November snow!

Living in southwest Oklahoma means I live in tornado alley, endure hot summers, experience times of draught and in the winter settle for fluctuating winter temperatures. We have two seasons here in SW Oklahoma, hot and not so hot.  Coming from Ohio, I am used to four seasons, and especially snow in the winter. Well, today in Oklahoma we have a little taste of the winters I am used too! It has been awesome…cold weather, ice, and snow, and lots of it. Can you believe it, it is snowing in Southwest Oklahoma. I love it.

The best part of all of this is that it is not even December yet.

Happy Feet…

Yesterday after the turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes, we went to watch Happy Feet. I was a little leary of the idea of watching a movie about dancing penguins, but it was better than I expected.

Mumble, a baby penguin was born “different.” Emperor penguins are known for the singing, which leads to mating, which leads to survival. What do you do with an emperor penguin that doesn’t sing in the manner of his kind? You have a problem of identity. Sing, Mumble could not. But, what Mumble could do was dance, hence the name Happy Feet. Mumble was an outcast from the beginning, he loved to dance, but his kind didn’t dance. Mumble was most alive when his feet were moving in rhythm. As Mumble grows, it is more apparant that he doesn’t fit in, his own father is embarassed by his son’s “Abnormality.” Mumble ventures off, discovers himself, true friendship and the secret to the disappearing fish. Can one penguin really make a difference?

I watched this movie with my mouth open, for the parallel to this film to the liberation of the gospel was amazing. Mumble wasn’t supposed to ask questions, but just accept the way things are. Well, the way things are didn’t allow for dancing penguins. Mumble knows that conforming to the rules won’t allow him to be who he was created to be. So, he does what he was born to do, dance.

Here are a couple of observations that I noticed:

1. sometimes you just have to dance

2. we are most alive when we are doing what we love.

3. the world is bigger than our little neighborhoods and churches.

4. one person or for that matter, one penguin can make a difference. I was caught up here in the movie with the notion of partnering with what God is doing in the world. Living for the kingdom, moment by moment, trusting what we are given is enough and following wherever God leads.

5. friendships are valuable and vital. Friends help us see the truth when we can’t.

6. the gospel is about discovering and becoming what God has made us to be.

7. a life of rule keeping is safe, predictable and seeks to maintain order. Those with a dissenting opinion, or dancing feet are often looked down on.

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a blessed day!

Acts 14:1-28 (in three parts)

Read: Acts 14:1-7

 

We normally don’t like to think of the gospel causing trouble. Somewhere we were taught that being a Christian was void of any trouble. Well, this is simply not true. As a matter of fact, I think it is worth saying: following Jesus is a dangerous, exhilarating journey. Paul and Barnabas could certainly attest to this truth. After being persecuted in Pisidian Antioch they are expelled and travel on to Iconium, where we read about today they are once again faced with more persecution and difficulty.

 

The message of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus apparently was a divisive message for it challenged the allegiance of those who heard the message. The gospel challenged the status quo of Judaism in that the apostles, Paul and Barnabas were preaching in Jesus the arrival of the kingdom of God and the fulfillment of all of Biblical prophecy. But, there was just one problem. But, the cross of Christ was an insurmountable hurdle for many people. Those opposed to Christ couldn’t get past the cross, they just couldn’t stand the thought of a crucified man being the salvation of the world. When these people looked at the cross they saw weakness and humiliation, but for those who had experienced the grace of Jesus, the cross was a place of second chances, a visible demonstration of God’s amazing love and a clear picture of God’s wisdom in defeating the powers of the world. Needless to say, the preaching of this crucified Christ would be divisive in many places and yet the church continued to grow. Even despite the opposition to what God had done and was doing in the person of Christ Jesus, there were many who were accepting this message and experiencing new life.

 

Something worth noting here in chapter 14:2-3, is that once again there is persecution directed at Paul and Barnabas for their preaching about Jesus. But, I want you to notice, that in the face of this persecution, Paul and Barnabas stayed for a “considerable time’… and spoke the word boldly.” Trials test the sincerity of our message and faith. It could have been real easy for Paul and Barnabas to get discouraged and throw in the towel. Why would they want to continue in the face of such radical hatred towards the message they were presenting? Because, not just had they become believers in the gospel, but they themselves had identified themselves with the story of Jesus so thoroughly that they had participated in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (in their baptism) and now saw themselves only through the lens of the gospel (this idea of coming under new ownership. In other words, God had moved to reclaim them and give them a new life).

