Hoopin' It Up -- Follow Up

What a ton of fun. There was basketball being played everywhere in downtown Spokane. It was a spectacle to see hundreds of hoops and players of various ages and skills competing.

The first game of the “Brew Crew” was at 8:00 a.m. Saturday. We showed up about 7:30 to warm up. The sun was already blinding which meant that shooting from one side of the court was virtually impossible. Games were played until the first team scored 20 points or whoever was ahead after 25 minutes.

We lost the first game in a close battle. Later in the day we saw that team again and they crushed their next opponent. We felt better about the way we played.

Our second game was a “must win” at 12:30 p.m. Double-elimination meant that whenever we lost our second game we were through. The temperature was in the mid-90’s and our shooting was just as hot. We easily beat the second team and were scheduled to play again at 4:30.

The third team was a little more difficult but we again prevailed with yours truly hitting the winning shot. Next game, 6:30. Need I say that at this point the gas tank was completely, I repeat, completely empty.

Justin and Jon continued to play well in the fourth game but I couldn’t do my part and pretty much cost us the game. Yep, the “Brew Crew” was eliminated after four games. What a great time.

I’m grateful that I still had enough ability to join my sons in the competition and that they wanted the old man to play. I’m grateful for a wife and daughter-in-law who were supportive and encouraged us to have this weekend together. I’m grateful for loving friends who covered my responsibilities at church on Sunday during my absence.

One historic confession of faith says that man was created to know God and enjoy Him forever. How do you enjoy God? Certainly I enjoy God in many ways. For years now I've enjoyed God in a special way in the game of basketball. I enjoyed God a lot this weekend.

Hoopin' It Up

Stay tuned to see if my next post is written from the hospital. Today I drive to Spokane with my sons, Justin and Jon, because we are the “Brew Crew”.

That’s right, we’re a team and we’re competing against 6,400 other teams and around 20,000 participants in the annual Spokane Hoopfest 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

The forecast promises sunshine and temperatures in the 80’s which is a factor since all of the games are played outdoors in downtown Spokane. So if I don’t break a leg or get a herniated disc I can always succumb to dehydration or sunstroke.

Seriously, I’m looking forward to hanging out with my sons, playing some hoops and joining in the festivities. I’d love to come back and tell you how I dominated the field and showed everyone that the old man’s still got it, but I’ll settle for having some fun and being able to walk off the court.

Meanwhile I’m counting my blessings that I have health, a game that has been a great pleasure to me for years, two sons that also enjoy the game and that they actually asked me to do this with them. Oh yeah, I also paid the entry fee but I’m sure that didn’t have anything to do with their invitation to play.

More later…

The Joy of Service

Tuesday was my 30th wedding anniversary. My wife is to be commended for grace, patience, forgiveness and faith for being married to me but that’s another story.

To celebrate we went to El Gaucho’s, a tremendous restaurant in Seattle known for their steaks. They should also be known for their service. We had the best greeting by the hostess that I’ve ever had. Authentic, enthusiastic, pleasant and with full eye contact we were welcomed, confirmed for our table reservation and congratulated for our anniversary.

After being seated the entire wait staff was the picture of professionalism, helpfulness, friendliness and not the least intrusive. They gave the impression that their job was to make your dining experience memorable.

Everything we ordered was prepared at our table. The skill involved in the creation of each dish was entertaining to watch and it was done to perfection (imagine flaming cherries jubilee). I began inquiring how long each had been performing these tasks. Not surprisingly each had been doing so for years and literally in the tens of thousands of times they had tossed salads, cut and presented the main entrees and delighted with desserts. I had to then ask why they had done these things for so long. The quick reply was that they enjoyed what they did, the team with whom they worked and the customers they served.

I immediately reflected on what I do and how I feel about it. I’ve presented 2,000 talks or messages or sermons. I’ve conducted hundreds of hours of counseling and thousands of hours of leader coaching. I could go on but the looming question was, “Do I enjoy what I do, the team with whom I work and those whom I serve?” My quick and clear answer is YES. I love what I get to do and with whom I get to do it.

