Easter Desktop Graphic

This is the graphic I use for my desktop. If you want to also use it at work as a way to start a conversation that may lead to inviting people on Easter, right click and set it as your desktop background.

1 Samuel 18

Verse 14, "In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him."

Our success is not our own. David was able to do what he did BECAUSE God was with him. There is no mention that David did something and then God blessed him. Every action and every step that David took was directed by God. He defeated the armies because of God. He was not pinned to the wall by Saul's spear because God was with with.

I don't ever want to be seen as successful because of my doing. I don't ever want to take credit for the work of God. Charter Oak Church is the Bride of Christ. It is God who brings the growth. It is God who draws people here. It is God who transforms lives for eternity. I want success in the eyes of God and for God to get all the praise and glory for what is happening in my life.

Quote on Character

"Character is the inner form that makes anyone or anything what it is - whether a person, a wine, or a historical period. Thus character is clearly distinct from such concepts as personality, image, reputation, or celebrity. Character is the essential 'stuff' a person is made of." - Os Guinness

Interesting Quote

I just found this quote from Penn of Penn and Teller, very interesting...

"I don't respect people who don't proselytize. If you believe that there's a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell, and you think, 'Well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would be socially awkward'...How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize?"

Wow! Now that puts things into perspective.

Jesus Kicked Satan's Butt on Easter

Jesus kicked Satan's butt on Easter! I just had to get that out there because what is going to be happening on Easter weekend (April 11/12) at Charter Oak Church isn't going to be a run of the mill church service. If we can't get out on the edge to proclaim the truth about Jesus on Easter then what's the point? There are 33,000 people within a five mile radius of Charter Oak Church that do not have a church home. Is that acceptable? I don't think so. There are 222,000 people in Westmoreland County that don't have a church home. Is it ok that a vast majority of those people will be spending eternity apart from God? No way!

Two thousand years ago when Mary got to the tomb it was empty! Come on, if that doesn't set your hair on fire then I don't know what will. Sin was kicked to the curb. Satan was sent home defeated. God wins! Jesus is the Man!

Over the next couple of weeks I hope and pray that you will do everything you can to invest and invite someone in your circle of influence to worship with us at Charter Oak Church. The people of this region need to hear about God's great love for them. This is critical.

Let me make this crystal clear, no matter what CNN says, it's not about the economy. It's about Jesus.

1 Samuel 17

Verses 51-52, "David ran and stood over him, he took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gathes of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron."

What is fascinating about this story for me is what one man who is obedient to God can do to encourage an army to act. Thousands of men are lined up for battle, but it is one man on the other side who is bringing down curses and threats that paralyze all those men. Saul, their leader is hiding in the back. Because they don't have a leader who will be courageous and trust God to do what only God can do, the army doesn't move.

It is only when David comes to the front lines and believes that it is God that brings the victory, not the army, that the battle begins.

When a man after God's own heart believes that it is God that is in charge then the people of God that he is leading will be able to do everything that God wants them to do. If I will fear God and not man, if I will believe that the victory is in God's hands and not mine, if I will put my confidence in him and be courageous, then everything we are to accomplish at Charter Oak Church will be done.

Easter Series

1 Samuel 16

Verse 21, "David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David become one of his armor-bearers."

How quickly life can change. In one moment Samuel is mourning the demise of Saul. In the next moment he is being moved into the role of anointing the next leader of Israel. David is standing in the meadow watching over his father's sheep and then he is ushered into the presence of God's prophet and has oil poured over his head and his anointed the new king. Then he turns around and is invited to be a servant to Saul in order to ease his pain. You can't make this stuff up!

What allows all of this to happen is character. Poor character on Saul's part and godly character on David's. God tells Samuel it is the heart that matters not the looks. David is immediately put to the test with this invitation to be in the service of Saul. David knows what has happened to him and he knows it is from God. Yet, David goes to Saul and serves him well. How many of us today would be willing to do that?

I must remember that no matter what the assignment from God I must do it with the greatest amount of integrity as possible. There is nothing I should be doing poorly. I certainly shouldn't be doing everything, but what I do I must do with excellence. Saul was pleased with David. People aren't pleased with lazy, sloppy, late work. When I serve, I not only am serving the person before me, I am serving God.

1 Samuel 15

Verse 26, "But Samuel said to him, 'I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!"

