The other day God spoke to me about how people today view finding a church. Apparently the best place for God to speak to me is in the shower. (Anybody that did the Mark Virkler study about “how to hear God’s voice” knows that’s a good place for that)

Shopping for Clothes VS Shopping for a College

Many of us view finding a church like shopping for clothes. We look for the best fit for us. What church makes me look good? Which church makes me feel good about myself and I walk away thinking “wow I look good”. Just like a great fitting outfit can make us feel thin, tall, fit, rich, hip (fill in the blanks here) we desire our church to make us feel the same way about ourselves. Some people look for a church that they can imagine themselves leading worship in, maybe running a small group or becoming a leader in. We view church as a place that will meet MY needs and make ME feel good about myself. A place to promote myself and give me a platform to do my thing. We also love churches that makes us feel better about ourselves (especially when they makes us feel “thin” when we already know we have plenty of “fat” in our lives) – figure out your own symbolism here.

But God desires we find a church like we look for a college. When I picked a college, I wanted to find one that was going to challenge me. I wanted something that was going to help me grow, learn and become the person I was created to be. I wanted a place that I could live at, make friends that would help define my life, find people to help challenge and sharpen my life and career. I remember being forced to grow up (college will do that to you) and learn how to live life on my own (sometimes the hard way). It wasn’t always easy, it pushed me in ways that I wasn’t used to. It challenged my thoughts, my ideas and my beliefs. But anyone that has attend college knows, it gives us knowledge and a purpose to pursue our dreams, our visions and our calling in life. Although it kicked me in the butt sometimes, it had a big hand in making me the person I am today by giving me the tools to succeed.

How to do you view your church experience? Are you in it so you can feel better ABOUT yourself or are you in it so you can truly become better IN yourself? Do you like messages that make you FEEL good or do you like message that help you BECOME better? Jesus never sugarcoated His message. He didn’t always tell people what they WANTED to hear but what they NEEDED to hear. Jesus did everything, and said everything, out of love. Love sometimes causes us to challenge our thought process. Love challenges our belief system. It makes us think deeper about WHY, WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and HOW. It leaves us wanting MORE not being satisfied.

My process of finding a church home involves me seeking God to direct and lead me to the perfect place where I will be guided to seek more of Him and desire more of Him. It should feel like family, not an event. It should challenge our expectation level instead of driving us to complacency. How can we possibly figure that out in one visit? How can we possibly find that place by viewing their website? How can we determine our home by how hip the worship or pastor is?

Why do we, as Christians, view our process of finding a church like it’s no big deal? Possibly leaving at anytime when our feelings are hurt, personal space is taken up, thoughts are challenged or we are asked to exercise deeper faith? Jesus preached all of this everywhere He went yet we don’t want to be inconvenienced today in 2011.

Challenge your thinking…seek Him to direct your path and REALLY listen. I believe many of us think we are listening but we are still looking for that perfect slimming pair of jeans.

MR

Posted: August 29th, 2011 under Life Stuff.
Comments: none

Interesting talk on TED.com from Julian Treasure regarding “listening”. How well do we really listen? Many people say that they don’t hear God speaking, but are they really listening? Many people say so much, but how much of it do we really listen to? Do husbands listen to their wives, do parents listen to their kids, do we care if we shut people off?

Give this talk a listen. Some interesting stuff on our state of listening…

Julian Treasure : 5 Ways to Listen Better

MR

Posted: August 19th, 2011 under Culture/Society, Life Stuff.
Comments: none

Yesterday’s message had the ABC and D’s in it. (I’m so witty!) We opened the new series “Natural Encounters with a SuperNatural God” with the story of Lazarus. Looking over how Jesus’ navigated that situation led me to understand His power and love a little bit more.

A – Walk in His AUTHORITY!

Jesus commanded Death to release its hold. We don’t need to sit back and kindly ask darkness to flee, we command it through His power. (1 Corinthians 15:54-58)

B – Be BALANCED in your reactions!

