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Redemption Partners

Posted in Church, Hope, Missions on June 6, 2011| 2 Comments »

Yesterday, I preached on the fact that when we think about the mission of our church, we need to see the bigger picture.  We really need to think more along the lines of God’s mission having a church rather than our church having a mission.  The reason for the very existence of a church is to fulfill God’s mission.  And that mission is the redemption of humankind.

We live in a messed up world.  I don’t know if you have noticed that lately.  We do a pretty good job of insulating ourselves from it much of the time, but the reality is, the world in which we live has taken what God intended for good and has twisted it into something else – self-serving, corrupt, sinful – messed up.

But regardless of what the world did to Jesus – rejection, torture and execution – God’s plan has not changed.  God still wants all people to be redeemed.  That is God’s mission.  God’s strategy and plan for that mission to be accomplished is the church.

Scary isn’t it?  What a challenge!  What an adventure!  God has called us to join in with the work of redemption!  We are to be redemption partners with God!

As you think about this adventure today – let me leave you with two thoughts.  First, we are not alone.  As believers, we have been given everything we need to carry out God’s call on us.  Jesus said he would never leave us nor forsake us.  We aren’t alone!

The second thought I would leave you is that this work, this adventure, is a call to be faithful – a mandate to be available.  the apostle Paul realized that in some instances, he planted the seeds and others watered them and still others witnessed the results.  We may not see the fruits of our labors on this side of eternity.  Our call is not to see results as much is it is to do all we can to live in such a way that we impact the eternity of others.

Be faithful and available today – and take heart, you aren’t alone!

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Do You Need God?

Posted in Church, Community, Formation on May 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »

You may have heard about the “Awakenings” from many years ago.  They were unrelated movements in the 1800’s and early 1900’s, where God’s spirit began to move and people were changed – in fact, entire societies were changed.  I have had a question rolling around in my mind over the past few weeks relating to the idea of awakening:  “Can it still happen today?”

I believe the answer to that question is yes.  God is still God and God is still in the transforming business.  So what is the problem?

I would say that the problem is not with God, it is with us.  The reality is that transformation is happening in our day and time, but not here in America.  There are countless stories of God’s movement in areas south of the equator.  God is at work in miraculous ways in other parts of the world – so why not here?

I believe the answer is very simple.  In our self-centered culture, we have grown to believe that we can do things on our own.  The idea of “self-made man” has been so prevalent in our society for so long that we think we don’t need God anymore.  Well, we might say we need God – we pray for God to make things go our way.  But do we really believe that we need God?

This Sunday, we will be talking about this idea.  My prayer is that God will begin an awakening here, this week, in me.  If you are around Littlefield on Sunday, stop by the church about 10:45 and we’ll see what God does.

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Retirement? I Don’t Think So!

Posted in Church, Community, Leadership on May 9, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Last night I watched one of the most inspiring news segments that I have seen in a long time.  I am not sure where the story took place, but the coverage was about two softball teams.  Now you may be thinking, “What is so special about softball teams?”

Well, let me tell you.  These teams are made up of retirees.  The coolest interview was with a 93 year old man who still plays.  It showed him batting and running bases.  And there were shots of him fielding balls and throwing the ball into the infield.  When questioned about why he still plays, he said, “If you feel like playing, why would you just sit in a rocking chair?”

Way to go!  I hope I am still active at his age.  I doubt that I will be playing softball at 93 – I don’t really play now so I am not sure I will start.  But I can see maybe a friendly pick-up game on a basketball court (although, the wife has restricted my b-ball since that second knee surgery).

As I watched this inspiring man playing softball, I thought about all the retirees in the church.  You know who I am talking about – maybe you are one.  I am not talking about the folks of retirement age necessarily.  I am talking about those with a retirement attitude.  People who may have made statements like:  “I have done that for years, it’s time for someone else to step up and pull their weight around here.”  There is a lot of truth to that statement, for the church to function as God intended, it takes everyone doing their part.  But no where in scripture do I find the God-sanctioned retirement threshold.

So regardless of your age or years of service remember that God has a plan for you and that plan does not involve sitting and observing.  For God’s community to thrive, everyone has to use their God-given talents to further the Kingdom.

What will you do today to get up out of the rocking chair and get into the game?

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Don’t Forget Mother’s Day

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on May 6, 2011| Leave a Comment »

This has been a whirlwind week.  The boxes of books have been unpacked and most of the office has been set up.

My highlight so far this week was Wednesday night prayer meeting – it just felt right.  Everyone was welcoming and open.  I automatically felt like I was at home.  Thank you all for your love and encouragement.  I am looking forward to Sunday and being together as a corporate family, all in one room – I am excited!

