Mark Beeson

Extraordinary

Adam is remarkable.

He and Becky were enjoying Dustin Maust's wedding when I took this picture last night. As I watched them relaxing with friends I thought, "This guy is awesome. He's loyal, diligent and talented.  His team loves him. His boss loves him. His friends love him. His kids love him. His wife loves him. Come to think of it, I love him too."

Adam carries huge responsibility.  Butch has tasked him with authority as our Director of Technical Arts.

The players around Adam are high-capacity-wild-eyed-zealots. They know their stuff.  Not many could pilot such a team. Adam leads them well. They thrive under his leadership and learn from his example.

Adam sees the big picture yet never misses the little details.
   He protects our values and values his team.
      He knows our priorities and holds them when values compete.
         He follows Jesus and carries a lot of us with him on the journey.

I'm proud of Adam.  You should be too.

Proverbs 20:6-7 - Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in his integrity— How blessed are his sons after him. 

Mother's Day 2008

 

Happy Mother's Day Sheila!

Thanks for being the best "Mom" ever. Our children live in the blessing of your faith. I'm honored to serve Christ beside you.

I think Solomon described you when he wrote these words in Proverbs 31, "Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"

I love you.

Worship Last Night

 

After singing the old DC Talk song Red Letters with Seth Bible last weekend, Trace led worship last night.

I'm proud of Trace. He has decided to pursue Jesus' dream (VISION), according to Jesus' decision (INTENTION), the Jesus' method (WAY). He is determined to live in The Kingdom of the Transformed Heart. (Rob taught the VIM process at New Community.)

Trace knows a life that "shines like stars in the Universe" requires the disciplines of abstinence and engagement. He is training. His life makes a good case for Christ. 

Sheldon VanAulkens said, "The best argument for Christianity is Christians."  He was right. 

Galatians 5:22-23 -  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

35 Minutes

 

I took this picture ten minutes ago. I've been in the auditorium preparing for the New Community.

Rehearsal is over.

The musicians are ready. The technicians are ready. Trace is ready. Rob is ready. The crowd of people filling the Atrium, and waiting to get in, is ready.

We've come to worship. Only 35 minutes remain. We are ready.

Come. Give God praise tonight.

   Psalm 150:1-6 

    Praise the Lord.

    Praise God in his sanctuary;
        praise him in his mighty heavens.
    [2] Praise him for his acts of power;
        praise him for his surpassing greatness.
    [3] Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
        praise him with the harp and lyre,
    [4] praise him with tambourine and dancing,
        praise him with the strings and flute,
    [5] praise him with the clash of cymbals,
        praise him with resounding cymbals.

    [6] Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

    Praise the Lord.

The Fast and The Fire

Worship ignites the soul.  Prayer fuels the inferno.

At the core of the church there's a fire, a love for Christ that burns hot and bright. The searing heat of that brilliant flame warms the pulpit and ignites the congregation. When God sets the leaders of a church ablaze, the entire congregation feels the burn. 

We've been fasting this month. We've been praying.

It's in times of fasting and prayer that I often hear more clearly from God. Sometimes there's a new understanding of scripture; sometimes I hear God's whisper; sometimes God brings conviction through a trusted friend. 

That's what happened a couple of days ago.

God used Rob Wegner to bring me this NT Wright quote. God set Rob on fire with these words, then Rob torched me. Read Wright's words...and let the conflagration roar.   

"...when Tiberius or Nero came to power, the imperial heralds did not go around saying, 'There is this new experience you might like to try on for size, namely, you might like to give allegiance to Caesar if that suits you and if that's where you are right now in your own personal journey.' No, they said, 'Tiberius is emperor! Get down on your knees!'"   (NT Wright)

God, make your church courageous.
   Save us from tepid preaching.
      Deliver us from cold hearts, weak wills and mushy faith.
         Jesus is Lord.
            Help us boldly proclaim it.
               Amen.

One Prayer: Make Us Courageous

                                                                                      - Photo by Dustin Maust

My "ONE PRAYER" message is recorded and ready.  God showed up; scores of people from GCC prayed and encouraged me during the entire process.

I thank God for the privilege.  What an honor to offer my "One Prayer" for the Church. 

Lord, make us courageous!

1 Chronicles 28:20  -  David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you...."

North American Raccoon / Procyon lotor

This raccoon is living in our woods.

Looking at this little guy through the lens of my camera I thought, "Wow.  God's creativity is astounding."

God is awesome.

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. (Psalms 36:5-7)

Three More Hours...

 

It's almost time.

At 11:30 this morning I stand to deliver. 

