Post Christmas

Well, my parents left for home today.  The house is back to just the normal family.  Preston is still home from college so it is not quiet...  But Christmas is over.  We build up to it, plan on it, prepare for it, and then bammm it is over.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Christmas this year incredibly.  Reading the Christmas story as a family, worshiping together the Christmas day with blood family and church family, the sparkle in a kids eye opening a special gift.  All beautiful and wonderful to me.  But now what?  The great thing is Christmas is really something we can celebrate year round, because God is with us!  Now people may look at you funny if you try and play Christmas music all year long, but they may be the Grinch in disguise.  The reality of Jesus is a daily reality in our lives!  The joy of Christmas is not about December 25th - most likely not even close to the birth date of Jesus- but is the joy of knowing we serve a God who is willing to come at just the right time in history and at just the right time in our lives.

Fasting in 2012 - Video Message #3

Hey - Hope you take a few minutes and listen to the final video message about Fasting.

Thanks Pastor Dale

The Honesty and Joy of Kids

It was a great joy to work with the kids last night at church.  I love how honest a kid is with you.  They just tell you what is on their minds. "That pizza looks funny."  "This is hard."  "This is boring."  Do you want to sing one more song? "NO!"  It is pretty simple to know how a kids is doing or what they are thinking - just ask.  I have the opposite approach to life.  I tend to hide my emotions and my feelings.  To try and display my strength by being totally under control.
Kids are full of joy!  They can take the simplest game and make it the best time ever.  "Let's play tag.  Your it."  Then the laughter and the joy is displayed.  I have been trying to look for and enjoy the simple joys of life lately.  Still working on this one!

Peace on Earth or Ba Humbug

The Christmas season seems to bring out two things in people.  A real joy and peace.  Or a real negative attitude towards all the Christmas has become.  I think in some ways we can easily experience both of these things during this December.  Greed and selfish behavior can still our joy.  To see people who only are concerned about what gifts they will receive and will they be the right gifts to make them happy - can wear on us.  To see people miss the joy and peace of Christ because of the crazy schedule of activities - is a shame.  But to look beyond the greed, selfishness and business - to see the amazing love of God to send his Son - Jesus to the world as a child, now that is amazing.  Fight the ba humbugs by giving, serving and worshiping the Christ of Christmas.

Fasting Two

Here it is!  Your next video about fasting. I hope you take a few minute and listen.

Starting the New Year

Check out this video message about the New Year -

Thanks Pastor Dale

Thankful for Joy

I have not been a big Hawk Nelson fan in the past - probably no reason, just haven't taken the time to listen too much.  But as I attended the Rock and Worship Road Show the other night in KC, Hawk Nelson brought a smile to my face and some joy to my heart.  There own music was well done and fun, but just when you thought they were done, they came back out with mullet wigs and sang the Journey song -"Don't Stop Believin" The 80's rule!!!  Have you laughed recently?  I mean a seriously good laugh?  I know the Kingdom of God is reverent in may ways, but it is also a celebration, a party, a joyful time!  Rejoice!

Persuade

Acts 26:28 - King Agrippa asks Paul if he believes Paul can quickly persuade the king to become a follower of Jesus.  As we think about our role to be a witness to the work of God in our lives, we need to remember that for many people the persuading will not come quickly.  Too often followers of Jesus are known as people who will become someones friend in order to convert.  Some persuading efforts may be life long nudges towards Christ.  Some may never be fruitful in seeing conversion.  But we are not responsible for the results, we are only responsible for the nudges, responsibility to God, and to love others.
Who are you trying to persuade?  Are you praying for them or trying to win them by your own efforts?

Patience

In Acts 24 we can read about Paul spending time in a Roman jail while the Sadducee and Pharisees tried to get Paul convicted of a crime or released so they could get to him.  Paul had the opportunity to tell the crowds about Jesus, the Jewish leaders about Jesus and Roman rulers about Jesus.  God opened many doors for Paul.
Then it says that Paul spent about two years there in prison.  Two years!  I get impatient when things do not go my way for a day or two.  Maybe I think my plans are more important then they real are.  Ever been there?

