After I posed similar questions to Teresa over our lunch together, I started to wrestle with these questions and a theme of hope started to emerge.  It is hard to imagine that a mall could be transformed into anything because it is what it is, but that day God did something I never imagined.  He opened my spiritual eyes to see the quest for hope that is common in all human life.  While it is a fact that I have berated the materialistic obsession that especially characterizes this time of year in our culture, for the first time I started to see people instead of a philosophy of life.  I saw people pursuing the hope of a happier life, the hope of a few moments of family harmony, and the hope of acceptance and approval.

At this point in my experience, I became intimately aware of my own hope that in some way my life will count for something beyond my earthly existence!  Immediately, I became a participant in the scene rather than a detached observer.  Instead of questioning what people were doing in my mind, I began praying for people I didn’t even know.  A woman and her elderly mother in a wheelchair, a frustrated mom attending to three toddlers trying to do everything with their food but eat it, and a dad appearing to do anything but share the day with his family all captured my heart.  As I prayed, a sense of hope flooded my soul as a result of engaging in this food court drama.

As hard as it might be to believe, this trip to the mall altered my life.  Actually, it was a trip to the mall with two people I dearly love, God and my wife, that altered my life.  Hope is a wonderful gift from God to share!

What could God do in our lives if we embraced the mundane, routine experiences in our lives with an eternal perspective?  How would we engage others in these routines if we viewed ourselves to be among so many others than apart from them?  What could change in our lives if we simply asked our God for the ability to look at people through His eyes wherever we go?

Father, let us become people who approach every second of life as if it is pregnant and on the brink of birth with opportunity to experience life, and hope, as only you offer.

In a more serious tone, I just finished studying the dedication of the wall around Jerusalem in Nehemiah 12 and once again I was awestruck by the beauty of God reflected by His people in community.  It is difficult for me to approach a narrative in the Bible without trying to imagine being there.  And, as I thought about the celebration that took place during the dedication of the rebuilt wall, I couldn’t help but think about the stories that must have been shared that day.

The threats and fears the people faced early in the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s wall must have been overwhelming.  The courage displayed by the leaders in that community was nothing short of exemplary.  Day by day, they worked to construct the new wall for the glory of God and watched as their fears and disgrace melted away with each stone that was set in place.  Can you imagine how their faith grew as they shared and heard stories of how their Great God prospered their mission?  Can you imagine the sense of community that developed to the glory of God one story at a time.

Over the past several months, I shared stories of how our Great God rescued me from the near ruin of burn-out and depression.  Since then, others have shared by email or cards some of their stories with me. As a result a sense of true community, the kind that calls us out of the shadows of isolation to the healing light of God’s great love, is starting to develop.  In this kind of  community, we never feel like we are the only one who struggles or fails because we share these experiences in common.  In addition, our Great God continues to meet us in some special ways including our day of repentance last week.

Let’s not stop here!  Let’s celebrate the great work of God in our lives by sharing some of our stories.  Do you have a story that reveals the work of God in your life?  Will you share it here, or on our Facebook page under the “discussions” tab?  Let’s give thanks to our Great God with one voice as one community through our stories for His love endures forever!

Love you all,

tim

The exercise of sharing and reflecting on this season in life is produced a startling reality: I was not alone!  The demons with which I wrestled are not unlike those that we all battle.  As I share my story and listen to others these days, I am discovering that I was, and am, never alone!  A deep seated fear of failure, a misplaced sense of responsibility, questions of faith, doubts about God, and an ominous sense of regret seem to be quite common in the lives of many Christ followers.  But, why do we feel like these things are so unique in our lives?

One of the reasons I think we feel isolated and alone wrestling with our secrets is that we seldom hear anyone struggling with anything!  We learn to pretend that all is well in life by watching people we look up to such as our parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and others.  People in positions of authority and responsibility view transparency as a window into their own weakness and refuse to draw back the drapes to model anything healthy in terms of dealing with trials and trouble.  Unfortunately, the refusal to disclose such “secrets” disposes the next generation to the same miserable cycles.

However, there is hope!  In Off Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders, Dan Kreps writes, “…much of this book is informed by my own shortcomings.  Some friends are uncomfortable with this aspect of my writing, but I feel that the only way to rob these issues of power is to tell their stories and convert them to learnings.”  How true!!  But, that kind of life has to be lived in a community that is safe, non-judgmental, and willing to work through life together.  So, here is where I need your help.

