

Pray for the ministry of these teams as they travel to Thailand next month.

And be blessed.

SHE

2011-12-17T14:12:00.003-06:00

Tonight is the kick-off of the brand new SHE ministry at KFA. Over 150 ladies are traveling together to Rockford, Illinois for the Kari Jobe (pictured) concert.

We are excited to see how this amazing new outreach to women at all stages of life connects, grows, involves, motivates and reaches out to the ladies of KFA.

YOU GO, GIRLS!

And be blessed.

CULTURAL

2011-12-15T08:58:00.003-06:00

Every weekend that I stand in a church auditorium to speak to people, I face an enormous challenge. I am there as a man who is a believer in Jesus Christ, with a personally held deep conviction and commitment to follow Him. I come as a pastor who loves the church (and I'm not talking about the building). I come as an American born in the late 1950s and living in 2011.

I have to take a book called the Bible and relate it to those who are listening. It is a book that has been written not only in languages different from mine, but in cultures and in centuries different than the one I presently live in.

I have come to understand that the Bible gives God's unassailable truth, yet in a cultural container. The truth is absolute; the container, not so much. So I have to pour that truth from the container of first century Hebrew-Greek culture into the container of 20th century American culture. When that is done properly, not a drop of truth is lost.

For instance: 'Greet each other with a holy kiss,' found in I Corinthians 16. How about, 'Give warm, kind, genuine, sincere welcomes to each other as an expression of your love and unity?' Truth vs. container. In Kenosha, we shake hands or give hugs - maybe a fist pump or two, depending.

As leaders and pastors and shepherds and communicators, we have a responsibility to understand people and culture. Life can be hard - disappointing - a struggle. People come on the weekend overflowing with needs and looking for answers. They need hope and meaning.

We can give it to them by pouring the living water - the truth - into containers they can handle and drink from.

And be blessed.

PROFOUND

2011-12-14T18:14:00.004-06:00

There is love - and there is love that is profound.

Profound love can endure the stress of real life, and boy, can it be stressful. Profound love isn't mere sentimentality. It is rough and rugged, yet it is still love. It has less to do with good feelings between people and more to do with something so self-sacrificial because it is gained at its richest levels only by giving it away to others.

Love that is profound is hardly passive. It cannot be. Impossible. Passive love is an oxymoron. Profound love motivates one's very will and pushes one to act with urgency - right now - today - sooner than today -- get-up-from-your-chair-this-very-minute-and-do-it kind of love. It hounds you to the farthest limits of your own generosity and beyond.

Love takes its most profound shape when it is given equal priority to strangers beyond the sphere of church life. It becomes again profound when leadership releases control over others and instead equips others to discover new life for themselves.

Love at its most profound involves some pain - even mystery --- the kind that led Jesus unimaginably to the cross. Say it isn't so -- it cannot be possibly true. When we discover love at that kind of profound level, suffering then is filled with brand-new meaning - and once again, love takes us back to Christ where it all began and we are filled with awe at the greatness of God.

Profound.

And be blessed.

CONDEMNED

2011-12-13T20:32:00.004-06:00

When was the last time you felt condemned? If you never have, then maybe the words 'There is no condemnation for those in Christ' doesn't mean much to you.

But if you've become well-acquainted with feelings of condemnation, then those words have very different meaning.

If you've had boat loads of shame and guilt - if you've experienced great judgment at the hands of another - then you grasp how sweet it is to be told you'll never again be condemned.

Your connection with God is unshaken even when your connection with life is.

And be blessed.

MISSOURI

2011-12-11T17:41:00.003-06:00

I've never been that great at trusting. I've gotten a lot better but I lean to the cynic, unfortunately. That's why this whole walk by 'faith' rather than by 'sight' is a stretch for me. I'm from Missouri, after all - 'Show me.'

But think about it. We’re all being asked to trust that God, in fact, did visit this planet in the person of Jesus Christ and that Jesus was born miraculously to two Jewish peasants.

We’re being asked to believe that at thirty years of age, He started doing miracles and healing people - and then - after three years, He sacrificed Himself and paid for the sins of the entire world as He was crucified on a cross between two thieves.

We’re being asked to believe that three days later He was resurrected from the grave and then ascended to Heaven where, from that time until this time, He’s been reaching out to fallen, sinful people all over the world, including you and me -- offering hope and a new start — a more satisfying life -- an eternal future -- a free gift.

Do you trust all that? Do you believe it? Do you believe it enough to stake everything in your life on it? Because that’s exactly what God asks of you. Do you believe it enough to spread the word of this free gift to every door God opens for you? Because that’s exactly what God asks of you.  

This Christmas -- even though some are facing medical challenges that have you scared to death -- some are facing financial shortages, job setbacks, family heartbreaks -- God is asking us this Christmas to believe that He is a powerful God -- a good God — that somehow, some way, He’s going to be faithful to His Word even though we can’t see it all right now. He can be trusted to orchestrate all your circumstances into a plan that ends up in a good result for you.

Believe it, Missouri or not.

And be blessed.

GRACIOUSNESS

2011-12-10T21:41:00.005-06:00

I’m not particularly proud of this, but when people betray me -- when people deceive me in a way that winds up being very hurtful -- sometimes my reflex is to want them to somehow pay for hurting me. Every human being who has been wronged in some way is tempted to slam dunk whoever wrongs him or her.

A couple of weeks from now you’ll be gathered with family for the holiday. And most likely, in the same room with you are going to be some people who have hurt you in some way, betrayed you or wronged you. That stuff happens … even in great families.

So, at that Christmas family gathering we have decisions to make. We have gifts to consider giving to people, even to those we feel deserve nothing good from us at all. And we can either act on dark impulses that aren’t from God that make us want to inflict damage and hurt people who have wronged us … or … we can give the gift of graciousness to someone.   We can engage in that battle and we can imitate Christ and treat someone with grace instead of judgment. I’m not saying that is always going to be easy, but if we’re Christ followers, graciousness is a gift we have to give.

There is a picture of a candle up there. It represents the gift of graciousness because it doesn’t matter if I have to go thru a hundred nearly melted down candles, I’m not going to give up being gracious -- I’m not going to give up waiting on the one who needs my grace. I’m not going to let that candle go out -- I’m going to keep lighting it over and over -- even when they try to blow the light out with their anger -- even when they kick dust on it -- even when they knock it over ---- I’ll keep lighting it again and again and again and again -- as long as it takes -- because God has called me to give the gift of graciousness to those around me - even those who hurt me -- and because God has been gracious to me.

I’ve engaged in the battle for graciousness and with God’s help, I’ve granted it to some folks and let them off the hook. But I’ve also done the other, where I’ve tried to make people pay. But I'll say this: I have never experienced satisfaction in my spirit for trying to make someone pay. I thought it would feel sweet. It didn’t.

And every time -- when I’ve worked it the other way and kept the candle lit and engaged in the battle for graciousness -- with the help of the Holy Spirit -- every single time -- when I’ve decided to cancel a debt and let someone off the hook -- when I’ve decided to bless instead of curse — that's when my spirit has found satisfaction.

God calls you to it.

And be blessed.

WYNWOOD

2011-12-09T19:18:00.006-06:00

Last evening our entire pastoral team and spouses split into two groups and went to two different assisted living homes to serve.

The group of twelve I was in went to Wynwood Center on Hwy H. We hung out with the folks -- sat down and chatted -- sang Christmas carols with them -- worked on a Christmas craft together -- gave some cookies -- and chatted some more.

Pictured here are Jason & Amy Lowe, Communications Pastor (top left) -- and Jon & Janet Brown, Student Ministries Pastor (top right).

The idea was put together by Bob Griffith, Pastor of Children & Family Ministries and his team.

What a great way to start the Christmas season.

And be blessed.

POM POM

2011-12-07T17:40:00.003-06:00

I was reading the other day about successful people - successful pastors - having a 'Bible in one hand and a pom pom in the other.'

I need to carry a pom pom more. I don't think I've ever been naturally skilled at being a great encourager. Recently, when our team (I asked our congregation to do this as well) took the Romans 12 gift test at www.gifttest.org, my results came out as follows:

Ruler -- 95%
Teacher -- 90%
Perceiver -- 85%
Giver -- 55%
Servant -- 50%
... all well and good, but then it dropped down to ...
Encourager -- 25%
Showing Mercy -- 16%

It isn't that I'm not an encouraging person - it isn't that I never show mercy. I do, but I guess I'm not driven or motivated as my first course of action by those things. Some of you won't be surprised at that, I'm sure. We can't all be 100% at everything on the list, but I know I need to be better at both of those things.

The legacy of Christian leaders to the early church was not their personal biographies or their 'gift test outcomes,' but the memory of their companionship. We don't know much about them at all, but we know how they lived as examples in community with others. We know how they cheered others on to run the race with vigor and resolve and determination and joy and abandon. Their letters are filled with admonishments, yes - a Bible in one hand - but also with great care, love and encouragement - a pom pom in the other. They are the most sympathetic of comforters and the most challenging of prophets.

Successful leaders spend a lot of their time waving pom poms -- encouraging, coaching, mentoring and guiding people to their own spectacular, God-given destinies.

And be blessed.

EARTHQUAKE

2011-12-06T20:45:00.003-06:00

Over and over I have asserted that the world - including the church world - has dramatically changed and continues to dramatically change. We are living as we speak in the middle of a cultural earthquake - a veritable crack point in history. Leadership of the past cannot be the same as leadership of the future. For a long time, change has been evolutionary; today, it's revolutionary - rapid - urgent.

The rapid sharing of information and lifting up teamwork is a critical factor to the success of great leaders, more than it has ever been in the past.

Radical diversity is changing the face of church life in 2011.

For decades, a large majority of people were raised, if not within the church, at least a stone's throw from it. Leaders could assume newcomers - or any comer - had some foundation in Christian faith. Now, the church can assume nothing of the sort.

For years, we imagined correctly that 'actions speak louder than words.' Not any more. The best deeds are received with some suspicion these days. People's eyes and ears are ultra-alert to 'hidden agendas.' They want to know the concrete faith that lies behind the actions.

Loyalty to one denomination used to be legendary. That has been thrown out the window today. Leaders either meet the changing needs of people or they go elsewhere.

People used to attend church nearly within walking distance of their home - at least no more than a short drive - and the whole family came together in one vehicle. These days people will drive miles and miles to whatever community of faith they connect to - and they'll each drive separately if need be.

This is hardly an exhaustive list of reasons leaders are having challenges today, but the challenge is clear. If we cannot adopt new styles and methods and define ourselves to a whole new generation with great purpose, then God will raise up leaders who can.

'The earthquake cometh.'

And be blessed.

