blog

Get dressed up.

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:52:31 -0600

In the holiday season, people wear the craziest things. They - in fact - dress up the craziest things: dogs, cats, homes, cars … the other day, Jude and I were leaving Target after shopping for Asa (which took us every bit of 90 minutes to spend just over $9 for his brother's gift) - and Jude yelled: "Look, Daddy, it's Rudolph!" To my surprise there was a blue VW Bug dressed up, well, like Rudolph with a nose, tail, ears, and antlers. Really, it was quite impressive.

We need to get dressed up.

Holiday wear is tacky wear: christmas sweaters, snuggies, and mansies (GC understands) abound. Holiday wear is formal wear: beautiful gowns, Sunday best, red paisley ties. Holiday wear is commercial: lampposts get in the act, donning evergreen, more lights cover store signs, Starbucks forces red upon their cups. Holiday wear changes entire homes: herds of electrical deer, blow-up creations, and Lampoon-like houses burn with a brightness that rivals the sun (for parents, there is a beautifully adorned home in the Meadows across from Kidsburg - just head in that direction - you'll see it).

Get dressed up.

Romans 13:14 - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Isaiah 61:3 - The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Get dressed up.

The phrase: 'All dressed up with no where to go.' does not in any way, shape, or form, pertain to the life of a Jesus-Follower. We should get dressed up because we have everywhere to go. Get clothed in righteousness. Understand, I'm not saying you're perfect or without failing - being clothed in righteousness has very little to do with you and much to do with Jesus. Wear the garment of praise. As our Senior Pastor exhorted us on Sunday - be aware of the atmosphere you bring to lives, relationships, the world.

Get dressed up.

Our righteousness, our garment of praise - that which we put on should not be gaudy, but it will be godly. It should not be tacky, it will be tantalizing to the world around us. It should not be the same as the world, but it will not shun the world. This reality, of getting dressed up, should invade every season of our lives - not just this holiday season.

Get dressed up - you look good in righteousness, and the garment of praise brings out the best in you.

May we clothe ourselves in God's righteousness and rejoice in Him as we lead others to become fully devoted followers of Christ.

Much love and many thanks.

Happy Christmas!

It only gets better.

-- C.

Be Involved

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 06:39:37 -0600

Perhaps it's because of my new role as a teacher, teaching in History in Newport News Public School, or perhaps it is due to the role my wife are transitioning into at the Church as Lead Pastors - whatever the reason, my mindset and focus this holiday season has already been marked with the thought process: Be involved.

Beginning with the historical frame of reference - the Mayflower came to the New World loaded with 102 people seeking asylum and new beginnings. Contrary to popular belief they were not all Pilgrims, in fact, only 41 of them were. The rest were people hoping to escape a persecution different from the religious persecution the Pilgrims were escaping. The other 61 people were escaping the persecution of poverty, sickness, lives devoid of hope and positive change. The Pilgrims, themselves, were separatists. They believed the most wonderful way to minister the truth of God's Word and His Reality to people was to create that city set on a hill as a very separate community.

That others would come and look at.

That others would admire and desire to be a part of.

That would entice people and then engage them.

But we should be more involved than that.

There is no question - following the example of Jesus, Himself - that we are to be in the world but not of the world. Strangers and sojourners. Ambassadors. The Bible is rife with language that leads one no choice but to be involved, and yet we, time and again adopt the idea of separatism, for very different reasons depending on the circumstances, but separatism all the same.

1. Separate because we're not equal.

Many of us adopt separatism because we know the higher law, the true standard of living, the grace and joy that has been afforded us. We have favor. We enjoy mercy. We garner grace. We understand what is really going on and those other people don't. Equality or understanding of equality - or rather equality of understanding doesn't seem to bother Jesus as Paul writes: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men - Philippians 2:5-7. Perhaps we are not equal in our understanding of what is really going on in this world but that should not press us to separate. That should press is to be involved.

2. Separate because we're not sinning.

This is ridiculous, I know, but this is often my thought process and I know many others' as well. I don't think of it in these terms, and I'm sure you don't either. We think of it in terms of how we are pure or have been purified and we cannot be sullied by others' sins or wrong-doing. We cannot compromise the costly nature of Christ's cross by having contact with lives that are questionable. That lack of recognition of what has been done by God would not be honoring of His sacrifice, but again, we don't see Jesus operating in this manner. He came for the sick, not the well (Mark 2:17; Matthew 9:11-13). He ran with the rabble not the religiously astute. The sins of others should not cause us to separate. That should press us to be involved.

Caveat: being involved does not mean being entangled (that's for another blogpost).

3. Separate because we're cleaner.

There are so many times it's easier to push aside and tuck away. The dirty, the different, the complicated. It may have been easier to allow the Pharisees and Sadducees to stone the woman caught in the midst of adultery in John 8. It may have been simpler to leave Zaccheaus swinging in the branches of that sycamore tree in Luke 19. It may have been cleaner to let the funeral procession continue in Luke 7. But Jesus did none of those things. He got involved.

Though we may not be seated at tables today or this week with large buckles on our heads and stark monochromatic outfits of black, white, and gray. We are pilgrims: strangers and sojourners, ambassadors of heaven, souls passing through, but we do not have to be, nor should we be separatists. We should be involved.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. May you be blessed and may you bless others. As we lead others to become fully devoted followers of Christ, may we be involved in their lives.

Much love and many thanks.

It only gets better.

-- C.

