Jesus in your shoes...

It was a great weekend, even though I think I preached one of the worst sermon's, in terms of delivery, of my entire tenure as a minister. It is great to know that His word never returns void and that He can even use my blunders.

We had the opportunity to hang out with several good friends over the two days and that was cool. I am thankful that the Lord has allowed us to form friendships with so many diverse folks. We get into some interesting conversations as a result. Tonight the conversation turned to the topic of the church and its effectivness in engaging the culture, which was interesting. That conversation though got me to thinking about something else.

The church is composed of people who are by definition suppose to be "Christ-like". In a pragmatic sense, I am aware that if Christ were here walking amoung us physically in the 21st century, that would look verfy different in terms of details than what we read and know from scripture.

However, what if Christ were born in the baby buster generation and were a 30-40 yr. old male in N. America today? What would He be doing? Who would He be engaging and more specifically what methods would He use? Would He attend your church or home fellowship? Would He be the leader? Would He be focused on the same programs, goals and objectives that you are? What would He do if He were on the job at your work or attending your school? What forms of entertainment would He occupy himself with? What kind of clothes would He wear? and what reason do you have to presume the things that you do?

I would love to hear your thoughts on your perception of what Jesus would be doing if He were a 30-40 yr old, N. American male physically living today in the United States. How far, if at all, do you think that you have veered from what you perceive that He would be doing?

God's Applause

"Sometimes the whole world is applauding you and God is saying, 'that's not what I called you to do'. At other times it seems everything is against you and God says, 'you are right where I want you to be because you don't know the things I am doing that you can't see.'". This was what a friend told me was the lesson that God taught her in a big way after learning that her new album has been nominated for a Dove award as "best album of the year by a new artist.". She told me that just prior to receiving the news of the nomination she was battling feeling down and like things were just not moving.

I understood what Annie was saying and I know a lot of you reading this do too. Her desire is for God to use her, not to receive awards, or gain men's applause, etc. Yet, sometimes you can work very hard and very long at what God has called you to do without any sign of affirmation
and that gets tough. The clouds of doubt roll in and you begin asking yourself, "what am I doing?" How great it is when something happens to remind you that you are right where you need to be.

Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

My prayer is that I can be more vigilent and to not miss an opportunity today to be Christ's hands, giving God's applause to someone I know doing the ministry they have been called to, but in need of a little affirmation.
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Exciting Days

One of the hardest things about leaving our old church was leaving the worship team and have to start all over. Playing and singing are such a big part of my expression to God that it was tough. Only my musician friends really understand truly what that means and how big of a deal it really is. However, God used our moving on to mobilize others into that ministry. A chance that they would not have had otherwise.

But I am so excited because He has been so awesome to assemble a new worship team at Cornerstone. It is really starting to come together and it has been so exciting. The past two weekends have just been great! We could use a keyboard player and another male vocalist, but I am not pushing things. I'm just so happy with the people He has allowed to come together. There are a lot of things that are falling into place and I am so excited to be here at this place at this time.

Our little congregation is really starting to take on its identity also which is very exciting. I couldn't help buy notice on Sunday that to me it is a place that just feels "real". No pretention - just people coming as they are with the desire to love God and love others. Not that neither are without pain, but it is a pretty exciting thing to be a part of.

God has been so good to give me the opportunity to forge some firendship and to do some one-on-one discipleship. My desire is to find two to three men that I can disciple and get integrated into the lifegroups and church this year. Please pray with me toward this goal!