The One Prayer request is that I record my one prayer for the Church.  Praying with Jesus for the Church, I'm asking God to give us courage.

My prayer, "Lord, Make Us Courageous."

The Lord spoke to Joshua and said, "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”    (Joshua 1:9)

He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light. (Job 12:22)

 

                                                                                          - Photo by Dustin Maust

"Clarity.  I need more clarity."

I heard it again today. Explain," they say, "Why are we fasting?  What are you asking us to pray about?  What are you expecting from a whole month of fasting and prayer?"

Here is my answer.

I'm expecting God to prepare us for the brilliance of his Glory. 
I'm expecting our hearts to burn with desire for God.
I'm expecting our congregation to embrace a bright tomorrow, where we step out of the shadows and into God's marvelous light.
I'm expecting our fast to make us hunger for obedience to God.

I'm asking you pray for a spiritual break-through, a miracle to rock GCC over a critical tipping point and into a new realm of devotion.
I'm asking you to pray for our courage as God brings us into new territory.
I'm asking you pray for our One Prayer ministry.
I'm asking you to pray for the message I'm recording for all the churches of One Prayer.
I'm asking you to pray for me.

Even if we grow weak with fasting, God will answer our prayers and the world will see God's Kingdom values of "up there" lived out "down here."

Live in the light. Join the fast. Join the prayer.

Psalms 109:21-27 
But deal well with me, O Sovereign Lord, for the sake of your own reputation! Rescue me because you are so faithful and good. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is full of pain. I am fading like a shadow at dusk; I am brushed off like a locust. My knees are weak from fasting, and I am skin and bones. I am a joke to people everywhere; when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn. Help me, O Lord my God! Save me because of your unfailing love. Let them see that this is your doing, that you yourself have done it, Lord.

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. (Psalms 79:9)

 

I proclaimed a fast, ... a fast to humble ourselves before our God and pray for wise guidance for our journey—all our people and possessions.   -  Ezra 8:21

I've proclaimed a fast for the month of May. Obviously, I'm not the first to do so. 

Like Ezra of old we stand in need. We must pray for wisdom and guidance for our journey. 

We've never been where we're going.
We've never done what we're doing.
We've never seen what we're seeing.
We've never traveled this road.

There is beauty ahead. We're invited into His story; we're called to give Him glory. Will you join us in prayer? Will you fast and pray during one meal this month? 

I'm asking.

Joel 2:12-13 says, "That is why the Lord says, "Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me all your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your remorse tear at your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered; he is full of kindness and anxious not to punish you."

Our Dogwoods Are Blooming

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.   -   Psalms 96:9-13

Kids And Mountain Top Moments with Jesus

                                                                                            - Photo by Sheila Beeson

On the heels of the Women's Retreat I'm left pondering my own "mountain top experiences with Jesus."  I've had some; so have you.   My personal "mountain top" list includes a number of "Camp Adventure" entries with my family.

For more than three decades I've spent at least one week each summer at Camp Adventure.  I've served as a counselor, cluster leader, worship leader, director and photographer.  I've mopped floors, performed injury triage and towed swamped canoes.  I've prayed, preached and counseled counselors.  I've loved it all.

When our children were still at home we took them camp.  They shared the adventures, the games and the thrills.  They grew up in the context of worship, praise and passion for Christ.  Each summer we took them with us to a "mountain top." 

Getting them up there required effort, money and time.  If you wonder what I mean by this, simply pick up a baby and bear full responsibility for moving it "up and the the right" for about 18 years.

Here's a summary of the price we paid to get our kids up to some mountain tops with us.... 

We gave them attention (so they felt our love and concern). Children need to be watched all the time, not just when they're shouting, "Watch me! Watch me!"  Come to think of it, silence should concern the parents of young children.  Silence demands inspection.

We gave them limits (so they didn't participate in the Camp as "campers" until they were old enough).  We believe children benefit from age-appropriate boundaries. It's a good thing for children to wait their turn.
We told our kids, "You can't drive yet." 
"You can't date yet." 
"You can't pierce your ears yet." 
"You can't have a cell phone yet."
"You can't have a BB gun yet." 
"You can't go to the school dance yet."   
"You can't wear make-up yet." 
"You can't let go of my hand while crossing the street yet." 
"You can't participate in camp as a camper until you are old enough to actually be registered as a camper."

We gave them space (kids are like fluids - they occupy the shape of their containers).  Children fill your space.  Everything from diaper bags, to cribs, to car seats, to sleeping bags, to clothes packed in suitcases...children fill all your available nooks and crannies.

