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This has been a discouraging week. Every time I begin a serious effort to renew my prayer life the enemy attacks. I have always struggled with depression and when the enemy attacks he attacks at my weakest point. But because God’s people have prayed, because I have struggled to stay disciplines (and, yes, it ihas been a struggle), I woke this morning with a sense of release. So, to those of you who pray diligently…Thanks.
A passage that has helped immensely during this time of intense warfare…
ROMANS 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “•Abba, Father!” (The Holy Bible : Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), Ro 8:15.)
May God be glorified as He continues to work in our lives and in our midst.
STEVE

We are a numbers driven people. I overheard several conversations yesterday between folks discussing the number of those who died as a result of last weekend’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I also heard several discuss how many boats were lost on the Northern California and Southern Oregon coast as the tsunami came ashore last Friday morning.

College basketball fans are either excited or enraged by the rankings assigned their team for the NCAA Tournament that begins this week. Other sports fans are constantly talking about scores and statistics, aka numbers.

Pastors and church leaders are also numbers conscious. How many attended worship? What were the offerings? How many responded? How many have you baptized this year? And on and on it goes…talking about, bragging about, or being discouraged by numbers.

Yes, I know that the God considers numbers important…after all, there is an entire book of the Bible called Numbers! In Acts 1-6 we read about numbers in the early church…120 in the upper room, 3,000 conversions, and so on.

I confess I am not immune. Attendance, giving, and those kind of numbers can impact how I view my day, how I view the week, and how I make decisions about which projects to undertake and which projects to put off till later.

Yet I wonder if all the fuss about numbers is as important as we make it out to be.  For example, in last years NCAA basketball tournament a fifth ranked Butler made it all the way to the final game and was one shot away from winning the title. Most likely the churches planted by the apostle Paul never grew to ‘mega-church’ status. In the 18th century the Moravians, certainly not of  mega-church size, began a prayer vigil that lasted one hundred years and sparked a world-wide mission effort.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Large gatherings of people coming together in the name of Christ are important. But so are the handfuls that gather with a purpose of seeking God for their lives, their families, and their communities. Just as important as numbers is the temperature of those gathered together. I have no way to decipher how large the church of Laodecia was by the time John received his revelation of Jesus to that church (Rev 3:14-22). What we can know is the spiritual temperature of that church. Jesus challenged them, “I wish that you were cold or hot.” Their lukewarmness was their problem, not their attendance, not their offerings, not their baptismal record.

So, maybe the real question we ought to ask…how passionate are you for the things of the Lord? What’s your spiritual temperature? It seems that those who are having the most spiritual impact in our world are those who are white-hot in their passion for Jesus Christ!

May we be known not for our numbers but for our passion!

Steve

For all of you who suffer with migraines…after several years of not having one, I found one. Started yesterday. Took some pain relievers last night. Woke up with the same headache this am. I feel your pain.

But, on to better and more positive things. First, it is a Monday Holiday. It means my wife is off, so I took the day off (a good thing…see above). No particular plans, but a day to relax is always appreciated.

Saw “True Grit” yesterday. Loved it. Every minute of it. The young lady, Hailee Steinfeld, was superb. At times she looked the strong and confident woman. But there were moments she looked the frightened 14 year old. Jeff Bridges gave Rooster Cogburn new and fresh life. The hard-drinking, shoot first as questions later approach was marvelous. Matt Damon, Josh Brolin were excellent as well. If you haven’t seen the movie, it is worth the investment. I can’t wait to watch the original again (I have it on VHS…yes, I still have those antiquated boxes cluttering up some shelves). The music was extraordinary. I can’t really find anything negative to say about it. Finally, a movie that was well done.

Closing thoughts…Praying for some friends caught in very hard places this week.  Hope to finish Mark Batterson’s new book, Soulprint today or tomorrow. Look for a review soon after.

Enjoy the Monday Holiday!

In a recent book review the author of a new book, How to Be Perfect: One Church’s Audacious Experiment in Living the Old Testament Book of Leviticus the author identifies Leviticus as “the graveyard where read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year plans go to die” (quoted athttp://www.crosswalk.com/11645809/). I have been reading a few chapters in Leviticus each evening before I go to sleep. I am tempted to skip over the chapters on skin diseases, mold and mildew and other topics.

But, I also am reminded of two significant truths as I read Levitivus. First, God is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives…even to the level of what kind of mildew afflicts our homes. I have no interest in being a mold inspector except in this way: what areas of my soul are moldy? What areas of my heart and mind have become infected with subtle and almost invisible sin?

Second, as I read through Leviticus I am reminded that God demands His people reflect His holiness regardless of the cost. Though people with certain skin diseases are forced to live outside the camp, they are not forgotten nor are they to be neglected. The separation reminds me that there are significant costs to following God’s purpose for my life. Reading Leviticus reminds me that there are some costs I may yet need to pay.