But the second question didn’t have as quick an answer. Is the joy I have in serving obvious to others? Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

I had a wonderful time with my wife and a stirring experience that has inspired me to be a better me.

I’ll leave you with the same questions. Do you enjoy what you do? Is your joy obvious to others?

Here's a Good Deal on a Casket

Someone sent me this picture. My wife likes to go to garage sales and yard sales but I can promise you she has never seen someone selling a casket during her weekend treasure hunts.

When I saw the photo my first response was to laugh out loud but my second response was, “What are they doing with a casket?” Did they bury a loved one and later decide he didn’t really need a casket that nice and therefore they placed him in something else and now have a nice casket for sale?

Then it occurred to me that Costco and others now sell caskets and some people are pre-buying (buying before they need it) their casket so they don’t have to pay the jacked-up price of a funeral home. Maybe this person got a deal on their casket but later found their cash flow to be tight and therefore tried to sell it to pick up a few bucks. Whatever.

I just know that I’m prepared to die (I’m reconciled and at peace with God) but I’m not ready to be buried (I haven't pre-purchased my casket). Maybe I need to find out where this sale is, but then again, storage is a problem for me.

The Joy of the Lord

I recently picked up a copy of Tony Dungy’s memoir, Quiet Strength. Dungy is the head coach of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts who were winners of the Super Bowl in 2007. It’s a great read whether you’re into football or not. It’s mostly about life, character, values, leadership and especially how Dungy’s life is impacted by Jesus Christ.

When Dungy was playing for the Pittsburg Steeler’s, one day he was doing his summer workouts at Three Rivers Stadium. In those days the Steeler’s football team shared the stadium with the Pittsburg Pirates baseball team. When Dungy finished the workout the Pirates’ players were showing up and getting ready for an evening game. The Pirates’ locker room was noisy and boisterous. Guys were playing loud music, cooking chicken on the grill, playing cards, watching TV and generally enjoying being with each other.

This was in stark contrast to the Steeler’s locker room during football season. The Steelers were all business. Their locker room was always quiet, focused, and intense.

The contrast was bothersome to Dungy. In the hallway Dungy ran into Pirates all-star Willie Stargell. After they chatted for a moment Dungy asked Stargell about the Pirates’ locker room atmosphere being so noisy on a game day.

Stargell laughed and said to Dungy, “In a little while we’ll take the field and then the umpire will shout, ‘Play ball!’. He won’t say ‘Work ball!’ It’s a game Dungy.”

That comment has continued to impact Dungy to this day and has influenced how he approaches his coaching.

The minute I read that anecdote I sensed God speaking into my own heart. I’m an intense guy. I take life and service to God very seriously. The mission of Christ to save and redeem those who are headed toward eternity lost from God is life and breath to me. Yet in that moment of reading I sensed God saying to me, “Scott, ‘The joy of the Lord is your strength’ (Nehemiah 8:10). With all of your seriousness, don’t forget to enjoy Me.”

In that moment I decided that I was failing to enjoy God and that I had better seriously enjoy Him. Whoa. I was about to miss what God inviting me to experience with Him.

“Today is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go

Monday I had the privilege of officiating over the wedding vows of a wonderful couple in a marvelous setting. Sculpture Park in Seattle provides a walkway along Elliot Bay that is lush with green grass. The sun was bright, the water blue and the mountains were snow capped. It was a beautiful setting for launching a lifetime relationship.

We settled on a spot that had a slight overlook to the bay and was about five feet from the walking trail. I had my back to the water and the couple was facing the water. While I was reading scriptures and speaking prayers and calling for vows, numbers of people were walking by. Almost everyone began smiling once they noticed what we were doing. Several paused and listened in. Some pulled out cameras and took pictures. Others jogged by barely looking up.