GROWING

2011-12-03T21:08:00.003-06:00

I had the grand privilege once again of meeting with two church staffs in Milwaukee today in the second installment of the Life Development Network, helping churches who want to thrive instead of merely survive. It was a great day with two great pastors and two tremendous teams.

It’s all about team. In fact, growing churches do ministry in teams. Teams are replacing autocratic and Lone Ranger style leadership.

Growing churches expect every leader to develop personal mastery and take personal responsibility for becoming effective in their ministry. In the old system the boss told you what you needed to know to grow. Today, YOU have to figure out what to do to become good. Everybody on our KFA team is an expert of sorts at what they do. If I want to know about certain things, I’m going to go to certain people on our team for certain answers because they know better than I do.

Growing churches understand and manage their church culture. Within every church or organization there exists a specific, discernable culture. You know it moments after you walk in. Their set of norms, values and behaviors all contribute to the understanding of how things get done in that setting. Culture refers to "the way we do things around here." The specific culture of your church may not be written down, but it gets expressed in everything that happens - what you call things - where you advertise - how you communicate - where you spend your time and money - what gets taught - how members interact -- all communicate organizational culture. Ever hear someone say, “That’s NOT the way we do things here?” That’s culture, too.

We can keep the vision God has given us alive and fresh. We can make a pact to avoid personal, spiritual decay. Generally, the reason a church or organization moves into the ‘aging stage’ is because leadership gets there first. We can’t let that happen. We have to keep growing so our churches can grow. We can keep the mission of Jesus alive in our own hearts. We can avoid a status quo mentality and keep pressing forward. We can remember who God called us to reach.

And we can be a growing church.

And be blessed.

BACK

2011-12-02T18:48:00.003-06:00

God has your back. He isn't mad at you. He likes you.

I have a friend who lives in California. He's always telling me that God likes him better than me because he's always having these cool and amazing things happen to him. Me? I get nothin.' We were standing at a conference once waiting for them to pull names out of a hat for big prizes. He won one; I got nothin.' It's happened several times with us.

'That's because God likes me best,' he said.

" ... Not only is God not mad at you, He is actively for you."

We both know he was joking but it's become a running joke with us. Unfortunately, some people believe that kind of thing. But God isn't against you because of how you behave or because of something you did three years ago - or last weekend.

In fact, not only is God not mad at you, He is actively for you.

Remember the days of tug-of-war? You'd get a thick rope, find a big puddle or mud hole and pick teams to see who could pull the other side into the puddle of mud. There was always one guy in the group that was bigger than everybody else. It was important you ended up on his team or you and your side were probably going to get muddy.

The God of the universe is on your team. There is no question. He is for you - and if He is, who can possibly be against you.

God has your back.

And be blessed.

PUSHING

2011-12-01T16:33:00.004-06:00

It has been one of the great journeys of my life to move away from pushing papers to helping people. I admit it. Administration and organization have always been my alter-ego - stuff you do without even thinking much about it - but God has begun a great work in my life over the past several years and I have to say I'm grateful for it.

"I'm still in process ... but I'm thankful for the great journey."

I haven't stopped pushing papers but I've come to understand the life and joy that comes from loving people more than committees or procedures.

It has also been a journey of building integrity, not merely dispensing authority. It has been a journey of making mistakes and finding out people still love you and then coming to the place where you no longer fear making mistakes, which actually causes you to make less of them. It has been a journey of realizing that one does not need to try to advance oneself, but seek to help others advance.

I'm still in process, of course, but I'm thankful for the great journey.

And be blessed.

BEFORE/AFTER

2011-11-30T16:58:00.004-06:00

There has been good conversation surrounding our KFA mission statement - "Making it easy to find and experience God."

It comes from a belief and desire that we have at KFA - that we are determined to live in such a way that people see us and hear us and watch us -- and by our lives -- other people are naturally impacted for Jesus.

We are walking thru some of the same trials as our neighbors and co-workers and family members who are not believers in Jesus -- and our prayer is that we will walk those roads with a greater sense of God's peace and strength and hope and joy than those without a faith in Christ. And in that way, people would be attracted to the Jesus inside us.

And it isn't that we think we're better than anyone else, we just think we're better off because of what God has done in our lives and we want our friends to experience the same amazing grace we have.

We're not the same people we were before we met Christ. There is a before and after pic - this is what we were before, then we met Jesus, and this is what we are now. And we know we're not done yet -- rather, God is not done with us -- but we're growing and changing and becoming more like Jesus step-by-step, by His grace and love.

KFA -- live the life out there, and let's make it easier for people to find and experience God by watching us.

And be blessed.

BUGS

2011-11-29T21:26:00.004-06:00

I don't really have that many things in life that bug me. I'm a pretty tolerant guy. So to make it onto my 'Stuff That Bugs Me Hall of Fame' is a pretty big achievement.

STUFF THAT BUGS ME HALL OF FAME

1. Taking Forever To Order At Fast Food Restaurants
I actually try to avoid fast food whenever I can - just for health's sake - so when I do go into a f.f. restaurant, chances are pretty high I'm in a hurry. I know the fantastic people at McDonald's and Wendy's and Taco Bell can appreciate that. You can walk into any one of those establishments - order a #1 - and have it delivered into your hands as well as eaten in less than 3 minutes. Yet despite the cheap and easy menu, I inevitably get behind that one person who can't decide what they want or who are trying to get the best value for their money. It takes them four minutes to add up a burger, soda and apple pie and compare the cost to a value meal.
Maybe I just need to learn more patience and that's how God is running me thru the hoops.

2. Stealing All The Cheese By Grabbing That One Strategic Nacho or French Fry
This is food that has been created on the premise that if you pile up a bunch of starchy carbs and drizzle hot cheese over them, people will rush to buy and eat them. It's more than a premise though. People actually will eat anything with hot cheese drizzled on it. And everyone knows perfect cheese distribution is nearly impossible on these items. Some chips and fries will get a lion's share of cheese while others laying right next door will be totally deprived. But some people, regrettably, take advantage of that. They grab that one chip or fry that is strategically tied to every other fry or nacho on the top layer with cheese on it and they leave the remaining plain old dry chips and fries lying there - now exposed - in the bottom of the dish.
Maybe I just need to learn more patience and that's how God is running me thru the hoops.

3. Just Grabbing Your Fingers When Shaking Hands
I could have listed the opposite of this: Guys who grab your whole hand alpha-male style and try to crush it while pretending it's their normal grip. But worse than that is the person who cheats by quickly grabbing just your fingers so your palms don't touch and your thumb flails around in space. There's just no recovering from that.
Maybe I just need to learn more patience and that's how God is running me thru the hoops.

4. Creating Gaps In Lines
This is probably latently related to #1, because I hate waiting - no one does. But it's kind of sad how we get excited when the lines we're waiting in advance a few inches, and then everyone steps up a few inches. That's how lines work, and it seems unacceptable not to move up when the people in front of you do and stand there with a huge gap in front of you. What's up with that?
Maybe I just need to learn more patience and that's how God is running me thru the hoops.

And be blessed.

PARADOX

2011-11-28T10:01:00.003-06:00

It was a great day 'in the house' yesterday. The Ripple Effect series we just finished had measurable impact on the folks. Many people raised their hands, expressing a desire to come to faith in Christ.

It never ceases to amaze me, this relationship with Jesus. There is a very real paradox to Him that cannot be fully explained. There isn't any comprehensive statement, confession or creed that can adequately describe Him and 'say it all.'

But every weekend we see the experience of His transforming power in people's lives - and it seems to precede any acceptance of some stated dogma or theology. Those things do not function as gates thru which a person must first pass in order to access God's grace. It is not a matter of intellectual conversion or agreement with right statements, but of personal change and evidence of that in behavior.

Looking forward to see what God continues to do.

And be blessed.

PEOPLE

2011-11-27T14:50:00.001-06:00

When you get to the end of your life and you suck your last breath, what do you want it to be about? I’ll cut to the chase and answer that question for you. It’s all about people. To live for anything other than that is to live for a lesser dream - to get caught up in stuff that really doesn’t matter.

The greater dream would be to see and feel the hopelessness of people who are facing an eternity without Jesus and to listen when God prompts us to leave a circle of comfort and go into a zone of the unknown. The greater dream would be to pray for doors of opportunity to open – to be radically grace-filled, loving people. That’s the best life you can live.

When you walk onto your job site or into your office or school or neighborhood, if you look at the world like Jesus looks at it, then the main thing you’re trying to see is how many colleagues and friends and family members you can have on your arm when you cross the finish line into the next life.

I’m pretty confident from how I read Scripture that a life spent that way is a life with no regrets - it’s a life that started out as a ripple, but somewhere along the way, it turned into a puddle and then a pool and then a lake and then a river and then an ocean and then a tsunami for Christ.

You might even say at the very end, ‘I never got to live in that big house,’ or ‘I never got to drive the car of my dreams,’ or ‘I never achieved that or never got to do this,’ but ‘I brought seven people to heaven with me.’

“Those who believe in God have the testimony of God inside them.” (I John 5:10 - GNV)

And here’s what we might imagine Jesus’ dream being: That someday places of worship, religious buildings, would be filled with people who give a rip about broken souls and hopeless futures and Christ-less eternities ... that church auditoriums and worship centers would be filled with radically loving, outward-focused people who aren’t forever wondering what’s in it for them - who don’t continually need to be fed, fed, fed, fed, fed until they are fat, fat, fat, fat, fat - believers who don’t get caught up with small issues and make them into big ones so the mission of Christ is drowned out.

And I don’t really know if that’s what Jesus would say His dream is, but it’s consistent with why He came to earth ... that people who call churches like KFA home would drive down a stake and say, ‘I’ve bought in to this. It isn’t all about us. At the end of every day and at the end of our lives, it is about people who don’t yet know who Jesus is. It’s about people with broken souls and fractured hearts and busted up relationships who are far from God. It’s about people.’

God put a life message inside you that has to come out. You have a storehouse of experiences He wants to use to bring others into His Kingdom. You are perfectly positioned by God to reach somebody in your circle of influence with your story.

When it’s all said and done, it isn’t about how many books you’ve read; it’s not about all the classes you’ve attended. It’s about loving lost people the way God does. He has never made a person He didn’t love. Everybody matters to Him. Everyone does.

 And be blessed.

THANKFULNESS

2011-11-25T21:06:00.002-06:00

Thankfulness is an attitude. It is a decision - and it is a decision based in reality.

In other words - ask yourself: ‘Do I really have a lot to be thankful for? Really?' I don't even know you but I already know the answer to that. It’s yes.

You’re alive. You’re here.
You ate this morning and you will again tonight.
You’re going to sleep with a roof overhead.
Your family - your kids - your marriage - your job - and a thousand more things.