Get in Position

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 15:15:08 -0600

Pastor Tonya Fehrenbach preached an incredible message today on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, drawing out powerful connections to our individual identity in Christ as well as our corporate identity as the Body of Christ. If there is one thing I know about the Fehrenbachs, they are passionate enemies of anything that will detract from the God-potential in people.

I want to challenge you to take your hearing of the Word of God in 1 Corinthians 12 to a practical level. So you have a gift to offer not only the body of Christ, but your family, community and work place – what is it? Do you understand your personal makeup? Do you know how God has uniquely formed your temperament, likes, and personality to be a blessing to the world around you?

I admit, this sounds too much like a job interview. Palms sweating, mind racing, you reach deep down to try and decipher your top three strengths or weaknesses and communicate them in a way that doesn’t make you look either too prideful or not secure enough. Be encouraged, this isn’t a pass/fail exam. There is no right or wrong answer. The only wrong answer is being content to not know, settling for short-changing the world around you while preserving yourself from any chance of failure.

I encourage you to take a few minutes and complete the attached Spiritual Gift assessment. It will help you to discover what your spiritual gifts are and what they aren’t. Go into it with an open mind, and be honest and true to yourself. You’re not serving yourself by answering the questions according to who you would like to be, or who people think you are. Remember, God made you just the way you are, no apologies! After taking this assessment, share your results with someone close to you. A LifeGroup leader is a great person with whom to share your discovery. They will be an encouragement to you as you seek to step out in your spiritual gifts, and you’ll need encouragement as you grow in your gifts because like anything else in life, you have to practice to get better. Take the first step by taking the Spiritual Gift assessment today.

Are you ready to add your ingredient to this God-ordained recipe called the body of Christ? We can’t wait to taste all God has for us.

Pressing on,

Matt Goodman

GET IN POSITION:

IDENTIFYING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Read and score each of the following questions according to the following scale:

0 = Not at all; has never occurred

1 = Rarely applies; seldom happens

2 = Occasionally; happen once in a while

3 = Frequently; occurs more often than not

4 = Most of the time; consistently applies

Answer these questions according to who you are, not who you would like to be or think you ought to be. Put your score in the box to the immediate right of each question. Once you have completed all questions, transfer your answers to the corresponding numbered block on the table on page 4.

I can do many things at once.
I would like to start churches in areas that need a strong local church.
I can easily distinguish between right and wrong.
I find myself sharing my Christian journey with others.
It is easy for me to persuade other to get involved in areas of ministry.
Trusting God to answer prayers regarding difficult situations is easy for me.
I love to give resources to people or projects needing assistance.
People have said that my prayers have assisted them in their healing.
I enjoy doing smaller tasks that no one else will do.
I can interpret when others speak in tongues.
I receive information that I sense came from the Holy Spirit considering others.
I feel empathy toward those who are less fortunate.
I have been used by God to perform miracles.
I love to guide others toward spiritual health, growth, and maturity.
I feel compelled to share truth that has been impressed in my mind by God.
I can find scriptural insights easily and desire to communicate those to others.
I feel compelled to speak in tongues often.
People often ask me for advice regarding their important decisions.
I have the ability to work well under pressure.
I would be willing to relocate to start a new church plant.
I am able to distinguish between a person’s real needs and possible false needs.
I like to find new ways to develop relationships with un-churched people.
I enjoy giving biblical advice to help people make right choices.
I believe God to accomplish great things in my life and those around me.
I give above and beyond my tithe to further projects or programs that fulfill God’s purposes
I find myself praying for sick people, knowing that God can heal them.
I would rather serve others than have others serve me.
When people speak in tongues, I sense a stirring to interpret.
I perceive information regarding other people without others telling me the information.
I enjoy assisting those who are facing difficult situations.
People say that I have been used in their lives to see a miracle take place.
I have compassion for those in need and find myself assisting them through the process.
I sense insights concerning the future.
I can impart knowledge and skills in a manner that makes it easy for others to learn and apply.
God has used me to speak in an unlearned language to a group of people.
It is easy to identify practical solutions, where others seem confused.
I like to take on what appear to be complex challenges.
I find myself thinking about church-planting often.
My first impressions of a person’s motives are often true.
I am successful at applying the Gospel to connect with a person’s need or circumstance.
I find myself directing people to God’s promises by offering them hope.
I am convinced that God’s Word dictates my circumstances and circumstances don’t dictate my faith.
Charitable giving is a high priority in my life.
I look for opportunities to pray for those who are sick.
I prefer to function behind the scenes than in a more visible role.
God directs me to translate the meaning of someone speaking in tongues.
I receive impressions regarding certain people or circumstances.
I like to practically help those who cannot help themselves.
“Signs and wonders” occur when I am ministering to others.
I seek to help others grow in Christ.
The Scriptures come alive to me regarding others’ lives.
I enjoy instructing people and see positive change as a result of my instruction.
I have been used to edify others by using tongues as the primary tool of edification.
When talking with someone regarding a personal challenge, I sense special insight regarding their situation.
I enjoy organizing people and programs to achieve great goals.
Ministries that start new churches get my attention.
I find myself able to “read between the lines.”
I openly communicate my relationships with Christ and love when others ask me about my faith.
I am able to confront others to develop spiritual health, growth, and maturity.
My ability to move forward in a God-given task is not hindered by a lack of support or resistance.
I find fulfillment in seeing others blessed through giving to their needs.
I possess a personal passion to see other healed.
I like to take on tasks that help others succeed.
It is easy for me to understand what someone is saying in tongues.
God reveals to me the source to a person’s problem, illness, or need.
I can see God’s potential in every person regardless of their handicap or limitation.
I have faith to believe that God can use me to accomplish the impossible.
I enjoy sharing truth with others to guide them in moving to be more like Jesus.
I am stirred in services or gatherings to communicate something that is burning in my heart.
People have said that my instruction has helped them to better understand a concept, truth, or skill.
After speaking in tongues, someone has interpreted my utterance.
I seem to have a special ability to solve problems.
I like to figure out how to accomplish certain goals and delegate them.
I would like to oversee many churches and equip local church pastors.
I can sense when evil forces are at work in a person or situation.
Looking for opportunities to discuss spiritual matters with unbelievers excites me.
I like to strengthen those who are spiritually weak.
I trust God in any situation where the desired result cannot be guaranteed only by human efforts.
I give my personal belongings to those in greater need, knowing God will bless me in return.
God has used me as His vessel to heal others.
I readily use my talents to help whenever needed, regardless of the task.
People consider me to be a person who translates the meaning of a message delivered in tongues to a group of people.
God gives me specific direction in assisting people in finding a solution to their problems.
I feel compelled to offer comfort to those who are in a seemingly impossible situation.
Extraordinary things take place when I pray for impossible situations.
I like to help guide people through all areas of their lives in fulfilling their potential.
I see pictures or visions for certain people concerning a situation or circumstance they are facing.
I love to study because I realize that communicating these truths will bring change in the lives of others.
I sense God wanting to use me to speak in tongues to believers during gatherings.
I can identify the best course of action where many other conflicting options exist.

