Has The Church Quit on America?

It's very likely that there will be some culture bashing in our pulpits this Sunday. The reason? It's the 232nd birthday of America. There are certainly a lot of talking points to present the case that our nation is going deeper into moral debt then we were even 5 years ago. Most church goers realize this and don't need a long list of immoralities to substantiate the claim.

While most clergy will appeal to the saints for prayers of revival in the land, my fear is the sadder result of such sermonizing is that we are cultivating flocks who are, first of all, thankful they are "more virtuous" than their unchurched neighbors, and secondly, more resolved to avoid rubbing shoulders with those who need to experience God's transforming love.

Is there not a risk we take when we attack the culture that the collateral damages are the hearts of men and women we're suppose to be reaching? Admittedly, it's unnerving to see the widening chasm between faith and country. Many wonder if our shot at reclaiming America for Christ is long gone. If that's true, is the church suppose to just give up on the U.S.?

We are burning the bridges of hope between church and culture. We are becoming churches of lesser purpose. It's a lot less demanding when we burn the bridge to lost people but we sacrifice too much in the process. In truth, the moment we give up on the neighborhood, we really have no right to call ourselves Christ's church. We abandon the very cause that propelled Jesus to carry the cross.

These are challenging times for the church in America but quitting is not an option. Jesus prayed that His own would not withdraw, burn bridges or throw hand grenades at the culture but instead cross the bridge that leads us back to the people Jesus loves. Granted, it won't be easy, since the first thing we have to do is some bridge repairs. God give us vision and strength to do the hard work of reaching those who are so far away.

The Way It Felt This Morning

I had a horrible run this morning! I know that's not a very positive start to this post but that's just the truth. I hated everything about that experience. I have been hobbled for the past few months and have been much more on and off with running than I hoped. I rolled out a bed at 4:12 a.m to meet running partners for an "easy" 6 mile run. Though the three of us started together, at the second mile I began to fade fast. At 5:15 in Mansfield it's still not daybreak and so I did my best to try to keep them in my sights as we weaved through the streets of Woodland. Thankfully the streetlights helped for another 2 miles but by then day was easing in as the inched away from my sight. I knew the next 2 miles would be spent totally on my own until I got back to the Y.

By now my legs were slowing and my body was aching. Those thoughts of running the Akron Marathon this fall seemed to fade just like my running partners who ran out of sight. With each stride, I felt less sure as a runner and more inclined to just walk. Finally my shuffle was replaced by a 300 yard stroll. I knew I needed to run back to the finish. After all, that's what I've taught myself. While will power was ebbing away, I reshuffled my weary feet while my heart was still walking along. It did not feel any better as I trudged along. To make matters worse, I lost my way on the streets of the Woodland community. I took educated guesses at each street corner but continued down less familiar lanes and streets. I had a vague idea of where I needed to go but felt stuck in an unreal dream.

The place was quiet and seemingly deserrted. I had entered my own Twilight Zone. I was running, but where was I heading? I was moving but had no joy at all? As much as I hated the experience I really started to realize something. That's how lostness and emptiness feel in the soul. I guess my moment of misery pales with those who go through those feelings everyday detached from God. For me it was a temporary nightmare of the flesh. Imagine living that in spirit everyday!

U Haul In The Driveway

Tomorrow we pull out of Dover Hill Indiana for good. This long slow good bye over the past six months was not easy. Over that time each week I had to leave my family for Ohio. In some ways that felt like a scene replayed in the movie "Groundhog Day." It was nice to wake up this morning knowing that the sureal experience is over finally.

As Kelly and I took one last walk down the Dover Hill Gate Road this morning, I thought over the last 13 years lived, tucked away in the hills of southern Indiana. A lot of joys and heartaches marked the landscape of my memory, with clusters of ordinary days randomly tucked along the way. This final walk was a symbolic close of this big chapter of our lives.

When the U-Haul pulls out in tomorrow morning, we will be down to three along with our family dog. We leave behind to boys who into turned young men. (This is not easy for us to do.) We leave a house that became our home for nearly 4 years. We leave a small community where every one knows every one else. We leave behind friendships, knowing some will fade while others will last, though miles separate.

We drive east to build a new life. To experience many beginnings. Mansfield Ohio is much larger than Dover Hill Indiana. There are new friendships that will form. New challenges to meet at as pastor of the Real Life Community Church. There are new roads to cover and sights to take in. There will be new memories to make.

I am thankful for the journey God has brought us safely through. It has been quite a ride!

Feeling The Sting of Letting Go Once Again

This Saturday it's time, once again, to sit in a gym and watch another of our sons turn his tassell.

Brad is our third to graduate from Shoals Community Schools. We are proud of him and his special achievement. We pray God's leadership to guide him in this great big world.

