Suffering - 1 Peter

I love how James begins his letter with the issue of suffering through trials. It is my favorite book. Peter writes about suffering too. In chapter two he writes that our suffering is part of what God has called us to (2:21).

He says that the way we handle suffering is a testimony to our level of faith in Jesus Christ. I had never thought about it like that. That's why we study Scripture over and over, because God teaches us things new every time we study it.

Each of us are called to suffer in different ways. Some suffer physically (I'm in that boat), while others suffer because of persecution (I'm glad that I'm not in that boat, but pray for those who are!). Either way, the pain involved is real and the way we live with it is a measure of our faith.

I pray that I measure up! It certainly isn't always easy, but I really try to live through the pain in the joy of God who I know loves me. Sometimes I get depressed and frustrated because of the limitations mostly. It also wears me down. I take naps nearly every day because my body simply shuts down. Pain is fatiguing! As james says, I need to count it as joy that I am asked to endure these trials because in them my faith is stretched.

Never once have I questioned God in this, but I do constantly ask Him to take it away. He hasn't as of yet. I also pray that my faith will continue to grow in this and that my times of depression and frustration become less and less and shorter and shorter. I don't know what your suffering is, but I pray that your faith grows through it!

New Believers - It's About Relationships!

No matter what program you have or don't have to lead new believers toward maturity in Christ, you will only be moderately successful at best if you aren't building relationships with them.

Here at PVC I think we do a pretty good job with our ministry to new believers. I'm not just saying that because it's my job, I'm saying that because every week I see people connected and serving who have accepted Christ here and have been led through our ministry. That's the reward! That's when we know that we have done a good job. If people have been baptized, joined a home team, and serving we can rejoice in that! Of course there are other areas that they need to grow in, and we pray for their continued growth, but those areas are beyond the focal point of this ministry.

Unfortunately, there are still people who don't take the next steps with their faith. I know that will always happen (See Jesus' parable of the soils), but we need to do everything that we can to minimize the loss. I pray that I am never satisfied with where we are at with this ministry!

One of the key elements that we continually work at doing better is building relationships with new believers who God brings to us. Our Fresh Start Coaches do a great job, and are getting better all the time at connecting on a personal level so that they can encourage and lead people toward growth and maturity in Christ.

The desire to build relationships requires people. We need more faithful people who have a heart for building relationships and encouraging people to grow in their faith. It doesn't sound that hard, but it requires that you be a member of PVC, that you are willing to serve where needed, and that you are willing to contact people regularly. Some people have a hard time calling people that they don't know very well. I'm one of them! One thing that helps me is that I want to know their story. I want to know how God has worked in their life to bring them to their decision to follow Christ. I don't always get to meet these people face to face, but I love to hear their story. We need more people who want to hear the stories of how God is changing lives!

Always Learning from God's Word

I am studying 1 Peter in my devotions right now. God is really speaking to me through this passage right now:

21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. (1Peter 1:21-22 NLT)

Notice the relationship between our relationship with Christ and love for one another. It doesn't say, "Since you chose Christ, focus on living for Him." Sure, the Bible talks about that elsewhere, but here, in Peter's letter to the churches in Asia Minor, who were facing significant trials, he tells them that because they have been forgiven, they need to "show sincere love for each other." Not just superficial love, but sincere love, deep love.

Sometimes that's really hard. Sometimes people are really frustrating and it's easier to give up on them. Recently I made a comment that I have made numerous times before, but the Holy Spirit is confronting me with it. Jokingly, I have said that, "If it weren't for the people, ministry would be great." Of course, without people, there would be no ministry! The saying comes from frustrations with people who are selfish and short sighted. More importantly, God is showing me, that the saying comes from sin in my heart!

I have vowed to God that I won't say that again, and have asked Him to cleanse it from my mind. I repeat it here so that I will be held accountable. I am just as selfish, and just as short sighted, as those I become frustrated with. Jesus talked about the sliver and the plank in the eye, for me it is the whole tree!