If you are struggling to read through Leviticus you may find it helpful to read the book referenced above. I haven’t read it, but I agree with the author…we cannot afford to ignore any part of God’s Word!

Pastor Stev

 I am thoroughly intrigued by the doctrine of the Trinity because it remains just beyond my ability to grasp. So any time a book comes along that claims to help me understand what is just beyond my grasp…I can’t resist. SoI just finished reading Fred Sander’s The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything (Wheaton: Crossway, 2010).

I found his treatment of the Trinity a breath of fresh air. I really didn’t learn anything I didn’t already know and the Trinity remains elusively beyond my ability to grasp, but Sanders has done me a favor by giving some very specific direction to ways of thinking about the Trinity. He calls the Trinity “the deep grammar of all the central Christian affirmations” (46). That helps me understand that as I preach and teach about the Father or the Son or the Spirit I am in a real sense teaching and preaching about all three.  I found his charts and diagrams thought-provoking.

Chapters four, five, and six (The Shape of the Gospel; Into the Saving Life of Christ; Hearing the Voice of God in Scripture) were the best part of the book. There is a feast of biblical truth and a wonderful supporting cast of authors from the past that help clarify and explain what sounds mysterious and oftentimes confusing.

When  I came to the last chapter, Praying with the Grain, I was hoping for more than I found. I have struggled in my prayer life of late and was hoping for some fresh and new ways of thinking about prayer. I was disappointed in his lengthy reflection of C.S. Lewis’s treatment of the Trinity drawn from Mere Christianity. I had hoped for more of what Sanders had provided in his earlier chapters.

I would recommend the book without hesitation. Feast on it. Enjoy it. Let God’s Spirit speak as you read and may your mind be stretched to learn even more how deep are the things of our God.

I wonder sometimes if I’ll ever change. Procrastination seems to be my middle name. Insecurity nourishes me (ok, it ravages me). Will God’s presence truly change me? Trevin Wax, at his blog, Kingdom People suggests that after listening to 1000 sermons at his home church, though he could not remember many specifics, he did notice that he saw Jesus in Scripture because his pastor saw Jesus in God’s Word. Trevin also affirmed that he learned how to reverently and appropriately approach Scripture because of the messages his pastor shared over a ten year period.

So, the realy question is not will I change? No, the real question is will I allow the Holy Spirit of God to change me…and wil I be patient as He works?

That’s it for today…

It has taken me longer to get around to this post than I had planned. Once my sabbatical ended I literally flew through the first week and a half. There are several things I have learned…HEre is the text of an arti cle I have submitted to the Northwest Baptist Witness for consideration and publication:

Interestingly Different  

                In June of 2010 I led our church to undergo a comprehensive consultation. It was an invigorating weekend. One of the primary recommendations made by the team was that I take a sabbatical. In October I presented the church my plan and January 2011 was set aside for my sabbatical.

                At first the thought of four weeks of not preaching, not leading Monday and Wednesday Bible studies, not being engaged in the day to day lives of God’s people was overwhelming. What in the world was I going to do with my time? I had spent the last few years overcommitted and overscheduled. A few weeks of no commitments and no fixed points for which to prepare was beyond my ability to understand. Even on vacations and short trips away I was used to preparing for the next message series.

                The first few days of my sabbatical were a struggle. I wanted to find a schedule, to fix some points along the way for which I had to prepare. But after the first several days I reveled in the idea of rest. I had been sensing for some time prior to January that I was nearly empty.

                During the sabbatical I made plans to visit four churches, three in the Northwest and one in Texas. It was refreshing to visit these churches not as the guest of a family member as normally happens during vacation but as simply a worshiper. Of course I went with the intention of learning and observing how different groups of God’s people shared their common life together but the simple act of worship, the simple act of listening to a message to just be fed was absolutely refreshing.

                The other primary activity I allowed to fill my time, besides watching some really good college basketball, was reading for both pleasure and for learning. I always have one or two books I am reading, but during my normal schedule they are usually books relating to my task as pastor or my leadership roles in the various community activities. During this month I read several novels- thank you Tom Clancy and Daniel Silva – as well as several books on leadership and strategic thinking. Perhaps the best reading I did was from my primary text, the Word of God. I was able during that month to re-establish a pattern of slowly reading God’s Word. Instead of reading to check off an activity on my to-do list I was able to read to get acquainted once again with God in His fullness.

                There are several specific results that I can identify. First, as February rolled around I was more rested than I have been for several years. Second, I have been renewed in my hunger to know God, to lead people to know Him as I know Him. Third, God was able to refresh my vision for the days and years I may have left in active ministry. In short, my family, my church, and my community received a new me!