Jesus didn’t let circumstances rule Him. He balanced His emotions and reactions with His purpose. Are you allowing your circumstances to get the best of you? Jesus allowed bad situations to show His glory. (2 Timothy 1:7 / Romans 8:28)

C – Be driven by COMPASSION!

People seem to believe that God is emotionless when it comes to us. The scripture John 11:35 tells us different. His compassion for us is great. (Hebrews 4:15)

D – Operate from His DEFEAT over sin!

Jesus always operated from a state of victory not as a victim. Too many Christians walk around defeated already. Where is your trust? Whom are you believing in? Jesus defeated it all. (John 10:10)

MR

Posted: August 8th, 2011 under Leadership, Life Stuff.
Comments: none

15 Things I’ve learned over 50 years of ministry

Chuck Swindoll

National Religious Broadcasters 2011

1. Tell people how you feel about them now, not later.  Before it is too late.

2. Things I’m not even aware of are being noticed and remembered by others.  Little things mean so much to people.

3. Being real is a lot better than trying to look pious.  Authenticity.  Pursuing holiness is good, but acting like you think you are holy stinks!

4. When things fit, they flow.  When they don’t fit, they have to be forced.  Forcing things is usually a mistake.  Wait for God to make it fit.  When God is in it there is a flow to it.

5. It doesn’t pay to talk anybody into or out of a big decision.  A good book is “Leading Without Power” by Max De Pree

6. Days of maintenance are a lot more in number than days of magnificence.

7. Some people aren’t going to change no matter what.  It’s our job to love them.  It’s God’s job to change them.

8. I seldom feel sorry for things I did not say.  When thinking about saying something on the ‘edge’ to someone, ask self:  is it kind?  Is it confidential?  Is it necessary?  Is it true?  Am I the one who should say it?

9. Perception overshadows reality.

10. Time spent with my family is always worth it.

11. Grace is worth the risk.  Extend grace to those who need it. Grace relieves guilt.  It releases shame.

12. I’ve taken the words ‘never’ and ‘always’ out of my vocabulary.

13. Thinking theologically pays off big time.  Dwelling on God’s sovereignty will save you much worry.

14. Some things are worth the sweat.  Like admitting you are wrong.  Always telling the truth.  Admitting my own inability.  Expressing gratitude.    Being generous.  Showing kindness.

15. You can’t beat having fun.  Look for ways to help people life their spirits.

Good points – enough said

M

Posted: July 20th, 2011 under Family, Leadership, Life Stuff.
Comments: none

Some points from my message on Sunday.

-Honor is a lost art. We will protect ourselves and our reputation before we honor someone else and serve them.

-Religion has taught us to honor those that we respect and that are like-minded.
The Word tells us to honor everyone including those that persecute us and are in low positions (the unlovely).

-People get nervous about honoring people with issues. Don’t we need to punish them? Jesus still was who He was no matter who He was with.

-Honor is cultivated and not automatic. In most cases it’s not natural….especially in this day and age. We are taught it’s okay to disrespect people that are wrong, not our same political party, age, race, denomination, etc. God’s Word tells us otherwise.

-Honor is mandated not an option. (Galations 5:26 / Romans 13:7)

-I see so many people complain about not getting respect when they do not live a life of respecting others.

-We Honor God as we Honor others.

-We need to celebrate Honor and continue to encourage an environment that fosters it.

-We need to start celebrating WINS not defeats.

-We need to start honoring peoples’ callings and destinies rather than keep looking back at their past.

-We need to celebrate people trying rather than demanding success every time.

-We need honor people before us, rather than trying to exalt passing fads.

-We need to get excited for salvations and deliverances instead of celebrating death.

-We need to honor people’s decisions with faith and love rather than gloating in “I told you so”.

MR

Posted: July 6th, 2011 under Church info, Leadership, Life Stuff.
Comments: none