A disease runs through...

When I became a Christian at 21 years old I had a lot to learn. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever envision becoming a pastor. I was never that person that said that I was going to lead people to Jesus, and in fact I rarely had the desire to speak in front of people. I was more skeptical about pastors more than any other group of people (they reminded me more of used car salesman or door to door salesman). But when the call came, I reluctantly answered. It took me three to four years to walk out on real faith and trust this calling God seemed to think I was made for. The rest is history and I have been in full-time ministry for 3 years with 6 years of various ministry/leadership experiences. As much as I was a skeptic of pastors I had a pastor that began to grow on me. He could preach the word with excitement, and passion. He was always willing to answer biblical questions or difficulties people had and shepherded the flock of our church (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 5:2-5).
As good as this pastor was something deeper was brewing: many members began to get their Messiah complexes mixed up This disease runs in many churches including yours. Let me explain.

Many people love Christ, many people love their pastors, but sometimes there is an unnoticed disease where the church thinks that if they hire this pastor he will solve all the problems, issues, breaks, and cracks within their church. (insert the not my church here). Obviously not everyone does this, but it does creep in a subtle way. The end result can be an overworked, sometimes underpaid, stressed, ineffective pastor who either stays or leaves because of it.

One thing congregants (members) must understand is that pastors are people too. (sounds like a bad infomercial for PETA).

1. We fail just as much as you do.
Just ask their wives, or family. We fail constantly. We let preaching get to our head sometimes, we get so wrapped up in our knowledge that we think we are better than others, or that a bible study isn't up to our intellectual snuff. We get angry, say stupid things, and exclude people, and compare ourselves to other pastors. We can be a very insecure bunch!

2. Sometimes we just don't know how to interact with people.
You would think that being a pastor one would be socially adept to having conversations and talking openly and freely. Unfortunately this has not been my experience. Those who can flow from the pulpit or from behind a makeshift music stand, seem to be quiet, and reserved and act like its the first day of school. They can be awkward, timid and down right weird in social situations. This is something as pastors we must overcome through His Spirit

3. We get tired and need time away.
An important aspect of my ministry has always been rooted in quantity does not always equate quality. Many pastors are tempted with the feeling to take or lead too many ministries (esp. if they are not good ministries or being led well). They feel the need to have several events, trips schedule their lives up, and leave very little time for themselves by using a pious thought of I am doing it all for the kingdom. I do not deny that various events, trips, and ministries help our members but we are not only commanded to rest, and reflect (Gen.2:1-4) but in the end we will be more effective by doing this. It can also lead us to a deception of the more I "do": which quickly puts a emphasis and focus on us and OUR labor.

It is easy to schedule time up and spend too much time at the office, or more time with congregants than filling up on Christ and His Spirit. Any engaged or married pastor will have to understand that God comes first then his wife, then his family. If we neglect tending to our families, how can we be effective with our spiritual family? (1 Tim. 3:4-5) This verse also can become a good model for single pastors.
This aspect begins the downward spiral of fatigue, being burned out, and let's be honest when dealing with people they frustrate you. Pastors need a retreat, to get away, and to manage their time wisely. I understand that most pastors are understaffed or no staffed, with no help from parents, no support, its a lone ranger type of ministry. But as leaders we must take care of ourselves (see my blog on empty tanks)through nourishment of the word, rest and time off.

1. Now pastors are called to a list of character/teaching qualifications that set him apart as it is a calling. (1 Tim. 3:1-7)
2. Pastors are also called not to take the call of leadership lightly (James 3:1)

Both lists could be endless of the things pastors endure,(and are called to) but I just wanted to remind people that pastors are people. We are called to a position unlike any other. A position very similar to a quote I saw on an article made by Ernest Shakelton used in an advertisement for his expedition to Antarctica in 1914:

"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful...."