I need to hear from you whether it is out of your own personal experience or your observations.  What are the “stickiest” issues in life?  In other words, what are the problems that, when encountered, typically make us feel like we are the only one on the planet that is dealing with them?  If we were convinced that our words would be received by those who have walked, or are walking, through similar problems, what struggles in life would we be relieved to expose and rob of their power in our lives?

Really, I need your feedback.  Feel free to comment here, or on the Northside Baptist Church fan page if you have a Facebook account.  Go to the fan page and click on the “Discussions” tab and then on the topic “I Though I was the Only One.”  Your comments will help me as I prepare to teach, inspire, and direct in the new year.

Blessings to you all,

tim

Before you wonder what any of this has to do with our journey together, let me share briefly a conversation I am having with a close friend.  The topic of our conversation is the “face of the unchurched/dechurched” people around us.  My friend noted that we (evangelical community of faith) have portrayed these people typically as the stereotyped subcultures in our society.  The unintended consequence of such a portrayal has been the proliferation of fear in the lives of people in the  pew like you and me as we considered the prospect of being ridiculed, rejected, or worse in our outreach.  While this portrait of unchurched people was probably well intended, it has been counter productive in equipping us to love our neighbor.

Obviously, what is necessary at this point is a face transplant!  Our neighbors, the unchurched and dechurched multitudes around us, are not typically characterized by the stereotypes that most threaten us.  Instead, they are more like our next door neighbors, people who live day to day going to work and working out relationships.  They are like the single dad around the corner who lives between the pressure of work and child care.  Or, they are like the senior adult across the street who just lost a spouse to death or divorce and wonders if they will ever hear anything but the sound of a television in their home again.  Even more, they are like the “soccer mom” who finds great joy in shuttling children to and from school and activities, but cannot understand why she has this nagging sense of emptiness and loneliness in her life.  And, there you have it, the miracle of a face transplant!

You see, a face transplant is not just a marvel, but an act of compassion and healing.  Even those people within the various subcultures that scare us to death benefit from this type of transplant.  They become people for whom Christ died, thus people we can and must love as Jesus loves us.  However, there is a bottom line: the one ultimately responsible for performing this transplant is you and me!

Can you do it?  Will you do it?  What outcomes are possible if we are able to perform this procedure?  Maybe you don’t think it is necessary.  What are you thinking?

Love you all,

tim

November 8, 2009 will go down as one of the most, if not the most, significant dates in the history of Northside Baptist Church.  On that date, we will declare our desire to move forward in a new sense of mission and vision from God, or remain where we are in life and ministry with one another.  What an incredible opportunity we have as we realize that regardless of the outcome we will encounter God!

Recently, I have been reading and studying Nehemiah asking the Lord to instill within me the passion, wisdom, courage, and perseverance of this great leader.  I see more fully each day that while Nehemiah was certainly a great leader with a great story, the point is that he served a “great and awesome God!”  We will take a journey in the next several weeks through the story of our great God in Nehemiah starting on November 8, 2009 while asking Him to do a similar work in us to the glory of His Name.

You are probably wondering, “What does any of this have to do with “re-”?  One of the discoveries I’ve made as I continue to study Nehemiah is that I could not do so in English without the prefix “re-”!  Return, repent, rekindle, rebuild, reorganize, restore, request, renew, reflect, and rely are among the many words needed to appreciate the glory and work of God on display through this book.  I guess if this were a Sesame Street production we would be taking a look at Nehemiah “brought to you by the prefix re-”!

What gratitude and excitement are ours as we look forward to God crafting a similar story in our lives as we ask Him to “let His ear be attentive and His eyes open to hear the prayer of His servants praying before Him.”  What anticipation should be ours as we look forward to our Lord leading us on the adventure of our lives into the wild and unpredictable regions beyond the walls of our church.  What joy and honor will result as we choose to go together, linked arm in arm, trusting “our great God” to exalt and glorify His name through us.

Are you ready to join God and begin a life that is bigger that you, me, and all of us put together?  Are you ready to dream again with me?  Can you imagine a God so great that He “re-energizes” you and “redesigns” us for the redemption of hundreds…thousands of people in the next ten years?

While we are on the subject, what are you dreaming?

Can’t wait to hear from you.

Love you all,

tim

You are at least familiar with the Survivor series, no doubt, and it’s strategy to outwit, out play, and outlast all competitors for 39 days in order to be the last one standing.  Most, if not all, contestants lie, cheat, steal, and manipulate in order to survive the dreaded outcome of the tribal council.  It is obviously argued by viewers that the game makes a good reality show, but it is terribly destructive as a strategy for living as a follower of Christ.