We gave them opportunity to be inspired by real people, with real resolve to follow Jesus, (because "seeing" the faith lived out in the lives of fantastic, spirit-filled, fired-up young adults burns a vision for the Christian-life into their psyche).  Kids will have heroes.  Parents have opportunity, and responsibility, to put their children where they can see people worth emulating - up close and personal.  We exposed our kids to high-voltage radioactive Christ-followers and we often heard them say, "I want to like him!  I want to be like her!"  Getting kids around great people is a really, really good idea.

I miss my kids, but I have no regrets.  Sheila and I did everything we knew to do so they could have mountain top experiences with Jesus.  It was a lot of work, but Amber, Aaron and Angela were worth the effort.

Your kids are worth the effort too.

No doubt about it.

Proverbs 22:4-6 - Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them. Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

 

Saturday Night Women's Retreat

 

Everyone who's been away to summer camp, or spent a weekend on a retreat, has a similar question.

When you leave retreat territory and return to the land of your forefathers, who will you be?  Whether you've been on a mountain top, or soaring in the clouds, who will you be when you come back? 

There is no question that you'll face challenges.   You'll certainly experience disappointments.  Stuff happens. The Bible says, "God sends rain on the just and the unjust too."  So, no one can choose problem-free living, even though we do get to choose some of our problems.

Saturday night Kathy Guy hit the topic head-on and offered everyone help with "re-entry."  In this photo I captured Kathy addressing the women.  She is a remarkable leader.

She had counsel for every person wanting a strategic (and workable) plan for taking additional steps toward Christ.  The God who is with us on every mountain is with us in every valley.  There is no need to fear re-entry. 

We are not alone.  Though we walk through the darkest valleys we need not fear.  God is with us....even there.

But mountain tops sure are special.  Even the first disciples thought so.

Mark 9:2-5 -  Six days later, three of them did see it. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes.  His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them.  Elijah, along with Moses, came into view, in deep conversation with Jesus.  Peter interrupted, "Rabbi, this is a great moment! Let's build three memorials—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah."

Let me ask...

When was your last "mountain top experience" with Jesus?

I Love Artists

 

Why was worship so powerful at the Women's Retreat?

Simple.  Jason brought it!  His band was phenomenal; the musicians gave heart and passion to their worship.  The women sang along as Jason led us in praise, confession, prayer and celebration.

Where would normal people - people like me - be without the artists who help us worship? 

With great artists leading me, I confess my sins more throughly.  I praise God with more focused enthusiasm.  I repent more deeply.  I sing more confidently.  Jesus-loving, God-fearing, Spirit-led artists are God's gift to the Church. 

Every artist who commits their art to the glory of God enriches the Church. 

Artists arise! 

No one can do for the Church what you can do, so bring it, and we'll gladly follow.   

Hebrews 6:1  - "So come on, let's leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on "salvation by self-help" and turning in trust toward God."

Dr. Bob Joined Me At The Women's Retreat Today

 

Have you ever seen a picture of Dr. Bob that better captures his love and compassion?

The Apostle Paul wrote the Philippians,  "So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God ... God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus."

Friday Night Women's Retreat

 

Nearly 200 women are with Sheila and me at the Oakwood Inn on Lake Wawasee. Kathy Guy ran point on our first meeting tonight.  When she finished, Jason Miller lead worship with a cadre of musicians.   I stood up in the afterglow of worship and preached the opening session. 

God showed up.  This retreat is awesome!

Sheila and I used to lead all the GCc Women's Retreats.  I'm honored to be here with Sheila again.  Weekends like this help us take steps toward Christ...and each other.  We're glad we're here.

Galatians 5:22-24 - "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there."

This Mother's Day at GCC

The date is set.

Our Director of Student Ministries will be dancing during our Mother's Day weekend services.  Tell every student you know. Tell your family.  Tell your friends.

What's the theme for the Mother's Day services?  "Space Invaders; Sometimes letting a friend invade your space is a good thing." 

Mother's Day at GCC will be a fun celebration, packed with music, song and practical advice straight from the Bible.  Bring a friend to the celebration and we'll help you take a step toward Christ.  Maybe you'll want to take a "two-step."  Sometimes you just gotta dance.

Psalms 68:3-5 
The upright rejoice in the presence of God, delighted and crying out for joy.  Sing to God, play music to his name, build a road for the Rider of the Clouds, rejoice in Yahweh, dance before him.  Father of orphans, defender of widows, such is God in his holy dwelling.

 

One Prayer Fast

 

                                                                                        - Photo by Dustin Maust

My request was clear tonight.  The response was overwhelming.