Be thankful - and be blessed.

THANKSGIVING '11

2011-11-24T14:02:00.005-06:00

Here is our FAMILY VIDEO SONG to you and yours.

Today, each of us wrote something we were thankful for on a small strip of paper - disguised our handwriting - and then secretly baked each of the 'thankful notes' inside a Thanksgiving dinner croissant. We placed one 'starter' croissant on each person's plate and watched them open it to find the thankful note. Each person then had to guess who wrote it.

We recorded this 'thankful' video after dinner - on a very full stomach. Enjoy - and Happy Thanksgiving.

And be blessed.

FOLKS

2011-11-22T09:54:00.004-06:00

I love the time in church history where we are right now. It is exciting and ever-changing and though it has unique challenges, there has never been a time when God's Hand is moving so powerfully as today.

Admittedly, that has caused some trauma among 'church folks,' of which I am one.

It does not seem that people-on-the-street really want to talk about religion so much these days, though they do want to talk about spirituality. There is a 21st century interest and passion in the 'spiritual experience' that has not been seen in North America in decades. I know that may jar or annoy or frustrate 'church folks,' of which I am one, who want to talk about correct information and acceptable behavior as definitions for spirituality - but this new crowd wants to talk about spirituality as it relates to daily living - attitudes - heart.

I love that.

These new set of 'folks' also don't want to talk about divine abstractions, but about Jesus. They are no longer satisfied with 'God talk.' The kind of God people used to talk about is too distant for them. The focus on the conversation today is specifically on the hopeful transforming power of God.

For us 'church folks,' that means we have to make the conversation purely and definitively about a Jesus who can touch their lives on a daily basis.

Can it get any better - or easier - than that?

And be blessed.

MUSTACHE

2011-11-21T20:00:00.009-06:00

I actually thought about getting rid of my mustache today, but then I ran across these guys and decided, in honor of them, that I would keep it awhile longer.

And be blessed.

STORY

2011-11-20T08:56:00.001-06:00

A lot of believers in Christ can think back to the time when they first put their hope in Jesus. Remember how excited you felt about that? You wanted to tell people about what had happened in your life.

And as time went by, you met some really cool Christian folks and became friends - hung out together - got in a life group with some of them - maybe a Bible study or two ---- and over time, we kind of lost touch with the people we used to hang with. I mean, we have new lives now and we don’t have as much in common with the old friends anymore, right? It just made sense.

And the longer and longer we were Christians, the fewer number of friends we had who were not Christians -- even though unbelievers worked right next to us for eight hours a day on the job -- even though they maybe lived right next door -- even though we sat next to them in school every day.

When asked who they went to the lake with on the weekend, or who they went to the movies with on a Friday night, most believers said it was with friends from their church. And can we really fault that? Don’t we want that?

Sure. We all need Christian fellowship and community. But - think about it - shouldn’t it be that the longer we are believers and the longer we walk with Christ and the longer we understand the grace of God, the more we would desire others to experience His grace?

It just seems ironic that as we mature in the faith and get to know Scripture better and get to know Jesus better, that - statistically - fewer non-Christians get to experience those things thru relationships with us.

I’m not talking about street witnessing to total strangers; I’m talking about developing relationships with people we already know and have levels of trust with.

And it is at this point that something very strange happens to us. Once, it was natural and exciting to tell people what God had done in our lives, but slowly we begin to see offering hope to others as something the church does - and when I say ‘church,’ I mean the organization, or even the building. We just bring people to the church on a weekend and let the paid people tell them about Christ.

We stop hanging out with non-Christians - we stop going to the movies with them - we start buying little Christian stickers for our vehicles - we make trips to Great America on Christian Day when the Christian-only bands play ... and as one author says: “The transformation is complete; we have become citizens of the bubble.”

And after several years of that, we start becoming like Jonah in the Bible, who ran away from God when God told him to go to the wicked people of Ninevah -- we too stop wanting much to do with those who aren’t following God and, like Jonah, we grow numb to the fact that people all around us need the love and grace of Jesus.

It was Jesus’ pattern to enjoy deep community with His disciples, but then also from time to time to excuse Himself from that little circle of comfort and go in the direction of someone who needed to be loved or shown the way to the Father. So Jesus would often walk into the zone of the unknown and follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit and share the good news of the Kingdom.

And so should we.

“In your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

And be blessed.

CATALYST ONE

2011-11-17T17:11:00.002-06:00

We took our whole 25-member team to the Catalyst One Day Conference at Willow Creek Community Church today. The guest speakers were Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel. Here is a download of some of their comments:

Leaders shape organizational culture whether they intend to or not.

Healthy cultures attract and keep healthy people. Unhealthy people love and thrive in unhealthy environments.

Unhealthy cultures are slow to adapt to change.

Healthy cultures don't happen by accident. They are created.

What we value determines what we do.

Healthy and productive staff cultures are characterized by mutual submission.

The message of mutual submission is: I'm here to facilitate your success regardless of where either of us shows up on an organizational chart.

What gets rewarded gets repeated.

Every physical environment communicates something.

Design, decor and attention to detail communicate whether or not you are expecting guests.

Periodically, we all need fresh eyes on our ministry environments.

Helpful content in communicating directly addresses thinking and living.

And be blessed.

MAYFIELD

2011-11-16T11:45:00.004-06:00

If you have a student in middle or high school, you will want to send them tonight or tomorrow night to KFA's student ministry's (H2O) original production of "MAYFIELD," written by our very own associate youth pastor, Mat Angulo.

Four teenagers ...
A haunted mansion ...
Choices and consequences ...

I was there for dress rehearsal last night - it is creative, suspenseful, meaningful and with a great ending that will capture your student for Christ.

Send 'em out. Tonight and Thursday night. KFA's H2O auditorium - 6-9 p.m.

And be blessed.

QUESTIONS

2011-11-15T15:31:00.003-06:00

The body of Christ will sacrifice anything and everything - property, security, tradition, heritage, fame, power - for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel.

To gauge whether or not we're willing to do that, we could ask ourselves some questions:

Are we committed to Jesus or to a particular doctrine or church?
Thriving churches understand nothing is as important as the Gospel.

Do we believe ministry is to make disciples or to make decisions?
Growing churches have let go the energy draining pit of institutional management.

Do we design mission for the needs of the public or the needs of church members?
Healthiest churches help others by equipping them to look beyond themselves and to give life away in the name of Jesus.

"Thriving churches understand nothing is as important as the Gospel."

Do we quickly grasp unexpected opportunities or do we worry about rules and procedures first?
Moving churches minimize rules, even bending and breaking them, if that is what it takes to do the right thing now.

Do we expect newcomers to be accompanied by spiritual guides or do we just wait for them at the door?
Exciting churches never just advertise and wait. They invite and then guide their friends, neighbors and associates along the path of life.

Do we ask for radical commitment or do we expect little from people?
Catalytic churches take the truth of the Kingdom seriously and expect people to strive to live as Christ lived.

And be blessed.

CALLED OUT

2011-11-14T17:15:00.002-06:00

Someone rightly corrected me not long ago in this blog about my wrong usage of 'ekklesia' - rather than a 'gathering' or 'assembly,' I described it as 'called out ones.' Egg on face there. Admittedly.

That said, we ARE 'called out.' Christ-followers in churches that are dying believe the 'called out' part means 'called out' to form a distinct society in which all the members follow certain rules, undertake various institutional responsibilities and enjoy specific privileges. The organization becomes a club to which they can each retreat for personal refreshment and in which their needs can be met by a personal chaplain.

The attitude is usually: 'Let's take care of our members first, then, with any resources left over we'll go after the lost.'

No.

Christ-followers in churches that are growing believe they have been 'called out' to form a distinct witness. This witness is about Jesus, not about their church or their denomination. They see themselves as a community in which the participants all experience a constant connection with Christ and purposely reach out as His body.

We can either become a righteous remnant, retreating into caves and fortresses of elitism, preserving what we understand to be 'good' worship, 'pure' doctrine, 'correct' theology, shutting ourselves in spiritual Masadas, where we eventually choose to die rather than surrender --- OR --- we can become an apostolic witness, following Paul, Silas, Lydia and others like them into public places and personal conversations, sharing a relationship with Jesus that bears the fruits of abundant life, and transform our surrounding culture one conversation at a time.

'Let's take care of our members first, then, with any resources left over, we'll go after the lost.'

Participants in a declining congregation are: Committed to an organization -- managing committees -- preoccupied with raising money -- retiring from church work -- surveying internal needs -- eager to know everybody -- first and foremost loyal to one another -- perpetuating a heritage.

Participants in a thriving congregation are: Committed to Christ -- making disciples -- serving in the world -- pursuing constant personal growth -- sensitizing themselves to community needs -- drawn to the unchurched -- visioning a future.

Pick one.

And be blessed.

HOME

2011-11-13T18:19:00.008-06:00

We flew home from Cairo, Egypt today - a very long day but such a great time with 15 other KFA-ers on what turned out to be a four continent tour - we started out in our own North America - traveled to Greece (Europe) for 3 days - went to Israel (Asia) for a week - and then ended up for 3 days in Egypt (Africa).

I didn't even know until I opened up my official Bucket List to cross off a couple of things (see yesterday's blog) that I had fulfilled a third Bucket List item without even realizing it - that is, visiting the Greek Isles. We did a day cruise to three of the Greek Isles during our trip.

So we're home - and happy - and feeling very satisfied. Here's one pic from each continent.

And be blessed.

DIE

2011-11-12T05:55:00.006-06:00

One of my favorite Scripture passages is the one in Luke chapter 9 where Jesus says: "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."

And it isn't even the denying yourself that's the really hard part; it isn't the taking up your cross that's the really hard part; it's the daily part that's really hard.

"DEATH IS THE WAY TO LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST."

The path to hell is the easy road. Do nothing and you get there. The Gospel of Christ, that so many people say is for the foolish and simple, places people on the harder path - the narrower path - to heaven. The reason it's tough is because when Christ calls a man or a woman, He calls them to die. Daily.

That’s more than a clever little deal to tweet about.

First is last - weak is strong - foolish is wise - losing is gaining - dying is living.

Jesus suffered so, ultimately, you wouldn't have to suffer forever, substituting Himself for you - great atonement - on your behalf.

I know it goes against intuition, but death is the way to life for the follower of Christ. He's not asking to make us nicer, He's asking to make us new. As C.S. Lewis said: 'Die before you die. There is no chance after.'

And be blessed.

CAIRO

2011-11-11T13:26:00.004-06:00

Just as a bit of trivia, today is my 1,000th blog post. I guess I'm just kind of proud of that.

