faithrunner

Bradford Pears and Redwoods

2009-11-10T04:26:00.000-08:00

The tree of choice in my suburb is the Bradford Pear tree. The city planners and home builders chose it because it is fast growing, colorful in the spring and fall, and has a full crown. Its primary problems are that it is good for about 15 to 30 years, and its long, vertical branches break more easily in storms. The Bradford Pear is a perennial, fast-growing, ornamental tree that line our suburb streets and sidewalks.

Then there is the Redwood trees of the Pacific Coast that can live over 2,000 years and grow to be over 200 ft. tall. These trees live in the rugged coast of the Pacific Northwest, and they can weather the torrential rains and wind that batter the coast each year. These massive trees are divided into "old growth" and "young growth" relative to their length of days. The Redwood is an evergreen, rugged, long-lasting tree that lives before and after you and I walk the earth.

I believe you can divide organizations into two types: Bradford Pears and Redwoods.

BP organizations plant for rapid growth, seasonal beauty and plan a 15 to 30 year existence before it is sold or goes out of business. These organizations turn out to be more ornamental than providing a core service to the community, and they are found in more populous areas. Storms often split or down them. They provide a service for a season, and many people appreciate what they do.

Redwood organizations are those who plant for longevity, strength, and reproduction. They can weather most any storm, and they will outlast those who plant them. Their seemingly slow growth and evergreen color do not intrigue the masses but the relatively few who see them or use their wood are struck by their strength and beauty.

I, like you, will contribute something to building a school, home, church or business today. We will have the choice to invest in what it takes to build a Redwood or a Bradford Pear organization. I'm choosing Redwood today. What about you?

Servant Leadership in the Church

2009-11-03T09:14:00.001-08:00

Last Sunday, I spoke about how the early church leaders shared responsibility and authority to meet a greater need. (Acts 6:1-7; You can hear the message here.)

I have always struggled with why churches spend so much time on the ceremonies and organizations of leadership rather than simply allowing the people who are the church to address the needs that arise from among them as their share life together on mission with Christ.

Here's what the first servant leaders in the church did to address the racial tension raised because of limited resources:

They clarified their roles. They knew what they brought to the table and guarded that with diligence. They were not creating positions of rank or status (clergy and laity), which we seem to think are important these days.
They turned to qualified servant leaders identified by their peers and closest to the issue to implement change. They did not put off the people or try to solve the problem themselves.
They shared their authority to make decisions through prayer and the time-honored practice of laying on of hands. This was NOT the first deacon ordination service! Stop making it that.They empowered servant leaders to solve a problem, and the church grew as a result of their actions.

There's much more to the story, but I want church leaders to get back to the practice of serving the body by empowering those on mission with them to solve the problems and meet the needs of their friends and families while being the church.

I have offered some of direction for this in my workbook, Paul On Leadership. It's a bit edgy for those in conventional churches, but I would recommend it to those who see themselves as a missional church on a mission field.

Dinner with Friends at Legacy was awesome last night! Over 300 women gathered to share dinner together and hear a message of encouragement from our own, Lisa Lloyd. This was our eleventh annual event, and it was as great as all the others. Lives were touched and changed by the event. Thanks to the guys who served drinks, food, and clean up. Everyone did a fabulous job!

Riding With A Friend

2009-10-26T19:58:00.001-07:00

When Paul, the Apostle, wrote his friends in Philippi he sent the letter with Epaphroditus. In that same letter Paul called his messenger, "my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier." (Phil. 2:25) You can tell by the words Paul used that Epaphroditus was a close friend who shared much of his life and ministry.

We are blessed by God when he sends an Epaphroditus into our lives, and this past weekend I had the privilege of riding with and for a guy whom I consider Epaphroditus in my life.

Paul Olson is a two time cancer survivor. His wife, Karen, is a breast cancer survivor. I have known them and their children since the 1980s when Paul moved down here from NY with J C Penney. I baptized him, walked through cancer with him, and Kim and I have shared the same life group with Karen and Paul over the years.

Paul began cycling about three years ago after his last battle with cancer and has been a regular rider with Legacy Cyclists since he started riding. He had ridden the Austin LiveStrong ride two other times before this one. After hearing of his rides with Jim Craig and others, I wanted to honor him and others by riding and raising funds for the cause. (That's my back with the names of those I rode for--including my sister. Paul wears the LiveStrong jersey with names. That's Marcel, Tom and Shirley and Paul. Jim and Jason are not pictured.)

This past Sunday, I worshiped with a friend on a bike in the Hill Country of Texas. The friendship, hills, wind, pain, and beauty melted together to make it a sacred day of praying for and remembering those I know who have defeated, are battling, and have lost the battle to cancer. I rode the entire time with Paul (catching up to Marcel at rest stops) and finished with him.

I cried with him as we hugged after the finish and friends and family gathered around to congratulate him on not only finishing the 90 miles of hills but for beating cancer another day.

Paul is a man of faith and inspiration, and we who know him are motivated by his gentle spirit and resilient trust in God to never complain and to take up challenges others say you should not try.