Of course the couple was unaware of the movement behind them. I was doing well at maintaining my focus. After all, these friends were wholeheartedly speaking love and commitment to one another. I loved it. But at one strategic point a man walked by with his dog, and can you guess what happened next? Yep, the dog suddenly stopped. The owner pulled on the leash but the dog wouldn’t move. While I’m talking the dog arches his back and dumps.

To his credit the owner had a baggie and quickly cleaned up after his dog. We finished the wedding and I hugged and congratulated the couple without mentioning the dog scenario. The dog wasn’t trying to be offensive or malicious. When you gotta go, you gotta go. However that image has been reappearing in my mind all afternoon.

Everything was perfect. The weather, the scenery and the couple all looked perfect. And then there was the dog. And that’s life, isn’t it? You deliver a great product or provide excellent service and a colleague “dumps” on you. You plan a fun-filled outing for the family and one of the kids is in a mood and “dumps”. You sacrifice and generously provide for someone in need and rather than offering gratitude they “dump”. And sometimes you and I “dump” on others.

By God’s grace we’ll continue to take out the baggie, pick it up and move on down the trail.

How willing am I to forgive?

Occasionally I see or hear something and it strikes me as so different from myself that I marvel. For 18 years the church that I serve has been a portable church. For a little over 3 months now we’ve been in our own permanent place. During the nomadic days we kept nearly everything we owned in a trailer. Every Sunday we’d pull the trailer up to a school that we rented and we would unload sound equipment, lighting, staging, nursery beds, toys, supplies, children’s education furniture, communion trays, Bibles, and the list goes on.

If you’re not aware of churches operating this way it has been going on for years.

In March, Kinetic Church in Charlotte, NC, had their trailer stolen by some unknown thief. That trailer contained over 75% of everything they owned. What would you do?

I can imagine grieving, being angry, asking the church to pray for the thief but I would never have thought of doing what Kinetic Church did. They bought billboards around the city advertising to the thief that they forgave him. The pastor posted a message on their web site and on YouTube (pasted below) inviting the thief to contact him because the pastor would like to take him/her out to dinner and just get to know him/her. The pastor went on to assure the thief that he/she would feel comfortable in their church because they have a lot of screwed up people in their church that God is saving and transforming.

I’m grateful that God gives us grace to forgive. I also yearn for God to work in my heart so that I don’t just forgive from distance but that I would also want to get up close and personal in a compassionate and redemptive way.

How much do I care?

Every now and then an image strikes me and it gives me cause to pause and reflect on the state of my heart. How much do I care about what is going on in the lives of those around me?

Check out the 45 second clip below and not only notice what happens but especially what doesn’t happen.


Every day people around us are struck down by the “vehicles” of rejection, condescension, judgment, superiority, poverty, injustice and apathy. What am I doing about it?

Restoring the Soul

With respect to doing ministry I’ve been “running” pretty hard for several months. I have some vacation coming up in mid-Summer but more than taking a break from work I have needed to tend to my soul. So, I spent a couple of days in Ocean Shores, Washington this past week. I love sitting by the ocean, watching waves, reading or journaling, etc. It connects me with God in ways that my soul can take a deep long drink.

The Psalmist said, “As the deer longs for the water brooks, so my soul longs for You, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)

Whether your soul gets empty by serving God and people, or by squandering life and sinning, an empty soul is an empty soul.

I’ve been reminded about biblical heroes who got to empty, non-faith(full) places in their lives. Noah got drunk. Abraham lied. Jacob deceived. Moses had a temper. Elijah burned out. Jeremiah got depressed and suicidal. Jonah was a racist. Thomas doubted. John Mark deserted Paul. Timothy had ulcers.

How is your soul? Do you understand why it is well (or not) with your soul? Do you know how to engage God and be restored?

How Does One Say "Thanks" For Giving Your Life?

The last Monday in May is observed in the US as Memorial Day, a day to remember those who have died in our nation’s service. Perhaps because we focus on having a three day weekend and therefore we travel or do house projects or host backyard BBQ’s, we don’t often reflect very well on the sacrifice that has been made by over a million American servicemen and women. Their sacrifices enable our freedom.

