Strange Times

As I have been preparing my discussion outline for this Sunday (Nov. 2nd), I have been struck by some very strange and conflicting data. As I explored the depth of the pain and worry that people are facing in light of the current financial crisis I was very surprised. Overall there is a real sense that our entire world is in a global recession and hard times have only just begun.
Banks are broke. Homes are getting foreclosed on and companies are cutting staff left and right.
Yet, surveys show that people feel that they are living better than they have in a long time.

I'm confused.

Collapse of financial securities everywhere and yet families feel that they are doing better than a year ago or more!

Is this possible?
As Jesus followers yes, it is possible because our hope and worth does not come from the stuff of this earth.
Yet, it's not just Christians that feel better off... over half of the population, across the board feels better off.

I'm wondering if we have all begun to see and believe that trusting man and our man-made kingdoms will always fail us.
Maybe more and more of us are seeing the cup is half full and we're able to enjoy what we have, rather than what we don't have.
Or maybe, the skeptic in me says, we're all not buying into the gloom and doom story that we hear and read about each day.
Maybe... we're smarter than what the media and others thing we are.

What the case is... I'm confused. Do we celebrate this sense of "feeling better off" or do teach and prepare people how to deal with the stress, fear, and worries of a strange, strange world?

Men and video games

Friday night we had a great time going to Gameworks and just being men. Ok maybe we were boys again for the night.
15 people in all made the trip to one of the biggest and best arcades in the region. We raced formula one cars, shot zombies, danced, danced, danced to dance revolution and even battled it out in air-hockey.

It's always fun to see how a little bit of heart-pumping action and sound effects can help men bond and get to know each other in new ways. Half of our gang knew each other well either being long term Journey attenders or as apart of the Damascus Way re-entry program. But by the time we had eaten dinner, shot a few zombies... we we're all acting like bog kids together. No separation, just a gang of crazy guys out for a night in the big city.

Sometimes we make outreach harder than it needs to be. That's what I love about Journey. Even the simplest things, can be turned into high impact outreach,fellowship and discipleship opportunities. Keep it simple, keep it fun and open to all.
I can't wait until our next "guys night out".

By the way, we are looking at a Paint-ball day and a fun-loving contest with our daughter church the Crux in 2009.
Oh that will be awesome... men and paint guns. Splat!

Until next time men, keep training hard on the Wii systems and practicel, practice on the shooting range and any local arcade.

Hospital waiting rooms

Today I took a road trip with two good friends to have Bill get a surgery procedure done. I had the chance to see him in a hospital gown, look at a strange sculpture, and visit with his wife Sara all day. It was a long so, fast day all mixed together.
The waiting room environment has changed a lot since over the years. Technology plays a big part of patient care and family waiting. BUt the biggest change in the waiting room was when a golden retriever came up and befriended Sara and I ( along with others in the area). Reba the door brightened the, brought laughter and conversation alive. It was fun ton see how a peaceful, friendly spirit made such an impact on people in tense times.

Maybe the next time that we're in a hospital waiting room... we can have the same effect as Reba the dog.

Get better Bill, and thanks for allowing me to be of service and help you both today!

My Personal Faith

This Sunday we explored the Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13)
Half of the bridesmaids we're fully prepared with extra oil and the lamp was burning bright when the bridegroom returned.
The other five, got lazy, bored with waiting for the grooms return and they were unprepared. No oil, no extra oil and there for the did not have a lamp that radiated any light.

It's hard parable, because Jesus teaches very clearly here... your faith is your personal responsibility. If you don't take personal responsibility for it, in the end you will be judged accordingly. Man that's hard to take in from such a God that is know for grace, love, and forgiveness.

The reality is, we live in a world low personal accountability and responsibility. We live in a world that allows for excuses and last minute bail outs, rather than having people take account for their choices or even lack of choices. Making no choice is still make a choice.

In the church, many of us rely others faith. Mom and Dad believe so I must be ok. I go to church, when I can, and I feel refreshed after words so I must go to go. This parable seems really harsh in verse 9, as the five bridesmaid who were prepared say to the other five, "We don't have enough for all of us. Go to the shop and buy some for yourselves."

May faith is mine, I can either keep it fueled, energized or I can run dry.. it's my choice.
The sad part is, if I let run dry, I may miss out on many amazing things that God would love for me to be apart of.
In the end, if my lamp is not shinning, it may effect eternity itself.

