The roar of love

Fierce Conversations

2010-02-23T09:41:00.002-05:00

"A fierce conversation is one in which we come out from behind ourselves into the conversation and make it real--" that's how Susan Scott defines authentic communication in her book "Fierce Conversations."

She also writes, "The goals of fierce conversation are to . . . *Interrogate reality *Provoke learning *Tackle tough issues *Enrich relationships."

Scott gives some great insights into why our conversations tend to stay at a surface (and thus often meaningless) level. For example, "While we tell ourselves we are softening the message so as not to hurt someone else's feelings, we are really trying to protect ourselves."

She concludes that, "The best leaders talk 'with' people not 'at' them."

If you want to sharpen your communication skills then this is an important read.

Most miserable

2010-02-19T10:20:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, Forbes.com listed the top 20 cities in America that are the "most miserable" to live in. And you guessed it . . . we're right in the armpit of it all. Cleveland topped the list at number 1. Canton is ranked number 9. And Akron made it in at number 12!

The rankings were assigned from a compilation of highest unemployment, high taxes, lousy weather, corruption by public officials and crummy sports teams (among other things).

I have to admit . . . this one hurt.

So, I started doing my own list: Why I love living in Northern Ohio.

1. Loyal sports fans. Let's face it, for those of us who have spent a lot of time in Northern Ohio, we have learned what it means to be loyal to our teams. We are NOT fair-weather fans. The Browns just might win the Superbowl this year!

2. Out of darkness shines the brightest light. A lot of eyes are on Northern Ohio. I believe with all my heart that God is doing a great thing here. There will come a time when people will ask, "What happened to turn Northern Ohio around?" And the only answer that will be given is simply: "Jesus."

3. When things are at their worst, the church is at its best. Misery is one of the greatest opportunities for the church to shine. I love being part of a church like RiverTree--A church that offers hope and healing in times of greatest need.

How about you?

This morning I saw Jesus

2010-02-16T09:34:00.003-05:00

Early this morning I was with my friend Gary. We ran into a homeless man who had been standing outside since midnight waiting for a soup kitchen to open. Snowing all night and frigid temperatures.

Gary invited this man to have a cup of coffee. The guy was quite literally almost frozen. Gary rubbed his hands together to warm them--it was the only way the homeless guy could hold a cup of coffee. Gary then proceeded to take the guy's tennis shoes off--they were soaked. The homeless guy didn't have any socks on. Gary got a towel and dried the man's bare feet.

This was the amazing part . . . Next, Gary took off his own shoes and socks and put his socks on the homeless man's feet.

This morning I saw Jesus . . . in the homeless man . . . and in Gary.

Find another church . . .

2010-02-05T10:33:00.002-05:00

Here's the deal on what I said this past weekend about encouraging people to find another church if they just want to sit on the sidelines, be fed week in and week out, and be consumer "Christians."

Far too many people in the USA attend a church rather than "be" the church. And the church can never be what God wants it to be if we're not all participating in the Body of Christ.

Now, if you are healing or still trying to decide if you want to be a Jesus-follower, that's a different story. At times we're wounded and need time to recoup. At times we need to figure things out.

All I'm saying is that being a follower of Jesus (which implies you are part of the church) means an active faith. It means we don't "come" to church to be entertained. We "go out" as the church to bring God's Kingdom now and forever. If you're attending a RiverTree Campus to "fill up," and you never "go out," then you'll just be a fat Christian. You'll be continually uncomfortable at RiverTree because that's not what we're about. It would probably be best if you found another church. BUT, if you want to join us on this journey, partnering together to change the world in Jesus' name, then let's go--let's encourage one another along the way--let's be a movement of people with the DNA of Jesus, inhabiting and influencing every nook and cranny of society and culture!

I see you

2010-02-02T09:51:00.002-05:00

Among the tribes of northern Natal in South Africa, the most common greeting, equivalent to "hello" in English, is the expression: "sawu bona." It literally means, "I see you." If you are a member of the tribe, you would probably reply by saying "sikhona" or "I am here." The order of the exchange is important: until you see me, I do not exist. It's as if, when you see me, you bring me into existence.

My two year old son will stand in front of me and clap his hands when I'm watching television. I'll say, "I see you Elijah." But he'll continue to clap and to watch me. He wants to know if I really see him or if my attention has quickly returned to the TV. "Daddy, do you really know that "I am here?" Sometimes I'll mute the TV so that I can place my full attention on him, or I'll take him into my lap. I want him to know that I really do see him. That he matters.

How many times throughout a day does someone stand in front of me and wonder if I really see them? If I am really present with them.

God, this day, help me to see people. To affirm that they are really here. That they matter.

Had a blast

2010-01-30T14:03:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I spent the day shooting . . . literally. I was at an all day fundraiser that was built around trap-shooting. Had a blast(so to speak).

Several months ago I began practicing for this event and quickly became enthralled with the idea of shooting clay pigeons(sporting clays, if you want to be politically correct). As the gentleman who put the event together said, "Guns, cigars, alcohol and raising money for young people . . . it doesn't get any better than this." Ummm, I'll skip the alcohol (as should most of the other guys--at least until they finish shooting), but I have to agree with him.

Despite the single digit temperature(we were outside for about 6 hours) more than $30,000 was raised to help college campus ministries.

What happened in Cleveland?

2010-01-29T05:41:00.003-05:00

I had dinner with Rich and Dori Gorman this week. They're a young couple who is praying through leading our next church plant in Cleveland, Ohio. Really amazing couple.

I am convinced that Cleveland is going to become a great light for Jesus. That a few years from now people will ask the question, "What happened in Cleveland?" And that the only answer that will be able to be given is, "Jesus."

It's great to have Lebron, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and we all know that "Cleveland rocks!" But at the end of it all, Jesus--through the local church--is what will make the difference.

Why children?

2010-01-25T13:00:00.002-05:00

We had a really good weekend with the 14 year old girl who came to stay with us. I have to admit that it was a little strange . . . at 14 she is really a young woman.

It didn't take long for her to warm up to us and for us to warm up to her. I pray she may have experienced God's love through our family.

On Sunday evening, after she returned to her permanent foster family, I asked Tabitha (11) if she knew why we brought children into our home? She responded, "It's what Jesus would do." Mmmm, it's all worthwhile.

Divine appointment

2010-01-23T09:57:00.003-05:00

This weekend Julie and I are providing a home for a 14 year old girl in foster/respite care.

Wess Stafford has encouraged me to view every interaction with a child as a "divine appointment." My prayer is that this little girl will experience the love of God through our family.

One of the things that is so good about all of this is that God's heart in our family is growing . . .

Daddy, daughter, Disney

2010-01-19T14:10:00.002-05:00

Last night I took my daughter, Tabitha, to Cleveland to see Disney On Ice. Actually, three of the dads from my Thrive Group took their daughters.

The show was horrible (the skating was even low quality). BUT, I would do it all again in a heartbeat to spend a memorable night with my 11 year old daughter.

When I was in Ecuador with Fernando Puga (the Compassion Director of the country) last week, he made the statement to me that 80% of the problems in the Ecuadorian families could be solved if dads would start being fathers. I'm not sure it's so different here in the U.S.A.

It's easy for me to come up with excuses . . . I'm too busy, work is too demanding, I just want to chill at the end of a long day . . .

I suppose that if I don't make the time to be a "father," I'll find my relationship with my daughter is skating on very thin ice.

Haiti every day

2010-01-18T09:23:00.002-05:00

I think we're all horrified at the images coming to us from the devastation in Haiti. And we should be. We are called to respond with prayer and sharing our resources.

The thing that has struck me as I return from amidst the devastating effects of poverty in Ecuador is this . . .

28,000 children under the age of 5 die from poverty or preventable poverty related diseases EVERY SINGLE DAY around the globe. In other words, the horror of Haiti, in reality, is being repeated every moment of our lives.

What will we do? How will we live? When will we respond?

Like Albita

2010-01-15T09:36:00.007-05:00

Spent the day at a Compassion project yesterday. The highlight for me was the in-home visit. We walked through the dust up a hillside to a one room, dirt-floor home, where 7 year old Jonathon and his family live. (Jonathon is enrolled in the Compassion Project.)

One of Compassion's Leadership Development Program students, Albita, was with us and told her story. She has been in Compassion since she was five years old. She is now in her second year of university studying electrical engineering. She is completely sold out to Jesus and transforming her local community for God's Kingdom.

Jason Lantz was in the home with me. His daughter is five years old-the same age Albita began the Compassion program. Jason looked at her and said, "I hope my daughter grows up to be like you." I fell apart. I want my daughter, Tabitha, to grow up with a deep commitment to Jesus like Albita as well.

So here we are in the midst of poverty watching God transform lives. In this world there is both material poverty and spiritual poverty. In Ecuador we are working with material poverty but seeing people rich in spirit. In America we are rich in material things but so often living in spiritual poverty.

Guyaquil to Quito

2010-01-14T07:30:00.003-05:00

We traveled from Quyaquil to Quito yesterday. Cities where millions of people make their home and 60% of the children live in extreme poverty. Wess Stafford, the CEO of Compassion International, was traveling with us. As a result of the horrific earthquake in Haiti he had to immediately fly back to the States.

Last evening, Fernando Pugo, the Ecuador country director of Compassion told us that the South American Compassion projects will be sending 1 million dollars to Haitian relief efforts. There are more than 45,000 Compassion sponsored children in Haiti--most of them in Port-Au-Prince. For more info and how to help, go to www.compassion.com.

Guyaquil

2010-01-12T16:52:00.002-05:00

I flew to Guyaquil, Ecuador yesterday. Long day. Left the house at 8:45 A.M. and got to our hotel at close to midnight.

I'm with about 30 other Pastors who are largely church planters. We're hoping to implant the DNA for caring for children at risk in the early stages of their new churches.

We visited a Compassion Project this morning and then visited in the homes of some of the Compassion children this afternoon. Heart-breaking. The home I visited was the size of my walk-in closet only it's a family of eight living there. They spend $30 a week on groceries for 8--ummm, I often spend that on a single meal.

It is good to have my heart wrecked.

In spite of the poverty . . . there is hope. Hope for the families here and hope for my ailing heart.

A Million Miles In A Thousand Years

2010-01-08T13:33:00.003-05:00

"A Million Miles In A Thousand Years" is Donald Miller's most recent book release. You might remember him from "Blue Like Jazz" and "Searching For God Knows What," among others.

I have to tell you that I did not have high hopes for this book. A friend recommended it and so I picked it up. And much to my pleasant surprise . . .

I don't remember the last time . . . Actually, I don't ever remember this happening before . . . but when I finished "Miles," I wanted to start reading it again immediately. It affected me that deeply.

Miller's premise is simple but profound: We are all living a story--will it be a boring story, a good story, a great story?

