Mark Beeson

Halloween Interrogation

Since I was thinking about the great worship we experienced at the Story Conference, the question caught me off guard.  It surprised me so much I wasn't sure I heard it correctly...

"You think they worship Satan?"
"What?"
"Do you think they're devil worshipers?"   

"Who?"
"Parents who dress their kids up for Halloween and celebrate Satan. You think they're of the devil?"

(Now, you should know Sheila and I didn't celebrate Halloween with our kids and we're not going to have Halloween parties at GCC, but I've got to admit, this guy wigged me out with his suggestion.)

"Dude. Are you suggesting the parents who let their daughters dress up like Cinderella and the Little Mermaid are worshiping Satan?"
"Hey," said my very religious interrogator, "It's the devil's day. So do you think Trick-or-Treating is demonic, or not?"

"Let me ask you a question before I answer," I said.  "Do you believe all the people who attend a Church Wedding service are living for Jesus? Are all the people who dress up for Church Weddings committed to Christ and His Kingdom?"

"Of course not. That's ridiculous. You know a lot of them aren't living for Jesus; they're just coming to a Church Wedding. That doesn't mean they're committed to Christ; they may not be committed at all."

"Then let me suggest that dressing up for Trick-or-Treat doesn't mean you're committed to Satan any more than dressing up to attend a Church Wedding proves you're committed to Christ."

I probably should've had a better response, but that was the best I could do at the time.

1 Samuel 16:7b  -  God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

I'll Remember This...

I took this picture of John Ortberg during a training session at the Story Conference. I want to remember what John said: "We must aim at the transformation of people's actual lives, not merely their devotional practices."

2 Corinthians 3:18  -  All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Good Works and Miracles

Worshiping God at Ben Arment's Story Conference (Flickr photos here) I wondered if there aren’t two extremes among us.

There are those who believe in miracles. They celebrate God’s miracles. They know God is a God of miracles, but the miracles of God are all in the Bible. They’ve no expectation that God will do miracles today – and that’s okay with them. God is good and has done what should be done. For them, it’s knowing God did miracles to save us, that’s what we need.

Then there are those who believe in works. They acknowledge God is good and believe God’s plan - for all of us - is to do the hard work that brings his Kingdom. Work matters. Discipline matters. The accomplishment of bringing the Kingdom – through diligence and discipline - is measured by the size of the pile of each person’s good works. For them, it’s good deeds, that’s what we need.

God is the God of miracles. Good deeds accomplish good results.

Both are true; both are real. God still does miracles and the work we do in His Name brings love near.

I long for God.
I hunger for good work to do. I believe in miracles.
I need both.
The world needs both.
I long for both.

Ephesians 2:8-10  -  God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God. It's not the result of anything you've done, so no one can brag about it. God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.

GSM November RENEWAL Retreat, November 20-22

I've been participating in summer camp for Middle School students for decades. Every summer I head off ot encourage the campers and their leaders. I pray for them, preach to them and take pictures of them. 

Summer camp is great, but a after being home for a few months the white-hot faith of most middle-schoolers could use some tending. That's what the November Renewal Retreat is all about. November 20th, DC and his leadership team of student ministry phenoms, will be heading to Camp Friedenswald to fan the flames of faith in our kids!  Jeff Myers nailed the theme for the retreat with this incredible video.

Listen up parents.

This retreat will be a blast and we're keeping the cost so low it's amazing.  A kid can earn enough money to attend this retreat by raking leaves (and that's good news for a lot of families trying to tighten their budgets). I know a lot of people think God made leaves for photosynthesis, but His secondary reason for creating leaves was so kids could could rake them and make money for church retreats.

Getting your middle-schoolers to this retreat can encourage their faith and help them take some good steps with great friends.  GSM is designed to help you! 

2 Timothy 1:6a  -  For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God.

Sandhill Cranes / Grus canadensis

I made a video of Sandhill cranes for GSM to use on Sunday. Sheila and i sat in a blind near a marsh holding thousands of them. Cranes were everywhere and I got a few photos of these flying wonders with seven foot wingspans.

Sandhills are the most common of all the world's cranes; it's no wonder; they live 20 years.

