This week we wrapped up our series on Relationship Tag and I lead a discussion God's radical call to forgiveness... not "I'm sorry".
What wild and crazy LIFE group we had on Sunday night as we went deeper into this topic. Real struggles shared and real desire to try and live out forgiveness at this Kingdom level.
Look at what Jesus says on this matter - Matthew 5:23-24
"So if you are presenting your sacrifice at the alter in the temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice at the alter. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God."
God cares more about relationships than our checkbook/ offering... WOW!
STOP... don't play religious games... address the issues of a strained relationship.
GO.... don't expect someone else to do this... you are called to action.
FORGIVE... release the other from the anger, pain, hardship.... even if they don't receive it... you do your part.
GIVE... then come back and give generously from a free heart... giving will be even more natural and important.
This idea is very personal and is a form or sacrificial worship in itself. You give up your rights to be be right and you give forgiveness, praying and working toward reconciliation. There are no guarantees...but Jesus says Go.
Churches may have some "small" giving weeks if we really live this out.
But in the long run, we may have freer people, and more generous, praise giving people.
Radical, risky, of a whole other mindset. A Kingdom mindset that comes from God, not this world.
What do you think?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
FireProof the movie
Last night Cyndi and I went on a date and watched a new film called "FIREPROOF".
The film was produced, written and directed by the same people (church) that created "Facing the Giants" and "Flywheel"
The quality, acting, humor and depth that display in dealing the painful reality of a marriage gone cold and bad is incredible.
They pull no punches and they don't make it easy to simply come back together.
The film is coming out just as we wrap up our series on "Tag". And man are there several great scenes of tag played out in this story. It make be fiction, but it's based on so much truth.
Plus the 40 day love challenge show in the film will blow you away.
It's a 5 star film. It may not be "Family / kids film" this time, but it's an important film.
By the way, Kirk Cameron gives his best acting performance in this film. Really... he does a great job.
Invest in your marriage, deepen your desire to really love your spouse and go see FIREPROOF.
"never leave your partner in a fire."
The film was produced, written and directed by the same people (church) that created "Facing the Giants" and "Flywheel"
The quality, acting, humor and depth that display in dealing the painful reality of a marriage gone cold and bad is incredible.
They pull no punches and they don't make it easy to simply come back together.
The film is coming out just as we wrap up our series on "Tag". And man are there several great scenes of tag played out in this story. It make be fiction, but it's based on so much truth.
Plus the 40 day love challenge show in the film will blow you away.
It's a 5 star film. It may not be "Family / kids film" this time, but it's an important film.
By the way, Kirk Cameron gives his best acting performance in this film. Really... he does a great job.
Invest in your marriage, deepen your desire to really love your spouse and go see FIREPROOF.
"never leave your partner in a fire."
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Storms
I loved the weather yesterday! It was juts the right temp and I could feel all day long that we were in for a fun storm.
I got in the house at 7 p.m and the rain was falling, the winds were picking up and it was DARK.
So cool.
Then the thunderclaps began and it was even better. (Not all my kids agreed at this point)
Then storms fade around 9:30.
At 11 I went to bed and there was a cool breeze blowing in the bedroom window and a casual rain fall.
Then at Midnight... BANG! The storm was back.
It was so loud!
I loved it.
What can I say.... I'm a freak sometimes.
I got in the house at 7 p.m and the rain was falling, the winds were picking up and it was DARK.
So cool.
Then the thunderclaps began and it was even better. (Not all my kids agreed at this point)
Then storms fade around 9:30.
At 11 I went to bed and there was a cool breeze blowing in the bedroom window and a casual rain fall.
Then at Midnight... BANG! The storm was back.
It was so loud!
I loved it.
What can I say.... I'm a freak sometimes.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Church Growth
We are called to make disciples, God said that he would build his church.
I love that our focus is to be on people not organization and power. Throughout history the church has focused on power.... power over people and their lives by fear, guilt and sin.
We all sin. We all know that we sin. Sin is a never ending battle that we all face, and we all face the shame and regret that comes with it. We don't need religious leaders and organizations reminding us over and over again how bad we are.
The first century religious system had fallen into that and look how that helped people grow with God and one another.
