The End or Just the Beginning?

Hall Photography

For the past 17 or 18 weeks, I've been taking a "Creative Use of the Computer in Ministry" class. It's been fun learning different tech related things, exploring thoughts and ideas trending toward all things digital, and . . . . growing as a blogger. That was not a result I necessarily anticipated. Blogging has actually been one of the hardest "requirements" for this course but in reality, I think I've grown the most from this activity.

Blogging has been something I've wanted to do for a few years now. I started a blog and had a few posts randomly here and there, but, I was never consistent at it. This course required us to have weekly blog posts (give or take here and there). For me, it's a journal of things I'm thinking about, or, working through. Most of my posts have been something close to the heart. A few have focused on current events. My hope from each has always been to spark some thought and discussion on how to help each other live Godly lives. This blog has done that for me. And for that, it has served it's purpose.

My hope is that I will continue in this venture called blogging. At times it will require me to force myself to write something. I hope you will take the time to ask me now and then how it's going, or, what I'm thinking and kindly suggest that I throw it out there' (Or, maybe just be blunt!) Thanks for reading thus far. I eagerly anticipate your comments and discussion in the future.

Rest

I've been working my way through the "Life Apps" sermon series that took place a few weeks ago at North Point Community Church. Today I listened to Part 4, The Rest App. The series is based on James 1:22 which states; "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Part 4 is all about the idea of rest. God took a day of rest, why don't we?

In our crazy, fast-paced culture, we don't take the necessary time to rest. I'm as guilty of it as the next person, and, honestly, I'm pretty burned out in a lot of areas right now because of it. In this message, Jeff Henderson talks about how we are an exhausted society and this continued behavior is robbing us of the joy of life and it's robbing us emotionally, physically, relationally and spiritually. He goes on to talk about how our relationships with God and others are enriched when we are refreshed, energized and recharged rather than suffer due to being drained and lacking energy. One statement in particular stood out; "Your life moves to a better place when you move at a sustained pace."

That's so true but often we continue to think we can fit it all in or we're afraid we're going to miss something. Some of these things are even good things, but too much of it can rob us from being effective, joyful, and fulfilled.

Maybe this is something I should be paying closer attention to. Shortly after listening to this message, I read a blog post by our Youth Pastor that touches on a similar subject.

I suppose these two instances are further evidence that it's time to stop listening only . . . . and start doing. (And by doing, at least in reference to this post, that means rest and not more doing!)

Interaction

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation." That is the charge presented in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 16, verse 15. 

Photo courtesy of www.parade.com

I recently read an article in Parade Magazine entitled; "2 EGGS, OVR EZ, HLD BCN." The premise of the article was about how some restaurants are allowing people to place their orders via text messaging. I was pleased to see that the article took a direction other than one I was expecting. At first, I thought that the article would detail advances in modern technology, but thankfully, it did not. Now I'm a huge techie nerd, but not everything should jump into the digital age.

This article went into detail about how human interaction is still necessary in our modern society. A subtle glance, an interesting fact, human emotion. These are all often forgotten in our crazy, online culture. It's easy to become isolated, even unaware. But, if we profess to be followers of Christ, we cannot isolate ourselves from the world. We must interact with and engage with it. We can proclaim Christ all day, online, from our homes, and there is a place for that. But, the world needs to see us living it out, in plain view. Maybe it's time we learn to go old school. That's the way Jesus did it.

A Celebration of Death

I couldn't help but read the Facebook and Twitter posts last night regarding the death of Osama Bin Laden. I had mixed emotions. While I agree that he was one of the most evil men in history, I found it hard to "celebrate" his death. So many were singing and chanting "USA" "USA" and yet I wondered what our response as Christians should be? Should it be celebratory? Would Jesus have celebrated this man's death?

Photo courtesy of www2.timesdispatch.com

One post in particular said only this: "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles." Proverbs 24:17 (NASB)

One friend said it this way: "Not to be a kill-joy, but there's only one death I will ever celebrate and that's only because He didn't stay that way!" 

Another article I read said that the CIA watched the raid take place in "real time" from a conference room in Langley. I found that hard to swallow.

I'm sure the response is different from those that had a personal connection to 911. I'm sure the response is different from our Military brothers and sisters. I can't even say that I'm not happy that he's gone. I guess I'm just intrigued by the response.

I'm sure this is and will continue to be a heated debate. I'm not at all discounting the lives lost because of his actions. He was evil, plain and simple. I'm just wondering what the appropriate response should be? I also wonder what will happen now?

Thoughts?

Pre-Conceived Ideas

"Happy Easter Eve!" That was the greeting I received while entering the auditorium to attend Easter celebration services....on Saturday night. We planned to attend with Nancy's family and the majority decided that attending on Saturday night would be the better option for the weekend. I believe there were several reasons for doing so including the idea that there would be more room for someone else on Sunday morning if our whole family didn't take up an entire row. A valid response I suppose. 