I WANT TO LIVE AN EPIC STORY!!!

Miller's authenticity, word-smithing and downright great story-telling make this a must read.

Live Your Life For Half The Price

2010-01-04T08:35:00.002-05:00

Mary Hunt's book, "Live Your Life For Half The Price," is full of helpful, practical tips on how to save money.

It seemed appropriate at the close of a year and the start of a new one to take a look at our financial standing. A friend gave me this book so I picked it up.

Mary lists numerous web-sites that can help us all cut costs.

If you're interested in being frugal but not cheap, this is a good resource.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T08:13:00.002-05:00

2009 has come and gone. In fact, an entire decade has now come to a close . . .

2010, with all of its hopes, new beginnings, fresh starts, do-overs--you've got to love a new year.

My one prayer for this coming new year? I want to know Jesus.

"Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." --Philippians 3:8

In the coming year we'll be teaching straight through the book of Matthew at RiverTree ("a record of Jesus" --Matthew 1:1). We'll take as long as it takes. Each week we want people to ask three questions:

1. What is God saying in this text?

2. What is God saying to me personally?

3. What am I going to do about it?

Start reading Matthew chapter one today. Read it once a day all this week. Ask the three questions. Life changing!

Each month we'll have a verse to memorize from Matthew. So here's January's: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” --Matthew 5:16 Memorize with family, with friends, with your children, grandchildren . . . just memorize. Internalizing Scripture will transform our lives.

Join me on the journey. Make it your number one priority in 2010: I WANT TO KNOW JESUS!

The aftermath of Christmas

2009-12-30T13:40:00.003-05:00

Well, Christmas has once again come and gone.

We held 11 Christmas Eve services at RiverTree which nearly 5,500 people attended. We collected a special gift offering for the Christian Children's Home of Ohio. More than $100,000 was given!!! That will enable the Children's Home to open a new cottage to care for children who are even at greater risk. Yeah God!

If you missed the Christmas Eve teaching or would like to watch it one more time . . . here's a video link: www.vimeo.com/8443521.

Since Christmas, the stomach flu has ravaged our household. It began with me in the wee hours of Monday morning, moved to Elijah a few hours later and then Tabitha on Tuesday. Run, Julie, run!

Two of my favorite Christmas gifts? A family in church found a "Grateful Dead" Christmas bulb for me. I love it! Because I am dead and Christ now lives in me. My friend Tom gave our son Elijah an amazing gift. Tom climbed mount Kilimanjaro with me. When we came down off the mountain our guides gave Tom a traditional Masai blanket wrap that an honored elder would wear. It would only be given to "Babu"--the honored one. Tom graciously gave his wrap to Elijah after he had it embroidered: "To Elijah, love Babu."

I pray you will have a very blessed close to 2009 and that you will walk with God into 2010.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-23T11:50:00.002-05:00

Well, we kicked off the rush of Christmas Eve services last night. We'll be doing 11 this year at our three campuses. I'll be teaching live at 7 of them. Julie is singing at the Portage Campus as well. It's good to have one under our belt.

I feel really good about the service--faithful to God.

In the midst of it all . . . check out this quote by Augustine. He's referencing the fact that "there was no room in the inn for Jesus."

“The house of my soul is too narrow for Thee to come in; let it be enlarged by Thee. It is in ruins. Do Thou restore it.”

God, may You find room in my heart throughout this Christmas season. May You find a welcome and warm place to dwell. Amen.

The Art Of Woo

2009-12-16T05:53:00.003-05:00

My friend, Mike Foster, recommended this book. The Art Of Woo is subtitled, using strategic persuasion to sell your ideas.

Fascinating read.

For me, the biggest take away was to be aware of the needs of others as I convey mission and vision (the needs that I am advocating).

A couple of meaningful thoughts:

"Acquire the ability to get outside of your own frame of reference and see situations from other people's standpoints."

"Try to feel what others feel and see what others see."

"Credibility comes down to audience perceptions of three key things: competence, expertise, and trustworthiness."

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."

If you are involved in any way in moving ideas forward, then this is a very important read.

Three answer

2009-12-15T07:02:00.002-05:00

1. My biggest joy of the past year: Baptizing my daughter, Tabitha!

2. My biggest challenge of the past year: We drove to Hilton Head for our summer break. Received a call that my mother-in-law had a major heart problem. We turned around three hours later and drove home. The next few weeks were really tough. (Mom Rex is doing great now!)

3. What I'm most looking forward to in 2010: Teaching through the book of Matthew in our weekend services.

How about you?

Elders' gathering

2009-12-10T10:47:00.002-05:00

Last night we had our Elders and spouses to our house for our annual Christmas gathering. 22 people for dinner!

It was an amazing evening. Each year as we gather we review the highlights of where we've watched God working throughout the past year. We talk about where we anticipate God leading us in the coming year. And, we each respond to three questions:

1. What was your deepest experience of joy this past year?

2. What was your biggest challenge this past year?

3. What are you most looking forward to in the coming year?

It always amazes me at the authentic depth to which people are willing to respond to these three simple questions. As we close out this year I'll use this formula in several gatherings. If you're having a Christmas party or simply on your own, I would encourage you to take time to reflect with others about your responses.

Christmas cookies

2009-12-07T07:26:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my family baking Christmas cookies. Included the in-laws, Grandma and a few cousins. Doesn't sound like the most exciting way to spend a day, but . . . it was good . . . really good.

For the past five years we've been setting aside an afternoon for what has become our Christmas cookie baking tradition. Lots of banter, coffee and actual conversation (found out my 89 year old grandmother wants to get a facelift!).

48 dozen cookies later we called it a day.

So here's one of my favorite recipes:

Sour Cream Cookies

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream

*Cream the above together.

3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla

*Add to the mixture and bake on greased cookie sheet 8-10 minutes.

Ice.

Have a favorite recipe?

The Blind Side--the movie

2009-12-02T10:38:00.001-05:00

Go see this one!

I was pleasantly surprised to see how accurately the movie portrayed the book--a rare thing these days. Sandra Bullock carries the show.

I was wrecked by the end of it. Not because it doesn't have a wondrous ending but because of the incredible need for care in our culture.

The Blind Side

2009-11-29T11:25:00.003-05:00

Finished reading "The Blind Side" yesterday. "Blind Side" is one I probably wouldn't have been aware of if not for the motion picture release that's receiving such acclaim--which our family is going to see tonight.

It's the true account of a wealthy white family in Memphis adopting a giant of a black kid at age 16 named Michael Oher (pronounced "oar"). Turns out that Michael has an amazing aptitude for football-- his adoptive family didn't know that when they fell in love with him. Oher begins playing his Jr. year of high school and then becomes the single most recruited young man to major colleges. Eventually he is drafted by the Baltimore Ravens (boo, hiss), and becomes one of the highest paid players in the NFL.

The book contains great insights into adoption, mixed socioeconomic cultures, and the transforming power of love.

An amazing book with one caveat--there's a lot of football in it.

Praying for direction

2009-11-27T15:34:00.002-05:00

This past week, Julie and I met a 12 year old girl we've been asked to consider bringing into our home for the next year . . . to live with us . . . until hopefully she can be reunited with her mom. We're working with the Christian Children's Home of Ohio throughout this process.

The visit rocked us a bit. Our time with the little girl was fine (I can't imagine being 12 and walking into this kind of meeting). It was the hour before, with the five case-workers, counselors, etc., that wasn't what we anticipated. There's a bit more involved than simply bringing her into our home. Turns out she needs to be in Wooster or Ashland one to two times a week for therapy. Ouch! It's a 50 minute drive each way for us and then 1-3 hours wait while counseling takes place.

We're continuing to pray . . .

Michelle Evans

2009-11-23T10:00:00.003-05:00

This past weekend I interviewed Michelle Evans in each of our gatherings at RiverTree. Michelle is the Superintendent of Canton City Schools and also a Jesus follower who is part of RiverTree.

The time I spent with Michelle was pretty amazing. There are 10,000 children in the Canton City School system. Upwards of 75% of the students qualify for the Federally assisted lunch program . . . 3 out of 4! We talked at length about how the church could love on these kids in Jesus' name.

At the close of each service I asked 8-10 people to come up front, lay hands on Michelle's shoulders and pray for her. One of the coolest things took place at the end of our 11:30 Sunday service. Two of the people who came forward to pray were leaders from other school districts--the Superintendent of Northwest School District and the Assistant Principal from Jackson High School.

Love it when we come together . . .

A New Thought For Christmas

2009-11-13T08:27:00.003-05:00

Well, it's that time of year . . . new Christmas CDs are hitting the market

"A New Thought For Christmas" is Melissa Etheridge's most recent offering. And I like it!

I think the best word to describe it is "raucous." Cutting vocals and edgy guitar riffs.

Check out "It's Christmas Time" and "O Night Divine."

The Glass Castle

2009-11-09T09:25:00.002-05:00

Without question, "The Glass Castle," by Jeanette Walls, has been one of my best reads of the year.

"Castle" is Jeanette's memoir about personally growing up in poverty all over the United States. Walls brings insight to the plight of the homeless in America and to the children whose parents sometimes make horrible choices that place them in such situations. At the end of the book I found myself asking questions not only about what to do with parents who place their children at risk but also about those children who are incredible survivors.

"The Glass Castle" is a compelling and often gut-wrenching read that is not only true but unfortunately . . . more common that we might like to believe.

Pick this one up.

Pierced

2009-11-07T09:38:00.003-05:00

My daughter, Tabitha, turned 11 yesterday.

Julie and I waited for her bus at the end of the driveway. When she got off we told her we had a birthday surprise for her. She began guessing what the suprise might be?

When we arrived at our local mall we went straight to Claire's Boutique. As we approached the entrance to Claire's, Tabs asked, "Am I getting my ears pierced?" (Tabs had been begging us for at least two years to let her get her ears pierced.) "Yes, that's your birthday surprise!" To which Tabs responded, "I don't want to get my ears pierced." Ummm, we had no plan B.

Tabs was suddenly struck with utter terror at the possibility of pain. I tried to reason/manipulate . . . "Tabs, if you don't get your ears pierced today then you're going to have to wait until your 16th birthday." "Okay daddy." "Hmmmm." (Once again, Tabs had been begging us for at least two years to let her get her ears pierced!)

The girl at the counter (with multiple piercings), explained the piercing procedure. "It really won't hurt honey. And, I'll have my assistant help so that we can do both ears at the same time."

Tabs acquiesced.

As my 11 year old daughter sat in the piercing chair I fought back tears. Not only because she was white as a sheet with terror but also because this was a rite of passage--my little girl was continuing on her journey of growing up.

In the end she chose her November birth stone for her first pair of earrings--citrine, which is yellow, and also her daddy's favorite color. It really didn't hurt much at all . . . at least not for Tabitha.

