WIJD?

27 Aug , 2009 4 Comments

I’m starting a new campaign (not really but play along).  I think the whole “What would Jesus do?” is a great thing.  Good question, but not the best.  The better question is, “What is Jesus doing?”  The former relegates Christ to a religious figure of the past that we imitate, while the latter recognizes Him as alive and still at work in our world.  We need to get back to the power of the forgotten God of the Trinity.  The Spirit is the only means by which we can live the Jesus life.

The challenge today is not new programs, new music, new versions of the same old thing.  Let’s be innovative and relevant but remember that the greater challenge is to allow ourselves to be broken before God, confess our desperate need for Him, and bow to His purposes for us.  We don’t need more church programs.  The Church is already deployed across every realm of culture.  What we need is the power of the Holy Spirit directing every life.  The point is not imitation as much as it is inhabitation.  As we seek the Spirit we become more attentive, responsive, and obedient to His promptings.  Jesus meant what He said: “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

God’s BIG Story

19 Aug , 2009 5 Comments

You must approach your Bible from the vantage point of the bigger story, which is, “salvation history”.  It is the redemptive story of God.  In the end, it is all about God.  He is above, behind, under, over, and beyond the Bible.  God stands independently of the Bible.  God and the Bible are not the same.  The Bible points us to God through Christ.  If it does not, it’s simply a religious book of rules and regulations.  And if you believe that the Bible is “inspired” by God (2 Timothy 3:16) then you must read as it comes from the heart of God.  Like any love letter, this one comes from a Person.

As we approach the Bible from the larger story we then read it and interpret it in light of this BIG story.  If you do you’ll avoid three traps:

1. You won’t get trapped in a legalistic hermeneutic– a rigid interpretation of passages, and an inevitable reductionist approach to Scripture that puts God’s Word in a box- instead of unleashing it’s awesome mystery and power into our lives.

2. You avoid the tendency to remove the Holy Spirit from the dynamic work of interpretation and application of the Word in our lives TODAY.  Often we approach the Scriptures without the inward working of the Spirit- and an awareness that God is STILL and always at work in our lives (He didn’t stop moving, talking, guiding us when the Bible was completed).  We start to read it as a Guidebook on HOW to join Him- in this very same story we see in the Bible- in OUR day!  How exciting is that!?  When you woke up today you found yourself in the SAME Story- this HUGE narrative that we see in the Bible.  It’s still going on!

3. Finally, you avoid isolation from your brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ who may not agree with your interpretation of specific details of certain passages- instead you have the ability to embrace believers who hold to the CORE like you do and you can love them and encourage them and join them in God’s redemptive work in our world.  Yes, debate them in love and with respect if we need to, but serve with them even if we disagree on NON-core issues.   Too often we broaden the “core” beyond what God ever intended.  If you want to know what’s core, go to 1 Corinthians 15:3-5.

Don’t like change?

18 Aug , 2009 1 Comment

As a pastor I’m constantly leading people to change.  Isn’t that, in the end, the Christian life?  Change seems to be the mandate of the day, doesn’t it?  Of course, unecessary change is a bummer.  But necessary change is, well, also a bummer.  And most of the time it’s not easy.   One of our members sent me this quote in response to Sunday’s message:

“If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less” (Gen. Eric Shinseki, former Chief of Staff, US army).

Are you experiencing the necessary and expected tension in your life as God is leading you into a dynamic and different future.  None of us want to be irrelevant or see our churches become irrelevant in our culture (what good is the Gospel if nobody’s interested in listening?) but so many don’t want the change necessary to allow us to remain relevant.  I’ve taught for years about the necessity to stay committed to the core but the willingness to change whatever is non-core if it will help us maintain our relevance.  Too many churches have gone the way of irrelevance, unwilling to change to reach an ever-changing culture.   “Oh God, let us not be yet another.”  Let’s all keep moving forward with courage, always willing to change as God leads us!

Book Signing!

05 Sep , 2008 2 Comments

I’d love to see you at the Cup Filler on the Square in downtown McKinney tomorrow (Saturday the 6th) from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.  Stacy and I will both be there (and maybe a couple of my kids if we can talk them into going) to say “hi” and have fun talking to our many friends.  I’d be honored to sign a book or two for you (and especially for those to whom you plan to give a book).  It will be a great day- beautiful weather, great options for lunch, and tons of smiles to go around!  Hope to see you there.

My Turn- (Stacy)

28 Aug , 2008 25 Comments

I’ve never considered myself a public speaker or a writer (and I empathize with those of you who really don’t do the “blog thing”), so please bear with me as I take my turn and attempt to express my heartfelt thanks to you for your prayers and loving encouragement to me and our family. I am so humbled by your prayers on my behalf and be assured they are being answered in miraculous ways. Your uplifting notes not only here on our Live Forgiven website, but also the many, many expressions of love through cards, gifts, and caring deeds have strengthened me daily.

 

As our family enjoyed one of our favorite places in Colorado this past July, Jeff and I knew that there was the possibility of a very challenging event in our future.  We determined to make the most of our family’s time at Wind River Ranch and our hike to the top of Estes Cone (elev. 11,006 feet) was the highlight of my week.  Little did I know that exactly one week later, I would receive a diagnosis of cancer and be faced with a mountain-climbing challenge of another kind.

 

A friend recently told me that fighting cancer is like climbing a mountain.  You don’t look at how far you have to climb to reach the top, you just look at where to place your foot for the next step. 

Just as our family encouraged one another and our hiking friends to the top of Estes Cone, so our family of faith from around the world is encouraging us to make it to the summit of this battle with cancer, and what a glorious view awaits!

 

Along the way, I am learning to take one day at a time and to continuously die to myself in order to be fully available for Christ to live in and through me (Gal. 2:20).  I’m excited about the fact that He is changing me for the better and for His purposes.  I’ve only really had a few big trials in my life, so in a strange way, I welcome MY TURN once again to show my Lord that He is all I need.

 

One last thought:  July 31, 2008 was a bittersweet day.  I find it interesting that on the very day I got my diagnosis, Jeff and I received the first copy of his book Live Forgiven. I believe God will bring many to the Savior through His message of grace presented in the book.  In all things, may He receive glory and honor for He alone is worthy!

 

My love to each of you,

Stacy

 

 “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13  NIV