						TOTAL
Administration/Ruling	1	19	37	55	73
Apostle/Pioneer	2	20	38	56	74
Discernment	3	21	39	57	75
Evangelism	4	22	40	58	76
Exhortation	5	23	41	59	77
Faith	6	24	42	60	78
Giving	7	25	43	61	79
Healing	8	26	44	62	80
Helps/Serving	9	27	45	63	81
Interpretation	10	28	46	64	82
Knowledge	11	29	47	65	83
Mercy	12	30	48	66	84
Miracles	13	31	49	67	85
Pastor/Shepherd	14	32	50	68	86
Prophecy	15	33	51	69	87
Teaching	16	34	52	70	88
Tongues	17	35	53	71	89
Wisdom	18	36	54	72	90

SPIRITUAL GIFT	DESCRIPTION	SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
Administration/Ruling	The gift of Administration is the divine ability to understand and effectively perform tasks that make an organization function properly. This includes the ability to plan and organize certain goals to reach ministry objectives.	Luke 14:28-30 Acts 6:1-7 Romans 12:8 1 Corinthians 12:28
Apostle/Pioneer	The gift of Apostle/Pioneer is the divine ability that God gives to members of the body of Christ to exercise leadership over multiple churches.	Acts 13:2-3 Romans 1:5 1 Corinthians 12:28-29 Ephesians 4:11-12
Discernment	The gift of Discernment is the divine ability to comprehend with assurance whether a source of communication or situation is derived from a godly, human, or satanic source.	Matthew 16:21-23 Acts 5:1-11 Acts 16:16-18 1 Corinthians 12:10 1 John 4:1-6
Evangelism	The gift of Evangelism is the divine ability to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ effectively to unbelievers, resulting in salvation and onward progress toward spiritual health, growth, and maturity.	Luke 19:1-10 Acts 8:26-40 Ephesians 4:11
Exhortation	The gift of Exhortation is the divine ability to support, strengthen, uplift, and counsel those in a special way, resulting in them feeling helped and healed.	Acts 14:22 Romans 12:8 1 Timothy 4:13 Hebrews 10:25
Faith	The gift of Faith is the divine ability to embrace with unwavering confidence God's promises and purposes and His ability to perform them.	Acts 11:22-24 Romans 4:18-21 1 Corinthians 12:9 Hebrews 11
Giving	The gift of Giving is the divine ability to contribute one's finances and other resources liberally and cheerfully beyond the level expected of all believers for the benefit of the Kingdom of God.	Mark 12:41-44 Romans 12:8 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 2 Corinthians 9:2-8
Healing	The gift of Healing is the divine ability to serve as a vessel which God uses to restore people to wholeness. This would include physical, spiritual, and emotional areas of one's life.	Acts 3:1-10 Acts 5:12-16 Acts 9:32-35 Acts 28:7-10 1 Corinthians 12:9
Helps/Serving	The gift of Helps/Serving is the divine ability to devote one's personal talents and abilities toward the lives and ministry of others.	Acts 6:1-4 Acts 9:36 Romans 12:7 Romans 16:1-2 1 Corinthians 12:28
Interpretation	The gift of Interpretation is the divine ability to translate a message to a known language from an unknown tongue spoken to a body of believers in tongues.	1 Corinthians 12:10, 30 1 Corinthians 14:5, 13, 26-28
Knowledge	The gift of the word of Knowledge is the divine ability to know facts that could not otherwise be known.	Mark 2:6-8 Acts 5:1-11 1 Corinthians 12:8 2 Corinthians 11:6
Mercy	The gift of Mercy is the divine ability to see others in need and be moved with empathy and compassion, resulting in meaningful actions that help better the distressing circumstances of the person being ministered to.	Matthew 20:29-34 Luke 10:25-37 Acts 11:28-30 Romans 12:8
Miracles	The gift of Miracles is the divine ability to be used by the Holy Spirit in a supernatural way to perform powerful acts that alter the course of nature and result in glorifying God.	John 2:1-11 Acts 20:7-12 Romans 15:18-19 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28
Pastor/Shepherd	The gift of Pastor/Shepherd is the divine ability to assume a personal responsibility to care for and lead others into receiving greater depths of spiritual health, grown, and maturity.	John 10:1-18 Ephesians 4:11-12 1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 Peter 5:1-3
Prophecy	The gift of Prophecy is the divine ability to receive, interpret, and deliver a message from God in a timely manner for edification, repentance, understanding, and/or correction.	Acts 15:32 Romans 12:6 1 Corinthians 12:28 Ephesians 4:11-14 2 Peter 1:19-20
Teaching	The gift of Teaching is the divine ability to receive God-given truths from God's Word and communicate them in a relevant way, resulting in others learning and applying those truths in their personal walk with Christ.	Acts 18:24-28 Acts 20:20-21 1 Corinthians 12:28 Ephesians 4:11-13
Tongues	The gift of Tongues is the divine ability to receive and communicate a message delivered by God to His people through a heavenly inspired language, different than speaking to God in an unknown language during private devotion and edification.	Mark 16:17 Acts 2:1-13 Acts 10:44-46 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28-30 1 Corinthians 14:1-33
Wisdom	The gift of the word of Wisdom is the divine ability to know the mind of God toward a certain situation in a manner that gives you supernatural understanding, resulting in others receiving God-given direction and clarity to make proper decisions.	Acts 6:3 1 Corinthians 2:1-13 1 Corinthians 12:8 James 3:13-18 2 Peter 3:15

