Archive for August, 2006
Important Theological Information August 31, 2006
In my passion for correct theology I wanted to share something I received yesterday…these are four truths that should be committed to memory…and will assist us all in trying to understand this very confusing world we live in…
Four Religious Truths!
|
In the serious times we live in, it is important for all of us of all 1. Muslims do not recognize Jews as God’s chosen people. |
In Honor Of College Football Season Starting Tonight… August 31, 2006
I wrote a poem last year after the Clemson vs. Carolina game that caused quite a stir, both in a good and bad way. Remember the game–USC was #19 and talking smack…and Clemson rolled into town…oh yeah, this poem is to be read as you were reading, “Twas the night before Christmas.” I thought I would bring this back…it was just so much fun.
The Game
Twas the week before Thanksgiving,
and all through the State–
The people were all chatting
about an endless debate.
The teams were ready,
their seasons on track…
and the fans were all busy
running their smack!
“We’re number 19,”
said the fans from SC,
And this is OUR YEAR
for a sure victory.
“We’ve got Steve Spurrier,
he’ll know what to do.”
But remember–you had Lou
and we whipped him too!!!
So the game began slowly,
in fact, it was a bore–
the teams went in at halftime
with a tied score.
But the second half proved fatal
for the USC crowd–
even though when that stupid rooster crowed
they all had to scream loud!
“Oh no, the Clemson player…
he fumbled the punt.”
We’re up, 9-6…
let’s start the fun!
But Charlie and James
played it all cool…
And when it was 1st and 35–
the roosters began to drool!
But Clemson began driving…
Carolina–what was your defense smokin’–
cause on third down
you left Curtis wide open!
Then James Davis told the team–
“just get on my back…
I’ll carry us to victory
and we’ll never look back!”
Touchdown Clemson
we’re up 13-9
and already the USC fans
were starting to whine!
But what, a ray of hope,
they had one last chance–
they began driving the ball
and planning to dance!
Blake dropped back
and threw to the wind…
“oh no,” the roosters cried,
“intercepted AGAIN!!!”
Then Charlie rushed forward
and time had expired
The players all celebrated
And Steve thought–”This is why Lou retired!”
So USC fans–
you lost yet again
to a team you say is weak–
if this is so–why can’t you win?
You talked so much smack
and tried to show no fear–
but now it’s the same thing you always say-
“Just wait ’till next year!”
Speaking of next year
I have some advice
Take it or leave it
you don’t have to pay a price!
But wait ’till the game is over
AND if you manage to win–
THEN you can run your smack…
and not let your mouth overload your rear-end!
GO TIGERS!
Don’t Miss… August 30, 2006
WOW–two posts in one day…some exciting things heading our way that I wanted to mention…don’t miss…
THIS SUNDAY–I said this in my last post, but this Sunday will bring our Deal or No Deal series to an end…and we are going to end it with a BANG! I can’t wait–it’s time for this church to make some noise, and we are going to be looking @ a very familiar Bible story and a not so familiar concept to see how God wants each of us to be involved.
Thursday Night–I am going to be in Clemson speaking @ FCA…the times are at 7:17 and 9:19 and I am PUMPED! Lucretia is actually going to be at the 7:17 deal with me…but she’s going to go home after that, she has to work the next day and I am off on Friday’s. I can’t wait–it’s going to be awesome!!!
NEXT WEDNESDAY–is our First Wednesday service…in our attempt to be consistently inconsistent we have made a change or two to the way the service is normally done…I think you’ll love it.
Sunday, September 10th–John Maxwell will be speaking at NewSpring. I will have to say that up until this point in my life that John Maxwell has been one of THE top influential people in my life…trust me, you will need to be here early if you want a seat…it’s going to be incredible.
Sunday, September 17th–we are changing the service time of our 9:30 service to 9:15!!! I know, I know, 15 minutes–but if Jesus rose from the dead then you can get out of bed 15 minutes earlier! :-)
Sunday, September 24th–this will be one of the most awesome services in the history of our church, more on this later–trust me, you will WANT to be here.
Tomorrow night–USC opens the college football season at Mississippi State–go Bulldogs. And USC fans, stop asking me, “Would you ever pull for USC?” The answer is no–seriously, I just can’t–in fact, the next week I am going to do something that kills me every year…I am going to pull for Georgia against you guys! AHHHHHH!
Saturday, Clemson opens the football season–YES, I will be there!!! I can’t wait!!!
Have A Plan!!! August 30, 2006
One of the things that has always bothered me to some degree is people who refuse to plan…and then expect their lack of planning to become my emergency…can I get an amen?
I saw this BIG time with I was in youth ministry–a church would advertise a “super extreme pizza blast” and tons of kids would show up…but because of a lack of planning the famished kids were told they could have one piece of pizza & then maybe get seconds later.