Our 16th floor hotel room in Cairo, Egypt sits on the edge of the River Nile. It is late in the evening - 11:30 p.m. - and the river down below from our balcony is just now heating up with floating riverboat casinos, loud music and thousands of people thronging the streets. Traffic is reminiscent of Chicago at the 5 p.m. rush hour, except it's nearly midnight.

Egypt is a land of antiquities. We visited a mosque today as well as the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, where we saw many artifacts dated from 2500 BC and before. Highlights were King Tutenhkamen's furniture, chariots, beds, dishware and hundreds of other items found in his tomb.

One of the most exciting parts of the day was that I managed to cross two items off my Bucket List in one day.

The first was visiting the Egyptian Pyramids (pictured above) and the Sphinx. A few of us even paid a little extra to go inside one of the pyramids. Awesome.

The second thing I crossed off my list was Joelene and I getting the opportunity to ride a camel together. It doesn't get any better than riding one right in front of the Pyramids in the Egyptian desert.

Pray for the people of Egypt.

And be blessed.

JERUSALEM

2011-11-08T09:43:00.007-06:00

Continuing our trip in Israel took us to some significant locations today:

The Mount of Olives

The Garden of Gethsemane, where we took some time alone to pray

The Via Dolorosa

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Upper Room

The Southern Steps of the Temple - we read one of the Psalms of Ascent - Psalm 136 - and walked up the steps as we said each verse, responding at each step with 'His love endures forever.'

The Western Wall (pictured above), where we had the opportunity to pray for a short time

And be blessed.

DEAD SEA

2011-11-07T14:27:00.002-06:00

What a great experience to float on the Dead Sea today without the assistance of anything but our bodies and the sea. The mineral level in the Dead Sea is at 34% - 10 times greater than the ocean - so all you have to do is lay on your back in the water and you don't sink. It's the freakiest thing, but very cool.

Other parts of our journeys today included En Gedi, where David hid from a jealous Saul in I Samuel 22 -- and Masada (pictured at right), an isolated rock plateau where Herod built a fantastic palace, located not far from the Dead Sea. It was the last outpost of Israelites in the first century. The eventual siege of the fortification by the Romans led to the mass suicide of nearly a thousand Jews before they could be taken captive.

And be blessed.

NAZARETH - BETHLEHEM

2011-11-06T13:11:00.002-06:00

We have had a most impressive and moving last few days in Israel with KFA-ers and our new friends from a church in Uniontown, New York. I hardly know where to begin:

A boat ride on the Sea of Galilee

Nazareth, Jesus' boyhood home

The Mount of Beatitudes

The Golan Heights, bordering with Syria (pictured above)

Capernaum, where Jesus began His ministry

The Jordan River, where it was a great honor to baptize 6 KFA-ers in the same river in which Jesus was baptized.

A drive thru the West Bank, bordering Jordan

Bethlehem, to view the traditional site where Jesus was born.

Today, we ascended to Jerusalem and will continue our journeys into the desert and parts south of Jerusalem.

And be blessed.

ATHENS-CORINTH

2011-11-02T15:50:00.002-05:00

We are in Greece - land of mythology and center for early world influence, art, culture, education, power and civilization.

Yesterday in Athens we saw the Parthenon (pictured at right). It sits atop the Acropolis, which means the ‘high point’ in the city.

One of the highlights (for me) was to stand on Mars Hill, where Paul preached to the Athenians in Acts chapter 17. I was honored to be able to share with our group about making the power of the Gospel real and life-giving to those around us, much like Paul did as he spoke to the disbelieving Stoics and Epicureans in Athens 2,000 years ago.

Today we were in Corinth, where Paul rubbed shoulders with Priscilla and Aquila for many months, joining them in their tent making business (this story can be read in Acts chapter 18). We visited some of the ruins of the various Greek gods and goddesses and one of the ancient Corinth agoras (open marketplaces).

I enjoyed giving another short message to our group revolving around Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. We actually had a stranger wander over and join our crew while the devotional was being given. Here in Corinth, where the patron god was Aphrodite, goddess of love, Paul ironically spoke to a Corinthian church who evidently needed a lesson in love.

He gives us a whole chapter of it – I Corinthians 13 – and tells us if we don’t have love, it’s all a waste. Greece is not the only place on the planet that thrives on myths – we have them too. One of ours is that if you just let your life drift, you will drift into becoming a more loving person. Not true. The drift in your life is always toward self. You have to be intentional about getting better at loving if you are really serious about it.

It could become one of our goals to eliminate at least one of the popular excuses people have for not accepting Christ – that we Christians are not loving.

Because church is not really a society or a special interest group, is it? Do you know what it actually is? It is a ‘pinch-me-I-can’t-believe-it’s-true’ club. It is a people enjoying the love of the Father and wondering why He would ever pick us in the first place. It is a rag-tag bunch of sinners who are just grateful they got rescued by Jesus and are enjoying the fruits of His amazing love. And I can’t help but think if we were all more like I Corinthians 13, a lot more people would want to join up.

And be blessed.

FORD

2011-10-31T10:34:00.004-05:00

"JDI" stands for 'Just Do It.'

It is a sign that has hung at the Ford Motor Company among the ranks of workers to inspire initiative, dreaming and action. Some at the company have suggested such an approach could be dangerous.

Many years ago, Henry Ford wanted to expand the organization. He told one of his young middle managers to do some analytic work to get them to the next step. When the manager returned, his data suggested the proposed project should be dropped altogether. Ford told him to redo the analysis. He did and found the same results. Ford wasn't happy about the report and asked the young man some difficult questions and then dismissed him. In the end, Ford conceded that the expansion should be canceled.

The young middle manager received no feedback and didn't know if his analysis report had gone anywhere, but a few months later he was transferred to Brazil. Years later, he ran into someone at Ford headquarters who had been at the presentation. The man told him he might be interested in what Henry Ford had to say that day after he left the room. Henry had said: "We need more men in this company like that one."

R. Quinn says that every couple of years, you need to bet your job, or else you're not doing your job.

"JDI" is correct. "Just Do It." But maybe we should add on a four-letter anagram to that: 'BDBS' - 'But Don't Be Stupid.'

Making a difference is important for both the individual and the organization. There comes a time when we have to take on the system because the system needs to be challenged. There comes a time when we have to 'JDI.'

But there are no written guarantees once we decide to JDI, no insurance policies that will catch us if we fail. The possibility of failure is the companion that walks alongside every leader. But leaders cope with that possibility because they understand that whenever they sacrifice their principles because of pressure, both they and the organization/system take another step toward a slow death. Leaders are willing to accept the necessary risk because it is the right thing to do. They care enough to risk dying for the organization that may kill them for caring.

However, remember: "BDBS."

And be blessed.

10/40

2011-10-30T08:28:00.004-05:00

As we reflect on the Eurasia Experience (see yesterday's blog), it is significant that we at KFA have been called by God to have a specific great passion and concentration on nations within the 10/40 window, perhaps the final frontier of the spreading of the Gospel in areas most resistant - and yet, in areas where the Holy Spirit is working with great might, impact and effect. A contradiction, yet true.

We should pray for these countries - for the Christians living there, some in great danger and even secrecy - and for those gripped in the chains of untruth. Here are the affected nations:

Afghanistan
Algeria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Benin
Bhutan
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Chad
China
Cyprus
Djibouti
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gambia
Greece
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
India
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Korea, North
Korea, South
Kuwait
Laos
Lebanon
Libya
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Morocco
Myanmar
Nepal
Niger
Oman
Pakistan
Philippines
Portugal
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sudan
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
Western Sahara
Yemen

NOTE: If you are a church leader of any kind, I would invite you to take the poll at upper right. You need to read the October 27th blog before responding. Thank you.

And be blessed.

EURASIA

2011-10-29T15:48:00.006-05:00

The Eurasia Experience is being held tonight at KFA - www.kenoshafirst.com. I don't want to give it all away, in case you're planning on coming tonight or tomorrow - but suffice to say it is an interactive 60 minutes where you 'travel' to a foreign land - 'get off the plane and go thru customs' - and then experience the marketplaces of exotic Eurasia, right in our gymnasium. After that, we gather in a 'mosque' where we see how much of the world worships.

This is our annual big world missions emphasis at KFA and it is unlike anything we've ever done before. David Grant, one of our premier missionaries to Asia, is our guest as well.

One of our biggest hearts right now is for the 10/40 window, really among the last places on Earth where the Gospel has not yet been spread. God is doing amazing things in this stretch of the world and the Eurasia Experience is helping us feel that more deeply than we have before.

I hope you'll have a chance to come. It is not to be missed and you still have an opportunity tomorrow morning at either service at 9 a.m. or 10:45 a.m.

NOTE: If you are a church leader of any kind, I would invite you to take the poll at right. You need to read the October 27th blog before responding. Thank you.

And be blessed.

SUIT

2011-10-28T19:55:00.004-05:00

I have a bunch of little ‘suits’ laying out in my yard right now. It’s that time of year when all the leaves start falling. It’s been an extraordinarily beautiful fall around our house this year and I hate to see it come to an end, for a number of reasons. I can’t remember when I’ve seen such beautiful yellows and such brilliant reds about the yard.

Still, it heralds the coming of winter - one which, from all reports, is supposed to be heavy, if not brutal. We’ll see.

I used to think snow was God’s punishment on North-type people who were planning to use their vehicles in the winter to do something sinful. But I don’t believe that anymore - aren’t you glad? Some think snow is God’s dandruff but that’s just weird because if He’s watching over the entire world, I don’t see how He could just spread it in one area of one country. That makes no sense.

But I’ll enjoy what’s left of the fall before the power rake has to come out and the smell of burning leaves is enjoyed.

A little boy opened the big, old family Bible with fascination and looked at the old pages. Suddenly something fell out. He picked it up and looked at it closely. It was an old leaf from a tree that had been pressed between the pages.

‘Momma, look what I found,’ said the boy.

‘What have you got there?’ his mother asked.

With astonishment, he answered: ‘I think it’s Adam’s suit.’

And there ya go.

And be blessed.

BIG IDEA

2011-10-27T14:19:00.005-05:00

I read a blog by Tony Morgan today that I'll not give word-for-word, but it could have been written by me or our team here at KFA - www.kenoshafirst.com

We have been involved in something called the BIG IDEA for a couple of years now. It's basically the concept of 'one thought for the entire day, no matter what room you go to,' when you come to church here. As T.M. pointed out, you can go to a lot of churches and be surprised at how little connection there is between the various elements of what goes on.

'It’s as if there was no planning. I’m guessing everyone prepared their portion of the service separately. The message stands alone. The worship stands alone. The announcements stand alone. The videos stand alone. The special music stands alone.'