Someone at GCC will be fasting during every mealtime for the next 30 days.  Someone will be praying during through every breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

I asked everyone at the New Community to volunteer. Now I'm asking you.

Will you fast and pray?  Will you help?  The future is grounded in prayer.

Simply pick one meal during the month of May.  Skip that meal.  During the time you would have been eating read John 17 instead.  After reading consider this; if you could pray one prayer for the Church, what would you pray? 

Pray for the Church.  Pray for GCC.  Pray for me.

Thirty days of prayer.  Pick one meal on one day in May...skip it and pray. 

Are you in?

When will you be praying?

Worship Facilities EXPO and Conference

Long before the sun came up this morning I was sitting in my hotel room putting the finishing touches on my WFX Keynote address.  I'd already invested hours in prayer and preparation. My assignment was to tell the story of Christ's work at GCC and I wanted to wring every possible benefit from the moments remaining to me.

I live in the tension between God's call and my weakness.

No matter how prepared I am, I keep working on my messages until I'm finished delivering them.  Sometimes I wish I was smarter.  I wish I could finish my preparation, put the talk to bed and let go of it until it's time to stand and deliver. 

That'd be nice, but I can't do it.  My mind won't shut down.  I'm still turning words and transitions over in my psyche long after the text is prepared.  I try to conjure better ways to articulate my position.  I wonder if there isn't some clarifying illustration that will help people apprehend essential truth.  I pursue elusive analogies. I yearn for inspiration - not only for me but also for those listening to me. 

I have to work hard to do what God calls me to do.

So I stay up late.  I get up early.

If I was smarter it might be easier, but I'm admitting the truth.  If God doesn't show up when I preach, we may as well go home.  In fact, if God doesn't show up when I preach, I'm going home.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

 

Club Noma. You Gotta Go...

 

                                                                                           - Photo by Mark Waltz

When you think of Asian fusion restaurants you might imagine them being in cities like New York, LA, or Miami but there is one in downtown South Bend, called Club Noma.  You have no need to travel to Chicago for style, presentation and taste; it's right here in Michiana.

It’s a little bit Asian, it's a little bit trendy, and it's a whole lot of flavor.

Noma owner, Nat Buraprateep, is a participant in our GCC congregation. He's a solid business leader with a tremendous work ethic.  Many Saturday nights he doesn't leave Noma until 3 or 4 AM, sleeps a couple of hours and attends one of our services on Sunday. Nat adds good jobs, and great value, to our community.

Last week I took all the pastors with "Leadership Live" to Noma.  The whole experience was simply fantastic.  Nat hosted our group, and sacrificed a lot, helping me pay tribute to the pastors.

I couldn't be more proud of Nat. I was honored to stand beside him for this picture.

Want a recommendation for a very special evening?

Stop what you are doing, call some friends, and make your reservations for an extraordinary night at Noma.  Exotic delicacies and prompt service in a stunning environment await.  You won't be disappointed.

You Asked For It

 

Several have asked if I've ever taken a picture of a female Oriole.  A few stated they'd never seen one, or if they had, they didn't know it.  Males are so brilliantly painted that people usually recognize them, but the more muted females have apparently been unnoticed and undetected.

I took this picture before the clouds rolled in yesterday.

This is what a female Oriole looks like.

Northern Cardinal / Cardinalis cardinalis

The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of Indiana.

I was working this morning on the sermon I'm to deliver at the Women's Retreat when I noticed this female Cardinal. 

You may think I'm easily distracted.  I like to think I'm able to quickly focus on a vast array of assorted topics in rapid sequence.  All I know is when I stop typing and look up...I see things.  When I glanced up this morning, I visualized a picture of this bird and thought, "Well now, I can see the photo so I better get my camera and take it."

If you don't take the picture, it'll fly away.  Truth is...it'll fly away whether you get the shot, or not.  The question is, "Did you engage the opportunity while you could?" 

Life roils in the wake of your answer to that question. 

Opportunities come and go.  If you don't maximize the moment, it'll fly away.  In fact, the moment will pass whether you lean in to exploit it, or not.  The question is, "Will you engage the moment while you can?"

Today I'm busy.  I have a lot to do.  I've got my minutes all planned out (χρόνος/chronos), but I'm never sure when a God-ordained-moment-of-opportunity will occur (καιρός/kairos).

I plan to make the most of the opportunities God gives me.  I don't want today's opportunities to fly away without my notice. I want to make the most of each occasion.

What are you planning to do with the moments God gives you today?

Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 says, "After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot.  Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift!

   

Dancing With Our Stars / Center for the Homeless

 

Sheila and I were hosted by Maribeth Roncz at the "Dancing With Our Stars" miracle auction for the Center for the Homeless.  I took my camera....and my wallet.

We raised $65,000 dollars for the Center's budget by pairing professional dancers with nine high profile celebrity Michiana stars.  Patrons gave $37 to cast each vote.  Every vote for a "star" brought money to the Center.

DC is one of our stars. He received 141 votes, and that's a lot of money at $37 per vote! 

He was captain of ND's football team in '04, President of ND's Fellowship of Christian Athletes and an NFL player prior to leaving professional football and accepting my invitation to be the Director of GCC's Student Ministry.  DC is my friend and comrade at GCC. 

DC danced with Amy O'Day, co-owner of DanceSport.  Their routine to the Blue's Brothers song "Soul Man" brought down the house and made a pile of money for the Center for the Homeless. 

I took this picture during their performance.

Before we drove home I asked for their help, so Amy and DC will be dancing their "Soul Man" routine during a weekend service sometime in the next four weeks.  You'll love it!

(By the way....if you'd like to hear about my trip home late Friday night, you can watch my report during this weekend's service at GCC.)

 

Baltimore Oriole / Icterus galbula

 

Cut an orange in half.  Hang it in a tree. 

The Orioles are here and they are easily attracted to feeder offerings of grape jelly, orange halves or sugar water (nectar).

I took this picture this morning.

Leadership Live 2008

 

                                                                            Photo by Jeff Myers

Day One of Leadership Live was great. 

Thanks for praying for the pastors.  I thought you'd like to see their faces.  We only have one more day together.

1 Peter 5:1 says, "I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory." 

When I'm This Happy I Can't See Very Well....

 

I'm really happy.

Today I begin a two-day-journey with my wonderful friends on GCC's Senior Management Team.  Tim Stevens, Mark Waltz, Butch Whitmire and Rob Wegner join me in an outrageous initiative.  We plan to pour everything we can into 24 pastors who've traveled to Granger. They've come to study with us.  They've got two days to glean all they can.   

Please pray. 

Churches across America will gain ground if we can serve their leaders well.  We're happy to help, but we believe more passion for Jesus is what most leaders desire.  If we can stoke the fires of faith we'll have served these pastors well.

It's going to be awesome.

I'm really happy.

 

Planting in Good Soil; Expecting a Good Crop

 

I've got a buddy who farms.  Vic is planting asparagus today.  It's a front-loaded effort; there's a lot of investment in the beginning but that effort has a potential twelve or thirteen year pay off.  He has a dream and today he is planting his hopes in good soil.   

Proverbs 20:4 says, "A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall."

I think of how I'm spending my time and effort, and based on what I'm planting now, I wonder how good my crop will be this fall? 

Watching Vic's efforts, I can't help but think about the harvest ahead.  Am I planting wisely?  Am I planting the seeds necessary to produce the yield I want?  Have I prepared the soil for the seed I'm sowing?  Am I looking forward to the day of harvest?  Standing with Vic in his field made me wonder whether I'm doing the work necessary to have a good crop.

The Bible has a lot to say about seedtime and harvest.

Proverbs 22:8 says, "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity."

Hosea 10:12 says, "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love."

2 Corinthians 9:6 says, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

I was inspired by Vic's example today.  I want to be more like him.

Do You Ever Get Weary?

The Original Serenity Prayer
(Credited to Reinhold Niebuhr)

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Adam Did Better Than Rafinesque

 

I photographed this little button buck near our house yesterday. If you look carefully you can see antlers beginning to grow.  A scraggly pelage and timid demeanor marked this young Whitetail.  Weighing about 5.5 lbs at birth I'd guess this is his first April without his mother.

He survived a harsh winter. Now he's on his own. 

Those antlers can grow half an inch a day, and they grow through the end of August.  They'll grow bigger each year until they peak when he's about seven years old.  The speed with which Whitetail antlers grow makes them one of the fastest growing structures in the animal kingdom.

The deer genus was given the name Odocoileus by Rafinesque in 1832.  The naturalist had found a deer tooth as a fossil in a Virginia cave, and it is thought that he was trying to name the animal "hollow tooth."  That should have produced the name Odontocoelus, but his Latin was poor so Odocoileus was the name that stuck.

Adam did better...

Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. - Genesis 2:19

Turkey Time

Indiana Turkey Season opens on Wednesday.

You can kill one bearded or male bird before the season ends May 11th - if you're lucky and hunt hard. 