Jesus came and exposed that fear power driven system. Jesus often could be heard sayings things like "you say, but I say.
Or "you say, but God says." Jesus was always trying to draw us back to original mission, of saving mankind by faith, hope and love... not fear and manipulation.
The church in the first in the first century exploded on the scene through people and personal relationship. Not a system. They had no system. They had not officially building to gather at. Read Acts 2:42-47.
I love it that within the last year Journey has grown through very personal relationships. 6 babies have been born in 12 months.
More families are coming than ever before... of all ages. If we continue to focus on real people, real issues, and develop real relationships we too may explode like the early church. Systems will come and develop out of need and natural gifts and passions... not out fear and control. In don't want to control people, God or the Holy Spirit. I want to see people live free full lives, that are passion-driven under God's love and directed by the Holy Spirit.
The church will grow... as long as we stay focused on the mission of making disciples... not making "churches"
I love that our focus is to be on people not organization and power. Throughout history the church has focused on power.... power over people and their lives by fear, guilt and sin.
We all sin. We all know that we sin. Sin is a never ending battle that we all face, and we all face the shame and regret that comes with it. We don't need religious leaders and organizations reminding us over and over again how bad we are.
The first century religious system had fallen into that and look how that helped people grow with God and one another.
Jesus came and exposed that fear power driven system. Jesus often could be heard sayings things like "you say, but I say.
Or "you say, but God says." Jesus was always trying to draw us back to original mission, of saving mankind by faith, hope and love... not fear and manipulation.
The church in the first in the first century exploded on the scene through people and personal relationship. Not a system. They had no system. They had not officially building to gather at. Read Acts 2:42-47.
I love it that within the last year Journey has grown through very personal relationships. 6 babies have been born in 12 months.
More families are coming than ever before... of all ages. If we continue to focus on real people, real issues, and develop real relationships we too may explode like the early church. Systems will come and develop out of need and natural gifts and passions... not out fear and control. In don't want to control people, God or the Holy Spirit. I want to see people live free full lives, that are passion-driven under God's love and directed by the Holy Spirit.
The church will grow... as long as we stay focused on the mission of making disciples... not making "churches"
Friday, September 19, 2008
Tough start today
I got this morning and started a new day. A happy Friday. It's been a good week.
This morning I was to meet with several fellow Pastors that sever in the SE part of MN. This is a monthly meeting a great time of fellowship and growth.
On the way to buying coffee and donuts for this meeting I hit a dog with my car.
Another driver and I picked up the dog, put it in my truck and drove to the nearby Vet emergency clinic.
Needless to say, the poor dog did not make it.
Not how I had planned to start my day. It's amazing how you can be moving along just great and then tragedy actually jumps out of front of you. In a church like the one I lead, death is such a forgotten thing. Youth is great, death is not on the radar.
Even though I did not know this dog, it affected my thoughts and actions for the day.
Today I killed a dog, the hard part is.... I have no idea whose pet it was. There is no one to report to, or ask forgiveness of.
That makes it even stranger to shake off.
Let's hope that aren't many days like this one coming around soon.
This morning I was to meet with several fellow Pastors that sever in the SE part of MN. This is a monthly meeting a great time of fellowship and growth.
On the way to buying coffee and donuts for this meeting I hit a dog with my car.
Another driver and I picked up the dog, put it in my truck and drove to the nearby Vet emergency clinic.
Needless to say, the poor dog did not make it.
Not how I had planned to start my day. It's amazing how you can be moving along just great and then tragedy actually jumps out of front of you. In a church like the one I lead, death is such a forgotten thing. Youth is great, death is not on the radar.
Even though I did not know this dog, it affected my thoughts and actions for the day.
Today I killed a dog, the hard part is.... I have no idea whose pet it was. There is no one to report to, or ask forgiveness of.
That makes it even stranger to shake off.
Let's hope that aren't many days like this one coming around soon.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Pastor Greg Boyd
I just returned from the fall kick off of the our local Pastors fellowship monthly meeting. We had the chance to hear from Pastor Greg Boyd (Woodland Hills Church, Mpls). I have not always agreed 100% with what Greg has published or taught on. Yet, today I found his talk very much in line with how we are teaching people to transform the world through transformed lives. Not by a political agenda or pushing our way on to the world. Rather by living so radically different as Jesus followers, we will be seen as different and therefore bring about change.