Read: Acts 14:8-20

Our traveling duo now move on to Lystra where they spend some time before moving on to Derbe before heading back to Antioch in Syria, their base of operation. Here in Lystra they are apparently in Gentile territory, for there is no mention of a synagogue and the people have a temple of Zeus (v. 13). We are told here in v. 8, that as Paul was teaching a man who had been crippled from birth was present, listening to him. We aren’t told of this man’s difficulties, but one thing is for certain, being unable to walk in a world that the primary means of transportation was walking is rather difficult. Here this man was listening to Paul. Maybe, he was one to frequent public forums of teaching, and not sure what to make of this Jewish man talking about how God had come to visit the planet in the person of Jesus. He may not have known what to think of Paul, but something about his teaching captivated him and Paul notices this and heals the man. The once lame man, probably sitting on a mat, exploded to his feet. Once atrophied legs now are alive with nerve endings that work and muscle fibers stretching and growing. O, what a day!

 

These people of Lystra are religious people. They were Gentiles and worshiped in a whole different way. As a matter of fact, Romans and the Greeks both had a multitude of gods that they were worshiped. Religion in Rome permeated every aspect of the empire so this notion of separation of church and state was not a reality of these people. But, once the crowd notices the healing that takes place they are lead to believe that “the gods have come down to us in human form.” What is interesting about this phrase is that history records, some 50 years prior to the arrival of Paul and Barnabas, a Roman author “retold an ancient legend about Zeus and Hermes visiting that region disguised as mortals, seeking lodging among the residents, and being turned away repeatedly. A couple finally received them into their tiny cottage. To reward their kindness, the ‘gods’ turned their humble house into a temple with marble columns and golden roof. They then destroyed the houses of the people who had been inhospitable toward them (Shelly 158-159). It would seem then that the Lystrans recalled these legend and wanted to make sure they didn’t follow in the follow of their early descendents. As the residents are thinking that the gods have come, they call for the priest to come to bring sacrifices and begin to approach Paul and Barnabas. Once Paul and Barnabas recognize what’s going on, they are shocked and race diligently to keep the town from offering a sacrifice to human beings just like them. Paul and Barnabas are outraged at this thought and do not want this kind of glory of fame. Contrast the actions of Paul and Barnabas to Herod earlier. Old Herod was given worship and praise as a god and accepted it and subsequently was eaten by worms. Here, on the other hand, Paul and Barnabas resist the worship of the people and ground their actions in the work of God in the world. Who wants to become worm food any way?

Read: Acts 14:21-28

The conclusion of our reading yesterday ended in the stoning of Paul. Everywhere he went to preach he faced some sort of opposition. As a matter of fact, when the Lord would call Saul/Paul into his service, one of things that Jesus mentions is that Paul would have to suffer for Christ. And even as part of Paul’s message we read these words, “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (v.22). That certainly would be an accurate summary statement of Paul’s life. As we come to the close of our reading for the week, Paul and Barnabas are nearing the end of the first missionary journey. As a matter of fact, it appears on their way home, they retrace their original steps and encourage and strengthen the churches as they grow. One of the things they did was to appoint elders in these newly established churches. One of the major roles of an elder is to shepherd the flock, which involves caring for, feeding, and protecting their sheep. This task is an important work in the church, so before we go any further today, I want you to do two things: 1. Pray for our elders and 2. Write them a note of encouragement. Their work is no easy task and we really do have eight tremendous men who serve the Lord and have our best interest at heart.

I want to close with a passage today from another book about the hardships Paul would face in his ministry. But, before I do, I want you to think about opposition and persecution in terms not as an opportunity for discouragement, but as opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ. We serve a God who has promised to be with us no mater what, who is faithful no matter what, and who loves us more than we could imagine. So, let’s not lose heart when the stones of persecution come our away, but may we find the strength to stand and bring glory to our Master in those moments!