This afternoon I was writing an article titled, "Preaching at the Intersection of Contemporary Living and Faith."  (No, I didn't pick the title.  The magazine editors did.)  I looked out the window, saw this hen and grabbed my camera. 

She's safe; her beau isn't.

This is free advice.   Do not walk in the woods gobbling. 

Yesterday Was Saturday

Saturdays are good days.

Many carve "family time" out of Saturdays.  We do the chores needing our attention.  We fill a few hours with errands, athletic competitions, yard work and anything on the "Honey Do List."  For thousands of us, Saturdays provide the needed opportunity to bring our friends to a weekend service. 

Yesterday was Saturday.

I don't know what you did with your "yesterday," but dozens of the students at GCC poured themselves out for the "Manowe Work Day."   They decided to make a lasting impact by leveraging a few hours against the disappointments faced by so many of our Five-Star kids.  They knew young students from our after-school-ministry would be showing up at Manowe this summer so they worked the camp into tip-top-shape.

Paul told Timothy, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

I photographed our young volunteers inside the Dream Center. They are devoted, passionate and loyal...and they are well led.  You can be very proud of the students at GCC. 

I am.

A Few Good Men

 

                                                                         - Photo by Nic File

It's amazing to see what determined men can accomplish. 

These are a few of the guys who worked today at Manowe.  With chainsaws roaring, they cleared forest and cut trails for the new low-ropes-course.  Every kid who goes to summer camp will benefit from the diligence and effort of a few good men.

I'm proud to serve Jesus beside friends like these.

Proverbs 2:20-21 says, "So—join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried and true paths. It's the men who walk straight who will settle this land, the women with integrity who will last here."

   

What're You Gonna Do With Hard Times?

Welcome to real life - where the earth quakes and we suffer the impact of limitation, frailty or sin.  Confined behind bars defining the consequences of what Francois Fenelon calls, "certain unconquerable imperfections," we face reality and decide; we choose to surrender in despair, or profit from the pain.  The choice is ours.

Fenelon (offering spiritual counsel in the 1600's) suggests we find deliverance and freedom as we take our next step toward Christ. 

He had it figured out long before I did.  His advice follows:

"Bear with yourself in your involuntary frailties as God bears, wait patiently for His appointed time of complete deliverance, and meanwhile go on quietly and according to your strength in the path before you, without losing time in looking back; sorrowing over (your sins) with humility, but putting them aside to press onwards; not looking upon God as a spy watching to surprise you, or an enemy laying snares for you, but as a Father who loves you ... Such you will find to be the path toward true liberty."

If you've known trouble, or the heart-ache of disappointment, the services this weekend are for you. 

If you ever felt like you were trapped in troubled times, be present this weekend.

If you intuit the choices we make when we suffer will determine the consequence of suffering, come to GCC this weekend.

There is hope. 

DC's Blog

I captured this photo of DC and Brooke during our Food Drop.  DC is leading our entire student ministry at GCC.  I’m proud of him. 

I read some recent comments on DC’s blog.  Assuming people have made summary judgments with insufficient data, I’ve decided a bit of context might help people understand why those on my staff do the things they do.

I expect a lot of my staff.  I’m thrilled when you offer them support. 

Let me provide some perspective. It may help you pray more and criticize less.

1. I expect GCC staff to obey the greatest commandment of God.  I expect them to love the Lord and live in full devotion to Him.  John Wesley expected Christ-followers would ask each other, “How is it with your soul?”  This question requires a ruthless self-inventory - an analysis revealing the truth about your own spiritual reality.   Anyone engaged in productive life knows Wesley was right to insist the condition of our souls mitigates against the efficacy of our ministry.

2. I value passionate devotion to marriage and family.  Whether serving on my staff or not, I want people to date their mates.  Convinced quality time is the result of quantity time, I want people to make lots of time for family.  If you are married, no one is more important than your spouse.  If you are a parent, you are required to make the decisions that are best for your family.  I expect my staff to get their priorities right: God first, spouse second, family next…

3. I expect my staff to do their jobs.  I expect them to work hard.  God made three parts to every day and I expect my staff to work two of those three parts.  I expect them to deliver their best ministry effort and add value to our team.  They need a solution-orientation and courage for high-risk / high-reward ministry.  They need to play well in the sandbox with others.  I expect them to give more than they take, complement the efforts of their teammates, and help me build a healthy church. 