Unfortunately, many of us including myself have , or will, experience life through this strategy.  The result is a life effectively cut off from all people while living in the midst of them.  Superficial relationships with other Christ followers are rivaled only by non-existent relationships with people outside of church.  A growing sense of melancholy is only surpassed by an abiding sense of fear that one day we will be exposed and voted out of the “tribe.”  Sadly, the fear of exposure one day becomes an expectation of relief.

However, the facilitator of Survivor Xn is none other than Jesus Christ!  It is for this reason alone that I am not only thankful, but excitedly hopeful.  While Jesus allows us to play games that mess up our lives for a while, He steps in to expose us, cleanse us, and restore us at the perfect time.  Even in my own life, I am enjoying a restored passion to meet new people and hear their stories.  And, I am contemplating what it means to be “fully alive” in the midst of my community of faith.  Interestingly, all this began at the point I consciously chose to die.  In the weeks to come, I will share more about what this meant for me in a little more detail.  But for now, let it suffice for me to say that I began to die when I was willing to admit that my greatest fear had become a reality and I opened it up for others to see.  Wow, the freedom I experienced continues to grow day by day.

Are you, or have you been, a gamer?  What game have you been playing that has been something less than enjoyable?  How has Jesus stepped into your life, and game, lately?

Love you all,

tim

It is neither an easy nor painless task to follow Jesus.  He demands all who follow after Him to pick up a cross, deny themselves, die to the world, and live like He lived.  However, as I have been learning through the writing of Peter Scazzero in Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, living like Jesus is learning to live in my “true self.”  Mr. Scazzero points out that Jesus, the model of perfect humanity, was not selfless in that He did not live as only other people counted.  He enjoyed friendships and lived in the Father’s love.  But, neither was He selfish in that He did not live as only He counted.  In fact, He gave up His life for others.  This tension is great, but demands that I live within it if I am to follow Him.

There are still thousands living in the vicinity of our building who will rush off into a horrific eternity in hell unless they surrender their lives to Jesus.  But, how can they trust in Him if they have not heard of Him, and how will they hear unless someone tells them?  How will someone tell them unless they are sent?  We have been sent!  Of us it can be said as it has been written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”  (See Romans 10:14-15)

The days ahead will most certainly require huge adjustments and dying to self.  A shift in vision, relationships, ministries, and structure will certainly call for unparalleled commitment to the Creator and Sustainer of our lives and mission.  In many ways, the journey ahead is charted into heights and depths of life that are yet unknown, and with that, comes the temptation to fear and panic.  But, two realities beckon me to stand firm and embrace the future with promise: the perfect love of God that casts out all fear, and the familiar sense that I have walked a similar path before.  In fact, it is a familiar voice that I hear calling, “Follow Me.”

Do you hear His voice?  Are you being tempted to fear or panic?  Are you looking forward in expectant faith?  Care to come along with me?

Love you all,

tim

I am not the most skilled blogger on the web by any stretch of the imagination, but my desire is to become a better communicator regardless of the form.  Therefore, I am proposing two questions to you as subscribers in an attempt to communicate more effectively and productively.  First of all, I want to preach a series of sermons in the near future entitled, “You Asked For It!”  The series will be developed through questions received from you and others who read this blog.  So, if you have a question addressing a Bible text, theological truth, social justice issue, or life concern, please share it in the comment section of this blog with a brief explanation of its importance to you.  Depending on the number of responses, I may not be able to address every question or issue in this series, and if so, I will use others for ideas and inspiration for other sermons or series.

Secondly, it is possible that a blog is simply not an effective means for the purpose described above.  If so, I am willing to write in terms of a more classic blog.  By “classic” blog, I mean by definition, a personal diary or chronogical log of thoughts, opinions, or commentary on issues or events.  It is usually more provocative in nature intended to stir up converstation and/or debate.  In addition, it is usually published more frequently than once a week.

My desire is to serve you as a slave of Christ.  It is my goal to “make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”  (Eph 4:16)  If that means being stretched by the Lord through your questions, or challenged by your opinions, may the Lord receive all glory and praise as the result.  Even more, I invite you to stretch and grow with me as we learn to engage our minds and hearts in the relentless pursuit of obedience to God and His will.  So, fire away!  How can I best serve you?

I can’t wait to read your comments.