'You can go to a lot of churches and be surprised at how little connection there is between the various elements of what goes on.'

At KFA on a given Sunday, we're not singing about peace - using a video about God's love - and preaching on the Second Coming of Christ on the same weekend. We have come to understand and embrace the vision and value of communicating one powerful message and theme throughout the entire service -- music -- message -- video -- creative elements -- small group questions -- reflection pieces -- children's curriculum -- etc.

We start with ONE BIG IDEA - what is today going to be about? What's the ONE THING we want to say?

So if you send your child to JourneyKids ministry down the hall, they're getting it, too - the same message, only in child appropriate ways. And on that weekend when the adults focus on Hosea and Gomer, they kids may not be hearing that particular story, but they're still talking about having a pure love for God. That way, when you gather back in the car after the service, you're all talking about the same thing -- and we've helped families connect. 'Faith at home' happens.

And the Holy Spirit is not left out of the process either. We ask Him to guide us through our various stages of planning and seek to hear His voice - and when we do, we see greater retention, better application and genuine transformation happening as a result of His work.

QUESTION: If you are a pastor or part of a leadership team from another church, would downloadable BIG IDEA information/aids be helpful to you in your ministry? Might you occasionally or regularly use something like a supplied message outline (making it your own, of course) -- song & chorus ideas -- creative element message options -- life group study pages -- children's ministry curriculum --- that were all tied to a BIG IDEA for the day? Would that be useful to you at all?

** Would you mind taking the poll at right to help us know if it would be?

And be blessed.

EXIT

2011-10-26T16:55:00.007-05:00

It is a minor miracle that I'm able to stand in front of big crowds every weekend and deliver any kind of talk that sounds rational and coherent, because the truth is I used to suffer from glossophobia. That's a fear of public speaking.

In junior high and high school, when I had to stand in front of my peers and give a book report, I don't mean to be indelicate, but i would practically wet myself every time.

I remember once giving a speech about contact lenses where I was going to demonstrate loading and unloading them - cleaning them - etc - because I had recently gotten my own first set. My hands shook so bad I almost pushed my eyeball out of its own socket trying to demonstrate how to put one in. I was that nervous.

Years and years later - in college and beyond - my mouth would get dry - my stomach would churn - my heart would race - my palms would sweat. I would look for the exit. I would like to say I've completely overcome that today, but I know I haven't. Not entirely.

I've been in rooms as an adult - even recently - where we had to go around the table and introduce ourselves - tell a bit about who we were - our families - our jobs - and as it got closer and closer to me, I would develop this temporary case of amnesia. I could barely remember my own first name. Here I am, a guy who speaks routinely to thousands of people every month from a stage, but I'm in a cold sweat because I have to say my name in front of fifteen people.

Go figure.

'God didn't make a mistake. Maybe He created me as I am for a purpose.'

And now when I speak, I listen to myself on the DVD and find I have this annoying vocal texture that makes me cringe as I listen and I wonder how the crowd sits there without running screaming for the exits in the first five minutes. So there I am - every weekend - trying not to raise my voice too much so it doesn't crack -- wearing three layers of shirts so I don't sweat through -- hoping my Bible doesn't slip out of my sweaty palm.

To add to my fears and insecurities and generally make matters worse, I might stand at the door shaking hands at the end of the service, only to have a gentleman come up, stretch out his hand and say something like: 'I like you ... but for the life of me, I have no idea what you were trying to say up there this morning.'

'God bless you, sir. Have a nice day.' Where was the nearest exit again?

Here's what I know. God didn't make a mistake. Maybe He created me as I am for a purpose. Maybe there are others out there like me who could still be used by God to do obedient work for the Kingdom even though they feel like they never quite fit in -- and they could expose someone else to God's amazing love.

And be blessed.

HUMMINGBIRD

2011-10-25T16:01:00.002-05:00

We don’t really like to wait. We’re no good at it. I don’t know anyone who chooses waiting. If there is a long line or a short line at the grocery store, I don’t know anyone who says, “I’ll go with the long line because I need some quality waiting time.” If there is a green light, we don’t slow down and wait for the red so we can wait longer.

Problem is: God seems to make a living out of making us wait. And His perceived slowness often indicts Him, by our account, as uncaring or indifferent to what we're going through - because if He really loved us, He would have done something by now.

But the Bible says God is not slow concerning His promises as some understand slowness - but He is patient. Patient.

In other words, we think we’re waiting on God because He is slow, but in fact, God is waiting on us because He is patient. Do you see how that changes things? God isn’t slow; He’s patient.

And when we are waiting, we can wait with either a spirit of anticipation instead of a spirit of agitation. If you’re waiting in line at the DMV, I mean ... that’s just going to be aggravating, right? The longer you wait, the more aggravated you’re going to get. Why? Because of what you’re waiting on. But let’s say you’re waiting in line at an amusement park for a ride you want to go on. The longer you wait, getting closer and closer to that front seat of the roller coaster, the more excited you become, because you’re anticipating something. So it all depends on what you’re waiting on.

Isaiah put it this way ... ‘They that wait on the Lord will renew their strength; They shall mount up on wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Isaiah says that is what happens when you wait on God.

Now the challenge is that many of us think we’re waiting on God, but we’re not. If you are exhausted, if you are agitated, there is a good chance you’re waiting on something other than God. If your strength is being renewed, it means you’re waiting on God.

So finances are tight. You say, “Well, I’m waiting on God to make the economy recover.” Are you? Are you waiting on God, or are you waiting on the economy to recover?

Maybe you’re single; you want to be married. You say, “I’m waiting on God to send someone special into my life.” Are you waiting on God? Or are you waiting on someone special to walk into your life?

I’m just asking ... but do you see what I’m asking? Often we say we’re waiting on God but we’re really waiting on whatever it is we want God to do. And when we’re waiting on whatever it is we want God to do, that causes agitation and exhaustion and anxiety. But when we’re really waiting on God — a God who can be trusted, a God who sees the whole, a God who is patient — then our strength is renewed.

Then Isaiah says you will mount up on wings like eagles. The eagle has been clocked at soaring more than eighty miles an hour and Isaiah uses that as a picture. I don’t know that many of us resemble an eagle when we’re waiting. I think more accurately many of us would resemble probably a hummingbird. A hummingbird will flap its wings a hundred times a second. And the question you have to ask yourself is, “Are you flapping or are you soaring?” Flapper or soarer?

God’s timing is perfect - and He isn't slow. He's patient.

And be blessed.

LINE

2011-10-24T15:07:00.004-05:00

I will confess that there is one little thing about God I don’t particularly care for. It's probably not kosher to say it, but it seems He is never quite on time. Have you noticed that He just always seems to be running a little late?

That’s one of my personal pet peeves --- people who are always late. I understand it happens to everybody once in a while. I mean, if one meeting runs long and it makes you late for the next meeting, I get that.

Sometimes there’s a line in the bathroom. I mean, not in the men’s bathroom. We don’t have lines. But I understand that sometimes the women’s bathroom has a line. At least I hope that’s true - otherwise all of us men have bought into a very big lie, because this seems to be an acceptable excuse used by most women ... they’ll come out and say: There was a line in the bathroom.’ And we just take that as Gospel. But I’ll just be honest: I am skeptical.

I don’t know if all you men out there realize this or not, but I’ve been told there are spacious lobby areas in a lot of women’s bathrooms … they have couches and actual furniture in there. We don’t have that. Where we go, if you want to sit down, you’re not going to be sitting on a couch, if you know what I mean.

But we stand outside waiting for our ladies and we say to each other: ‘Well, must be a line.’ And if there really is, I guess running a little late because of the line is acceptable.

Sometimes you get stuck in really busy traffic - or you’re at a train crossing so you’re late to an appointment -- acceptable excuses. That’s life. Sometimes you’re late.

But there are certain things you just show up on time for. There are significant events you don’t want to be late for. And as you read through Scripture, it just seems that God was often running a little behind.

Sarah is promised a baby - but it doesn’t happen for decades.
Leah wants her husband Jacob to love her - but it doesn’t seem he’s ever going to.
Joseph is falsely accused of a crime and thrown into prison - for years and years.
Moses spends forty years shepherding in the desert while his people continue being abused by the Egyptians.

God, You seem to be running a little late. The answer and solution and deliverance all should have happened a long time ago. As you read through Scripture, you’ll find example after example. Actually, the real challenge is to find an example of someone in Scripture who didn’t have to wait on God. It seems to be pretty standard in people who are doing God’s will --- they had to wait.

If you want to be found in the perfect will of God, you just may have to spend some time waiting as well.

And be blessed.

PRESENTING RUBY

2011-10-23T21:56:00.005-05:00

Presenting ... our brand new granddaughter -- RUBY LAYNE LEE.

Born Saturday, October 22nd - 1:30 a.m.
Five pounds, eleven ounces.
Nineteen inches long.
Incredibly beautiful and charming.

Parents: Darren & Allison Lee

And be blessed.

GRANDDAUGHTER

2011-10-21T18:00:00.000-05:00

It is official. We have a little baby granddaughter, born early this morning in Minneapolis to our middle daughter and her husband, Allison & Darren Lee.

We are very thankful and very proud. Names, weights, lengths and all the 'skinny' come later, after the equally thankful and proud parents have had their opportunity.

And be blessed. We are.

BACHELORETTE

2011-10-20T09:27:00.004-05:00

Disclaimer: If you are in love with the show, 'The Bachelorette,' please skip today's blog.

I was roaming thru channels awhile back and stopped at a show I never stop at -- 'The Bachelorette.' I realize and understand it is a deeply loved program by so many - not to be missed - and after all the hubbub I've overheard, I succumbed for 120 seconds to see what all the chatter was about.

I've even gone so far as to post a picture here in honor of this fantastic show.

It's one girl trying to narrow down her Prince Charming from a field of 25 guys with really cool names like Bentley and Dack and Armstrong and Roberto and JP and Shooter. There aren't any Freds, Jims, Daves or Steves.

I don't want to really talk about what I managed to 'catch' in that brief 120 seconds but I know, just from having watched that little bit, that decades from now, children will ask their parents: "Dad or mom, where were you when Trista dumped Avery?"

At times like this, you wonder how we, as a people, summon the strength to go on.

And be blessed.

RAPTURE

2011-10-17T22:30:00.004-05:00

For some reason I was yearning for the "good ol' days" today. I'm not sure why. I just get nostalgic that way sometimes.

In the "good ol' days," I used to think Jesus was returning at any time. At several moments, I actually thought He HAD come. One thing I was 100% sure of; you didn't want to miss it.

'I committed my life to Christ at least several times a week just for insurance.'