Thank you, Paul, for inviting me to ride with you.

Doing LIfe Together

2009-10-12T13:59:00.001-07:00

We are in our third week of our fall LifeGroup semester at Legacy, and I continue to not only enjoy but thrive off the relationships we have in our LifeGroup. We love continuing our friendships with those we have known for years while widening our circle of friends with those who are new to the group. Kim and I cherish Sunday evenings when our group gathers at our house to share part of our lives together.

One of our core values at Legacy is "Authentic community fosters spiritual growth and transformed lives," and LifeGroups are our visible expression of that value. Relationships are the glue that holds the church together, and authentic community is how those relationships grow.

This past weekend several of us in our LifeGroup made shared some of our lives together at one of the group's parent's lake house. [You can see we were not roughing it by any means.] We slept late, took a walk (in circles at times), sat on the porch (even before make up!) and talked, watched football, cooked out, and in the middle of all that we shared our joys, hurts, faith and hopes.

Community doesn't happen by simply following a curriculum or because you show up at someone's house every week. Authentic community comes from sharing the real stuff of life together. One trip to the lake together does not create this, but it can be one of many experiences that give us room to see our unguarded selves and experience God's promise of comm-unity only the church can provide.

This Sunday I will guide our thoughts and hearts to the biblical descriptions of community experienced by the early church. Read Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-37 for the stories. My prayer is that each of us can know this kind of life "in common" with others.

Serve in the Name of Jesus

2009-10-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, my message was "Church is a verb: people who serve in the name of Jesus." (To hear the message, go here.) I described how Peter and John served the deepest need of the beggar who asked them for money by telling him, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk." (Acts 3:6)

I challenged each of us to serve the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of others in the name of Jesus without prejudice and we would see great and wonderful things happen like Peter and John did.

The Wish 100 inaugural bike rally was a way for some of us to serve the need of children with serious illnesses in the name of Jesus. We did this as riding as Team Legacy.

Here are some of us at the start line. 104 Team Legacy members rode among the 1400+ riders to raise funds for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of North Texas.

We were the largest team! Some team members rode with the mayors of six cities carrying a baton to signify their involvement in the event.

Being the largest team gave us the opportunity to wear the artwork of some of the children who will receive the wishes we collectively provide. (A wish is about $6,000, which was the team's fund raising goal. Team Legacy raised over $7,800!)

At Legacy, we believe that "we are most like Jesus when we serve," and events like Wish 100 give us a chance to be the hands and feet (and pedals) of Jesus in the community.

Thanks to those who rode AND those who served at Breakpoint #4. You all provided a tangible expression of the love of Jesus to those you served.

I am proud to be your Pastor and serve with you in the name of Jesus.

For more pictures from the ride, go to John Huber's flickr album.

A Wish Come True

2009-09-28T05:50:00.000-07:00

Few people ever have an idea and then see it happen. How many times have you heard someone say how much they wanted to do something significant only to fall back into their routine of normalcy? Kendall Brown is not one of those people.

I met Kendall when he was at youth camp and I was recruiting for Baylor University in the summer of 1973. At the First Baptist, Richardson camp he had such a reputation as a trouble maker (in a good way) Billy Crockett wrote a song about him. That was my introduction to Kendall--he was synonymous with fun-loving trouble and mischievousness. A doctor? Not so much.

He went to Baylor, married Becky (I did the wedding), entered med school, graduated, and set up his practice in North Dallas. They joined Legacy in 1993. He has played the drums and percussion in our worship band since, and he was also one of the first three or four riders in what is now Legacy Cyclists. (Second from left, the MS150 2007 team)

About a year ago, Dr. Brown, when he became the Chair elect of the Board of Directors of the Make-a-Wish Foundation of North Texas, made a wish to host a bicycle ride in Plano to raise money for the foundation.

Kendall combined his love for riding, faith, and service to children to create an event that served all three. I love it when anyone uses their hobby/skills and passions to serve the greater mission of God's call on his or her life. This is a life well-lived.

A year after Kendall's wish, The Wish 100 Bicycle Rally will take place this Saturday, October 3, in Plano. Over 700 riders are signed up to ride and ten of thousands of dollars have been raised to make wishes come true for sick children and their families--all because Kendall made a wish and with faith and hard work and friends made it come true.

I am proud to say that as of this posting, Team Legacy has the most riders registered (70) and is the third highest fundraiser. You can still be part of the event by riding or volunteering. Go here to help make a wish come true.

Thank you, Kendall, for showing us how to make a wish come true.

The Real Miracle of Pentecost AD33

2009-09-21T20:09:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday I taught on the miracle at Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the gathered followers of Jesus. You can hear it here. One point I made was:

The miracle of Pentecost was that everyone heard about "the wonders of God," not that the followers of Jesus experienced something. (Acts 2:5-12)

American Christianity has come to place more value on religious experience than on the purpose behind the Holy Spirit in our lives. We judge our church services, which include the music and message, by how we feel when we leave the place. If we are inspired or encouraged, "God was there." If we leave feeling flat, something must have been wrong with the musicians or preacher.