Be Blessed

A Life Worth Celebrating

Tomorrow is a day that millions upon millions of Christians will be in celebration. Not because they get to eat chocolate from a bunny with a basket, but because the culmination of God's plan from the beginning of time will climax in Jesus Christ' resurrection from the dead. This time in history is so critical and is the crux of the gospel message. Just ask Paul in 1 Corinthians 15: 12-18: if the resurrection didn't happen then our "preaching is useless, our faith is useless, we are false witnesses, there is no hope beyond this life for death has not been defeated and we are still in our sins."

Not only that but the death and resurrection is also the main driving force behind our transformation and conformation as a people and church to Christ (or at least should be). For example:

"If we believe that we have died with Christ then we will live with Him"...(Romans 6:8)

"Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24)

"Be imitators of God...and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us..." (Eph. 5:1-2)

Constantly Scripture points to the newness of life we have in Christ, because of His death and resurrection we are made new, made alive as Paul says in Ephesians 2 and 2 Corinthians 5:17.

This not only excites me and even brings tears to my eyes knowing that a God would love me that much, go through all that pain, agony, rejection so that I would grasp how much he loved me (see Paul's prayer in Eph. 3:14-21 and Romans 8:31-42). Such a simple concept yet so difficult to grasp sometimes in our busy schedules, our desires, our goals.

This Easter also brings up emotions of sadness. Not sadness in the sense of Jesus dying, or being tortured, though the emotions of excitement as stated earlier come with this price and realization. I pray that every person that steps into the church this Sunday takes a hard look at themselves. Pastors, deacons, lay leaders and members of the whole body: the church. Because what happens during this time of year is very similar to X-mas, an over produced or under produced life. Let me tell you what I mean:

1. The person who has been never missed church their whole life, sat in the same place, does their duty of paying the tithe, prays and goes home. Yet there is no regeneration, no radical love, no service, nothing outside of a Sunday service.

2. The person who has given their life to Christ, struggles, doubts, fights for joy, serves in their church, uses their gifts and talents, who tries to walk as hard as they can with Christ, failing, but repentant, forgiven and keeps running.

3. The person who thinks (though not consciously) that if they show up once or twice (three of four or even fives times---BTW if your keeping a tally of how often you go to church you probably have other issues) a year that action will fulfill the "go to heaven criteria" because they were a good person and showed up. It says I am giving God one day of my life which constitutes a life lived for Christ.

I hope and pray that churches, like ours who triple their attendance this Easter, will do so because people are seeking this Risen Lord, who changes hearts, breaks the toughest people, and loves loves loves loves his children unconditionally. I pray that we see new faces because they are seeking the heart of God. They want fellowship through the gathering of believers. And yes these 3 types are in churches all year round, but I find that the "holidays" bring more out of the woodwork.

This is my point: Surely the death and resurrection of Christ warrants more than our petty religious actions! Surely the cross demands more than simply showing up one time and saying look I did it. (Plus when you stand before God do you really want to start out with: Well I did come that one time in 2011.) Surely the magnificence of Christ' glory and resurrection moves us more than putting money in a plate or sitting in our "spot" at church for the last 50 years. Certainly more than our religious language and talk or what we think as being "good enough" to please God. Surely the cross demands that we celebrate the resurrection in our lives all year!

I hope this Easter (like X-mas) reminds us (Christians) of what we are here for. What our mission and our purpose on earth is: to display God's glory daily through EVERYTHING we do, so that people will see our lives, our deeds and glorify our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). To expand the kingdom through Christ-like living, Christ-like service, Christ-like speech, and Christ-like death to self.