Friday the Associated Press released a story about a recent awarding of the Medal of Honor to PFC Ross McGinnis of Pennsylvania. The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military honor.

In 2006 there was much violence on the Northeastern side of Baghdad, Iraq. On December 4 a patrol was dispatched to the area and Private McGinnis was in the gunner’s hatch of a Humvee when a grenade was tossed by insurgents into the vehicle. McGinnis had been trained in such a situation to yell, “Grenade” and then leap from the vehicle to safety. However, the grenade fell to the floor of the Humvee and lodged in a corner. None of the three soldiers in the Humvee below McGinnis could get out of the vehicle. Rather than jump to his own safety McGinnis jumped to the floor of the Humvee and cradled the grenade next to his body. The explosion was mostly absorbed by his body. McGinnis was instantly killed and his three buddies were wounded but saved.

Staff Sergeant Ian Newland was one of the soldiers saved by McGinnis. He was the most severely wounded of the three surviving soldiers. After several surgeries Newland still has over 50 pieces of metal under his skin that cannot be removed.

USA Today reported that in answer to the question, “Why McGinnis did it?” Newland says, “Because we were his brothers. He loved us.” In a YouTube testimony Newland said, “Not a day goes by, not an hour goes by that I don’t think about McGinnis’ sacrifice. Whenever I smell my daughter’s hair or see my son’s smile or feel the soft touch of my wife I am grateful all over again for the sacrifice of my friend.”

Newland said, “How can you really thank someone who gave his life for you? The way that I’ll thank Ross is to live my life to the fullest. If Ross could give his 19-year-old life, then I will live all my life for however many years I live, in order to live it to the fullest.”

First, I want to say thanks for all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice of their life for my freedom. Newland’s comments stirred greater joy in me today as I enjoyed just being in the same house with my wife and son.

Second, I must add that the details and sentiments of these news reports are so closely connected to my faith in Jesus Christ. In a similar way, my sin and rebellion against God in effect dropped a bomb of condemnation in the vehicle of my life that was certain death. Jesus called out to me, fell on the bomb and absorbed all the deadly outcomes that were meant for me. I’m eternally saved and as Newland pointed out, the only way to really say thanks is to live my life to the fullest. The main difference is that McGinnis is gone and won’t be seen in this world again. Jesus however, rose from the dead and I “see” Him and do life with Him everyday. His presence and power enable me to live life to the fullest. Thank you Jesus.

"Prince Caspian" Intrigues

Thursday I got to see the latest rendering of C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia”. “Prince Caspian” picks up where “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” ended.

I’ll not summarize or review the plot. There are a lot of reviews one can read. If you like profound and important messages conveyed in story telling then I think you’ll like “Caspian”. I would not recommend it for smaller children because of the amount of warring and sword fighting in the story, though there is no blood or gore.

Lewis has a way of capturing theological truths and insights with pithy sayings. Throughout the day I continued to linger on the line uttered by young Lucy upon her seeing Aslan the Lion (a Christ figure) for the first time in years.

Lucy sees Aslan and with awe and wonder remarks, “You’re much bigger than you used to be.” Aslan kindly replies, “Yes, and as you get older I’ll become bigger and bigger.” (my paraphrase)

The longer I’ve known God through faith in Christ the “bigger” He has seemed to me. I’ve been a Christ follower for 37 years and I’m more impressed with the sovereignty, majesty and benevolence of God than ever before. I’m more awed and moved to humble worship than before. I’m more trusting of His goodness and justice, though I’m more aware of human brokenness, then ever before.

Perhaps you saw the film and were impacted by another thought. Please share.

Pray God's Comfort for the Chapman Family

Steven Curtis Chapman has for years been one of my favorite singers and song writers. I’m moved by his lyrics and his authenticity. I have followed his life, ministry and family for over 15 years. He has won 5 Grammy’s and over 50 Dove Awards.