I remember sitting thru a whole batch of rapture-type movies as a kid: 'A Thief in the Night' (scary, scary), 'A Distant Thunder,' and 'Image of the Beast.' A musician named Larry Norman wrote a song called, 'I Wish We'd All Been Ready' that left you lying awake in your bed at night watching the ceiling, half expected a really loud heavenly trumpet to blast at any second.

I might get up in the middle of the night and tiptoe into my grandma's room to see if she was still there just to make sure I hadn't missed it. I figured if she was in her bed, I was safe.

Because of that, I committed my life to Christ at least several times a week just for insurance.

I still think Jesus could return at any time, but I'm not longing for those "good ol' days" any longer. After that, I am now longing for the grace of the present (and the future).

And be blessed.

WHAT?

2011-10-16T17:22:00.001-05:00

Life is full of questions. Whenever we ask a question beginning with “What?” we’re really looking for information. If you look up the word ‘what’ in the dictionary, you will find it is defined as “a word used to request information.” But if you think about it, it seems that we shouldn’t have that many ”what” questions because we’ve never lived in an age with as much information as we have today. We are overwhelmed by information.

There is more information in one daily addition of the Chicago Tribune than a 17th century person would have come across in a lifetime. There has been more information produced in the last five years than has been produced in the past five thousand years leading up to it. We have information like we’ve never had before, so why do we still have so many questions? Maybe we need something more than information.

Usually when we are asking an informational ‘what’ question, we’re asking things like -- ‘What is the answer for my life specifically - right now -- what I’m going thru - the decision I’m trying to make -
What university should I go to?
What vocations should I choose?
What job should I put in for?
What is the name of the person I should marry?
What is my future going to look like with my family?
What is my wife’s real hair color (just seeing if you were paying attention)?
What is Your will for my life?
Our ‘What?’ questions so often center on God’s will for us.

There is the will of God that has already been revealed in Scripture. There are all kinds of areas of life where we say, “God, what do You want?” and God says, “Here’s what I want,” and it’s right in the Bible.

"What if we start praying and it turns out God’s plan is different than our plan?"

But we should also understand that God’s specific will for you will never violate His revealed will in Scripture. So for the person who says, “Look, I’m going to be leaving my wife because she’s just hard to live with and I know this is what God wants because I know God wants me to be happy” -- well, I hate to blow your TIRES, but that is not God’s specific will for your life. Your happiness is way down God’s line.

How can I be so sure of that without even knowing you or your situation? Because that violates what God’s revealed will in Scripture is for you as a husband and a wife. And God will never ever give you a specific will that violates His revealed will.

The reason that’s important is because knowing His will has a lot less to do with information and a lot more to do with submission - because it isn’t until we submit our will that we can know His.

And I think a lot of us would say, “I’m doing that! I have submitted myself to God.” But I think what we very often say is, ‘God, I want what You want for my life,’ but what we REALLY mean is: ‘God, I want what You want as long as what You want is what I want.‘

I’ll admit that crawling on the altar and submitting our wills to God and saying, ‘Whatever You want, God,‘ is a very dangerous pray because we have plans and we have ideas. But when we pray that prayer, we run the risk that God’s plan is possibly going to be different than our plan, that His schedule for this week could be different than our schedule for this week, that His appointments for us on Monday could be different than the appointments we’ve already got lined up for Monday.

I mean ... what if we start praying that kind of prayer and it turns out God’s plan is different than our plan? Well, it WILL be. You’ll find that it IS.

And be blessed.

SATURDAY

2011-10-15T22:38:00.003-05:00

Tonight was the 'grand opening' of our new Saturday night service at KFA (www.kenoshafirst.com).

I loved walking thru the church hallways and lobby spaces 30 minutes prior to find all the lights on and volunteers getting ready -- lots of smiles, enthusiasm, personal excitement and buzz. Loved it.

I'm so proud of our people and their love for God and how hard they work to get it done. There was nothing but excitement in the house tonight as 300-400 people showed up at our premier service.

So looking forward to tomorrow already.

And be blessed.

REAL COMMUNITY

2011-10-14T09:05:00.003-05:00

I think real community is difficult. It is also just about the most worthwhile and effective thing we can do with one another within the body of Christ. But it isn't easy.

I think it is uber-difficult for a pastor. I could be wrong, because I am one, but it just seems to me that there are extra challenges. Your opinions, your leadership, your 'aura,' your reputation, your 'bubble' - all play in somewhere with it. And yet you crave it just like everybody else.

Real community doesn't just happen. The Bible gives us some pretty direct counsel on this when it comes to relational health. 'If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him - work it out between the two of you.' (Matthew 18:15)

"He practiced real and authentic community."

Picture a conversation between me and a friend who has an idea for ministry. After our talk, I am not real sure it is a fit for our church and we talk that through. I know there is disappointment, but we end the conversation on an up-note and then move on. I don't think much about it until the next day. He calls to say, 'You know, I kind of got my feelings hurt in the conversation yesterday. I had an idea I really liked - I believed in it - but your reaction made me feel stupid.'

That is a devastating conversation. This is a person you love and the last thing you would do is be intentionally hurtful. You may have been right about the actual decision and it may have been tough to express your decision, but equally tough was the phone call this man made to keep the community real.

It was difficult to hear, it was difficult for him to say, but it was healthy. It was real. He could have sat on it and let it turn into bitterness. He could have let it drive a wedge between us. He could have called ten other people and told them about it. But he didn't. He practiced real and authentic community.

Beautiful. Jesus said: 'By this will all men know You are My disciples, if you love one another.' (John 13:35)

Francis Schaeffer has a comment on this verse:
"Jesus is giving a right to the world ... He gives the world the right to judge whether you and I are ... Christians on the basis of our observable love ... (Jesus) is saying that if I do not have the love I should toward all other Christians, the world has the right to make the judgment that I am not a Christian ... There is a mark which, if the world does not see, allows them to conclude, 'This man is not a Christian.'"

Food for thought.

And be blessed.

PLAN

2011-10-13T23:09:00.002-05:00

I firmly believe the church is the hope of the world.

One of the great scholars of the Renaissance, Erasmus, told a mythical tale about Jesus' return to heaven after His time on earth. The angels gathered around Him and He told them of His miracles, teaching, death and resurrection.

When He finished, Michael the archangel asked: "Lord, what happens now?"

'This is it ... we are the plan.'

Jesus answered: "I have left behind eleven faithful men who will declare My message and express My love. These faithful men will establish and build My church."

"But," responded Michael, "if these men fail, what then?"

Jesus answered: "There is no other plan."

This is it. You are the plan. So am I. We are the plan. It rests in our hands.

And be blessed.

VELVETEEN

2011-10-12T20:40:00.003-05:00

Before there was Woody in 'Toy Story,' there was 'The Velveteen Rabbit.' The main character in the classic children's book is a little stuffed rabbit, all clean and new, who becomes 'Real.' Along the way, the rabbit meets an old, worn out, but very much loved stuffed horse.

It is written: "The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew they were only toys and would never turn into anything else ...

'What is REAL?' asked the Rabbit one day ... 'Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?'

" ... Most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints ... "

'Real isn't how you were made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'

'Does it hurt?' asked the Rabbit.

'Sometimes,' said the Skin Horse ... 'but when you are Real you don't mind being hurt.'

'Does it happen all at once, like being wound up ... or bit by bit?'

'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse ... 'it takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints ... but these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.'"

This is a community giving itself over to love.

And be blessed.

KFA COMMUNITY

2011-10-11T20:12:00.002-05:00

Today was Boss' Day at our office. The admin team treated all the pastors to a great time in the lobby - with homemade desserts and an assortment of coffees and teas. Great time. They had a program for us full of funny stuff, a little poking and prodding at the pastors, a homemade song by one of media team (Mary, you were awesome!) and this final, surprise video by our friend, Vinnie Zarletti.

And be blessed.

TICK

2011-10-08T16:45:00.006-05:00

Today there were 30 people sitting in a room on an absolutely spectacular, beautiful, warm October day to find out more about KFA (www.kenoshafirst.com), what makes us tick, and potentially join us in membership.

We typically split the day in three parts and two other members of our leadership team (Dan and Lisa) take turns sharing important information with the group.

I love the part I get to do. It's all about our church focus, mission, purposes, values and ministry model. I could talk about it all day, but I don't - but I could - but I don't.

Part of the class is helping the folks understand that we have to re-think the way we do some things today. It isn't your Grandma's church (or culture) any longer. Certainly the Gospel hasn't changed - and never will - but the way we approach some of it has to change or we face futures void of the younger generation whom we desperately need to carry on this faith.

In the class we cover things like our KFA outward-focus approach -- our lean to be grace-filled -- our desire to be relevant without watering down the Gospel -- our bent toward creativity -- our drive to be relational -- our growing heart for compassion -- and how all of that plays out in day to day KFA life.

I loved the group today. It just felt like they were 'on the page' with us - and how good does that feel? Welcome to you all. Here's to the future journey together.

And be blessed.

ROUNDABOUT

2011-10-07T20:57:00.003-05:00

You can tell it's a slow 'news day' when the blog is about the new roundabout that opened today a half mile down the street from where we live. We've been detouring for months to get to and from home while it's been under construction - and today, I managed to wheel around the roundabout without braking and slide right into my garage. Nice.

I'm not sure why Kenosha has a specific need for roundabouts (there is another new one just 1/4 mile to the east of this new one) - but I like them. They're all over Europe and it seems we've been slow here in the U.S. to adopt this traffic pattern solution.

Joelene and I are headed to Greece in a few weeks, where I understand the rule of traffic law is basically, "No stopping." But it was great to ride around the roundabout today (I did it twice just for fun) and then steer myself home.

I'm sure I helped pay for it with my tax money so it only stands to reason that I should in some way enjoy it.

In fact - I know it's 9:15 p.m. right now - but I'm going to get in my car and drive up there and take a spin.

And be blessed.

KOBE

2011-10-06T09:09:00.004-05:00

When it comes to discipleship, there is the view out there that people just need to decide to live a certain way, because after all, isn't the Christian life basically an act of the will?

All that love, joy, peace stuff comes when someone expends enough effort to demonstrate those qualities. Right?

So let's challenge people to roll up their sleeves, rub on a little elbow grease, and start living the way Jesus lived, because the only barrier to that happening is the person's level of effort.

Isn't that correct?

I don't know. Is it?

If you want to play basketball like Kobe Bryant, don't you just have to try hard to make it happen? If you want to play piano like (insert your favorite famous pianist's name here), isn't all that's required is to try hard?

Neither Kobe Bryant nor 'your favorite famous pianist's name here' got to be what they were simply by trying. They did it thru a life of preparation and practice. The jumps, acrobatics, timing, shooting, ability, scales, finger control, arpeggios, didn't come thru the game or concert times, but thru the practice times.