(By the way–youth pastors–the term “pizza blast” is no longer cool. Trust me–teenagers at school are not talking about the pizza blast in their class rooms…you’ve got to come up with another name!)
I remember a time when I was the guest speaker at a youth rally a particular church was putting on. I showed up & asked to speak to the person in charge–little did I know that the person in charge was going to be me. I found this out when I asked, “What do you guys have planned for this evening?” Everyone sort of looked at me like I was on the crack rock and asked, “Well…what do YOU want to do?”
That was an amazing learning experience for me…I wound up leading worship, which brought new meaning to make a joyful noise, and left incredibly frustrated because of a lack of planning.
Having a plan can equate to this word we use around here at NewSpring called VISION! The reason many people screw up in life is because they have no vision and desire to “fly by the seat of their pants!” That may bring on a rush from time to time…but is not a good idea when it comes to long term success.
For example–the reason many people fail in their finances is because they have no vision for what they want their money to accomplish. They simply spend and spend…and when they run out of money they borrow and continue to spend. BUT someone with vision will have a plan and stick to it…and 10 times out of 10 it works out!
The people who are miserable in their marriage because “it isn’t successful” probably have never sat down with their spouse and determined what success is…they have no vision. I asked Lucretia several years ago to define what success for me as a husband looks like…and because of that I now know the type of husband I should strive to become…I don’t always hit the mark…but I know what to aim for.
I know single people who make stupid mistakes when it comes to dating because they have no vision, they don’t know what they are looking for & so when someone comes along with a pulse they immediately think this person is a God send…if you want a successful dating life then DEFINE what a successful dating life looks like. (Dinner and a movie is NOT a success…if a guy takes you to a movie on the first date he is lazy and uncreative…and I DARE any single guy to try to argue with me on this!)
What is the plan? NewSpring has a plan–a vision–and that vision literally guides every decision that we make; in fact, there are tons of decisions we do not have to make simply because we have a vision.
This Sunday I will be talking about that a little as we wrap up this series called “Deal or No Deal.” I can’t wait! Don’t miss this Sunday–it’s going to rock!!! I am going to be sharing how I believe that God wants NewSpring to fulfill Acts 1:8…and folks, I am smoking what I am selling this Sunday so the passion level is going to be through the roof!!! Don’t miss it!
One more thing–establishing a vision takes work–lots of it–that’s why many people and churches refuse to do it; however, on the other side of vision usually comes success and growth, but ONLY if that vision is tied into God’s Word and His Spirit!
This Sunday…and the rumor is the 9:30 service might begin a few minutes early!
Jesus, The Bible, and Politics August 29, 2006
Should a Christian be involved in politics? Talk about a HOT topic…that question alone seems to be able to bring people to their boiling point almost immediately.
There are some in this country that equate voting for a particular party with godliness. One side thinks that Jesus was probably a conservative Republican, watched FOX news, organized pro-life rallies, and had a Sean Hannity T-shirt. The other side thinks that Jesus was a social liberal who thought all should be equal and also supported homosexuality.
There are people who claim to love Jesus who are Republicans…AND there are those who claim to love Jesus who are Democrats. So who is right? Who would Jesus vote for? Is there a Bible verse that endorses a particular party?
Believe it or not–I have STRONG political opinions–STRONG ONES! AND…I love to discuss politics with people in a one on one conversation OR in a small group. However, while I will use sermon illustrations that include people in politics…I will never use the platform God has given me to support a political candidate or party…why would I waste people’s time on a Sunday talking about the government when I can tell them about Jesus?
I said this back in January–Jesus matters! I sat in the room as our president delivered the State of the Union this past January and realized that while all of the people in the room were seemingly important–that one day their deeds and actions would be long forgotten. The decisions that are made today in our government will one day be in the history books…and the monuments made to our political heroes will gather dust and begin to fade away.
BUT Jesus–well, He’s pretty much outlasted every government and every political figure there ever has been. He’s amazing…He changes lives…and how dare I, or any church leader, prostitute the church by aligning it with a political party and selling out Christ for an elephant or a donkey!!!
NOW…keep this in mind…I do NOT think Christians should ignore politics. I’ve heard that argument before…and it’s pretty stupid if you ask me. A Christian will say, “I don’t think we should be involved in politics.” And then that same person will complain when ungodly laws are passed–it just doesn’t make sense.
I think Christians should be DEEPLY involved in politics…can you imagine how awesome our country would be if our leaders were more in love with Jesus than they were the press and opinion polls? I think we NEED committed Christians to run for office. I think that the political arena needs someone to present a Biblical view…and I pray for that! I have friends that are involved in politics and I pray for them on a regular basis–that they will listen to Jesus and do what He says.
