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Created To Influence

Posted in Church, Community, Hope, Leadership on February 19, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday, I reflected on a friend and the influence he has had on my life.  (You can read about Bill here).

Since that time I have been thinking about influence.  Influence, by definition, is the ability to affect change in others.  And I believe influence in its purest form is the ability to affect change in others through respect.

Respect is not something that has to be requested – and it can never be commanded.  In fact, if one has to ask for another’s respect, it most likely has not been earned.  Character breeds respect.  And respect leads to influence.

As believers, we are called to be influencers.  Jesus is the ultimate change agent.  In his short life here on earth, he started a revolution that has lasted over 2000 years.  As his followers, we are to be change agents – influencers for him.  Every single believer is called to this, it is not a choice.  This is not a calling for a select few.  It is not the destiny of those gifted with the ability to speak.  This calling is for each and every one of us.

The cool thing is that each and every one of us has a sphere of influence.  We each have those we do life with – those with whom we relate each day.  It may be those we work with or those who work where we shop.  And most definitely those we live with under the same roof.

So here’s the deal.  God has given you a sphere of influence.  What are you doing to influence others?  Are you living in such a way that others respect you?

That is the call.  And it is not a call for the faint of heart.  But you can do it!

So go influence someone today for the sake of the Kingdom.

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What An Adventure!

Posted in Church, Community, Formation, Hope, Motivational on October 15, 2013| 2 Comments »

In preparing for this coming Sunday, I pulled a little book off the shelf that I read years ago and have re-read a time or two.  The book is by Erwin McManus and is entitled, The Barbarian Way.  It is a quick read and is one of those books that should be used as a reminder from time to time.

All of us need to remember what this following in The Way is all about.  So many people look at Christianity and say, “Why would I want to be involved in a system of rules that leads to a boring life of restriction from the things I enjoy doing and that bring excitement?  No thanks, you can have it.”

But I am reminded that Jesus did not call us to a boring life.  In fact, following Christ is the most exciting, fulfilling adventure offered to mankind.  When we approach our faith completely surrendered to Jesus, we realize that we are living right on the edge.  The X-Games have nothing on following Jesus!

McManus reminds us that there is a difference between what religion has become and the way Jesus calls us to live.  Here is what he says:

When Christianity becomes just another religion, it focuses on requirements.  Just to keep people in line, we build our own Christian civilization and then demand that everyone who believes in Jesus become a good citizen.  

It’s hard to imagine that Jesus would endure the agony of the Cross just to keep us in line.  Jesus began a revolution to secure our freedom.

Following The Way is more than living by a set of rules.  In fact, it is not about conforming but rather being transformed.  Jesus did not call us to conform to a system, he called us to join the battle for the hearts of humanity.  This calling is far from boring.  It is a call to live outside our comfort zone every day.  It is a call to give everything we have to the movement of God.  And this movement is bigger than we are and greater than anything we can even imagine.

Will you join the adventure?

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Jesus On the Highway

Posted in Church, Formation, Motivational on September 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »

On Saturday, my youngest son had a cross-country meet in Amarillo.  The last time he ran in Amarillo, my wife and I were not able to make it because of the distance and other commitments we had that day.  So this time, we made sure to be there to cheer him on.

As we were making the trip up I-27, we were almost to Amarillo – approaching Happy – when my wife asked, “Is this the town that has Jesus on the highway?”  As I thought about it, I could remember, sometime in the past, seeing a much larger than life crucifix enclosed in a glass building along the interstate – so I knew what she was talking about.

We quickly realized that Jesus was not in Happy, nor Canyon.  We made it on to the meet, watched Bryson do an amazing job with the 5K and then we ran some errands and had lunch before heading back home.  As we pulled back onto I-27 to head south, the conversation turned back to wondering where we would see Jesus.

As we approached each little town we would both begin looking to the side of the freeway to try and catch a glimpse of Jesus as we passed by.  Finally we came to Abernathy, and there he was.  Standing there on the access road to the interstate was a 30′ tall glass building and inside, at least a 20′ crucifix.  If you have never seen this display, next time you are on I-27 going through Abernathy, look to the west.  It is very impressive.

Since Saturday, I have been thinking about our pilgrimage.  I have thought about our conversation as we looked for Jesus.  And it made me think, how many people in the world are looking for Jesus – not a crucifix on the side of the highway – but actually looking for Jesus.  They come to our churches looking for Jesus.  I can just hear the conversation in the car as they drive up to the church on Sunday morning, “Do you think we will see Jesus in there?”