Now is a good time for you to see them in Michiana, but if area farmer's can't get their crops harvested soon, they may wear out their welcome. Sandhills are opportunistic eaters so they can cause significant crop damage when they descend on a staging area in large numbers, and that's happening across our region.

Luke 8:5  -  A farmer went out to his field to sow grain. As he scattered the seed on the ground, some of it fell on a footpath and was trampled on; and the birds came and ate it as it lay exposed.

Amber, Ryan & Ruby In Ada Bible Church

Amber is going to Ada Bible Church so I figured I'd check it out. I've often thought I'd do something, only to discover I have no chance whatsoever of doing it. I never was able to find a weekend to visit Amber's church in Chicago while Ryan was a resident at Loyola. That's what I assumed would happen in this case too, but I was wrong. Much to my surprise, Sheila and I were able to spin through Grand Rapids on my way home from training UMC pastors in northern Michigan. So we picked up Amber and Ruby and headed off to church. (Ryan pulled a marathon session at DeVos Children's Hospital so he couldn't join us this time. He's an outstanding physician and I couldn't be more proud of him.)

I'd never heard Jeff Manion "live." Ada has several "video venues" but I went into the room where Jeff was speaking in person. He was incredible. The service was incredible. His preaching was incredible. I spoke with Jeff after the service and told him I thought it was incredible. 

I loved the service at Ada, and I'm glad Jeff Manion is speaking into the lives of my daughter and her family.

Here's one of my big take-away-quotes from the morning. Jeff was talking about the value (and challenge) of long-term-commitments. He said, "Some people grow over a significant period of time when other people walk with them for a significant period of time." Relationships like that are not "jump-in and jump-out relationships." They are "jump-in and stay-in relationships." I've been thanking God for friends who've jumped-in and stayed with me, from the time Jeff said that until now.

There are many to choose from, and they're not all that difficult to find, but it's comforting to know your kids are in a great church!

Proverbs 23:23-25  -  Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment. The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. So give your father and mother joy!

My Son Files His Evangelism Report

Aaron is soaring in his ministry in Orlando, and he's hilarious. You've got to read his evangelism report in this month's Summit Magazine. Download the PDF and go to page 26 to read "WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN?"  See if you can relate.

Hebrews 13:6  -  Let us be bold, then, and say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"

Wilderness Hard Places

 

I've recently talked with a few friends who are in the wilderness.  Maybe not like the desolation of Monument Valley...or maybe a lot like it. Thorny. Complicated. Barren. Dry. Desolate. They hate going through these days. Their lives are difficult and they're not sure how long they'll be in this hard place.

I pray for them and I encourage them to stay close to Jesus and keep taking steps.

When you're in a wilderness place, the way out is one step at a time.  You just keep taking steps. The problem comes when you've taken steps and you look around. Even after many steps it may look as it did when you first started to walk through this difficult place. That can be discouraging, but just because it still looks like wilderness doesn't mean you've made no progress. You have; with every step you're moving forward. With every step you're moving ahead.

Just because things look the same to you doesn't mean things are the same. Stay close to Jesus and keep taking steps. He'll see you through.

Psalms 23:1-6  -  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Sheila's Birthday / Another Fun Memory

How do you celebrate birthdays? In our family we try to build memories together.

Last night Sheila and I went to the marsh I pictured in yesterday's blog post. I set up my Double Bull Blind and we sat inside for a few hours watching Sandhill Cranes. Thousands of them came to roost on the bog. The birds were so loud we could barely hear each other. Sheila had never seen this behavior "up close and personal," so it was a very memorable moment and I loved sharing it with my bride. We're building memories.

Happy Birthday Sheila.  I cherish our moments...

Malachi 2:15  -  You were united to your wife by the Lord. In God’s wise plan, when you married, the two of you became one person in his sight. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. Therefore, guard your passions! Keep faith with the wife of your youth.

Wilderness Morning

Before the sun came up on this beautiful Autumn morning I was already sitting in a marsh. I went there to offer my prayers, and after days of heavy agendas and expectations it was good to catch the sunrise in the wilderness. I thought I'd share the early hours of my morning with you.