Paul’s sufferings for the gospel:

Paul says that I have “…been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches ( 2 Cor. 11:22-28). This passage is written to counter the arrogant boasting of Paul’s opponents in Corinth who claimed Paul was lazy, useless and not a real apostle. Knowing what we do about the Apostle Paul and the dangerous amazing adventure he had following Jesus, I believe that if he were still around he would re-do the whole thing over, because he knew the power of the gospel for it had changed his life and even through all of these terrible ordeals that Paul went through, Christ was with Him.

 

* Shelly, Rubel. Falling in Love with Jesus’ People: Studies in the Book of Acts. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1998.

Acts 13:32-52

Read: Acts 13:32-52

 

As Paul concludes his sermon he tells them, “therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” Paul’s conclusion is an invitation to begin life anew and at the end of their time in the synagogue they are invited to come back on the next Sabbath day to teach further about Jesus and this new life. Clearly, a line had been drawn in the sand because they were those who were opposed to this preaching of Paul and stirred up trouble and strife for Paul and Barnabas. I say a line was drawn in the sand, because look who responds positively to the gospel? Gentiles do, once again demonstrating that plan of God from the beginning is to bring all men together into His family through the person and work of Christ.

 

I want to draw your attention to Acts 13:36, “…David had served God’s purpose in his own generation…” Are you serving your purpose in your own generation? What’s my purpose you ask? Well, you have been given spiritual gifts, a heart for certain things, natural abilities, your personality and your life experiences and all these things culminate into our purpose. Put simply, to borrow from the Apostle Paul in another place, “for we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to” (Eph 2:10). I am not talking about earning your salvation through doing works, but know this; we are saved to do good works. But, even here we must be careful. For, it is easy to fall into the trap of poor motivation. Why are you doing the good things you are involved in? Is it to earn brownie points in heaven? (This is what I would call poor motivation) Or, are you living in such a way that you are pouring yourself out for the good of the world.

 

In the OT, the people at various times struggled with the right motivation for their devotion as well. Unfortunately there were those who prided themselves in their appearance of religious devotion (see Isaiah 58:1-5). They had deceived themselves into thinking that because they were doing good things that they were serving God’s purpose. But God challenges their faulty thinking (read Isaiah 58:6-10). Our purpose is to be poured out for others, to serve, to partner with what God is up to in our world. James will write of this same type of devotion, in James 1: 27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Religion that pleases God is that which is actively living to serve the needs of others. Brothers and sisters, this notion of helping the poor, clothing the naked, and feeding the hungry is something that the early church was involved in doing. Jesus talks about kingdom work a lot in the Gospels. If Jesus mentioned it, don’t you think we need to value it? I think so too!

thanksgiving

What is your favorite part of thanksgiving?

Not long ago, I got to spend some time with Big Don Williams and one of the classes he was teaching at our fall retreat he mentioned counting your blessings. He challenged us all to count our blessings seven times a day. He talked about the benefit of such a task. Just think about, seven times a day going through each blessing and thanking God for his generousity. I think the church would be more outward focused if we counted our blessings, for we would be compelled to share those blessings with others.

spam, myspace and turkey

I have another blog, http://youthministryforum.blogspot.com. It is a connecting place for youth ministers young and older to share war stories, ideas and just vent. Blogger today e-mailed me to let me know that they were locking my blog for a review to make sure my blog wasn’t a spam blog. Over at blogger I have gotten like thousands of spam comments, virtually on every single post. What is so annoying, evertime I try to put word verifcation on, it keeps anyone from commenting period.

I am glad I switched to WP.

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I am not real fond of myspace. I have been receiving more and more junk, and spam comments, and freind requests from people I don’t know. I have a myspace only to keep tab of our kids in our youth ministry. I think myspace is a dangerous place. First of all, it is advocating a lifestyle philosophy that says “life is all about you.” Secondly, myspace is supposed to be about connecting to people, well, hiding behind a computer screen anywhere in the world is not really making a connection. Third, people don’t have to be totally honest, and I think this creates a false world, false reality, and robs users of reality. Fourth, I hate the advertisements that are all over myspace. The psalmist writes about God, “where can I go from your presence.” I think his words here are a good thing, but I feel the same way about seeing all the crap advertised on myspace or is the aisles at Walmart, or elsewhere. Scantliy clad models are everywhere. Fifth, I am worried about the naivete that a lot of young people have about myspace or the Internet in general.