'To live like Jesus, we don't try; we train.'

For every breathtaking performance there were countless hours of dribbling, shooting and slaving over a keyboard.

To play like Kobe or 'your favorite famous pianist's name here,' we don't try; we train. We do the things they did in order to perform more like them. And to live like Jesus, we don't try; we train. We do the things Jesus did in order to live like He lived.

A key to life transformation is ordering our life around some of the practice activities that were modeled by Christ so we can accomplish thru training what we cannot accomplish by trying.

And be blessed.

INDEPENDENCE

2011-10-04T11:12:00.003-05:00

Independence. I kinda hate it. I mean, I love it when it's me doing it, but I hate it when everybody else is doing it. We are far too independent and we end up calling it a virtue.

It's what we trained our three daughters to do from Day One. At some point we stopped holding the bottle and they did it; we stopped waddling behind them as they wobbled on shaky legs across the room; we stopped tying their shoes so they could; we stopped running behind the bicycle so they wouldn't fall; eventually we turned over the car keys . . . until they were fully independent. It seemed like the right thing to do.

But as a child, I was also told that I have no gifts, talents, possessions or abilities that weren't given to me by God - that everything I am came from Him and apart from Him I couldn't do anything.

For me, it was (and is) a hard pill to swallow. Why? Because I have an unhealthy streak of independence coursing through my arteries - as well as through other parts of me. My flesh, my pride, is in a constant state of rebelling against this truth and much of the Christian walk is bringing your self into DEPENDENCE and obedience to the will of God. I am my own worst enemy and without Christ I am eternally lost.

"I have an unhealthy streak of independence coursing through my arteries."

It seems the Bible is decidedly against independence from page one - not only independence from God, but from others. Christian growth has long been a relationship between someone who has something to learn and someone who has something to share - and you're not always the same person in that scenario.

That dependent kind of relationship accelerates growth more than sitting in a quiet room independently, poring over DVDs and books on Christian living. This isn't 'solo' work we're doing. The God-life is impossible apart from other people - and apart from Him.

Shake off independence.

And be blessed.

TIME

2011-10-03T16:51:00.005-05:00

I know a lot of people think the bulk of life transformation occurs at salvation. I'm not convinced. It seems obvious that perfection is not achieved just because someone makes a commitment to Christ. But many believe the remaining pockets of resistance are solved and corrected merely thru the passage of time.

In other words, being a believer will somehow automatically transform you if you just stay the course and do nothing more. That means a five-year old believer will have five years worth of maturity, etc. If we can just fill the seats, then with time people will become disciples. Let's just get them attending a service and voila! Disciple!

'Life change is not a question of time; it is about intentionality.'

Take a budding piano player. He loves playing. He's naturally gifted at it, but he isn't practicing much. He starts out enthusiastic but ultimately slips back to practicing once a week - then once a month - gradually not much at all. After years of that he shakes himself out of his funk about practicing and gets back on a daily schedule and immediately he begins to see dramatic improvement. If someone asks him how long he's played, his answer would not be a fair indicator of his skill level because for many of those years there was no consistent personal discipline or training going on. Someone else over here who has only been playing for a year or two but who has been diligent about it could easily outplay him.

There it is. You can be exposed to information, but that doesn't cause you to absorb it or use it for any self-improvement purposes.

Among Christians, 80% don't have a clue what the Great Commission is (See Matthew 28:18-20.) Less than 50% know John 3:16 is a verse that addresses salvation. You don't even want to know what the percentages are for issues related to actual lifestyles.

I'm thankful for our church, KFA (www.kenoshafirst.com). It is filled with people passionate about life with Christ. But in many places there are individuals who have sat in chairs and pews for decades whose lives reflect little of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The cause is simple: Life change is not a question of time; it is about intentionality.

Let's get intentional about the Kingdom.

And be blessed.

RELEVANCE

2011-10-02T08:31:00.003-05:00

Much has been made about relevance in our church age - most of it, seemingly, negative. The quick comeback is: "Well, the alternative is irrelevance, and who wants that?" But that answer does not seem to suffice.

Joelene and I have had the great opportunity to travel to India and we noticed that many of the men walk down the street hand-in-hand. No, it's not what you think. It is their custom. It describes a relevant way of expressing friendship among Indian male culture.

In Russia (I'm told), a kiss between men is nothing unusual. Often it's on the cheek, but sometimes (I'm told), it's square on the mouth. That is a relevant Russian greeting, like it or not.

In some countries, when applause is given for a performance, the clapping is in a fashion that is united, with everyone clapping the same rhythm, often increasing in speed. In other places, standing for the prayer prior to the meal is typical.

That idea of cultural relevance can be applied to probably the hottest topic in church culture today: singing and music. Our tendency to confuse tradition with orthodoxy is famous in our religious and denominational cultures, so much so that there is little space for any cultural distinctives.

As J. White says: 'The irony is that many of our traditions that may now be irrelevant began in an effort to be relevant.' Interesting.

It is widely known that the great hymns of Martin Luther, now considered to be sacred, were anything but that to the people of his time. Luther often took secular tunes and put sacred words to them and then incorporated them into the life of the church. That created, needless to say, an 16th century 'stink.' Two centuries later the venerable Charles Wesley did it, too.

Bach? Yep. Guilty. Handel's Messiah was considered vulgar by the churchmen of his day. Vulgar. Wow.

Here's a quote: 'For some years it has been apparent that the rage for novelties in singing ... has been driving out the use of old, precious, standard hymns. They are not memorized as of old. They are scarcely sung at all. We cannot afford to lose these old hymns. The young people today are unfamiliar with them and will seldom hear any of them if the present tendency goes on untouched.' That was written in 1891.

The point is that all music was, at one time, contemporary. Whatever forms of worship and singing we do today must be meaningful to those who are using them to worship. That doesn't mean we don't honor what is ancient, but we must be careful about what has become outdated.

Look at it this way: In America today, 2% of music sold is classical. Ninety percent is contemporary. So for 2% of the populous, classically-based singing/worship is going to rock their boat. But the other 90% is going to find a form of contemporary singing/worship serving their efforts to praise God authentically.

That doesn't mean we accommodate culture; but we must be relevant. Every generation has had to deal with it, not just ours. We should never seek to transform the message of the Gospel, but helping translate it to a world far from God, so important.

And be blessed.

BUTTERFLY

2011-10-01T21:06:00.004-05:00

The famous joke by Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff is one I have quoted many times. When he first came to the United States, he says he saw powdered milk - "just add water and you get milk." Then he saw powdered orange juice - "just add water and you get orange juice." Then he saw baby powder and he thought to himself, 'What a country!'

A basic assumption about life change is that when you come to Christ at salvation, it all happens instantly - your behavior changes, your speech patterns change, every addiction is automatically broken, all your attitudes become heavenly -- you, disciple are born, not made.

Truth is, when you come to faith, your eternal destiny is instantly altered, your life purpose is changed in a moment, but spiritual growth comes as a result of a process called renewal. Paul said, 'Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.' (Romans 12:2)

It's an idea similar to the word 'metamorphosis.' And what picture, from the animal world, comes to mind when you hear that word?

'A basic assumption about life change is that when you come to Christ at salvation, it all happens instantly.'

The butterfly, right? The process of going from cocoon to butterfly is “metamorphosis.” It’s a process that involves a conspicuous change in an animal’s structure. But you realize by what process the butterfly is changed. It is changed by emerging from its cocoon thru great struggle. If it doesn't struggle with enough gumption, it’s wings won’t gain enough strength to fly, so the struggle is, in and of itself, an important part of the process for the butterfly. So Paul says ‘Be transformed’ -- by great struggle -- by great determination -- it may not be totally easy, but change what you are on the outside to match what you are inside.

And what are you on the inside after coming to faith in Christ? Well, you are a child of God - you are a holy nation - a peculiar people - called out of darkness into light - a chosen generation - redeemed and purified - saintly.

You, follower of Christ, are called to be transformed on your outside by your behaviors, values, opinions and attitudes - so they match what your redeemed self is on the inside.

And be blessed.

TRUTH

2011-09-29T16:15:00.005-05:00

We've all been caught in the big lie. It started at or before age 4 when we put our hand in the chocolate chip cookie jar when mom wasn't looking and had that nice smear of warm chocolate chip on our cheek when she asked us if we had snuck a cookie.

'Ummm ... no, Mommy. Why?'

That temptation to avoid the truth doesn't abate as we grow. Ask a teenager. Opportunities are endless. Homework, friends, dating, Facebook pages, money, drinking, sex. You could add more subjects to the list. The challenge remains: Should I lie to my parents?

Fast forward. You're an adult now. But we've conquered that now, right? Well -- not exactly.

We live in a world that provides little support for truthfulness. We're told by everyone that we shouldn't tell fibs and yet our world, in countless ways, seems to commend deception.

'Just slip that extra receipt in with your legit business expenses. You know they'll never notice.'

'Don't tell your husband what you spent on that dress. He won't find out.'

'Surrounded by so many versions of truth, we can't help but revise our own concept of it.'

We must be a community that encourages truth - models truth - and helps one another clarify what it means to speak truth in love.

And be blessed.

SPIN

2011-09-28T08:54:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I catch Bill O'Reilly on his late night show, 'The Factor.' One of the show's themes is: 'The spin stops here.'

We all know spin when we see it and hear it, unless we're the one doing it. Then we seem blind and deaf to it.

I remember growing up to stories about the legendary George Washington. It seems he chopped down his father's prized cherry tree and then freely admitted he'd done it. I, along with the rest of my classmates, was encouraged to be truthful, just like young George.

Had I been a little brighter at the age of seven, when this story was first told to me - and hearing my teacher say that little George was only six years old when he chopped the tree down - I might have been suspicious that a first grader would have the power to hatchet down a full-grown cherry tree. Duh.

' ... how deeply deception can become rooted ... in our own souls ... '

But no matter -- because this story never happened. There is nothing in the family memoirs or history to suggest that either the chopping or the confession was anything but fabricated.

It was an invented story, albeit edifying as well as memorializing - but alas, spin.

It might serve to illustrate how deeply deception can become rooted, not only in a culture, but in our own souls - and I'm not talking about cherry trees any longer.

We need to be watchful for 'spin' coming out of us. It's easy to spot it oozing from someone else; not so easy to spot it gushing from us. If we are to live lives of Jesus-style honesty, in speech, heart and action, we must spurn 'spin.'

And be blessed.