For me, I was having a hard time thinking about attending an Easter service on a day other than Easter. Is it really an Easter service that way? What if they do something different than they would do on Sunday morning? What if we miss something cool? What if I miss seeing someone I would normally see on Sunday morning? What if I missed the point?

I think it's easy to get caught up in traditions. It's easy to get caught up in our own pre-conceived ideas about what something in particular should look like. We are all guilty of that. I am guilty of that. Did I turn something so significant as the Resurrection of Jesus Christ into something based on tradition, perception, or, something that shows up on the calendar?

The point is, something as monumental as the Resurrection cannot be contained to one day. Sure, we set aside a certain day to remember it and celebrate it. But, the reality is, we get to celebrate that everyday. Jesus sacrificed His life for us. But it didn't end with His death. He arose and He's asking us to live with Him. How will we respond to that? What will we do with that? Will we set aside one day to remember that or will we be involved everyday?

It's not about one particular day on a calendar. It's about living our lives for Christ and celebrating the fact that He has risen and conquered death. 

So.....Happy Easter Eve. Happy Easter. Happy Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday . . . . you get the point.

Application

Photo from www.northpoint.org

I listened to the first message of a new sermon series going on at North Point Community Church titled "Life Apps." I encourage you to check out this particular message from Andy Stanley here. One of the things that stood out to me that Andy said was this: "Believing is fine; intending to is fine; application and what you actually do is what makes all the difference!" 

This is something I've been contemplating in my own life. I've been trying to determine what my "application" should look like on a regular basis.  The opening scene from the video mentioned above is a montage of different "apps" one can download on their phone in an attempt to seemingly make our lives easier. The point was made though that none of these apps actually make us do anything. They may encourage us or assist us in something, but we actually have to decide to partake of that activity before it can be accomplished.

This correlates to our spiritual lives. There are "apps" to teach, train, equip, etc. But, if all we're doing is studying, believing, and intending to, then we may be missing our opportunities for application. Application not only in our own lives, but in others around us who need to know Christ.  Don't get me wrong; we need to continue to learn and refresh. But, we have to balance our input with output.

This is pretty easy for me to talk about but much harder to apply!

Old Vinyl

I just read an article in the newspaper about a trend among teenagers with collecting and listening to old vinyl records on actual turntables. They were talking about how the sound was so much better and that earlier music was never meant to be digitized. 

I'm one that is easily caught up with new technology. I love the stuff. It intrigues me and interests me. But, I wonder, what is the cost of "Out with the old and in with the new?" A colleague at work today was telling me about a story he heard on the radio this morning. They were discussing that people hardly need to know anything anymore in the era of the internet. If one doesn't know or can't figure something out,  it's Google to the rescue.

I got to thinking about the church. I again am one that loves progress in the church. I like the new music and modern technological advances. It works for me. It sets a certain atmosphere for me. But, I wonder what things we've left behind that were also beneficial.  What if that is not "working" for someone else? Are we missing our opportunity to share Christ? What can we learn from the "old guard" that we can put into practice today? What methods worked for them that we can use today? What if those ways become the new "trend?" Will we be too involved in our new technology to respond?

Ecclesiastes 1:9 (New International Version, ©2011)

⁹ What has been will be again,
   what has been done will be done again;
   there is nothing new under the sun.

Devo

In my last post I talked about having accountability partners. These are the people that you've given permission to keep you on track spiritually, physically, etc. For this post, I'm thinking specifically of being held accountable to a daily devotion time. This is an area where, honestly, I've struggled for most of my life. I have never found this easy to do. It takes focus and discipline, dedication and commitment. There are times when I've stayed faithful in making that time and other times where I'm completely lazy and inactive in this area.

I've never really determined why this has been so hard for me to be consistent with. I desire to deepen my relationship with God. I've seen and experienced the benefits of being in the Word and having that knowledge. I like to read. I want it to be a time of growth and reflection and not just something I check off my daily to-do list.

So, what's the deal? I know and understand the need for this in order to continue to mature in my faith. I have people in place to ask me how I'm doing. Yet, I'm not where I want to be or need to be.

How about you? Is this something that comes easy for you or is this an area you really have to work at like me? If so, why do you think that is? Is this another area where the enemy is attacking, or, are we just lazy? I don't think we're going to Hell if we don't read our Bibles everyday. But, I do think it's necessary for us to grow and mature in our faith; to enhance our relationship with our Father; to be obedient to our Savior.

Thoughts?

Accountability

I think it's important to have accountability partners. Those people that you've given permission to call you on whatever, smack you around and get you back in line! Sometimes it's surprising when they actually step up and say something. That takes courage. That's true friendship.

