Mark Beeson

Please Pray

 

Our lIttle Ava went to the hospital last night. She's at a different place than when I took this picture just one month ago. After emergency surgery she's resting. She'll benefit from your prayers. So will her mom and dad. So will I. 

This is a very hard time for Ava, and for us, but the circumstance is no more difficult for God than it was two months ago. God is great. God is good.

Please pray.

Isaiah 38:14  -   I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am troubled; O Lord, come to my aid!

Fire It Up

 

Did you know fire is sometimes used to fight fire?  If you occasionally burn the underbrush, the clutter doesn't become a fire-hazard.  And that's precisely why Aaron started this fire when we were in Canada a few weeks ago - to burn the underbrush.

That blaze got me thinking.

Maybe, if the stuff that litter's your life is consumed in small, controlled fires, it can't fuel an out-of-control-wild fire that destroys you.  It's a good idea to take care of your problems before they become unmanageable. If you get after 'em while it's no big deal, they won't ever become a big deal.  (In other words, it's easier to get your weight under control if you've got 3 pounds to lose instead of 30. Hmmm. How'd I let all those calories go unburned for all those years?)

What threatens you most? Where are you susceptible? Are you allowing anything to clutter your life and make you vulnerable? 

• Is there trash you should burn? (And I'm not talking about old candy bar wrappers.)
• Have you piled up debts you should pay before they overwhelm you? (Relational debts? Nutrition debts? Financial debts?)
• Are virtual relationships cluttering your life; are you surrounded by virtual distractions you should eliminate? Are you in danger of burning through the good will of the people across the table from you, because you're overwhelmed by the demands of those who aren't?
• Do you see "anger" everywhere you look? Shouldn't you address some of that pain - before you erupt like Mt. Vesuvius and consume all living things around you?

You're ignoring the stuff that can destroy you at your own peril. 

If you're going to avoid the coming inferno you may need to set a few small fires and get some things out of your life.

So have at it.

Proverbs 26:21  -  As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

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By the way, you don't need to do all this alone.  GCC is offering ten weeks of practical training that will help you get a grip on your life...with all it's cluttered agendas.  It's not too late to register here.

Have You Decided To Follow Jesus?

 

DC Curry was a football phenom; a professional who launched into the NFL after his sterling career as a linebacker at Notre Dame University.  He left football because God called him into the ministry.  Now he leads our entire student ministry and serves beside me on GCC's Senior Management Team.

Watching the baptisms this weekend, I noticed something. It's a powerful moment when DC looks you in the eye, and asks, "Have you decided to follow Jesus?" 

When you answer, "Yes. Jesus is Lord," DC smiles a smile that begins somewhere down deep inside. Then, with heart-felt joy, he reaches out (with the same big arms that once threw huge men to the ground) and he says, "I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Then he carefully wraps you up and lays you back in the waters of your baptism. 

A standout success in one of the most violent sports on the face of the earth now calls others to fling their lives into serving Christ, the Prince of Peace, until God's Kingdom comes and God's will is done on earth, as it is in heaven.

It's a sacred thing.

Mark 1:7  -  The real action comes next: The Star in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will change your life. I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.

450 +

 

Our final count will include several late registrations we're working to tally, but we're certain more than 450 people received baptism at GCC this weekend. I've known some, like my friend Dan (pictured here), for a long time; I met others in the "baptism line" for the very first time today.  It was remarkable. 

I chatted with scholar and theologian Dr. Billy Abraham after the service he attended this morning. He looked me in the eye and said, "The anointing of God is deep in this place."  

Amen, Billy.  Amen.

1 John 2:20a  -  You have an anointing from the Holy One.

Baptism Weekend

 

It has begun!

Hundreds are registered to receive baptism this weekend and last night the sacramental celebration began. It's a good day to open your life to God's love.

Acts 8:12  -  When they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Seth Bible's Wedding Day / August 27, 2010

 

Sheila and I cheered this evening when Jason Miller pronounced Seth Abram Bible and Sarah Elizabeth Rose Rasmussen husband and wife. The wedding was beautiful and the time we shared with family and friends was a celebration of love from beginning to end. 