First light.
The marsh ecosystem supports the lives of a zillion organisms. No kidding, a zillion.

 

 

Beautiful, crested Wood Ducks. Snapping turtles take a heavy toll on the young.

 

Whitetail Doe. Mature. Wary. Heading into the swamp's water to hide on an island "sanctuary" far away from the shoreline. She'll probably stay there all day and return to shore this evening.

 

Button Buck. Notice the little bumps, or "buttons," on this head. It's his first autumn. He still has a few spots on his coat. Most button bucks are very curious and they'll often approach as they "check  you out."  I'm assuming that's what this little guy was doing. 

Psalms 5:2-3  -  Listen to my cry for help, my God and king! I pray to you, O Lord; you hear my voice in the morning; at sunrise I offer my prayer and wait for your answer.

One Year Later

Our Elkhart Campus is one year old. We've gone to two services and the congregation is bumping 500. Jeff Bell is leading strong and my friend Kim Volheim created this wonderful media report to celebrate our Elkhart congregation's first birthday. Check it out.

Matthew 28:18-20  -  And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Reynolds Leadership Academy Pastors at GCC

  - Photo by Dustin Maust

Tim Stevens and I met with these United Methodist pastors today. They're fired-up, determined and focused on sharpening their leadership skills. They intend to win the world to Christ. Yesterday they were with Bill Hybels all day, so they've been drinking from the fire hydrant of leadership development.

Every time I meet with pastors like these I'm encouraged to do better, live stronger and pray with more courage. I've had a great day.

Proverbs 27:17  -  Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

15 Pastors / 1 Bishop / 1 Mission

It's a new day for United Methodists in Indiana. I just returned from meeting with Bishop Coyner and the pastors of Indiana's 15 largest United Methodist churches. What do you do when an entire generation is at risk? What can you do?

Indiana's bishop suggested United Methodists engage in five practices: radical hospitality, extravagant generosity, passionate worship, intentional faith development and risk taking mission and ministry. He said we should do no harm, do good and stay in love with God. That's why he's a bishop; bishops say stuff like that.  The thing I like about this bishop is that when he says it, he really means it.

No wonder so many pastors are pulling for him - and with him.

Titus 1:7-9  -  Because a bishop is a supervisor appointed by God, he must have a good reputation. He must not be a stubborn or irritable person. He must not drink too much or be a violent person. He must not use shameful ways to make money. Instead, he must be hospitable, love what is good, use good judgment, be fair and moral, and have self-control. He must be devoted to the trustworthy message we teach. Then he can use these accurate teachings to encourage people and correct those who oppose the word.

Sheila's Least Favorite Aspect Of Deer Hunting

See this?  It's a scent bomb. You saturate the wick with deer urine, hang it on a branch and let the scent waft downwind. Curious deer follow the scent stream toward its source. If it works you lure a deer close.

When I return from a hunt Sheila is overjoyed. However, she prefers I leave these scent bombs outside.

Deuteronomy 7:26a  -  You must not bring any detestable thing into your house.

Where'd The Time Go?

I remember when I was a kid sitting in Mrs. Wiggin's classroom. It took three days for one hour to pass. The morning lasted forever. I had time to walk home, eat lunch, and walk back to school for the afternoon classes. I thought I'd die before the last bell rang and the school day ended.

What happened?

These days time flies. I leave a weekend service, turn around three times, and it's already time for another weekend service to begin.

I think the length of a day is in direct proportion to the number of them you've already lived. The more days you've already been given, the faster the remaining days pass. The sands of time drop through the hour-glass more quickly with each grain.

So, the time you thought you had will pass more quickly than you realize. Whatever you're delaying, putting-off and procrastinating, you better engage. You better get on it, or you may discover time ran out before you got around to living the life you're planning to live.

Psalms 90:10a  -  The span of our life is seventy years— eighty for those who are strong.

Commitment to the Truth

When Rob launched into his lesson for Journey Bible Study I couldn't stop thinking about how important it is for everyone to know the truth. When you don't know the truth you're likely to do all kinds of crazy things; and when you do crazy things your outcomes rarely coincide with the results of right living. We need to know the truth (what's real and right).