The maids all got sleepy, they all nodded off. Yet when the groom came, five still were prepare enough to burn bright and go with the groom (Jesus). I don't know how else to say it, I have to stay awake. I want to help others stay awake.
Everyone can take more responsibility for their own faith... if they really want to. But if you're sleeping life away... I guarantee you're going to miss out on so many things.

How's your faith, your lamp burning these days?
How do you get re-fueled when the faith journey gets long?
How prepared are you to go the distance?
How personal is your faith today?

Drivers License

Well today Cyndi and I entered into a phase of life... we have a 16 year with a drivers license!
It has not been easy for her to pass the final drivers test. Parallel parking.. who really does that anymore anyway.

But today she got-er done!

It's proud day for her and her parents. Plus it's a nervous day for us.
Now she goes on our insurance, can driver alone (when we let her), and she gains more independence and responsibility!

A a mixture of emotions and thoughts... mostly all good.
My little girl is growing up to be a fine young lady... the clock is ticking and today is just a reminder of that.

KINGdoms - Preamble

Week one of the our new discussion series got a lot of people thinking about our world kingdoms vs our heart kingdom.
The heart Kingdom is God's active, present Kingdom among those that follow Jesus and him Lord, Master, Savior, King.
Yet far too many of us don't believe that this heart kingdom can really exist now, or make a lasting impact. So so we continue to try and use man's kingdom to fix our problems and rely on.

Where do you put your trust in man of God?
Jesus taught that our attitude, our heart condition creates a new kingdom. It moves, it grows, it's seen and yet makes a lasting impact, a dangerous impact in the lives of those that are effected by it. It's a hard concept to fully understand I admit. Yet, you can not deny that's it's just as real as any earthly power or kingdom... even more powerful.

It all comes down to your attitude.
Attitudes define and control us. They our daily course in life so often.

So sound off... what's your attitude? Is it focused on earthly stuff or the unshakeable, eternal values of God?

Church planters retreat

I just got back from a two day church planters retreat in Whalen, MN... south of Lanesboro.
This annual get away has always been important to me and my wife. It's a time of relaxing, refueling and reconnected with like minded brothers and sisters that face many of the same highs and lows we have do each week, month, year.

This year EVERYONE physically tired. It was a two day... nap for many of the leaders and couples. We've had years when couples have come in battle weary and worn... this year it was simply a energy break for most people. It was really strange. No late night card games, no earth shattering stories or prayer request. It was like any of the 4 prior years that I've attended.

Yet it was great in a different way. I was able to share this time with Bill Ellingson ( Director at Journey/ best friend and great guy)
He just lost his job at Qwest and the timing of this retreat was perfect for him and his place in life. Plus he heard and connected with other crazy ducks like me. Yes, that's a good thing.

It was much needed get away as we press forward into fall and a extra special holiday season at Journey.

Crazy daze!

I really love what I do for a living! Yet, often I get questions (not jokes) what do you really do all day?
It's hard to explain how some days, even weeks are smooth, calm, organized and I read, dream and actually do what seems like very little "work" as most people may call it.

Then there are days and weeks when everything hits and hits and hits.
Yesterday was a great example of a crazy day after several days or peace, prep and dreaming.

9:00 - 11:00 met with another are Pastor.... great time sharing what God is doing in both of our church communities.
11:00 - 11:30 receive call that key leader lost his job of 7 years (BIG SURPRISE)
Noon - 2 p.m. lunch meeting with a new couple to our church that is facing major life/ family issues.
2- 4 p.m. - Visit guy who was let go from job and talked with another person about some major life struggles.
4:30 walk in house, my phone rings and I receive new that "uncle Bob" former attender of Journey just passed away after long battle with Cancer. 1/2 talk on phone with grieving young man about this family loss.
8:30 p.m. as I go to turn off cell phone (off by 9 each night), call comes in from teenager wanting to meet next week and has lost of questions about emotions he feeling and who is God.

I love these type of days. Really.
I feel that I am really serving, ministering, helping people in the name of Jesus.
I feel extremely close God because I must lean on Him, his strength and understand. I must stay linked with God or I would crack and be a nut case.
I'm also glad that God has wired me to transition quickly from joy to sadness.
But I'm also glad that I had several days of calm, peace and dreaming. My battery was spiritually and emotionally charged to face a day like yesterday.

