The Stakes Are High!

I love watching sports...when the stakes are high. Ask me who is in first place during the middle of the season and I couldn't tell you. But when it comes down to the playoffs, I'm glued to the TV! Why? Because it just seems to matter more. I understand that all the games matter in the grand scheme of things, but nothing interests me more than the final games of the season.

While the stakes are high right now in the MLB, the stakes have never been higher when it comes to something that is so much more important than any sport. More than ever, people need to know  Jesus. We live in a culture that is becoming increasingly pluralistic and less Christian. In fact, an article written by Fox News yesterday stated that for the first time in American history Protestants are no longer in the majority.  

"The percentage of Protestant adults in the U.S. has reached a low of 48 percent, the first time that Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life has reported with certainty that the number has fallen below 50 percent."

Why? It goes on to say that one of the biggest reasons is that many people say they no longer have any religious affiliation. My friends, the stakes are high! People need to hear the good news of the gospel. Let me share with you some encouraging statistics I ran across the other day from an article written by Dr. Thom Rainer.

1. 96% of unchurched people are at least somewhat likely to attend a church when invited.
2. Most of the unchurched have a positive view of pastors, ministers, and the church.
3. The unchurched would like to develop a real and sincere relationship with a Christian.

The fields are ripe and we must live every day with the realization that the stakes are high. Let's make the most of every opportunity we have to tell people the good news about Jesus!

The Refs Are Back!

So, the refs are back! You know, the NFL refs. Even if you are not an avid football fan, I'm sure you've heard about the replacement refs that filled in for the first few weeks of the season. Let's face it, there were some bad calls...some really bad calls. It all came to a head for me (and everyone else it seems) this past Monday night on a contraversial touchdown call with no time on the clock in the Green Bay/Seattle game. I have to admit, I just about lost it! How could they miss such an important call?

After it was all said and done, I did a litte reflecting on it all. I was reminded of how easy it was to be bothered by things that really don't matter for eternity. Just listen to the news for a couple of days and you will pick up on this. Just in the last few weeks we've heard whining and complaining from the Chicago Teacher's Union strike, those who are upset over the innacuracies of the maps program on the new iPhone 5, and then who could miss all the political attacks on both sides of the aisle.

Let's face it, in the grand scheme of life, these things really don't matter. This past month at our church, our pastor has been talking about the things that drive us crazy and the things that really should drive us crazy. Does it drive you crazy that people people don't know Jesus? Does it drive you crazy that so many will spend an eternity apart from Him? Does it drive you crazy when you observe your friends living for themselves and chasing after empty things that will ultimately not satisfy them?

Like me, I hope you will take a look inside your heart and ask God to give you his perspective. Once this happens, you will see the world in a very different way!

Identity Check

Last week Cheryl and I took a little trip to the DMV. As usual, we had to show MANY forms of identification and proof of residence in order to prove that we were who we said we were. I was reminded that we had to go through all of this because of the people who try to beat the system by posing as someone else. 

All of this got me thinking about our identity as followers of Christ. The Bible tells us in 2 Cor. 5:17 that "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation." We have been given a new identity in Christ. A myriad of scriptures point to all the different aspects of this new identity (1 Cor. 6:20, Gal. 2:16, Heb. 9:14, John 1:29, etc.).

Yet Satan does everything he can to get us to trade it for something else. It starts when we lose sight of who God made us to be. We then begin to let other things define us (a job, a salary range, a relationship, a status level, and more). This leads to us putting our trust and finding our security in these things. Before we know it, we no longer embrace our identity in Christ.

Why is this so dangerous? Because when the trials of life hit us, only Jesus will be the one to see us through. How do I know this? I've lived it. A couple of years back I went through a very difficult season in my life. I endured 9 months of unemployment, a major back issue, and abdominal surgery which led to 25 days in the hospital.

As I lay in the hospital one day, I felt like I had lost so much of what defined me: my ministry job, the ability to support my family, my health, and my dignity. Then God spoke to me so clearly and He began to remind me that my identity was found in Him. I was rich! I had everything that I needed because of who I was in Him. This brought amazing strength to my heart and gave me the perspective I needed to get through this dark time.

Never forget who you are in Christ. Your job is what you do, not who you are. Your net worth is what you have, not who you are. What others say about you is their opinion, not who you are. You are a child of God, and you have everything you need!

The Top 10 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Serve in the Church

This weekend is our annual Ministry Fair at EC and it has me thinking a bit about the "serving" component of our Christian walk. Throughout the years, I have served alongside many different people. Without question, the Bible tells us that there is a place for everyone to serve (1 Cor. 12:12-26) and it even goes as far as to say that God created us for this (Eph. 2:10). By far, the happiest and most productive people I have ever served with are those who are in their "sweet spot". This is that place where a person's gifts, passions, and God's call intersect. Everyone has a "sweet spot" and with God's help we can all find exactly what he wants us to be doing. I encourage you to find that place and serve with all your heart.

Just for fun, I thought it would be neat to list my Top Ten Reasons Why You Shouldn't Serve in the Church. This is certainly not exhaustive. Feel free to add to it if you want. Enjoy!

1. Because you get recognition from others when you do.
2. Because you always have done it.
3. Because you don't know how to say no.
4. Because you want to do a favor for the pastors at your church.
5. Because there isn't anyone else to help.
6. Because you need to be needed.
7. Because someone made you feel guilty.
8. Because you think no one can do it better.
9. Because you have nothing better to do.
10. Because your mom did and her mom did and her mom did (well, you get the idea).

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

It's been almost 2 years since I last posted something on my blog. So much has happened between then and now. My family faced many difficult times, but God was amazingly faithful. As I reflect back on it all, I'm reminded of something a pastor told me many years ago regarding the will of God. He said, "The will of God is kind of like a scroll. God slowly unravels it as we walk through the journey of life. He never seems to show us too far down the road...just a little at a time so we will continually put our trust in Him." It's important to note what happens when we try to unravel the scroll ourselves. We make a BIG mess!

In the words of Mark Batterson (yes...I like to quote him), "God is predictably unpredictable". His ways are so much higher than ours and our lives are tremendously better when we follow his ways even when we don't understand. Our faith journey teaches us to trust Him, and I am living proof that He is faithful to his children. No matter what you are facing today, know that God has a perfect plan for you. Keep your eyes on him no matter what happens and He will see you through!

The Law of Requisite Variety

Someone once told me that a rut is nothing more than a grave with the 2 sides kicked out. Have you ever been stuck in one? I know that I have!

Here's a great article I found today by Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church. Hopefully, it will be helpful to you.

Click here to read it.

North Point's iBand

Hello everyone!

I pray that you are having a wonderful Christmas season. I ran across this video today and couldn't resist sharing it with all my blog followers. Click here or on the video below to view.  Enjoy!