Serving the Neighborhood...

In just a couple of weeks, we will do our 2nd Annual Harvest Festival at Idlewild Park, October 27th,  here in Reno. I thought it would be good to remind us why we go to all of the trouble to get candy, put together games, enlist volunteers and seek to serve about 2,000 people for a couple of hours.

Here are three of the reasons why we do this:

 

1. Community:  God had placed us in a community with others and we are here to serve this comminity.

2. Children:  Children matter to God and we have an opportunity to share with them the love of Christ by offering a safe place for them to come to have some fun.

3.  Christ:  Jesus came to serve others and has called us to do the same.  We are seeking to serve in His name by going out to those who may never come to us. 

 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.   (Mark 10:45)

This is why we serve and reach out to the neighborhood.  We are here for a reason and we have this opportunity to make a difference.  Ah, by the way, we'll also have a lot of fun as we do this.  I hope that you will join us.  Let me hear from you about it....

Lies We Believe

I'm working on a new teaching series that we start this weekend that deals with "Lies We Believe".  I once heard someone say that "thoughts produce after their own kind-lies produce death and truth produces life."  It seems that most people truly struggle to live the life that they long to live because they are plagued by some real lies that they often aren't even aware of.

We're going to take a look at a few of the ones that most of us face.  We'll start at the heart of the matter-by taking a look at the source of these lies.  It may surprise you...

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) 

The lies we believe start with the father of lies.  One of his biggest lies is that he is not real.  George Barna tells us that well over 90% of Americans believe in God and over 60% adults say that Satan does not exist but is merely a "symbol of evil.

Perhaps the biggest lie we need to address is whether or not Satan is real.  What do you thing?   

Are You Facing Relational Drift?

I find myself at a place where I am working with several individuals and couples in their relationship.  Many are finally coming to realize that there are more issues going on than they were aware of.

I can relate to all of this so well.  There have been times in my marriage that I have out the ministry first, me first, others first and just completely ignored and sometimes even forgot about the needs of my wife.  It's never been fun nor easy to face the truth about my own selfishness and the way that I can so easily give to others and let my relationship drift.

Some signs that your relationship may be drifting:

1. You are now spending more time with your career, school, children or others than you used to?

2. You can't remember the last time you took your spouse out on a date?

3. You only talk about the things that you have to talk about: the kids, your schedule, who's doing what when.  You aren't about each other and what you need from each other.
 

Maybe some of this describes you.  If so, what can you and what will you do to stop the relational drift before it goes any further?

 I've learned that I need to put MORE energy and focus on my marriage than on my kids, my ministry or on others.  I've learned that I have to TAKE TIME to be with Kim and make certain nothing gets in the way.  We do "Date Nights" once a week and I love it.

 Let me know what helps you and what you've learned along the way.  I'd love to hear from you. 

Seized by the Vision

Last week I attended the annual Leadership Summit with 20 other amazing leaders from our church. It felt much like trying to drink from a fire hydrant with so many great speakers and so much to think about.  It will take me several weeks to process through all of the materials.

There is one thing that was said that has captured my heart and my prayers.  Bill Hybels said...

"It’s one thing to see a vision. It’s another thing to be seized by a vision!"

 God has given me a vision to reach those who are far from Him here in Reno-one of the most unchurched areas in our nation.  Our mission is to "Build Bridges for People to Come to Jesus and Grow in His Grace."I spend a lot of time trying to think of ways that God would have us reach out to this city and our community to touch the lives of those who do not yet know him. I can see it and so want it to happen. 

But I have to admit that being "seized by that vision" is a new thought for me.  I am praying that God would truly seize my heart with His vision for me and for us.  I am praying that I and this Body of people to be willing to do whatever it takes to see that vision become a reality regardless of the cost. So, when you think about me today, pray that I will be "seized by His vision".  I'll do the same for you.  

Celebrate Dads!

I've been doing a lot of thinking about Fathers this week.  My Dad passed away over 5 years ago but I've done some reflecting on my relationship to him this week.  As I grew up, there were a lot of things that seemed to push us apart-but it was mainly his anger that I remembered the most as a child and then a teen-ager.  There were a lot of times that this became the focus of my relationship with him and I could not, or did not, see the good things that he did.

Reflecting back, I can remember the times that people in the neighborhood came to him for help and he helped.  I remember that he worked hard to provide the things that we needed and I remember that he always did his best to be honest and trustworthy.  I remember that he made certain I was able to go to the college that I wanted to attend and he paid for it.  I still have no idea how he did it.  I did make certain the he knew how much I loved him and appreciated all that he did for me before he passed away.