Fill 'er up.

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:49:27 -0600

We must be people who are led by, and empowered by, the Holy Spirit. Romans declares to us that those of us led by the Spirit shall be called the sons of God. Though God, our Creator, places a premium on a life lived by and through the Holy Spirit - it seems that we, as people - His creation, do not. Technology enables us to be more efficient and more effective than any other age in History prior, but it also places an inordinate amount of - or rather a sense of - ability. My iPhone, iPad, the internet: these are all wonderful tools and make me able to accomplish much, to multi-task, but they don't replace the anointing of God's Holy Spirit and His ability to multi-task. We call God's multi-tasking: omniscience.

The Holy Spirit - though entirely spiritual, is wholly practical as well. I wanted to, on the heels of the impartation we all received yesterday, give some practical thoughts on the Holy Spirit.

The notion that the Holy Spirit is confusing rests solely on our desire to fully understand it - a desire we don't share for many other mysteries of the Christian faith.

Fill 'er up.

1. It doesn't happen; it is chosen.

The Holy Spirit is not something that happens to us or alights upon us like a winged beast. The Holy Spirit is not random. The Holy Spirit is not whimsical. The Holy Spirit is calculated. He is purposeful. He is bound by laws as much as we are and God is. God - in His infinite goodness not only creates laws and ordinances but He submits to them as well. I firmly believe that people - myself included - like to explain the Holy Spirit as random from time to time because it absolves us of our part in engaging the Holy Spirit and being available to Him and His leading.

We are three parts just as God is three: Father (soul), Son (flesh), Spirit (spirit) - and we must recognize that we choose to prioritize those three parts of our being. God does not force us to prioritize in any order. We choose the order.

2. It is an act of obedience.

We want for so many things to be sacrificial because that inherently makes us responsible for the victory, the overcoming, the relationship with Jesus - whatever 'it' is. But developing a life, lead by the Holy Spirit is first an act of obedience before it is anything else. We were made to have communion with God. We were designed to enjoy relationship with Him. We were created for contact with the Creator. So making space for the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us is first and foremost an act of obedience of our will.

3. It is free, but it will cost us.

The gift of God's Holy Spirit is free, but it is costly. It costs your time. It costs your attention. It costs your trust. It costs your faith. I guess another way of saying it - is that we must make room for the Holy Spirit. We cannot make the Holy Spirit work on our behalf, but we can make ourselves work into a position where the Holy Spirit is able to move on our behalf.

Much love to you all.

May we function with the Holy Spirit as we lead others to become fully devoted followers of Christ.

It only gets better.

-- C.

The Great Unknown.

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:33:53 -0500

We don't like to be in the dark. When we're younger, it's frightening; as we get older, it's unnerving. Even in my mature state of age I find myself not fully embracing any time in the dark because it's murky, unknown, unfamiliar. I wouldn't say I'm scared of the dark. I just don't care for the unknown.

This Sunday we'll be concluding our Series: Manual Transmission with a message on the Holy Spirit.

I find the Holy Spirit to be a point of contention and division in Jesus' Church when God meant it to be for His glory and edification. The contention and division come - not in its existence but rather in its outworking. How does it manifest? What does it look like? What does it feel like? What doesn't it look like? How does it not manifest? Why is it an 'it'?

It is the great unknown. The Holy Spirit is the member of the Trinity we are most taken with - in terms of misunderstanding or not grasping. Sure, because we can wrap our minds around God in the flesh, a Being in heaven that knows each and every one of us and all that is in us and all that is around us every minute of every day, a present God, a Savior who is meek, yet mighty. Sure, because I fully understand how God is Three, yet One. I get how God can - in a moment - physically heal people … today ... right now. I understand the Virgin Birth. I comprehend the prophetic. I have long since understood how my body is a temple to God's will.

Right.

The great unknown is not - in my mind - relegated to the Holy Spirit when you speak of God and His majestic mystery, but for some reason, we seem to blame much of the confusion on Him alone when there is plenty to go around for the entire Trinity. I don't mean to communicate that God is confusing, because He is not. The more I find Him, His nature - the simpler He becomes. The problem isn't Him, it's me. My centric world and cosmic view, the one with myself in the middle - tells me that I should understand everything.