4. I’m persuaded a person can’t accomplish #3 (do their jobs with great attitudes) if they’re not devoted to #1 (seek first God’s Kingdom) and #2 (prioritize spouse and family over work responsibilities).  I’d rather have God’s people love God and love their families than work on my staff.  I pray this church will be led by men and women who put God first and value family over job, position or title.  GCC needs leaders like that; we should pray for such leadership!

5. I’m responsible to provide a context where high capacity leaders can soar!  If I can get the right people in the right positions of responsibility/opportunity they will lead us well, deliver a powerful witness of the Risen Christ, and model holy lives of full devotion to God.  We agree on the “what” of the mission and they figure out the “how.”  Great leaders deserve enormous opportunity.

6. I’m answerable for the development, training and maturity of my staff.  I don’t personally train and disciple each and every person on my team, but I am responsible to guarantee they have the time, opportunity and blessing required for their progress.  I fail them if I give them no time for renewal, no money for training, inadequate support or lack of opportunity.  If I fail them, I fail the people they lead; failing them weakens the church.

7. I want my teammates to take all their vacation, use their continuing education/training money and honor a Sabbath. 

So when the three leaders of our student ministry sacrifice time with family and friends to travel and study some of the most effective student ministries in America, I hope you’ll join me in thanking God our kids have leaders willing to do what it takes to learn from the best. 

The guys came home better than they left; they were informed, equipped and impassioned.

The two married guys gave their wives the first-fruits of their blessing.  With my full support they took their wives on vacation.  Though their work took them away from their brides for several days, they resolved to give their wives a wonderful holiday adventure upon their return.  I could not have been more pleased.  They modeled right priorities and God-ordained values. 

What our top youth ministry leaders did on their trip deepened their mutual trust and camaraderie.  These guys lead a huge ministry and carry a heavy load.  Their shared journey strengthened their team.

What the married guys did – taking their wives on vacation upon their return – modeled love and devotion rightly prioritized.  Their wives don’t have any question about their place of importance; they know their husbands esteem them highly and love them deeply.  Each is preeminent, unsurpassed in her husband’s affections.

I’m very happy with DC.  I’m proud of his leadership.  I’m proud of him. I'm glad he took his guys on the study trip.  I'm glad he took his wife on vacation.  I'm glad he's on our team.

I hope this little post helps those of you who seem confused about my expectations for my staff. 

Holy Friends

I've been with more than 500 United Methodist pastors for the last two days.  Anticipating 100 pastors in my workshop I ended up with about 250. 

I gave everyone of them a free copy of Tim's great new book (which they loved) and I gave them my best effort.  The bishop was happy after my workshop, not because I finished on time, though that helped, but because the workshop added value.  At least, that's what he said. 

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.  I think we helped a lot of pastors.

During one of the general sessions I heard one comment so good I'm passing it along.  Referencing the value of Christian community, Greg Jones, Dean of Duke Divinity School said, 

      "Holy friends challenge the sins we've come to love."

Amen.  I don't need help with sins I hate; they hold no appeal to me.  It's the stuff I excuse in myself that can derail my life.  I tend towards too much work, too fast a pace and too little rest. Great friends help me with that stuff. 

What Are The Obstacles to Church Growth?

The polar opposite of an "obstacle" to church growth is a "leader" committed to it.

My nephew Isaac Hunter is such a leader.  He's a young pastor and his church is experiencing phenomenal growth.  I picture Isaac (with his oldest child) on this blog post because it clarifies the truth; his priorities, his purposes and his values are well ordered.  God first.  Family second. Church leadership after that.  If you get lost in the verbiage below just look back up at this picture of a great pastor.  His priorities give him the potential to lead a growing church.

I believe leaders enable, or hinder, the growth of the church. 

When Steve Beard interviewed me, he asked, "What are the largest obstacles to church growth?"

Here's my response to Steve's question:

Lack of vision. When the leader has no vision it is impossible to call people to radical sacrifice for a worthy goal. No one offers talent, time, energy, and support without good reason. The vision is the reason, and where there is no vision people won’t align their resources and collaborate. Confusion is a barrier to growth; clarity brings focus and ministry intensity, and that yields a great reward.

Weak leadership. When leaders think they can’t do the right thing because someone might become angry, they betray the mission. Our churches are surrounded by people living without Christ, and without hope. The pastor who won’t lead a congregation through a process to introduce a new song or a new teaching method (to reach new people) because some lady in the third row complains, “That’s not how we do things here,” has mistaken kindness for weakness. The kind thing to do is to offer Christ to the masses. The weak thing to do is to defer to a few critics and, in so doing, condemn their neighbors to an eternity without Christ.