Talking On and On

I was speaking at the SEK Juvenile Detention Center yesterday to a group of students - I guess they define captive audience - ha - and they were asking good questions and I was trying my best to have good answers - when I felt a hand on my shoulder and a voice telling me it was time.  My audience was not going anywhere, but my time was up.  I could have gone on and on talking about Jesus.  Now there have been days when I go out there and the students look at me with blank faces and I talk for about 20 to 30 minutes and then I just quit. When there is no response and no questions it is hard to go on and on.
In Acts 20 we read about Paul going on and on one night in teaching and a young man fell asleep.  Well, if you are going to fall asleep in church, make sure you are sitting between a couple of people who will catch you if you start to fall.  This young man we sitting in the back in a windowsill and fell to his death.  Paul was used by God to restore life to the young man and then Paul went right back to teaching and talked all night.
Have you so encountered Jesus that you can go on and on about HIM?

Culturally Relevant

Can you read the signs?  The weather signs are pretty simple today - RAIN.  But can you read the signs of culture?  Can you see the trends in how people think and what people are searching for in life? Paul displayed his ability to read the signs in Acts 17 where he spoke to the people of Athens.  He read that they were a very religious people seeking a connection with the divine.  Open minded to new thoughts and new ways of thinking.  So he gave them a message not about the Jewish history of the Messiah, but about how there is a God in Jesus who can be known.  We must also learn to read the signs of our culture and our day and to be able to present Jesus in a culturally relevant way.

"In him we live, move and have our being"

Community

Living Faith hosted and participated in three different community events this past Monday.  I know it can easily just look like handing out candy to kids.  But if you look beyond the event you can see 7 churches working together.  You can see local business, community groups, civic organizations all coming together for a common purpose.  My hope is that this can then be a pattern for other work we do as a church.  If it only stays with Trunk or Treat, it won't make a huge impact.  But if we can take these connections and our next project starts making a difference in the community, then are we not being what the church is called to be... yeast that works itself in the through ever part of a community with the love and passion of Jesus.

Funny Grave Stones

Funny Stones to Tickle Your Funny Bone - June Shaputis

On an Auctioneers Stone - Born 1828 - Going - Going - Gone - 1876

On John Yeast Stone -  Here Lies John Yeast - Pardon me for not rising

Sacred to the Memory of Major James Brush - Royal Artillery - who was killed by accidental discharge of a pistol by his orderly - 14th April 1831 - Well done, good and faithful servant  (think about it)

Ann Mann - Here lies Ann Mann - who lived an Old Maid and died an Old Mann

Coal Miner Stone - Gone Underground for Good

Lawyer in England - Sir John Strange - Here Lies an Honest Lawyer - And that is Strange

Lawyers Stone - John E Goenbel 1867 - 1946  The Defense Rest

A Painters Stone - A Finished Artist

After reading Acts 5 today I thought you might need a little humor!

Pastor Dale

Devoted

The result of the Holy Spirit coming on a group of people in Jerusalem on Pentecost was that they became devoted to the apostle's teachings, fellowship, sharing meals together, the Lord's Supper and prayer. (Acts 2:42)  These are the natural results of having an authentic encounter and infilling of the Holy Spirit of God.  You want to study God's word and find out more about this amazing God who has empowered you with His presence.  You want to be with people who have also experienced God in the same way and talk about it and process this reality.  You want to continue to connect with Jesus through communion and keep your focus on the reality that this is all possible because of Jesus death and resurrection.  And you want to pray and continue to connect with God.  What a beautiful picture of the empowering presence of God in our lives.  If you can't look back on the day when you felt a desire to devote your life to these things, maybe you need to go back to your own upper room and pray until the Spirit comes with power.  If you have lost your desire for these things over the year, the good news is the Spirit loves to come again and again to renew us and strengthen us!