Have a Happy Easter

Be Blessed

Being a Superhero

The other day I was watching a movie. It had a commercial for a dvd that chronicled the history of DC Comics and how superheroes were developed, and the ideas behind them. That spurred my heart to some times I can remember clearly as a child. As most young boys I loved living in a fantasy world. This was propelled of course by the numerous Saturday morning shows like the original animated Transformers, GI-Joe, He-man, Batman, Superman (Chris Reeve version), the Hulk (TV version), and Thundercats and movies like Star Wars or Indiana Jones. I remember running around the house pretending I could fly with a towel tucked into my shirt for a cape. I specifically remember jumping off a couch trying to fly and at one time contemplating the whole: if I use a blanket like a parachute could I jump off the roof? Being like these characters or transporting myself to another world felt safe, secure and I was always there to save someone or something if it went wrong.
Just think about what Suprheroes do: They can fly, jump high, have super-human strength, run super fast, and in the end they are dramatically different than everyone else. I think people love them because they administer justice, keep order, punish the "bad" guys and care for the good guys. They protect you, teach you, and look way better than we do in spandex.

But as I got older, my fantasy world got smaller. My love for fantasy was muddled and crowded with growing up, getting a job, paying bills, going to school. But my NEED for someone stronger, someone bigger, someone louder, someone who cares for me, someone who protects me, love mes only got BIGGER.

In now way am I trying to relate Jesus' to a superhero, He's better. And I don't have to go in depth for this: He has no flaws! Did you read that: no krytonite, no damsels in distress, no weaknesses, He is all powerful (Luke 1:27), all knowing (Psalm 44:1), and all sufficient (2 Cor. 12:7) for everything we need. I think the kid still in me takes a lot of comfort in that. He is my Father, who loves and protects me, He guides me, He shows me where I need to be and what I should stay away from. He doesn't need a cape, He doesn't need super fast speed, or super strength because He is the author of speed, and strength: He is my superhero.

Flat out He is my God, my King. His Lordship and grace are completely sufficient enough for me and for you. Remember that. And about fantasy worlds: I sometimes still find myself drifting off into a land of fantasy but rather I think it is a longing for heaven (as C.S. Lewis once commented on our longing for fantasy worlds).

Be Blessed.

Having Your Cake and Eating it Too!

A couple weeks ago I said that I would explore the biblical viewpoints of marriage. As I myself am getting married soon, I have been reading extensively on the subject of marriage: what it is, and its purpose. I have been reading through scholarly journals, statistics and books by godly men to gain understanding of this what I think is vital and important subject. Using John Piper's definitions of marriage fro his book "This Momentary Marriage" I explained that marriage was two things:
1. It is a divine institution. (It was created by God, and for God BEFORE the Fall: Genesis 2:21-25)
2. Marriage's purpose was to display God's glory and the relationship of Christ to His bride the church. (Eph. 5:31)

When discussing marriage you can't simply skip over the numerous problems that our society has created in regards to marriage. Society has wanted to redefine it, change it, and has created outlets to mimic it (no doubt to our sinful desires--sorry we have a part to play).
Today I want to talk about a problem I have encountered in numerous churches including my own: cohabitation.

***Cohabitation is defined as people who live with a sexual partner of the opposite sex.

A recent Relevant article sparked this blog about this subject. It indicated that, "many American Christians in their 20s and 30s consider cohabitation morally acceptable." Why is this? What I want to do is show, from a sociological view, the effects of cohabitation.


1. Cohabitation leads to an increase in divorce and dissolution of the relationship.
The National Survey for Family Growth reported that those who had been involved in a cohabitation type relationship: the outcome was for women: 18.7% of them dissolved (broke up or ended) and 34.5% ended in divorce. With a total failure rate of 53.2%.

Psychology Today reported the findings of Yale University sociologist Neil Bennett that cohabiting women were 80% more likely to separate or divorce than were women who had not lived with their spouses before marriage. Also the National Survey of Families and Households indicates that "unions begun by cohabitation are almost twice as likely to dissolve within 10 years compared to all first marriages: 57% to 30%."

Most studies continue to find that those who are involved in cohabitation have marriages that DO NOT last more than 10 years.

2. Cohabitation affects children
Like divorce (something we will cover in another blog), cohabitation has its effects on young people. A study done by Leanna Mellott, shows that women who cohabited were 57% more likely to have daughters who did the same. For sons it was around 30%, though the effects of divorce, widow and cohabitation had the same affect.

