Mark Beeson

There's No One Quite Like God...

 

If creation is so awesome, think of the One who created it!

Psalm 89:5-11  -  God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways, the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways! Search high and low, scan skies and land, you'll find nothing and no one quite like God. The holy angels are in awe before him; he looms immense and august over everyone around him. God of the Angel Armies, who is like you, powerful and faithful from every angle? You put the arrogant ocean in its place and calm its waves when they turn unruly. You gave that old hag Egypt the back of your hand, you brushed off your enemies with a flick of your wrist. You own the cosmos—you made everything in it, everything from atom to archangel.

That's How Much You Mean To God

I've been reading about God's love.

Isaiah 43:1b-4  -  Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.

Too Industrious

 

Sheila and I were on the southern edge of Bryce Canyon today. Our terminus was called "Rainbow Point" and our journey took us 9,000 feet above sea level. Braving a stiff breeze and temperatures well below freezing, we stepped to the canyon's edge and gazed in wonder at the hoodoos below.  That's when we noticed we were being watched.

Two of the biggest Ravens you've ever seen came swooping up from one of the hoodoos where they'd been waiting and watching. Apparently these guys had seen humans before because they entertained us like the cool professionals they undoubtedly were.

They'd learned their craft well. They knew what produced treats from humans so they began their well-rehearsed show. Since Ravens may be the most intelligent birds on planet earth, it was apparent these two birds were going to try every trick they had ever learned on us. They imitated a dozen different sounds, including guttural croaks, a strange gurgling noise and something eerily similar to a human voice. They snapped their bills making a sharp metallic "tock" sound.

The two of them tried to help each other succeed. They leapt into the air and performed stunt-pilot barrel-rolls, hovered in placed like American kestrels and dove like hawks, always returning to stare at us with a look of amazement that asked, "What's wrong with you?  Don't you know that we've done all we're supposed to do to make you give us treats?"

They were incredulous. What they did should have worked.

Even so, I refused to give them anything. Based on my understanding of Obama's economic proposals these two birds seemed way too innovative, productive, industrious and talented to deserve any handouts.

Ecclesiastes 4:9  -  Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

After 55 years...

I've lived 55 years. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in the Biological Sciences. I've studied flora and fauna for decades. I've fished rivers, lakes and streams, collected vampire bats, speared grouper, held scorpions, captured rattlesnakes, hitched an underwater ride on the back of a sea turtle, fed Bald Eagles by hand and ridden elephants. I've hunted caribou north of the Arctic Circle, killed coyotes, swam with sharks, seen a jaguar in the Guatemalan jungle, hiked in deserts, jungles, mountains and woodlands. I've kayaked Alaska's intercoastal and Florida's brackish backwater bayous. In Canada I took a decent photo of a wild wolf. When I was in High School I  wrestled a bear at the County Fair. (The bear about killed me.)  But in all my years of outdoor study and observation, I don't remember ever seeing a hummingbird sitting on its nest. At least, that's how it was until now, because now I have. Have you?

(Just FYI, I could have gotten a better photograph with some fill-flash, but I didn't trigger a flash so I wouldn't disturb this minuscule aviator and risk causing it to abandon its babies.)

Isaiah 31:5  -  I, the Lord All-Powerful, will protect Jerusalem like a mother bird circling over her nest."

Rest

When I saw this little hummingbird resting on a twig, I surprised myself by speaking aloud. "It sure is nice to sit and rest for a minute, isn't it little buddy?"

So it was that God revealed to me my own need to rest a bit - to slow down and sit still for a while. And that's when I recited the 23rd Psalm to this little bird.

Psalm 23  -  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Did You Ever Wonder?

 

Ever wonder how close you can get to a dove before it flies away?

Pretty close.

Psalm 55:6-8  -  I wish I had wings like a dove, so I could fly far away and be at peace. I would go and live in some distant desert. I would quickly find shelter from howling winds and raging storms.