We travel from church to church like fast food junkies looking for the best meal deal that satisfies our experiential appetites. (Of course, the worship leaders, which includes the preacher, are responsible for bringing their best to the Lord.) Given the equality of excellence, we still look for the next spiritual high and tend to forget we are here as "sent servant" of Jesus.

Pentecost is evidence that the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit in a church is empowered disciples boldly telling the Story of Jesus. Evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is looking something like Jesus in every arena of our lives, love for each other, acts of compassionate service to those in need, and a joyful witness to those far from God.

We share the same Holy Spirit as those who received it at the Festival of Pentecost. Will we allow it to lead us into the streets like the first followers of Jesus?

Have I shown you pictures of my granddaughter? Here are two from her trip to see the Bears play Connecticut last Saturday. Who cares if the Bears lost? The cheerleader was cute! You can get more pictures and the full story from my daughter's blog, Cooks Love Kisses.

we will never forget

2009-09-14T06:08:00.001-07:00

Last Friday was our nation remembered the attack on our country by terrorists September 11, 2001. We paused and prayed for the over 3,000 who lost their lives that day and for the nearly 5,000 who have given their lives in the war that followed.

Two things were different about that remembrance for me this year. One was the deep sense to pray for our enemies. As a follower of Jesus I am compelled to pray for those who not only attacked on 9/11 but those who continue to plan and execute ill will on this country.

The second thing was our country's continued disregard for the one million plus abortions that continue to be performed in our country each year. We should remember the almost 9,000 deaths related to the war, but what about the 8 million plus unborn that did not see life in that same time period?

On September 12 several from Legacy Church joined others from the area to to walk in the rain for life. Legacy Church has been in partnership with Real Options for Women since the late 80's when Danielle Hansen became its Executive Director.

We were partners when Real Options became the first crisis pregnancy clinic in the state of Texas. We were partners when they began to provide sonograms, STI testing, abortion recovery, and abstinence training in schools. We remain partners as they serve those with unwanted pregnancies and offer loving alternatives to abortion.

Facing the injustice of abortion is not as clamorous as it was when it was part of the political scene, but just as we as a nation will never forget 9/11, there are many followers of Jesus who will never forget the unborn. We refuse to forget the lives lost and the lives damaged by the myth that you can just abort a fetus and go on with your life.

Join us as we stand for those who can't stand for themselves and as we love and serve those who wrestle with the reality of an unplanned pregnancy.

Riding and Worship

2009-08-31T18:15:00.000-07:00

Saturday, I joined several from the Legacy Cycling group to ride the HH100 in Wichita Falls, TX. We went down on Friday to wander through the Expo, watch the real riders race through town, and carbo load on the spaghetti dinner.

We then spent the night in the downtown YMCA racquetball court, a Jim Craig/Legacy Cyclist tradition. Billy Allen won the prize for the largest blowup bed, and I won't name who snored the loudest!

After very little sleep, we rode to the starting line where we joined over 14,000 riders in 64 degree temperature. It was an awesome day, ride, and trip with friends.

After we baptized in the Craig's pool last Saturday, we rode and shared a little bit of life together this weekend. Sounds like community we all long for. Church on wheels!

Sunday, we ended our month of family worship with worship in music, communion, and baptism. We baptized 8 people; two families with a parent and two children being baptized. Everyone had a story that told of how they came to trust Jesus. The day was inspiring and a picture of what we want to become: a crowd of witnesses to Christ-changed lives.

I love Legacy Church and how we live out God's call on our lives. I can't wait to see what this week brings.

A Barn and Baptisms

2009-08-24T05:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday began with a great training event at Legacy Church as we prepared for our age-group, prayer, English Language Programs, and LifeGroup ministries. I was pleased with the turn out and enthusiasm of those involved in the ministries and the quality of the training that went on. We're ready to serve our mission to help people trust Jesus as school starts today in our area.

After the training time, Kim, Summer, and I headed over to the Craig's house along with others from our LifeGroup and Legacy Cyclists. They had invited us over to dedicate their new barn and to baptize Jim and his daughter, Emily. The new barn was part of their story of how God had revealed Himself through a storm that took down their barn and almost destroyed their four horses. (Picture above) All four horses were spared (two had to be cut out of the fallen barn), and in the middle of it all Jim and Sarah came to a new place in their trust of God.

Saturday's events at their house were tangible expressions of their trust that God was in the middle of their lives--all of it. They invited us over to hear their story, and to share in how God had made himself known to them through the events over the last several months. You see Sarah telling her friends about the story of the barn and God's presence in it all.

We then gathered around their pool to baptize Emily and her father, Jim. I had missed the morning ride, but I put on my Legacy Cyclists jersey with Jim to symbolize that through a downed barn and many miles of riding together, God had led Jim to the place where he was ready to start riding in faith. I reminded the group that baptism is the starting line, not the finish line, of our trust relationship with God through Jesus, the Christ.

More pictures are here thanks to John Huber.

Weekends like this remind me the church is people serving others through the ministries of the church, and it is people doing life together. Both are essential for the church to be the unstoppable movement of God in our lives. And, in both God reveals Himself in his timing in a variety of ways so all may trust Him.

