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My oldest son Ethan is in middle school this year and wanted some money so we agreed that he would mow the yard each week for $5. I wasn’t really prepared for everything that would surface from this agreement. The day came and I braced myself for the feeling I usually get when I look at my overgrown lawn but this day that feeling quietly disappeared as my son assumed the position behind our little self-propelled mower and got to work. When he mowed for the first time I will never forget that feeling. Usually I have to work up the ambition and energy to brave the 90 degree heat and 100% humidity to mow. I was ready to do it but when I pawned it off on Ethan I realized that my 13 year history of lawn work was forever going to change. Now he carries the burden. He did a decent job and was stoked to receive a crisp $5 bill in his hands as a reward.
Fast forward to week 2 and what happened I saw coming a mile away. Ethan was 15 minutes into the 45 minute chore when his will gave way to defeat. He turned the mower off and said, “Dad, I can’t do it anymore.” My heart broke for him. He was sweating profusely and his face was red and flush. I really wanted to relieve him of his agreement but I knew that doing so would cripple him for life. I went in and got him some water. He tried his hardest to get out of his commitment but I gently stuck to my guns and firmly insisted that he finish mowing. He finished but he wasn’t happy.
Week 3 was a similar scenario. Half way through the task, he broke down and wanted to give up. I explained to him that I wasn’t making him mow because I hated him. I simply know the value of pushing through something that you don’t want to do and the reward on the other side. Then I told him that he was going to mow the yard. If he did it without complaining then he got to keep the $5 payment. If he complained, then he would still have to mow it and finish except without payment. He finished in silence.
Even as I write this the parallels with my own life are staggering. We make a commitment to give our lives to God all the time eyeing the benefits of heaven, peace, joy, community etc. which are valid and certainly worthy of seeking. Part way into our agreement things get hard and we want to give up. We come to a place where we would gladly give up any benefits or perks if we could just get out of our commitment. God graciously holds our feet to the fire and patiently waits for us to begin pushing again.
God is developing a perseverance in His people. The only way to do that is to place us in the crucible of circumstance where our will, determination and resolve is tested to see what we are made of. If Jesus is truly returning for a bride without spot or wrinkle, he has a lot of work to do.
Phil. 1:6 says being confident of this very thing that he who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
God is working on us.
One day, my son Ethan will have to work a job that he hates. He will have to bail hay, or stock shelves, or deliver papers or some other thing that will challenge his will. Hopefully he will remember the yard. Hopefully he will remember his dad gently encouraging him to finish.
Lord . . . get what you are after in me! Help me to yield to your hands as they shape my character. It hurts but don’t stop. I don’t want to miss what is coming down the road because I was unwilling to embrace your plan. Thank you for encouraging me to finish. amen
Filed under: Church Updates
A friend of mine asked a question about church planting and my response to him seemed to me blog worthy so here it is.
Ok, let see . . . Here are 5 things we learned PRE-Launch
1. if you are planting a church, do it through ARC (Association of Related Churches) They are the best in the church planting business. Could not have done it without them.
2. Plant where you have relationship- tenure in the community gives you Huge advantage. If God calls you to a whole new community then He will accelerate your influence there, but our success has been in large part because we have lived here in Wesley Chapel for 8 years.
3. Don’t let a mass mailout be a forgone conclusion (most church planters spend a large amount of precious planting dollars on a mailout. We didn’t and with much success) Mailouts can work especially if you are first on the mailout scene. Our market was already flooded with several church plant pieces that would have rendered our mailout ineffective.
4. It HAS to be a God thing. When He starts it, He provides the thousands of miracles you need along the way. Doubt never really played a factor in our story only because we could clearly see the origin of this church began with Him, so He was obligated to keep it alive. If you are planting a church because you are unhappy on a church staff now, don’t plant a church!!!
5. Your spouse MUST be your co-captain. When God started nudging me about planting a church, the first thing I thought was “my wife is never going to go for this.” I then went to the Lord and said “If you prepare her, I’ll do it”. Within six months, I saw several major confirmations in the life of my wife that sealed the deal for me. Now she is just as passionate about this church as I am.
Post launch learnings =
1. don’t get your feelings hurt by those who don’t stick it out. Hold everyone loosely. It is God who places in the body as He sees fit so when people come and then they go, don’t take it personally.
2. Don’t get discouraged by the attrition that happens within the 1st month. Expect up to 50% of the people to never come back. For the first 3 weeks we declined then when the dust settled, we began to shepherd those who were still there.