God wants total obedience. There is no such things as partial obedience. You can't be kind of pregnant and you can't be kind of obedient. Saul got into his mind what he thought God wanted. He didn't follow through as God commanded him. Saul was more influenced by what others would think than what God would think. And it cost him everything.

I'm sure there are people who read this and ask if it isn't a bit extreme. In asking that question they miss the whole point that this is all about God and our obedience to Him. The scale of the command has nothing to do with the level of obedience - you either follow God or not. This account just makes it crystal clear what God demands of us - total obedience.

Reading this today reminds me to be absolutely certain that what I am doing and where I am leading is in total alignment with where God is commanding. I don't want to be influenced by man, only by God. I want to be obedient. I don't want to lose God's favor. I don't want God to reject me. I want to please God. I want to honor God. I want to love God with all of my heart, all of my mind, all of my soul, and all of my strength.

Sweet 16

March Madness is upon us, well, it's upon me. I love this time of the year. I don't know if it is because I went to an ACC school, I mean THE ACC school - Duke, but there is definitely something about this part of the sports season that I love. This past weekend the Sweet 16 was set. One of the things that is so compelling about the tournament is the ability of major underdog teams to defeat powerhouse schools. That didn't really happen this year on the men's side. For the first time ever, the top three seeds in all four sections made it to the Sweet 16. No real major upsets. There have been plenty of end of the game heroics for the higher seeded team to win, but in the end they did win.

All this means I have done pretty well in my brackets, I have 13 of the 16 teams. I had Clemson, Wake Forrest, and Kansas winning, but they didn't. After watching as many games as I could, I am still pleased with the rest of my picks.

This morning when I woke up to Sports Center, I was gifted with what has been missing from the men's side to some degree. The lady Vols lost in the first round over the weekend. Now they were seeded fourth, but if there is a powerhouse in women's basketball it is Tennessee. Their coach has more wins than any other coach, men or women. They have been great for a long time. They lost to a team they would have in any other year beat by 40 points.

I'm not sure why this pleased me today other than to keep the hope alive that the underdog still has a chance. I still believe that the NCAA tournament is the best way to determine the national championship and no matter what record you had coming into the tournament, everyone starts out 0-0 and the last team standing is the best.

1 Samuel 12

Verse 22-25, "For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was please to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I'll teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away."

The Israelites just found out how big of a mistake they made in asking for a king. There are always repercussions to our decisions. Here's what most people forget, why it is that decisions like these break God's heart: our decisions are made on what we believe. Therefore the decision that the Israelites made about asking for a king revealed that they believed that God Almighty wasn't good enough to meet their military needs. Ouch!

Every decision I make is based on what I believe. I may say I believe differently but who makes decisions based on the opposite of what they truly believe? If I am too busy to pray or read my Bible that means I believe my work is more important than God. No one would really admit to that would they? I could come up with tons of decisions that I make that really reveal my heart and my relationship with my God that I don't want to look at too deeply, but I need to.

Here's the thing I love about this passage, Samuel says there is still hope. Even though they rejected God, God has not rejected them. They need to fear God and serve Him faithfully with all their heart. God's grace was evident. He can't turn off His love for us. I am so thankful.

1 Samuel 11

Verse 13, "But Saul said, 'No one shall be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.'"

Saul had his chance to get rid of those who were against him. He could have removed them completely and shown everyone else that came against him what the result would be. Instead, Saul was compassionate. He kept his focus on God. It was God's day, not Saul's day. He wanted to celebrate what God had done on the battle field in rescuing his people.

I must remember that today is the day that the Lord has made and rejoice in it. God is my rescue and my shield. God is my Savior. God loves me and wants the best for me. When people speak against me they speak against Him. I put my trust in Him. This is His day.

1 Samuel 10

Verses 26-27, "Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. But some troublemakers said, 'How can this fellow save us?' They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent."

These two verses are a reminder to me that there are always going to be people for me and against me, no matter what. I love the description of valiant men whose hearts God had touched. I need more and more of these kinds of people around me. I want people that God has touched in a unique way. The use of the word valiant also tells me that this is not easy work being the spiritual leader. There will be difficult times. But I am not called to walk alone, God has provided valiant people around me who will be there for me even in the difficult times. I thank God for people like that. (You know who you are, thank you.)