I pray that you will know the joy of dedicating all you have to God and standing with a friend in baptism as he or she confesses trust in Jesus When things like that happen you will know you are part of God's efforts to rescue all people to Himself.

Speaking of baptism...we are baptizing some people in the services this coming Sunday at Legacy. Want to join us? Let me know.

Reflections

2009-08-20T04:29:00.000-07:00

I broke my fast as Kim hosted the PSHS Math department at our house for their fall get together. Yes, they were a really fun group--not one math problem solved or word problem offered based on the number of hamburger patties and the number of people eating at different rates. It was great to meet each of them and their families, who ranged from singles, couples planning marriages, a couple with twins on the way, a couple with a three-week old, another with elementary-aged children and a teen. And then there were those of us with adult children who were grandparents.

We ate, talked, and the kids swam. While all that was going on, I had in the back of my mind the question for evening reflections, "Who looks to you for guidance?" Students look to these teachers for guidance in math and sometimes life. We all need someone to lead us through the parts of life we do not know. Parents, teachers, pastors, leaders, all have huge responsibilities for guiding those in their care.

As I got ready for bed last night I prayed for those teachers and for the Legacy family who others look to for guidance. I prayed I would not misguide anyone if they looked to me, and finally I prayed God would always be my first and final Guide in all I do. I rested well knowing God was in control and leading the way--no matter how well I guided that day.

Afternoon

2009-08-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

I prayed part of the Psalm from our prayer guide this afternoon.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Not pretty. I rarely invite people into my innermost thoughts. I'd have to explain too much, I feel. But, when I invite God (who actually is already there) to "search me...and know my heart" I get real nervous. God seldom leaves dirt on the walls or trash on the floor--stench I've learned to live with. And, then, to ask God to "test" me like a coach tests the strength of his team in tw0-a-days. Am I crazy? Why would I want that? I can seldom past the "do you trust me" test I'm given every day. No wonder I stay away from things like this. Yet, in this prayer is life.

Why would I ask God "if there is any offensive way in me?" That's a given. I offend people everyday...even those I love. But I will ask and wait for the list to be written. After all that, I do want God to "lead me in the way everlasting." That's really the point. Isn't it? In all the filth of my heart, the anxious thoughts that paralyze me, and all the offensive ways I hurt others, God is still willing to lead me in the way everlasting if I will follow Him.

God who loves me enough not to leave me like I am is a good and gracious God.

Day of Prayer and Fasting

2009-08-19T04:42:00.000-07:00

Legacy Church has set today apart as a day of personal prayer and fasting, and we invite you to join us. As school begins in our area next week, we have chosen today as a time to pursue God passionately and follow him radically.

Go to the church's website for the prayer guide for the day. I will share my thoughts on this blog throughout the day. I invite you to post your comments here as we all seek God and listen with our hearts today.

Morning

Josiah, a young king of Israel, "began to pursue God passionately." He was a king, yet knew his strength and direction came from God. Early in his life he knew the importance of pursuing God everyday. Read the guide to learn more about this important biblical character.

As parents, we can instill this passion for God in our children as we model for them our passionate pursuit of God and instruction/training on how they can make room in their lives to seek God.

As followers of Jesus, we are apprentices to the practices and lifestyle of Jesus. To thrive as kingdom people on mission with Jesus to rescue the world and establish a new way of life, we must hear our Leader's heart and know His plans for us and His church.

My greatest challenge in the busyness of ministry is to find time to sit with my Leader and hear His plans for me and those to whom I am a servant leader. I'm looking forward to today as one of those times. I have much to talk to Him about.

The Summit and Sunday

2009-08-11T05:30:00.000-07:00

I'd rather sit down with you over a cup of java to talk about these things, but all I have time for is this blog entry today.

The Willow Creek Association Leadership Summit last Thursday and Friday did what it does for me every year: inspires and challenges me. World-class leaders, like David Gergen and Tony Blair, leadership gurus like Gary Hamel, pastors like Tim Keller and Dave Gibbons, and practitioners like Jessica Jackley inspired and challenged my thinking about leadership and how we do church.

About 20 Legacy folks attended the simulcast at Chase Oaks Church, and we all came away with fresh ideas, questions and conversations about how we lead people on the mission of God in this century and in our global culture. I am still reflecting on all the information and ideas--and nudges by the Holy Spirit--before I blurt out anything. Stay tuned.

Sunday, my message was on Faith: When you hear what Jesus has done, it helps you trust who Jesus is. We saw how John the Baptist, while in prison, asked the question we all ask when life does not turn out the way we think it should--especially if, like John, we trust Jesus and try to follow him every day. Jesus' answer was simple, "Go back and report...what you have seen and heard." (Luke 17:22-23) Jesus was doing exactly what he said he would do, and although John thought he should be doing more--like getting him out of prison--Jesus taught, "happy is the person who does not give up on me because of what I do or don't do." (my paraphrase) We trust Jesus for who he is, not for what we think he can do for us.

