A great quote

This from my good buddy Nate Sanderson…

“My leadership reading took me through an author’s understanding of vocation or our calling in life. He cites Frederick Buechner’s explanation of “how do we know what this is?” which reads:

“There are different kinds of voices calling you to all different kinds of work, and the problem is to find out which is the voice of God rather than that of society, say, or the superego, or self-interest. By and large a good rule for finding out is this: the kind of work God usually calls you to is the kind of work (a) that you need most to do and (b) that the world most needs to have done. If you really get a kick out of your work, you’ve presumably met requirement (a), but if your work is writing TV deodorant commercials, the chances are you’ve missed requirement (b). On the other hand, if your work is being a doctor in a leper colony, you have probably met (b), but if most of the time you’re bored and depressed by your work, the chances are that you’ve not only bypassed (a), but probably aren’t helping your patients much either…. The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

Buechner, F., Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC (New York: Harper-Collins, 1973), p. 95

God’s Financial Contract with America: Ten Bills of Promise

This is a difficult time in America. Our current economic conditions are unlike any other time in recent history, similar only to the days of the Great Depression of the 1930’s. While politicians in Washington and legislators in our state capitals arm-wrestle with one other, struggling to find an agreeable solution to our economic woes, it’s important as Americans to remind ourselves that God, when humbly invited into our troubles, is more than willing to offer us a way through our darkest hours of financial failure.

Here now, as a reminder for all of us, is God’s Financial Contract with America.

BILL OF PROMISE #1: GOD IS OUR PRIMARY RESOURCE IN LIFE.

Psalm 23: 1-6 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

BILL OF PROMISE #2: HUMILITY, PRAYER, AND REPENTANCE OPEN THE DOOR TO OUR FINANCIAL RECOVERY.

2nd Chronicles 7: 13-14 “When I (God) shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among My people, if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

BILL OF PROMISE #3: PLACING OUR TRUST IN GOD BRINGS HEALTH AND WEALTH.

Proverbs 3: 5-10 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

BILL OF PROMISE #4: BRINGING OUR MONEY INTO GOD’S HOUSE GIVES PROTECTION OVER OUR POSSESSIONS.

Malachi 3: 8-12 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing Me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.

BILL OF PROMISE #5: HEAVENLY TREASURES WILL NEVER LOSE THEIR VALUE.

Matthew 6: 19-21, 24 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

BILL OF PROMISE #6: BEING GENEROUS WITH OUR RESOURCES BRINGS GOD’S FAVOR.

Isaiah 58: 6-11 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: ‘Here am I.’ If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

BILL OF PROMISE #7: BEING HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS BRINGS GOD’S BLESSING.

Matthew 5: 3-10, 12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.”

BILL OF PROMISE #8: SEEKING GOD’S KINGDOM BRINGS GOD’S PROVISION FOR OUR BASIC NEEDS.

Matthew 6: 31-34 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

BILL OF PROMISE #9: REDUCING OUR POSSESSIONS ASSISTS IN GROWING CLOSER TO GOD’S PERFECT PROVISION.

Matthew 19: 21-26 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

BILL OF PROMISE #10: FOLLOWING GOD’S FINANCIAL CONTRACT WITH AMERICA GIVES LIFE-LONG BLESSINGS.

Psalm 37: 23-28 If the LORD delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones.

All scriptures listed are NIV (New International Version)

Consider this?

In my leadership classes here at the church, I’ve asked a question. I’m really thrilled to see some of the answers. WHAT WOULD CHURCH LOOK LIKE IF GOD HAD HIS WAY COMPLETELY? Your thoughts?

Thank you, Mr. President…

Dear Mr. President…

I want to add my ‘thank you’ to the many you are hopefully receiving at this time. While there are many who have second-guessed you and your decisions over the last eight years, I, for one, want to say that you have done a magnificent job in leading our country during what I believe historians will say was one of the most challenging times in American history. Thank you for standing proud as an American. Thank you for doing everything in your power to keep our nation safe. Thank you for leading and guiding us, using both your common sense and God-given grace to work through each problem as they came across your desk. Thank you for being pro-active in your leadership, and thank you for modeling for all of us how to persevere with hope and courage even in the most difficult trials and under the most intense criticism. Thank you, Mr. President. May you and your family enjoy this next season of your lives together. Know that there are many in America who believe you have completed your job of service to America with great honor! GOD BLESS YOU!

