Genesis 3

verses 12-13, "The man said, 'The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.'

Then the LORD God said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?'

The woman said, 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate.'"

This is all about sin and taking responsibility for our actions. I wonder how many times I have deflected my decisions on to the influence of someone else? I'm not perfect and I don't know what I would have done in the garden scene. I may have been just like Adam or Eve. I don't know what I would have done with the temptation.

I want to stand up for what God desires for my life. I want to do the next right thing. There are so many things pulling my attention, my time, my energy. I have to stay focused on those things that God wants me to do. That's not always popular, but my life is not a popularity contest, it is an act of obedience to God.

Genesis 2

verse 2-3, "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."

Creativity and rest. Two activities that are woven together here by God. What does that mean? Could it possibly mean that when we are rested and have taken time to re-connect with God by practicing the Sabbath that we are re-charged and more creative?

I know when I am sprinting my ability to think creatively is diminished. When I take time away, when I carve out a day or a weekend or when I go on study leave, I return with a great awareness of who God is and who I am in God. I believe my creativity flows out of that relationship.

If creativity began with God and is one of His characteristics, then I want it to be one of mine. If God designed the Sabbath and commanded (not requested) we all practice the Sabbath weekly then I want to be obedient.

40-Day Challenge

Today is the last day of the 40-Day Challenge. I have heard incredible stories from people about what God has been doing in them as our entire congregation reads the same chapter of the Bible each day. Yesterday I received an email from a man that called himself "an addict" on the drug of God's word. It doesn't get any better than that.

Tomorrow, we start again with another 40-Day Challenge. You can follow along on our blog that is dedicated to that challenge. You can post comments or merely be reminded of what chapter we are reading that day. The point is for all of us to be reading God's word together, thinking about what it means for our lives, and then putting it into action.

The journey has been good, let's keep going...

1 Peter 5

verses 2-3, "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."

I love my job. I am blown away that I have the awesome privilege to be one of the pastors of Charter Oak Church. I'm not perfect. I do things and say things that I wish I wouldn't have. There are times I wished I would have said something or done something that I didn't. That's part of life.

I want to live into these words from Peter to be a good example, to serve willingly, to do it all because it is God's call upon my life.

We have an incredible family at Charter Oak Church. I thank God for all of you.

1 Peter 4

verse 8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

verse 11, "If anyone speaks, she should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If any one serves, he should do it with the strength God provides."

Love each other deeply. So simple, yet so profound. What would happen if we really lived into this? God loves us deeply. We are to love each other deeply. I want to make this my focus and intentionally love people right where they are, but not be satisfied with leaving it at the surface but to go so much deeper.

This will most likely begin with the words that I speak and the things I do - to speak as if speaking the very words of God and to serve with the strength of God. The things I do and say will demonstrate that deep love. Love is action.

As we have taken our first couple of steps in the journey to Jerusalem this Lenten season, this must be our ultimate purpose. The cross is Jesus demonstrating His great love for us.

Ash Wednesday

Tonight we are having an Ash Wednesday worship service at 7:30pm. As we begin the Lenten season this is a great way to center your heart and thoughts on preparing for the walk to Jerusalem - the cross and the empty tomb. I hope you will join us.

1 Peter 3

verse 15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
I remember when I first starting sharing my story. I finally was able to get up the courage to talk about God's grace defining my life instead of the decisions and the actions of that part of my life.

I remember being scared to death to tell other followers of Jesus because I was afraid that people would judge me. But I also remember that when I shared my story with people who were not followers of Jesus I sensed a movement of God within me. I had more courage. I spoke more authentically. I shared my story as it was.

As I read Peter I sense he is talking about sharing our story with people who don't follow the way of Jesus. When we do that, God goes before us and He works through us. Our story is wrapped in Jesus' redemption story. I can tell my story because the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has now become my story too.

1 Peter 2

verse 12, "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

My life matters. The things I do and the things I say are being noticed by people who are not followers of Jesus. They will make a determination of whether they will follow Jesus or not based on if they think I am living a life of integrity.

I want to live to glorify God, but it also has another point to it - living to draw people to God. If one of the biggest reasons people say they are not a Christian is because of the words and actions of Christians then we all need to heed these words from Peter.

Pray for Him

This is Mark. He is leaving in a few hours to take over 100 students for a spiritual retreat. Many of the students don't know Jesus. Many of the students don't know the love of God. Mark is going to open up his heart and open up the Bible to these students.

Pray for him.

Great Post

Just read this from Craig Groeschel - blog.

My favorite line, "If you plan to reach the next generation for Christ, don’t ask them to believe what you believe, instead invite them to do what you do."