We heard from what Jesus was doing in Dennis Martin's life as a result of his involvement in our mission trip to New Orleans, and I read from my personal journal a story of how God provided so I could keep a vow to him. We invited people to trust who Jesus is after they had heard what Jesus had done in our lives. If you want to hear the message, go here.

What have you heard God has done around you that helps you trust who Jesus is? Let me know. Your stories help me trust Jesus, too.

Tonight I begin teaching the New Testament III, the General Epistles and the Revelation, for B H Carroll at Legacy. A dozen have already signed up for the class, and I look forward to others joining us for the learning experience. If you want details on the course, go here. This class is for everyone. You can study at any level you like. Email me if you have questions.

Faith!

2009-08-04T05:11:00.001-07:00

We began a new series of messages at Legacy this past Sunday. We call it Faith! We have adapted some materials from the 252 basics materials to partner with families for a month of family worship to help them trust Jesus as they return to school this month.

The description of faith we are working from is: Faith--is trusting what you can't see because of what you can see. Our key verse for the value is Hebrews 11:1. Of course, I have my own translation of the verse, and it reads like this:

Faith is trusting what we hope for will happen and the confidence to act when we cannot see it yet.

I want to emphasize that faith is not belief only. 85% of Americans "believe" in God, and we tend to ask people what they believe in order to define their faith. However, the biblical word has more to do with trusting a person rather than accepting a set of beliefs. Biblical faith is to trust the person of Jesus, the Christ, enough to stake your life on both where you live your life after life and how you live this one.

I can believe Jesus is God's Son and live any way I want. If I trust Jesus is who he says he is and I am who I am in relationship with him, then I must live the way he insists I live. For example, to believe my personal trainer's directions is one thing. To do what he says is to trust he knows what's best for me to accomplish the goals he has set for me. I trust Jesus is my Rescuer and Leader when I trust him enough to adjust my life direction and lifestyle to follow what he says to do in order to reach the goals he as set for me as his apprentice.

My hope through this series is that we can re-claim the biblical concept of faith as trust in the person of Jesus, the Christ, and move away from our idea that to believe something is enough.

How would you describe your current "faith in Jesus?" Would you say you "believe in" him, or, would you say you "trust" him. How you live today will give you some examples of where you are in this.

Trusting with you...

It's the Climb

2009-07-28T07:03:00.001-07:00

You've heard Miley Cyrus' tune, It's the Climb, I'm sure. The song calls us to consider that it's not the destination but the journey that counts. I must admit I resonate with the top-40 tune because the message reflects my view of life and ministry. Hebrews 11:13 reminds me that everyone--yes, everyone--who God called to join Him in His eternal purposes never--yes, never--saw what He called them to do, and they saw themselves as "aliens and strangers on earth." It's the climb that describes our time on earth.

Our vacation in Red River this year with our Baylor clan was one of the most refreshing we have had. The week was filled with family, friends, creation, and the church--pretty much what the climb of life is all about.

Sunday, while Legacy gathered to worship, I preached at the community worship service at the Community House in town. During the week, there is line dancing, concerts, and crafts in the room, but on Sundays people from all over the nation gather to be the church in this little resort town. (209 were there this Sunday.)

We sang hymns and closed with the traditional tune, "Church in the Wildwood." We gathered around a fellowship lunch provided by the community house, and we experienced great stories and deepened our friendships. The ekklesia is alive and well...wherever you may go, and in many, many forms and traditions.

I also made my bi-annual climb to Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico. While we got lost on the ascent, we found our way to the peak and back home safely. Every time I do this, I cannot forget the words of the psalmist who declares, who am I that you even think of me? (Psalm 8:4) The natural revelation of God in His good creation constantly refreshes my trust in Him and that we are part of God's gracious intentions of grace and mercy.

That's Taos ski basin from the trail to the peak in the photo.

The first photo is on the trail below the peak, which is over this one and still higher!

This a shot above the treeline (+12,000 feet) as we climbed out of Middlefork Lake to make our own trail to Wheeler. Laying on the side of the mountain with this view was my personal highlight of the trip.

We have been going to Red River with friends we have known since college days since 1987, my first year at Legacy. Here's a picture of those who made it this year. We all rented jeeps and made the forest road drive to the lake, cooked breakfast for everyone, and posed for the shot. (Storey and Graham stayed in town with Cambell.) Life-long friends are partners on the climb of life. You can't do it without them.

And, above all else, I spent incredible times with my family. Kim and I comment often about how God has blessed us, and one of the best is our family as it grows. The climb with them has been worth every step.

We start back this week in partnership ministry with Legacy, and I'm ready to re-engage and see what God will do on this leg of the climb.

Younger Next Year

2009-07-18T13:50:00.001-07:00

Part of vacation is the freedom to read whatever you want, and you know my interest in health and exercise. This past week I read Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge's book Younger Next Year, A Guide to Living Life Like 50 Until You're 80 and Beyond. It was a gift from a couple in my LifeGroup, and I look into those before recommended reading lists. Once I got started, I didn't want to stop.