Please, let us not allow what we don't understand to negate what we know.

Taken as an analogy, I don't understand why my wife loves me as she does: why she puts up with the same old shortfalls in my life, the same mistakes I've made for 13 years, the new mistakes I've made in the last few days and weeks - but I know she loves me. I know it.

And that is far cry from God's love for us.

Yes, the Holy Spirit is a great unknown. If we could fully envelope Who and What He is - would He be majestic - as He is? I mean, isn't that drive and desire (trying to understand God rather than knowing Him) at the core of Eve and Adam's apple eating contest, so that they could see as God sees, understand all that God understands? Our knowledge of God is not what brings us equality with God and gives us an ability to relate to him. It is His sacrifice that accomplishes that.

May we envelope a new grace, receiving from the Holy Spirit, as we lead others to become fully devoted followers of Christ.

Much love and many thanks.

It only gets better.

-- C.

Jesus' Usual.

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:20:45 -0500

Jesus has a usual.

I know, an interesting thought when our perspective of God, Himself, is anything but usual - yet - He has a usual.

When Jesus meets lack, He has a usual. When Jesus meets sickness, He has a usual. When Jesus encounters a storm, a 'situation', He has a usual. When Jesus finds a lost and wandering person, He has a usual.

Now, there are many who would argue about 'Why' His usual is what it is: 1. For the glory of God. 2. Because He loves His creation. 3. Because He's compassionate. 4. All of the above. But none of us can argue what His usual is. The lack - He meets. The sickness - He heals. The storm, the 'situation' - He brings clarity and peace. To the lost and wandering, He brings purpose and vision. Timelines are what they are - lines of time we navigate and journey not knowing when Jesus will meet us with His usual but knowing fully that He will meet us.

Jesus has a usual.

I picture an old man walking into a deli, sidling up to the counter and asking for the usual. I love those scenes in movies. When I frequented Harbor Coffee in town for appointments and such, I had a usual, and I have to admit - there were many times that my usual was not what I wanted, but I did it because, that was my usual. It was simple. It was established. It was.

And so it is with Jesus' usual: it is simple; it is established; it was and is and will be - Hebrews 13:8.

Jesus has a usual.

I so appreciated the words Ps Mike Herron shared - all weekend - but particularly on Sunday morning: Things extraordinary more than usual.

May our lives be filled with Jesus' usual as we lead others to become fully devoted followers of Christ.

It only gets better.

-- C.

Adjust Your Mirrors

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:12:56 -0500

This past Sunday I administered a Driving Test at Christian Life Center: are we driving the Church with Jesus or just along for the ride?

The driving test at a DMV engages the test-taker to see if they have enough knowledge to be safe for the rest of the world. The driving test at our Church, at any Church - determines whether the person is available enough to be dangerous to the world, for the Kingdom of God, and I'm not going to get into my dissertation of what that means, but suffice it to say: we are not of this world. We are strangers and sojourners. We're to bring light into the darkness. We're to bring grace to the broken. We're to bring joy to the downcast and downtrodden. The Message version of the Bible puts it this way: We're meant to bring the God-flavors to the earth. I love that description.

One of the most valuable aspects of any available driver in the Kingdom are their mirrors. Every car has side-mirrors, rear-view mirrors - for the sake of seeing spots you cannot see: Your blindspots. As a follower of Jesus, God has equipped you with mirrors. They're called: other people. Accountable relationships are critical for your development and theirs.

But you and I, we have to adjust our mirrors from time to time.

1. Make sure the mirrors are pointed where they need to be pointed.

- Accountable relationships do no good if they are kept from the problem areas. Don't be ashamed. Jesus went to the Cross despising the shame, Hebrews 12:2. Share your flaws. Share your inadequacies. Let those people see your blindspots and speak into them. They won't be surprised you have them.

2. Make sure you pointed your mirrors where they need to be pointed.

- Invite people into your world. People are, for the most part, a careful creation. We avoid stepping on people's toes. We don't generally chase after conflict for the sake of conflict. We are careful. Don't name names or point fingers; I know there are some people we perceive to be unfazed by any type of awkwardness, but your mirrors, your accountable relationships for the most part need to be invited in to your life. Tell them you want their input. Tell them you want their advice. Tell them you want their correction.

3. Make sure you revisit your mirrors.

- I already mentioned that we should invite people into our world, but we need to continuously do so. Let people know - with your words and actions that you really mean what you said. If you haven't heard from them in a while, it may not be due to your perfection. It may have more to do with your imperfection. How did you respond when they criticized you? How did you act when they gave you advice you didn't heed and in fact cast aside entirely.

Eventually, people will stop speaking into our lives if we aren't listening.

Adjust your mirrors today.

It only gets better.

-- C.

A Little More of Nothing

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:47:48 -0500

My new employment has brought me a lot of new things. Some I have welcomed. Others I could do without. What I have found to be most beneficial is the nothing that has been afforded to me in the 40 minute drive I have each and every morning and each and every afternoon. It far exceeds my 7 minute walk I have been walking the past few years working at the Church, and I had many, many plans for that extra 30 minutes added to my commute: Books on my iPod, Podcasting, PBC Classes, phone calls to encourage, touch base, and plan things. Ultimately what I found was that I needed a little more of nothing.