I do not wish pain or hardship on anyone.... but I am glad that God has wired me to do this amazing job called Church planting and pastor a church or searching people.

Upside down teaching

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?

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."

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.

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"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Friendships

This past summer I've several hard talks with long time friends. Talks over why it's gotten so much harder to stay connected like we used to. In every conversation it was agreed that part of the struggle is families grow, change and actual take over at times.
Jobs have changed and responsibilities have increased with the job changes. That is a blessing a a curse at times me and my friends have found out.

We all know that friends change over the course of a life time, it just doesn't make it any easier to see once strong relationships die a slow death. No one is to blame and yet everything is to blame. Life moves at mach 5 and relationships suffer. Each of the friendships agreed that each of us have said "no" to possible get togethers or have had stuff just pop up.

On the other hand I have reconnected with several old friends through Facebook and our website. It's been fun and exciting to reconnect, hear how life is and dream of actually seeing some of these "old friends" face to face again. But to do that, I'll have to say no to other friends.

Finally, I love meeting new people making new friends. But as each new person comes into my life, there is less and less for other friends. Not all friends need to be "deep friends." But those "deep friendships" must be protected.

I rant on this, because I have no easy solutions. Maybe you do.
I am a people person... for better or whose that will always create a blessing and a curse.
If you read this and see yourself as one of those "lost" friends or "weaken friendships"... understand it's nothing personal.
You are still loved, needed and valued.

Crisis of the heart

We often create our own CRISIS OF THE HEART.
Not a happy thought, but often a true one. I find it especially true for those that follow Jesus Christ and really embrace the heart change that comes from living life with him. The more our heart changes, the more our life will change and the more we'll set ourselves apart from those that we love the most... and there is the crisis of the heart.
We love to know God more and we love to avoid crisis and conflict so what do we do?

I learned something very cool this last week as I was preparing my outline for our Sunday morning discussion at Journey.
The Chinese symbols for CRISIS are identical to those that are for the word OPPORTUNITY. In fact it's literally translated , "Crisis is an opportunity riding on dangerous winds."

Is that how you see the crisis in your life? Are the opportunities are land-mines to avoid?

God can take anything, even crisis to help us grow, mature, and even be more effective in this world.
Now I'm not saying, let's go try and make crisis situations pop up for the sake of making more drama. Rather, as crisis come to our lives, embrace them and learn from them. Actually step into them. With each crisis you have choices to make. As Jesus followers often the choice that wants us to take will create more crisis between family, friends, co-workers. You have a choice, a tough choice. Follow God no matter the cost. Or side step it and avoid it all together.

My heart wants to beat with the things of God so badly. Therefore I am a person of crisis and conflict.
Crisis and conflict, because I have chosen paths different that very good friends and bosses.

Sometimes our heart lead to make bad choices and we have a heart crisis that requires us to go backwards, repent, fix relationships and return more committed to God.
Sometimes our heart is so in tune with God we make new heart crisis develop.

So how do you handle crisis of the heart? Do you feel the winds of opportunity approaching or are you wanting the winds to fade away and not require you to make a heart choice.

Jesus said count the cost.

Child of God - Narnia style

This Sunday I had the privilege to sit in the crowd (with my wife) and hear Rachel Strouf speak before our Journey family.
I knew that with all her hard work and prep. With her natural love for the story and her love for God she would do well on the platform. But wow... she did outstanding! Two services, one morning, first-time giving a message!!!!

Rachel shared about how a believers, Jesus followers we are "sons of Adam and daughters of Eve".
Sons and daughter of the most high sovereign God.
As she spoke on the deeper truth of how we can really live a life as Children of God, the Prince Caspian film helped her paint a clear picture of the life in Christ that can be ours.

As I heard her speak, I felt sad by how few of us... that call ourselves Christians stand tall and live as a son or daughter of Royalty. Not snobbish, but as chosen, gifted and willing to reclaim this world with God.
Far to many us, crawl through life and our faith.... rather than stand tall in Christ... a member of the eternal family.

Rachel was right, we live in a world full of all the great things that make great movies and stories. Love, adventure, drama, pain, hardship, battles and surprising victories. The adventure is now... it is real.... the question is are we willing to jump into the adventure, stand tall and show how being a child of the "King of Kings" makes all the difference.

Today could be the beginning of your adventure. Are you ready?