Issue 3

2009-10-31T09:05:00.003-04:00

This election, November 3rd, includes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Ohio. Currently, casino gambling is prohibited in the state of Ohio. The amendment would allow casinos to be constructed and casino gambling to take place within the state.

Regardless of your belief about gambling being permissible for a follower of Jesus . . . this is a HORRIBLE amendment!

Key facts:

1. Issue 3 is an AMENDMENT to the Ohio Constitution that will create a private monopoly controlled by four casino owners.

2. Issue 3 WILL COST OHIO JOBS – not create them. Draining billions of dollars from the Ohio consumer economy will cost Ohioans real jobs.

3. Nothing in the language will keep casino proceeds in Ohio. Two of the four properties are controlled by OUT OF STATE casino owner/developers.

4. Nothing in the language requires the out of state casino companies to actually build their promised casinos. The biggest player in Issue 3 is PENN National.

PENN is not obligated to build a single casino in Ohio if Issue 3 passes. They can simply freeze the Ohio properties to protect their existing casino business in Pennsylvania and Indiana.

5. PENN National is the same company that spent MILLIONS opposing the 2008 Ohio Amendment. They said it was wrong to use the Ohio Constitution to create a private monopoly, which is EXACTLY what they are trying to do in Issue 3.

6. More casinos mean more gambling addictions, ruined lives and broken families. No one even disputes this fact any longer. Casino billionaires instead are trying to tell us that such addictions are just the cost of doing business.

7. Ohioans have voted FOUR TIMES AGAINST casino gambling. Over 10 million votes have been cast AGAINST casinos. This is by far the worst proposal Ohioans have seen to date.

For further information please visit www.votenocasinos.com.

High price

2009-10-27T09:52:00.003-04:00

Yesterday a friend of mine confessed to me, "I've paid such a high price to live such a low life."

The same could be true for every one of us--certainly for me. Every bad choice we make lessens the life that God desires for us. How high of a price are we paying to live a lower life?

A heifer Christmas

2009-10-24T08:21:00.002-04:00

Our Thrive Group met this past week and we talked about Christmas. For the past several years we have gathered on New Year's Eve and exchanged Christmas gifts. One of the members of our group suggested that this year we change things up. We all have "enough."

Sooo, instead of giving gifts to one another, we're giving gifts to those in need. And we're doing it through The Heifer Project International. The Heifer Project takes our donation and purchases animals for families living in poverty. A single animal that will literally change the economic status of a family. Here's some of the options . . .

1 pig = $120
3 rabbits = $60
1 sheep = $120
1 llama = $150
Honeybees = $30
1 heifer = $500

If you have "enough" and would like to bless another family this Christmas, go to www.Heifer.org.

Crazy Love

2009-10-19T09:32:00.002-04:00

Frances Chan, in his book "Crazy Love," challenges us to examine ourselves against God's standards for our lives, not against how we measure up to others. One specific way that he encourages us to do that is to look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and to insert our own name in the place of the word love.

So here goes . . .

Greg is patient. Greg is kind. Greg is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Greg does not demand his own way. Greg is not irritable and keeps no record of being wronged. Greg does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Greg never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

OUCH!!!

Okay, your turn . . .

The Hole In Our Gospel

2009-10-13T07:33:00.002-04:00

"The Hole In Our Gospel" is Richard Stearns new book. Stearns is the CEO of World Vision International. As you probably know, World Vision is a not for profit organization that ministers to people at risk, specifically those in poverty or experiencing extreme risk from tragedy (war, earthquake, disease, etc.) around the globe.

Here are some highlights from the book . . .

"The idea behind 'The Hole In Our Gospel' is quite simple. It's basically the belief that being a Christian, or follower of Jesus Christ, requires much more than just having a personal and transforming relationship with God. It also entails a public and transforming relationship with the world."

"For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me deported. I needed clothes, but you needed more clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the behaviors that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I deserved." (Richard Stearns version of Matthew 25)

"Bob Pierce once said, 'Don't fail to do something just because you can't do everything.'"

"So, in my opinion, the single most significant thing that can be done to cure extreme poverty is this: protect, educate, and nurture girls and women and provide them with equal rights and opportunities--educationally, economically, and socially."

"Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it. 'Well, why don't you ask Him?' Because I'm afraid He would ask me the same question."

"God never asks us to give what we do not have . . . But he cannot use what we will not give."

Mr. Stearns new book is both challenging and insightful, born from his personal experience in wrestling with the mission of Jesus to those in need around the world. Definitely worth your time!!!

Struck by stupidity?

2009-10-09T14:11:00.002-04:00

My wife felt compelled to read this news article to me this morning from The Week magazine.

"Of the 648 people killed by lightning in the U.S. in recent years, more than 80% were men.

Do males perhaps contain more lightning-attracting iron? Does their slight height advantage make them more attractive targets? Alas, no. It's just that men are stupid. Whether through ignorance, denial, or bravado, men seem less willing to interrupt their outdoor activities when dark clouds begin gathering."

Ummm . . .

The Lost Symbol

2009-10-03T10:23:00.002-04:00

Dan Brown, author of The DaVinci Code, released his new book, The Lost Symbol, a few weeks ago. DaVinci was one of the best sellers of all time and Symbol is anticipated to generate the same kind of revenue.

Just as The Davinci Code created a firestorm in the church (it proposed that Jesus was secretly married to Mary Magdalene and had children with her), The Lost symbol will certainly raise controversy as well. I found both books to be incredibly readable--Dan Brown is a gifted author.

For the first 450 pages of The Lost Symbol I hated to put the book down. It's in the last 50 pages that Brown unveils his agenda and the book becomes very disappointing. Without going into a great deal of detail, Brown is suggesting that there is a hidden "gnosis" that the church has been trying to repress. Gnosis simply means "secret knowledge." The truth is that this gnosis has actually been around for 1900 years and suggests that "we" are god. That the knowledge to everything, the key to all power, the salvation of us all lies within each of us and is waiting to be discovered. It's a nice premise that many people choose to believe but it's simply not true.

The reality is that, left to our own devices, we ultimately fail. That's why, in my belief system, we need Jesus.

I know that many people will read The Lost Symbol. I would strongly remind you that it is a work of FICTION. And, that it is a proponent of a heresy and false belief system that has been around for nearly two millenia.

Reggie McNeal

2009-09-26T08:27:00.002-04:00

I spent the past couple of days with Reggie McNeal. Actually we flew Reggie up to Northern Ohio to spend the first day with our staff, Elders and leaders. The second day was with our Kingdom Synergy Partnership church planting network.

Reggie, among other things, is the author of "The Present Future" and "Missional Renaissance"--both of which I would HIGHLY recommend.

Here are some gems that I wrote in my journal from my time with Reggie . . .

"The church doesn't have a mission--the mission has a church."

"Everywhere we are, the church is."

"Where in the New Testament are people invited to church?"

"There has never been a more challenging time to be 'a' church. There has never been a more opportune time to be 'the' church."

"We don't grow 'into' service, we grow 'through' service."

Baptism weekend

2009-09-21T10:17:00.002-04:00

This morning I'm trying to recover from this past weekend's incredible "God experience." A close encounter with God always quickly energizes me and then later drains me.

Over the past three weeks at RiverTree we have been involved in a teaching series which we titled, "Immersed." Week one was "Good Is Not Good Enough." Week two, "Faith Is More Than Believing." And the culmination on week three, "No More Excuses!" You can listen to these teachings online at www.rivertreechristian.com or simply go to itunes.

At the end of each of our services this weekend we offered an invitation for people to fully trust and obey Jesus with their lives and then to be immersed in Christian baptism. 223 people made the commitment and were baptized!!!

My daughter, Tabitha, was one of the individuals who fully committed her life to Jesus and was baptized. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life as I buried her with Jesus in baptism and raised her out of the water to live a new life.

I drove home thanking God that I get to be part of such an amazing church, the Body of Christ fully alive and well on this earth.

Canton experience

2009-09-19T11:30:00.003-04:00

Last night Julie and I had an outstanding Canton experience.

We started with dinner at Iris restaurant downtown. The food was excellent and our time with our friends, Jon and Kelly, was wonderful. Jon is the Director of the Canton Players Guild. I had a unique appetizer: Dates stuffed with chorizo, wrapped in bacon and served in an oriental marinara sauce!

After dinner, Jon had to head to the theater so Kelly, Julie and I went to Muggswiqz for coffee. Muggswigs is my favorite local hangout for a cup of joe.

Finally, we went to the theater to watch a production of Rent. I sat there amazed at the quality of our home-town talent. Rent, despite its renown for dealing with very challenging subject matter, is an amazing story of redemption and love. Jon, who played the lead role, showed why he once played the same lead role on Broadway. One of the things that touched me deeply was that two of our RiverTree Partners were in the cast. I love that they are influencing our culture for Jesus.

My only regret was that we weren't able to attend the "after party." We were invited but it didn't begin until midnight--a bit too late for us before a big weekend. The party was being held at Crew, a popular gay bar in downtown Canton. It was a fundraiser to assist those struggling with HIV. I am certain that it was a gathering Jesus would attend. Actually, through some of the cast members, I'm sure that Jesus was there.

Deception Point

2009-09-17T18:26:00.003-04:00

Yes, I picked up Dan Brown's newest release, "The Lost Symbol." I'm 50 pages into it and hated putting it down already.

But before "The Lost Symbol," actually three books before, Dan Brown authored, "Deception Point." I had been hesitant to read it because though many friends recommended it, many others said Brown hadn't yet developed his gripping narrative style. "Deception" is a government conspiracy novel with a "not of this world" twist.

I loved "Deception Point." Found it hard to stop reading. Read it while I was fishing in Canada (the fishing was slow).

For a purely enjoyable page-turner, pick up "Deception Point!"

Thoughts from 10,000 feet

2009-09-11T12:32:00.003-04:00

Flying home from Southern California. Spent the past couple of days as part of a Pastors' Council for Compassion International. Amazing plans being discussed. Strategies that I believe God is using and will further use to bring His Kingdom now and forever. Compassion now ministers to more than 1.1 million children worldwide. Join my family in sponsoring children at www.compassion.com.

While in California I was privileged to hang out with some very cool leaders. Spent a lot of time with my good friends Jud Wilhite and Mike Foster. Those guys are lighting it up for Jesus!

Julie and I walked on the beach--always incredibly refreshing.

And now I'm writing on our flight home. My first time experience with in-flight internet access. Technology continues to advance. From 10,000 feet . . .

40 years of Canada

2009-09-08T11:14:00.002-04:00

I just returned from a week long fishing trip in Canada with my dad and 12 other men. We drove 13 hours north into Quebec at Grassy Lake. Although the fishing wasn't stellar . . . the time in the wilderness was wonderful. Here are a few of the highlights:

*We were TOTALLY unplugged for 6 days. No internet, phone service, electricity or even running water. Makes you realize how little we can actually get along without.