Greg said it well there are two sets of kingdom questions. Kingdom questions of this world and kingdom questions of God's kingdom. How will we answer them? Under whose authority and value system do you live by?
Jesus lived a radical, counter-cultural life and yet did not picket and march on Rome. Rather he lived a life that created a power struggle that came through sacrifice, death, faith, love and hope. We have bought into the idea that we are called to reform the world, when we have been called to transform lives. The world will be transformed, reform will come.. as lives are radically transformed to follow the ways of Jesus. Die to self. Willing risk for others when it doesn't make sense.
It was refreshing to hear Pastor Boyd share how he lost 1,000 people that attended his church as he taught these biblical truths.
The church was to be a movement, not a monument. Movements make impact and shape the cultural and time that we live in.
It also is costly because it causes people to choice a value system. Therefore it will shake up our churches and lives. Jesus said,
"count the cost". It dangerous and exciting to hear another person today, speak with a kindred heart on these kingdom matters.
There is a battle raging... it's timeless.
It's not a war of flesh and blood... but of spiritual values and kingdoms.
Thanks for the reminder today... Greg.
Greg said it well there are two sets of kingdom questions. Kingdom questions of this world and kingdom questions of God's kingdom. How will we answer them? Under whose authority and value system do you live by?
Jesus lived a radical, counter-cultural life and yet did not picket and march on Rome. Rather he lived a life that created a power struggle that came through sacrifice, death, faith, love and hope. We have bought into the idea that we are called to reform the world, when we have been called to transform lives. The world will be transformed, reform will come.. as lives are radically transformed to follow the ways of Jesus. Die to self. Willing risk for others when it doesn't make sense.
It was refreshing to hear Pastor Boyd share how he lost 1,000 people that attended his church as he taught these biblical truths.
The church was to be a movement, not a monument. Movements make impact and shape the cultural and time that we live in.
It also is costly because it causes people to choice a value system. Therefore it will shake up our churches and lives. Jesus said,
"count the cost". It dangerous and exciting to hear another person today, speak with a kindred heart on these kingdom matters.
There is a battle raging... it's timeless.
It's not a war of flesh and blood... but of spiritual values and kingdoms.
Thanks for the reminder today... Greg.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Tag...the orginal relationship game
We all crave love, intimacy and deep friendships. So why is it that we so often find ourselves playing tag with those very same people? Tag... the game with very little rules, but can create very deep wounds. Tag..."I'm more right that you." Tag..."You're it and I'm". I can not count how many games of tag that Cyndi and I have played in our 19 plus years of marriage. What's strange is there have been times when we've known exactly what we're doing and yet we don't stop, we don't shut down the "game."
Why do we always have to be right?
Why don't we see protecting love, unity and oneness as more important that coming out on top?
Mankind started this never ending game of tag, and yet it was God who sent Jesus Christ to end the "game."
Jesus willing submitted to his fathers plan and died on the cross.
Jesus the one guy who was always right, always perfect, always loving... submitted unto death because restoring UNITY and ONENESS was more important to God than being right.
We may not like the word submit, because it means that we give up our "rights" to tag someone else.
Submit sounds like such a lower class word. Yet our greatest hero, freely submitted and gained victory.
Which is more important being "right" or living and loving in an amazing relationship built on respect, honor, and oneness?
You want to stop playing tag... step back and submit for the sake of the relationship.
It's the hardest thing that you can do... and yet it's the best thing that we can do.
Why do we always have to be right?
Why don't we see protecting love, unity and oneness as more important that coming out on top?
Mankind started this never ending game of tag, and yet it was God who sent Jesus Christ to end the "game."
Jesus willing submitted to his fathers plan and died on the cross.
Jesus the one guy who was always right, always perfect, always loving... submitted unto death because restoring UNITY and ONENESS was more important to God than being right.
We may not like the word submit, because it means that we give up our "rights" to tag someone else.
Submit sounds like such a lower class word. Yet our greatest hero, freely submitted and gained victory.