The authors' premise is that if you slow down and/or stop, you decay. On the other hand, if you continue to move, exercise, and be active you will grow healthy--possibly healthier than you have ever been in your life--and, you can do this into your 80's.

There's nothing radically different in this book regarding exercise ("Exercise six days a week the rest of your life.") and diet ("Stop eating crap!"), but the novelty of their plan is the last two "Harry's Rules:" 6: Care. 7. Connect and commit. Chris notes that "finding the selflessness with you--getting that one right for you--may trump everything else. Caring at every level is one of the most important things you can do in the Next Third of your life." (242) He sounded something like Jesus' call for us to love others as ourselves.

"Harry," real name, Henry, the M.D., explains in evolutionary terms how we are "social and emotional creatures from start to finish." (245) He concludes, "Because of the limbic way we're made, we are not emotional islands. Simply put, we complete each other." (252, author's italics) We cannot make it alone. Be part of a group. Isolation in old age does as much to send us to the grave as to stop moving. Chris entitles a section of his chapter on this rule as "Cuddle or Perish." We need meaningful touch and connection in order to remain healthy.

What intrigues me about this New York Times Bestseller on health is that it emphasizes the need to care, connect and commit as the basis for their program of health. The ekklesia has been touting that message for centuries. (Or, have we?) While the book is purely secular in its approach, those two rules alone illustrate that we need each other and are designed to serve others by design--no matter our worldview. It's how we are made; not a religious suggestion tacked onto the end of your week.

Care. Connect. Commit. I could package those in a three-week message series from the words of Jesus. These two who "hesitate to talk about spiritual matters" (299) don't know how close they are to getting it right.

The book is light-hearted, filled with stories and hope, and ultimately informative. Don't let the evolution-based science deter you, it's good advice. I was encouraged to continue to exercise, eat well, serve, and stay connected in community with others. Wonder how I'll do in my eighties?

Abandon Annually

2009-07-14T05:26:00.000-07:00

I heard someone describe a rhythm of rest this way:

divert daily
withdraw weekly
quit quarterly, and
abandon annually

I'm pretty good to divert daily from the stress of ministry either by study or exercise. I withdraw weekly on Saturdays which I guard with my life not to do any thing related to doing ministry. I enjoy being with friends and family--almost all who are part of Legacy.

I stink at the other two. The concept to quit quarterly is to take a two-day retreat from work in order every three months to evaluate and recharge. I have never adopted that rhythm. And, I never abandon annually well.

It's not that I am afraid of the silence and solitude that abandonment brings. I'm afraid of getting behind. I have come to learn that my fear is based on my ego-centric estimate of myself which makes me think I'm the only one that can do all that stuff and my lack of trust in God to get his work done without me. That is, after all, what God called me to do, wasn't it?

I have also found that I tend to fill my vacation days with things other than my routine when I am working. For me, vacation means doing all those things you don't have time to do otherwise. We have scheduled this week to complete our 2008 income tax return (yes, I have filed extensions), clean out the garage (we have not done this in years, maybe 10), and work in the yard and flowerbeds that have grown up since we worked them in the spring. All this while planning our week-long trip to Red River, NM next week and Summer's wedding next spring. (My youngest is engaged! Check out my facebook page for more.)

Along with those projects, I am preparing for the next BH Carroll course at Legacy, the Ph.D. seminar, Jesus and Leadership, I am leading for Carroll next fall, working on a webinar I am doing for The Columbia Partnership, starting my next writing project for LifeBible Study, and looking ahead to August when I return for a month of family worship at Legacy, our fall ministry season, the WCA Leadership Summit, and Legacy's own leadership Saturday later that month. So, who can rest?

My opportunity this next two weeks will be to find a rhythm of rest and release in the middle of all I have been called and chosen to do. The pace will definitely be slower, and I will lay some of those things aside for God and others to do in my absence. In all of it, I will seek to hear God above the dust and noise and in the paths different than those I walk the rest of the year.

How do you do at these things?

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership

2009-07-07T15:44:00.000-07:00

I have finished reading (carefully, this time) Ruth Haley Barton's latest, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry. She observes that Moses, who "did not have a good day in his life," found his leadership strength through his times of solitude and silence with God. From his calling in the solitude of keeping sheep to the regular retreats to the tent of meeting in the wilderness, Moses found his strength and direction from God. Her psychological hermenutic, although pressed in some passages, holds up as she intreprets Moses' leadership strenghts and weaknesses.

Her call to the "sacred rhythms" of solitude, silence, and sabbath challenged my own do-something-you-can-clean-up-the-damage-later tendency toward ministry. I confess her assessment that pastors speak a better game of solitude with God than practice it hit home. I agree with her conclusion that in leading people on mission with God and in spiritual matters is different than leading a business or organization. The issues of leading people to follow and encounter God requires optimum time with the One who called them to lead with Him in the first place. I appreciate the fact she does not try to justify what she gleans from the biblical record with current leadership theory or practice in the marketplace.