Most mornings I find myself driving in silence, immersed in the more nothing that has been gifted to me. It has been a wonderful time of prayer, seeking God, and interceding for others. And while that has been a welcomed addition it's the more of nothing that has been most welcomed.

I think of the prophet Elijah's interaction with God in 1 Kings 19 when a great wind tears rocks but doesn't house the voice of God, then an earthquake that shakes the foundations of the earth (which we all have a newfound respect for) interrupts yet doesn't house the voice of God, and then a fire erupts - an explosion, a supernatural burst of flame, but one that did not house the voice of God. And then, after all of that, in the nothing - the still, small voice of God.

What we all need, is a little more of nothing: Nothing, to focus on God. Nothing, to separate from everything else. Nothing, so we can hear God.

The amazing thing is that God is just waiting, for that nothing. It amazes me that it doesn't take much nothing for God to speak. He only needs a little nothing.

We all need a little more of nothing.

May we all, in our leading of others to become fully devoted followers of Christ, remember to make room for a little more of nothing in our lives.

It only gets better.

Christoph

Take Root.

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 08:24:24 -0600

This year we began with the Series: Being A Blessing, and we have heard many great messages, exhorting us, entreating us, enlightening us to the reality that God has indeed called us, in fact - created us - to be bright, to be salty ... to be a blessing to those around us: saved, unsaved, found, lost, hurting, broken, and perfectly put together.

We've had meetings where the Presence of God manifest itself and ministered to people, to the Church.

While the words and the worship, the wonder of moments steeped in revelation have been wonderful - is it taking root in us?

Matthew 7 finds Jesus those who would listen: You will know them by their fruits ... . Are the truths we're hearing, the revelations we're receiving - taking root in us?

The Series is coming to a close at the Church, but it is vital for us: The Church, to begin and continue, bearing fruit of these seeds we are allowing to take root from the Series.

Be a blessing today.

It only gets better.

-- C.

The Trust Fall.

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:05:10 -0600

Trust is a big deal. It’s a subject that is talked about a lot between husbands & wives, friends, employees & employers; when election season rolls around the term ‘trust’ is bandied about like a tennis ball at Wimbledon.

Trust is a big deal - I think - because it establishes what you lean on, depend on, and believe in as far as your future is concerned. Faith is similar in that sense but has a much more spiritual and supernatural connotation and involves Heaven more than it does earth. Trust is opposite, but no less important.

Whenever I hear, read, or talk about trust I conjure one image in my mind: The Trust Fall. At any team-building exercise worth it’s salt, any High School retreat worth attending, and any ropes course worthy of going to - The Trust Fall is put into action. The Trust Fall takes one person from the group, has them climb a ladder, tree, or other object that takes them an unsafe distance above the ground but not yet life-threatening, and has all the other remaining people stand beneath them, link arms, and then tells the person who is an unsafe distance from the ground to fall - trusting those beneath them to catch them.

The Trust Fall.

One of my favorite verses in all of scripture is found in Psalm 62:8 - Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

The Trust Fall.

God is worth trusting. God is a refuge. He is able to handle your fears, concerns, circumstances of life, the full weight of you - we just need to pour them out to Him ... He will not take them. We must give them. At the ropes course Trust Fall - no one ever pushes you because that would be a breach of insurance agreements and lawsuits would ensue aplenty. God will never push you to fall because that would be a breach of His gift to you and I of free will and a breach of His character as our good God.

One of the most dangerous things we can do is: kind of trust God - kinda depend on Him, kinda believe Him, kinda know He’ll be there for us because we end up stumbling, falling short as we don’t really fall to Him, and we hit the ground - at least in the ropes course scenario.

Throw your full weight into God. Trust Him. He is a refuge for us.

It only gets better.

-- C.

It's Gone.

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:36:52 -0600

As quickly as it came - it's gone:

1/12 of 2011 - gone. Almost 10% of the year - gone. If you're looking for the parallel of years in the average lifespan (67.2 years old) - 6 years - gone.

How are those New Year's Resolutions holding up? How are those old things you restarted standing the test of normal life: reading your bible, praying for people, believing God for His bigness to become our reality ... Our Church began the New Year with a week-long Daniel Fast: seeking the Lord. Praying for our lives, families, spheres of influence, Church, City, Government, World - that God would bless and that we would be a blessing. We're continuing our Series: Being a Blessing.

The frustrating thing about time is it's unwillingness to yield - to anything. As quickly as it comes - it's gone.

Be a blessing. Believe big. Pray huge. Get in God's Presence. Love your family. Love your friends. Serve someone: anyone, everyone.

It only gets better.

-- C.

Endings and Beginnings.

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 08:36:20 -0600

So here we are, at the end of our 21 Day Financial Fast. It’s interesting because the way life works, we don’t usually have the luxury of seeing the end definitively or the beginning in any real discernible terms. It all runs together. As the saying goes: life happens.

Endings come which means beginnings do as well. Seasons of life change. There is an ebb and flow to life that cannot be quantified - for sure, but we can all agree that if an end has come or is coming, then a beginning is following closely behind. That’s how they work - together in tandem.

As the Financial Fast has ended, so too has a season in your life begun. We trust that God has encouraged you through this time of seeking Him and His principles concerning finances and hope that you have found a beginning that is very different from your mode of operation in your personal finances. This is not to say you or anyone else was operating wrongly or maliciously - but rather as His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55) - there is a better way.

Enjoy the new beginning. Walk in freedom. Walk in blessing to be a blessing.

It only gets better.

-- Christoph

Financial Fast Blog: Day 21

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:25:05 -0600

Beyond the 21st day – Relief & Vision.