*One morning my dad and I were having a cup of coffee together on the shore at sunrise. He reminded me that 40 years ago he had been on this very lake, staying in the same cabin, with his dad. Priceless. I hope that one day I'll have the same experience with my son, Elijah.

*Just to be in pristine nature is a spiritual experience, but this trip we added a Spritual component. On two nights we shared communion together. Every night we had a Scripture for the day. One evening one friend talked about what it means to be a Christian man of character. It took the trip to an entirely new level.

No prayer in school?

2009-08-25T09:56:00.003-04:00

Every once in awhile someone will pull me aside or send me an e-mail to say something to this effect: "Can you believe they've taken prayer out of the schools?" Or, "Can you believe they want to get rid of the 10 Commandments?" Or, "Can you believe they're teaching evolution and not creation science?"

And here's my response . . .

I believe that we as followers of Jesus are living in an unprecedented time to have spiritual impact in the lives of students, teachers and the school system as a whole. I have been blown away by the opportunities that Jesus-followers have to live out the Good News of God's Kingdom. Here's what I mean:

1. Pray with your children. Pray with them before they go to sleep at night. Pray with them before they depart for school in the morning. I frequently pray a simple prayer with my fifth grade daughter, Tabitha: "God, please let Tabs have a great day at school today. I pray she will be a good friend to others. Please keep her safe and remind her how much you love her."

Praying with our children has a profound impact in their lives.

2. Make a commitment to pray for your child's teachers every school day by name. If you have the opportunity, let the teacher(s) know that you are praying for them. I've even asked the teachers HOW I can best pray for them. I want the teachers to know that I am their advocate.

3. When you're behind a school bus (if you're like me, griping because of the frequent stops), pray for the bus driver and the students on the bus. When you see children waiting for the school bus, pray for them.

4. Be a blessing to children in need. Ask someone at the school if you can supply a backpack filled with school supplies for a child in need. Very quickly the school will be contacting you with its needs. The community of believers that I'm part of supplied 350 filled backpacks this year!!!

5. Invite an administrator or teacher from the school system to your community of believers so that you can pray for them. No agenda but God's blessing. We recently prayed for the Superintendents of three major school systems in our community. THEY came to OUR prayer gathering!!!

The risk is high for children these days but our God is a powerful God who loves them even more than we do. The question is--will we care enough to get involved with our prayers, our time our financial resources?

The Reason For God

2009-08-21T12:01:00.004-04:00

Some friends of mine recommended Tim Keller's book, "The Reason For God." I'm glad I took their suggestion.

Tim is a Pastor in New York City leading an amazing church. It comes as no surprise that New Yorkers ask a lot of challenging questions. "The Reason For God" is Tim's response to those questions--questions we all ask at one time or another.

Chapters in the book include:

There can't be just ONE God.

How could a good God allow suffering.

The church is responsible for so much injustice.

How can a loving God send people to Hell?

Science has disproved Christianity.

You can't take the Bible literally.

If you're like me and have asked the same questions (or know someone who has), then pick this one up!

Recycling

2009-08-18T16:02:00.005-04:00

My family started recycling last week. And YES, we should have been recycling years ago. Better late than never.

Aside from the fact that I've known for some time now about our responsibility as stewards of creation . . . I took this a bit more seriously when I participated in a survey about how many earths it would take to sustain the world's population if everyone lived like me. I discovered it would take 7.5 planets!!! You can take the test at www.myfootprint.org.

Recycling is a bit of a pain. We started with 3 bins and really need 6. If we mix things up a bit we can get by with 4.

When I carried out our first bag filled with recyclable plastic, I must admit, it did feel good contributing to caring for the earth God has entrusted to us.

Got any great recycling tips?

The Graveyard Book

2009-08-12T16:57:00.003-04:00

Okay, this one is just for fun.

"The Graveyard Book" is Neil Gaiman's most recent release. You might know him as the author of "Coraline" the book that was made into a movie for kids that adults enjoy as well (it's one of my daughter's favorites).

"Graveyard" won the Newberry Award Medal. (The award is given to an author for an outstanding contribution to literature for children.)

Books like this remind me why reading is fun. They also help spark my creative juices.

For a light, enjoyable read, pick this one up.

Summer recipe therapy

2009-08-11T09:32:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year when many people have gardens that are producing abundantly (I'm not one of them). However, I have some very generous friends. One friend stopped by and gave us 15 dozen ears of sweet corn! After giving 10 dozen to family and friends I decided to venture out into the realm of freezing some for the winter--so I found myself husking 5 dozen (great fun).

This is my mom's recipe and is absolutely amazing for the winter months.

1. Husk the corn (at least 18 ears).
2. Cut the corn off the cob (this is prior to cooking).
3. Use 9 cups of cut corn, 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 cups of water and 1/3 cup of sugar. Boil for 5 minutes.
4. After the corn has cooled a bit, fill one quart freezer bags and then freeze (should make 4-5 bags).

We were also given several zucchini. So here's my favorite recipe for that summer gift . . .

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly grease 4 mini-loaf pans.
3. In a large bowl, beat together 3 eggs, 1 cup oil, 3 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 1/4 cups white sugar. Mix in 2 cups shredded zucchini. Mix in 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Fold in 1 pint fresh blueberries.
4. Transfer batter to loaf pans. Bake 50-60 minutes until a knife inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
5. Cool 20 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.
6. Enjoy your blueberry zucchini bread!

Okay, I know this is a bit Ohio old school. However, there's something very therapeutic and just downright good about making your own food. I wonder how much we have lost over the years with all the "benefits" of prepared and packaged food?

The end of relaxation

2009-08-03T14:31:00.003-04:00

We arrived home from our summer vacation/study break this morning. Good trip all in all. Always good to be home . . . something about sleeping in your own bed . . .

After unpacking I needed to run to the grocery store to pick up a few essentials. No problem--accept for the "Good Night" diapers for Elijah. Giant Eagle no longer carries them. Sooo, a quick stop at Babies R Us.

I found the "Good Nights" right away. Unfortunately all three checkout lines were at least 8 people deep. I am no longer in vacation relaxation mode--I am now in task "git r done" mode. Three people from checking out, the cashier informs that I'll need to move to another register . . . she is closing down.

Okayyy, I see a shorter line near the end of the store. I move towards it. Just as I am about to make my dash, an elderly (and I mean ELDERLY) woman shuffles from another line into the line in front of me. Ughhhh. Finally, this grandmotherly lady is the only person between me and checking out (NO, I didn't shove her out of the way!).

Very nice elderly lady lays her purchases on the counter (a baby bath thingy, you know, big plastic wash tubbee). The young girl at the register rings her up and then removes her purchases from the gift registry. Nice elderly lady asks, "Do you have a gift bag for this?"

"Oh no, we don't have anything here at the register. There are some nice big gift bags over in our gift wrap department."

"Would you go get me one?"

I'm thinking to myself, "Okay, the nice cashier will call someone to assist this nice elderly lady." BUT NOOOO. Very nice young cashier smiles and says, "I'd be happy too." As she walks away (leaving eight of us stand in line) the elderly lady, who in my mind, is no longer receiving the affectionate term "nice," calls out, "It's for a boy!"

By now I'm thinking that my Chunk Monkey ice cream is now Slushy Monkey at best (did I mention I went to the grocery store to get some essentials?).

Five minutes later the nice young cashier comes back with a nice blue bag for the baby bath tubbee thingy which the elderly lady decides she doesn't want because it costs too much.

Vacation is over and it's back to reality. And the reality is that I still have to make conscious decisions on a regular basis about how I'm going to respond in challenging situations (no matter how insignificant or goofy they are).

"Jesus, help me be like you . . . not only when I'm in relaxed mode but especially when I'm wanting to 'git r done'."

Mudhouse Sabbath

2009-07-29T08:05:00.003-04:00

My friend Troy recommended this book to me while we were traveling in Israel together. "Mudhouse Sabbath" by Lauren Winner is worth the few hours it will take you to read it. Lauren converted from Judaism to being a follower of Jesus a few years back. She draws on the depth of her experiences from her Jewish upbringing to enhance her current spirituality. Because Christianity is rooted in Judaica Lauren's experiences help deepen our own spiritual journey as well.

"Mudhouse" delves into how we celebrate sabbath, the foods we eat, how we show hospitality, view our bodies and candle-lighting--amidst other topics.

Pick this one up for some insights and ideas that will help you experience and celebrate your Christian faith in some new and unique ways.

Recommended movies

2009-07-27T11:11:00.004-04:00

We've been watching a few movies on break. All of these are available on DVD.

*Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Okay, I was very hesitant to watch this one. However, I was looking for a movie that I would be able to watch with my daughter, sooo . . .

Much to my surprise this comedy/drama taught HUGE value lessons about how we handle money and specifically credit cards. At the end I asked my daughter, "So what did you learn from this movie?" And she replied, "That you shouldn't use credit cards!"

Watch this one with your family.

*Gran Torino

I personally think this may be Clint Eastwood's best performance. It is not for the faint of heart. Rated R and fulfilling that rating with foul language and extreme racial slurs make this for adults only.

The movie's redeeming factor is its redemption story (which is almost always missing from Eastwood's projects). In "Torino" Eastwood ends up being nothing short of a type of Christ and should encourage us all to ask ourselves how we can be more like Jesus with our neighbors.

*New In Town

I had low expectations for this movie. However, about 1/3 of the way into the plot I realized that once again, I was seeing the importance of how the Jesus life is lived out. Eventually, the lead character (played by Renee Zellweger) has her life transformed by the transformative power of those living around her.

Watch this one and ask the question, "How is Jesus well represented and how is He poorly presented?"

Watched any movies lately that you can recommend?

Deliberate Simplicity

2009-07-24T10:17:00.002-04:00

"Deliberate Simplicity" by Dave Browning is a must read for anyone involved in church leadership. My hunch is that it would be beneficial for business leaders as well.

Some excerpts from Browning's book . . .

"There is no growth without change, no change without loss, and no loss without pain."

"Instead of focusing on outreach, the church spends excessive energy focussing on the money it feels it requires to do outreach."

"The paradox of simplicity has been called Meyer's Law: It is a simple task to make things complex, but a complex task to make them simple."

"If becoming a part of a church places people in an environment that encourages them to live more frenetic lives than they were before, then we are going about doing church the wrong way."

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world . . . Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

"We don't think bigger is necessarily better. We think more is better."

Pick this one up!!!

Summer break

2009-07-23T11:20:00.003-04:00

Julie, Tabs, ElJ (short for Elijah John) and I are on a two week break. Time to refresh the soul, mind and body . . .