Sonoran Spiny-tailed Iguana / Ctenosaura himilopha macrolopha

This was quite a day for photography.

Maybe there was a dramatic change in the barometric pressure. Maybe solar flares are disturbing earth's magnetic field, or tectonic plates are shifting deep beneath the ocean. Maybe it's the result of global warming. Maybe it's the direct consequence of the House passing a $410,000,000,000 omnibus spending bill bristled with more than 8,500 earmarks costing more than $7,700,000,000 for pork. I'm not sure what caused the flurry of activity I observed, but animals were on the move today.

So I took a picture of this two-foot-long long Sonoran Spiny-tailed Iguana.

Be careful where you step...

Proverbs 4:26-27  -  Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe. Don’t sidetrack; pull back your foot from danger.

Cactus Wren / Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

I grew up in Indiana and saw our state bird a lot. Cardinals are clothed in glorious red so they're easily identified by Hoosiers everywhere. But I'm not in Indiana. Today I'm in Arizona. So it was really awesome for me to be able to photograph this Cactus Wren.

The Cactus Wren is the state bird of Arizona. It's really big for a wren. This one was building a nest within the protective spines of this cactus. I'm not sure if it was a male or female since both sexes look alike. Even so, I was thrilled to get this picture.

I think it's my first decent photo of a Cactus Wren.

Doesn't it amaze you to see the wonder of God's creation? How awesome is this little desert-living-cactus-dweller?

Deuteronomy 22:6  -  When you come across a bird's nest alongside the road, whether in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, don't take the mother with the young.

Guest Blogger / DC Curry

 

 

I've asked DC to join the chorus of voices responding to the questions you texted during our "Ask Anything" service in January.  His is a timely post. You just saw him talking about "Cool" in last weekend's services.

DC is one of the great leaders at GCC.  I'm really proud of him. He brings a tremendous background of experience, accomplishment and faith to bear on his influence here. He's been with me a long time. He was a phenom on Notre Dame's football team when he first began attending GCC.  He played in the NFL but left that career in response to God's call on his life to become a youth pastor. Now he leads our entire student ministry.  I suppose the burden God placed on DC's broad shoulders explains why he chose this question to answer. 

Here is DC's response to, "Should I force my teenage to go to church?"

                                                       

My turn!  I picked the question:  "Should I force my teenager to go to church?"

My blunt answer is yes!

The Bible teaches us that one of the responsibilities of a parent is to "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 

One thing I love about this passage is that it projects that there is a way in which a child should go...because there is.  There are so many important things that parents will make their children do without even thinking about it like take baths, go to bed, brush their teeth, go to school, but when it comes to church they resort to the great debate.  "Should I or should I not?" 

It seems to me that the same reason that governs why they have to brush their teeth, go to school, get some sleep, take baths, should be the same reason that governs why they should go to church, it's important!  So we make/force our kids to do everything that we think is important so if we don't make/force them to go to church does that mean we don't think it's important?

As a parent, it may not always be popular to make them go to church but it has eternal implications.  It's not just about their attendance, it's about their eternity.  We who are charged with the care of students (parents, youth pastors, teachers, godparents, etc.) must see to it that they find The Way and are trained to live in that Way.
Also know that training is not always easy, comfortable, or fun, and usually doesn’t come without a bit of pain. 

A very respected parent recently told me, "I don’t care what they want to do, I (as the parent) am committed to getting my kids in environments where they can grow closer to Christ."   He believes it’s important, so he follows that up with his actions. 

Do you?

Happy Birthday Papaw!

 

Sheila's father celebrates his 84th birthday Sunday.

We got a jump on the festivities and had a party tonight. That's right. We already had cake, candles and all.  I'm glad we did. Sheila's father gave me the most precious gift when he entrusted me with his daughter back in June of 1976. That's when he gave Sheila's hand to me in marriage. I owe him a debt I can never repay....but I intend to keep trying.

He is a great man. 

Happy Birthday Papaw.  May God grant you and Granny long and healthy lives.