This will give you the opportunity to later have a conversation about what you believe, but it will be put into the context of being a follower of Jesus first.

This sounds so much like our reading today from James 2.

The Simple Wisdom Project

One of my favorite authors has started a new project called The Simple Wisdom Project. Patrick Lencioni is a follower of Jesus who writes business books. It is very obvious to me that his faith influences his writing. The first article he wrote is on love. You can follow Pat and this new project by subscribing to his monthly newsletter on the website. You should check it out.

Creativity

Should the weekend worship gathering be exciting? Should it be creative? Should worship at Charter Oak Church be run of the mill? Creative - yes! Exciting - yes! Run of the mill - no!

We already begin with the premise that we are biblically based. Everything we do seeks to build on the revealed Word of God. So if that is our foundation, what liberty do we have to create worship that engages people right where they are so that they can know the fullness of God's love for them?

Some people try to make this about music style. Some try to make this about modern or post modern or something all together different. I think that is an adventure in missing the point. Some accuse that this is watering down the truth. If anyone spent five minutes in our worship service or in one of our small groups or spent time with us in mission, you would know that we go deep and ask for a huge commitment. We accept you right where you are, but we expect that you won't stay there.

Today our Senior Management Team will be looking at the next year's worth of weekends at Charter Oak Church. Creativity and obedience are the words of the day. Pray for us. We want to make clear to the people of this region what God wants to communicate to us. It's going to be a good day!

Learning Through Coaching

Investing in the future - investing in now. Yesterday I met with Kiersten. She is a student who is responding to her call into ministry. She will be speaking here on March 1. I am excited.

We were meeting for the second time yesterday to talk about what she would be speaking about that Sunday. I hope that she sees me as a coach trying to bring the best out in her. But here's something that I didn't expect - as we were talking my level of excitement was going up. As we talked about tweaking this paragraph or finding a clearer way to express a thought I realized that as I was coaching her, she was coaching me. I was learning too!

I fully believe in Kiersten. I believe in her call from God. I want to invest in her life so that she can completely live into that call. The interesting thing about this is, when I was in the exact same place that she is in life, someone from Charter Oak Church believed in me and saw something in me and asked me to speak. It was my first time. It gave me a glimpse of what God would some day do in me and through me. Now it is my chance to offer the same opportunity to Kiersten. I know God will speak through her. I know you will be blessed by her story.

Living into a Challenge

Charter Oak Church is in on day 17 of a 40-day challenge to read a chapter of scripture and journal about it each day. We are all reading the same chapter. We have set up a blog for people to leave comments about what they are reading.

I honestly didn't know how this challenge would be accepted. Would people push back? Would people ignore the idea? What would really happen?

I have been amazed by the number of people who have approached me about their journey through this challenge. One man bought his first Bible. One man is secretly writing in his journal - he doesn't want his wife to know. One woman has already asked me for 40 more days. One man stopped me three different times to thank me for what it is doing in his spiritual development.

I am encouraged by these stories. I am encouraged by the people who are going on the blog and leaving comments about their learning from the daily readings.

It is my personal experience that I grow when I am challenged. The bigger the challenge the harder I will work to meet it. I will read. I will study. I will seek the wisdom of others. I will do all of this because someone has challenged me. I also know that when God challenges me that is an indicator that He is about to move me into something bigger that I need to prepare for. He always equips before He sends.

One of the things we do around here is equip people to become more like Jesus. Reading, studying, writing in a journal, and praying over Scripture is a great way to be equipped. But as James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." My hope and prayer is that through this 40-day challenge, not only will people read, study, and journal, but they will also do what God wants them to do.

Breaking Through

Those of you who know me know that I talk a great deal about the 33,000 people within a five mile radius of our church that do not have a church home and the 222,000 people who live in our county that don't have a church home. These people are on my heart and on my mind. They are in my prayers. I make decisions in my own life about what my part of Invest and Invite means.

I am not trying to sound self-righteous or ego driven, but I truly believe God has given Charter Oak Church a great deal of favor in this region. Lives are being changed for eternity here. I know it is happening in other churches around here. But as the leader of this congregation I feel an unbelievable burden to offer hope and love to the people of this region. I'm not saying we have a corner on that, I'm just saying that I believe God has positioned us in such a way that we can do that in a major way.

So this morning during my prayer time I asked God to equip the people of Charter Oak Church to break through our next growth barrier this year. If God has called us to offer hope and love to the people in this region (which I believe He has) and if there is such a high percentage of people looking for hope and love (which I believe there are), then to me that means God is going to use us in an incredible way this year. I want us to be equipped to be right in the middle of God's will.