But in the chaos of moving in and trying to get things set up, I almost forgot that Sunday is Mother’s Day.  A day we set aside to remember our mothers.  I encourage you to do something special for your mom this week.  Don’t forget to tell her how much you love her and what she means to you.

I also have a special request.  As I was driving to work yesterday, I was listening to the radio and one of the DJ’s pointed out that she had tried for years to have kids and couldn’t.  She shared that Mother’s Day has always been a painful time for her.  I had never thought about that fact – and how many that affects.  So here is my request, if you know someone who might not be looking forward to this day, reach out and encourage them.  Pray for them and ask God to bring joy and peace into their hearts, even in the midst of the pain they may feel.  Pray that God would make you sensitive to those who might be hurting.

That is what families do for one another.

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Day 1 – Boxes and Paint

Posted in Church, Hope on May 2, 2011| 2 Comments »

Today is the day! Day one of my journey as senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Littlefield. While I am excited about the path before me, I am here in the wake of a very difficult, yet moving day yesterday in Levelland.

Last night, the church in Levelland hosted a reception for us in order to say good-bye. As person after person came by, hugged my neck and offered kind words of affirmation, the reality truly sunk in – my tenure at First Baptist Church of Levelland was over. But the blessing of our service there will continue in the hundreds of relationships we have forged over the past nine years. It has truly been a great ride!

Now, as this new chapter begins, I am staring at an office full of boxes and an unfinished paint job. My plan was to have the office set up before today, but, of course, that did not happen. So today will begin with a quick calendar check and then on to painting.

And so, the journey begins!

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Special X-Ray Glasses

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on April 26, 2011| 3 Comments »

You remember those ads for X-Ray glasses when you were a kid (or at least, when I was a kid)?  I never had any to know if they really worked – I am going to go out on a limb here and say probably not.  Supposedly, you could put them on and see through things.  I won’t mention the things that went through the mind of an adolescent boy when he thought about such glasses.

At any rate, how cool would it be if there were special X-Ray glasses?  What if theses glasses allowed the wearer to see what was really going on in a person’s life?  And what if we handed out a pair to everyone who walked through the doors of the church on Sunday morning?  I wonder if the gathering would be any different?

I started a book last night titled, No Perfect People Allowed.  The book reminds us that churches should be welcoming to everyone, regardless of what is going on in their lives.

Somewhere along the line, the people in the pews got the idea that they should cover up their problems.  I guess, in a way, we have done it to ourselves in the church world.  We preach that Christ followers should strive to be more like Jesus everyday – and honestly, that should be foundational to those who follow in the Way.  But we have failed to remain real.  We have given the impression that a mature believer should be “perfect.”  And no one wants to admit that they are not “perfect.”  So, on Sunday morning, we put on our “Sunday clothes,” and our Sunday faces and we head off to church.  All the while knowing that it is largely a show – often less than genuine.

Jesus followers are to be God’s light in a dark world and collectively the church is to be a place where those lights are recharged.  But why would a person truly seeking answers to life’s difficult questions want to look for those answers in a place where nothing is real?

For the church to truly be what God intended, it has to be filled with people who are real – with all their problems and baggage.  The church should be a group of believers who are doing there best to follow Jesus on a daily basis; leaning on each other through their struggles every step of the way.

That is why you will find this phrase on my business card:  “. . . no perfect people allowed . . .”   That is the church environment we need to create.

Keep it real!

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Transition Is Never Easy

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on April 11, 2011| 12 Comments »

A week ago, I preached at First Baptist Church in Littlefield, Texas.  The church had asked me to come for consideration as their new pastor.  In Baptist life, we call this “going in view of a call.”  It went well – I am thinking most of the people must not have been paying close attention to my sermon because it wasn’t very good and yet they voted to call me anyway (smile).

Yesterday, I officially resigned from my current position at First Baptist Church in Levelland, effective May 1.  It was a difficult time for me and for my family, as I read my letter of resignation.  We have been in this community for almost nine years.  Over the course of that time, we have put down roots, made friends and become ingrained in the community.  As I looked out over the congregation, I saw many, many dear friends.  And that makes this transition difficult for all of us.

But, God never called us to be comfortable.  Choosing to follow Jesus is the most fulfilling lifestyle possible for any human being, but Jesus never said it would be easy.  In fact, he used phrases like “take up your cross and follow,” and “the first shall be last.”  Life is not about being comfortable.  Real life is about being faithful and committed to carry out what God has equipped us to do and to become the person God intended.