On break we sleep more (it's amazing how flat out tired we get in our normal everday schedules). We exercise more (start off each day with a two mile brisk walk, 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups). We read prolifically (I've already read books as diverse as "Mudhouse Sabbath" and "Salem's Lot"). We spend lots of time together as a family (conversations that never get the chance to take place seem to take place when we're on break). We spend lots of time with God (at least more than we normally do).

Gotta go . . . I have a date in the swimming pool with my daughter Tabs.

How to endear yourself to your mother-in-law

2009-07-18T07:05:00.003-04:00

My mother-in-law, Linda, came home from the hospital yesterday. Only 1 in 10 people survive the ordeal she experienced. I won quite a few points with "Mom Rex" throughout this adventure. Here's how to endear yourself to your mother-in-law during a hospital stay . . .

Mom Rex was in an induced coma for 24 hours. The rest of the family left me alone to sit with her in ICU while they got some coffee. What could happen? After about a half hour of sitting with Linda she began to awaken from her sleep. She was restrained (so that she couldn't rip out her breathing tube, etc.) Her eyes opened in a bit of a panic and eventually landed on me. She tried to focus and mouthed the words "what happened?" I took both of her hands in mine and said, "I'm getting rid of you." (Straight out of a Stephen King novel.)

Four days later, Linda had a defibrillator implanted. Once again I was with her when she came out of her twilight state (what's wrong with this family?). I explained to her that I paid extra for an upgraded defib unit. "What does that mean?" she groggily asked. "I have a button that can fire the electric shock in your chest as I think it's needed." She quickly returned to her happy twilight place.

Just before being released Linda said to me, "Greg, you're a Pastor. When this first happened I saw a bright light. What was that?" (Linda had actually experienced sudden death.) My answer was easy . . . "Fire."

Okay, so maybe I didn't say all of those things . . . but they did cross my mind.

Life happens

2009-07-14T06:00:00.003-04:00

This past Friday I and my family drove eleven hours to Hilton Head to begin our summer vacation/study break. Shortly after arriving we received an urgent call explaining that Julie's mom, Linda, had experienced a lethal arrhythmia that afternoon. Actually, the correct medical term is ventricular defibrillation--her heart rhythms malfunctioned and brought the blood pumping organ to a complete halt. Fortunately, the EMTs responded to her husband's 911 call within three minutes and she was resuscitated.

And so, at nine that night we finished repacking our things and drove the eleven hours home. I had the first Red Bull of my life at 4 A.M.!

After several days of touch and go waiting, watching Linda come out of an induced coma, unbelievable stress . . . it appears as if Mom Rex is going to be fine.

The crazy thing is that Linda is only 64 years old, in good health . . . recently passed a stress test with flying colors. Life happens. The doctors are yet to pinpoint why this incident occurred. And so today the testing begins.

Friday, Linda never dreamed she would awake three days later with paddle burns on her chest wondering what in the world happened to her. Friday, Dominique (her husband) never dreamed he would enter into a 36 hour nightmare. Friday, Julie and I never imagined our vacation would come to a screaming halt (actually without beginning). Life happens.

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."--Psalm 46:1

Life happens.

10+ favorite books

2009-07-02T14:03:00.004-04:00

My friend, Sarah Sumner, just e-mailed me asking: "What are your 10 favorite books? I'm developing a 'Read before you die' list for myself."

Sooo, here's my best attempt (in random order) . . .

*Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

*Everything by C. S. Lewis

*The Bridge To Terabithia by Katharine Patterson

*To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

*Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

*The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach

*The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

*The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

*Watership Down by Richard Adams

*The Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien

*Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

*The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

*The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

*Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

Okay, a few more than 10 and done very quickly.

Now, what are the best books you've ever read?

Hearing from God

2009-06-30T08:16:00.002-04:00

When I'm not sure I'm hearing the voice of God or just had bad pizza the night before . . .

1. Continue to pray and listen. When it is a significant decision I include fasting (typically from 1 to 3 days).

2. Make sure everything is in line with the Bible. The Holy Spirit will NEVER contradict God's Word.

3. Ask people I trust to pray and fast with me. There is wisdom in many counselors.

4. If hearing from God effects others than myself I always involve people that I know are Godly to help me discern God's will.

Filled

2009-06-24T17:03:00.002-04:00

I have a confession to make: I have grown up a bit "Spirit-phobic."

My church background and seminary training both taught me that the Holy Spirit no longer works the same way he did in the Book of Acts (the cessationist view). That if people were taught about the full empowerment of the Holy Spirit then pretty soon they would be barking in our church services and chewing on the carpet--of which I want no part.

Sooo, I've done a pretty poor job over the years of teaching about the third person in the Trinity. BUT, this weekend we're beginning a new teaching series called Filled. Yes, filled with the Holy Spirit.

I would love to hear from you . . . What questions do you have about the Holy Spirit?

Prone to wander

2009-06-23T05:53:00.004-04:00

We're probably all familiar with some type of image of a shepherd carrying a sheep around his shoulders. The truth is that it is not an uncommon way for a Bedouin shepherd to carry one of his flock.

But the image has a deeper meaning . . .

I was in Bethlehem at the traditional site where the angels would have appeared to the shepherd announcing the birth of the Messiah. Our local guide shared with us some very meaningful knowledge about the normal practices of the shepherds. In particular about why a shepherd would carry a sheep on his shoulders.

Lambs are prone to wander--to wander away from the flock--to wander away from the safe care of their shepherd. Because the shepherd cares deeply for his flock, when he finds a wandering lamb he intentionally breaks one of its legs. Then, for the next six months, the shepherd carries the lamb on his shoulders while the break heals. During this time of healing a deep bond is formed between the shepherd and his wandering lamb. The lamb becomes intimately aware of the voice of the shepherd. By the end of six weeks the lamb is very unlikely to wander into danger ever again.

Having traversed the rugged hillsides in the wilderness of Israel I gained a greater respect for the shepherds and their care for their sheep. I had to wonder if a shepherd might think, "Not again. Now I have to carry this animal on my shoulders for six weeks!"

If a shepherd didn't highly value a lamb I doubt if he would go through the personal agony of breaking its leg and then lugging it around for a month and a half.

I wonder how many times Jesus, as my Shepherd, has had to do the same with me? I am prone to wander.

Lessons from Israel

2009-06-18T19:01:00.002-04:00

I'm still processing my pilgrimmage to Israel. In fact, I'm sure I will still be processing for weeks and months to come. But, here are some lessons I've learned so far . . .

1. I cannot fully understand the teachings of Jesus without knowledge of the geography of Israel.

For example--when Jesus (in the Sermon on the Mount) told his hearers that they must "love their enemies," he was speaking from a hillside that would have directly overlooked the city of Tiberias less than three miles away. Tiberias was a Roman city. A city which housed the Roman military. The Roman military that was oppressing the Jewish people. The Roman military that was the bitter enemy of the Jew. When Jesus said, "You must love your enemy," it was nothing short of revolutionary with the enemy in sight.

2. I cannot fully understand the teachings of Jesus without understanding the Jewish religious system.

For example--Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi . . . a highly esteemed position of learning. For Jesus to undercut (undercut is too gentle a term). For Jesus to provoke, attack, dismantle the religious leaders of his day was to sign his own death warrant. A fact I am sure of which he was aware.

3. I cannot fully understand the teachings of Jesus without understanding the culture of the Jewish people.

For example--When Jesus spoke of a sheep knowing the voice of its shepherd, he knew the culture and responsibilities of a shepherd. If a sheep was prone to wander away from the flock the shepherd would break one of the sheep's legs. The shepherd would then carry the sheep over his own shoulders for the next six weeks until the leg was healed. At the end of the six weeks there would be a deep bond between the shepherd and the sheep which had been carried. The sheep would know the voice of the shepherd. Most often, the sheep would never wander again.

Jesus was Jewish . . .

For now

2009-06-12T06:19:00.003-04:00

I am sitting in an internet cafe in Old Jerusalem drinking a Turkish coffee. This is my third day in this amazing city.

I have enjoyed many cross-cultural opportunities and this one certainly ranks as one of the most intense. 35,000 people live within the city walls encompassing 6 tenths of a square mile. The city is divided into four quarters--the Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Arminian. All are getting along reasonably well . . . for now.

This morning we walked the 14 stations of the cross ending at the empty tomb of Jesus. It was a very meaningful experience. This evening we will watch the Sabbath come in at the Wailing Wall.

To walk where Jesus walked is difficult to get my arms around. I'm trying to let it all flow over me and into me. It will be interesting to see what difference a pilgrimmage of this magnitude makes in the long run.

For now, I will simply let my heart be filled, my eyes be opened, my mind be renewed.

USA Mary

2009-06-09T09:46:00.002-04:00

Israel is one of the only countries to which I have traveled where I actually resemble the local ethnicity--which can be a bit challenging. Everyone assumes I speak Hebrew and Aramaic. I say the only word I know, "shalom," smile and keep on walking.

Yesterday we visited the Church of the Annunciation. It is the traditional site of Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah. One of the really cool aspects of the church was the 50+ mosaics around the walls depicting Mary and the baby Jesus in the ethnicity 50+ different countries. Japan, Thailand, Guatemala, India, etc. The depiction of Mary from the USA was inside the church. It was nothing short of imposing. Unfortunately, USA Mary looked angry and aggressive in all of her glory. AND, no Jesus in the picture. Hmmm.

Today, on our free day, three of us rented a car and drove up Mount Tabor (the traditional site of the transfiguration when Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus). I have always wondered if the other disciples were jealous of Peter, James and John when they got to go up the Mount with Jesus. Now I'm not so sure. The climb was a seriously long one up the side of a small mountain. Now I wonder if the other disciples were relieved that they didn't have to make the arduous journey.

Tomorrow we leave Galilee and head to Jerusalem . . .

Thin places

2009-06-06T20:25:00.004-04:00

There are times when God seems exceptionally close - close enough to bring tears quickly, to rend your heart, to cause uproarious laughter . . .

This morning I got up at 5. My roommate, Bart Stone, and I walked down to the shore of the Sea of Galilee to watch the sun rise. As the sun ripped over the mountain I swam about 40 yards out from shore. As I was treading water I couldn't help but think of Peter jumping over the side of the boat after recognizing Jesus and then swimming to shore. I swam to shore. Thin place.

At 8:30 we went to the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized. I knelt down and lifted water over my head. Tears flowed with the Jordan. Thin place.

Later, we took a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. With the crowds pressing in on the shores I came to believe that the Sea was most likely a quiet place for Jesus. That two hours of sailing was welcome respite before walking amidst the masses once again. I rested. Thin place.

We closed the day with communion. My prayer partner, David Loveless, served me the body and blood of Christ. As he broke the bread he said to me, "This is the body broken for all of our idiotic screw-ups in life." I started laughing and handed him the cup saying, "And this is the blood shed for all of our idiotic screw-ups yet to come." We walked away from the altar laughing out loud. Thin place.