I want to be willing to do what no one else is doing in order to reach those that no one else is reaching. One step further - I want to do it. I want to be obedient to God.

Making Technology Work for Me

Those of you who regularly return to this blog know that I have been blogging for a couple of years now. I don't get many comments, but I do watch Google Analytics and it tells me people are reading every day. And even though I didn't really post during January the number of people didn't really take that big of a hit. Thanks for sticking with me. Blog = Tech #1

Over Christmas break I jumped into Facebook. I thought it was only for high school and college aged people. Now that I am 40, I figured that I was past being able to have a legitimate reason for having an account. But it was a 60+ year old man who convinced me to join. In just a couple of weeks I now have over 170 friends and seem to get 3-5 more every day. I have no idea if that is good or not, but there are people who are asking to be my friend that I haven't seen in 20 years. Facebook = Tech #2

A friend of mine (Tom) suggested I download the book The Reason Your Church Must Twitter. I thought, do I really want to get a bunch of text messages from people throughout the day? But I really respect Tom, so I got it. Hey, it was only $5. Yesterday, I was half way through the book and decided to set up a Twitter account. I signed up to follow 5 leaders to give this thing a shot. So far it has been good. I have posted a few tweets myself.

So now I am asking myself - how can I make all of this technology work for me? I don't want to serve these new things I am a part of, I want them to work for me. I have read many times that Seth Godin believes that we should brand ourselves. I never really thought that I had a brand called me. But now there are more and more technologies that I am connecting into. Is that a brand? Should there be some kind of connection for me in all of these? I don't know, but I am going to look at people like Tony Morgan, Tim Stevens, Mark Waltz, and Seth Godin for direction.

Book #2 - Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands

Last month I read Nancy Ortberg's newest book Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands: Lessons in Non-Linear Leadership. Dang! This is one of those books that just drew me in as Nancy told story after story of her struggles as a leader and with leaders.

I think I should read the last chapter "Understatement of the Year" every morning after my prayer and Bible study time. She writes - stop being surprised that leadership is hard. I love that. It is hard, so let's lean in to the power of the Holy Spirit to get on board with what God wants to accomplish today. "A leader without courage, resilience, optimism, curiosity, and perseverance will simply not last."

This is a really, really good book.

Book #1 - Made to Stick

Last month I read Chip Heath and Dan Heath's book Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.

Since the most important thing I do to reach the most amount of people is communicating, this book was a must read for me. I had so many people tell me to get this book. I finally read it and now I understand why so many people recommend it.

In the book they share six traits that make ideas sticker:
1. Simple
2. Unexpected
3. Concrete
4. Credible
5. Emotional
6. Story

I really do want the things I communicate to "stick" with people. These traits are so important. I am now thinking about these traits, not just from a weekend communicating mindset, but also in staff meetings, one on one conversations - pretty much every time I communicate.

I really learned a great deal from this book because it gives very practical ways that people can use to make our communication better - stickier.

Lost in No Margin

Around fall of last year I shared with many people that I had run out of margin in my life. I was sprinting hard and not resting. My Sabbath practice was gone. I resolved to do something about it and I got margin back. I lost again in January. I was sprinting again. My schedule was out of control, or maybe I should say I was allowing it to be controlled by others. That's not good.

It is time for me to put margin back where it belongs. It is time for me to remember that there will be times of sprinting, but they must be followed by times of rest. My life is a marathon. I want to be in it for the long haul. I want to finish well. I want to bring glory to God through my life, even the way I order my schedule.

Change is on the horizon.

Guest Blogger - PM

Prayer Request
I'm asking anyone and everyone to help me cover this year's Winter Retreat with prayer. As I do every year around this time, I'm calling for an advance of prayer and petition that this weekend (Feb. 20th-22nd) would be all that it could be in Jesus' name. That it would be used mightily to turn young hearts unto Jesus. And this year is no different. I'm calling for prayer without ceasing between now and the conclusion of our retreat. Yet this year I'm feeling a special burden to pray for a certain group of students.

There is a certain group of students in our community that I desperately want to attend our retreat. They aren't a distinct group that you might see sitting in the doorway of Westmoreland Mall on a Friday night, though they very well might be there. They aren't currently affiliated with our Student Ministry in any way, though I know with all of my heart that God wants them to be. While you may not know the names of these students, you'd recognize them, even from far away. They are the students that no other church is willing to minister to. The goths, the gays, the punks, the pregnant, the drug users, the trouble makers, the forgotten...The students that, when you see coming toward you, you look away as to avoid eye contact. These are the students that hide in the shadows of our community. The students whom the church tends to be afraid of.