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

MAY YOUR CHRISTMAS BE FILLED WITH JESUS, HIS EVER-EXPANDING KINGDOM, and HIS UNENDING JOY!

A Franciscan Benediction:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world,
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Amen.

Two key things for leaders

Since October, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my two per month personal coaching sessions from Pastor Dave Jacobs. Dave is a former Vineyard pastor who lives in Oregon and recently retired from full-time pastoral ministry to become a personal life coach to pastors. Over the six or seven sessions we’ve had thus far, we’ve talked about a lot of various issues and all of it has been very insightful and truly revolutionary as I begin to institute some of the ideas Dave has shared. One of my primary goals in seeking out Dave as a personal coach is to improve my abilities to coach and lead those God has given me here at our church.

Sandy and I have been blessed to be surrounded by dozens of wonderfully talented men and women who love Jesus passionately and have a strong desire to lead others here in our church family. I want to do my very best to lead them in the way Jesus desires me to.

One great quote Dave shared with me today, comes from Pastor John Maxwell. Maxwell, as you might know, has written many books on leadership and I’ve come to appreciate many of his ideas on leadership skills. His quote today:

“I teach my leaders to do two things…1. THINK.  2. DO THINGS IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE”

As Dave and I talked about this quote, I realize that I get so busy “doing things” for Jesus, I can sometimes be running so fast to get the job done, that I forget to STOP, RELAX a MOMENT, and THINK. Allowing time in my busy schedule for THINK TIME is one of those revolutionary ideas of Dave’s I’m trying to institute into my schedule. Quality thinking is so missing in my schedule. How about you? Another quote from Dave comes from Albert Einstein. This great “thinker” quipped…

“The significant problems we face cannot be solved by using the same level of thinking that created our problems in the first place.”

Ouch. I guess it’s time to make a New Year’s resolution right now. Lord, help me to become a better THINKER in 2009, and let that be priority one!

Take a Moment Today…

Regardless of our political stance, it’s time for all Americans to pause just a moment and take in the importance of this hour. In a nation where once it was heresy for an African-American to be invited by President Teddy Roosevelt to the White House for a state dinner, we now will have an African-American sitting in the oval office. Whether you like Senator Obama’s political views or not, I encourage you to take just a moment and reflect on the greatness of this unique hour. In my life-time, a person of color has gone from being told to sit in the back of the bus (or no seat at all) to sitting in the White House. I, for one, am proud of our American heritage and strengths, where all men and women can be free and follow their dream. Thank you God, for this “upward lift” that You have granted to this nation over the last 250 years. We acknowledge Your mercies and thank You, that indeed, in this very unique way, we are experiencing in part, the biblical truth that in Your eyes, ALL MEN and WOMEN are CREATED EQUAL.

As I See It-Our 10th Anniversary

It was the summer of 1997. At the time, I was working with Promise Keepers traveling around the state, assisting pastors and lay leaders in developing effective men’s ministries in their churches. It was a very exciting job that brought me in contact with literally hundreds of men, all looking to draw closer to Jesus and become more godly husbands and fathers.

On numerous occasions that summer, I would spend my evenings sitting on our front porch, reflecting and praying as I watched the sun slowly setting behind Mercy Hospital. While I was truly enjoying my work with Promise Keepers, I was also pondering what was next for my life. I knew in my heart that my work with Promise Keepers would not last forever, and believed at some point, I would return to pastoring.

Sandy & I had served as children’s pastors at the Evanston, IL Vineyard in the early 1980’s before moving to Iowa in 1987. In Iowa City, we took our first crack at church planting and put together the first Vineyard church there in 1988. Before coming on staff with PK, I served as associate pastor at River of Life here in Cedar Rapids, and now God was stirring my heart again for stepping back into pastoral ministry.