I want to have the kind of love for people that Peter is writing about. It is sincere, and deep. It will require vulnerability, trust, and selflessness. I know that the Holy Spirit has the power to make this change in my heart. I know that these characteristics can be manifested in my life. It must be a priority every day to ask God to continue to mold me. When I encounter frustrating situations, I need to process them better, more gently, more godly. I need to obey the truth!

Rebellion - Confessions of a pastor

I was talking about this with someone the other day and thought that I would share it. I will never forget the day. It was August 4th, 1977. It was my 17th birthday. Until that day, soccer was my life. I was involved in racing (It was a family sport, how could I not be?), but soccer was my love, and the focus of my life. I was good. I was very good. For those who know me now it's probably hard to believe that I was once a strong healthy athlete.

My right knee had had enough. When I woke up one morning and could hardly move, I knew it was time. Today it wouldn't be a big deal, it seemed like not that big of a deal then either. I had surgery on that day because of a torn inner cartilage. I had chosen for the surgery to be on my birthday as a present to myself to get rid of the pain and to strengthen my leg for soccer.

I believed in God, and had accepted Christ. I was very involved in church at that time. I trusted that God would bring me through and I would be back on the soccer field before the next season.

Then it happened. One of the watershed moments in my life. One that God would use, but I sure couldn't see it then. My Dr., one of the best in the field, came to see me after surgery. He shared that once they were inside, there was so much damage, that I would never play soccer again. (In fact, just three years later I had total reconstruction surgery on that knee. It was so extensive that they had to do bone grafts, modify the knee cap and socket, relocate the patella tendin, remove some ligaments and modify my quad muscles.)

In that moment, I couldn't believe it! How could God do this to me? How could He take away the one thing that I truly loved? In that moment I chose rebellion against God. He had obviously abandoned me (or so I thought at the time), so I went off to do my own thing. I was so angry with God! It took a long time for me to deal with that anger.

I am so thankful that God never really turned His back on me. Looking back, there were several times during that period of my life that I should have died. My sins were great and many. God preserved me, and when I finally "came home" He ran to me with open arms, forgiving me just like in the story of the prodigal son.

It took a long time for me to realize that God had to take soccer away from me because as long as I continued to play, it would be first in my life, even over Him. God doesn't take a back seat to anyone, or anything! His desire is for us to willingly choose Him to take first place in our lives. Sometimes He has to use circumstances to get our attention.

Ultimately, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. With God's help, I literally had my knee bent so that He would be made Lord of my life.

I'll share another time what brought me back. I wanted to share that pastors aren't perfect (especially not this one), and that sometimes those who become pastors have gone through great personal struggle, failure, and most significantly repentance and forgiveness. Out of my brokenness and finally surrender, God found someone He could use for His kingdom. I am so thankful for that!

Memorial Day

The pool is open! It was great to have Paige's family over today to swim and BBQ. This afternoon I got a really great nap. Tonight I got to watch the Ducks beat the Senators in game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I also got to go on a walk with the love of my life! Today I also got to enjoy God's Word.

I got to do all of this because of the many who sacrificed their lives for my sake. I got to do this because of the many who serve around the world today to defend that freedom for me, and for others.

I could it as one of the blessings that God has given me that I was born here in the United States of America. There are many times that it doesn't feel very united, but when soldiers stand shoulder to shoulder, I'm sure that all that matters is the flag on their shoulder.

I think that's how the church should be too. We have different views on a lot of things, but when it comes to reaching people for Christ and standing against Satan, the only thing that matters is the Cross that has touched our hearts!

Today we need to take time to remember the sacrifice many have made on our behalf, especially the greatest sacrifice of all, Jesus's death on the cross to bear the burden of our sins.

"Greater love has no man than he who lays down his life for a friend."

Seasons - Looking Back

God is so amazing! Recently we passed the hospital ministry and meals ministry to Daniel Conner who is already doing a fantastic job. This had been one of my primary ministries for the past year. When I stepped into that role, I knew that I would be stretched. I knew that I wasn't adequate, and would truly have to rely on God to work through me.