People believe all kinds of crazy things.
"No matter how I treat people I'll still have lots of friends."
"If I want to, I can do anything."
"I don't have to work hard to get what I want."

People are committed to all kinds of crazy things."
"If my 10-year-old-kid wants to travel with his team every weekend, we will."
"I'm not going to miss HEROES, no matter what."
"Oh yeah, I play the Lottery every week."

People trust all kinds of crazy things.
"I just feel like we're heading the right direction."
"It can't be wrong; I read it in a blog."
"What?? He said he was a virgin."

Whether it is our mechanic (who knows how to fix our car), our biology professor (who knows about Mitosis), our Driver's Education instructor (who knows the rules of the road), we trust them; we believe they can help us. We assume they have knowledge so we give them our confidence.

Knowledge has power belief doesn't. It's possible to believe things that are not true. What we need is truth. We need to know what's real and right. Without knowledge we'll believe crazy stuff, be committed to crazy things and trust crazy people.

It's desirable to base our beliefs on knowledge whenever possible, but knowledge isn't always available to guide action when we need it. We know that. (And too often we won't believe what we know.) But our responsibility remains. Rational and responsible people base their beliefs and actions on their knowledge.

I think that's why people aren't very concerned about your faith (what you believe). People are interested in your knowledge (what's real and right). We need knowledge. We need to know what's real and right.

So get the truth. Everything depends on it.

John 8:31-32  -  Jesus told the people who had faith in him, "If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Making The Appropriate Effort

 

  - Photo by Dustin Maust

My small group met this morning. The bible study was great.

Remember when the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon? We studied it. Here's the story....

1 Kings 10:1-10
When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan--with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones--she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.
⁶ She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness."
¹⁰ And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

Got it? She travels over a thousand miles to gain the wisdom of Solomon, gives him over 9,000 pounds of gold and offers praise to God because of His eternal love for his people.

Now, fast forward to Jesus. Check out his words to the pharisees of his day...

Matthew 12:42
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.

Zow.

Here's my take-away introspection from our small group study this morning. "How much does my life reflect desire for My King? To what lengths will I go to be in His presence, sit at His feet and glean His wisdom?"

2 Peter 1:5-7  -  Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.

Aim Small, Miss Small

 
- Photo by Amber Cox

Mel Gibson's admonition, "Aim small, miss small," was good advice. The Patriot was training his sons to shoot, hoping the reminder would serve them well. My dad told me to line up my sights and "pick a hair" before I pulled the trigger. Fathers have an abundance of good advice.

A new record has been established for shooting accuracy. If you've ever been told, "You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn," or if you've ever lined up your sights to shoot a target 100 yards away, you'll know how impressive the new record really is. 

On the 4th of July Lee Rasmussen broke the .50 BMG Single Target Heavy Gun World Record at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico, by putting 5 shots inside a 1.955" group on a target 1,000 yards away!  Imagine that. Five shots under two inches in a bullseye at 1,000 yards. Unbelievable.

Rasmussen said his success was the result of "Practice and paying attention to detail." No kidding.

All this makes me wonder. Where's my focus?  Am I practicing the spiritual disciplines that help me hold steady? Am I adjusting to the unfolding details of my relationships and insights? What am I aiming for these days?

How about you? What's your aim?

Titus 1:2  -  My aim is to raise hopes by pointing the way to life without end. This is the life God promised long ago—and he doesn't break promises!

Casting Nets at Journey Bible Study

Jack Magruder is teaching one of the Journey Bible Studies with Rob Wegner this month. I’ve heard Jack teach in India, but not in Michiana.  By the time he finished “casting nets” with Rob, and explaining the principles of “3-Story-Evangelism,” Jack had taken the class up a notch.

I don’t think we ever outgrow our interest in how God’s Story, clearly pictured and creatively illustrated, intersects our own. It’s the greatest story ever told and nothing presents it better than an authentic witness with passion, preparation and great visual aids.

That’s what I saw tonight and I was inspired.

Mark 4:30  -  How can we picture God's kingdom? What kind of story can we use?

Marty Friend - My Friend and Musical Techno Wizard

You've got to check this out!