Jesus and I want those students to somehow, some way get to our retreat. I want them to come and be loved on by our staff. I want them to come and be introduced to the perfect love of Christ. I want them to come and find that Charter Oak Church believes that they matter to God.

I'm serious. In fact, I've never been more serious about asking for your help in a matter of prayer. Would you join me in asking God to scrape the gutters of this community and send whatever students He finds there to our retreat? They need to know that Charter Oak Church has a home for them; that Jesus has grace for them; and that our Student Ministry is ready to greet them with open arms.

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What Are You Holding on to?

I'm Taking It to the Next Level in '09

Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.

Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living, and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me,” character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most, and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose driven, and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace, so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say, "However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes, Lord; whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear you say, 'Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!'"

New Year Transition

Throughout the year as our family makes memories together we collect something that reminds us of those memories. We put each one of them into a "memory box." Then during this transition into the New Year we sit down as a family and open the box and look at each item. We remember things like our family's mission trip to Jamaica, movies we have seen, the America concert, and many, many more activities we have done together.

Another thing we do during this time is make a list of things that each of us wants to accomplish in the New Year. Before we make our new list, we look over the previous year's list to see if we actually followed through or not. Our categories are: how we are going to serve, what we are going to learn, something we are going to try that is new, something that we are going to improve, and one thing we each want to accomplish.

It is a great thing to do together. We keep the boxes from year to year. We put our list of what we want to accomplish in the New Year in the new "memories box" so we have it ready for next year's transition time.

Happy New Year!!

December Wordle

http://www.wordle.net/

This Weekend

Merry Christmas

The Nativity

As the sheepherders were invited to be involved in the unfolding story of God in this world, I invite you, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, your family members to join us tomorrow at 5:00, 7:00, 9:00, or 11:00 to celebrate the unfolding story of God in our lives on Christmas Eve.

Arrive early, you don't want to miss anything.

Christmas Eve

Hope

During Advent I read and hear a great deal about hope. What does that really mean?

I looked it up. The dictionary says,
"to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.

to believe, desire, or trust."

For some people, this year will be their first Christmas without a close friend or loved one. Over the past year they have experienced the death of their spouse or child. They have experienced separation or divorce. It is all too easy for us to throw around the word hope and use it flippantly in their presence.

I believe we must take particular care to truly offer hope during this season. Jesus does bring hope. Jesus does fulfill all of his promises. In the birth of a baby boy, we see the fulfillment of the hope of the world.

I know there are people in your circle of influence who seem to have lost all hope or have stopped looking for hope. They have experienced loss this year. You are in their life for a reason. You are there to remind them that there is still hope. It is not based on our circumstances but on our relationship with God through Jesus. Take particular care over the next few days to invest in someone who thinks they have lost hope and remind them of where their hope really is based.

Let Your Light Shine

The light that shines the brightest is the one that is surrounded by darkness.

You have read here and you have heard from the main stage at Charter Oak Church to invest and invite people in your circle of influence to join you for worship here on Christmas Eve. Maybe you have thought to yourself that there is nothing spiritual going on at work or in your home or in your school. People around you aren't talking about God, but are more likely to be using God's name in vain. What do you do in those kinds of situations?

I truly believe that even in the most dark of environments, the light of Jesus shines the brightest. You can't hide light in the dark, it stands out obviously. When you are in situations that it appears that there is nothing spiritual going on, it might be that you can't see it because it is coming from you. You are the light. You are the one that God is shining through. So I want to encourage you to continue to shine brightly. Be the one in your work place, home, or school that shines for Jesus.

People are drawn to the light. When given the opportunity, go ahead invest and invite. What would happen if one more person at work, home, or school started to shine like you?

We Are Ready

We are ready for Christmas at Charter Oak Church. If we weren't before this weekend, we definitely are now. The 2008 Christmas Cantata was spectacular!

I was ushered into the Advent season with joy and celebration through the singing of the adult and children's choir. I was reminded once again of the promise of the coming Messiah by the drama team. What a weekend!

Are you ready? Are you investing in other people's lives? Are you praying for people in your circle of influence? Are you ready to see what God is going to do in their lives? You don't want to miss Christmas Eve at Charter Oak Church this year. You don't want to miss out on the opportunity to bring someone with you. I am pumped up by what I know God is going to do!

Luke 18:13

But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Luke 17:3-4

If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, "I repent," forgive him.

Luke 16:10

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Random Readings

Thursday night represents the end of the week for me. Friday is my day off. I try to make sure I am home on Thursday nights. Tonight Kelli is out at a party for her lady friends. Caleb is watching the Pens kill the Islanders. It's 8-1 in the second period. Abby is in bed.