As I look back I can see how God had prepared my for that role. Apart from personal experience (I know to well what the inside of hosptials look like - sometime I'll share more about that), I can see how He prepared me from a ministry perspective. When I first entered full-time ministry in 1986, I asked God to keep me from having to do Pastoral counseling. Don't ever tell God that you don't want to do something He has called you to do! In my first three weeks I had three major situations to deal with and that was just the beginning!

In my last ministry, I was blessed to be able to work alongside Dennis Griggs who is one of the funniest, most gifted people I have ever known. He mentored me and showed me that I truly could work with people and did it well when I put my guard down and let God work through me.

All of that was to prepare me for the season of this past year. Seasons change! God has chosen for me to focus more on New Believers. He has created a passion in me for this ministry. While I grew to love hospital ministry, it wasn't my passion. It was, for a season, God's plan to teach me to serve others more. To love in tough situations. To care beyond what my heart could bear. I am in a new season, but with the added benefit of this past year.

I have prayed for a long time that God would make me a more gentle person. I'm still rough around the edges and sometimes I'm like a bull in a china shop, but I am amazed at how God used this past year to shape me and to create in me a more gentle spirit.

I will be praying for Daniel as he enters this season of his life. God will stretch him and I know he is looking forward to that!

As for me, God is already stretching me anew with the New Believer's ministry. The ministry has come a long way, but there are still people who I believe we can reach and help grow.

I'm ready for this new season, excited, and eager to see how God is going to stretch me.

Miracles!

Sarah had surgery to put in a pump for her heart. It didn't look good and the Dr.'s didn't hold much hope. The situation was grave.

Yesterday morning we got the news that Sarah is alert and responding. SHe knows those around her. The Dr.'s can't explain it. We can!!! How great is our God!

Keep praying, she's not out of the woods yet, and still needs a heart.

Please Pray!

There is a fifteen year old girl named Sarah who needs your prayers! She was medivac'd today to a hospital in Tucson to await a heart transplant which she needs immediately.

The hard part about this is knowing that another person must die so that Sarah has a chance to live (sounds like what Jesus did!). So how do you pray for Sarah to live, as another family is praying that their loved one will live.

We know that we have a great God, and that He has a great plan, we just don't know what it is. Waiting is painful sometimes, and this is one of those times. We can only work with what we know, and we know that we need to pray for those we care for. Today we pray for Sarah, she needs it!

House Update

Things are happening crazy fast right now. We decided on interior and exterior paint colors. The interior has been painted. Doors are in (including all 5 garage doors [one's in the back] and openers, though we have a temporary front door until ours comes in. Cabinets are nearly all in. There was a problem with the cabinets for the island, but that will be fixed soon. The septic system is being installed today. Power lines are up and we should have power soon. The propane tank will be installed tomorrow. The electrical will be done next week. We ordered all of our flooring and tile today. It will be installed beginning Monday. Last night we ordered the last of the lighting and the kitchen faucets on-line. The stonework will begin any time. As soon as the roofers put trim on the exterior will be painted.

The next decision is the garbage disposal. I also need to lay out the cabinet for the powder room so that we know what size the granite needs to be cut and where the sink drain hole needs to go. As soon as the island is done they make the template for the counter tops to get started on those.

We are getting quotes on the circle driveway and walk. We think we are going to have the walkway done with flagstone instead of the pavers that we had originally planned. It will go better with the stonework and the flagstone by the viga poles.

The Mark of a Believer

How can you know that you are saved? How can you know that someone else is saved? Casually we say that anyone who knows Jesus is saved. James said that isn't enough, because even the demons know Jesus. So, what's the mark of a believer?

I've been re-studying baptism. After studying every related Scripture passage, and several books and articles I have a fresh outlook and understanding of some of the "side issues" that I hadn't worked through before. One key question that I wanted to answer in my studies was "How old is old enough?" It hit me last night that I've been asking the wrong question. Certainly, I will make sure that I have an answer to that one for those who ask it, but it isn't the real question. We should be asking, "How do you know that you have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ?" a follow-up question to that would be, "What is the mark of a believer?"