Several people have asked about my ramblings here and whether or not I will continue with Clay In The Hands.  This has become a part of my ministry and really, more of a part of who I am.  And so, yes, Clay In The Hands is not going anywhere.  I knew this day would come and so all of this is set up to follow me where ever I go.

In fact, you know that I tend to be transparent with what is going on in my life and typically share my life lessons here.  I think the next few months are going to be an amazing journey so I encourage you to stop by often and join me for the ride!

Be blessed today!

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Intertwined Community

Posted in Church, Community, Family on April 5, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Last night I promised my son I would get burritos for breakfast today.  So, this morning I made my way to our favorite breakfast burrito establishment and got in line in the drive through to place my order.  As I sat there thinking about my day, I noticed the sun beginning to rise in front of me.  I also noticed the trees standing between me and the sun.

The direction of the sunlight caused every branch of every tree to standout like a dark shadow making each twig visible.  As I examined the picture in front of me, I realized how intertwined all the branches were – including the branches from different trees – all mixed together.

In another week or so, these trees will be covered in leaves and will offer shade and shelter to birds and squirrels.  They will begin to work to put oxygen back into the atmosphere.  They will serve as things of beauty.  In short, they will continue to serve the purpose for which they were created – all the branches working together – intertwined.

As I sat there contemplating this sight, I was reminded that I was looking at a picture of community – community as God intended it.  Each of us as believers are part of a community.  We may come from different branches and even different trees, but we are all intertwined.  The routine of our daily lives leads us in and out of each others’ paths.  God intended it this way.

God also intended for this community to serve a purpose.  As a community of believers, we are to offer comfort and security to a hurting world.  We are to work to influence our world for the better.  This community should be a beautiful picture of what God’s love is all about.

Community is a group of intertwined believers, working together to fulfill what God intended.

How active are you in God’s community?

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The Power of Multiplication

Posted in Church, Community, Leadership on March 4, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday’s post began the conversation about the importance of relationships in leaving a legacy.  Today, I want to expand on that idea.  If we truly believe that relationships are the best way to impact the world, then how do we make the most of our efforts?  I want to make a suggestion that on the surface does not sound logical, but the numbers don’t lie.

Wednesday, on the plane, I had time to finish a book I have been working through by Dwight Robertson entitled, You Are God’s Plan A (and there is no plan b).  It is a challenging but extremely practical offering that causes us to think about many of the same things Lucado pushes in his book.  Robertson talks about this idea of legacy in terms of investing in or pouring ourselves into others.

He makes a case for the idea of multiplication.  It is counter-cultural to think of a legacy in this way.  We tend to think of great leaders or speakers who have left a legacy.  We think about people like Billy Graham or Rick Warren or Bill Hybels when we think about those who have impacted lives – and it is true.  But if we look at Jesus’ life, we see that he poured himself into a few, who then did the same.

I have heard this before but I don’t know that I have every seen it in the form of a chart.  Here is the scenario.  If you were to have the opportunity to speak to 100,000 people per year; over twenty years you would have potentially impacted 2 million people.  That is nothing to sneeze at but what if you were to invest yourself for a year into just two people and then instill in them the desire to do the same?  So the first year you would impact 2 people.  Year two you would impact two new people, but the people you impacted in year one are now impacting the lives of two other people each.  Suppose this were the pattern for twenty years.  The chart shows you the results.

I am no mathematician, but even I can see that almost 3.5 billion people is more than 2 million.  Isn’t that amazing?  And all from a simple effort of impacting two lives at a time.

That is plausible.  I can do that!  You can do that!  I realize that there will be attrition and those who do not carry out their commitments, but just think about the possibilities!

Don’t let Satan lull you into doing nothing with a sense of being overwhelmed.  Just start with two.

Who will you invest in this year?

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The State of the Union of the Church

Posted in Church, Hope on January 26, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Last night, if your TV was on in your home, most likely the images being broadcast into your living room were those of the State of the Union address.  As I listened to the talk about where we are as a nation I began to think about the state of the union of the church.

As a whole, where are the churches of America?  Where do we stand in the area of life transformation?  Are we as Christ followers closer to being who God wants us to be today than we were last year?

How about in the area of caring for the poor and underprivileged?  Are we, as the church, doing our part to care for our communities?

What about in the area of simply showing the love of God to our neighbors?

I believe the church in America is a long way from where we need to be.  It is time that we stop going to church and we resolve to be the church God expects.

It is time we take seriously what it means to bear the name “Christian.”

It’s time!

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