3. Maintain relationship with your sponsoring church. You will continue to reap a blessing from them if you leave well. I still meet with and get advice from our sponsoring church. Keeping the communication lines open is hard work but well worth it in the long run.
4. Give your people “shared experiences” to get to know each other. (we did a picnic with HUGE success to gel our group together) On Sundays, I would look out at the people of our church and realize that they don’t know each other and the only thing they have in common is an hour & fifteen minutes on Sunday morning. We quickly began organizing events to allow people to connect and get to know each other. Small groups will accomplish that eventually but unti they launch, picinics, bowling, socials etc. fit the bill.
5. Provide a unique product (worship service) that doesn’t exist yet in the community you are planting. (we visited lots of other churches in the area we planted and it helped solidify what ‘flavor’ our church was supposed to be.) If your service looks exaclty like the church down the road, why would people choose you over them? Visit other churches in the area and get a feel for the ‘product’ you are going to offer.
6. (bonus) PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY. Salvation doesn’t happen because your messages are good. Lives are not changed because you are creative. God moves when His people contend for it in the place of prayer.
I am having the time of my life!!!!
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I had 3 beautifully written paragraphs in this blog before, moments ago, I deleted it all. The title was “Relationship’s Road”. The premise: The gospel (good news) travels best over the road of relationship. I was about to publish it when the Holy Spirit gently whispered to me “So you think my message needs your personality to work huh?” YIKES!!! Hence the deletion.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18)
There are two sides to the gospel. The side we focus on most is the good news that we Christians have embraced. The free gift of salvation for those who will place their faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross. What beautiful hope we have been given. There is another side though . . .
At our Easter service a few weeks ago I preached the gospel using the picture of light and darkness; a theme repeated over and over in the scriptures. I basically told the unbelievers that they were living in darkness and deception and unless they REPENT and BELIEVE there was little hope for them.
For us lovers of Jesus, the message rang true. But for those who were ‘checking us out’ it seemed foolish and probably offensive. I have not seen them back. And that, my friends is the OTHER side of the cross. To us, that message brings us closer and reminds us of God’s faithfulness. To the lost it drives them further down the road of darkness and stubborn pride.
If your gospel doesn’t offend, is it really the truth? It should bring joy to some and offense to others. If the gospel you preach makes unbelievers feel secure and comfortable, you are letting things get in the way of the Power of the Gospel. I have been guilty of that numerous times but lately the Lord has been graciously steering my heart to not ‘contaminate’ the message of the gospel with compromise or flare. The good news of Jesus needs nothing to hold it up. Not my props, wit, humor, stories, or rear projection screens. It stands on its own. Powerful and life changing.
Lord, let our confidence come from you and your word, not from our delivery. Forgive us for augmenting the gospel with relational and cultural trinkets that only take away from it’s perfect majesty and brilliance. Let us live the gospel clear and sharp. AMEN
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Without getting into embarrassing details, my son has been disappointing me lately. His choices, attitude and behavior have done their best to provoke me to anger and fleshly reaction. It’s nothing HUGE and he is only 11 on the cusp of puberty, but nevertheless, it still takes its toll.
In the past, I would slip effortlessly into yelling and attempt to force my son into a state of repentance and remorse. It rarely worked. Lately though, things are different . . . in me.
Instead of flying off the handle and travelling the usual road to fleshville, I find myself hurt and aching inside.
I think I am beginning to see how Jesus feels when we sin. For years I was certain that I lived one choice away from a lighning bolt eliminating me from existence. Now I am starting to feel what my actions did to my father.
His wrath is already satisfied. He no longer needs to punish our disobedience. He already did. If all the Father’s wrath was poured out on Jesus at Calvary, then what is left is a longing desire for us to walk in the freedom purchased at the cross.
My son has everything he needs to live a great life full of joy and reward but sometimes he chooses the path of punishment and pain. It is killing me to watch and killing me more that I am the dispenser of the punishment. Gaining this perspective has cost me dearly but I am deeply greatful for it.
Lord remind me of this ache when I willfully choose to disobey you. Keep me by your grace on life’s narrow path. But more than that, Lord guide my son. Establish yourself in him. Enable me to be a clear picture of You to him. AMEN
Filed under: Nuggets
On a recommendation from a friend, I watched a video on youtube by a Baptist preach named Paul Washer entitled “Shocking Message”. I endured the 58 minute speach to an audience of 5000 teens and when it was over, it confirmed a lot of what I have been wrestling with in the American church as it relates to salvation. In his message, Pastor Paul blasts the church for calling people “saved” just because they prayed a ‘prayer’. I couldn’t agree more and yet I am just as guilty as the next pastor for assuring people of their place in heaven based solely on a one time prayer.