Leader Must Be Life a Servant

Jesus' disciples start arguing with each other about who is the greatest after Jesus says one of them would betray Jesus. I can picture the conversation between them, each describing their great acts and devotion to Jesus.  "I'm better because..."  "That's not nearly impressive as my faith..."   And in response, Jesus teaches them once again that the greatest in the Kingdom of God are those who serve.  In the world we live in today there is still a mentality that those who serve are less important than those who do other things.  Custodians, waitresses, sanitation workers, and other jobs of service are easily seen as jobs of least importance.  But in the Kingdom of God, people who serve others are the greatest.  In the church it is easy to praise the pastor, praise band, ministry leaders, board members, etc... but the greatest in the Kingdom are those who serve.  People exalt people who have upfront and important world positions.  Jesus exalts people who serve and care for other people.

Speechless

Jesus continually left his accusers speechless.  In Luke 20 we read the accounts of the rulers in Jerusalem trying to question Jesus about his authority and then trying to trick him by getting into political and religious hot topics. Jesus response to them questioning his authority to clear the temple of the money changers, was simply to ask them about the authority of John the Baptist.  Isn't that just like God to answer a question with another question.  Just when I think I have a great question for God, He simply asks me back a question that puts things into the right perspective.  Then when they try to trick Jesus by trying to drag him into the political or religious debates of the day.  Jesus answers in such amazing ways that the debate is over.  They had nothing to say in response to Jesus.
Jesus often leaves me speechless.  In awe of how completely amazing God is!  Hopefully at those times I am more willing to listen to God instead of continuing to talk.

Lost

Jesus tells three parables about being "Lost":
In the first parable is the lost sheep.  Now a sheep not the most intelligent of animals and most likely if it gets lost it is lost because it gets caught or trapped.
The second parable is the lost coin.  Now a coin does not get lost on its own either.  It is lost completely at the hand of a person losing the coin.
The third parable is a lost son.  Now a son gets lost on his own.  He chooses for himself to leave the father and set our on his own.
Jesus teaches us that all the people of the world can be lost for various reasons.  Some people are lost because the world as entangled them and deceived them. They are lost because of foolish choices and decisions.  Some people are lost with no choice or reason of their own, but simply because they have never heard or seen the light of Jesus.  And some people are lost because they have chosen on there own to turn away from God and go the other way.
When anyone who is lost - gets found - there is a celebration!
Remember when you deal with people who are lost from a God who loves them - that they may be lost for different reasons.  This may impact how we approach allowing God to use us to help them to move from being lost to celebrating with Jesus.

What are you worth?

There have definitely been times in my life when I believed I was something special.  I was full of pride and I knew I was gifted, talented, and heading towards greatness.  There have been other days when I have wondered if it was even worth it to keeping on living.  I felt useless, untalented, and headed towards complete failure.  It is amazing we can feel those type of extreme emotions about ourselves and our worth.  God longs for us to have a balanced perspective of ourselves and our worth.  Child of the King and sinner in need of God's grace.  When I get down upon myself and focus too much on my faults and failures - I need to read verses like Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.


I am valued by God.  He knows me and still loves me!  Amazing 

Swithbacks

We use to hike in the Rocky mountains as a kid/teen and I remember looking ahead at the top of a ridge that we had to walk over.  I soon learned that to get over that ridge the trail would take many switchbacks.  Back and forth up the side of the mountain: gradually getting you to the top of the ridge.  I use to think, these silly switch backs are such a waste of time.  This hike would be so much shorter if we just had a trail that went straight up the mountain ridge.  I couldn't see the value of a switchback.
Went to a cross country meet yesterday and the course had a number of switchbacks.  It was great for the crowd because we could watch a lot of the race without having to run/walk very far for ourselves.  Not sure the runners could see that value, but for me it made life easy.
Another day at work, another meeting, another event with responsibilities... life just seems to go on and on.  A continued road of switchbacks up the mountain of life.  Can you see God working in the routine of life, or only in the spectacular? Is there a purpose for everyday living or are we just going through the grind of everyday to find the weekend?