May you find your thin place.

This is the essence

2009-06-06T20:17:00.001-04:00

This morning I spent two hours on the Mount of Beatitudes-the traditional site where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

After some general information about the location we were told to simply go spend time with God. I spent the next several minutes reading through the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5-7. And then I reread it . . . only this time asking God to speak into my life.

Matthew 7:12 came alive to me: Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of ALL that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Okay, at a very young age I memorized the Golden Rule. Perhaps that's why I don't pay too much attention to it. It's for little kids. Didn't Jesus say, "Unless you become like a little child . . ." Hmmm.

So I wrote in my journal:

If I were an orphan I would want someone to adopt me.

I were ill I would want someone to care for me.

If I were elderly and alone I would want someone to visit me.

If I were oppressed I would want someone to fight for me.

If I were wealthy I would want someone to teach me how to invest for eternity.

If I were addicted I would want someone to love me unconditionally.

If I were to win I would want someone to celebrate with me.

If I were on a journey I would want someone to walk beside me.

If I were weeping I would want someone to hold me.

This is the essence . . .

The strong name of Jesus

2009-06-05T10:12:00.003-04:00

After 24 hours of travel we checked into Scott's Hotel overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

As every night, we closed our day with worship and communion together. Tonight was very meaningful. We came into God's presence in St. Andrew's Church right on the Sea.

Our Team Leader, Tom Jones, invited us each to come forward. As Tom placed a cross around my neck he said, "Greg, my friend, receive this cross in the strong name of Jesus." Wearing the cross I stepped aside to our Spiritual Director, John Wassem. John placed communion in my outstretched hands with the familiar words, "Body of Christ, broken for you. Blood of Christ, shed for you."

A very good beginning to our pilgrimage.

God help me to walk with Jesus . . .

2009-06-02T11:35:00.002-04:00

We're preparing to head to the airport. Our flight from Atlanta to Frankfurt will be nine hours. From Frankfurt we'll fly to Tel Aviv--another four hours. Once arriving in Tel Aviv we have a 3 hour bus ride into Galilee. Fairly grueling trip.

Over the past 48 hours we have experienced several times of extended prayer. It has been amazingly good.

God help me to walk with Jesus . . .

Pilgrimmage

2009-06-01T07:37:00.002-04:00

I'm in Atlanta, Georgia, at an orientation meeting before flying to Israel tomorrow afternoon. 20 Pastors from across the country have gathered together to spend 17 days on a spiritual pilgrimmage. Nearly 8 months ago I applied for a grant to be part of this amazing trip . . . and now here I am.

I've never been overly enamored with the touristy side of the Holy Land. What I am interested in is gaining a deeper understanding of the culture and setting of the Bible narrative. I'm interested in walking where Jesus walked--literally.

This pilgrimmage is designed to give its participants time to simply be with God. For instance, the plan is that we'll be dropped off at the Mount of Olives. Our instructions are to take our Bible, our journal and we'll gather together after three hours of alone time--I like this plan.

I realize that this is an unprecedented opportunity for me. I also take the responsibility that comes with it very seriously.

Would you pray for me?

1. That God would speak boldly into my heart.

2. That I would be still enough to listen . . . to really hear.

3. That I would come home a renewed Pastor with much to share with the church God has entrusted me to lead.

4. For my wife Julie, daughter Tabitha and son Elijah--that they would be safe and worry free while I am away.

Blue-sky

2009-05-29T05:48:00.002-04:00

I spent the past two days in a strategic gathering with the RiverTree staff team.

We spent several hours "blue-skying" the question: What would the church really be like if it were sold out to following Jesus today?

*It would be heavily involved in discipleship/equipping people to live like Jesus and as Jesus in the world.

*It would share "crappy" community (community that is authentic enough to share life's "crap" with one another.

*It would lead people to Jesus as Life Transformer.

*It would be a blessing to those outside of the church (we are blessed to be a blessing).

Some other thoughts . . .

*The face of the American church is changing and MUST change like never before in order to be effective.

*The church in America is facing great challenges accompanied by great opportunities.

*Consumerism in America is one of the deadliest enemies of the follower of Jesus.

*American Christianity looks very little like the Christianity of the Bible.

At the close of our time together we were more excited than ever as servant leaders of God's people. Excited to be part of a movement of people incarnating the DNA of Jesus in every nook and cranny of society and culture!

I remember

2009-05-22T12:48:00.002-04:00

Well, we're headed into Memorial Day weekend . . . A time to remember.

In 1868, Commander in Chief, John A. Logan, inaugurated the observance of Memorial Day in honor of fallen soldiers from the Civil War. Over the years it has come to serve as a day we remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action in all wars.

For most of us, Memorial Day has become a time to remember not only those lost in military action but all of those we love who have passed from this life.

So, today I remember:

Grandma Nettle who prayed for me every night on her knees until the day she died. She prayed from the time that I was 10 that I would grow up to be a Pastor.

Earl Skinner who was like a Grandparent to me. He did woodworking projects with me, gave me my first hunting gun and and taught me that it was okay for men to cook.

My Mammau who was the living incarnation of spunk.

Grandma Rex (On Julie's side), a devout Catholic who was proud to pronounce that she was the first ecumenical.

Terry Everhart who was an Elder at RiverTree. Terry helped us through some very challenging transitional times as a church.

Rich Mullins who was the first person to teach me to think outside of the box as a follower of Jesus.

Who do you remember?

Destination Destin

2009-05-19T09:05:00.002-04:00

I'm in Destin, Florida with the Stinklings.

The Stinklings are my Pastor buddies who I've committed to "do life" with. We do our best to sharpen one another, help each other stay out of trouble, encourage one another and simply have fun together. I wish everyone would experience what we enjoy together.

We've been through some "stuff." There are always challenges in ministry, we make mistakes and life can be just plain hard. But it's good to know that a voice of wisdom is just a phone call away and that if something serious were going on someone would be jumping on a plane to join in the battle.

Sooo, I'm off to plan sermons and play a little golf!

You are what you eat

2009-05-14T08:04:00.002-04:00

This coming weekend's teaching is You are what you eat. The Scripture we will be applying to our lives comes from 1 Peter 2:2-3: Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.

The reality is that if we feed the spiritual person inside of us--the spiritual person will grow. On the other hand, if we feed the fleshly person inside of us--the fleshly person will grow. You are what you eat.

Just for fun . . . I've been thinking in the purest physical sense about what I love to eat. I have always loved Ho Hos and Kraft macaroni and cheese. However, most recently, my food vice of choice has been Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream--really amazing right before you go to bed!

What's your current food favorite?

Blessing single moms

2009-05-12T09:20:00.003-04:00

This past weekend I had the privilege to be part of something that was very close to the heart of God.

In all of our weekend services at RiverTree we blessed single moms. We prayed for them. We told them how wonderful it is to be able to partner with them. We gave them Mother's Day cards . . . each of which contained a gift card.

500 single moms were blessed!

One of the things that I loved was that in addition to the moms who were present at our services, we encouraged our church family partners to bless single moms they knew outside of the church. 200 cards and gift cards were taken to pass on to others.

One man, in between services, shared with me, "I wish my mom could have been part of a church like this. My mom passed her faith on to me. She was a single mom and the church we were part of growing up made us feel like second class citizens." There are no second class citizens in God's Kingdom!!!

Another mom sent me the following e-mail:

Pastor Greg--I just want to let RiverTree know how greatly appreciated it is. What an amazing way to honor moms--single moms. There are numerous times when I feel so unrecognized, so alone and so tired. I was uplifted to our God by the many hands and hearts who prayed for me at the weekend services. Thank you for partnering with me to raise my daughter as a princess to the King and helping me to remember that I am the same.

That's why we do what we do . . .

Kingdom Synergy Partnerships

2009-05-08T05:58:00.002-04:00

I spent the day yesterday with 55 other leaders from all across the state of Ohio who are involved with Kingdom Synergy Partnerships. KSP is all about exponentially expanding God's Kingdom through synergy partnerships relentlessly committed to multiplying healthy growing churches.

It was an amazing day.

Scott Pugh, the Lead Planter for Velocity Christian Church, in Cleveland, Ohio, reported that since their launch on Palm Sunday they have been averaging nearly 200 people in attendance!

A new synergy group was formed that will plant our third church to date in Cleveland.

New studies show that on any given weekend only 18% of the people in Ohio attend church.

The single most effective way of reaching people for Jesus is to plant new churches. We currently have 8 new church plants in process.

That's why we do what we do.

Guess what day it is?

2009-05-05T14:25:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, Julie and I celebrated "Magic Vacation Day" with our ten year old daughter, Tabitha.

Now I know before I tell you more about this that some of you are going to disapprove of what we do. All I can say is that I wish my parents had done this for me when I was growing up!

Every school year we have a "Magic Vacation Day." Tabs never knows when it's going to be. On the surprise day, Julie and I wake her up together by asking, "Guess what day it is?" "Magic Vacation Day!" The look on Tabitha's face is priceless.

Next, Julie calls Tabs off school. The office worker asked Julie if Tabs was ill (swine flu thing you know). And no, Julie didn't tell her that Tabs was sick--she simply said we were having a Magic Vacation Day. No problem.

My mom came over to watch our little boy Elijah for the day (This is very important, this is Tab's special day).

After having breakfast together we went and saw Monsters Vs Aliens 3D at the theater. Next was a picnic lunch in the park. The afternoon was spent making pottery at Glazed And Amused. After dinner at Tab's favorite restaurant--Carabbas--we ended the day with a pontoon boat ride on Willowdale Lake.

The day rocked!!!

Our prayer is that Tabitha will grow up with amazing memories of days when mom and dad awakened her with the question, "Guess what day it is?"

Swine errr "Mexican" flu

2009-05-04T06:56:00.002-04:00

The swine flu is rapidly becoming a world-wide problem. Most countries are dealing with the specific dangers of illness, and in some cases, death. Other countries have other aspects of the flu to deal with.

"We will use the term 'Mexican flu' in order not to have to pronounce the word 'swine,'" declared Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman of the United Torah Judaism party.

Yes, better to attach the name to a country or ethnic group than call it what it is!

Judge not?

2009-04-30T12:44:00.002-04:00

In our series this weekend we're talking about Jesus' statement, "Judge not, or you too will be judged." I need your help once again.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt like you were being judged by someone? Or, do you ever find yourself being judgmental toward others?

This is going to sound crazy, BUT, I find it increasingly challenging to tell people that I am a Pastor these days. It's like they make this automatic judgment that I'm going to be judgmental towards them--ouch.

I was flying into Akron/Canton a couple of weeks ago and the guy sitting beside me asked what I did for a living. I told him that I was a teacher (I didn't want the automatic walls to go up). I kid you not, he said, "Oh, I thought you were a Pastor." "Ummm, actually I am."