This week an old Wayne Watson song runs through my head and heart, "Watercolor Ponies."

There are watercolour ponies

On my refrigerator door

And the shape of something I don't really recognize

Brushed with careful little fingers

And put proudly on display

A reminded to us all of how time flies

Seems an endless mound of laundry

And a stairway laced with toys

Gives a blow by blow reminder of the war

That we fight for their well-being

For their greater understanding

To impart a holy reverence for the Lord

But baby, what will we do

When it comes back to me and you

They look a little less like little boys every day

Oh the pleasure of watchin' the children growin'

Is mixed with a bitter cup

Of knowin' the watercolour ponies

Will one day ride away

And the vision can get so narrow

As you view thru your tiny world

And little victories can go by with no applause

But in the greater evaluation

As they fly from your nest of love

May they mount up with wings as eagles for His cause

Economic Pinch of Reality?

Ever feel like nobody is paying much attention these days? Many of us are facing tough economic times. People are losing their homes because they can't pay their mortgages. Jobs continue to take flight overseas while the U.S. job market erodes a little more each day. Medical expenses are chipping away at the security many seniors thought they planned for when they retired. People are having to decide between paying $4 for a gallon of gas or basic food to feed their families. Despite what economic experts tell us these days about optimism for the future market it's hard to believe their polyanna forecast. These are extremely difficult days for most Americans.



I grow more frustrated with the seemingly scripted news reports that better days are around the corner. Why am I less optimistic? Just listen to the people that want to lead our country. What REAL solutions are they putting on the table for the average American? I simply hear vague and empty promises of fixing what's wrong. When will the pundits break the news that everyone seems to realize but the talking heads? The truth is we are in big trouble! We raise our voices but who is listening?



Maybe this isn't really all that bad though. Whether leaders want to admit it or not, this economic crisis may bring about some positives that may lead us back to a more spiritually-minded country. Here are a few that come to my mind.

• We may learn that we can live with less than we thought we had to have to experience happiness. Maybe we will find that forced simplification will ultimately lead us to more contentment.


• We may really learn to trust God to meet our basic needs, just like our grandparents and their parents had to when times were tough. Maybe we will have to get stretched beyond our dollar bills before we uncover better and deeper faith.


• We may begin to really experience the commuity of sharing to meet needs. Instead of competing to have the most on the block we will learn to give and receive with true gratitude and humilty.

WHAT OTHER POTENTIAL GOOD DO YOU SEE COMING FROM THESE FINANCIALLY STORMY TIMES ???

Current Favorite

CASTING CROWNS

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now

God You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen",

and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to you

And you raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Real Ministry

What is the perfect environment for effective ministry? It's probably not as you imagine. God's is repeatedly showing me something. Ministry occurs amid messes.

Just consider the following incident from Acts 6:1-7

During this time, as the disciples were increasing in numbers by leaps and bounds, hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers—"Hellenists"—toward the Hebrew-speaking believers because their widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines. So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, "It wouldn't be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor. So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we'll assign them this task. Meanwhile, we'll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God's Word." The congregation thought this was a great idea. They went ahead and chose— Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolas, a convert from Antioch.Then they presented them to the apostles. Praying, the apostles laid on hands and commissioned them for their task.

The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically.

Not least, a great many priests submitted themselves to the faith.

1. Just because you seek to do good doesn't mean everyone is going to see it that way.

People lost sight of the fact that hungry widows were being fed because people were caught up in measuring the church's compassion for certain groups i need. I've learned that Satan doesn't back off just because we get serious about serving.

2. Working harder may not be the solution to every ministry problem.

The leaders understood their calling and what it took to navigate through the issue at hand. Instead of doubling up their work load, they clarified what they were suppose to do and how to resolve this matter in a wise and creative fashion.

3. Out of ministry problems, new ministers emerged.

Some of the names listed on this newly appointed team became very high profile influencers for the Kingdom (Phillip & Stephen) while others assumed a much quieter role. Out of the mess came more ministers who would impact the world.

4. Staying faithful to do what you're suppose to do will pay off.

God seemed to bless because the 12 seemed committed to follow His agenda instead of the wants and wishes of others. It takes a lot of discipline to stay true to your calling at times when it seems troubles demand attention at every corner.

5. Difficulties that seem insurrmountable may, in fact, become pathways to more dramatic ministry impact.

At the end of the day it was noted that some pretty powerful things followed this crisis. God's word flourished. The spiritual birth rate spiked. The Message was getting through some of the most Gospel-resistant people in the city.

MINISTRY WILL GET MESSY AT TIMES. THAT'S THE WAY REAL MINISTRY GOES! AT LEAST THAT'S HOW I SEE IT.