Her examples of leading and experiences of leadership ring true to those I have experienced while leading people on mission with God for over twenty years in the same place. My experiences do not validate the truth of her insights, but I can tell you from my perspective she knows of what she writes and what she offers to other spiritual leaders.

I can recommend this book to any leader in ministry. It's not for the business person looking for ways to lead like Moses in the marketplace. Spiritual leadership seldom translates into that arena; and, vice versa, I am coming to believe. Her message is for those of us who sense God's calling on our lives to lead others to Him and in His ways. If you will walk with her through the pages of this book, you will find some solutions to the leadership issues you face.

Have you read it?

Jacob Wrestles with God

2009-06-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday I tried to apply Jacob's wrestling match with God to our own struggles to be blessed by God. Here are some of my observations:

We wrestle with God often out of fear and helplessness. (Gen. 32:9-12)

Jacob divided his tribe into two groups and sent his servants ahead with gifts to placate his brother. He then prayed a prayer born out of fear in which he reminded God of his promises. We pray like this; when we are afraid and reminding God what He said He would do. At least, Jacob is now admitting God--not him--is responsible for his wealth and well-being.

We wrestle for a blessing we realize we can no longer acquire on our own. (Gen. 32:22-24)

That night, with the river Jabbok between him and his brother, Jacob wrestled “a man,” “angel” (Hosea 12), “God” (v. 30). He begged for a blessing he had already received but refused to let go of God until he knew it was his. How often to we struggle with God for a blessing He has already given us as His covenant bearers in Christ Jesus? I find most of my desires for blessing is more out of my ego than my desire to live out God's call on my life.

God sometimes ends our wrestling match by giving us a new name and a limp. (Gen. 32:25-29; 2 Cor. 5:17, 18; 1:3, 4)

God dislocated Jacob’s hip to remind him who was the powerful one. God changed Jacob’s name to remind us who we truly are. His limp meant God is powerful, and I am His servant. Jacob needed a reminder his conniving and cheating was no longer needed when he lived in God's blessed presence.God changed his name from Heel Grabber (I'm in charge) to God Wrestler (God's in charge). Jacob did wrestle with others and God, and he prevailed. So, Israel still wrestles with God to this day.2 Cor. 5:17, 18: reminds us we are a new creation and have ministry of reconciliation as Christ's covenant bearers.2 Cor. 1:3, 4 teaches us our limp of weakness is a sign of God’s comfort we can show others.

I concluded:

Brokenness is a spiritual reality we all must experience as we journey with God. Until that happens we live under the illusion we are in control.

How have you struggled with God? How has your limp served as a bridge to share the comfort of God with others? When was your River Jabbok all-night wrestling match with God?

Jacob, Ekklesia, and facebook

2009-06-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

Sunday, I continued Jacob's journey with God as his father-in-law, Laban, chased him down in the desert. Jacob was getting heat from his brother-in-laws and Laban, and when God said to take his family back to Canaan, he did not need to be told twice. (Genesis 31:1-3) When the Jedi Deceiver caught up with his padawan, two daughters and 11 grandsons, he was fighting mad. Not only had Jacob taken a superior flock and his children from him, someone had taken his household gods.

After Rachael deceived her deceiving father and kept the gods hidden, Laban and Jacob worked things out. I applied how they resolved things to the relationships we may have with our fathers or others.

I suggested that sometimes you must put distance between you and those who hurt you. Jacob did just that. (Genesis 31:17-18) Sometimes you have no choice but to get out of town from those who have hurt you so deeply. If that is not the solution, boundaries of engagement must surely be put in place.

I also offered that if those who hurt you pursue you, be honest and seek to heal the hurt. Jacob blew up all over Laban about how he had been treated but sought a way they could part peaceably. (Genesis 31:38-42) When given the opportunity, an honest word with a motive to heal can be the way relationships can be healed.

Finally, I conceded that sometimes all you can do is build a Mizpah in the desert and return to your homes. The pile of rocks in the desert became a boundary between the two deceivers. You may have a two-piece pendent called a mizpah. It records part of Laban's word to Jacob as he vowed not to pursue him further. (Genesis 31:49)

I concluded that we have the cross of Christ that stands between those who hurt us. It is the only way we can be healed and forgiven and to offer the same healing and forgiveness through Jesus to those who have hurt us. Ego want let us do it. Only the love of Christ in our hearts will get us there.

The next resource in the LifeBible Study series is out. It's call Ekklesia: the Unstopable Movement of God. It follows the Story of the Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles. Check it out. I enjoyed writing the study guide and pray many will benefit from it. You'll see and hear more about this at Legacy in August.

I finally got on facebook this weekend. I have hesitated for a long time, but saw how I could connect with some many people.

I hope it's not just a fad. I'm just getting warmed up!

facebook finally

2009-06-19T18:46:00.000-07:00

I entered the matrix of facebook today...I have resisted for some time, but I knew the number of people out there, and I could not resist connecting with them.

So, I will continue to post my thoughts here, but looks like pictures and ongoing comments will go there.

Continue to check in, and we'll continue the conversation.

God's Plan or Our Actions?