As we wrote at the end of the first week, completing this portion of the Fast is a great accomplishment. You should be very proud of your efforts to grow in your devotion to the Lord through the handling of your finances. Finances for many are a source of confusion and frustration. You should truly applaud your commitment to this Fast.

Completing any Fast, but this Fast in particular I think we tend to feel a bit of relief. Relief that we can again get that snack from the vending machine we crave in the afternoon or that we can make plans to go out to a restaurant to meet friends or coworkers. We should be a little wary of this “relief” though, because we do not want to rely on any of these freedoms (and we are free to do many of them if we handle our finances wisely) for our peace, joy, or contentment. The Fast should have brought us closer to the realization that our satisfaction is found in God alone.

Hopefully along with a sense of relief you have an excitement about the vision that the Fast inspires. A vision of your personal finances being in order. A vision of confusion and frustration being cast out of your family members’ lives in the area of money. A vision of being a blessing to those you know or may meet who are in need. A vision of sowing into the Kingdom of God through your tithes and offerings and allowing the impact to go beyond your own life. God has a great vision for our lives. During these 21 days of devotionals, discussion groups, and journaling we broke away from the worldly view of our situation and began to see God’s vision more clearly. We should all continue to pursue that vision in the year to come. It only gets better!

Blessings - Stuart Honenberger

Financial Fast Blog: Day 20

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:43:35 -0600

Here we are, on the second-to-last day of the Financial Fast. As I reflect on all that I've learned, the thing I appreciate most about the Financial Fast is learning the difference between a want and a need. Even items that I "need" at the grocery store, I often could live without. This fast has opened my eyes to how much I really don't need some of the things that I think are so necessary.

Chapter 20, "Relationships Rescued", applies this message from the practical to the relational side of our lives. How can not spending money rescue a relationship?

Christmas is not far behind us, and I think about all the new toys that my two sons received, more toys than 2 little boys could ever need or want. And yet, within a few days, many of the toys lay there abandoned. My conclusion is that they are more excited about the receiving, the tearing apart the wrapping paper, the idea of getting something new than the toy itself. There is something in all of us that loves getting something new. But at the end of the day, my sons still prefer me over any of their toys. They want me to sit down with them and read books, play with their horse collection, build a puzzle. They want me.

Relationships are more important than possessions. In a world that elevates the accumulation of new things - if I could just have that newest "toy" or latest fashion style, I would be happy - we need to remember that the most important things in our lives are free. It costs nothing to invest in relationships, to build a strong foundation in your home, to reach out to someone who may not have a family, to be a blessing by pouring out love and time to those around us.

I am challenged, as we close this Fast, to change the way that I think even about holidays, anniversaries, birthdays: they are not a time to just buy new things, but an opportunity to build a relationship, to share a memory, for those are the things that will last.

Let's determine in our hearts to be the kind of people who know how to invest what really matters: our hearts and not just our wallets.

It only gets better.

-- Pastor Tonya

Financial Fast Blog: Day 19.

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:47:51 -0600

Being “found faithful” as a steward is the God-part of this whole thing that is very documented in scripture. Not much room for interpretation when it comes to faithfulness with what we possess because the Bible is very clear on this. As a matter of fact, in Luke 16 in the opening of this chapter, “true riches” or spiritual things are held at arms length based on our trustworthiness in worldly wealth. Our desire is to “put our affections on things above” according to Colossians, but that means we have dealt with the worldly pull of material, natural things.

I am so glad that the Bible and the nature of our salvation is so relevant to what exists now. It would be so difficult to walk ‘in this world’ and have the salvation that we are following being quiet about the “loudness” of the material realm. THANK YOU JESUS...for hitting this head on!

I remember the challenge earlier in this fast in another chapter that quoted Malachi 3 where God says, “prove me now herewith” and then speaks about opening the windows of heaven. In a rare display of OPEN CHALLENGE, God is asking us to get REAL. The acknowledgment that all belongs to Him to begin with is where this road begins. It is something every believer must face and decide. That is where “tithing” comes in. Weekly or whenever you get paid, it is a constant reminder that all belongs to Him. As I’ve said on other occasions, when we tithe, it is like ‘insurance from becoming covetous’ because by our giving, we inoculate our hearts from the power of mammon! As was stated earlier in our Fast: God doesn't want generosity from you; He wants generosity for you!

Make what God blesses to your life, the full blessing it is meant to be by being “found faithful” in honoring him with the first fruits and being a conduit of mercy and grace to others. Grow from tithing...to “offerings” that are beyond the bare minimum and watch what God does to your economy. God will begin to define to you what TRUE RICHES are!

Blessings, Pastor Tom.

Financial Fast Blog: Day 18

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:46:53 -0600

Fear doesn’t have to make sense to be effective. I can still remember lying in bed at night as a child and being gripped by a fear that the oscillating fan in my room might catch fire and burn our house down. Random? Yes. Rational? Not really. Powerfully effective? Definitely.

Likewise on Day 18, “Broken Bonds”, Singletary addresses the fear of poverty held by those who have been abundantly blessed by God. The devil has no new tricks. If you are in need, the temptation may be to get you to focus on what you don’t have and fear it might not be enough. If you have all you need, the temptation may be to get you to focus on what you have and fear it disappearing. Fear doesn’t have to make sense to be effective, but fear is always paralyzing.

Wherever you are on the financial spectrum, ask yourself, am I paralyzed by fear in my finances? Christians don’t have to live in fear because we live in, through and for the One who is Love incarnate, and the Bible says perfect love casts out fear.