So I started reading randomly through some of the blogs of the students in our ministry. Wow! I was never this deep. I was a jock - when is the next game? was the deepest I went at that age. These students are incredible.

Amber, the Deuce, Ande - college students

Sammi, Katie, Kayla - high school students

They all run deep. They all love Jesus. They all will change the world in some way because the love of Jesus within them in undeniable.

Spectacular Gift

Those of you who know me well, know that when it comes to shopping, I can't stand it. I don't go to the mall. I don't like the traffic. And I certainly don't like waiting in lines.

And yet, at Christmas I want the Wow! factor in the gifts that I purchase. I am blessed with a wonderful wife who truly loves to do the shopping and the wrapping. Not me. So when I actually invest the time and energy in doing it, I want it to be spectacular.

Let me tell you, we have a spectacular gift for you this weekend at Charter Oak Church. The Christmas Cantata will be presented Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 9:30am. You do not want to miss this production. You do not want to miss out on the opportunity to invest and invite someone to come with you that doesn't have a church home.

Do everything you can to make sure you are here.

Luke 15:10

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Luke 14:23

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.'"

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Book #25 - Tribes

On Friday I picked up Seth Godin's new book - Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us. On Saturday I read it. I couldn't stop reading. There are no chapters, just 147 pages of incredible, thought provoking, out on the edge writing. I resonated with so much of it.

I read Seth's blog everyday. This was just like he took a month's worth of posts and put them together to tell the story of the desperate need for leaders.

The book was written for the business world, at least that is the section that it was sold in at Barnes & Noble. However, there are many, many illustrations from the church world throughout the book. This isn't about business, it is about leadership. We need great leaders to step up in the church. If you are a leader, you need to read this book.

The Hidden Gift

What is it about this season leading up to Christmas that is magical? I actually started my shopping this past weekend! Perhaps the earliest I have ever shopped in my life.

Of all of the ways that God could have made himself known to the world, he chose to come as a baby in an unknown town to an unknown woman. A quiet, humble beginning for the Savior of the world.

This is the most spiritually charged time of the year. There is no denying what season this is. And yet, we have a very difficult time talking about our relationship with Jesus with others. More people are willing to say yes to attending church on Christmas Eve than any other time of the year, yet we cower at the thought of making the big ask. They want to say yes, we are afraid of hearing no. It just doesn't connect for me.

I feel like we have this incredible gift and we are hiding it behind our backs, unsure if we should give it or not.

I'll let you in on a little secret, the gift has already been given. The point of our being is to share it openly and freely. This isn't an option. This is a priority.

I don't know how many conversations you will have with people this week and over the next two weeks, but I do know that they will be with people who do not have plans for Christmas Eve that include worship. You can help change that person's Christmas and life for eternity by simply taking the gift that is behind your back and sharing it. Our Christmas Eve worship services are at 5:00, 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00.

2 Peter 2:2-3

Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

2 Peter 1:5-7

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 4:10-11

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I Am Second

If you have some time today, get some coffee, and go to this site.

1 Peter 3:15-16

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed for their slander.

Advent Reading from Duke

Yesterday I received a small Advent devotional from Duke. One of the guys I went to school with wrote one of the devotionals. It is based on Mark 1:1-8. Here's what he wrote...

Perhaps nothing distinguishes the church's observance of Advent from the world's celebration of the holidays more than the person of John the Baptist. An exchange of season's greeting cards bearing the figure of Saint John dressed in camel skin with a mouthful of honey-dripped wild locusts would bring a chill to any office party. Even so, the church spends half of the Sundays of Advent considering this man and his message of repentance and self denial. John the Baptist is the one who is NOT. He is NOT the prophet. He is NOT Elijah, Not the light. He is NOT the Messiah whose sandals he is not worthy to untie. John the Baptist represents the spirit of Advent; he prepares the way of the Lord by way of self-negation.

In some Christian traditions, Advent and Lent share the same liturgical colors. The reason for this is that Advent used to be a season of fasting and penitence, a little Lent. Both Advent and Lent share the same logic: "I must decrease that he might increase." Only by joining with John the Baptist in his "I am NOT" do we make way for the coming of the great "I AM." By emptying ourselves, we make room for the supreme gift that is Jesus Christ.
- Edgardo Colon-Emeric

1 Peter 2:4-5

As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:7-9

These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressive and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

In the News

A group from Charter Oak Church made the news. Chris, who I wrote about last week, is written up in the local paper and the three leaders plus another one of our students from our congregation are mentioned in the article. If you want to read it, click here.