Proverbs 23:24-25  -  Make your father truly happy by living right and showing sound judgment. Make your parents proud, especially your mother.

Technique

I love Dustin Maust.

When I saw Dustin do this with his guitar this weekend, I immediately had three distinct thoughts.

First I thought,"Oh my! If he can play like a virtuoso holding his guitar like that, think what he could do if he used the proper technique that my guitar teacher taught me to use, 'Because proper technique is essential for musical success.'"  Then I thought, "How does he do that?"  Then I thought,"The last time I saw anyone play guitar like that I was watching Jimmy Hendrix. At least I think it was Jimmy Hendrix. I'm pretty sure it was, but he was pretty far away, and it was pretty dark, and it was pretty smokey so I was looking through a thick cloud of smoke, and I was pretty distracted because I was pretty sure there were bad things going on around me and my mom had told me when I was little that 'People assume you are doing what everyone around you is doing,' so I was pretty sure I was about to be arrested for associating with some disturbing and questionable characters, so I'm pretty sure it was Hendix, but I'm not absolutely sure, but whoever it was he held his guitar like that and played it with his teeth, though I'm pretty sure Dustin isn't using his teeth, but I'm not absolutely sure."

I think those three thoughts tumbled through my brain in 4.7 nano-seconds.

So, am I A.D.D., or what?

Psalm 139:17-18  -  O God, how difficult I find your thoughts; how many of them there are!  If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand.

Zow.

I took this picture during the 7:00 PM Service tonight.

Zow.

J does Bono better than Bono. 

E'nough said.

3 John 1:11  -  Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Courtney

Sheila and I have known Courtney since she was a little girl at Camp Adventure many years ago.  We loved her then. We love her now.  This weekend she's singing during the U2 song "Get On Your Boots."  I've heard the rehearsals. Your friends will love it.

Like the rest of our team, Courtney is prepared to serve you this weekend during our "Fishing Buddies" services, and I'm proud to serve beside her.

I'm pumped about the services this weekend.

Pick a time and place, bring a friend, and check one out. Granger Campus: Saturday 5 & 7 PM, Sunday 9:30 & 11:30 AM or Elkhart at 9:30 AM Sunday.

Hebrews 10:24-25  -  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

One Sign / Two Options

So I’m cruising through Orlando and I look out the window to see this sign.

What?  I gotta get a picture of this. Can we back up on the Interstate?

Apparently you can exit this highway and make your way to either of two destinations; you can travel to the Mall at Millenia or you can experience the Holy Land. 

Talk about options!

At one you get the attention of normal people acting as if they think you are important.  At the other you get the attention of actors who actually think you are important.

At one you spend money you don’t have, to get things you don’t need, to impress people you don’t even like.  At the other you give the time you have, to get the faith you need, to love people you don’t yet even know.

At one you give so you can get. At the other you get so you can give.

This sign is so clarifying. I makes the options obvious.

One thing is apparent. If you turn your feet one direction, and take steps that way, you’ll end up at a different place than if you turn your feet the other direction and walk that way!

Which way have you decided to go?  The choice is yours...

Psalm 25:8-10  -  God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction. He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step. From now on every road you travel Will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs.

What Does This Mean?

 

 

Today a buddy of mine quoted this scripture.  I been thinking about it all day. 

What do you think it means?

Proverbs 13:22b  -  The wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Fishing Buddies

 

                                                                                        - Photo by Kim Volheim

When fishing in unfamiliar waters it's good to have a guide.

I've had opportunity to fish in Canada and when I'm in the boat with one of my buddies who "knows" the lake I catch more fish.  This picture of my friend Steve Smith was taken last fall. Steve knows his lake like the back of his hand. He's a good guide there.

I'm not just more successful when I fish with a guide. I also avoid hitting rocks - called "widow-makers"because they lurk mere inches under the water and if you hit them with the bottom of your boat while speeding across the lake your wife may become a widow. I also benefit from another pair of eyes - increasing the odds I'll see the moose, bear, caribou and wolves that sometimes appear along the shoreline.