Marty Friend invented this App for the iPhone and iPod Touch. I was in a small group with Marty for several years and he's been at GCC forever.  He's a musical genius and, with this App, he makes it possible for me to act like one too.

Go here for more.

Amazing.

Psalm 33:2  -  Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.

Pro LIfe

Congratulations are in order - not just for this glorious accomplishment (Joel became a full-fledged Doc in June 2005), but for Luke's scheduled arrival into the Hunter family. Today is Luke's birthday!  That means my sister and her husband will be Luke's grandparents, Joel and Lizzy will be his parents, and I'll be related to one more fantastic kid!  Wahoo! 

Since I remember the birth of our children, I'll be praying for Joel and Lizzy a lot today.

My brother-in-law (the guy in the tie) is also Joel Hunter. He's earned a doctorate too, only he uses his education to pastor Northland Church in Orlando. You can check out his thoughts on pro-life issues here.

John 16:21  -  When a woman gives birth to a baby, she has pain, because her time has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the pain, because she is so happy that a child has been born into the world.

Soybean Buck

I got out for two hours this evening.

As I was searching through YouVersion's Mobile Bible (let's hear it for great phone apps) this little guy came within bow range. He spend 45 minutes meandering across 300 yards of soybeans. I watched him come all the way to me, took his picture, and watched him walk out of sight.

All in all, it was a delightful evening.

Sheila still has no venison, but I got a fun photo (and some time for Bible study). 

Ecclesiastes 11:8a  -  Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour.

Don't Settle for Close Enough...'Cause It's Not.

Many times I’ve been close but missed the mark. It’s not like I was so far off that I was embarrassed (like when I struck out in Tee Ball, swung too low and broke the batter’s tee, ending the game and my career in baseball). “Close” is not the same as contact; “close” doesn’t produce homeruns.

“Almost there” still hasn’t arrived.

I’ve heard “close” only counts in Horseshoes (an ancient game predating Corn Hole, and predicated on the assumption you have a horse with a spare pair of shoes you can throw around).

I’m quite familiar with almost getting it right. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard, “Close, but no cigar.” (I don’t really know what that means. I don’t want a cigar. I’ve never smoked cigars. I’m not trying to get one and if I got one it’d be unfortunate because I lack the required cigar smoker’s toolbox to properly care for one: guillotine cutter, cherry wood humidor and teakwood stogie transporter case. And even if I was close enough to win a cigar, I wouldn’t smoke it because I’ve heard it said, “Kissing someone who smokes is like licking an ashtray.” Ugh. Why would I put Sheila through that? Just sayin’.)

Anyway, I’ve recently realized the Silver Rule is one of those “Close, but no cigar,” examples of being almost there (not quite there, but almost).

Jesus clarified the 10-Ring at the center of the Bullseye. He told us where to aim so we can really do something about the lives of those with whom we’re in effectual contact.

He called for love resulting in the provision of positive good, not just the alleviation of painful conditions. There’s a grand distinction between the teachings of Jesus and those of other religions. We dare not equate the Silver Rule, “Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you,” with the vastly different Golden Rule, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  The negative directive is to do no harm. The positive directive is toward doing what is good for others. The heart and mind are in a different place for those who wish to follow one of these rules or the other.

What Jesus directed is not merely the alleviation of suffering (though that good intention is common to the instruction of many religions). The Golden Rule reaches far beyond the absence of harmful behaviors and the avoidance of damaging dialogue. Jesus’ love reaches indiscriminately toward bringing “good” to the lives of those around us. God’s love is much more than compassion; it aspires to bless and enrich all our lives.

Don’t content yourself with Silver.  Go for the Gold.

Matthew 7:12  -  In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Michael Franzese / Mob Boss No More

As surely as God changed Saul into Paul, God changed this Mob Boss into a powerful witness to the saving grace of Jesus. At least a dozen men told me, "He's the real deal."  They're right, and not just about Michael's past in the Mob. He's the real deal when it comes to Christ.  This guy is sold out for Jesus.

Let me give you a few memorable quotes from Michael's Friday night talk at GCC. 