I finished reading Chernow’s entertaining and enlightening biography of George Washington (New York: The Penguin Press, 2010, 904 pages) last night. A throughly researched and thoroughly entertaining look at the life of our first President. Relying heavily on Washington’s own correspondence and papers Chernow presents an engaging portrait of President Washington.

Highly favorable to Washington, Chernow is not afraid to point out the inconsistencies and foibles of our first President. Particularly interesting is Washington’s vacillation regarding slavery. EVen though he freed slaves he owned at his death, up till his death he did everything possible to keep slaves in his possession. Runaway slaves were sought with persistence. Chernow also presents Washington as consumed with how he would be remembered by history. At numerous points along the way Washington ordered his aides to carefully and meticulously keep and organize his correspondence and his papers. And Washington kept volumes of paper. Washington kept a rather detailed daily journal of his activities as well as copies of letters he sent and letters he received. Washington’s policy toward native Americans was also conflicted. It is as though he didn’t quite know what to do with those who lived here when white settlers arrived. Chernow presents evidence of Washington’s powerful attraction to members of the opposite sex. While not suggesting that Washington carried on a physical affair other women, at least two women, besides Martha, captured Washington’s eye and heart Sally Fairfax- a married woman; and Elizabeth Powell, also a married woman. Chernow treats these relationships carefully and honestly without reading too much or too little into the relationships.

Though having no biological children of his own he was very much a family man. When he married Martha she had two children by her deceased husband. These children and their children, as well as various nieces and nephews became Washington’s extended family. Though Washington’s father died when he was young Washington never developed a close bond with his mother. She lived long enough to see her son named commander of the army of the Continental Congress and be elected as the first President of the United States. However, none of the extant correspnondence between mother and son display any affection or warmth.

Washington very much wanted to be remembered as the designer and owner of Mt. Vernon, a large estate made up of several farms. However, because of personal financial mismanagement and long extended absences (over 8 years as commander of the army and another 8 years as President) his homestead never quite measured up to his dreams.

According to Chernow Washington’s most enduring contributions to our country were made as the first President. His first Cabinet, containing Jefferson, Hamilton, Edmund Randolph and others was one of the most gifted groups of leaders to have ever held executive offices in government. Though the clashing personalities and political winds forced changes to that group, WAshington exhibited a great deal of wisdom and political acumen in holding such a group together and molding an executive department that worked. Washington’s dealings with congress is still the standard by which president’s are measured; for example, the State of the Union Address was initiated by Washington as was the invoking of executive privilege.

Chernow presents a balanced and readable portrait of the human George Washington which makes his book a valuable addition to any library of American history.

As another year ends— it seems like just yesterday I was learning to write 2010 instead of 2009…now I have to learn a new number- and another begins.

Sunday, Jan 2, 2011. The first Sunday of a new calendar year always feels like a fresh start. This month is an unusual one. After this morning’s worship I will be on a sabbatical till the 30th of January. So, as I leave after morning worship I won’t return till late in the month.

Here are my goals for the month of January:

1. Develop a preaching/teaching calendar for 2011 (Sunday mornings/Wednesday evenings).

2. Develop a writing schedule- there are several topics I want to write about on this page and the church’s website.

3. Plan my work as a board member of WACP and WCEN and the Douglas County Commission on Children and Families.

4. Memorize Galatians.

5. Keep an updated blog/journal of my time.

6. Develop a plan for mentoring/training men and leaders in our church.

7. Sketch a strategy for reaching our community.

That sounds like a lot of work. But if I use my time wisely and efficiently it should give me plenty to do.

Pray with me that God will use this time richly and help me discover a rythym for life that brings Him honor and magnifies Christ.

Luke 1:78-79

Because of our God’s merciful compassion the Dawn from on high will visit us

to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Those are Zechariah’s words on the birth of his son, John. After nine months of silence (he was struck dumb because of his disbelief in the angelic word-see Luke 1:19-20) his heart was filled with a deeper and more profound sense of God’s work. And isn’t that the real point of the Christmas story- in the darkness God was at work, in the silent night of what appeared to be His absence God was at work. The opening chapter of Matthew’s gospel records the generations preceding the birth of Jesus…even when all seemed lost and Israel was in exile, God was working.  AW Tozer writes, “When the Eternal Son became flesh, He was carried for a time in the darkness of the sweet virgins womb…It is as if God were saying, ‘What I am is all that need matter to you, for there lie your hope and your peace. I will do what I will do, and it will all come to light at last….”(The Knowledge of the Holy,p. 69-70).

The Dawn breaks on Christmas morning with the news that “a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David” (Luke 2:11). The light has come. Let us live in the reality of the light that the Dawn will come and even when darkness seems to hide God’s face we who believe will testify to the presence and power of our God.

Merry Christmas!