Fishing is better with a buddy, don't you think?

Bring a friend to any of our services this weekend....and learn the value of "Fishing Buddies."

John 21:3-6  -  Simon Peter said to the others, “I'm going fishing.” They told him, “We're going with you.” They went out in a boat but didn't catch a thing that night. As the sun was rising, Jesus stood on the shore. The disciples didn't realize that it was Jesus. Jesus asked them, “Friends, haven't you caught any fish?” They answered him, “No, we haven't.” He told them, “Throw the net out on the right side of the boat, and you'll catch some.” So they threw the net out and were unable to pull it in because so many fish were in it.

Guest Blogger / Jason Miller

At the beginning of 2009 we took one weekend for Q & A.  I tried to address as many questions as possible, but more questions were "texted" to me than could be answered during the services that weekend.  So I asked some of our leaders at GCC to help me.

This is Jason MIller's response to your question, "Are you guys scared? And nervous?"

Jason (the keyboard genius in the above photo) is one of our pastors at GCC. I trust him. I jump at opportunities to sit at his feet, take notes and learn.  I'm proud of him.

This is how he dealt with your question...

                                                                  

Hey everyone,
 
I picked: “Are you guys scared?  And nervous?”  
 
Here’s my response:
 
I really like this question because it speaks to something I’ve been wrestling with.  When I first started teaching, I would prepare like crazy, and then I’d get up on stage and not feel ready.  I assumed that would change as I gained more experience, but it hasn’t.  And I’m glad.  
 
I wouldn’t call it scared or nervous.  The stage can feel like home just like any other place where you spend a lot of time.  It’s not the feeling you have when you’re worried about what’s going to happen.  But there is a special kind of energy that keeps you on your toes.  It’s like the feeling you get when you’re strapped into the roller coaster car right before the ride begins (assuming you like roller coasters).  You’re excited for what’s about to happen but not entirely sure what it will be; you know it will be good but it’s not entirely in your hands; it’s the feeling you get when you give up on ‘safe’ and let God stretch you.  And it’s not just the pastors or preachers or artists on stage who know what I mean. 
 
There are heaps of people at GCC who experience this feeling every time they jump into the adventure of serving God.  Maybe you’ve experienced it, too.  Gary Haugen, head of International Justice Mission (one of our partners in India), once said, “Jesus didn’t come to make us safe; he came to make us brave.”   When we take Jesus up on His risky offer to follow Him, He inevitably takes us to places that stretch us and surprise us and keep us on the edge of our seats.  I wouldn’t want it any other way. 
 
So… scared and nervous?  No.  But ready for an adventure?  You bet. 
 
Want to read more about that kind of adventure?  Check out the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, by Mark Batterson.  
 

Weekly SWAT / Staff Working As Team

 

                                                                                            - Photo by Jeff Myers

Our staff meets every week, and every week it's the same, only different.

It's the same because we always spend the first 20 minutes encouraging each other with reports of progress. It's like an old-fashioned-testimony meeting where the preacher calls on people who one-by-one tell the others "what God has done."

It's different because the next 20 minutes change each week.

This week Rob Wegner opened the fire-hose and invited us to step into the torrent of our Entermission ministry strategy."This is how most churches have conceived and engaged missional ministry in the past," he said.  Then he paused, drew a diagram and went on, "And this is our implementation strategy. This is how we do it at GCC ..."  With that he took us through a brilliant and inspiring overview of our approach to missions. We sat and listened to one of the leading missiologists in America for 20 minutes. It was astounding.

Want some of what we got?  Go here.

I love Rob.  He is amazing.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13  -  My friends, we ask you to be thoughtful of your leaders who work hard and tell you how to live for the Lord. Show them great respect and love because of their work.

The Empty Shell Of What Was

 

 

Do you have access to the news?

Are you aware America is facing some troubles?