As I reflect about my Dad, I wish that I had focused more on the positive things that he did and less on the shortcomings that he had.  This Father's Day I want to encourage you to celebrate the good and positive things about your Dad and maybe think a little less about how he could be better.

Every Dad I know realizes that he falls short, even this one, and every Dad I know wants to be better.  Take some time to celebrate Dad and let him know about the good and positive things that he does for you.  Who knows?  Maybe that's what he needs to get even better.

He Is Risen!

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”” (Matthew 28:5–7)

He is alive-Hope is alive-My sins are forgiven-I can forgive others-New Life is possible-I don't have to stay the way that I am. 

Easter changes everything-may we all be changed for His Glory.

Help When You Need It!

Almost every week I hear someone say something like, "I just couldn't help myself" or "I just can't stop what I'm doing" or "No one understands what I'm going through".  We all face some big battles in our lives.  We all have some temptations that we deal with that are harder for us to handle than others. Yet, somehow we often think  we are alone in our private battles.

It could be anger, lust, greed,envy, discouragement, bitterness, unforgiveness or any number of things. You and I will face something sometime today that will either win over us or we will win  it.  But just remember there is help when you it:

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17–18) 

Jesus was fully human like us so that he could identify with us-he we was even tempted like us but never gave in to that temptation so so he is able to help both you and me when we tempted today.

Secure??? Probably Not...

We sometimes work hard to make something secure-usually it's something that we love and want to protect or something that we want to hide and keep from others.  The religious leaders were afraid that the disciples would come and steal Jesus' body from the grave so here is what they did:

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.” (Matthew 27:62–66)  

They did not realize that you cannot keep something secure that God wants to make known.  The very thing that they did would only help to validate that Jesus rose from the grave.  The very guards they placed there to keep the grave secure would become witnesses that God had raised him from the dead.

Sometimes we try to hide things and make then secure so no one can see them-but understand that God sees and God may choose to make it known to the world.  Maybe instead of trying to hide it securely away-we bring it out into the open and allow him to deal with it.  You and I would rather it happen that way than for him to do it.  Are you hiding anything that you need to take to him today?

I Surrender... Raising the White Flag.

Surrender!  That's not a word that we like very much.  We think of white flags and cowards who just can't cut it.  We like winners-those who prevail not those who give up control and let someone else run their life.  

Yet this is exactly  Jesus did-this is exactly the way that He lived his life and the way that He calls us to live.  He surrendered to the Father's will for his life.  He gave up control and let someone else run his life.  

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46)  

This is also what he calls us to do.  This is hard for me.  I don't know about you, but I like to be in control.  I want to be in charge.  I want to make the choices that I want to make and set the course of where I want to go.  Often when I do this, I mess things up far more than I make them better.

God has placed me in a situation this week where he has made it clear that I am not in charge, I am not in control.  I never have been and I never will be?.  So, once more, I have raised the white flag and held up my hands and said "I surrender". 

Will you pray for me to keep the flag and arms up and allow Him to take control and run my life?  Will you do the same?  I'd love to hear from you.

King of the Jews...

The big challenge for Pilate was trying to determine what to do with Jesus. When he first examined him, he made it known to everyone that he found no fault in him and would have him beaten and then released. But the Jewish leaders told Pilate that if he did this, he was no friend of Caesar because Jesus claimed to be a king.

Pilate was frightened and examined Jesus again asking if he were a king-Jesus essentially said yes. But, he made it clear that his kingdom was not of this world. He made it clear that his kingdom had different values. His kingdom would not be built on money, sex or power. His kingdom would be built on loving,giving and serving.

 So, this king was beaten and battered. This king carried and cross. This king was nailed to it and gave up his life. This king got Pilate's attention in a way that no one else had ever been able to do. So, this is the charge that Pilate wrote and placed on the cross...

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Luke 23:38)

The big question for me and for you is what will we do with this kings?  Will we surrender to him and the values that are his?

This has been a tough week for me-I'm having to deal with some intense stuff.  As I'm doing this, I need to be reminded of the King that I am seeking to follow-I need to be reminded of his values and I need his help to live those out even in the tough times-just as He did.

This is the King of the Jews and the King of My Life-what about you????

A Promise and then, Another One.