There will also be that other element of people who want to cause me trouble. But I truly believe in Ephesians 6 that these people are not my enemy and I do not struggle against them. It is satan who is against the work of Jesus in me. I will do my best to love those people, I'm sure I fail often, but I do want to love them no matter how they treat me.

Finally, Saul kept silent. I need to listen more and speak less, especially when I am being attacked. God is fighting for me.

1 Samuel 9

Verse 27, "As they were going down to the edge of town, Samuel said to Saul, 'Tell the servant to go on ahead of us' - and the servant did so - 'but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from God.'"

I wonder how many times I am in such a hurry that I miss out on a message from God? Saul and his servant were in search of his father's donkeys and were gone a long time. They were about his father's business and needed to get home. Yet here is Samuel throwing Saul a dinner party, giving him the very best, and telling him that the donkeys have been found. Saul has no clue what is really going on and what is about to happen.

I think we all walk in that arena most of the time. We don't really know what is happening on the spiritual side of things. We can't see how God is behind the scenes preparing and working.

In a few moments Saul is going to have his entire world changed and he doesn't even know it. I wonder what would have happened if Saul didn't stay with Samuel? I wonder how many times I should have stayed awhile, but didn't, and missed joining God in His work?

1 Samuel 8

Verses 19-20, "But the people refused to listen to Samuel. 'No!' they said. 'We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.'"

We want someone else to fight our battles. We want someone else to go out and take the heat for the mistakes and the decisions that we have made. Why? I don't know, but I know I do this too. It just seems so much easier to have this kind of attitude over faith and obedience to God. The truth is, God wants to fight our battles. God wants to protect us. God wants to display the fullness of His love and mercy into our lives. We choose to send someone else who can't do any of that. We get out of it exactly what we put into it.

This breaks God's heart. Forgive me, Father.

Acts 12

Verse 5, "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."

Verse 24, "But the word of God continued to increase and spread."

Persecution was often used to stop a movement. Throughout Acts we see that the persecution of the church, whether it was of her leader (Peter) or others, didn't work. In fact, the church grew and more and more people became followers of Jesus.

I love that the entire church prayed earnestly for Peter. How powerful of an image that is for me as the pastor of Charter Oak Church. The result of that prayer is nothing short of extraordinary! Many probably want to discount this story, but I believe it demonstrates what can happen when the people of God join their hearts and voices together in unity through prayer.

When this happens, God moves. And when God moves the number of people who become believers and followers of Jesus increases.

Acts 11

Verses 19-21, "Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord."

In the last chapter, Peter went to a group of people he was not historically allowed to speak with or even enter their home. However, Peter was faithful to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and shared the story of Jesus with Cornelius and many others in his home. This set off a domino affect that spreads throughout the entire region. Followers of Jesus now have the confidence of spreading their faith in Jesus to others who do not know Him. Lives are being changed. It began with one man saying yes to God.

I wonder what would happen if every time the Holy Spirit prompted me to act or to speak I was obedient. And I wonder what would happen if the Holy Spirit was silent that I was silent and still. What a difference that would be in my life. And if Acts 11 is any indicator, my obedience would have broader implications. Now that's something to think about.

Acts 10

Verse 33, "Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."

This verse is part of many verses in this chapter that shows how Cornelius filled his home with his friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members so they could hear Peter share the story of Jesus. He knew Peter was coming and that God was going to do something so he made sure that as many people as he could get into his home would be there. When Peter showed up and started sharing the truth about Jesus, the Holy Spirit also showed up - big time in the hearts and lives of those present. They became believers and followers of Jesus.

All of this happened because one man - Cornelius took a risk and invested and invited people in his circle of influence to hear God's message. That's how lives are changed for eternity!

We all need to have the heart and courage of Cornelius.

Books...

Book I Just Finished: What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith

Book I just picked up: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Book I I wish I had: Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third-Culture Church by Dave Gibbons

Book # 5 - What Got You Here Won't Get You There

As Charter Oak Church continues to grow in maturity, attendance, staff, volunteers, square footage, etc. I realize that the way that we have always done things won't support us to do the things that God wants us to do in the future. Marshall Goldsmith's book, What Got You Here Won't Get You There, seemed to jump off the shelf at Barnes n Noble.

Goldsmith lists 20 workplace habits (really 21) that need to change if the organization is going to move forward in growth. These changes begin in the leader of the organization. That would be me, here at Charter Oak Church.