Matthew 19:5-6  -  And God said, "This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.

4%

Ever been inside, looked at the conditions outside, and thought, No way I'm going out there; I'm staying right here where I'm comfortable?

Sure you have. Who hasn't?

I'm looking out the window right now, looking across San Francisco. I think, the greater the difference between "inside" and "outside," the easier it is to decide whether you'll stay "in" or go "out."  

As I look over a city where only 4% of the population is churched, I'm concerned. No one should have to live without knowing Jesus, but if the Church in America doesn't dramatically change, I'm looking at the future of America. We've got to stop glaring out over our communities, thinking we're "inside" and others are "outside." Want the truth?  We're all in community together - all of us - and no one is outside the reach of God.

"Who's in?" and "Who's out?" asks the wrong question. 

"Who's here?" is better.

"Who cares about who's here?" is better yet...because we're all in this together. 

So, if you look "outside" and see people sinking, it's suicidal madness to say, "I'm not going to bail. The hole is in their end of the boat."  

Galatians 5:14-15  -  The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

The City

 

I've got Rob and Tim with me in San Francisco. "Thanks," in large part, to the generosity of Bob Buford, we're spending a few days with Alan Hirsch, Todd Wilson and 10 pastors who've come from across America for immersion in one of the must unchurched cities in America. 

If you were here - with your heart breaking for this lost city - I'd say, "Welcome to the new normal." But there is no "new normal." Change is so rapid and discontinuous that it's hard to predict anything. For the rest of our lives there will be no "normal," new or otherwise. Those who survive this climate will be those who have margins to capitalize on infrequent and apparently spontaneous opportunity, and that's what we're doing. America is desperate for missional communities of determined Christians declaring and displaying the love of Jesus. 

We know the need.  Now, if we can just figure out GCC's role in redeeming all this...

Matthew 28:18-20  -  Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

Intervention Series

Last weekend our video-gurus created this hilarious "intervention" scenario and we used it in the weekend service. 

This weekend our intervention topic deals with relationships. We're learning about encouragement from the life of Barnabas. You can participate in one of the services and learn the value of being an encourager to your family and friends. 

Check it out on-line today at Noon, 6:30 PM or 8:30 PM.

1 Thessalonians 5:11  -  Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Deep Sadness / Great Joy

 

I've often said I want to love fiercely and faithfully.  

I know full-well that means two things: no regrets when I finish my race, and deep sadness when those I love suffer pain, sorrow or loss.

Those fiercely devoted, and fully faithful in love, can lay their heads down at the end of each day without nagging regret. No tragic, "If only I would have..." thoughts.  No crushing guilt from, "I wish I would have..." regrets.  But those who love with great passion and courage will suffer more deeply than those living detached and selfish lives. Love rejoices with those who rejoice, but it also weeps with those who weep. Love suffers the pains, heartaches and trials of the beloved.

Knowing the price of love, I understand why people shield themselves from it.  If you never love someone you won't care enough to cry with them when they suffer. You won't hurt because they hurt. You won't mourn when they grieve.  You'll never suffer through a sleepless night with them. 

But know this: you won't feel their happiness either. If you don't love others, you won't share the joy of their companionship, the thrill of their success or the satisfaction of their accomplishment. Your heart won't soar when their dreams come true.  Withhold your love and you can avoid grief and sadness, but you'll face increasing isolation in your life and deep regret at the end of your days.

I choose LOVE - and all the emotion it brings: pain, happiness, the ups and downs, the sorrow and the joy.  Maybe it's harder, but it's the better way.

So, I'm standing with my sister and her family as they carry their little Ava through very difficult days. If LOVE prompts you to pray, we'll be grateful.  You can get an update on Ava here, where her father wrote last night, "I read the tumor reports tonight. It's big again..."  I'm sure he'll have more news today, and whatever it is, Sheila and I have determined we'll love fiercely and faithfully.