The Bible is clear that the tried and true evidence of a real believer is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. – Romans 8:9
When our life comes to an end and we stand before God there will be some terrible surprises. Thousands, maybe millions will be shocked to find that the prayer they prayed decades before followed by a life lived for themselves will only result in an eternity separated from God.
Pastor Washer emphasized this passage in Matt.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. – Matthew 7:14
It is not just the gate (Jesus) that is small. It is also the path that is narrow.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, – Colossians 2:6
Beloved- let us be those who leave no doubt to this world who we are living for. Let us not let sin shrowd the glory of God that should be radiating off our lives.
Amen
Filed under: Church Updates
Sickness, broken appliances, car accidents, broken arms, fevers, arguements, financial pressure, are just a few of the challenges we have faced in ONE WEEK! Now I don’t believe that all of the above have happened because Satanic attack but I am positive that some of them were. It is uncanny and ,if you keep the right perspective, almost comical. When our washing machine went out on Thursday and the hot water heater decided I needed to wash my garage floor the very next day, it was clear to my wife and I that there was something supernatural at work.
“The devil is on a short leash . . .” my dad used to tell me. That simply means Satan can’t just recklessly obliterate our lives and do whatever he wants. Before he is ‘allowed’ to do anything, it is filtered by the Father and ensured to work out for our good. So when we were looking at a serious amount of money to replace our appliances, we had a strange peace that it was all going to be ok. Praise God that it all happened at tax return time.
Our entire launch team has come under some serious opposition as we walk down the road of planting this new church. The hits we have been taking have been curiously encouraging. If what we are doing has gained the attention of hell, that is a good thing. It only strengthen’s our resolve to not give up.
One minister I greatly respect is Francis Chan. I was watching one of his video podcasts the other day entitled “Even Francis Has a Bad Day.” I encourage you to watch it. He admits in the middle of his message to being under spiritual attack. The bottom line is this . . . Any ministry worth it’s salt to the Kingdom of God, should be targeted by the enemy. If Satan is ignoring your church, its because it is not a threat. If people are attending to get the twinkies and ice cream of Christianity, then they will be too malnourished to be dangerous. But feed their spirits the meaty truth of God’s word like Repentance from dead works, and self denial, they begin to live for a kingdom that is coming. Get ready . . .
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If there is one temptation I face more than any other as I plant a church, its the temptation to hold on. People and money are at the top of list of things I desperately try to hold on to.
I remember a couple years ago as a youth pastor my #1 volunteer Roy who headed up our interns and had added so much credibility to our ministry arrived at a point where his responsibilities needed to be clarified. I began to plan what I could have him oversee when I sensed the Holy Spirit say to me “You are going to have to let Roy go . . . hold him loosely.” I fought it at first but understood that God knew Roy’s future and mine. It wasn’t long before Roy was a Grace Family coworker and no longer a volunteer.
That situation taught me a valuable lesson. As hard as it is . . . hold people loosely. God will phase people in and out of your life as long as you live on this earth and moment you try to force God’s hand and manipulate people to ’stick around’ you will just set yourself and them up for frustration.
As a church planter people = security. The more people that choose to follow you, the more secure you feel. When people choose not to follow, you feel insecure. The best thing you can do is trust in what God says in His word.
But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. (1 Cor. 12:18)
The above verse means that God has taken up the responsibility of placing in your spiritual circle everyone that you need to function. Our security should come only from who we are in Christ and who He is to us not whether or not we are in a large group or a small one. I have had some great people come along side us in this journey only to find out that God wanted to place them somewhere else. In those moments I need to remind myself of the above passage in Corinthians. And there are those wonderful moments in life when God calls you out alone.
The same is true with money. When I look at the bank account and see money there, something in me relaxes. When the opposite is true, I stress.
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:11&12)
Paul had learned that money and people flow in and out of your life like the tides and if your contentment comes from those inconsistent factors then the result will be instability. If, however, your stability comes solely from the person of Jesus (who never changes) your immovability will be derived from him.
Lord, give me the courage to have your perspective as I walk this journey. I so want to honor you with my attitude and actions. Give me grace to bless your people in their comings and goings. Thank you for those whom you have called along side us at this time. Their obedience humbles me. Give me passion and courage that would climb this mountain alone if asked. Jesus, I Love you. Me.