Woe

Jesus warns his audience in Luke 7:24-26 - "woe to you"  Watch out!  You are warned now that you may not have God's blessing in your life if you are:
1. Rich
2. Well fed
3. Laugh now
4. If all men speak well of you

I am rich, well fed, I laugh a lot, and most people speak well of me.  Not all, I know.  But even at that I want all people to speak well of me.  It is a goal.  But Jesus turns all that upside down and says that the things I strive for are all things to be warned against.  So what is our response to this warning?  Will we simply explain it away or ignore it because it doesn't fit in our paradigm?  

Some of my heart response to Jesus' warnings:

I need to see I am rich and blessed and I must learn to be more generous!
I need to realize I am well fed and I need to fast.
I need to not laugh at the things that break the heart of God.
I need to be willing to stand up for injustice even if people don't like it.

Don't Look Back

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  Philippians 3:13

Growing up, my brother had an huge influence on my musical taste.  One of his favorite bands, and therefore one of mine was the group Boston.  One of their most positive songs was "Don't Look Back".  What good advice from Paul and Boston, for us to keep looking forward!  Keep looking at what God is going to do in our future.  To keep our eyes on the goal of knowing Christ today more completely.  To keep our eyes on the goal of spending today and the rest of our days in Christ!   Can you see the new day dawning?  Can you see the road beyond?

I finally see the dawn arrivin'
I see beyond the road I'm drivin'

It's a bright horizon but I'm awakin'
Oh I see myself in a brand new way
The sun is shinin'
The clouds are breakin'
'Cause I can't lose now, there's no game to play

Don't look back
A new day is breakin'
It's been too long since I felt this way
I don't mind where I get taken
The road is callin'
Today is the day 

Hearing from God this Fall

I am excited about reading through Luke and Acts together as a church.  7 weeks of one chapter a day Bible ready, meditation and prayer.  I have been reading personally in Leviticus and read this morning about God's plan for Sabbath and Jubilee.  A Sabbath rest every 7 days, a rest from farming every 7th year, and a restoration of all property on the 49th year.  Seven seemed to be a significant number, maybe it will be significant for us as we read and pray.

Broken

Relationships allows us to be broken.  Express our pain of loss.  Be genuine about our true emotions and feelings.
Religion tries to make us conform to an "I'm okay" group mentality.  God is good, so everything in my life must be good.
Visiting with someone who is facing the end of their lives, facing the great unknown of death- makes me take a real look at my life. Reminds me of sitting at the edge of my brother's bed- begging God for a miracle. Looking at the broken hearts of my niece and nephew, asking God, "How can this be what is right for these two kids?" Then when the moment came and my brothers earthly body took his last breathe, I felt incredible anger towards God and life.  I read from Psalm 68:5 in that moment: A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  Julie thought I was being a pastor, but honestly I think I was an angry kid asking His father to take care of something I felt God has messed up.  Loss, before this was distant - something that I has watched others experience.  Then is was a reality for me.  There is not religious formula that will bring you through loss, but there is a God who has walked with me through every loss and every joy. We live in a world that is longing for something real and genuine, because so much of their lives are full of fake.  When they see us and our faith, do they see real people who are broken or fake people who act like everything is okay.

Well, I better text that nephew and niece of mine and see how they are!

Discussion or Dialogue

Another difference between religion is a relationship with Jesus is that we are people who are creating dialogue instead of discussion.  Lenard Sweet in his book, "Nudge" talks about how religion causes people to be in discussions or debates with others.  Our conversations with people who believe differently than we do are usually discussions about who is right and who is wrong.  We of course believe God is on our side, so and we are trying to convince others we are right and therefore they are wrong.  People who are living out a relationship with God can have dialogue with other people where we are able to hear another persons story and be in a mutual sharing mode.  Lenard Sweet suggest that our most effective evangelism comes from 9 parts listening and 1 part speaking.
I friend told me recently that he was going to start patterning his prayer life like a Muslim.  He was going to pray 5 times a day to Jesus like a Muslim prays 5 times a day to Allah.  I'm not sure that came from a conversation with a Muslim, but I am sure that has the attitude of a dialogue and not a discussion.
What about your approach to interacting with people who believe differently than you.  Are you in a dialogue with them or a debate?  Can you see the connection of religion and relationship?