There are lots of promises that God gives us that I love and that we all love.  Promises like He will never leave us or forsake us.  Promises like he will bring good into our lives from everything that happens to us.  Promises like all of our sins are forgiven because of what Jesus did for us on the cross-that's a really good one.

But there are some promises that I wish he had never given to us.  Jesus gives us one in John 16:

In this world you will have trouble... (John 16:33)  Now that is a promise that I could live without-I expect that you could as well.  We all will face trouble-all kinds of trouble.  Health problems-economic problems-relational problems-personal struggles-family issues and on and on we could go.  In fact, some of you reading this today are facing some troubles that you had no idea you would be facing when you awoke today.

This world is full of troubles and no one is immune to them.  This is a promise that bring great discouragement and it would if it were not for the next promise that Jesus gives.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  

I am grateful for the next promise that comes. In this world we will have troubles but we can take heart because Jesus has overcome the world.  The world we live in and the troubles we face don't win.  He does and we can take heart that because he has overcome the world we will also.

A promise and then, another one.  That's what I'm banking my life-how about you?

Stay Connected!

Staying connected is so important.  We all know that we need to stay connected to our spouse, our family, our friends, our co-workers and in ministry with our volunteers.  If you want chaos, confusion and frustration then pull away, don't communicate and make assumptions.  We've all done it and we've all experienced negative consequences as a result.  We must stay connected and in touch with those that matter.  We always get in trouble when we don't do this.

Jesus knew that connections matter and he told us that if we want to accomplish anything for God's glory then we have to remain connected to Him.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

It's not hard to understand what Jesus is saying.  We either remain in him or we don't.  We either stay connected to him or we pull away.  Staying connected takes time energy and effort.  Drifting and pulling away does not.  All you have to do is nothing and before you know it you have slipped away from those connections that matter.  Some of you are there right now with someone that you love. 

Jesus tells us that we must make him our priority-staying connected with him is what will cause us to bring him great glory.  Pulling away from him we can do nothing that really matters.  So, today what will you choose?  To pull away or stay connected-this part is really up to you.

The Gift

I love to get gifts.  They always remind me that someone is thinking about me and someone cares about me.  There is a gift that I have received that I often forget about and don't take advantage of.  It is a gift that I need practically everyday but that I often forget to

I don't know about you, but I can often allow the chaos and confusion of this world to overwhelm me and stress me out.  I allow the things that are happening to me and around me to become the focus and take my eyes off the One who has promised to take care of me.

Jesus knew that the disciples' world was about to be turned upside down-all that they believed was about to be challenged for each and every one of them.  So, He gave them a gift that they would need.  He gave them a gift that would help keep them steady no matter what life brings.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21)  

Peace is a gift that God gives to us.  We can have peace in the middle of a troubled world because of Him.  So, today when life becomes hectic and crazy and uncertain, I want to remember that I have a gift from the one who gave his all for me.  My prayer is that you will remember the gift for your life as well.  

What Do You Love More...

As the end was near Jesus did and said many things.  Some of those things caused people to turn away from Him in unbelief.  Yet, there were others who did believe.  But they kept it to themselves because they were afraid.

They were afraid of what others would say, they were afraid they would be cast out of the synagogue and afraid they would lose their standing in the religious community.  They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” (John 12:42–43)  

This sounds like us sometimes doesn't it.  Our fear can get in the way of us declaring our faith.  We can love what others say about us more than what God says about us.  A big question for me and for you today is this:  What do we love more?  The praise of men or the praise of God...

As we come into Easter will we allow our fear to keep us from reaching out to those we love who need Jesus or will we love them and God more?

Sometimes we ignore the truth in front of us...

I find it hard to believe that the religious leaders and even the disciples missed the truth that Jesus taught.  How could they not catch on to the things that were happening to Him, especially after what he said would happen did in fact happen.

At the beginning of his last week, he has dinner with Lazarus-the man he raised from the dead.  He is anointed with perfume and tells them that this foretells his death.  He will not be with them much longer.  He then tells them that he would be lifted up to die.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.” (John 12:32–33)

How could they not get it?  When he is arrested and put on that cross, why could they not see it?  How could they ignore the truth right in front of them?

This is what I often think abut them, but then I look a my life and realize that I do the same.  I can get caught up in the moments of my life and miss out on the things that He is doing.  Something happens that I'm not expecting and I can act like He is not there and does not exist.  I forget the things that He has done for me and for others and live as if He can't be trusted.