Let me tell you, this was not an easy process for me. I worked through this book very hard. I didn't take the easy way out. I got on my knees before God and asked Him to reveal some behaviors that needed to be changed in me. That kind of pruning is not easy, but is necessary to go to the next level. If you are a leader who wants to take a critical look at where you are so you can be prepared to go where God wants you, I highly recommend this book. This is not a spiritually centered book, it is a business, leadership book. But it didn't matter to me.

Book #4 - Lasting Impressions

Every once in a while I am surprised by a random act of kindness. Sometimes I am blown away. In January Mark Waltz sent me two free copies of his newest book - Lasting Impressions: From Visiting to Belonging, along with a great personal note of encouragement.

The reason I was blown away was that Mark was encouraging me at a time when his church, Granger Community Church, was getting ready to announce the layoff of a handful of employees and the reduction of hours for many more. He was blessing me in a time of difficulty in his life and ministry. That is an incredible display of Godly character and integrity.

Lasting Impressions really resonated with me because Mark touches on many aspects that we are talking about at Charter Oak Church. The part that I think I loved the most is the transition that needs to happen in churches from being responsible "to" people rather than responsible "for" their spiritual development. Part of our mission at Charter Oak Church is to "equip people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus." We are not responsible for people's walk with God - they are. We are here to equip and to love and to walk along side of, but not responsible for their growth and/or obedience.

I have already handed off both copies of my book and may be purchasing more for our First Impressions team.

Book #3 - The Reason YOUR CHURCH Must Twitter

Okay, I know I haven't posted the books I have been reading lately. I admit I am reading less this year so far. But I will try to catch up on what I have been reading.

I have been reading so much about how leaders are using a relatively new technology called Twitter. There are many people who I want to learn as much as possible from. So given the opportunity to catch a glimpse into their world I was open to trying it out.

Someone recommended reading Anthony Coppedge's book The Reason YOUR CHURCH Must Twitter. For $5 it is a good overview and how to book on Twitter.

I signed up for an account and decided to start following a handful of leaders. I don't need any more distractions in my life, but at the same time it is good to see what others are doing. I admit I don't tweet as much as those I follow, but I am working on it.

I also have not fully put to use the suggestions of the book, namely that Twitter can and should be used as a great tool for the local church. As I am continuing to figure out ways to communicate well and what that means for Charter Oak Church with all the growth that we have seen, I am trying to figure out if Twitter can be helpful to us. I want technology to serve us instead of me serving the technology.

Back from Study leave

Last week a family from our congregation graciously gave me the keys to their four bedroom home in a local ski resort so I could get away for one-on-one time with God. Since there is not any real snow left on the mountain, the whole resort was very quiet. Just what I needed, no distractions, nothing to capture my attention except God.

The one time I saw someone was the time I didn't want anyone to be able to see me. I had David Crowder cranked up and I was singing and dancing all over the house. But the house has very big windows that allows anyone who is driving by to see what is going on. Well, the only time I saw security was in that moment. They drove by very slowly - I'm sure wondering what in the world I was doing and if I was physically ok. Those of you who have seen me dance have a very clear picture of what I am talking about!

Anyway, I was able to gain some very good clarity for myself. As I am catching up this week, I want to share some things here that I was able to hear from God. It was a very good week for me. Just what I needed at just the right time.

I want to thank so many of you for praying for me while I was gone. Many of you have expressed that you were praying for me. I know God answered your prayers. Thank you.

Acts 9

Verse 15-17, “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’ The Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’”

We all play a role in the plan of God. Ananias could not have imagined that he was going to be asked to pray over the very man who came to persecute him and turn all of his friends over to imprisonment or death. Here’s the thing – he was obedient to the will of God. He said yes when God said go. That’s powerful stuff. He could have come up with every excuse not to go, but he did.

I want to have that kind of obedience in my life. When I can make every excuse in the world not to follow the leading of God, I want to set it aside and say yes. Who knows what my obedience will lead to? Only God knows. Who knew that God was going to use Saul the way that God did? Ananias certainly didn’t know the full extent. What would have happened to the whole plan of God is Ananias would have said no?

I don’t even want to think about how many times I have been given the opportunity to join God where he was at work but because of busyness or because of a lack of faith I said no. I can’t even imagine the work of God that was limited or didn’t happen in the time or way that God desired because of my lack of obedience. Father, forgive me

Ruth 4

Verse 5, “Then Boaz said, ‘On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.’”