Myspace and blogging, facebook and the internet can be used to glorify God. Let’s take some responsibility.

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My little one had another rough night. She was up again by 4am. I don’t know why, but it is hard on my pregnant wife. We try and take turns with who will get up, but tired is just a way of life with children.

Recently, for our oldest daughter we transitioned out of diapers at bed time to regular panties. She did real good for the first week, but yesterday she had her first accident and was upset that she had wet her self. She was cute about it though once we convinced her to get out of bed. I think she was afraid we were going to be upset with her. We weren’t.

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Yesterday, I was invited to eat with one of our area schools and their students, parents and staff. I even got to meet some of the school board. It was awesome. I think we wound up feeding like 200 people. A couple of our members work at the school and they wanted to throw a dinner for these students. This school is an alternative school, it is a last stop, last chance for these kids who have had trouble at their other schools. These kids come from all walks of life, all socio-economic levels, both males and females, hispanics, caucasians, african-americans, native american. I have been building a relationship with the school this school year and it’s been fun getting to know these kids and seeing them around town and having them recognize me and visit. With all those we fed, we still had about twelve basketfuls left over, so we were able to bless in our community as well.

Acts 13:13-31

Read: Acts 13:13-31

 

From Paphos, where they were had met Bar-Jesus the sorcerer, they had traveled on to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark leaves them. We aren’t told why he departs their travels. But from Perga, Paul and Barnabas continue on to Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-14). As was customary for this traveling pair, they head to the Synagogue fist. This makes sense, after all they were well versed in the Scriptures and this particular synagogue is a mixed crowd of Jews and God fearing Gentiles.

 

Paul was given an opportunity to share the message of the gospel with his brothers here in Pisidian Antioch, so he capitalizes on the moment. Look at his sermon in Acts 13:16-41, he begins very similar to how Stephen began his sermon before the Sanhedrin, by recounting Biblical history and how God was actively involved in the affairs of Israel, “tracing the redemptive work of God among the Jews from Abraham to David to John the Baptist” (Shelly, 154). As he concludes the first part of his sermon, his point is that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises made by God long ago. There is another part to Paul’s sermon, one that goes on a little further than our reading for the day, but one that you should recognize any way. What does Paul focus on beginning in verse 26? Paul preaches Jesus Christ crucified, dead, buried and raised from the dead. This message of Paul is what he will later to refer to as “of first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3ff). This message of fist importance is the gospel, it is the pattern of the rest of Paul’s preaching.

 

This message already of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the central focus of the early preaching in Acts. I believe that is important that we don’t lose sight of the centrality of the gospel in our own day. Notice, the central message of the gospel is Jesus. He is the main thing. Additions to this message will become a big issue in the early church (just look at Galatians, Colossians and Philippians for instance). But, Paul’s message is the same, the story of Jesus is the main thing. Anything plus Jesus is not the gospel. The gospel, this good news is liberating and life changing. Believing in anything in addition to the gospel is enslavement and disastrous to the life of faith.

Update on Baby # 3

We went to the hospital today for our 20 week ultrasound. You know, the one that mom’s and dad’s get to see what sex their child is. Well, drum roll please…………..

Baby number three will be…..

Another little girl!!!

Jen and I are excited. I think there is a certain sweetness to having little girls.

Right now here are baby name choices:

1. Hannah Elizabeth

2. Mylee or Mylie (still working on a middle name)

3. Kylee or Kylie

4. Keelie

5. What are your suggestions?

After the Big Game

With all the hype, both Michigan and Ohio State lived up to their rankings and played one heck of a ball game on Saturday. The outcome, Ohio State – 42, Michigan – 39. The Buckeyes secured a spot in the national championship on Jan. 8, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona.

But, there is a battle for number 2. Right now, Michigan is still number 2 in the polls, but strong contenders for the other national championship spot are USC, Notre Dame, Florida, and Arkansas. So, who should battle the Buckeyes in Arizona?

I don’t think it needs to be the Wolverines. I’d like to see either USC or Notre Dame duking it out with the Buckeyes, what do you think? Do you even want to see a re-match between Ohio State and Michigan?

Go Buckeys!!