I can also imagine people watching me and asking the question, “Will he show me Jesus if I watch?”

The truth is, everyone in the world is looking for Jesus.  They may not know it but everyone is looking for him.  They are looking for something more.  Something or someone who can bring fulfillment.  Something that will bring relief from the pressures of work and family.  Something that will bring security and peace in a world that offers neither.  Everyone is looking for something or someone.

As believers, we know exactly what they need; or rather, who they need.  The answer is always Jesus.

So will they see Jesus when they come through the doors of your church?  Maybe the better question – will they see Jesus when they encounter you today?

I wonder where I will see Jesus today?

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I Saw Jesus In a Restaurant Downtown

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on September 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Monday night, I saw Jesus and it was amazing and humbling all at the same time.  No, I didn’t have some mystical experience.  I physically saw the hands and feet of Jesus.

I saw his hands carrying a bowl of stew to man who walked in with a confused look on his face as he was told to find a place to sit and we would serve him.  I saw Jesus’ arms as they hugged a senior adult lady before she left the restaurant.  I saw Jesus in the smiles of the nearly 20 volunteers from our 1st B family who gave of their time to serve a free meal to those in our community who could use something to eat.

But more than anywhere else, I saw Jesus in the hearts of the two ladies who opened their restaurant and cooked the food at their own expense in order to provide a free meal to those who needed it.

Yes, Monday night I saw Jesus and my life may never be the same!

Be a blessing to someone else today!

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Listen To God And Bring Them Along

Posted in Church, Hope, Leadership on September 17, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Last Wednesday, during my prayer and reading time, I was feeling a little overwhelmed with the pressures of the day.  It was early in the morning before anyone in the house was up, but already I was feeling like there was no way to get it all done.  There were meetings to lead and planning to be done.  The church is in the midst of searching for a music minister and so trying to discern God’s direction has been heavy on my mind and heart for weeks.  All these things were running through my mind.

I began to pray and take my focus off my day and put it on God.  As I did, God began to calm me down.  I opened my Bible and began to read but as I read and prayed, my mind began to race back toward my list of things to do that day.  I continued to try and focus on God and what God would say to me and the most amazing thing happened.  God spoke.

No, not in an audible voice but it was clearly God.  God impressed me with this thought and these words, “Listen to me and bring them along.”

As a pastor, I needed to be reminded of that simple process.  My calling is to listen to God and then bring people along the path God has chosen for us.  Am I the only one God speaks to in our church?  Absolutely not.  But I am in the position that people look to me for leadership.  So it was helpful to remember that my primary task is to listen to God and then lead people in God’s direction.

Many of you are leaders in your churches.  You have people who look to you to take the lead.  Stop today and listen to God.  Remember that God has a plan for you and those you lead.  Your task is to simply listen to God and then bring them along.

Be blessed today.

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Join the Highway Crew

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on September 11, 2013| Leave a Comment »

The area of the state in which I live has been seen as a desert for a number of years.  But lately, God has blessed us with some much needed rain and the crops are looking healthy.  So I don’t hear the term “desert” as much these days.

Image

This morning I was moved to Isaiah 40 in my reading.  As I read these verses, I thought about the calling God has given me.  And beyond me, the calling God has given the church.  Verses 3-5 say this

A voice is calling,
“Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness;
Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

 “Let every valley be lifted up,
And every mountain and hill be made low;
And let the rough ground become a plain,
And the rugged terrain a broad valley;
 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
And all flesh will see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Make a smooth highway in the desert for our God.  I may not be in a literal desert, but I see the evidence of a spiritual desert all around me.  Spiritually, the people of this area are parched.  Nothing grows but weeds and thorns and grass spurs.

In the midst of this desert, God has called me – and you – to make a smooth highway.  A wide path for God to be glorified.  All of our efforts each day should be to make a way for God to move in the lives of the people we touch.  We are called to turn the heads of the people we meet toward God.  We can’t make anyone believe.  And we can’t force God to move in someone’s life.  But that is not what God has called us to do.

God has called us to make a way – a highway – to those in the desert.  God will do the rest.  Isaiah tells us that when we are faithful to our calling, then God’s glory will be revealed and everyone will see it at the same time.

Be faithful today.  Join the highway crew.  There is a lot of work to be done and the days are getting shorter.

