Crazy Love study, Chapter 1...

We started our first week doing a small-group study of Crazy Love by Francis Chan. The first chapter is entitled "stop praying"...many people saw warning signs going up when they read that, I know. It's not what you think! It's about not being in a rut...not doing the ususal, ritualistic, same old, same old. We need to be focusing on a more relational conversation, while also focusing on what and who God really is. He's not just a guy we should talk to as an equal, without a reverence and fear.

What I would like to do over the course of this study is open up a forum for you to share each week what the specific chapters meant and how they spoke to your heart personally. I am not being paid by any publishers and only put a link to purchase the book so that interested individuals can become a part of what we are part of studying. Leave your thoughts...

The Love of Jesus...

As we come upon Easter, I find myself thinking about the love of Jesus upon a cruel world who wanted nothing to do with Him. Not only did He give His life as a ransom for our eternal souls, but became a vital part of the lives He encountered. I am reminded of the occasion when his friend, Lazarus died.

Look at the passage found in John 11:33-36..."When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, (34) And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. (35) Jesus wept. (36) Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!"

The thing that sticks out is in verse 36..."Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!"

What do people say when they see our encounters with friends? Do they see the love we have or maybe what we can gain from the other? What about those who aren't our "friends or inner circle"? Shouldn't people see the love of Jesus in us when we deal with them as well?

I want us to look at Matthew 5:44-46..."But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?" So, if we only show love to those we are friends with, then we are showing nothing but human nature. It takes a true love to show love to even the "unloveable"!!!

We haven't been called to reach only those who can help us, but rather to preach the gospel to all nations... My prayer is that I will reach beyond my comfort zone to those who are in need. I was deeply touched by the pictures Mark Hall of Casting Crowns sent on TwitPic of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Some folks with the big names wouldn't get their hands "dirty" by visiting a reservation with such poverty. They would say it's a missionary's job to reach them. I have a much greater respect for them because of their willingness to go and teach and reach souls for Christ. Hats off, Casting Crowns!!!

What ways can you show the love of Christ to others? Maybe a note to someone who's hurting...a kind word to that teller who's struggling...a meal for the family who just experienced tragedy...whatever it is, find a way to reach out!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Easter: Just Invite

Easter is known as one of the best times of year to invite folks to join us in worship. People are more receptive to coming into our fellowships than at almost any other time of year. Are we asking people to come, though? Or, do we just sit idly by and hope they will find our church? I found this video at Beamer Films that puts it simply...Just Invite!


I challenge each of us to be inviting folks "like there's no tomorrow"...because we don't have the promise of tomorrow. If the statistics say that the unchurched are more receptive to visit on Easter, then let's be inviting them NOW!!! Will you invite someone today? Join me and JUST INVITE!!!

Please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Do We Adapt to our Environment???

Many times I sit and think about how things are being done and why it is we do them the way we do. I realize that our traditions, comforts and just "that's the way we've always done it" play a great part in it, but are those reasons to continue down the paths we are on?

Has there been a time when you were doing something "the way it's always been done" when you realized maybe there could be a different way of doing it? Do you feel like you have been led by the Spirit to maybe go that direction? Or is it something that you have a tendency or personal affection towards?

I'm not asking you to question everything you do or don't, but rather think if we are doing things for the right reasons. While I was reading a bit ago, I came across the verse found in Psalms 90:17..."Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!" This made me stop and ask the Lord to be upon the work I am doing for His glory and also started my mind racing with past ideas that I was afraid to speak out, because it was different than the way it's always been done or uncomfortable to some. I am starting to realize that through my Bible reading, praying and just getting to know "non-Christians" that those things we've always done can be a turn off to outsiders.

I am reminded of the passage in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23..."For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. (20)To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. (21)To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. (22) To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. (23)I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."

This doesn't ask us to change the message of Christ we share, but I think it might allow us to make changes in presentations that would be a more comfortable environment for "outsiders", right? It says that Paul would make himself like those he was ministering to, so that "I might save some"...isn't that the key of what we are striving towards? If it was okay in the days of Paul to adapt, then who's to say it won't work for this generation?

What are your thoughts on this? Please share with me...

Please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Sowing seeds...

As we prepare for our upcoming Block Party, I came across this section of scripture. It came from our PowerUP devotional book for today. This section talks about us giving cheerfully. Many only equate giving with money, but it also includes our time, among other things.

Today's passage is from 2 Corinthians 9:6-10..."But this I say , He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things , may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)"

The word today is a calling to give with all you have...to hold nothing back...I think of the song "Live Like You Were Dying"...give like it's your last chance...because it may be the last chance for someone to hear. We should look at our outreach like a field...haven't you noticed that God uses the "harvest" as a way to look at reaching the lost. If we only sow seeds in a small section of our field or garden, would we expect to harvest plentifully from the entire section of property? Duh- no! So, why would we only reach out to a few and expect great returns for God's kingdom?

May we each purpose in our hearts to give, not because we have to...not because others are watching...but because we want to. God loves a cheerful giver. Be glad to give your time. Our Block Party is a great outreach to our neighborhood and city. We see it grow each and every year. This year's promises to be bigger than ever, especially due to economic conditions. It takes the concentrated efforts of a large group. It's not easy, but the rewards are great!

I am amazed to be part of a group of committed folks who are willing to pitch in wherever needed. We will meet tonight to bag up groceries to give away to those in need. We look to bag somewhere between 300-400 bags this evening. That means that many will have to take time out of their Friday night to come help...and they will, cheerfully!

In verse 8, God promises to allow His grace to abound, that we will be able to continue on. He will give us the strength, if we are willing to put forth some effort! Jesus went out and reached out to folks...gave to the poor and ministered to people's needs. We are called to do much the same: ministering bread for food, multiply the seed we sow (the Gospel), and the fruits of our righteousness will be increased.

Think on these things today...sow the seeds of kindness and charity bountifully...give of yourself willingly, time and money...sow more seed (reach out)...and God will increase the fruit of your righteousness...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today.