Love you all,

tim

As I read these and other similar accounts, I am reminded of Jesus’ words to His first disciples, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first….No servant is greater than his master.  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.”  And so it has been through the ages as Christians were hated, persecuted, and martyred because of their relationship to Jesus.  At the same time, there were yet others who caved in under pressure, quit gathering for worship, silenced their testimony of Jesus, and blended into the crowd of the world around them through religious formalism.  Some became acceptable worshipers while others became functional atheists.

This passionate, courageous, faithful group to whom the book of Hebrews was written became apathetic and obviously wondered “why can’t we all just get along!?”  As they faced opposition in their mission to announce the Kingdom of God, they became spiritually lethargic, developmentally stunted, and corporately disconnected.  Consequently, they were exhorted to “keep loving one another as brothers…neglect not hospitality…remember the persecuted…respect marriage…stay away from greed.”  To drive home the point, the author then commanded them, “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.  Consider the outcome of their way of  life and imitate their faith.”  (Heb 13:7 emphasis mine)  Unfortunately, there is no way to know how this church responded to the message they received.

Maybe the point of Hebrews is not about how the original audience responded to the message, but about how we respond to the message.  We have heard and learned the “elementary teachings about Christ”, observed great examples of faith historically and personally through those who led and mentored us, and received an “unshakable kingdom.”  However, generally speaking, we are apathetic about loving others, developmentally disabled in the faith, and lethargic in prayer and worship.  We believe, subconsciously if not willingly, the prosperity doctrine of the false prophets on radio and television who teach us that life and faith is really all about me!  In view of these realities, how we respond is determined by how you respond.

How are you responding to the Lord through His Word in Hebrews?  What has changed, or is changing, as a result of your encounter with the Living God through His Word?  Are you loving others in more practical ways of hospitality?  Are you pursuing sexual purity more intentionally and accountable?  Are you worshiping the God acceptably or denying Him functionally?  What can you do to help us respond to God as He invites us to “worship Him acceptably with reverence and awe and be thankful”?

Remember, the discussion is much more interesting when you actually post a comment.

Love you all,

tim

Surely, you have been in the same situation.  Of course, I’m talking about that promising cut of chicken or beef over which you labored to season, marinate, and grill only to have it fall to the ground or under the grill in a moment of tong-handed carelessness!  You wrestle with the question as to whether a little charcoal or dirt will actually hurt anything (or anyone).  You actually consider the validity of the “5 second rule” believing that a quick retrieval prohibits contamination!  But in the end, you sadly submit to good reason and allow the cooking fires to consume the meat or surrender it to the trash bin.

Sex and greed have a relationship to worship in a similar way.  Sexual purity and integrity is essential to the pursuit of holiness.  Sexual immorality, whether it is sex before marriage, or adultery, is a defilement of marriage.  The sexual defilement of marriage through premarital and extramarital intercourse, and the use of pornography and resulting illicit sexual fantasies defiles our worship as a community of faith.  Coupled with the rampant greed embraced in part or wholly by most American Christ followers through the Christian heresy called “prosperity doctrine”, the result of our worship gatherings often consists of criticism directed at music genre, programming, or technology!  Yet, we call it worship, offer it to God, and expect Him to like it.

At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious, sexual purity and contentment with what we have is as important in our lives now as ever.  Everywhere we look and everywhere we go sex and greed are promoted as cheap imitations of the pleasure and security offered in Christ.  Instead of remaining silent and appearing to be in agreement, we must exalt the “marriage bed” as the gift from God that satisfies and pleases without compare!  Generosity and godliness must be celebrated as the substance of true contentment with which nothing in this world can rival.  But, can we confidently hope for such radical change individually and corporately?

Yes.  But it is not going to happen by will power or campaigns.  It will happen only as we return to the Lord in love and loyalty.  We will worship God acceptably as we become obsessed with Jesus and offer back to Him in worship the gifts He has given us.  Can you imagine sex being so healthy and pure in our community of faith that God is exalted through our marriages and our singleness?  Can you imagine generosity and contentment characterizing our homes and church to the point that people actually ASK about the hope we have?

Such potential begins with forgiveness and cleansing, so it begins with Jesus.  How is your relationship with Him?  Are you walking in the light of His Word?  Are you loving others in purity?  Are you loving life!?  Are you hurting, struggling, or despairing?  Are you leaning on others in honesty, confession, and care?

How’s your worship…what do you think about our worship?

Love you all,

tim

…God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?”

Hebrews 13:5c-6