3. Those who cohabitate are less likely to get married.
The National Survey of Families and Households, based on interviews with 13,000 people, concluded, that "40% of cohabiting unions in the U.S. break up without the couple getting married.

Other important notes: People who have less education tend to cohabitate more than those who have a college degree. People involved in cohabitation do not hold as high a view of marriage (displayed by their action to cohabitate). FInally people involved in cohabitation tend to have multiple cohabitants in their lives. (meaning relationships tend to end and they move onto someone else)

Now why did I tell you all this:
I gave you all this to illustrate that cohabitation does not fit the biblical picture that God intended for His people. I write this because I have personally seen an increase in young believers (or people claiming to be) being involved in this and it is wrong.

1. First it devalues real commitment.
Watch this video:


*Like the video, cohabitation says I will commit to you, until it is no longer convenient or if it doesn't work, or I find another person.

Listen, God intended that we would give our lives to Him, so that we may worship Him with ALL that we have, and have been given. This includes our partner. I could never imagine telling my fiancee that I will be with you, but never really commit to you.
Getting married to her tells her that I am in it for the long haul, that if I get a divorce it will hurt me financially, spiritually, and emotionally: It will cost me almost everything.

2. It devalues God's call to purity and intimacy.
Since cohabitation entails being sexually active with a partner (and I shouldnt have to go into too much biblical detail) this simply does not honor God.

1 Thess. 4:3,9--"it is God's will that you be sanctified, that you should AVOID sexual immorality....Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit."

1 Corinthians 6:18-"Flee sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body..."

*Notice God's desire is that you remain holy, separate specifically in the area of sexual sin.

Any passage that deals with the Greek word porneia, sex outside the bonds of a married man and woman. (this word covers all sexual orientation: pre-marital, homosexuality, beastiality, pedophilia, and pornography etc...)

Like sin always does: it distorts that which is beautiful picture of love: the display of Christ. Cohabitation wasn't meant to be part of the human relationship. People involved in it are committing sin. Pastors need to preach how wrong this picture of love this is, at the same time provide loving counsel, and help for couples.


I hope this information has been able to help you. We need to minister to people who are involved in cohabitation and let them know that they are loved, but that they are cheating themselves out of a love that supersedes physical, and financial gain.


Be Blessed

What do your prayers sound like?

I became a believer when I was 21 years old. Now before that I spoke to God when I really really needed something. Kinda like of the scene in Along Came Polly: (it really starts at 1:00 if you want to skip the farting sounds)



I quickly found that this probably isn't the best way to approach God with my requests giving Him if then statements: if you do this....I will do this. Ever since I became a believer I struggled with the thought of prayer. First the position: do I kneel, throw my hands up, walk in a circle? Or what about what I say:

"Oh dear reverent mighty, sky God."
"Dear buddy, hows it going?"
"Dear 8 pound, six ounce baby Jesus in your golden fleece diapers."

I seriously didn't know how to approach this God of the universe. I knew that I had complete and free access to Him and could come in confidence (Eph. 2:12), but I struggled to figure out what to say. As I grew, I began to pray for my family, friends, those who were sick, etc.. I tried to keep a prayer list, but that never worked cause I either lost it or kept adding so many things that I couldn't keep track of them all. I also fell into the all too easy Christian trap of saying "hey man I'll pray for you." and not doing it. My prayer life became either inconsistent or it became too militant.
One other problem I have and still have is that I come to God with a list. By all means, trust me when I say that I am not saying you cannot come to God with urgent requests (hence the Greek word for prayer (two words proseuche or deesis) but I think sometimes we just come at God with a list of people and things for him to do.