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So I was in bed this morning half awake & half asleep when the Holy Spirit graciously rolled out His vision for Grow Life Church. When I preach on the church’s vision, this is what you will hear.
#1. His Life TO You. (Salvation) Our mission as a church is to live our life in such a way as to bring lost people to Jesus. Salvation is NOT a prayer. It is a lost person trusting in Jesus who, in turn, indwells that person by his Spirit. “TO” implies action and motion which is exactly what the Spirit of the Lord does. He pursues and searches. The lions share of this happens during our weekend service (s).
#2. His Life IN You. (Restoration & Equipping) When God takes residence inside of you a process begins. This process does not happen on your own but as you enter into meaningful relationships. The Spirit in you is not for you! It is for those God has placed around you. (for the profit of all) The collective Holy Spirit in a group of believers is an insurmountable power that shapes the members into the likeness of Jesus. That is the Holy Spirit’s job . . . to work on us making us look like Jesus. His Spirit in his people aimed at his people. This process happens best in Life Groups.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (1 Cor. 12:7)
#3. His Life THROUGH You. (Outreach & Worship) Once we are saved and entrenched in the process of being changed and equipped, we become instantly useful to God on this planet. There are millions of lost people who are looking for a glimpse of the divine. By the Power of the Holy Spirit living through us we will show them what they are looking for. What does it look like? Uncommon kindness; Obscene generosity; miracles and Serving. God’s life through you will be evidence to the world. Worship may seem out of place here but its not. Even as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.” (Matt 25) His Spirit in his people aimed at the lost. This process happens best in Local and International Outreaches.
This is the process Grow Life Church members will flow through. When you cut us, this is what will pour out. God’s Life TO us, IN us, and THROUGH us.
Father thank you for speaking this to me this morning. I was wondering how and when it was all gonna come together and yet again you amaze me. I love that you are simple. I love that on my best day, I could never come up with this stuff. Lord, use this model to infuse your LIFE in your people. Live in us. And let them see.
AMEN
“We are not happy at the church we are at now.”
“We just aren’t getting fed.”
“We are craving the meat of the Word not the milk.”
I have heard each of these statements a number of times over the last 8 months or so since God has called me to launch Grow Life Church in Wesley Chapel FL. In my flesh, I want to say “Great. C’mon over with us and it will be great.” But the truth is this; If you are unhappy where you are at, it is NOT a church problem it is a heart problem. There are plenty of people growing spiritually in the same church you are at right now. How come they can grow and you can’t? I’ll tell you why . . .
Your Christian walk is too much about you!
Church is not meant to be a place where you get cottled and catered to and made to feel good. Church is meant to be an equipping center where you are challenged, trained and then shoved out the door in order to lay your life down for your community. When you place the burden of your spiritual growth on an organization you are copping out.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: – 2 Peter 1:3
Go ahead and read it again- “All Things”. We have no excuse.
God is accessible to all who seek him with all their heart. He is ready to reveal Himself to anyone who will seek Him with desperation.
If you are reading this and your walk with God is dry and apathetic riddled with indifference. Slam your knees on the floor and seek after your Father with gut wrenching desperation and don’t leave that position until your heart is alive.
But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. – Deuteronomy 4:29
The World we live in is getting darker and darker. Let your light shine!!
Filed under: Nuggets
Apart from being one of the biggest run-on sentences I have found in the Bible, this passage in 1 Peter gives a clear picture into the season in which we now live?
Because of the nature in which this passage is written it is easy to miss the backbone of it. You may have to read it about 10 times like I did. Read it over a few times and sink your heart into the main idea.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
(1 Peter 1:6-8)
Let’s pull a couple nuggets out of this paragraph.
The first encouraging thing is the phrase “a little while”. That phrase refers to the various trials. Praise God! In simple English “what you are going through won’t last a long time”. Sounds like where Americans are in 2008.
Second: the verse speaks about the genuineness of your faith and how it will be found. These trials are all happening for a reason; so that our faith may increase in it’s genuineness or authenticity.
Bottom Line- We all have a measure of faith and our faith is in various conditions. Strong, weak, fake, and circumstantial are but a few types of faith. God is deliberately walking His people through trials to change the quality of our faith. So that leads me to the title of this post, “How will your faith be found?”
Lord I don’t pray that you deliver us from trials but that you give us perseverance in the middle of them. Lord, don’t let up until our faith becomes what you want it to be. AMEN