Sometimes I ignore the truth that is right in front of me.  Today I want to stay awake and alert and remember what He has done and trust what He is doing.  He has demonstrated over and over that He is trustworthy.  What do you think?

He Opened Their Minds

The disciples were still confused about Jesus and who He was.  Was He dead or was He alive?  Had someone moved His Body?  What really happened?  After the encounter on the Road to Emmaus they still could not figure it out.

Jesus, then, showed up where they were.  This confused them even more.  Was he a ghost? Were they hallucinating? He asks for some food and he eats it in front of them.  This helps some but it still did not clear things up for them.

Here's what finally cleared things up:

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses,Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:44–47)   

Jesus "opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures".  Once this was done, they got it and they were changed. There are some things about God we can figure out and make some sense of but we will never understand the deeper spiritual realities until He opens our minds so that we might see them.

Today as you read the Scriptures, as you pray and as you live your life ask God to open your mind to understand the Word and the deeper truths that are all around us.  Ask Him to give you hears to hear and eyes to see.  I know that I am.  

Slow to believe...

On some level, it surprises me that none of Jesus' disciples were waiting outside the tomb where he was buried on the 3rd day.  He had told them that he would be arrested, that he would suffer and die and he did.  He had told them that  would all desert him and that Peter would deny him and it all happened just as he had said.  You would think they would have remembered his words about rising from the dead on third day.  But they did not.

But then, I am not surprised.  Because I am like they were.  I am quick to forget and slow to believe when things get messed up in my world.  Their lives were turned upside down in just a few hours and though thing happened as Jesus told them-it took them awhile to get it.

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” Then they remembered that he had said this.” (Luke 24:6–8)

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25–27)  

I am glad that our Stavior deals patiently with them and with  me when I forget and am slow to believe.  Maybe today, maybe this week I will not be so slow to believe.

Silence...

Silence.  Silence is something that we often have no idea how to handle.  We don't like it when we want answers and the person is silent.  We find it hard to be silent when we are pushed even when we know that we were in the wrong.  BUT we will never be silent when we know we are unjustly accused-we speak up-we want to be heard-we know what are rights are and we demand to have our say.

This is why I'm always surprised by Jesus' Silence when accused-wrongly accused by those in power-by those who are supposed to represent God and actually should be accused.  Instead Jesus closes his mouth even when it means that he will suffer unjustly.

Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations.” (Luke 23:8–10)  

Isaiah tells us this about the Messiah:

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

I once heard someone say that Jesus was silent because he was taking up our sins and SIN HAS NO EXCUSE.  

Maybe silence is something that I need more of in my life as I think about the Silence of My Savior on my behalf.  

God's More is Not Our More

Once again, Jesus makes it clear that God's standards are not our standards.  We look at the big things and are impressed.  We like big houses, big cars, big salaries ad, as a pastor, I like big numbers.  God looks beyond the size of anything and looks to the heart of the matter.

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”(Luke 21:1–4)  

I expect I would have been impressed by the size and the amount of the gifts the rich people were giving and perhaps even grateful for the small gift given by the poor widow.  But Jesus saw it differently.  He saw their gift as being small and hers as being MORE.  Why???  She gave everything she had-meaning she gave trusting God to take care of her and her needs because she had no surplus at home.  The rich gave a tiny portion out of their surplus-meaning that they knew they would be okay because they still had more at home.  

It was not the gift that impressed Jesus-her gift we just an indication of her trust in God to take care of her.  Her gift was more because her trust was more.  As God looks at my life today what does he see?  Does he see me living life by by giving of myself just a little of myself or will I live life today giving everything that I have?  

Jesus Astounds His Enemies and ME

As the end drew near for Jesus, his enemies were hard at work trying to get him to mess us by what He said.  Luke 20 tells us:  They questioned where he got his authority and he refused to answer because they would not answer a basic question the he asked.

They questioned him on taxes-hoping he would he make some mistake with his answer but he astounded them by saying we are to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to him. Once more, he was smarter than they ere.

Finally, they tried to trap him with the issue of marriage and death.  He made it clear that marriage was only for this life and not the next.   And he also made it clear that this life is not the end for those who know God.  Once again they were astounded by his answer.

Jesus was smarter than all of his enemies.  They wanted him to make some mistake so that they could kill him.  He was not trapped by anything that he said.  Instead, He willingly took the cross for us-not because he had to, but simply because he chose to.   I don"t know about you, but that astounds me even more than his ability to outsmart His enemies!!!