Which is more important being "right" or living and loving in an amazing relationship built on respect, honor, and oneness?
You want to stop playing tag... step back and submit for the sake of the relationship.
It's the hardest thing that you can do... and yet it's the best thing that we can do.
Monday, September 08, 2008
NFL replays
Tonight I had some guys over to watch the Packer vs Vikings on Monday NIght Football. There were both Packer and Viking fans in the room and we all agreed that the broadcast lacked.... a lot. Especially when it came to showing replays. Replays are always fun to watch and you often learn a lot about a team or player. What made this nights replays... or lack there of ... was that on several key, questionable plays.... we never saw the replay!!!!!
Over the last few years there has been talk that since the NFL doesn't have paid "professional" officials, broadcast networks and replay system at the game sights must be careful not to embarrass the officials. Well there were over 20 penalties in the game tonight including a "offensive man down field" cal that cost the packers a TD!!!!
Even the Viking fans watching the game its was poor call and deserved a better look for everyone.
I don't if ESPN... "leader in sports" just had a bad broadcast night because of their double heard game night or what.
I just hope that the NFL hasn't forced the broadcaster to avoid showing us the tough calls. We deserve to see the tough calls and it's always been apart of the NFL process.
And what's up with the game number #2 game??? Can't ESPN get a better broadcast team than MIke, Mike and Mike?
Maybe that's another post.
Over the last few years there has been talk that since the NFL doesn't have paid "professional" officials, broadcast networks and replay system at the game sights must be careful not to embarrass the officials. Well there were over 20 penalties in the game tonight including a "offensive man down field" cal that cost the packers a TD!!!!
Even the Viking fans watching the game its was poor call and deserved a better look for everyone.
I don't if ESPN... "leader in sports" just had a bad broadcast night because of their double heard game night or what.
I just hope that the NFL hasn't forced the broadcaster to avoid showing us the tough calls. We deserve to see the tough calls and it's always been apart of the NFL process.
And what's up with the game number #2 game??? Can't ESPN get a better broadcast team than MIke, Mike and Mike?
Maybe that's another post.
Friday, September 05, 2008
NFL 2008 is here!
I always love it when the preseason is over and the NFL kicks off the regular season. You can feel the intensity rise... bang it's game on! What's hard is that the NFL schedule has become more disconnected. Thursday, September 5th was the first game of the new season. Not Monday NIght or even a prime-time Sunday game. It was so strange to watch the Giants play the Redskins on Thursday night and really believe that this was the start of something exciting.
None the less, the season is underway.
This Monday night my Green Bay Packers battle the Minnesota Vikings in game #1 of a MNF double header. (I still have issues that ESPN has the Monday night broadcast. But that's another rant). So much has been said and made about Brett Farve, his behavior, his passion to play again and his going to the Jets. All of that is behind us... sort of. The Monday night broadcast team will have plenty to talk about both on and off the field. I am actually excited to see what Aaron Rodgers can do in his first official NFL start. Minnesota isn't a great power house team and has many questions on their team as well. So anything can happen on opening night. Risks takers and dreams are coming to play it out on the grid iron.
It's a redefining year for many teams in the league. Who will emerge as the new star of the league? Who will fall from grace and become the team that blew it? So strap it on, and gear up on munchies and Mt. Dew it's game time again. It just makes you want to go tackle someone!
None the less, the season is underway.
This Monday night my Green Bay Packers battle the Minnesota Vikings in game #1 of a MNF double header. (I still have issues that ESPN has the Monday night broadcast. But that's another rant). So much has been said and made about Brett Farve, his behavior, his passion to play again and his going to the Jets. All of that is behind us... sort of. The Monday night broadcast team will have plenty to talk about both on and off the field. I am actually excited to see what Aaron Rodgers can do in his first official NFL start. Minnesota isn't a great power house team and has many questions on their team as well. So anything can happen on opening night. Risks takers and dreams are coming to play it out on the grid iron.
It's a redefining year for many teams in the league. Who will emerge as the new star of the league? Who will fall from grace and become the team that blew it? So strap it on, and gear up on munchies and Mt. Dew it's game time again. It just makes you want to go tackle someone!
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