• "I was a made man of the Colombo crime family. As a kid I loved athletics. Having my dad in the stands was very good for my batting average. Dad never missed a game. The Umpire would take one look at my dad in the stands, and never call a strike on me."
• "My dad is now 92. He's the oldest living Mob guy."
• "The Mob isn't a business, it's a way of life."
• "As I talk, think back on your own life. Every testimony is to get you to think about your own story and God's work in your life."
• "This life is all about relationships, and the #1 relationship is your relationship with Jesus Christ."
• "The worst emotion you can ever feel in your life is hopelessness. It is horrible. I wasn't suicidal, but I was hopeless."
• "I wanted forgiveness, not surrender. I wasn't surrendering; I wasn't doing anything God wanted me to do. I picked up the Bible. I had never read the Book of Proverbs before. The first verse I noticed was Proverbs 16:7, 'When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.'"
• "There's nothing miraculous about this. I just became obedient in my life."
• "This is the verse of my life. 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.'"

Luke 5:32  -  I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.

Environments

When I took this picture of Northland's new auditorium I thought, "It'll be fantastic to see what God does with this space."  It's just a big box, but Jesus is powerfully present every time His people gather in His Name, so the expectations for this environment were huge. No one has been disappointed; this room is now finished and God continually uses it for His Glory. I expected no less.

Environments shape expectations. 

Go into the stadium and you expect crowds of fans and action-packed games.
Step into a library and you anticipate whispered conversations being "shushed" by concerned librarians.
Enter a Billiards Parlor and you expect someone will be playing pool.
You get the idea...

So the question begs to be asked, "Since environments matter, how do we make the most of our environments?" It's not just a question for architects; it's a question for mothers, fathers, teachers, coaches, friends and bosses. It's a spiritual question. It's a relational question.

• How do we best leverage the environments we feel "box us in?"
• How do we create new environments that open the doors of possibility rather than severely limiting our options?
• How can we shape our environments, accessorizing them with the appointments of beauty and hope?

We're diving into that topic and those questions this weekend.

Environments matter, and when you recognize God's presence in the "space" you occupy it changes everything. Think of it; God is with us! Shape your expectations accordingly.

1 Kings 8:57-58  -  May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers.

 

I've Got 4 Hours To Get Close...

I've got about four hours to hunt this week.  It's archery season and Sheila said, "We need venison." After decoying this little buck into bow range, and watching him for about 45 minutes, he simply wandered away.  That was last October. If he lets me get as close this year...he's toast...er, I mean, venison.

How close can you get to a wild Whitetail buck? Not sure? Try it sometime.

Genesis 27:30b-31a  -  Esau came back from hunting. He cooked the tasty food and brought it to his father...

 

Accidental Reality

Bumblebees have an agenda when they land on a flower. In reality, they do more than they intend.

When I took this picture, a large slow bee was searching for nectar. Bumblebees are hairy (and their hairs are branched), so as they learn to access the nectaries of complicated flowers, pollen sticks to them. It may be accidental, but there's a lot going on as a bee searches for nectar. Pollination only happens when a pollen grain lands on the stigma of the same species of flower, and pollination is often the unintended consequence of a Bumblebee's activity.

Watching bees makes me wonder about the unintended consequences of my daily activities.

I don't think I can avoid the accidental realities of my actions (as a bee can't avoid touching pollen), but I do think I can do better at recognizing this truth; more is happening than I intend. My influence is not confined to what I notice, and neither is yours. But if we pay attention, we'll have greater awareness of the real impact of our words and our ways.

Ecclesiastes 7:17b-18  -  Don't be reckless. Why die needlessly? It's best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue. A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it.

When No Referee Is Watching...

Last Friday I took my camera to a local High School football game. A couple of friends have sons playing for the Clay Colonials. LaPhonso's son is blocking so Rod's son can pass the ball. The ref is poised and watching, ready to throw the flag on any infraction. Depending on the school, it takes four, five or six referees to enforce the game's regulations.

How many refs do you need to keep you from breaking the rules?

Maybe today is a good day for a gut-check. Maybe it's time to ask the questions, "Do I keep the rules only when the refs are watching? Is the real reason I stay inside the boundaries because I can't step over the lines without getting caught? Will I cheat if no one is watching?"