Be a blessing today!

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Why Does Church Matter To You?

Posted in Church, Community on August 21, 2013| 8 Comments »

I have a project for you.

I am starting a new series this week – Why You Should Come To My Church.

I am going to be talking about the things we find, or should find, in our churches that make being a part of the church something that is indispensable in a person’s life.  What is it about church that a person is just not going to have in his or her life if he or she is not tied to a community of believers?

So here is the project for you – text me, email me, Facebook me, call me or simply reply right here with the answer to this question.

Why is your church indispensable to you?

I can’t wait to hear from you!

Be blessed today!

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Back With Renewed Passion

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on July 29, 2013| 1 Comment »

It is good to be back.  The last 2 to 3 weeks have been insanely busy – two conventions spread from the east coast to San Antonio and then a much needed vacation with the family.

But I am back in the saddle now and ready to get back into something that resembles a routine.

My time away gave me time to think – about my life, ministry and direction.  As I thought about the direction of our church family, I became very convicted that the church, not just ours, has become more of a social club than a church.  Don’t get me wrong, I believe with all my heart that when the family comes together, we should enjoy it and have fun.

But if our reason for existing as a church family is because we enjoy getting together then we are just a club.  When I read the New Testament I come away with an understanding of what Jesus expects of the church and it is more than just a gathering of somewhat like-minded people who enjoy being together.

The role of the church in our world should be to offer God’s light to a dark world – to offer hope to those who have none – to love when no one else will.

I am back with a renewed passion to do my part to see the church truly become what the church is supposed to BE.

Who is with me?

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It Only Takes One To Make a Difference

Posted in Church, Community, Formation, Hope on June 24, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Last night we kicked off our Vacation Bible School.  This is one of the biggest events we host each year as an outreach to the children and families of our community.  This year’s theme is built around an amusement park – Colossal Coaster.

As the kids entered the sanctuary to close last night, we had a video playing with one of the songs for the week playing as background music.  But the video was shot from the inside of a huge roller coaster.  In other words, as we sat and watched the video, it was as if we were riding the coaster.

I sat in the back of the group so that I could see all that was happening.  After about a minute, one of our adult leaders decided to act like he was on the coaster.  So as the coaster crested the top of a drop, he would raise his hands and scream as the coaster plummeted to the bottom.  As the coaster came to a turn, he would raise his hands and lean into it.

What happened next was a very interesting display of human nature.  Slowly, kids started joining in.  Within seconds, all 90 plus kids were into it – raised hands, leaning into every turn and screaming with all the air their little lungs could push out.

I sat and watched and pondered.  Isn’t it amazing how just one person can have such impact.  What a responsibility!  What a blessing!  What a challenge!

How will you influence the people around you today?  Don’t ever think you have no impact.

Be blessed!

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A CD of Silence

Posted in Church, Formation on June 6, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday, I read a very interesting article.  It wasn’t really an article, more like a news spot.  The subject was a CD that has been recorded by a church in England.  St. Peter’s Church in Sussex, England has put together a CD to sell and it has created quite a stir.

Why the stir?  Because the CD contains silence.  Yes, you read that right.  The sound technician set a microphone in the sanctuary and turned on a recorder to capture the sounds of an empty room.

noise

The article said there is a recorded introduction at the beginning and some closing remarks.  But in between, there are 28 minutes of nothing – just ambient noise from the church – foot steps, traffic noise from outside the building and voices on occasion.

While this endeavor is enough to get my attention, what fascinates me most about this report is that the church stated that people from all over the world are buying the CD.

As I have pondered this article, one thing keeps surfacing in my thoughts.  The reason people are buying this CD is because they long for silence – for stillness.  Our world is full of noise and distraction and we all need to have time in our lives regularly in which we disconnect and just sit and reflect.

Isn’t it interesting that the fourth commandment is the longest commandment in the list of ten.   (You can read it here). There are more words of instruction associated with this one commandment than any of the others.  Why, you may ask?

Because God created us to need rest.  We are wired to need to take time away from our regular activity, slow down and delight in the wonder that is God.

Sabbath was created for us and not us for the Sabbath.  We need to take time to disconnect from our regular grind and fully reconnect with God.  And we need to do it regularly.  In fact, according to the commandment, it should happen once per week.

I don’t know if you need to buy a CD of nothing in order to experience God, but if that is what it takes maybe we need to start there.

Be blessed today.

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