I'm not at all embarassed by what I do, I just hate the way the conversation shifts and the way people change their behavior when they make judgments about what it means for me to be a Pastor. Know what I mean?

What forgiveness is not

2009-04-27T09:58:00.003-04:00

This past weekend in our teaching time I talked about some important things that forgiveness is not.

1. Forgiving is not forgetting. With time that might happen--in fact, I hope it does. However, forgetting something quickly when you have been caused deep pain just means you have a bad memory.

On the flip side . . . forgiving and then reminding the person of how they have wounded us is really not forgiving at all.

2. Forgiving does not release someone from the consequences of their actions. Often there are legal, financial or relational ramifications to a damaging incident or behavior. Even though God showed mercy to Cain when he killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4), God still exiled Cain from the land.

On the flip side . . . forgiving does mean that I give up my right to demand revenge.

3. Forgiving does not always mean reconciliation. God always desires healthy, healed relationships. However, there are some circumstances (Ie. Sexual or physical abuse) in which, even though you have forgiven the person, you should stay away from them. Just because I forgive someone does not mean I have to meet them for coffee at Starbucks every Tuesday morning at 7.

Difficult to forgive?

2009-04-24T08:17:00.003-04:00

I need your help.

This weekend we're continuing in our teaching series, Did Jesus Really Mean That? Last weekend we wrestled with Jesus' statement, "If you marry a divorced person, then you are committing adultery." This weekend we'll talk about, "If you don't forgive others, then God won't forgive you."

So here's where I need your help . . .

What situation do you find yourself in (or could find yourself in) that you would find it difficult to forgive?

I've been giving this some thought and the most difficult situation for me would be if someone intentionally harmed one of my children.

How about you?

It is best . . .

2009-04-23T07:22:00.002-04:00

Jesus said, "But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I've told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I didn't, the Advocate (Spirit) won't come. If I do go away then I will send him to you." (John 16:5-7)

One of the things I find myself wrestling with these days is the role of the Advocate (Spirit) in my everday life--and in the life of the church. Because of the tradition in which I grew up I find myself a bit "Spirit-phobic." The last thing I want is people barking in our weekend church gatherings!

What I'm coming to realize is that Jesus left this earth PRECISELY so that the Holy Spirit could be active in my life and in the life of the church. But what does that mean . . . exactly? What does it mean to be led by, empowered by, taught by the Holy Spirit?

Faith Training

2009-04-21T10:36:00.003-04:00

I just finished reading Faith Training by Joe White. The book is centered around passing our faith onto our children. Overall, it's not that great of a read. HOWEVER, it did inspire me to be more intentional about teaching my kids to love Jesus. As Joe says, it's not the responsibility of the school system or the church to train my children--the responsibility belongs with me as a parent!

Sooo, Tabs and I will continue to memorize Bible verses together. I'll continue to recount the stories of God's people whenever possible. I'll continue to sing "Jesus loves me" to my son Elijah when I put him to bed.

At the end of the day, or the end of my life, if I haven't raised children that love the Lord, then I have failed one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to me.

Every dance

2009-04-18T07:06:00.002-04:00

Last night was the annual father/daughter dance at Tabitha's school. It's one of the highlights of my year--fortunately, it's one of hers as well.

The other dads warned me that as the girls get older they quit dancing with dad and start dancing with each other in riotous packs. So you can imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when Tabs danced virutally every dance with me.

As we were leaving at the the end of the evening I said to her, "Wow Tabs, we danced almost every dance together!" And my daughter responded, "Dad, that's why they call it the father/daughter dance and not the daughter/friends dance."

Life is good.

The climbing bug

2009-04-16T16:50:00.003-04:00

My climbing partner, Tom Patton, and I have been experiencing the climbing bug once again. Sooo, we've been researching some potential mountains to climb.

Of course we had to check out Everest . . . absolute insanity.

For instance, guess how much it costs to climb the world's highest peak? $65,000!!! And that doesn't include your travel expenses to and from Nepal.

And, guess how long this little excursion takes? 2 months!!!

Not happening any time in the near future . . .

The Survivors Club

2009-04-15T06:59:00.002-04:00

The Survivors Club by Ben Sherwood is a great read!

Sherwood asks two primary questions: What does it really take to survive? and What kind of survivor are you? (Survivor is defined as "anyone who faces and overcomes adversity, harship, illness, or physical or emotional trauma.")

The book addresses surviving everything from a plane crash to a high altitude fall to a sudden storm to cancer to a knitting needle through the heart to the Holocaust!

For instance, when you get on your next domestic flight, your chance of being killed is one in 60 million. That means you could fly every day for the next 164,000 years before you would perish in a crash. AND, there are things that you can do to increase your odds of survival even more. (And no, not flying, is not one of the precautions.)

Incidentally, people who go to church regularly live around seven years longer than people who don't.

Pick this one up.

If Jesus is my Lord . . .

2009-04-11T12:17:00.004-04:00

If Jesus is my Lord . . .

It doesn't mean I'll walk around in blissful happiness, pie-in-the-sky irrelevance, everything peaches and cream.

It does mean I will experiencing heart-rending joy. Joy in the midst of my pain. In the midst of a broken world. In the midst of job loss and economic downturns and market drops.

It doesn't mean my team will win all of the time. (God knows that as a Cleveland fan I've found that to be true.)

It does mean that I am part of a winning team. Part of a world-changing movement bringing God's blessings to this earth. Eradicating poverty. Caring for children at risk. Affording hope to the hopeless. Loving the unlovely. Stewarding this amazing universe that God has entrusted to me.

It doesn't mean perfect health, dazzling smiles, a cut body and a modelesque figure.

It does mean being satisfied with who God created me to be. Finding contentment in my unique giftedness, talents and meaningful purpose in life.

It doesn't mean a bigger house, faster car, designer fashions.

It does mean freedom from debt. The ability to be generous. Sleeping peacefully at night because I am part of something bigger than myself.

It doesn't mean that I won't face adversity.

It does mean that I will triumph in tragedy. That I can face failure with confidence. That when I fall . . . Jesus will help me, once again, to rise to my feet.

It doesn't mean I won't be broken.

It does mean that Jesus will use my brokenness to heal others. To heal marriages, damaged relationships, addictive behaviors . . .

It doesn't mean that I won't sin--that I won't rebel against God--ever again.

It does mean that I will find forgiveness. It means that when I turn to God I will discover God waiting for me with arms open wide.

It doesn't mean that I won't die.

It does mean that I have victory over death!

If Jesus is my Lord.

The Tangible Kingdom

2009-04-07T10:15:00.002-04:00

A friend of mine sent me The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter.

Here are a few quotes that I appreciated:

What Jesus asked us to accomplish: the proliferation of global blessing and the making of apprentices of Jesus.

Yes! So often we attempt one without the other.

The longer I go, the less I know.

Ummm, I have definitely found myself feeling this.

If you go to Africa and hang out in a village of starving children, you'll get a heart for starving African children. If you hang out with the mentally ill, you'll get a heart for the emotionally imbalanced. If you want an authentic heart for people outside the church . . . you've got to be with them.

In my own experience I've discovered this to be very true. The big question is who is God calling you to hang out with in the first place? If we follow the example of Jesus it's most often not church people!

Leadership is based on choice. In other words, leaders used to get to pick their followers and tell them what to do. Today, followers pick their leaders based on whom they trust and whom they want to be like.

In other words, if we're going to lead, we had better be trustworthy leaders who are worth following.

We never reference our relationship with God as "personal." We speak of it as "communal."

When did we start isolating our relationship with God from the community of Jesus-followers? I have a hunch that it is the American way. We are so individualistic. Faith in Jesus was never intended to be lived out in isolation.

"Going deep" isn't about head knowledge or number of years following God. It's about honesty, common struggle, and being transparent in both weak and strong moments.

This is a profound truth. So often we equate "going deep" with incredible insights from Bible study and theology (which certainly have value). But I agree with Hugh that the deepest Christians I know are taking what they know and living it out in the trenches of everday life.

The Tangible Kingdom is worth reading. Pick this one up!

Northwest

2009-04-04T16:47:00.002-04:00

This morning I spent an hour praying in the cafeteria at Northwest High School. Actually, I was one of about one hundred followers of Jesus that gathered to pray prayers of blessing for the students, teachers and community at large.

Northwest School District has not passed a levy in 17 years! Consequently, they are facing some of the most serious financial issues I've ever seen a school confront. Aside from the obvious . . . teachers are struggling to maintain a positive attitude, students are feeling uncared for, the community is divided.

But there is hope.

As we prayed I couldn't help but rejoice in the fact that 100 people were praying IN THE SCHOOL! That God delights in bringing the greatest light from the deepest darkness. That we may no longer be able to pray before announcements or in homeroom, but nothing can stop us from praying at home, in the parking lot, on the street.

I believe with all my heart that God's power is unleashed through the prayers of His people. I also believe that those same people are the answer to many of the prayers that we pray.

I can't wait to see God's Kingdom springing forth alive and well in the Northwest School District!

The big question

2009-04-02T16:01:00.002-04:00

The big question I'm wrestling with these days is what it means to be a leader in a "missional" church? I've been asking God and I've been asking a lot of other Pastors that I respect. The answer is not coming with ease.

Reggie McNeal recently responded, "I'm not sure, but I do know that once you move in this direction . . . you can never go back."

Here are some of the character traits that I am discovering are necessary to be effective:

*Authenticity. Yes, we all try to be authentic, but there is a risky authenticity that takes following Jesus to a whole new level. Being willing to open one's life in the midst of deep struggles as well as exhuberant triumphs.

*Generosity. This goes beyond tithing to your local church. It means that we're going to be open to the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit. Promptings that may lead to the release of your financial resources, time and energies to see God's Kingdom revealed.

*Collaboration. I've been reciting a new mantra: "It's amazing what God can accomplish when we don't care who gets the credit." Good-bye ego. Good-bye self-promotion.

*Urgency. Life is short--everyone's. Urgency is not busyness but rather a constant awareness of the necessity of God's Kingdom in every life in all the earth.

The wrestling continues . . .

Leadership Network

2009-04-01T08:48:00.003-04:00

Just returned from a Leadership Network gathering in Dallas, Texas. We've traveled 4 times to the Big D in the past two years for a peer network/learning community with other churches from across the country. It has been very intense--very life transforming.

Monday morning's first session was spent reviewing what God has been doing in our churches since we've been involved in the Community.

Five questions were asked . . .

Question 1: What is your BHAG (Big, hairy, audacious goal)?

To ignite a movement of people with the DNA of Jesus that will inhabit every nook and cranny of society and culture!

Question 2: What's working?

Philippians 2:13 "God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."

Hundreds, if not thousands, of Jesus-followers have gone out/are going out from RiverTree to reveal God's Kingdom now and forever.