When those responsible see problems coming, they sound the alarm to warn people. If we hear the alarm but ignore it, the consequences are ours. If we take action when the alarm sounds, the consequences are ours. Either way, we face our consequences. 

If we don’t choose hard work, quick charity and parsimonious living…and if we refuse to recognize and perform our civic duty…and if we ignore the consequence of licentious living, then the current of our culture will sweep us from the confounding morass of our political incompetence into a sea of profligate living and social upheaval.

If we don't choose the Way of Christ, we'll become a shell of our former selves.

Wake up.

The alarm is ringing across America.

Whatever we do, we’ll all face the consequences of our choosing.

Ezekiel 33:3-6  -  If the watchman sees war coming and blows the trumpet, warning the people, then if anyone hears the sound of the trumpet and ignores it and war comes and takes him off, it's his own fault. He heard the alarm, he ignored it—it's his own fault. If he had listened, he would have saved his life.  But if the watchman sees war coming and doesn't blow the trumpet, warning the people, and war comes and takes anyone off, I'll hold the watchman responsible for the bloodshed of any unwarned sinner.

Unity

Few things are so powerful as love and unity.
     What can stand against it?
          What can put a halt to it?

Love is unstoppable.

I've thought a lot about that reality since Tim and I worked through lunch today. GCC is filled with love. We have unity. We are aligned and on mission. We are taking steps toward Christ together.

Hell is yielding. 
     Darkness is turning to dawn. 
          Evil is shrinking back.

Every time we meet we pray, dream, plan, worship, connect and grow. And every time we meet we make progress. Even when it doesn't seem like it, we are advancing the Kingdom.

What can stop the Church?
     Nothing.
          Absolutely nothing.

Colossians 3:12-14  -  You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.

They Were Created At His Command...

Look what I saw this morning!  This little guy still has his antlers.

Deer don't grow horns with a continuously growing bone core. Instead their antlers are broken off, or shed, and re-grown each year.  Most bucks have usually cast their antlers by now, so I figured this was blog-worthy.

How amazing is God's creation?  Zow.

Psalm 148:5-13 
     Let all things praise the name of the Lord, because they were created at his command. He made them to last forever, and nothing can change what he has done.
     All creatures on earth, you obey his commands, so come praise the Lord! Sea monsters and the deep sea, fire and hail, snow and frost, and every stormy wind, come praise the Lord!
     All mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedars, every wild and tame animal, all reptiles and birds, come praise the Lord! Every king and every ruler, all nations on earth, every man and every woman, young people and old, come praise the Lord!
     All creation, come praise the name of the Lord. Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth.

GCC's Next Series

I see two issues driving our culture: Money and Sex. God's story deals with both, so we're helping people with both.

We're starting Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (13-week-course) on February 23rd.

Today I announced we're starting a weekend series on sex March 7th & 8th.  The topic is too important to ignore; the issue to critical to neglect.

Clarifying the need for God's guidance in our sex-crazed culture, I played this video in our services this weekend.

1 Thessalonians 4:7  -  God hasn't invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside.

Penn Jillette in GO FISH Service

I used this video this weekend in our "Go Fish" series.

 

I think a lot of Christians have been sold a bill-of-goods.

They've been told they'll be hated if they show love to people, care for people, listen to people and share their faith with people. The truth is quite simple, and quite different; most people don't react to love with hate. When people feel genuine love, care and compassion they are usually grateful.

Penn's story is worth considering. He felt loved. He felt valued. Question is: Do the people I'm around feel loved or judged?  Valued or diminished?  Helped or wounded?  Hopeful or condemned?

1 Thessalonians 2:8  -  We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.

How Great Is Our God

 

 

Kim Stewart led us well and the weekend services ended with Chris Tomlin's  How Great is Our God.  It was incredible.  Absolutely incredible.

The splendor of a King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice

How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise
and My heart will sing how great
Is our God

How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

 

Psalm 46:6  -  Though nations rage and kingdoms totter, God's voice thunders and the earth trembles.