As I begin to wrestle that through, I am immediately taken to Jesus' interaction with the "Rich Young Ruler." This young man had done everything required, yet it wasn't enough. He hadn't given up what he prized most to follow Jesus. I think of what James wrote, that "Faith without works is dead." My mind races to Paul's writing about the fruits of the Spirit, and his admonition in Roman's 12:1 to present ourselves as a "living sacrifice." It's becoming clear. The mark of a believer is the Holy Spirit working through their surrendered and sacrificed life.

I understand the theology, and have studied it many times, but it is really quite simple in many ways. A person who has a saving relationship with Jesus Christ will have the evidennce of the Holy Spirit working in their life. The Bible is clear in many places that when we repent of our sinsw, and choose to be a Christ-Follower, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who comes to dwell within us. Our lives are changed! How can they not be? When we go from living without the Holy Spirit, to living with Him, who can there not be change? If there isn't, I would question the person's decision for Christ. Look at the Scriptural examples! We can't be the same if we have encountered Jesus.

I'm not saying that we become perfect (look at the example of the apostles), what I am saying is that there is a transformation that occurs when the Holy Spirit enters our lives. We can do, and say, the right things, but if the Holy Spirit isn't working in our lives, then we haven't sold everything we have to follow Christ! That's the mark of a believer. How has the Holy Sprit worked in your life?

To answer the other question, "How old is old enough?" it is when there is evidence in a person's life that they have the Holy Spirit living within them. What that looks like is different for every person, but I know that there is a difference, a heart change. It isn't about knowledge and understanding, it is giving yourself as a living sacrifice to God. When you have done that, you will know that you have been saved!

I know that all of this is loaded with issues for theological debate, and I welcome that debate, as long as it is thoughtfully founded on the Bible.

Miracles Large and Small

What an amazing day! Today was an historical day in the history of Palm Valley Church and it was such a blessing to be able to be there for it. Here are some of the things that happened today:

- It was mother's day, and my mom and oldest sister Deb were here from CA.

- It was commitment/celebration Sunday for our Seize the Moment Campaign. It was great to see so many people coming forward to bring their offering and commitment cards.

- The kids brought thier offering cans and placed them around the fountain. I couldn't stop weeping as kids from 2 through 5th grade brought money they had saved for the kids fountain. They brought so many cans full of coins they filled the back of our Tahoe! We followed our treasurer to take the coins from the school. The coins weighed so much his car would have been dragging on the ground!

- God spoke through Greg! In many ways, it's a normal thing, but sometimes it's real obvious. Greg had been fighting hickups non-stop for more than a day, an they stopped while he was speaking, then started again as soon as he was done.

- The graphics computer shut down during first service. Satan couldn't slow us down with Greg's health, and that didn't work either! No one missed a beat.

- We put in our offering, more money than we could ever have done on our own without God showing up huge in our lives.

- Eddie rocked the house with Celebration, and the brass was a great addition.

Why Ministry to New Believers is Different

Ministry to new believers is different than "normal" discipleship in the church. Here are some things that I have learned about the differing needs:

1. New Believers are just beginning to discover what it means to have a relationship with God. They aren't likely to be anxious to sing "Holy, Holy, Holy" at the beginning of Bible study, because they are still trying to grasp on a very basic level the holiness of God!

2. They need clarification as to what decision they have made in choosing to follow Jesus. What are they signing up for?

3. They need help understanding what it means to be saved, and to know that they won't lose their salvation the next time they sin. They need assurance!

4. They need to gain a foundational understanding of the Bible. They need to understand what it is, why they can trust it, which one do they need, how to find things in it, and how to study it. This is one of two huge intimidation factors for new believers! They are reluctant to join a small group because they don't know anything about the Bible. They are afraid that they will go and the group will be studying Isaiah and they don't what know what, or who, Isaiah is, let alone where to find it.

5. They need to learn how to talk with God. This is the second huge intimidation factor for new believers. People pray outloud at small group! The horror! The leader is eloquent and others have just the right words to say. They are afraid of being embarrassed by saying the wrong thing.