1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:1-13  -  And now I will show you the better way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Ol' Scratch

 

I’m not sure why Aaron isn’t afraid of snakes, but he’s not. He never has been.  My girls aren’t afraid either.  Maybe it’s bad parenting - I’m not sure.  But, for whatever reason, my kids don’t fear snakes. 

Neither do I.

You just have to know how to handle them. 

The Bible says our enemy (among other things) is snake-like.  Maybe his tendency to strike without warning, or his cold-blooded nature, or his ability to conceal his intentions reminds us of a serpent.  Maybe it’s his rotten nature that reminds us of a low-down snake.  And maybe it’s the picture God paints, of Satan’s insidious work in the Garden of Eden, that makes us think, “What a snake…”

Satan is a deceiver. We don’t need to fear him.  Even though he comes to steal, kill and destroy, we don’t need to feel afraid.  He is a liar and the father of lies. 

• He’ll try to tell you, “Lust won’t hurt you. Indulge it and you’ll be satisfied.” He’s lying.
• He’ll want you to worry as he whispers, “You’re no good. No one will ever love you. Even God doesn’t love you.” But that’s a lie. You’re made in God’s image and God loves you so much He sent His Son to you.
  
• He’ll try to steal your hope, kill your faith and destroy your love, but he’s not able.  The only way he can get it is if you give it to him. He can’t take it. Only you can surrender your heart, abandon your faith in God or destroy the future God has planned for you. Satan can’t steal it.
  
• Even if your life on this planet ends (and it most certainly will), Ol’ Scratch can’t have you because (since you gave your life to Jesus) you belong to God.
  

So don’t fear the snake.  Don’t get careless around him, but don’t let him frighten you either. You know how to handle the dirty, rotten, low-down liar. 

• Don’t give Satan in inch or he’ll take a mile.
  
• Wash your hands.
  
• Purify your heart.
  
• Resist the devil.
  
• Come near to God.
  

James 4:7-8  -  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts…

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Sometimes when a child is ill, it's hard not to get fearful. Will you join me by praying for Ava and her family, that "perfect love will cast out all fear?"  We'd all be grateful for your prayers.

Still Waters

 

Tonight I've found help in an old and familiar text. Sometimes,when I'm feeling small, or weak, or troubled, I'm strengthened by reading the 23rd Psalm. If you've had "one of those days" it might help you too.

 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.

Watching My Son Fish Got Me Thinking...

 

Upon reflection, it appears the Bible is right again. 

Who’s surprised?

In the final pages of the Book of Revelation, The Enthroned One says, “Look! I'm making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate."  The angel of God spoke to John the Revelator about the reliability of scripture, saying, “These are dependable and accurate words, every one.” 

So, who’s surprised that my observation once again corresponds to the God’s Word? 

What’s my observation?

“There is an irrefutable, undeniable and profoundly consequential corollary between one’s choices and actions, and one's outcomes - yours and mine.”

Do something good, no matter how insignificant or small, and the impact of your action ripples across eternity, turning up the voltage and bringing light to the darkness.  Do nothing helpful, absolutely nothing positive or good, and your weak-willed lack-of-effort draws energy from elsewhere, diminishing the valuable contribution that would have been - draining power and light.

Don’t think you can get away with inaction. And don’t think the consequences of your action can be measured by anything less than eternity’s outcome. And don’t ever fall for the lie that what you do “doesn’t really matter,” or “isn’t really important,” because your actions do matter and your effort is important.

So, keep casting. Keep working. Keep believing. 

Your next try may be the one that results in the catch of a lifetime.

Proverbs 10:4-5  -  Sloth makes you poor; diligence brings wealth. Make hay while the sun shines—that's smart;  go fishing during harvest—that's stupid. 

A Changed Life

   - Photo by Steve Smith - 

I’ve returned from a fishing trip in Canada. Most people ask me the same question, “Did you catch a lot of fish?”  Others ask, “Did you catch any big ones?”  Then, as if needing proof, they ask, “Got a picture I can see?”

If I wanted to learn to fish, I’d hang out with people who know how to fish.
If I needed to catch fish, I’d follow the example of someone who caught a lot of fish.