AND…I think those that do not feel called to run for office should VOTE. How dare a Christian sit around and complain about how “bad” our government is if they haven’t voted–once again, STUPID!
Who should you vote for? Here is what I do…and I am going out on a limb to say that I believe EVERYONE who is a Christian should vote this way…(I can feel the tension…)
I think Christians should get on their face before God and ask this question, “Who do YOU want me to vote for?” That’s it–it really is THAT simple! I believe too many people are swayed by public opinion and not directed by the Holy Spirit…and that is one of the reasons for much of our political confusion. Can you imagine how much easier the process was if Christians would simply seek God on this decision? (Then maybe the millions of dollars political figures use on trying to get themselves re-elected could be used for things like advancing God’s kingdom and feeding the poor!)
As Christians we have a responsibility to be involved in politics. Look all through Scripture–especially the New Testament…in the Gospels the political figures of the day are mentioned. In the book of Acts we see the Apostle Paul having the opportunity to speak to major political leaders of the day…and when he got the chance he didn’t speak to them about some policy or program…he spoke to them about Jesus.
(Don’t you find that amazing? Paul had the opportunity to discuss politics and chose to talk about Jesus!!! He didn’t lead rallies against the government–He spoke FOR Jesus!!! He was sold out to God’s kingdom–we need more of that!)
Once again–God called me to preach His word…and I will. I will preach on Biblical issues. I will say what the Bible says & do not care about the media or public opinion. There ARE so many issues that we have made political–but at their core are really Biblical. And I will not use this church to advance a person or a party politically–Jesus matters–He’s first–He reigns–He changed my life–and I will wear myself out for Him!
Two Incredible Conversations This Weekend… August 28, 2006
I had two conversations this weekend that were amazing…and it reminded me of the fact that, when inviting others to church, we never need to give up.
The first was a lunch I had on Friday with a friend who is now bringing his entire family to NewSpring. I literally made it a point for over three years to see this guy every week and invite him to church…and every week he would smile and say, “I’ll try to make it sometime.”
Sometime never seemed to happen…and I watched as this guys life began to unravel right in front of everyone. His marriage was on the rocks–he was addicted to drugs…and was about as far away from God as you could get.
Finally a lady who works with him had a CD of the message I had preached the following Sunday and she offered to let him listen to it. He said that he figured he didn’t have anything to lose–so he listened to it and God rocked his world.
The following week he was at NewSpring…and the next…and the next…and through the persistence of people who cared enough and the Holy Spirit working on his heart he accepted Christ. I never will forget the letter he wrote me after he received Christ…I sat in my office and bawled like a baby, telling myself over and over, “This is why I do what I do!”
And now, like I said, he’s there every week…with his family…and he invites everyone he sees because of what Jesus has done in his life. I ask myself, “What if I had given up? What if I had quit? What if the lady at his work place had thought he would not be interested in the CD?”
It’s a partnership–God has called our church to provide an environment where people can come and hear the message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand…we stripped away the rules and religion and offer Jesus and Scripture…and it’s working. AND it is as simple as you and I being willing to continually invite people–caring enough about them and the work that God is doing.
I had another conversation on Friday at the soccer game with a new friend named Chip. (See the end of this post for my reflections on the game.) Chip came up and told me that he goes to NewSpring and had recently accepted Christ. I asked him about how he began coming and he told me his daughter that plays soccer invited him.
WOW–a daughter invites a father…and over time he accepts Christ. I have to admit that I nearly lost it–I almost started weeping right there at Riggs Field–I am so thankful that people still care enough about people far from God to ask them to come to church…and it works!!!
It’s as simple as asking someone to come to church. We had three people on stage yesterday playing Deal or No Deal…all three first time guests…and all three said they were invited by someone. That’s how it’s supposed to be–people telling people!
Why are we afraid of this? We talk about other things, seriously–guys will go to the bathroom and then come and tell other guys about the experience…but we won’t tell people about Jesus or invite them to church…or we give up on people because they said no a few times.
I am so glad no one gave up on me! I am so glad someone thought I was worth the effort. So let me ask you…who are you investing your life in? Who do you need to invite to church this week? Make a list–write their names down…and let’s roll!!! DON’T GIVE UP! TRY AGAIN! IT’S WORTH IT…AND ONE DAY THEY WILL AGREE!!!
Quick Insights From The Soccer Game:
I loved the game–CU won 1-0. It’s a lot of fun when people you know are playing…just a few quick things…#20 smiles all the time–even on the soccer field, that’s awesome–I could not smile playing soccer. :-) I saw #10 score her first career goal @ CU, way to go–looks like she will have an opportunity to score more! I had no idea #14 was such a machine of a player–but her picture was on the little calendar they were passing out–and you’ve got to be good to have your picture put there! I heard people talking about #15 in the stands…and how she had accepted Christ and that since then her life had changed in an awesome way…and #17, holy cow, the girl has some jets…I’ve never seen someone run that fast. I’ll be back ladies–thanks for the invite!
