A Sports Story to Make Your Day

Here is one of the best feel good stories to come out of the sports world in a while. Click on the picture and be inspired by true sportsmanship.

Below is a video feed of an interview with the players afterward on ESPN.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?&brand=null&videoId=3376663&n8pe6c=2

Weed and Feed

I am a lawn guy. I love the look and smell of a freshly cut lawn. I have too big a lawn to be a purist though because a purist would use a reel lawn mower (if you don't know what I am referring to, think of the push mower that needed no engine). Those are the best for your grass because they truly cut the blades of grass. I have a regular lawn mower with rotating blades which essentially whacks the top off the grass. Although, I do my grass a favor because I sharpen my blades every other cut. Makes me think of the lady I heard in a hardware department recently who was asking the sales person if she should get a new blade for her mower. When asked specifics she revealed that she has been mowing for 4 years and done no maintenance on the blade. Yes, it is time to change it. I digress.

Anyway... I also like to keep my lawn fed. This time of year is weed and feed time. So last week I got the spreader out and loaded it with the appropriate fertilizer. I am crazy, but I really do think that I can see the difference the next day. It is more desire than reality, I know.

As you know, weed and feed gets rid of the broad leafed weeds while it strengthens and enriches the grass. Kills the bad and strengthens the good.

Simple, yet wonderful spiritual application. What are the activities, the elements and the choices that need to be eradicated while we add strength and vitality to the essence of our lives? "Weeding" is good, but we need to "feed" to make it complete.

Another point to add to this is what you would learn from anyone who does this type of work for a living. If you keep the lawn healthy, it will not let the bad stuff in. The best defense is a good offense.

Ephesians 4:20- 24
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off (weed) your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on (feed) the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Weekend Recap

Last night, thanks to Scott R., I was able to attend a Seattle Mariners game with D.J., Pastor Andrew and Jake Gamble. They were good seats and it was a good game. A wonderful memory.

Today the children and youth departments used various methods to convey the important message, you do NOT have to be a superstar to make a difference. That is an important reminder.

You and I will intersect with many people this week. Some we will know, others that we will only encounter once in our life - let's make the most of every point of contact to make a difference.

God's Problem

For those of you who have been coming to this blog page this week, only to find it "status quo," I am sorry. Joni and I have been in Vancouver, WA most of the week at a pastors conference and I found myself getting up early and going to bed late every night. I would rather not blog if I don't have something to say, so, I didn't. Thanks for your patience.

While on one of my lay-overs during travel this past month, I had a few minutes to browse a bookstore. Something I really enjoy doing. That, and browsing an office supply store. I am not exactly sure why on the office supplies.

So in this bookstore I noticed a book by an author I am familiar with, God's Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question - Why We Suffer. This seems rather personal to Ehrman because this title is actually a testimony. He claims that it was this issue which caused him to lose his faith.

To oversimplify, it is his approach to scripture that has led him to poor conclusions - and ultimately to his lack of faith. It seems that he may have missed how all of history turns on the arrival of Jesus Christ. We must look at the problem of suffering in light of all of scripture (Old and New Testaments) and how, with Jesus the drama of redemption is played out and that suffering plays a profound part in that drama.

Through life in Jesus, we are admonished to embrace the suffering and trials that come our way (1 Peter 1:6). In doing so, your faith will be strengthened and refined, not diminished and destroyed.

So really, the problem is not God's, it is Ehrman's.

The Pope

Let me start by saying that I do not know Pope protocol. I have some understanding of the Roman Catholic faith and have been following the Pope's visit to the U.S. The parallel I find ironic is while the Pope has been in America I was with our "pope" (otherwise called General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God) this past week. Read Thursday's blog.

Now I probably read and watched and tracked the Pope while here more than most non-Roman Catholics. The thing I continue to find interesting is that the most recognized religious leader in the world does not refer to the Bible while addressing an attentive crowd. NOW, maybe he does and I have just not heard it or read it. Maybe those reporting on his visit and events are just leaving out the clips of these references. Let me know if you have heard him referring to or expounding on scripture.

If not, is it not somewhat strange that we would not hear the Word of God referenced from the most notable church leader on the planet? Remember, I do not know Pope protocol, and maybe there is something there I just don't understand. Fine. But today, when talking to 30,000 young adults about the seductions of society, direct them to Truth with a capital T - the Bible.

OK, here is the contrast. As I was able to spend time with our #1 church leader in Springfield, MO this week, I was delighted to hear Scripture flow freely from his lips. Out of the overflow of the heart.....(see Matthew 12:34)

Springfield, MO

I am in Springfield, Missouri today at a meeting with the General Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. It is a cabinet meeting with other pastors from all over the country. I have mentioned before how history is not very kind to church organizations of 94 years old. They tend to get hierarchical and command driven.