Isaiah 55:12

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Book #24 - Simple Church

While I was away for the Thanksgiving holiday, I read Tom Rainer and Eric Geiger's book Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples.

I think the thing that struck me the most about this book is that it was as if the authors were looking into our Senior Management Team meetings for the last three months. This book has been on my reading list for a while now, but I just ordered it.

God's timing is perfect.

The title of the book definitely describes the book as well as what the authors believe is the best model for leading a congregation to become more like Jesus. It is definitely a good book for people who are pastors and/or staff to read and begin to ask some very difficult questions about what you believe about how the church should be structured to bring transformation in people's lives.

Isaiah 54:10

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Isaiah 51:5

My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.

Christmas Past

Pastor Dave begins the Advent season this weekend with a new series - Christmas Past. We will also be kicking off this season with Communion at all four worship services.

There is no better time to invite your friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors to worship with you at Charter Oak Church.

Isaiah 50:9

It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Isaiah 49:6

He says:

"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the end of the earth."

2 Corinthians 7:11

See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

He Gets It

This is Chris. He gets it. He gets what it means to have a heart for Jesus. He carried the bulk of the lines in the youth musical. He didn't need to really memorize anything. He already knows it, he lives it. His role in the musical was to share his faith with two students who don't get it. I was blown away by this guy.

Joyce and Jeff have served God well in the way they have raised their three boys. Chris hit it out of the park this weekend!

More Pics from the Youth Musical

Youth Musical - Incredible!

2 Corinthians 3:2-3

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

On Mission for God - Part 1

The mission of Charter Oak Church is to reach out to those who are searching, and to equip believers to be fully-devoted followers of Jesus.

What does it really mean to reach out to those who are searching? What does it mean to be searching? How does the every day, ordinary follower of Jesus actually do this?

I believe in building relationships with people. I am a people person. I enjoy being around people, as a matter of fact I get my energy from being around people, not from being alone. That makes me an extrovert. That's how God wired me up.

I don't think that handing out tracks or standing on a street corner yelling at people to "turn or burn" shows much fruit. But it is my experience that when people invest themselves in others through building a relationship with them, then God gives opportunities for spiritual conversations. It may happen quickly or it may take years. That's why it is about the relationship and not "getting them saved." God has His responsibility in this process and we have our responsibility. When we try to do God's job, we will fail. We must be obedient to fulfilling our call as followers of Jesus to love others.

I believe people who are searching are those who for whatever reason have stepped away from a relationship with God. God has created in every person a desire to be in relationship with Him. Those who aren't are searching. They may not know what it is or who it is they are searching for, but none the less, they are searching. It is for these people that we have been placed in this location.

That is the first part of being on Mission for God at Charter Oak Church.

Nehemiah 7:2

I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananuah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.

Youth Musical This Weekend

Saturday @ 6:00pm

Sunday @ 9:30am

Our Mission

The mission of Charter Oak Church is to reach out to those searching and equip believers to be fully devoted followers of Jesus.

Are you on mission?

The rest of this week, I want to break down what this mission statement means.

As I study Nehemiah this week, there was a group of people that continually tried to get him off of the mission that God placed on his heart by distracting him. Last weekend we talked about how Satan tried to get Jesus off of mission through temptation. There are so many distractions to the mission. There is so much busyness. There are so many good things we can do and be about. The agenda of God is my primary responsibility.

Great Quote

"If the enemy can't stop you, he will just try to get you off mission."
- Mark Beeson

Nehemiah 6:8-9

I sent him this reply, "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head."

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed."

But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."

Nehemiah 5:19

Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.

Nehemiah 4:13-14

Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

Be a Finisher

I just read a great blog post at this site, check it out...

5K races don't mean much if you only run 3 miles. A 14 foot free throw doesn't score any points. In the work place, those who can be finishers stand out from the crowd and people take notice. The halls and cubicles where you work are full of people that get projects and tasks 80-90% complete. You want to stand out and be a performer? Finish.
3 Ways to be a Finisher:

1. Look for an opportunity to take an initiative that has been stalling out or hanging incomplete at work. Take it, and in your mind make yourself 100% responsible. Do what it takes to get it done and done well. Want to be normal? Be cynical and roll your eyes at how the project is just another company objective that will never get done...
2. In meetings and conversations, be the best note taker- pay attention and get the details of what needs to be done whether it's your responsibility or not. Help remind people of the tasks to do, priorities at hand, and assist people by reminding then what needs to get done. Normal is people on your team missing details leaving projects incomplete, clients unhappy, and money uncollected. Fill in the cracks for your team so your team finishes strong.
3. Be willing to make a decision. Everyday there are scores of emails and conversations filled with questions, hurdles, and excuses. Bring clarity and be solution oriented... take those things that are spinning and bring them to a finish line. What's normal? Add to the confusion, be vague, ask questions that seem really smart but just keep things undone, offer more reasons why something can't be done and how you don't have enough information. Hide in the multitudes of 80%.