Relationship vs Religion

There are many differences between a religion and a relationship with Jesus!  One difference is that religion uses fear to motivate.  Jesus uses love to motivate.  When was the last time you intimidated someone into being your friend.  I mean really put the fear of pain and suffering into them so they would chose to become your friend instead of becoming a friend to someone else.  Jesus calls people to friendship with God which can become a love relationship that drives out all fear of punishment.
Religion only has follow the rules, ceremonies, guidelines or you are not "in" the group.  And when you are not "in" there are consequences either here on earth or later in the after life.
God longs for us to motivate ourselves and other people by the love instead of fear.  If I once followed Jesus because of fear, I now follow Jesus because I am loved. If I once tried to get people to follow Jesus because I was afraid they would be punished; I am now motivated that they would miss being loved and accepted by God.
You might argue, Jesus has harsh with people and warned them of hell to come.  Yes, the religious people who thought they were with God when they were not, Jesus was harsh with.   We have to assume that was there only hope of seeing the truth.  But to sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, and regular folks, Jesus had compassion on them and loved them.
Are you motivate today to follow Jesus out of love or fear?

Cross Country

Tuesday I attended a cross country race in Iola, KS.  It reminded me of a sermon I heard this summer by Dr. Graves.  He talked about the first time he attended a cross country meet and how he thought he would be sitting and watching the event.  He soon found out that to take in a cross country race, you really have to be on the move.  Running from one point to cheer on the runner, then cutting across the course to another point to cheer them on again.  He compared this to Jesus being an active part of our lives.  Not just a God who sits on His throne in heaven, but is anxiously waiting our very next move.  Cheering us on when we are doing well!  Telling us to keep going when we are hurting.  How do you picture Jesus interacting with you and your life?  Is he distant?  Close?  Engage?  Bored?
We sang that "Happy Song" this past week in worship and the songs says that one of the great joys of life is realizing that God is for us and not against us.  Remember as you run the race, God is cheering you on!

Many Working as One

There is amazing strength in working together.  Individuals may get credit for doing great things, but most major change comes from a group of people.  In Judges 20:11 we can read that the Israelites joined together as one person to defeat the enemy.
I so wish I had an amazing story of a sports team I was on that joined together - like in the movies - Remember the Titans - Glory Road - Friday Night Lights - where the team joined together to overcome barriers and play as a team to win.  Okay, in Friday Night Lights, they lost..... But all the teams I played on, through all the years I can remember, selfishness won over teamwork.  But I think that is more the normal than we want to admit.  And I believe it is too normal for the church.  God's team that he has put together to transform the world. God's team that is praying and working towards God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven... is to often derailed because we cannot work together as a team.
How great is your desire to be a part of something significant in your life?  How much to you want to leave a legacy of faith for your family, friends, and community?  Enough to put aside your selfishness and put the team ahead of your own life?
Seek first the Kingdom of God!

Holding Up Your Arms

In Exodus 17 we can read the account of the Amalekites attacking the Israelites as they were in the desert.  Moses went up to a ridge to overlook the battle and as long as his hands were raised, the Israelite army was winning the battle.  But as Moses became tired, his hands would drop.  When his hands were lowered the Amalekites began to win the battle.  Aaron and Hur where with Moses and so they began to help the Moses by holding his hands up.
Who in your spiritual journey is there for you like Aaron and Hur?  Who lift you up when you are too tired to do the what God wants you to do?  Jesus reminded his disciples when they kept falling asleep that the spirit is willing but the body is weak.  Our bodies are sometime too weak and so we need other people to help us overcome our weaknesses.  What are weaknesses you have that other people can help you to manage?
A recent worship song by Chris Tomlin says these words:
I lift my hands to believe again, You are my refuge, You are my strength, As I pour out my heart, these things I remember, You are faithful, God, forever.
What a great connection between lifting our hands in worship and Moses lifting his hands to bring power to the Israelite army.  When you are fighting your weaknesses - ask God for help and ask other people to help you!