The last time I heard Chapman sing in person was at Key Arena in Seattle at a marriage conference. He told some of the story of a song he wrote along with his wife Mary Beth several years ago. A friend of one of their children had a difficult family life. Her dad had been arrested and was in jail. The song asked the question, “Who’s gonna love Maria?” Ten years after recording that song Steven met a small Chinese girl who had been orphaned and the foster parents named her Maria. When Steven held her and looked into her beautiful eyes the song lyrics began echoing in his head and heart and he knew that he had to adopt that child, even though he and Mary Beth already had five other children!

The Chapmans not only adopted three Chinese children but they also launched a ministry to help others with the expense of adoption. They have provided grants to over 1700 other families to help with adoption expenses.

Wednesday 5 year old Maria was accidentally killed when she was run over by a SUV at her home driven by her older teenage brother. Several family members witnessed the accident. You can read more about it here.

What a precious family and sweet little girl. My heart breaks for them and I pray God’s grace and comfort upon them.

The Chapman’s song expressed their heart about the plight of children who live with too much pain and too little love. Maria became the picture of the need of so many children. The words are below--

Maria
Maria -she's too young to understand, but old enough to feel the pain

Of living where no love can grow with no hope for change

Maria - her world is an angry place but she makes sure that scars don't show

And with every hurt her tender heart is growing cold (but)

CHORUS

Who, who's gonna love Maria

Who, who's gonna touch her with the tenderness she longs for

Like a desert longs for rain She's got a hunger deep inside and with every tear she cries

She wonders if there's someone out there somewhere

Who's gonna love Maria (Maria)

She looks in the mirror now and the little girl is gone

But still the search for someone's love goes on and on for Maria

But does anybody care or even notice her at all

Is anyone listening close enough to hear her call (and who)

BRIDGE

Maria if you can hear me, please know that you're not forgotten

Somebody's trying to get to you

Increasing Gas Prices, Like the Heart, Demands an Overhaul

The headline reads, “Thousands of Outdated Gas Station Pumps Can’t Sell Fuel Over $3.99”. It seems that older gas pumps haven’t been replaced with newer pumps in a lot of small town and rural locations. It costs $10,000-$15,000 per pump to replace. The less populated areas don’t do enough business and the profit margins are too slim to afford upgrades.

So, as gas prices are beginning to creep over the $4.00 per gallon mark in many places, the stations with the older pumps are facing a dilemma. How does one charge more for gas when the mechanical meter in the pump literally can’t charge more?

Many are trying to retrofit their meters with rebuilt meters that have higher numbers but the orders are backed up for 2-3 months.

I hate the idea of gas selling for over $4.00 per gallon. However, this story caused me to reflect on the limitations of our “mechanical meter”, our heart. There is a limit on the capacity a human heart can be compassionate, caring, generous, giving, sacrificial, patient, etc. Some people have more capacity than others but everyone one has an internal “meter” that literally can’t go to the next “number”.

Following Jesus Christ and receiving life from Him is the “mechanical overhaul" that gives a man or woman capacities for life that are beyond self.

Be Prepared for This Sunday

Quick, do you remember what the significance is of this Sunday?

Yes, it is also Mother’s Day and an appropriate card or gift is in order. To see my post on the history of Mother’s Day click here. However my reminder is about something much more historic and significant. This Sunday is Pentecost.

The word “Pentecost” means fiftieth day. Originally Pentecost was celebrated by Hebrews fifty days after Passover. It was an agricultural festival that celebrated God’s goodness to provide a harvest. By the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 Jews began focusing their observance of Pentecost on God’s gift of the Torah (Law).

For Christians Pentecost Sunday falls fifty days after Easter and has taken on an entirely different meaning as is described in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit of God powerfully fell upon followers of Jesus Christ, fulfilling the prophecies of Joel 2 and the promise of Jesus in Acts 1:8. Because God’s Spirit has fallen upon Christians we have been empowered to be witnesses to the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus’ saving work upon the cross and in our lives.