Go Fish

 

The boat is loaded with gear. We're ready to leave the dock. It' time to Go Fish!

People around you are hurting. You want to help. Question is, "How do you help them take their first step?"  Reserve judgment and come to check it out; this could really help you.

Matthew 4:18-22  -  As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew. They were throwing a net into the sea because they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me! I will teach you how to catch people instead of fish.” They immediately left their nets and followed him. As Jesus went on, he saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee preparing their nets to go fishing. He called them, and they immediately left the boat and their father and followed Jesus.

Aaron & Tracy

 

Aaron and Tracy are getting married in May. Since I'm the father of the groom, my responsibility is for the rehearsal dinner. We've got reservations in a restaurant with a fish on the wall!  What more could you want?

Can you name the fish?

Job 12:7-10  -  If you want to learn, then go and ask the wild animals and the birds, the flowers and the fish. Any of them can tell you what the Lord has done. Every living creature is in the hands of God.

Have You Noticed?

Proverbs 27:14  -  Whoever blesses his friend early in the morning with a loud voice— his blessing is considered a curse.

It's Almost Valentine's Day

 

 

 

I was watching the television news.

During a commercial break an ad declared there is a “gift guaranteed to make women take their clothes off.”  I don’t know what you think about such a gift, but to me it seems a dangerous notion indeed. I’m sure warning labels clearly explain the perils that accompany each package, but imagine the issues you’ll face if the present is opened without proper caution, or in a crowded room!

Unsettled by the prospect of a gift so potent women can’t stay clothed in its presence, I averted my eyes and switched channels to watch the news on another station.  (I’m an equal-opportunity propaganda consumer.) Imagine my surprise when I discovered the present guaranteed to make women take their clothes off was also capable of taking over the television airwaves!  The omnipresent pajama promo proved unavoidable and though my digits danced, and the remote took me through a universe of options, I could not escape its influence. That pajama commercial was everywhere…except on the stations selling Teddy Bears - which apparently cause women to behave as if they've been given the gift of pajamas!

Valentine’s Day must be near.

Sheila is thrilled.

Proverbs 18:22  -  A man's greatest treasure is his wife— she is a gift from the Lord.

Serenity

Ever have a wrench thrown into your gears? Ever need to scrap a good plan because of some unexpected and unavoidable problem? 

Sure you have. I have too.

In fact, it happened to me today when I received a call – some 800 number I didn’t recognize. I listened anyway. It was bad news.

Apparently someone somewhere decided to cancel tonight’s United Airlines flight out of South Bend. Nice. I had planned to meet for two days with the ten pastors of the largest United Methodist Churches in the country. We were going to meet with CEO’s and national business leaders to discuss the future of the UMC in America. But my trip to Houston is canceled.

Sometimes our best laid plans fail. What we had planned to do, we can’t do.

So, what do we do then?

Maybe what we should do is pray Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer.  It goes like this… 

   "God grant me the serenity
    to accept the things I cannot change;
    courage to change the things I can;
    and wisdom to know the difference.
    Living one day at a time;
    Enjoying one moment at a time;
    Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
    Taking, as He did, this sinful world
    as it is, not as I would have it;
    Trusting that He will make all things right
    if I surrender to His Will;
    That I may be reasonably happy in this life
    and supremely happy with Him
    Forever in the next.
    Amen."

Proverbs 3, 5-6   -  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.

Great Horned Owl / Bubo virginianus

This Great Horned Owl was perched high above the path Sheila and I walked yesterday. It's two feet tall and has a 55 inch wingspan. Wish I had my telephoto lens...but this was the best I could do.

These owls are the ones with the deep hooting,"hoo-h'HOO--hoo-hoo."They are remarkable predators, regularly killing and eating nestling Ospreys. The reintroduction of Peregrine Falcons has been hampered in some areas by owls killing both adult and nestling falcons. They hunt at night, usually from perches near open areas.