BILLION

2011-09-25T17:43:00.003-05:00

We invited everyone at KFA to the Servolution Expo in the gym after services today. There, set up at booths, were local ministries that people could pick from to give their volunteer time. Some of the ministries represented were:
First Step
Care Net
United Way
Shalom Center
Genesis House
Youth for Christ
Salvation Army
Women's Horizon
Royal Family Kids
Walkin' in my Shoes
Sidewalk Sunday School Success Center

The various ministries of KFA also had their own booths for volunteers to peruse. It was a great day.

If the Gospel is true, it changes everything because it demands radical compassion - it demands radical service -- we aren’t living for ourselves, friends. We’ve died to all that. We live for eternal pleasures. We live for others.

This is the Jesus who commissions you and me to selflessly serve. In His day - 3 million people ... but today? 4.5 billion people who do not know this reward ... and how many right here in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois?

'For God's sake ... you are not your own, Christ-follower.'

The teachings of Jesus go against what most of us have learned. His way is not our way. His path does not parallel ours. God has not shrewdly created many paths that lead to the same destination. Every path but His is a dead end. And there is a reason His way is different from ours and from all the rest. It’s because He is different than all the rest.

His path is the path of servanthood - there is no two ways about it. Jesus said, ‘The Son of Man didn’t come to be served, but to serve - and to give His life a ransom for many.’ His path ... is our path.

I love our church - and when I say that, I don't mean I'm in love with our building. I like our building just fine - it's a nice building - but it's the church, the people, that I love. We have an amazing church -- but as great as it is, what could bring us down ... is a lack of serving. 'Servolution' is a way of life ... and it is the life of the Kingdom.

Jesus said to His disciples - and He says to us -- ‘The way I’ve lived, the way I’ve loved, the way I’ve cared for you, the way I’ve cared for hurting people -- I call you to do the same. Just as I have loved and served you, you should love and serve each other. That’s how people will recognize that you are followers of Mine.’

We read in the book of Acts that the early members of the church were called ‘Christians,’ not because they had given themselves that name, but because the people who saw them in action gave it to them. They gave it to them because they saw them emulating the life and service of Jesus.

That’s the call to us today. You are not your own, Christ-follower. There is far too much at stake. For God's sake, and for the sake of billions of people who are headed to an eternity without Christ, tens of thousands of them right here in our own city ... you are not your own. The Gospel demands that we serve.

And be blessed.

ACTION

2011-09-24T22:06:00.002-05:00

Today was a great day serving alongside some KFA-ers for the Kenosha Day of Action at the Shalom Center.

I ended up painting a bathroom. I thought it was interesting that painting is one of my least favorite personal upkeep type of things to do - and there I was - painting. It took me about 15 minutes to get over that while I was on my knees rolling blue paint onto the wall. I started praying for the ministry of the Shalom Center and that brought me to my servant senses.

I'm constantly amazed how often it seems to be about us instead of about others. Unfortunately, it started being about me today -- fortunately, it didn't end there.

I think sometimes we get so consumed with the trivial -- the things we gripe about ... there are thousands of people headed for eternities separated from God all around us every day. Let’s have our emotions wrapped up in that - not in who won the latest game - who got the credit for this or who was responsible for that. Those are all artificial battles.

Let's ask God to give us a consuming passion to serve others.

And be blessed.

ESTEEM

2011-09-22T19:35:00.000-05:00

I was asked a question on the blog yesterday and thought I’d just address it here today. Pride and low self-esteem are two sides of the same coin. They are at either end of a continuum that ranges from ‘I don’t need God,’ to ‘God doesn’t need me.’" Neither is true.

Many think the person who is arrogant, bragging and prideful actually believes their boasts. But arrogance, bragging and pride are not caused by too much self-confidence but by a lack of it. In that sense, their low self-esteem reveals their pride. If they were truly confident in who they were they would not have to be arrogant or boastful; they wouldn't have to tear others down in order to build themselves up.

A person who is sure of themselves doesn't have to prove anything. They are the opposite of that; they are humble.

Think back to high school. It wasn't the kid with the great self-esteem who picked on people and thought they were better than everyone. It was the kid who was longing for acceptance and popularity that took special pride in his looks or social status or athletic ability or money or circle of friends. He was proud and arrogant because down deep he was completely insecure with low self-esteem. Low self-esteem is what tempts us to the sin of pride.

In the Bible there are no instances of God encouraging someone to have a better "self-esteem.” But there are many places where God tells people not to think more highly of themselves than they should. Unfortunately for modern psychology, the Bible does not seem to support the particular idea that mankind needs to think more of himself.

We were each created in the image of God. This means we have a certain dignity, given to us not because of who we are, but because God was our Creator. But in and of ourselves, we have no real value ... we are merely the dust of the ground. But because He loves us, we become valuable.

Two things must be kept in view for us to live the lives God has created us for. We must always be mindful of our dignity and our depravity, but to go too far in either direction takes us into a path of pride.

When we lean to the dignity side, we become arrogant, and it becomes obvious we are dealing with a sin of pride. But leaning towards the depravity side also is a matter of pride.

Those with low self-esteem hate themselves for many reasons, all of which are focused on themselves. Sometimes, in order to prove how much they hate themselves, they respond in verbally, mentally or physically self-abusive ways.

But God knows us and He has already provided the cure. Jesus came to earth and paid the price for our sins on the cross. Each soul - yours and mine - had a price sticker on it that declared it the most valuable thing in the universe because it was bought by the pain and suffering and blood of Christ.

When we deny with our low self-esteem that we have value, we are in essence being too proud to accept the value God has placed on us. Instead of merely being grateful that God took someone who had so many flaws and weaknesses and yet loved us enough to die for us, we tell Him that His love doesn't mean anything or that He is lying when He tells us He loves us.

To climb out of this trap, we must retrain ourselves to see the truth. God says He loves us. Is He a liar? No. That means when you feel you are worthless, then your feelings are contradicting what God has said and either your feelings are a liar or God is a liar. Which do you think is more reliable?

And be blessed.

RENEWED

2011-09-21T12:30:00.003-05:00

I believe it was James Dobson who said, 'Your image of yourself isn't what you think you are. It isn't even what other people think you are. It is what you think other people think you are.'

A majority of folks have either an over- or under-inflated view of themselves. Our human tendencies toward both pride or low self-esteem (which may really be pride) is legendary. We have all acquired a mish-mash of both good and bad thinking.

Our bad thinking needs to be changed. The Bible calls that process 'renewal.' That means trading in old perceptions and opinions and ideas and thoughts and attitudes for a brand new set that God develops in us.

That is nurtured by reading The Book and meditating on what you read. Out of that, gradually, comes a change in speech patterns, thoughts, opinions, perceptions and behaviors. As that gets renewed, we find out our relationships with others also becomes renewed. As that becomes renewed, our immediate world becomes renewed.

And it all begins in your mind - where you are not what you think you are. You can not become the person God created you to be by remaining who you are.

And be blessed.

BRISCOES

2011-09-20T14:46:00.004-05:00

The Briscoes - former pastors at Elmbrook Church in Milwaukee - spoke at our area pastors meeting today. Both of them are amazing communicators. Here are some takeaways from today's session:

- What is the secret to a long and happy marriage? Keep your promises ----- and live a long time.

- We say 'balance' between marriage and ministry is vitally important. But Webster's Dictionary says "balance" means maintaining an equilibrium between two opposing forces. Are marriage and ministry opposing forces? They are not. Both are ordained by God; both are predicated on service; both are motivated by love.

- View your marriage as a ministry God has called you to.

And be blessed.

EAGLES

2011-09-19T14:15:00.004-05:00

I've never met a person who woke up one morning going: 'I think I'd like to live in some turmoil today ... I think I'd be OK with the whole world collapsing around me today ... I think it would be great to have the rug pulled out from under my feet today.'

We don't need to say that or think it because that kind of thing seems to find us on its own. We don't have to look that hard for it.

Life is that way. There is no opportune time for trouble to hit. We walk blindly into hornets' nests and find ourselves nursing painful stings, vowing never to get hurt like that again, only to find we don't have the power to keep those dangers out of our path.

"God intends us to soar like eagles ... "

But this is exactly the point at which God ends up meeting us. He intends us to soar like eagles but we have so often become earthbound, miserable creatures who have lost the instincts to be who God created us to be.

None of us are capable of making it on our own efforts. We need God. Why should Jesus have endured suffering and death if we could do it alone?

And be blessed.

BIRTHDAY

2011-09-18T21:45:00.005-05:00

I’ll admit I’m having a birthday later this week. No gifts, please. I’m OK with getting older these days. I still make a big ridiculous ruckus about it to people like I really do care, but it’s just to throw them off kilter - I’ve actually come to terms with it.

The only thing is - it happens to you a lot earlier than you think it will - getting older, I mean. I’m discovering there are actually a lot of positive things about it. I’ll write a blog about that when I think of what they are.

I know this ... my sleep schedule has changed. I’m waking up these days at least by 6 a.m. unassisted. I never used to do that. Time was I could sleep till noon with the neighbor jackhammering his driveway and I'd ‘zzzzz’ right thru it. Not now. I don’t even need to set an alarm as long as I don’t want to get up before sunrise.

My diet has changed as well. When I was 22, the word ‘diet’ was a word people who wanted to lose weight used. He wanted to be thinner so he’d go on a diet. She wanted to fit in her summer swimming suit so she’d go on a diet. My young metabolism was a beauty to behold, so I never thought much about diet. I’m the guy who would eat seven HoHos followed by a small bag of Oreos topped off with three S’Mores - before breakfast. My grandmother used to make me a nightly 9 p.m. chocolate shake just before bed and I’d sleep like a baby - till noon the next day - and wake up as skinny as the day before. A diet is what overweight people went on.

These days ‘diet’ refers to every last morsel I let past my lips. I have to eat right and work out just to break even. I confess I made a whole sermon out of eating ten tacos at one sitting last year, but it was all for show - even though I really did do it. But I lost my lunch two days later.

When I was younger, ‘joint’ was the place down the street that I wasn’t supposed to ever go into - flim flam types frequented ‘joints.’ Fifteen years later, ‘joints’ were something completely different. People rolled them. Today, I’m realizing I actually have joints. When I wake up in the morning - by sunrise - some days I think, ‘Wow, it can’t be that thing I did yesterday. I’ve been doing that for years, so it can’t be that.’ There’s a grimace in your joints. As D. O'Brien says: 'Your joints used to be your friend, but now they’ve turned against you. Twenty years ago if I told my doctor that I had a sharp pain he’d say: ‘We’d better see what that’s about and do something to fix that.’ Now he says: ‘Well, that’s just life.’

So I’m having a birthday this coming week. Kind of proud of it. Yep. Don’t really care. Don’t care that I’m getting a little older. Not at all. Not one bit. I’m going to bed now. Sunrise come early.

And be blessed.