When Christians observe/celebrate Pentecost Sunday the focus is upon the hope we have in Christ and the mission He has entrusted to us. Our mission is to share His Good News with others. In my tradition on Pentecost Sunday we pray for a specific people group in the world that has yet to hear about Jesus. This year we’re praying for the people of the Amazon Basin of South America.

Thank God for Moms, for family, enjoy connecting with loved ones but this Sunday don’t forget to worship God and renew your commitment to His purpose and mission among us.

(the art is an 18th century rendition of the Spirit falling at Pentecost by Jean Restout)

People & Circumstances can be EGR

So I got into my new office one week ago. One of our staff ordered our phone and DSL service. We switched from our current DSL provider to Verizon. We’ve had our phone with Verizon and bundling it with DSL was going to save some money. A new modem was supposed to be shipped and our service was supposed to be operational by last Friday. Good timing for our office. Theoretically.

We didn’t receive the modem or the service so I called. Since that first call I’ve literally spoken to 18 Verizon reps and logged at least three and half hours on the phone. The details of the problems are too boring to write about but if you’ve ever tried to discuss a multifaceted issue with a robot, I mean person, who can only talk with you about one issue, then you begin to understand the dilemma. Once I would introduce an issue that was beyond their programming, sorry, I mean training, then they would thrust you back into the voicemail tunnel so that you could figure out which button to push next.

Both the people and circumstances were EGR (extra grace required).

I’m a busy guy. Most people are today so I don’t feel extraordinary about that. However, I have a relationship with God that works like this: “I’m Your servant. You are Lord over my time. I’ll spend time every day in ways that You want.”

So after the tenth person and a couple of hours I’m questioning, “God, is this how you want me spending my time?” There are leaders to support, sermons and studies to prepare, people in need that require attention……you get the point. Was sitting at my desk on “hold” how God wanted me to spend my time.

Then the “light bulb” came on. How does anyone grow in patience unless one experiences people and circumstances that require patience? Since I didn’t possess enough patience to deal with the mounting frustrations I needed extra grace from God to have and grow into more patience.

As most have discovered, if you need patience (or love, forgiveness, generosity, wisdom, etc.) usually God doesn’t just dump that upon you. Usually God gives grace to you in a circumstance that requires patience (love, forgiveness, etc.). Accepting God’s grace and then moving forward with that person or circumstance that is EGR brings life change and growth.

Today if someone offers the typical American greeting, “How’s it going?” I will honestly reply, “I’m in a season of personal growth.”

A Little Splash of Color Refreshes the Soul

It was a long week. My regular routine also included moving my office across town, launching a major community service project for my Rotary Club, attending two parties to celebrate friends and message prep that was a little extraordinary.

By 1:00 p.m. Sunday I just wanted to go home and take a nap but my wife suggested that we go to Mt. Vernon, Washington and check out the Tulip Festival. Today was the last day for this season and in all our years in Washington we had never seen the tulips.

Wow. I couldn’t get over the brilliance of the colors. I was moved to worship God as a masterful Artist who lavishly yet symmetrically brought together light, shade, shape and delicacy. Photos won’t do it justice but I’ll post a few so that you can get a glimpse of the splendor. I drank deeply of God’s presence and returned home with refreshment.

Life is Humbling; God is Good

A few years ago one of my favorite authors, one that I have read so much I consider him a distant mentor, published a new book that I was very eager to purchase and read. I paid around $27 for the book and began devouring it. I wasn’t disappointed. I not only learned from his writing I was also more firmly grounded in my faith and personal identity.

You can imagine my shock about six months later when I saw 5 new copies of this book in a second hand book store for $6 each! I remember thinking, “How much work and how much of his life was poured into that book and now it is on a bargain table?” I was reminded that every achievement, trophy, prize, award, or accomplishment is short lived.