6. They need to understand worship. Worship is more than music, it's a lifestyle, and the church is often guilty of messing that up! We need to help new believers understand that worship involves giving acknowledging with our whole being the glory and honor God already has and celebrating that glory because we are His children!

7. They need to learn to grow spiritually and take responsibility for thier growth. They need to be taught early that it isn't the church's or anyone elses job to make them grow to be like Christ! The church certainly must create opportunity and have an atmosphere that will facilitate growth, but they need to learn to feed themselves!

8. They need to learn to share their story! New believers by nature have the most connections to unsaved people. As we grow toward maturity, we naturally gravitate to other believers. New believers typically have unsaved friends and family with whom they can share their story.

9. They need to learn to become stewards of what God has given them. This includes time, talent, and treasure. This goes back to a lifestyle of worship. Living as a sacrifice to God should produce a desire to serve Him with the gifts and resources He gives us.

10. They need to know that they are loved and that people genuinely care for and about them! They aren't concerned about "fellowship" they are concerned about "friendship."

The funny thing about this list, is that it should also apply to those who have been believers for years, but often bad habits and selfish desires creep in. If we help people develop good habits from the beginning, they are less likely to fall away, and less likely to become consumer Christians. To that end, we have and continue to focus on ministering to new believers and developing resources so that others can too. If you are interested in what we have available, please don't hesitate to ask! If you have resources that would help us, please share them!

Why I Do What I DO!

This was an amazing weekend!

1. First, let me say that I love my incredible wife and really missed her this weekend. It was her annual trip to Prescott to go scrapbooking with her sister, mom, and some other gals. I tease her about it, but I'm glad that she gets to spend time away with them. I hated that she wasn't here this week to be with me for baptism weekend.

2. Caleb is home from college! He finished his first year at Southwestern. We still won't see him much, because he'll be working three jobs this summer!

3. I saw Greg use a pinata as a sermon Illustration. It was really cool and a powerful picture of how we can think of God in selfish ways.

4. Here's why I do what I do. I heard from our Fresh Start team that a husband and wife both accepted Christ in service this morning. How cool is that! Not our only decisions for Christ this weekend, but wow, it's huge on the significance scale! Two changed lives and a changed marriage at the same time.

5. Why I do what I do - two. We baptized 36 people this weekend! Two were connected to one of our Home Teams (They matter and make a difference!). Several were people who have been to the Fresh Start Class and have been a part of our New Believer's Growth Group. It was great to see these people take the next step in their relationship to Christ. Some had been believers for years, but wanted to serve Him and be obedient to Him more fully.

6. Why I do what I do - three. I am really tired! Last night I couldn't hardly move I was so tired and hurting so bad. In my prayers, I told God that if I could get out of bed, I would keep doing what I'm doing, and if not, He would have to show me what He wants me to do next in service to Him. I got up, so I kept moving, and doing what I do, and I love it! I need to be at the hosptital at 5:30 in the morning to pray with someone on our Fresh Start Team who is having surgery. I don't care that it's early (I'm up early every morning). It's a privilege to be able to care for people, especially those who serve Christ. Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That promise is what sustains me and empowers me every day. It is what drives my heart to serve Him and to want to grow closer to Him every day.

How old do you have to be to be baptized?

Let the debate begin! I would love some input here. How old is old enough to be baptized? How old is old enough to meaningfully accept Christ? Is the concept of the "age of accountability" really Scriptural?

Here's a link to an article that fuels the debate. http://www.gotquestions.org/young-salvation.html

I thought I was clear on my theology on this topic, but now I'm not so sure. If we believe that a child of whatever age actually accepts Christ, then shouldn't that child also be baptized as a step of obedience to their savior? At what age to we say that their decision is valid, what what do we tell them about their decision before then?

Tied to this, at what age do we allow them to take communion? If they say that they have accepted Christ, isn't that the requirement? Who decides?

I'm among those who see numerous people get re-baptized because they didn't understand or remember being baptized when they were young. I think this is why we rely on the "age of accountability" concept which is tied to the Jewish right of passage at 13. I think that this is why I am relunctant to support baptizing children. Am I invalidating their decision for Christ?

What do you think?