I love this comment from Boaz. He knows what he wants – to marry Ruth. He knows that he needs to get the person who has right of first refusal (if you will) to sign off on it. He also knows that he needs the elders of the town to be on board with all of this. Boaz obviously does his homework and he knows the law. He does everything right. He sets himself up for success. He doesn’t take the easy way out and say that if it is God’s will then it will happen. He puts himself into a situation that he knows that will work.

What a great learning for all of us. How often do I want something to happen and even know that it is God’s will but I am unwilling to do the hard work to make it a reality? Boaz was a man of noble character who wanted to marry a woman of noble character. He did what was right and legal, but he had to do the hard work to bring it to reality. I must be willing to do the same as I discern from God what the next right thing for me to do is.

Ruth 3

Verse 11, “And now, may daughter, don’t be afraid, I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.”

Character is always important. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your station in life is – your character matters. Ruth is known as a woman of noble character. Everyone knows it. It shines bright.

I want to be known as a man after God’s own heart, a man of noble character. That means that the things I do and the things I say are always on display before people and God. If I want to make a difference in the Kingdom of God then it begins with me – my day-to-day activities, the small things that are a part of my life that must demonstrate where my heart is. Anyone can do it for a day or two; I want to do it for a lifetime.

Ruth 2

Verse 13, “‘May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,’ she said. ‘You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant – though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls.’”

What an incredibly humble heart and attitude Ruth has. She and Naomi are unable to care for themselves except on the goodness and mercy of others who will allow them to eat the leftovers of their fields. Ruth finds someone (I think this is one of those God moments in the Bible that people don’t see in the midst of the moment) who is willing to allow her to glean and protect her. She finds Boaz, a man of Godly character.

There is a re-occurring word in the chapter – “favor” that really intrigues me. Ruth is looking for people for whom she can find favor. I take it as being a heart or an attitude that is open to the prompting of God that will go above and beyond what is expected.

I have found myself in the last month praying for favor as well. I really resonate with Ruth’s prayer here. I am praying that God would great me favor in this church, in this region, and wherever He may send me. I am praying the prayer of Ruth, a person lower than a servant, asking God to do immeasurable more than I could ask or imagine.

Ruth 1

Verses 16-17, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

What an incredible statement of devotion. A connection deeper than what most people experience in their life has occurred between Naomi and Ruth. It doesn’t say why or how this has happened, only this quote from Ruth proves it.

I wonder if this is about the character of Naomi or Ruth or maybe both. Whoever it is, this statement is powerful. Most marriages don’t have this deep spiritual connection, let alone friendships. It makes me think about my relationships and how I add value into other people’s lives. I’m not looking for people to say this about me as an endeavor of life. I doubt that Naomi did either. It happened out of a natural living out of her character. Ruth was drawn to her and was willing to do whatever it took to stay at her side and remain in her circle of influence. Do I have the character that draws people in like that?

Titus 3

Verses 4-7, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

I love those first two words “but when…” there was a time that I lived apart from God and there are still times I choose to live according to my will instead of God’s will. But when God comes on the scene everything changes. I mean EVERYTHING. Here’s the kicker – it’s has nothing to do with anything I did, it’s all on God. He initiated. He did it. He completed it.

Then get this, he didn’t just give me a little bit of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out on me generously!! God doesn’t go half way. He doesn’t leave us wanting more, he goes beyond satisfaction. He is generous with his love and his mercy and his power.

I have no idea why I would even want to live apart from this. I can’t believe that I choose to do things my way instead of God’s way. I read these words from Paul and realize that I have been offered so much more than what I have accepted. I am an heir of God. I want to live into the fullness of my inheritance

Titus 2

Verses 7-8, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

These leadership words from Paul to Titus still ring true today. I am to set an example. I have read that so goes the pastor, so goes the church. People in and outside the church are watching what I do and what I don’t do. I know I fail. I know people want to find anything negative about me. Paul doesn’t say that there may be people who oppose me, he states it as a fact. As long as I am a follower of Jesus who is living and teaching what is in accord with sound doctrine (verse 1), there will be people who oppose me – inside and outside the church.

I am to live with such integrity that I cannot be condemned. That’s huge because I do fail. I do have character flaws. I do say things and do things that I regret. I must be very intentional about how I live – what I say and what I do. Eternity hangs in the balance. I want to point people to Jesus. And it all begins with my integrity and my character. That’s true for every follower of Jesus.