2009-06-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I tackled the story of Rebekah and Jacob stealing Isaac's blessing from Esau as part of our new series "Waking Up in Bastrop." I want to chew on that a bit more this morning. (If you missed my presentation, you can go here.)

First, read all of Genesis 27.

As you begin to observe the events in Chapter 27, don't forget two things are already in play . One, God announced before the twin boys were born that the older will serve the younger. (Genesis 25:23) Two, Isaac and everyone else in the family knew Esau had sold his birthright as the oldest son to Jacob. (Genesis 25:29-34)

I mention this because we usually get all over Rebekah and Jacob for their scheming but maybe they would not have done that if Isaac had not tried to give his blessing to Esau, who now did not have the right to receive it since he had sold his birthright to Jacob. Maybe Isaac is at fault (not that we need anyone to be the fall guy when dealing with His-story), and if he had left well enough alone we would not have had this story in the biblical record.

Maybe only when Rebekah overheard Isaac's play to bless Esau did she make her play for her favorite to get the blessing. Either way, we have a theological dilemma because of their actions.

I got an email last week that summarizes this dilemma perfectly:

I've always thought this was so unfair of Jacob and his mother to trick and cheat their [son and] brother. Was the brother an ungodly man? Stealing your brother's birthright always seems so wrong to me. I couldn't understand a blessing that had it's (sic) roots in trickery.

This email expresses what we all wonder about this story. So, what was it? Did Jacob and his mother cheat his brother and take what was not Esau's in the first place? (He had sold his birthright to Jacob.) Had Esau done something so wrong that God would not allow him to be his covenant bearer? How could Jacob's deceit be okay with God? Was it because the 10 Commandments were not in play yet?

Did God look the other way when his chosen covenant bearer, Isaac, was deceived? Or, was God's promise that the older will serve the younger realized in the mother-son plan? Their plan became God's plan.

Finally, would God have fulfilled his promise that Jacob be His covenant bearer in another way if Jacob and his mother had not schemed to qualify themselves by their own efforts? God could have had Esau killed in a hunting accident, and we would not have this theological dilemma before us.

This blog entry is not long enough to answer these questions. However, now that they are posted, chew on them, post some thoughts if you like and I'll be back on Wednesday to give you my take on this.

I do want to assure you that I am convinced that God's promises will happen as they are revealed. What is in question is how does that work out on this side of heaven?

First Saturday Serve

2009-06-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

I have to tell you again how honored I am to be the Pastor of Legacy! One of our LifeGroups began to put feet to their prayers and passions to serve children--orphans in particular. Their convictions led to a connection with a program in our city called My Friend's House , "Collin County’s ONLY emergency shelter for young children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, abandonment or neglect is almost complete." (from their website)

We came in partnership with this program eight years ago through one of our members, Tiffany Nierdieck, who worked with City House, the city's teenage shelter. Legacy Church has provided support through volunteers, prayers and finances through these formative years. We joined many other organizations and churches who shared our desire to care for these children.

Through the lead of the Bowen/Jones LifeGroup and support from our Missions Team, over twenty of us spent Saturday morning planting flowers, cleaning windows, hauling trash, and doing whatever was needed to prepare the house to receive children the first of August.

We will continue to partner with this organization and its mission to care for these children. If you would like to volunteer at My Friend's House, go here. If you would like to know more about Legacy Church's mission efforts, go here.

Two stones that bear the name of Legacy Church rest in the walk ways to the two main entrances to the house. The Bowen/Jones group provided the stones and chose the verses for the markers.

The one that leads into the entrance for the children reads: Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. -Luke 18:16.

The one that is in the walkway to the main entrance reads: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me..." Go by and see them, and say a prayer for the children.

A Meaning-filled Day

2009-06-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at Legacy we celebrated baptisms and ended our teaching series on marriage with the renewal of vows for 15 couples. The special part about the baptisms was that one child was a foster child with a family who gave a good word about the blessings of caring for children from families that can't or won't. The other baptism was the biological child in a strong, loving family who also has an adopted child who was first a foster child in their home. I was reminded that the real work of the church is to "widows and orphans."

The vow renewal was special, too. We interviewed one of the couples who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year. (You can hear their story here.) Others had celebrated their 25th and 30th. Others their 7th and 10th. Marriage is a precarious adventure these days. I'm glad we gave everyone a chance to renew their commitments to one another. My outline for the rest of us was that to build and keep trust in a marriage, you must show up, step up and give up. The rest of the content is here.

I noted that baptism and marriage are two public ceremonies that signal the beginning of a life-long journey with someone. Baptism is that public ceremony that tells others we have begun our life-long relationship with Christ. Marriage, like baptism, is the public statement of our inward commitments to love each other for life. Also, marriage is God's metaphor of choice for His relationship with Israel under the Old Agreement and Christ's relationship with the Church under the New Agreement. The marriage relationship is close to the heart of God in many ways. That's why we did the series and will do another one again in the future.

Next week we begin "Waking Up in Bastrop: Jacob's Journey with God." I'll try my hand at writing a manuscript for publication while preaching it. My writing and teaching styles are different, so, it will be a trick for it to be effective.