I wonder who is ultimately responsible for how I play the game?

If I cheat, is it my fault I'm removed from the game? Or can I blame the ref for throwing the flag? Do I blame myself for losing government funding, or the people who video-taped me encouraging tax-evasion and child-prostitution? On whom do I pin the responsibility for my disqualification? Is it the whistle-blower's fault, or am I accountable for my actions? Did I lose my license because of "that stupid cop," or because I was driving drunk?

Maybe it's time to own up and accept responsibility.

In the secret moments, when no one else is watching, there are no referees to keep us from cheating. There are no refs behind closed doors. No referees will force you to keep your marriage vows. There aren't any refs watching over your finances, your forays across the internet or where you put your hands on your boyfriend.

You make the call.

There is no one to throw the flag on your behavior but you. You are responsible for you. So accept responsibility, reject passivity and do the next right thing. No shortcuts. No cheating. No broken promises. No secret sins. If you need God's help, accept it. Your future hangs in the balance...and one day, whether the refs caught us and threw the flag or not, we're all going to be exposed. We'll be judged - every single one of us.

There are no secrets. God is not mocked.

In the end, no one gets away with anything.

Psalms 82:7-8  - In death you are mere men. You will fall as any prince—for all must die. Stand up, O God, and judge the earth. For all of it belongs to you. All nations are in your hands.

Pokeweed / Phytolacca americana

 

Pokeweed grows across North America, from Texas to Ontario to Florida to Maine. And it grows in my woods. Since it's a perennial you've often seen it. Birds love its dark ripe berries; the seeds survive digestion and they are dispersed widely - along fence rows and at the edges of fields. Pokeweed is common. The question is, have you noticed it? 

I'm always amazed at the things I fail to notice, even though I've been looking at them for years.  How about you?  Do you know the names of the trees in your yard?  Can you name the month when most farmers plant corn? How about the month they harvest soybeans? Do you know the names of the birds you've seen every year of your life? Which trees are the last to drop their leaves?

Jesus implied we can see things without seeing things. We can hear things without hearing. It's as if Jesus said, "Heads up you guys. A lot is happening and you're missing it. Better start paying attention or you'll find yourself uninformed, unaware and unprepared."

Oh, oh. If I don't notice what's obvious in the material world, how will I perceive spiritual truth and Kingdom values?

I better start paying attention...

Matthew 13:14-16  -  What was spoken by the prophet Isaiah is being fulfilled: Listen and listen, but never understand! Look and look, but never perceive! This people's heart has grown coarse, their ears dulled, they have shut their eyes tight to avoid using their eyes to see, their ears to hear, their heart to understand, changing their ways and being healed by me. But blessed are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear!

Heartfelt

 

Ben Ngoma opens the weekend service with "One Day," by Matisyahu. 

I love Ben. He walks the talk. He loves well and he leads strong. I tell you because it's nice to know that the people singing on our platform actually follow Christ.  For the great artists at GCC, the music isn't a show; it's the heartfelt proclamation of God's people offered to a listening world.

Psalm 15

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
       Who may live on your holy hill?

 ² He whose walk is blameless
       and who does what is righteous,
       who speaks the truth from his heart

 ³ and has no slander on his tongue,
       who does his neighbor no wrong
       and casts no slur on his fellowman,

 ⁴ who despises a vile man
       but honors those who fear the LORD,
       who keeps his oath
       even when it hurts,

 ⁵ who lends his money without usury
       and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
       He who does these things
       will never be shaken.

She Makes Us Better

 

For more than 30 years I've focused on honoring God by loving my wife.  We've shared so much over the years; we raised three children, served four different congregations, started Granger Community Church and encouraged as many people to follow Jesus as we possibly could.  In all those days I've never heard Sheila complain, gossip or criticize. Instead she blesses, helps and serves. It doesn't seem to matter what others do; she stays hopeful and does her very best.  It's like she gets up every day and says, "God, I'll do my very best for you." She is remarkable. I thank God every day for the gift she is to me, to our family and to the church. 

We're all better because of Sheila's Christ-centered life.