Question 3: What's stuck?

Christology should determine our missiology which should determine our ecclesiology.

Unfortunately, over the years we've had a slow drift that flipped this around. Ecclesiology has determined our missiology which has determined our Christology.

We're in the process of getting this right! Flipping it back around. Asking very hard, very candid, very inspiring questions of how Jesus would live and impact today's society and culture. From our discoveries about Jesus we will determine our mission which will determine how we do church.

Question 4: Our biggest surprise?

That we as a church leadership are actually just catching up to what God is already doing in the hearts of His people. God is going before us . . .

Question 5: Our greatest success?

We've moved from serving others in Jesus' name (while handing out cards that say "Just wanted to love you with no strings attached"--while on the back of the card it lists RiverTree's weekend service times) to canceling a weekend of services so that people could intentionally impact their communities . . . to doing "Great Days of Service" (spending 7 days serving in our communities) to a lifestyle of really loving people and serving them as Jesus would.

In a nutshell, God has moved us from a "program" where people serve to a lifestyle of influencial serving.

Yeah God!!!

Paths Of Glory

2009-03-27T07:24:00.002-04:00

I just read Jeffrey Archer's new book, Paths Of Glory.

Paths of Glory is a work of historical fiction narrating the life of George Mallory. Mr. Mallory is arguably the greatest mountain climber the world has ever known. Paths recounts Mallory's attempts to be the first person to summit Mount Everest. Like so many climbers, his story ends in tragedy.

Paths Of Glory is one of the most gripping and enjoyable books I've read in months.

Pick this one up!

What a difference a year makes

2009-03-26T15:23:00.003-04:00

Today is our son, Elijah John's one year birthday. This morning as I prayed and reflected a swirl of emotions filled me. Certainly many are absolute joy . . . but I couldn't help be taken back to his birth one year ago today.

Here is my journal entry from exactly one year ago:

We received a call yesterday afternoon that Baby Elijah would be born last night. Very exciting. Lots of prayer. Just received a call that he was born at 7 this morning--healthy. Thank-you God. Birth mom has made the decision to keep him. Hmmmm. Don't even know what to say. Trust God. Believe all is for the best. Don't like this journey too much.

And my journal entry from this morning:

Elijah's 1 year birthday!

What a difference a year makes. A year ago we received the heartbreaking, but understandable news that birth mom gave birth and decided to keep her son. Thank-You God for entrusting Elijah into our care--even for this brief time we have on earth. May he grow into a man who deeply loves You. May we be anointed by your Spirit to raise him according to Your plans. May I be an earthly father who is a reflection of You, his Heavenly Father.

As you can see by my journal entries, birth mom, after deciding to keep her son, one week later changed her mind and entrusted him into our care as our son. The journey was challenging but isn't the journey what it is really all about? A journey to help us trust--even when we can't see or even appreciate the outcome? A journey that is more about our commitment to become more and more like Jesus as we endeavor to love others in Jesus' name . . .

What a difference a day, a month, a year, or even a lifetime makes.

This is the life

2009-03-16T09:50:00.002-04:00

I'm finishing up a book by Henri Nouwen called Intimacy. In the book Henri writes of the call to follow Jesus:

I am convinced that a community which feels called to do a most difficult task, which asks for great sacrifices and great self-denial in order to do the work of God which is obvious and self-evident, will have no problems at all in finding people who want to join in the challenging enterprise.

He who promises hard work, long hours, and much sacrifice will attract the strong and generous but he who promises protection, success and all the facilities of an affluent society will have to settle for the weak, the lazy and the spoiled.

I agree with Mr. Nouwen. Give me something that demands everything. Call me to a higher purpose. Engage me in the battle.

This is the life that Jesus promised.

Raising children that love Jesus

2009-03-14T07:36:00.002-04:00

This past week I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in Orlando with 20 other Pastors from across the country. The purpose of our time together was simple--learn from one another.

We began by brainstorming 15 topics that we deemed important to discuss. Next, we each had three votes that would determine the topics that would actually be given priority. I was pleasantly suprised by those chosen. #1: How to care for your own soul. #2: How do you "set your kids up" to love Jesus as adults?

The time we spent talking about our children and children in general was invaluable. Here's what I learned . . .

How to "set your kids up" to love Jesus as adults.

1. Take them on missions trips. (Seeing the church at its best, in action, has profound benefit for the life of your child.)

2. Emphasize the benefits of being a "Preacher's kid." (Ie. We often have flexible schedules that allow us to spend time together. We can share notes with our children from appreciative families who have experienced life change in the church.)

3. Protect your children from the negative side of the church. (Be careful of your conversations at home. Don't allow your children to be drawn into church struggles.)

4. NEVER use your children in a sermon without attaining their permission in advance.

5. We, as parents, need to make sure that we are loving Jesus as adults. (Children should not see you as one person at church and a very different person at home.)

6. Take a child with you on a "work trip." (Ministry frequently requires travel. Take your child with you and make it a special occasion.)

7. Read the book, Faith Training, by Joe White.

8. Invite your children to partner with you in ministry.

9. Make sure your children have godly friends.

10. Invite a "non-parental" friend to covenant with you to watch out for your child and to pour into their lives as much as possible.

11. Pray.

Role of men and women

2009-03-09T08:34:00.002-04:00

After 7 years of study, discussion and lots of prayer . . . RiverTree now bases all leadership roles on character, giftedness and calling. We no longer restrict leaders based on their gender.

Sounds simple now, but it has been a long road of gut-wrenching, soul-searching, God-seeking deliberation.

I grew up in a church where women could sing special music or play the piano but not lead the singing. Women could count the offering on Monday but not collect the offering on Sunday. Women could teach boys but only until they reached the sixth grade.

I am thankful for the journey that God has brought us on. The journey to the point where there is no Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, because we are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

Early morning call

2009-03-06T05:18:00.002-05:00

I awoke this morning at 4.

I had a choice to make . . . I could stay in bed and try to get back to my remaining two hours of sleep, or, I could get up and spend extended time with God. I got up.

As much as I enjoy my rest, I enjoy even more the times when God clearly calls me to come and sit with Him.

So I prayed, I read, I journaled.

Early mornings with my Father are always worth getting up for.

ReJesus

2009-03-02T09:36:00.002-05:00

ReJesus is Alan Hirsch's latest book. You might remember Alan from his very important book, The Forgotten Ways. In ReJesus Alan (co-authoring with Michael Frost) calls the church and all of us as individuals back into a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what difference the way Jesus lived should make in our own lives.

Hirsch writes: "We remain convinced that it is Christology that remains even more foundational and therefore the primary issue. We have elsewhere asserted that it is Christology (the exploration of the person, teaching, and impact of Jesus Christ) that determines missiology (our purpose and function in the world), which in turn determines our ecclesiology (the forms and functions of the church)."

And, "Let's get our Christology right and then dare to place all our deeply held desires for how to do church at its service. Not vice versa."

I found ReJesus to be both challenging and enlightening--a must read for every person who is serious about following Jesus and especially if you are in a leadership role in the local church.

Pick this one up!

Copper Mountain

2009-02-25T19:17:00.002-05:00

I just finished up three days of snow skiing on Copper Mountain in Colorado. A friend called me and invited me to join him and his son for three days on the slopes. Both of them are wildmen skiiers--ski anywhere under any conditions. Ummm, my goal was to not break a leg--at least not one of mine.

On day one I started with an all day lesson on the green and blue slopes. Day two I was upgraded to a lesson on the blue slopes with a couple of black diamonds thrown in (took some very nice falls--BUT, didn't break my leg or anyone else's--great success).

Today we had absolutely pristine conditions. Groomed trails, stunning vistas, pure air, time with good friends and God. I found myself thanking God over and over again.

Though I'm worn out . . . muscles are screaming (nothing a few Advil can't handle) . . . I am energized. I love the adventure. I love my time "doing life" with great guys. I love my time reflecting on God's goodness.

Marriage recommended reading

2009-02-22T14:15:00.002-05:00

We're in the midst of a "marriage" series at RiverTree. We're taking a hard, candid, authentic look at how to build the best imagineable marriages--marriages that honor God.

Here is a list of books that I've read about marriage that I recommend to you:

For those who are single and may be thinking about marriage . . .

Fit To Be Tied by Bill and Lynne Hybels.
Going All The Way by Craig Groeschel.

For those who are already married and want to build a stronger relationship . . .

Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.
Just How Married Do You Want To Be? by Jim and Sarah Sumner.

And for those who may be in a struggling marriage . . .

The Power Of A Praying Husband by Stormie OMartian.
The Power Of A Praying Wife by Stormie OMartian.

What do you recommend?

Outliers

2009-02-19T05:22:00.002-05:00

Outliers is Malcolm Gladwell's most recent book. You might remember Mr. Gladwell from his best sellers and highly insightful and enjoyable reads The Tipping Point and Blink. Outliers definitely continues in that trend.

In Outliers Gladwell explores what makes companies and individuals wildly successful. Gladwell writes, "It's not enough to ask what successful people are like, in other words. It is only by asking where they are from that we can unravel the logic behind who succeeds and who doesn't."

After examining everything from Korean Airlines to Bill Gates to the Beatles to rice farmers in Guangzhou, Malcolm concludes that, "The people at the very top don't work just harder or even much harder than everyone else. They work much, much harder."

Outliers is worth reading simply for the entertaining stories of success alone. Combine that with great research and application and you have a book filled with meaningful conlusions that encourage the development of our full potential in life.

Pick this one up!

ChildReach

2009-02-18T17:35:00.002-05:00

I spent the past several days in South Carolina. I was involved with leading a strategic planning retreat for ChildReach Ministries. ChildReach is a very cool ministry whose vision is to "love the world one child at a time."

Currently, ChildReach runs a home for unwed teen moms in Peru (Hannah's Home), an orphanage in Peru (Hannah's Hope), and a school for children in poverty in Ecuador (Nuevos Amigos). The ministry is growing so rapidly that we gathered to brainstorm about how they could be most effective in all that God is calling them to accomplish. No small task!

For more info on ChildReach check out, www.childreachministries.org.

Consumed interviews

2009-02-13T21:02:00.003-05:00

At RiverTree we just finished a teaching series called Consumed. The question we've been wrestling with is: "Am I a consumer or am I consumed by the things of God?" This past weekend we closed things out with two amazing interviews. First, we interviewed a young man named Richmond Wandera. Richmond is from Uganda and his story is nothing short of AWESOME! Our second interview is with Rob Lane. Rob's story is filled with practical encouragement for how we can live with "enough."

Take time to watch these!!!

Richmond Wandera interview
http://vimeo.com/3176176

Rob Lane interview
http://vimeo.com/3179697

To sponsor a child go to www.compassion.com.

To join the Junky Car Club go to www.junkycarclub.com.