This is what I want my prayers to look like or have in mind:
Ephesians 3:14-19:
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Paul prays not for material possessions, or that their church would grow or for more wisdom, or that they would get the money for a new church building but that they would grasp how much God loves them! Holy cow that is powerful. He wants more than anything that they know the extent (all the general measurements: wide, long, high, deep) of God's love for them. ANd that love gives them power, and it surpassing anything they have ever known or will know.
Love beyond any type of intellect, any smarty pants who can quote a million scriptures, or Greek or Hebrew, or whatever, God' s love surpassing it all.

Reflecting on that, I realized that grasping how much God loves you is the essence, the most basic foundation and solution to our issues. For instance sin is the opposition of God. Sin robs us of the understanding of how much God loves us, that our joy is rooted in that love. Satan deceives us into thinking that something else will provide joy, something other than the love of God. It was love in the first place that even gives us the ability to grasp God's love. (John 3:16)
I wish my prayers looked more like this. That I would pray that my ministry, my church, my liocal community, my nation, my government, my family, my friends, my congregants, would grasp how much Christ loves them. That transformation WILL occur when that happens, (trust me you can't help but change knowing your loved infinitely more than you deserve--it can bring you to tears). Knowing that love should move me to action, and should move me to praise no matter what kind of day I have.

Luckily GOd has been working on me and I am getting better about what I pray for and not getting too bogged down in my list, but taking time to simply say: Jesus help me to grasp how much you love me, since everything I do flows from that!

So what do your prayers sound like?

Be Blessed

Rob Bell Universalist?

If you haven't read on several Christian blogs, or news articles, Rob Bell is making waves. I know of a lot of people that enjoy his books, and enjoy hearing him speak and preach. I personally have read his Velvet Elvis book and it personally concerned me. BUt since I usually do so much writing, I want to hear from you.
Rob Bell is coming out with a new book that will go over details of hell, and heaven. The description of the book given has led many pastors (like myself), theologians and followers wary of Bell's position on hell. The description is as follows:

"Bell addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith—the afterlife—arguing that a loving God would never sentence human souls to eternal suffering."

Many have commented on this: Kevin Deyoung, the original article by Justin Taylor and even John Piper who said "farewell to Rob Bell." sending people to Taylor's article.

But the issues with Rob Bell aren't new and go much deeper and I believe are deeply rooted in the Emergent Movement (the modern eras liberalism). Here is an article almost 3 years ago speaking about concern for Bell's teaching and preaching at Pulpit Magazine. John MacArthur also wrote his concerns for the direction of Rob Bell (and the Emerging Church movement) in his book "The Truth War".

But keep in mind these things:
1. No one has read the book (though Taylor says he has read several chapters)
2. Though Rob Bell could be espousing universalism
3. We need to be faithful to reading our Bibles more than Bell, or anyone else.
4. Regardless of your viewpoint of Bell, you must be firmly grounded in Scripture when reading or discussing topics like these.

So instead of putting forth what I think (as I think Deyoung, Taylor, and Pulpit mgazines article does enough), I want to hear from you.

1. IF Bell is teaching universalism, why would this be wrong?
How should we deal with Rob Bell and universalism?
(what I mean by this question is some have called him a wolf in sheep's clothing, a heretic, an awesome pastor, a great leader, a visionary---should the teaching be labeled heretical, unbiblical and if so then how do we handle the situation with Bell, or others that think this way?)

2. What implications does universalism have in regards to God's wrath?

3. If Bell does endorse universalism does this mean you will not watch any more NOOMA videos!??!

I would love to hear what you have to say on this subject.