So, if someone wanted to have peace with God, don’t you think they’d look to see if anyone they know has peace with God? If someone wanted to change their life, wouldn’t they seek the advice of somebody living a “changed” life?

Why would someone wanting to live a more meaningful life go to church, if they see “church people” living no differently than other people?  Why would someone wanting to be a better person go to church, if going to church hasn’t made the “church people” they know into better people?

Most people think, “If fishing doesn’t ever produce fish, fishing is a waste of time.”  They think about fishing the same way they think about church. 

People look at their “church going friends” and think, “If going to church and following Jesus doesn’t make you a better person, who needs it? What’s gained if people are ‘forgiven’ but they still lie and cheat and act on their lust as much as anyone else? What’s the difference?  I don’t expect anyone to be perfect, but does following Jesus change your life, or not?”

Then, as if needing proof of a changed life, people ask,"Got an example I can see?"

They're asking a good question. 

What’s your answer?

James 2:17-18, 26  -  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  …  For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

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One more thing...

If Jesus changed your life, and you're following Him, I hope you've been baptized. Baptism gives people a "picture" of the beginning of a new and changed life. Romans 6 says, "When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus."

Will you be one of the hundreds baptized at GCC on the weekend of August 28th & 29th?  

You can register for baptism, and get all the information you need, here.

Bible Study

 

I’ve discovered, over the course of my life, my time in God’s wilderness is enriched by my time in God’s Word. So I take the Bible with me when I go, whether I read it on my phone, my iPad or in the little book that fits in my pocket. Of course, I throw in my “cheaters” so I can read it, but I try to never leave home without it.

2 Timothy 3:16  -  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Where Eagles Fly

 

While fishing in Canada we saw a battle between an Eagle and an Osprey.

A Seagull had a fish (apparently deceased and floating on the surface as a readily available snack).  From high above an Eagle swooped down and chased the Seagull off the fish.  That’s when an Osprey dove down from the stratosphere and engaged the Eagle in aerial combat, talons-to-talons tumbling through the sky.

All survived the battle, but as those titans contended for air supremacy, the Seagull floated back and enjoyed Sushi.

Proverbs 20:3  -  It is to a man’s honor to avoid strive, but every fool is quick to quarrel.  

Our Best Days

 

What’s sacred to you? 

If “sacred” implies transcendent worth and value, if hearing that word suggests you’d be wise to treasure something, someone or some magnificent experience you deem sacrosanct and holy, you’ll understand when I say, “Some things are too good to throw away, too wonderful to toss aside. Some experiences are so rich and filling, it’s obvious they’ve come from God.”

I’ve just had a some days like that.

The Lord gave me a few days with my son in northern Ontario. My brother was there with his son too. My friend Steve Smith has a little cabin on a fly-in-lake and he presented me with a precious gift - time in the wilderness with family and friends. 

I caught some fish, saw eagles fly and watched otters play.  I saw a bull caribou swim across the lake, a blond-phase black bear patrolling the shoreline and Moose tracks in the woods near the cabin.

And I enjoyed worshiping God in the beauty of his creation.

Psalm 145:4-6  -  One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.

Look The Other Way

 

Ever seen a Barred Owl from the side?

2 Peter 3:12  -  Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way...

My Granddaughter Ruby

 - Photo by Amber Cox -

Amber took this picture during a rare moment of relative inactivity. Ruby doesn't seem to have an "off" switch...and that's fine with me.

Luke 1:80  -  The child grew up, healthy and spirited.

Thanks For Praying ... Again

 
 

My sister used her iPhone and shot this picture of me with Ava.

I've not seen Ava for more than a week. Every time I pray for her, I thank God you're praying for her too. She's fighting cancer. Thanks for praying ... again!

Colossians 4:2a  -  Continue praying, keeping alert...

Eyes To See...

 

What'd you see today?  

What did you slow down long enough to really see?

Isaiah 42:18  -  Pay attention! Are you deaf? Open your eyes! Are you blind? You're my servant, and you're not looking! You're my messenger, and you're not listening!