I've been under some stress lately for various different reasons and have let it at times affect my attitude in a less than positive way. While meeting with a friend for lunch at work a couple weeks ago, I was expressing my current "frustrations." Blah, blah, blah....on and on I went. And then she said, "Rodd, have you prayed about it? How's your devotional time?" 

Honestly, it kinda sucks right now. I've let other things get in the way of my relationship with God. I try to fit Him into MY schedule and on MY terms. The problem is, it doesn't really work out so well for me. Every time I try to do something on my own, I fail. It's only when I'm in right relationship with Him that I can succeed. And here's the thing, I know that. I've experienced that. I desire that.

So, why is it so hard to maintain that discipline? I'm reminded of the words of Paul in Romans 7:

¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

 ²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! 

I know this: I'm glad He's faithful, even when I'm not. And, I'm thankful for friends who will step up and remind me. 

Youth and Technology

Dominic Nahr / Magnum for TIME

I recently read an article in TIME magazine entitled, Why There's No Turning Back In The Middle East by Fareed Zakaria. The article discusses the recent revolutions and protests taking place in the Middle East in an attempt to overthrow the corrupted regimes of their societies. The article describes how youth and technology have played a vital part of the success of these protests and that a large part of the population is under the age of 30. 

This got me to thinking about youth and technology in the church. How are we leveraging both youth and technologies in our churches today? The youth of today is the church of tomorrow. The technologies we provide to them today will be the foundations of the technology they use in the future. I wonder if the church is largely ignoring our youth and their potential?

I believe that the youth of today not only are the church of tomorrow, but, they are also a part of the church here and now. They have something to offer now. We need to mentor them and be a part of their lives. We need to give them the training and resources they need to be good leaders, not only today, but equip them to handle what's to come and the changes that will occur as a result of their influence.  

Take some time to get to know some of the youth around you. Maybe you'll learn something. I'm sure they know more about technology than you or I do. Maybe they have some insights on following Jesus that we aren't aware of either. 

Driscoll

Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll is the founder and teaching pastor at Mars Hill in Seattle. He spoke at Catalyst West Coast last year. He's probably one of my favorite pastors to listen to. The group that went to #CatWest last year recently gave a little overview of the trip to some of our Pastors and Elders. As I was going through my notes, I was reminded of a couple of thoughts from Mark that had stood out to me. They are;

"For whatever reason, sometimes the things we want are not God's will for us." 

"If He has not opened an opportunity for you, it's because it's not good for you."

These two quotes resonate with me. It seems that whenever I perceive that there is a possibility for advancement in my career, the door is swiftly closed. I wonder if I've placed too much emphasis on my career and not enough on my calling. I'm wondering if the two can intertwine but at the moment, I feel they may be worlds apart. 

Maybe I'm not looking at it through the right lens though. Around the time I found out of my denial to interview for the "opportunity," a friend at work sent me an IM about coming to church. It was out of the blue. She specifically said she needed Jesus and wanted to come and check it out and was going to bring a friend.  

Maybe those worlds can intertwine. Maybe I'm figuring out what real opportunity looks like . . . 

A Quote by the Pope

I recently read a quote in Time Magazine by Pope Benedict XVI saying, “I would like, then, to invite Christians . . . to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible.” This is part of a larger message for the 45th World Communications Day. It was released by the Vatican on January 24th of this year. I applaud him for his modern stance on this topic and the relevance it plays in our society.

I’ve been very interested in how social media can play a role, not only in the church, but in our efforts as Christians build relationships and to share the message of Christ. So many are “online” in this day and age and we need to determine how we can leverage the internet and social media as an effective tool for witnessing.

Our pastor spoke this week on taking what you’re passionate about and using it for the Kingdom. The Internet, digital communications and social media are all areas I’m passionate about and interested in utilizing for Kingdom work.

I’d like to explore this concept further but in the meantime, give me your thoughts on how you think this can be accomplished. Let me know how you’re using it; how your churches are using it (or not using it); how it can be leveraged for the Kingdom. I think we need to take advantage of these opportunities. What do you think?

Service

Hall Photography

Our small group has been talking for quite some time on how to live out our faith on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis! We've done a few service projects in the past. Things like painting a house, refinishing a deck and helping with Habitat for Humanity. We've given to charities and helped at the soup kitchen. But, it seems that we've had ups and downs in our efforts to sustain this. We've recently begun talking about it again and feel we need to get serious about being more consistent and obedient in this area of our faith.

For some reason, it seems easier to carry this out in the summer. There seems to be an abundant amount of things to do and work on when it's warm outside. But, Jesus didn't call us to serve in the summer only. We're looking at things we can do now, in the winter. Things that can be of benefit to others. We want to bless others in the name of Christ. We want to be obedient to our calling. 

