Grace

Today we are at Community Church of Joy, pastor Walt Killestad. I've heard of Walt for years... he was one of the first influences in my ministry early on. Again, really big church, but this morning I encountered God.

Today was the opposite of yesterday. No flash, no show... just Walt with a microphone and a message from God to me.

He began by reading from Matthew 7:13-29 (from the Message). He said some powerful things after that... but there is nothing more powerful than the Word. These words may not hit you like they did me... but I think they were meant for me and not for you. So I blog for me...and for my audience of One.

"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life--to God!-is vigorous and requires total attention.

"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character.

"Knowing the correct password--saying "Master, Master,' for instance--isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience--doing what my Father wills. I can see it now--at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, "Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? "You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'

"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit--but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."

When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying--quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard."

Matthew 7:13-29
_________________________

God, I no longer want to be successful. Yes, I want to be faithful and fruitful. I want to be obedient. But I will no longer define my success by the world's standards. Thanks for today.

Celebrity Pastors

So I'm at a pastor's conference. It's at a very large church in AZ. The church has 11,000 people a weekend, it has a great facility, tons of programs, etc.

So honestly time: a lot of times when I go to these things I feel REALLY insignificant. I mean I pastor a church of 250+ in a small college town. I'm sitting at these tables with pastors of churches in the thousands. (It's funny how we know that early on... it is our way of putting people on the pecking order I guess). Our church building could fit in their worship center with ease.

And so we listen to these pastors talk about growing your church. (If I hear another, "when we planted our church we were 4 people in my living room and now we are running 8 bizzillion people a weekend" story I'm going to throw up.)

Now, I really am in awe to see God work. Really I am. And I must confess to some level of envy. In my mind, I would love to lead a church like this. So I realize that some of what I'm about to write is tainted with sin...

But I think it's really tempting to measure success by the world's standards. Yes, a local congregation must grow if it is being faithful to the gospel. But what that looks like is very different based on your cultural setting.

And I'm tired of celebrity pastors. If I ever write a book, if I put my face of the cover and my name in a bigger font than the title, would one of you come and track me down and tell me to get off my high horse and get a life? Thanks.

I want to do something significant for God. I want my life to have an impact. And honestly, I look at places like this and I don't feel like I'm doing all that much. Please understand, I'm not depressed as such... just wondering what faithfulness and fruitfulness looks like in my setting.

AZ

So I'm at a conference with a friend in Phoenix, Arizona. It was bright and sunny and well, the upgrade was only $40 for the week... so I'm driving a Mustang Convertible.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I'm not a car guy, but this is one great car.

Post Cruise Blog

I was going to title this the, "Post cruise, sitting in the airport, waiting for my flight" blog... but that was just way too long.

Well, I just got done with my first cruise and it was quite an experience. What they say about all the food is true... there is SO MUCH food it is almost, well it is, obscene. I didn't even eat all that was offered... we skipped meals, skipped courses... there is NO WAY a human being can consume that much food... but so many people did. I don't think I gained the 5-10 lbs people say you gain on a cruise, I actually worked out about 2 hours a day... I think I did pretty well in self control!

Some observations:

1. That is one honking big boat. Really. I'm serious. If you have never been on a cruise ship, you have no idea. It's like an 18 story building floating on water.

2. No matter how big the boat, God is bigger. It's amazing how small you feel as a speck in the vast ocean.

3. It would be tough to be an alcoholic and be on a cruise ship. They push alcohol really, really, hard. REALLY hard. I've never tasted the stuff, so it's not a temptation for me to abuse, but I'm an addict in so many ways this one could easily happen.

4. Never get an inside cabin if you like solitude (because it is one of the places you will spend time in solitude). A balcony rocks. My parents had one... we didn't. So we hung out in there room, but mornings were hard because there was no sun. Very dark. BUT, if you don't think you will spend time in your room and you are a party person... who cares, right?

5. Did I mention the food? Gosh.

6. People are really interesting... as much as there was beautiful scenery, I had much more fun shooting pictures of the locals and saying hi.



I will blog more later, they are calling my flight soon.

lonely

Now, I know my single friends won't have much sympathy, but I am really lonely right now. I dropped my wife off at the airport. She is at a training event in San Diego for work all this week. Honestly, I'm a wimp. I don't function well without her and this house seems so empty... even with a dog and a small child.

Now, I'm not asking any of you to fill my social calendar. I can't really go anywhere... I do have a child, and I have lots to do this week. But I'm just telling you because this is a blog and I'm supposed to do that I guess.

It would be hard to be a single parent. I'm not sure I believe the statement "It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all." I can't imagine a pain more intense than "love lost," particularly to death.

I don't fear a lot. But I fear the death of my spouse. I guess I would "make it"-- it would be hard --but I doubt I would abandon my faith or anything stupid like that. (I'm not sure what that would look like. Even if I was pissed off at God, it's not like I could choose not to believe in Him.) But I can't imagine my life without her. My sense has always been that I would leave ministry... I'm not sure I'm strong enough to be in ministry and single. God bless those who can do it... I don't see it.

What, would I date? "Hey, want to go to dinner?" That seems so shallow. How do people who lose their spouse do it? Sure, I do think there would be enough grace to "go on" but I'm not sure what kind of "on" it would be.

Okay, now I'm really depressed.

First Step

This morning, my daughter took her first step. I could not have been more proud if she had won a gold medal in the olympics.

Quote of the month (maybe the year)

My friend mdog wrote this...

"This whole Jesus thing, i'm finding, is kind of hard to figure out. it's not shiny and neat. it's not packaged in a beautiful box with a gorgeous bow, unless you think wood, nails and blood are neat and beautiful..."

Go read what she has to say about walking.

My daughter

Sorry, but sometimes I just like to post pictures of her...