Great Horned Owls are easily recognizable because of their size, and because of the feather tufts on their heads. Their "plumicorns" resemble horns or, to some, catlike ears. Have you ever seen one of these? They are among the most widespread and common owls in North America.

Cool, eh?

Job 35:11  -  Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?

Still Following?

 

I finished up with my "Real Ideas" responsibilities and had a few hours this afternoon to go outside and walk. I grabbed my camera, grabbed my wife (saving the best grab for last) and took off.  In less than a mile we saw one of the coolest sights! An Osprey was building a nest in a tall tree near the path.

Thinking I’d probably never see an Osprey so close, or nest so large, I stayed right there – taking picture after picture - trying to compensate for the fact that I’d failed to bring my telephoto lens. Thirty minutes later I reluctantly yielded to Sheila’s entreaties and started walking again. I was sure the best of the journey was behind me. After all, what could possibly compare with the solitary majesty of an Osprey on its nest?

Long story short, would you like to know how many Ospreys we saw in the next two hours? More than 60 different birds!  Want to know how many nests we saw being built? More than two dozen! No kidding. It was amazing! Birds were flying everywhere, carrying twigs and moss and branches to enlarge their already enormous nests.

As we walked I kept thinking, “I almost missed all this. What if I stopped back there and didn't come out here?" 

Then I thought, "How many times have I mistakenly assumed that the best of life was behind me? How many times have I lost interest in moving ahead, thinking the future God has for me couldn’t possibly be as good as the present? How often have I tragically assumed I’d be better off standing where Jesus led me, than eagerly following Him wherever He wants me to go?”

Lesson learned.

As good (or bad) as this day is, tomorrow is in God’s Hands and I will trust Him to lead me forward. He knows where I need to be; He knows where I need to go.

I’m gonna keep moving; I'm going to keep following....

John 10:27  -  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Yesterday I Heard A Story

You know how easy it is to believe everyone at church has it all together?  It's difficult to imagine they've struggled, or suffered, or wavered in their faith. Sometimes it's hard to believe good people can lose focus or drift off-mission, but Jeff Calhoun did just that.

Yesterday he told us how he drifted away from God, experienced loss, and redirected his life. Unhappy with low living, he turned around and followed Jesus. His life was saved.

As he spoke I thought, "Amazing. God is still in the redemption business."

Jeff's story fired me up. It's a rescue story. It's inspiring and it's true. When Jeff realized the path he was on was leading him away from the God he loved, he turned around and ran back to his Father. You can too.

Think about it.

Are your feet pointing toward the best life?  Which way are you headed today?

Luke 15:13-20  
     "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
     When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

Worship in Tampa

 

Every time I experience well-led worship I thank God for those leading. During the "Real Ideas Conference" Josh Helms was one of the worship leaders who pointed us to Jesus. I'm a better man because Josh led us well.

Thanks Josh.

I'm really grateful.

1 Corinthians 14:26  -  So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight.

Real Ideas Conference 2009

 

I really like Matthew Hartsfield.

Sheila and I spent the last few days working with Matthew and his team at Van Dyke United Methodist Church in Tampa. He let me teach a couple of "Real Ideas Conference" sessions and I helped him with some Q & A during his workshops.

Here's one take-away...

Matthew says his staff functions best when it's loaded with HOT staff members.

What's HOT?

     H = Humble
     O = Open
     T = Teachable

Humble, open and teachable comrades make ministry a joy.

Psalm 149:4  -  The Lord is pleased with his people, and he gives victory to those who are humble.

A Good Report

                                                                                   - Photo by Dustin Maust

I feel kinda like the Apostle Paul, except for the part about him spending time on ships and in prisons, riding a donkey, living in the middle-east, making tents and planting lots of churches. Other than a few things like that, I'm feeling like he must have felt. 

My phone started ringing last night with good reports about GCC's 1st Wednesday service. Everyone was raving about glorious worship, stirring sacramental moments and soaring community.