Be Blessed

Riding on Empty

When I was a kid I can remember a lot of my dad various oddities. One of them was how he handled the car and its gas. My dad was famous for playing Russian Roulette with how long he could go without filling his truck up with gas. I remember riding and seeing that light go on, and two or 3 days later thinking, "wait he still hasn't been to a gas station?" (Which by the way we had at least 3 gas stations within a mile of where we lived). When I finally got my license I did not want to play this deadly game of cat and mouse. Even today, I fill up when the gas level gets a quarter of the way,even half! (I apparently have some damaging dysfunction) I just felt nervous as a kid that we would break down, or run out and be stuck somewhere if we didn't fill up. Isn't this picture similar to the Christian life?
As most ministers, and lay leaders know, you can only go so far without filling up. Some people try to ride the spiritual high's of Christian concerts, or mission trips, or even preaching, or teaching, or leading a group to keep them going. (I so aptly in college called this the Christian "Crack-High") As a leader, I am constantly expelling emotionally, physically and spiritually to people in my congregation, my friends, and my family. I ride around on "E", the spiritual gas tank blinking ever so brightly in my mind, yet try to keep going by teaching, preaching, counseling, mentoring...or basically doing the stuff that still focuses outward.

Now there are a million good books, and good Christian authors who have talked about this subject but I think it deserves (and so do you) a nice reminder. If you do not fill up, you will crash, plateau, be more susceptible to sin, break down, and burn-out. We need to fill up.

1. Being refreshed and nourished by God's Word.
One of my favorite passages to read, and reflect upon is Psalm 119. This Psalm has a main focus on God's word, commands, laws, decrees, (you get the hint). How beautiful they are, how wonderful they are, and how they teach, instruct, uplift, encourage, and nourish us.

In John 4, Jesus is hungry, thirsty. He speaks with a Samaritan woman who is drawing from a well. Jesus confronts her by asking her for a drink. They talk, and Jesus says this in John 4:13-14: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Obviously Jesus is speaking about eternal life through him, but he draws upon the picture of physical water that gives nourishment or sustains life into His everlasting fulfillment of those who come to Him.

It reminds me of when I work out. I drink gallons of water, as I am thirsty, as well as tired. The water just refreshes me, and helps me to continue working out. As cheesy as it may sound, filling up on Jesus through His word, quenching your thirst in knowing who He is, and remaining in Him nourishes us so that we may go out and teach, preach, share and live the gospel out.

One other passage I want to share is Deuteronomy 8:3, where God is telling the people that they must obey his commands and not forget who got them there and who provided for them. He says, "
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."

Clearly we must recharge, and live, feed, nourish ourselves on the word of God.

2. Walking, running, exercise, play a sport.
This comes out of left-field for some as they wonder how do I fill up by running, walking or exercising? Plenty. My morning time used to consist of walks until I changed to the current devotion time I have now. But I love to worship and fill up by working out so physically i feel the affects of what I do. God gave me the body I have, I am called to take care of it in all circumstances (1 Cor. 6) so why can't it be a form of worship or a time of refreshing. We know physically that when we work out we relieve stress, anxiety. We know that when we do a form of exercise consistently we prolong life, and improve the quality of that life. So how can it not be tied to the health of our spiritual lives? Physical exercise has proven that it can help, and most certainly be an aid in nourishing us.

3. Devotion
This has been an area that I have done a much better job at. I used to never be able to get up early for anything. But for the past 4-5 months I have made a diligent effort to get up around 6am. I try to use most of that time to get into God's word, and memorize Scripture passages, and have an open dialogue with God (my version of prayer so to speak)
This time can be a time for whatever you want it to be. You can devote yourself to anything that brings to mind the joy, and love of Christ. You can pray, you can read the word, or listen to worship music, fast, sing, or even dance. All the things I just listed can be found in Scripture and are a form of worship, praise and filling up on some Jesus juice so that we can be encouraged, nourished and well.
This is essential if we want to make it in leadership, and if we want to be effective in our walks with God (esp. with circumstances always changing).

Think of it like this: Think of the times when you feel closets with Christ. For me I feel invincible, but I also feel more loving, caring, empathetic and I learn more about Scripture. I feel so full that I have to share the knowledge that I have learned from His word. The filling up is meant to do just that: share, teach, worship, etc... But it is also to care for you, nourish you, remind you, and love you through Christ life giving Spirit, to that we share with the world we live in.

Be Blessed