Pastor Matt Goodman

Financial Fast Blog: Day 17

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:59:17 -0600

The pointed nature of these last few chapters is unavoidable. Our choices, our decisions, the actions we take are a direct result of our faith in God and how it is that we see Him interacting with both our daily and eternal destinies.

Faith is something substantial, but it’s grounded in hope - something ethereal. Faith is something you can find evidence with - yet you can’t see it. The practical side of faith, the tangible side of this weighty, spiritual existence is trust. The struggle with tithing, the explaining away opportunities to give offerings to the Church, great organizations, or people in need is tied to a lack of trust. We buy impulsively. We spend unwisely. We don’t save - I know it sounds weird - we don’t save because I believe we don’t honestly and wholeheartedly trust that God has our best interest at the core of His being, so we need to make it happen for ourselves.

My wife and I come from the biblical perspective that if God told us to get into the boat - He’ll get us to the other side. Despite storms. Despite winds and waves. Despite a rocky journey. Our arrival is certain: Matthew 14:22-33. In much the same way if a need of someone comes our way - that’s in our boat: Financially. Emotionally. Spiritually. We’re nothing special, but the God who leads us and guides us, His Son, Jesus Christ who saved us and delivered us, and the Holy Spirit who comforts, helps, and enables us - is special, to say the least. We can’t meet every part of every need that comes our way, but this is our starting point - in large part because we have come to trust God.

Psalms 62:8 - Trust in Him at all times you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

The Heart of Trusting: God becomes a refuge, when we trust Him. We want Him to be our mighty fortress, our Jehovah-Jireh but then we hold Him at arm’s length - seemingly uncertain of His trustworthiness. Feel free to pour our your heart, concerns, frustrations with God - He can handle it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

The Action of Trusting: I’m sure many of us have done a ‘Trust Fall’. It’s done at every camp and many team building exercises around the world - I’m certain on a daily basis. One person climbs a small ladder or just stands with many people behind them and falls - trusting they’ll be caught. God is trustworthy. With your finances. With your desires for a certain house, lifestyle, existence. With your spouse. With your kids. You can trust God. You can lean on Him with your full weight.

It only gets better.

-- Christoph

Financial Fast Blog: Day 16

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 14:40:00 -0600

I can truly say that this is one topic I would have never guessed we would read about during this fast, one topic that we would not ponder on and now one topic I would not write about and publish a blog for. However, it fits! Michele is right on - 100%. The commingling of funds, financial entanglement or as Michele states financial fornication, is a clear danger zone.

Our God is a god of order. He has established covenants for our benefit and for our LIFE. A life that is intended to be lived abundantly. Is it just me or does there seem to be too little shame in the world today? I am not going to get self righteous on you here, but I see the world as a very different place today, one where the truth of black and white is systematically under attack in our culture. Please recognize I am not saying there is more sin today, just a lack of shame about being in a sinful situation.

There is a right way and a wrong way and I wholeheartedly agree with Michele about the right way to prosperity and the pitfalls associated with the wrong order of events. God's plan is not to be played with ... It is for our benefit and prosperity ... For a full and abundant life. Embrace it!

Love and blessings to you all,

Bob and Juliann

FInancial Fast Blog: Day 15

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 16:03:07 -0600

Thinking about greed, I picture a child unwrapping birthday presents without really investigating the gift, pushing it to the side for the next one, getting to the last one and looking for or asking if there is more. We have likely all seen this or something like it. We are His children and everything we have is ultimately given to us through His provision for our life.

When I read this chapter, the predominant thought I have is along the lines of Matthew 25:21,”Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.” In a practical realm, when we don’t do the best with what we now have, I think we tie God’s hands for further provision.

We may actually have need of a house, car, or anything else and God wants to bless our lives for sure. But are you glancing over what you have now or allowing it to fall into disrepair because you really are looking for better? Does your car look like a trash bin? Is your home full of unfinished projects? Is your yard unkept and your garage a catch-all? We often skip the first thought in the above verse but jump into the second as it is more appealing.

I believe if we would take this to heart, it would produce a contentment in what we have and better stewardship practices overall. Greed is often linked with discontentment and entitlement. We can put practices into our life to wall this out.

Blessings, Pastor Gail Wells.

Financial Fast Blog: Day 14

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 06:39:43 -0600

The widespread acceptance of indebtedness in our society has been exposed in these last few chapters in a chilling way. The world pushes and pulls us into debt inorder to meet our needs and wants so forcefully that very few people, even Christians, are able to avoid its pitfalls. The lure is so strong to have what the world tells us we "deserve" that we ignore the Bible's strong voice on the subject of debt. This period in the fast is a great encouragement to listen closely to God's warnings about debt and encouragement to trust Him.

One of the most interesting view's on debts expressed in these chapters is that when we take on debt we are presuming upon tomorrow. This presumption has become a character trait of our people in our society. I have seen that those in the younger generations are especially susceptible to this type of behavior. Seeing the lifestyle of the baby boomer generation has led to spending practices that are unbalanced with their incomes. As a result this generation has become very comfortable with taking on debt to finance these lifestyle desires. Sadly, the disregarding of God's warnings about debt could mean they never experience the level of financial prosperity their parents have seen.

Due to the strong endorsment of credit present in the world today, it is our responsibility to advocate Biblical financial principles to all those we have relationships with and influence on for their benefit. God is light in the darkness and in this season of financial reform we can be a light to our world.

Blessings, Stuart Honenberger