Though we had not been actively attached to a Vineyard church for nearly seven years, we had kept our many Vineyard friendships intact during that time, staying up with our good friends at the Evanston Vineyard and with Pastors Dan & RoiLene Paxton, who moved to Waterloo/Cedar Falls in 1988 to plant the Heartland Vineyard.

One evening on our front porch, as I was reflecting on such things, I flipped through the pages of Cutting Edge, Vineyard’s church planting magazine. One article caught my attention. It was an article on the top-ten list of cities in the Midwest that needed a Vineyard church plant.

There it was! Cedar Rapids. Right there in the top-ten list! The fine print told me that all the Vineyard pastors around the Midwest were asked to give their suggestions for cities that were ripe for Vineyard church plants, and wow, did I get excited!

I took that article as just another way God was prompting me on what was next. Within a few months, Sandy had decided I was truly hearing from God, and gave me her complete support in moving toward this new goal. By mid-November, Pastor Francis Frangipane had given us his complete support in helping us begin our new endeavor, so I picked up the phone and setup my first recruiting call to Brian Brinkert. Brian and Andrea, a young, vibrant couple with whom we had built relationship at River of Life, were ready to roll, and by mid-January, 1998, we were sitting in our living room with four other couples, sharing the dream of planting a Vineyard church in Cedar Rapids.

So there it is. That’s the way it was. If it weren’t for those summer evenings on my front porch near Mercy Hospital and that copy of Cutting Edge, who knows what we’d all be doing today? But thanks to God’s faithfulness, we’re here celebrating our 10^th year anniversary, and looking with excitement toward all God has in store for us in the next ten years! We hope you feel the same!

Living in This World with a Mind for the Next

I ran across this C.S. Lewis quote today…

“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”

Indeed if I can grasp the consequences and powerful applications to Activated Inaugurated Eschatology (Kingdom Theology) where all of the future, all of heaven, all of God’s power & manifest glory is breaking in now, in this present moment, I will indeed be able to impact the world around me in a very profound way. Jesus walked with such power and authority because He was totally consumed with bringing the Kingdom (God’s future rule & reign) into the present moment in which He was living. When heaven and the work of heaven on earth (Thy will be done here on earth as it is in heaven) consumes me as I walk in this present world, my effectiveness and fruitfulness in this world radically increases.

Jesus’ ministry was all about extending the Kingdom of God (the next world’s glory) into the dryness and darkness of this present age (today). May I, Lord, be consumed this day with a similar vision and purpose. For Your name’s sake!

An Open Letter to www.corridorrecovery.org

On Friday, June 13th, 2008 the Cedar River, which runs through the heart of our city at an average depth of 7 feet, crested over its’ banks at 31.12 feet. As the river receded, the statistics left behind were staggering. 5,390 flood-affected homes with 25,000 people displaced in Cedar Rapids and 1,300 city blocks (9 square miles) were hit, leaving a vast array of business and residential properties with extensive flood damage! The recovery and rebuilding efforts here in Cedar Rapids are massive and will take years to accomplish. The toll is not only in property damage, but more importantly, there are countless individuals and families who have lost nearly all their earthly belongings and worldly treasures.

Yet as this disaster hit so many so hard, it’s important for all of us to remember that HOPE was not washed away with the flood. HOPE springs eternal, the saying goes, and here in the Heartland, it’s important for all of us to pull together in HOPE as we walk this long road back to normalcy in Cedar Rapids and Linn County.

So what does HOPE look like? Certainly it is more than just a smile and a friendly wave towards those who have lost so much. As I see it, the most perfect specimen of HOPE is one that offers a helping hand to those in need. HOPE is best expressed by getting a bit dirty alongside a neighbor who needs help tearing out drywall or power-washing a basement. HOPE is stepping out of our comfort zones, offering a bit of sweat-equity to a co-worker who is working hard to get their home restored before winter.

In the months ahead, let’s work together, hand-in-hand, making HOPE a practical expression of our care for one another in our City of Five Seasons.