And to you CU peeps–looking forward to hanging out with you @ FCA this Thursday @ 7:17 & 9:19!
One Of The Coolest Things I Have Ever Read August 26, 2006
Clayton King is one of my best friends in the world and is also my accountability partner. He and I have laughed and cried together over the past 10 years…and talk at least once a week on the phone & ask one another some pretty tough questions.
I have always admired Clayton as a communicator–he is one of the best speakers that I have ever heard. He has the ability to take every day situations and pull lessons out of them.
So this morning I checked my e-mail and I received the following from him–since he doesn’t blog I thought I would post it here…it made me laugh out loud AND challenged me. (Keep in mind when reading this that Clayton and his wife Charie have two boys–Jacob is the oldest…then Joseph.)
“You have to learn to walk before you can run.”
This worn out cliche has been repeated so many times that it is almost meaningless. But there are reasons for cliches. They don’t just create themselves. Stuff happens, consistently, to a large number of people, and phrases are created to describe phenomenons that most people have witnessed. They are shared within the general population and thus, a cliche is created.
They regain a sense of meaning when they actually happen to us or near us, and we are reminded of why they exist in the first place.
That is what just happened to me. Right in the middle of some extremely important ministry endeavor that I was immersed in, right here in this very office from which I type, God slid right up beside me and in essence said “Hey son, you need to see this.”
In the office with me were my two boys. I had tuned them out for just a minute to get some important stuff done. While I was engrossed in that stuff, my one year old Joseph was stammering across the floor, taking his first multiple-steps. He had already been walking, but only one or two steps at a time. This time, his eyes were fixed, his eyebrows were raised, and his lips were wrapped pensively around his slightly protruding tongue. He was in the zone.
I sat there and soaked in the sheer HISTORY of that very moment. My boy was learning to walk. He was teaching himself. Or maybe he was surrendering to the natural instincts of development that God placed in all little boys and girls. He wanted to walk more than anything in the world at that moment. He was intent. His mind, as little as it was, was made up. Nothing would stop him, and there was no turning back.
He would never settle for crawling again. It would no longer satisfy him. He had stood upright. His perspective had changed. All fours would just never do anymore. It was so inefficient. Walking was (going to eventually be) so much faster.
As I sat mesmerized, I thought to myself “I am watching my flesh and blood do something for the first time that will never be the first time again.” I had better remember this because this is the kind of thing parents talk about when they say cliches like “Before you know it, they will be grown” or “You will turn around and wonder where all those years went.” So I decided to watch and appreciate it and let him fall, and get up, and fall, and get up. Undeterred, this went on for a long time. Until his big brother discovered what he was doing.
Jacob went nuts. He ran full-steam toward Joseph and hit him like a linebacker. The blood and carnage ensued along with wild screams and lots of tears. Daddy swooped in for the rescue. I cuddled Jospeh with kisses and hugs. I threatened Jacob with dismemberment and a removal of cartoon priveleges until his adolescence.
In the erupting chaos (which I have learned just kinda comes out of nowhere with children) it dawned on me. Jacob already knows how to run, but Jospeh is just learning to walk. You have to walk before you can run. So, that is what that means…
We use “walk” and “run” to describe how we relate to God. We call it our “walk with The Lord.” Paul called the faith a “race” and said “we run this race with patience.” Things as ordinary as walking and running are how we talk about the relationship we have with God. But we have to learn how. We must start somewhere.
I am pretty sure of this…Joseph will never go backwards. Crawling is so old-school for him now. Once he tasted of the pleasures of walking upright, he was ruined on its goodness. And “before I know it, I will turn around and he will be running around the house!” Then he will be driving, and getting married, and having his own children.
Why do we regress with God? Why do I sometimes move backwards? Why do I crawl so often when I have learned to walk and I have learned to run? The answer? Because I am still a baby. I am weak and undisciplined. At times I cannot find the strength it takes to stand up or move forward. So like a baby, I just wait on my attentive daddy to come pick me up and help me get back on my feet. He holds my hands, helps steer me around dangerous objects, and gives me the support I need to do something I should already know how to do.
I am just like my boy. I am still learning to walk. When I think I have it figured out, I collapse. But that’s allright, too, because I have a PERFECT daddy who is overflowing with grace for me, and He never takes His eyes off of me, not even for a minute. With Him in the room, I am going to be just fine.
Thanks for entertaining the sappy musings of a ruined and proud daddy.
Clayton