Titus 1

Verses 8-9, “Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

Character is everything. The foundation of a leader is in who he is, when people are watching and when no one is. A leader can have all the talent in the world but if he doesn’t display the kind of character that Paul describes here, he is not a leader after God’s own heart.

Out of this very short list I think that the two that strike me the most are “holy and disciplined.” I realize we are to be holy and to strive after the life of Jesus, but to be honest that is a monumental task that if I seek to accomplish alone I will fail. However, I do believe it is connected to “disciplined” for a reason. That is my part. I am to take care of today, not worrying about tomorrow. My responsibility is to take care of my relationship with God right now. That means I follow the Rule of Life. That means I take care of my life – spiritually, physically, emotionally. This one is on me. I am responsible for my discipline. As I am disciplined in my walk with God, then God will take care of His part – the growth, and that will lead to being holy.

Genesis 9

verse 5b, "And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man."

I don't know how many times I have read this chapter, but missed this verse. I am struck by how direct this statement is from God in regards of our connection to one another. This brings "love each other" into a more powerful light.

I am responsible if I want to be or not for the people around me in some way. I believe that responsibility is to care for the poor, serve, and spread the love of Jesus. I believe I will be judged on whether or not I lived like this. Therefore I am responsible in some sense to those around me, not for their actions but for truly loving them.

Spring Forward

Don’t forget to wind your clock forward an hour this Saturday night. That’s right!!! It’s “daylight savings time!” The weekend we all lose an hour of sleep!

Genesis 8

verse 18, "So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives."

As I read that sentence I realize how powerful God's protective hand is. The entire world, everything living in it, was destroyed by a flood. And yet, this simple, righteous man and his family was saved in this boat.

I have lived through a hurricane and have seen the damage where we lived in-land. I cannot imagine what it would be like on the ocean. I picture this 40-day storm much worse than any hurricane anyone has experienced. But Noah was safe and he was saved through the water.

We aren't saved by the water of baptism, but it is a symbolic act of what God is doing within us to draw us to Him. In a sense I believe that the flood was a symbolic act of baptism to draw all of humanity out of the depths of sin and into the protective arms of God.

Great Quote

Dallas Willard said: "The greatest enemy of intimacy with God is service for God."

Genesis 7

verse 22, "Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died."

This is a painful verse. I believe God's nature is love. I know He sent His Son to die for me because of my sin. I know God's love is perfect because of that one act, let alone all of the other acts of love He has displayed throughout time.

This is a tough verse, but it reminds me that love is not always easy. Doing the next right thing isn't always popular and most of the time it will be criticized. God is not interested in making people happy. He is interested in making people holy.

There was one man and one family that was found to be righteous in God's eyes. They lived - the rest died. I want to be holy. I want to be about the business of my Heavenly Father.

Unpopular

The more I think about places in scripture where there is a break thru, whether it is spiritual or numerical, there is always fallout. People didn't like it when Jesus made a call to discipleship and people didn't like it when Peter preached in Acts and thousands gave their lives to Jesus.

Why should I be surprised when we are obedient to God that it isn't popular?

Reading Together

Starting this morning the staff of Charter Oak Church will be reading Refuel: An Uncomplicated Guide to Connecting with God by Doug Fields.

Doug is the senior youth pastor at Saddleback Community Church. This is his first attempt at writing a non-youth oriented book. I have heard many good things about this book.

We have these six weeks of time leading up to Easter to prepare ourselves for the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is also an extremely busy season for us, more than anything we need to stay connected to God. As a staff, we have been reading the same Bible chapters for over 80 days now. I believe this is the next right thing for us to do to be equipped to become more like Jesus.

I hope and pray you are finding ways to connect with God too.

Genesis 6

verse 22, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him."

The most unbelievable proclamation up to that point in history - God is going to destroy all things living. Not just a little bit or in a little area, but all the earth.

So God has this little conversation with Noah and he is told to build a boat (what's a boat?) because it's going to rain (what's rain?). Noah's reaction is priceless - whatever, whatever God wants he will do just as he is commanded.

That's what I want for my life. I want to do whatever God commands of me. I don't want to question or doubt, I want to be obedient.

Earlier in the chapter it says that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. I want to find favor in God's eyes. I know that comes from years and years of walking with God - moment by moment listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and saying yes. That's how I want to live everyday.

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.