The whole purpose of this meeting was for these denominational leaders to get feedback and ideas for initiatives to fuel a renewed energy and vision. I continue to be impressed with the dialog these national leaders are willing to engage.

I heard a statement from one of them: "We tend to react to fads and ignore trends." Great reminder for me as well.

The other very interesting part of the trip is that I forgot my phone at home. At first I had the feeling of relational and informational separation, but I have gotten used to it. Maybe the start of a new me - maybe not.

I arrive home tomorrow.
See you Sunday for the myth: People are Basically Good.

You Don't Need a Title

I have not read it, but I really like the title of a book by Mark Sanborn - You Don't Need a Title to be a Leader.

The reason I like the title is that it busts a myth that many have: leaders are those in positions of power. Having a title does not make a person a leader. Said another way; having the power and authority over others by virtue of a title does not make someone a leader. Conversely, not having a title does not keep someone from being a leader.

Using your skills, attitude, decisions and behavior to make a difference is a great start in developing the leader in all of us. The premise of the book has to do with the fact that we can all lead in "little l" ways (leader with a "little l").

Leadership does not come by way of a position or a title, it comes by way of people and their character and diligence. Would you want to hire someone with a mentality that said, "If you pay me more, I will do more work and do it better"? No (please say no). We want to have people working for us that we cannot afford to pay them what they are worth because there are so many intangibles attached to them. Leadership finds these people.

I close with a quote, "May your diligence be dictated by your character, not your responsibility."

A New Era Has Begun

Evergreen Christian Community, McCleary is a reality.

What a day! I will have a smile on my face as I go to bed tonight.

I received a call this afternoon from Jamie in Minneapolis to tell me that at 12:30 Minnesota time she and her husband Brett were praying for us as we began a new era in McCleary. It was evident. There was such a positive attitude with great anticipation of what God is doing.

We started the gathering with Matthew 16:16-18. That portion of scripture is where Peter declares to Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus responded by notifying Simon Peter that, "Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not overcome it."

The "rock" Jesus was referring to was the confession Peter had just made. Meaning, upon the rock of your confession, the church will be built. So today, we made the same confession. Together we declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." It was a powerful moment that I believe added to the foundation of the future of the church in McCleary.

The baby is born to the glory of God.

Big Day of Preparation

We had a big day of preparation today getting ready for tomorrow and the launch of our McCleary campus. There was a good number of poeple helping with everything from the technical to the physical. We painted and planted and cleaned and polished. Seth and his crew made sure we are set from the tech side. John and his crew made sure we are set on the kid's side. And Dave Barclift was a huge help in making sure it all came together for the whole building.

Joni and I left there about 8:30 tonight. It was rewarding working together for a worthy cause.

Tomorrow, Andrew will preach at the Olympia campus and I will be at the McCleary to be part of the birth of our new campus.

Full Speed Ahead.

Sin and Grace

I can across a great thought as I was preparing for next Sunday's message (the myth that people are basically good). Here it is:

The essence of sin is man putting himself in the place that God should be. The essence of grace is God putting himself in the place that man should be.

Thank God for the cross. It puts us all in our rightful place.

Sunday's Coming

To update those that need it: we open our first satellite campus this coming Sunday in McCleary, Washington. The McCleary campus is about 18 miles straight west of our main campus.

There is a lot of activity at the McCleary campus right now getting ready for the first Sunday as ECC McCleary. It is so fulfilling to see so many excited and energetic to make this happen. It really is like a spiritual birthing process. I remember when Joni and I had our first born, Lauren. As new parents, you are excited, have a lot of people supporting you and excited with you - but you are not ready. The only thing that truly makes you a great parent, is a child. Because until you have them, you only have theory.

We have the knowledge and know-how. Now we just need the baby. Well, she will be born on Sunday.

Does someone have a cigar?

Up to Speed

I am sorry for my pause in the bloggosphere. I have been wanting to update you on how Wisconsin went and show you some pictures as well. I was expecting to get them (I forgot my camera on the trip and so I am at the mercy of a friend) days ago, but still do not have them now.

The Wisconsin event was a state-wide pastor's conference of a bunch of people that I know and my topic was "Anticipating the Future." Some I know from growing up in Wisconsin, others from my college days. I say that to mention how difficult it can be to be an "expert" everyone knows. Kind of that, "a prophet is without honor in his hometown" scenario.

All of those factors included, everything went well and I don't think they were unhappy with how it went. Overall, I got a lot of encouragement after the gathering. Interesting, given my topic, that the most passionate affirmation I received was from the youngest of attenders.

This was one of the biggest of moments for me and so I am really glad it is over. I am incredibly proud to represent my faith family, Evergreen Christian Community. It was so nice to preach to at home yesterday.