There are incomplete puzzles all around your work, embedded in your emails, and with your clients. What will you do?

Being a finisher comes with a price. You're going against the grain and at times it exposes "the normal" in others. People on your team will get defensive and will even go behind your back. Stay the course. Just keep doing.

At the end of the day, if you're truly "for" your team and focused on the mountain your team is trying to climb- you'll find purpose and growth in your work and in your life.

Nehemiah 3:13

The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. The rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. They also repaired five hundred yards of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.

The Dung gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.

Nehemiah 2:17-18

Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."

I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me.

They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

2 Ways to Reach People

I'm reading the Fall edition of Leadership magazine. There is an interview in it with Neil Cole and Ed Young, Jr. Two very different pastors with two very different styles of leadership and two very different ways of introducing people to Jesus. Ed is the pastor of one of the top five largest churches in the country. Neil has helped launch hundreds of churches in homes and coffee houses.

The question was asked, if they were to do something new in Chicago, what would it look like. Ed responded with sending a campus pastor, buying a building, doing major outreach, then start a worship service. Neil responded that he would send two people to start walking the streets praying for God to show them a person of peace to begin developing a relationship with that person.

Two very different models. Both work. They both represent the leadership of the person. One isn't right and the other wrong, they are both working very well to reach people for Jesus. That's the point. We are on the same team.

Nehemiah 1:11

"O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man."

What's Your Plan?

I've been thinking and praying a lot about 2009. What will happen next year? How will the economy affect what we do at Charter Oak Church? Will more people be drawn to Jesus because they are searching for answers to questions that they will realize that money and stuff can't fulfill? The landscape of our nation is changing.

What will be our plan to continue to remain right in the middle of God's will next year and in the years to come? It has become abundantly obvious to me that without a plan, we will naturally gravitate towards the things that are easy and comfortable. We will do the things that please us instead of first asking what pleases God.

God had a plan from the very beginning. God is in the redemption business. God's plan was to send his Son, Jesus to bring redemption into a broken and lost world. That plan took thousands of years to fulfill. There is a scarlet cord that is woven into the pages of the Old Testament that bleeds blood red all over the story of the people of God leading to the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the unfolding story of God's plan.

What's your plan for becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus? Do you have one? Spiritual development doesn't just happen. Where do you sense God is leading you? Who do you think is responsible for making sure you get there? The answer is you. God invited the Israelites to go into the Promise Land. That was the plan He was leading them into. It was their responsibility to go.

I know God has a plan for your life. You have a purpose here on this earth. If you didn't you would already be in heaven.

John 17:20-21

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

John 16:23-24

"In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (NIV)

"This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!" (MSG)

John 15:7-8

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

Jamaica Team Homeward Bound

The Jamaican team is on their way home. They left about an hour ago from Montego Bay. They will have a lay over in Charlotte and then be home around 11:30 tonight. Keep praying for them. It's been an exciting trip. It has been a challenging trip, more about that later. I am sure that when all is said and done, the team is going to look back on this trip as a defining moment in their lives.

John 14:12-13

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father."

40 Today

I'm 40 today, but I am preaching this weekend about a man who was found righteous not after 40 years or 80 years or 150 years, but after 600 years. That's being in it for the long haul. I want to be a man of integrity for the duration of my life. I want to walk humbly with my God. I want to think on the things that are pure, lovely, and noble. I want to be blameless. I want to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus. 100% faithful, thanks Horton.

Many thanks for all the text messages, emails, and cards. I'm definitely feeling the love! Time to go worship God!

Philippians 4:8-9

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Phippians 3:7-8

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ."

New Pictures of Jamaica Team

There are new pictures of the Jamaica team on the Won by One to Jamaica site. Click here to view them.

Phippians 2:12-13

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

Great Quote

"Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win." - Bobby Knight

Philippians 1:9-11

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."

Vote

I don't talk politics with anyone except my wife. I don't tell people who to vote for. It's just not my public thing to do.

But with all the injustice that has happened around the world when it comes to to a lack of fair elections and violence, voting has become a justice issue for me.

I am voting more this year because there are so many who can't vote in such a way that their vote counts.

I'm not telling you who I'm voting for, but our entire staff gets a free pass to make sure they are able to act out their freedom and vote.

I hope you will do the same thing!