Psalm 122:8-9  -  For the sake of my family and friends, I say it again: live in peace! For the sake of the house of our God, God, I'll do my very best for you.

It's Hunting Season

The hunting season opened October 1st. Today is the 3rd and I haven't been out. Not at all. Not even once. But don't weep for me. I'm happy doing the things God gave me to do and I'm sure I'll be in a tree stand before long.

Aaron and John helped me get some stands in place. (It seems strong young men have an advantage over tired old men when it comes to preparing for the hunt.)  As soon as I get a window in my schedule, I'm going hunting.

'Nough said.

Lamentations 5:9a  -  We went into the wilderness to hunt for food....

Simplicity's Illusion

I hear people say they long for simplicity and I wonder if they know what they're asking.

Simplicity carries an illusion.

Simplicity is seductive. Its siren song lures the frantic, out-of-breath traveler to a dreamy life of ease and freedom. It suggests life doesn't need to be so complicated, or so difficult. Then it exaggerates that postulate, turning it to heresy.

Simplicity lies. It over-promises and under-delivers.

While it's true our lives don't always need to be so complicated, or so difficult, the trite summations Simplicity offers for convoluted issues usually prove irritating and unsatisfactory.  If the truth was told, simple slogans and tweet-length mantras give the illusion of clarity while glossing over the finer details essential to understanding. Such a view of life isn't necessarily wrong; it's just incomplete.

When details are overlooked complexity can be denied.

It's like a paraphrase of the scriptures. A loose translation is like a watercolor painting. Look close and you'll see the watercolor  leaves on a tree are nothing more than green swirls of emerald and turquoise and lime. There are no details. Individual leaves disappear as the painter strives more for the symbol of a tree than a true-to-form replica. There are no veins, lobes or segments to study because there are no leaves at all. It's all just a green wash.

Again, let me be clear. There's nothing wrong with either - a watercolor tree or a paraphrase of scripture - as long as you understand that's what you're looking at.  If you know it's a watercolor, you know it's an exercise in futility to look for details.  If you know it's a paraphrase of scripture, you recognize an attempt to exegete the text will only reveal the extant passage you're trying to interpret is already someone's interpretation of the original text.  That's OKay, if you know it, but it's devastating if you don't. It's the Truth that sets you free, not its facsimile.

So, how do we simplify without falling for the lie?  How do we simplify without denying the complexities of life?

These are my thoughts. They may not be the best strategies - I'd be over-simplifying matters if I said they were. But they're worth a look.

FIRST. Understand complexity mitigates against comprehension, so seek what matters most first. Prioritize. Don't just sequence your "Learn How To Do This" list.  Rank order the value of understanding. It may be more important that we know how to "love one another," than to know the metaphorical implications of an angel in John's Revelation pouring out his fourth bowl on the sun.  It's not that the fourth bowl doesn't matter; it does.  It's just that Jesus said learning to love each other matters more.

SECOND. Understand you can't escape complexity if you're intentionally wading into a multifarious world with the transforming love of God. Complexity and love belong to each other. Who knows the depth of love's complexities? When Simplicity says, "You can't love deeply and fiercely," Simplicity lies.  God is love. Simply loving God leads to complications.

THIRD. Remember. Focusing on the next right thing - as it relates to a vast constellation of interconnected and interdependent consequences - simplifies life. If you decide in advance to do the next right thing, you'll discover an ease and speed in decision making.  While others may be paralyzed by indecision (pondering every possibility at every juncture), you'll be able to look past the obvious bad choices and focus on the better available options. Simplicity may not remove difficulties, but it sure helps you move through them.

Denial isn't the answer. Keeping the main thing the main thing doesn't mean the main thing is the only thing.

Don't think simplicity means no more problems, options or choices. When you simplify it doesn't mean you've avoided life's complexities; it only means you've simplified your life by making complexity subservient to your priorities and purposes.

If you're trying to simplify, get clear on what your're doing with your life. Then walk the narrow path that leads to success.

Hebrews 12:1  -  Let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back.

                                                                             

If you'd like some help simplifying your communication strategies, without falling for Simplicity's lie, read Kem Meyer's book "Less Clutter, Less Noise." Get it here.