Confused leadership. For too long pastors have believed they are appointed to a local church with the assignment to pray, pay, and get out of the way. The insidious belief that local churches lack the power and responsibility for transforming their surrounding communities makes congregations impotent. United Methodist pastors are appointed “in charge” and when they degrade their responsibility to mere “fundraiser for the denomination,” the butterfly effect sends ripples across the entire church.

Once people sense the local church exists merely to raise funds for the corporate denomination, they feel like spectators rather than players. Such confusion about the role of the local church (and the people in it) topples the first domino in a cascading failure that degrades a denomination from “mainline” to “sideline.” This is a hands-on society comprised of individuals who’ve lost trust in institutions; people today want to do it themselves. There is a deep pool of volunteers with the desire to personally experience meaningful service. They know they only go around once in life and they want to drink deeply of the adventure…not send money to someone else so they have all the joy.

Instead, they will divvy up their offerings among the various organizations bombarding them for money. As that happens, the tithe is pulled from the local church, God removes his blessing, and the local church becomes a pale shadow of the biblically functioning community scripture describes. Congregations become sick and stop growing. Healthy grows.

The local church is the front line of the United Methodist Church’s ministry delivery system. When local church pastors take seriously their vows to reach their communities for Jesus Christ, growth becomes more likely. When denominational officials ask local pastors to report the number of baptisms, conversions, and social-action initiatives, before they ask whether they paid their apportionments in full, local pastors will begin to shift their priorities from funding ministry elsewhere to ministry success right there—right where they are!

On the Record - One Answer to One Question

 

I've been thinking a lot about your questions and comments regarding my hour with United Methodist pastors next week. 

I was recently asked, "What is your model or vision for discipleship?"  I thought of our strategies in student ministry. I thought of our Wesleyan manner of helping kids live in methodical holiness and disciplined love.

Here are my thoughts on discipleship.

No one ever drifts to greatness. Want to be a great musician? Methodical practice is required. Do you long for athletic prowess? You must train, and train methodically. Building a great marriage, a great family, a great friendship or a great career requires the ongoing discipline of methodical effort. Wesley had it right; the methodical practice of scriptural holiness is the way to maturity.

Just as God calls us into community, Wesley called his “awakened” to live in community. Iron sharpens iron and Wesley knew the best strategy for discipleship included the honesty (and sharpening effect) of Christ-centered friendships. At Granger, we embrace that pattern. Our vision of discipleship resonates with the inevitable results found in the synergistic power of collaboration and community.

Our best practices for discipleship are rooted deeply in Wesley’s model for advancements made through methodical community disciplines. Determined followers of Jesus, routinely gathering for prayer, worship, service, study and accountability experience dramatic growth in a remarkably short time. At Granger, we envision discipleship as the consequence of similar life-on-life experiences.

We help every person at Granger do five things:

1. We want everyone to have friends who follow Christ and be a Christian friend. We launch new groups for new people every month.
2. We want everyone to serve at least once a month. We offer an easy “first serve opportunity” – called 2nd Saturday – to help everyone get involved.
3. We want people to read their Bibles on a regular basis. Every weekend message is accompanied by a daily devotional guide that helps people consider the scriptures each day.
4. We want every person to invest in the lives of others and invite them to church. We make every weekend a safe place for newcomers to the experience a dangerous message…that just might change their lives.
5. We want everyone to worship God. We constantly reiterate the value of doing the next right thing. We teach everyone to take their next step toward Christ…together.

If you don't know what you want...you're drifting.

Homage

On the 2nd Saturday of each month we bear down.  Yeah, I know.  "Bear down" is what the Doc says as labor intensifies and birth is immanent.  "Bear down" calls for focus, hard work and resolve. "Bear down" directives carry the implicit hope of new life. 

2nd Saturday is all about new hope, new life and new beginnings.  2nd Saturday is when GCC's "bears down" and delivers.

Here's an homage to everyone in labor, to all who carry hope - toiling to bring "up there down here."

Well done GCC, well done.  This morning you delivered the goods!

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.   (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

I've been asking this question...

I've recently been asking people this question,

"Did you accept Jesus into your life, or did you give your life to Jesus?"

What Would You Do With 60 Minutes?

 

If you could speak next week to 100 United Methodist pastors for 60 minutes, what would you say to them? 

According to the United Methodist Church's latest annual State of the Church Report, one-half of all United Methodist churches have fewer than 55 people in attendance each week.   Only 1% of the 34,892 United Methodist churches have a worship attendance of more than 500 people.  41% of U.S. United Methodist churches did not receive a member by profession of faith in 2005. 

The United Methodist pre