That memory flew back to me today. I’m in the midst of moving my office a few blocks away to a new location. It’s been years since I’ve done a serious purge of my stuff. As I looked into one container there lay over 25 years of cassette tapes of sermons I’ve preached. People often ask, “How long does it take to prepare a message?” For years I spent 8-12 hours per week for each message. In recent years it’s been closer to 20 hours per week. It’s much more challenging to speak today than 20 years ago but that’s a different post.

So…..yes, I threw away every one of those cassettes. A lot of my life was in those messages but they are mostly long forgotten by those who heard. Honestly, most of my messages are forgotten within 48 hours but that’s a different post.

It’s humbling; but God is good. I’m so privileged to get to spend a significant portion of my life praying and studying and writing and then speaking. For those readers that have heard me speak often, thank you for sharing in a mystical and powerful exchange as we gather around God’s Word weekly in worship.

Just Marveling

Recently I’ve been laying the ground work to launch a recovery ministry. As I’ve been reading materials, visiting with potential team members and interviewing others that lead recovery ministries, I’ve been sent down the road of reflection on how God has used the recovery process in me.

Raised in an extremely dysfunctional setting and adopting perfectionism and performance as tools for coping with fears, abandonment, and rejection, I was in danger of blowing up my marriage, family and church in my mid-30’s. It was at that point that a friend confided in me that he was a recovering alcoholic. I was not only curious about the 12 step program that he was working to maintain his sobriety but I began to see a way to break free from my own “stuff”. For over two years we met weekly and worked/discussed the steps with each other. God began to work deliverance in me that I long to see happen for others.

Meanwhile, every week I marvel at the broken people that God sends my way and how God somehow uses the health and life that He is working into me to bring life and hope to them. In recent days someone contacted me with obsessive fear and panic attacks. Someone else asked if I would address the “life questions” that are keeping him from God. Someone else engaged me about disillusionment with religious systems. None of these people are in my relational circles or in my church.

With 6 billion walking the planet God is so great and God is so good that He is working in and around us in many ways to redeem, restore and renew.

I’m just marveling at God today.

A Dream for the Church

I see a day…

When men and women become Spirit birthed as sons and daughters of God who are saved from condemnation and saved for eternal, abundant life with God.

When men and women become Spirit delivered and released from wounds, abuse, failures, disappointments and disillusionment and receive forgiveness for sin; comfort for grief; healing from hurts and hope for the future.

When men and women become Spirit guided people who know and understand their God-given life purpose and who establish and follow life priorities in God’s will.

When men and women become Spirit empowered to love God and others well; worshiping God whole-heartedly; living in authentic community; serving the needs of the poor and hurting; embracing and affirming the worth of all people; and reaching others with the redemptive grace of Christ.

When men and women become Spirit equipped with gifts and talents, who develop and use those abilities to serve God and others so that God’s kingdom is advanced, the culture is influenced and the world is changed.

When men and women experientially live and are therefore characterized by the “fruit of God’s Spirit” that is seen in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When God’s Spirit births a movement that exponentially plants new congregations and calls new pastors and missionaries for the work of God’s kingdom around the world.

About What Do You Dream?

Some people dream about an ideal mate or job or what they would do if they became rich. Some more nobly dream of a better society. I dream about the Church. I believe that the hope of the world is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ, and I believe that the Church is the steward of Christ’s mission and message to redeem and transform humanity. Therefore, the Church is God’s strategy and primary means in order to be present among us, to woo and call us to Himself.

However, the Church, through the centuries and presently, has often found herself in a state of distraction, deception or disappointment.

This week I’ve been reflecting on the Lord’s Church, especially in the US since that is what I see and experience most. The church is declining in the US. For some time 80-85% of churches are in the plateau or declining phase. Of those churches founded before 1960, 66-75% are declining. According to David Olson research, 17.8% of America attends a church worship gathering on any given Sunday. Demographically, the younger a person is the less likely he will be involved in church.

There are many reasons that the US Church has succumbed to such a state. I am giving my one and only life to the service of Christ and His Church to see her full incarnational and missional potential reached, to the glory of Christ and for the sake of people.

Tomorrow I’ll share with you my dream.