Book #23 - Follow Me

I was finally able to read the next installment in the Reveal study series of books: Follow Me: What's Next for You? by Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson. This is the latest findings from the second Reveal church survey. This is a much wider sampling of churches from across the country.

I thought this book was much better than the first one. It gave good concrete information. There was definitely breakthrough discoveries about what catalyzes spiritual growth. It really drills down into the category that they call "Christ-Centered" as the place that if the leadership of the church will bring great clarity and emphasis will see the greatest Kingdom movement.

A very good friend of mine was a part of this second section of churches. He was asked to be one of the 15 speakers at the Reveal Conference last month as one of the top 5% in spiritual maturity in the nation. What is shared in this book is definitely in line with what his church is doing to equip people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.

Investing in the Future, Now

Last night 15 couples began a new journey - a journey toward financial freedom. We are offering two classes of Financial Peace University, one on Sunday nights, the other on Thursday nights.

These people are investing in their future. They are investing now so that when God prompts them to join Him where He is at work they can, even if that means writing a check.

For people who are in a financial crisis or in debt pretty far, they often miss out on the great opportunities that come to add value into people's lives financially. I am so proud of the men and women who stepped forward with their faith in a very tangible way. Lives are going to be changed for eternity because of these classes.

Jamaica Team in Country

At 3:30am 23 people departed the parking lot of Charter Oak Church for our second mission trip to Jamaica. If you are interested in following what is going on during the trip there are supposed to be periodic updates on the Won by One to Jamaica website. Click here to check it out.

Book #22 - Axiom

Ever since I attended the Leadership Summit this summer I have been reading Bill Hybels' book, Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs. This book is 76 chapters of incredible leadership lessons that Bill Hybels has learned over his many years of leading Willow Creek Community Church.

I could have very easily read this book in one sitting, but I knew that there was way too much information to just go through it quickly. Just as when I read John Maxwell's book Leadership Gold, I know that I will leave this book on my desk to refer to time and time again.

Redeeming Pain

In the last couple of weeks I have had two conversations with people from Charter Oak Church who have approached me about walking along side of people going through pain. The first was a man who had a heart attack a few years ago. He is now fully recovered and he wants to make himself available to walk beside any man who has a heart attack. He said that it would have been so beneficial to him to have someone who had been through a heart attack to walk beside him through everything. I was blown away. He is a guy who is brand new to our church and yet, he already gets it. He has a serving heart that wants to redeem the pain that he suffered by walking with someone who is in the midst of that pain now. Only God!

My second conversation was with a woman who was also offering to walk along side of someone, this time with another woman who is going through a separation from her husband. Many years ago, she and her husband were separated, but now, by the grace of God, they are happily married. She wants to redeem the pain she walked through by walking along side of someone going through the same thing. That's so awesome. Only God!

I truly believe the Bride of Christ is at her best when people like these two step forward and offer to use the pain they have lived through to bring glory to God and love to someone else. Only God can work in some one's heart like that. I am closer to Jesus because of these two people. I believe others will be closer to God because of their willingness to walk with people in pain.

If one of these two situations describe you and you would like to have someone walk beside you through this, send me an email.

Book #21 - Hidden in Plain Sight

Last week I read Mark Buchanan's latest book, Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret of More. The entire book is based on a year long study that Mark did on Peter. He really drills down on 2 Peter 1:1-9:

"Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."

I don't know anyone who has spent a year with Peter. But if you read this book you will quickly learn why that is a really good idea.

Weekend Worship

This past weekend's worship blew me away. Pastor Dave completed his series, Dollars & $ense, by challenging our congregation to dedicate their hearts and lives to what God is going to do in and through the people of Charter Oak Church in the coming year as we obediently tithe. I will never get used to seeing people come forward and place their pledge to faithfully follow Jesus in the coming year with their finances. At every service I had tears in my eyes as I watched people commit themselves to the work of God.

I think it was even more meaningful now as people don't know what is going to be happening in the future, not that we knew before, but there is definitely a greater sense of uncertainty now. This is all about faith in our heavenly Father. He will provide all that we need. He will be faithful to us. He will carry the day no matter what the state of the economy is, no matter who is the president, no matter what. Our God reigns!

I thank God that I was able to bear witness to the movement of people's faith as they came forward and declared that God is in charge.

Study Leave

I am on study leave this week. I doubt there will be a place in the woods where I can get an Internet connection, which is probably good. Please pray for me. This is one of the most important weeks of the year for me when it comes to my leadership. I am looking forward to what God is going to do in me and through me this week. I love this time of year, being in the woods, the leaves changing, the touch of God on my heart. Good stuff. I miss my family, but I think that makes me even more in tune with the love of my heavenly Father.