When I heard the news I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and deep appreciation. Like Paul celebrating a good report from one of the churches he loved, I find myself beginning this day with joy.

I think Paul had some days like this: days of hope and peace. I'm having such a day. I'm feeling thankful - kinda like Paul.

Ephesians 1:16-18 (Paul)  -  I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do. 

Guest Blogger / Butch Whitmire

 

We began 2009 with the "Ask Anything" weekend. Everyone sent text questions for me to answer. I answered as many as possible and decided to ask "Guest Bloggers" to answer a few more.  I asked Butch to address your question, "How do I get on the Vocal Team?"

Here is Butch's response.
                                                             
 
I grew up in a good but extremely predictable church. The only thing that wasn’t predictable was the soloist assigned the weekly song special. This was because in our church, anyone who had the desire to sing was allowed to sing.  So we opened the bulletin each week to discover the name of the soloist with great and nervous anticipation. 
 
You see, sometimes the singer listed would be simply amazing.  Sandy would sing and the church would erupt in applause, swept up in wonder.  But other times, Chuck would sing and the church, dazed from having endured the cacophony of exaggerated vibrato and askew pitch applauded mostly in relief the song had ended.
 
Sandy and Chuck were equally great people.  It’s just that Sandy had been gifted to sing; Chuck hadn’t.  When Chuck sang, it was clear he was experiencing God’s presence.  When Sandy sang, it was clear she, and our entire church, was experiencing God’s presence.
 
At GCC, it’s our hope that through the arts, our entire church will experience God.  That’s why we place the most talented artists we can on our platform – to help us move closer to Him.
 
If you’re like Sandy, and God has gifted you to sing, there may be room for you on our vocal team.  If you’re like Chuck, and you are gifted in other areas, there may be room for you on one of the other Creative Arts teams like lighting, sound, production, etc.  Simply register to volunteer online at gccwired.com.  We’ll contact you with next steps within two weeks.  If you are interested in an overview of all the Arts ministries at GCC you’re invited to attend our Arts Volunteer Expo Tuesday, February 24th from 7:00 – 8:30pm.  I hope to see you there!

 

Think We'll Be Able To Find 10?

I sat on my sister's porch this morning thinking.

Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination for health and human services secretary after suffering criticism over his failure to pay more than $130,000 in taxes.

Nancy Killefer, who failed for a year and a half to pay employment taxes on household help, has withdrawn her candidacy to be the first chief performance officer for the federal government. In 2005 the District of Columbia government filed a tax lien on her home for failure to pay unemployment compensation tax on household help.

Timothy Geithner was confirmed as Treasury secretary despite belatedly paying $34,000 in income taxes.

I sure hope we can find some honest people to lead this nation.

Genesis 18:20-32  -  Then the Lord said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."
     The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 
     What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" The Lord said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."
     Then Abraham spoke up again: "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?" "If I find forty-five there," he said, "I will not destroy it." Once again he spoke to him, "What if only forty are found there?" He said, "For the sake of forty, I will not do it."  Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?" He answered, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."
     Abraham said, "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?" He said, "For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it." Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."

What Are You Doing This Wednesday?

A special night of worship is being planned. It'll be like no other night. It could be the very best night of your month. It'll be great and you are invited.

It begins on Wednesday night at 6:30.  Everyone is meeting at the Granger campus for one purpose: all-out-worship-and-praise!  Grab a friend and bring them with you.

God is worthy.

Psalm 29:1-2  -  Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Watch All Of This . . .

 

Our economy is down and the world is changing fast.

Whether we're slipping into darkness or poised for unprecedented success depends on our next steps.  When I watch this video I feel like I should try to bump up my game a notch or two. How about you?

Ecclesiastes 5:11-12  -  The more loot you get, the more looters show up. And what fun is that—to be robbed in broad daylight? Hard and honest work earns a good night's sleep, Whether supper is beans or steak. But a rich man's belly gives him insomnia.