So . . . where am I going with this? Basically, I'm just wondering what type of service projects are you involved in? How do you serve others? Do you have something that you do on a continual basis? Do you have ideas for service projects in our community? Do you know people in need that we may be able to help? We're looking for ideas. We're trying not to limit our vision. We're trying not to keep God in our safe little boxes. We're wanting to step out. So, give us a shout out with your suggestions. We'd love to hear them.

We'd love it if you joined us too . . . .

Complacency

One of my favorite Newsboys songs is “Lost the Plot” from the album Take Me To Your Leader. I think it chronicles our downward spiral towards complacency and a lack of focus on what our jobs as followers of Christ actually are.

 

When you come back again
would you bring me something from the fridge?
Heard a rumour that the end is near
but I just got comfortable here.
 

sigh.
Let's be blunt.
I'm a little distracted.
What do you want?

Headaches and bad faith
are all that I've got.
First I misplaced the ending
then I lost the plot.

Out among the free-range sheep
while the big birds sharpen their claws.
For a time we stuck with the shepherd
but you wouldn't play Santa Claus.

sigh.
Let's be blunt.
We're a little distracted.
What do you want?

Once we could follow,
now we cannot.
You would not fit our image,
so we lost the plot.

Once we could hear you,
now our senses are shot.
We've forgotten our first love.
We have lost the plot.

When I saw you for the first time
you were hanging with a thief
And I knew my hands were dirty,
and I dropped my gaze.
Then you said I was forgiven
and you welcomed me with laughter.
I was happy ever after.
I was counting the days
when you'd come back again.
we'll be waiting for you
When you comin' back again?
we'll be ready for you
Maybe we'll wake up when...
maybe we'll wake up when
you come back again.

lies.
Let's be blunt.
We're a little unfaithful.
What do you want?

Are you still listening?
'Cause we're obviously not
We've forgotten our first love
We have lost the plot.

And why are you still calling?
You forgave, we forgot.
We're such experts at stalling
that we've lost the plot.
lost the plot

When you come back again
would you bring me something from the fridge?
Heard a rumour that the end is near
but I just got comfortable here.

Peter Furler and Steve Taylor

Are we distracted? Have we “Lost the Plot?” Have we been gradually desensitized?

I think we’ve become comfortable and complacent when it comes to our faith. It’s easy to stick to what we’re used to and what feels safe to us. It’s easy to warm our seat every Sunday morning and call it worship. It’s easy to write a check to a mission and call it service.

We forget at times that we were never promised an easy life. Following Christ can be hard. From His sermon on the mount, Jesus said this;

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 New International Version, ©2010 (NIV)

That doesn’t sound like an easy life nor does it sound like the popular choice but it’s our calling. If we’re going to be obedient, it’s our responsibility to stop stalling and get with the program. This is the way that leads to life.

I’m ready to get out of the fridge. Are you?

A Gift

Photo Courtesy of the NEA

I recently received a gift. Not the kind you unwrap. Not the kind given by God, as in, a talent. Even still, it meant a lot to me. One evening, on a whim, I decided to look up the name “Fahlbusch” on YouTube. Much to my surprise, I begin to watch a video of my grandfather, Albert Fahlbusch, playing the hammered dulcimer. The year was 1981. He was 56.

I’ve done internet searches on my grandfather before. He had received the National Endowment of the Arts National Heritage Fellowship Award in 1984.  He was renowned in our part of the country and was known as “The Dulcimer Man.”  However, this had caught me off guard. This was the first time I had seen actual footage of him playing. This particular video was from the 1981 Dulcimer Expo in Clarkston, MI. It had only been uploaded 9 months prior by a man name Paul Goelz from Rochester Hills, MI.

I had a new mission; to find Mr. Goelz. I did a quick search on YouTube and discovered he had a website. I then sent him an e-mail describing how the video he uploaded was of my grandfather. Through the course of events, we were able to communicate through e-mail. I think he was just as excited as I was in that he was happy to know that some of his work had been found by family and he was more than eager to share. He then advised that he had a surprise...more video, this time from a wedding here in Scottsbluff. It had been shot on VHS broadcast equipment at the VFW in 1984. He volunteered to convert all of this to DVD and make copies for me! I advised that I would like to make arrangements to cover all of his expenses and he told me that no arrangements were necessary. He was glad that they were “coming home.” Another gift.

There was another reason that the finding of this video was so special. You see, I was the recipient of an earlier gift, several years ago. My grandfather passed away in 2005. At the time, my grandmother asked me which dulcimer I would like to have. I’m the oldest grandchild. However, I knew that there were only three and they had three children. In the midst of the trauma, she had not realized this. I knew she wanted to bless me with such an incredible gift but it would not have been rightfully mine.

A year or two later, I got a call from her. She wanted me to come over right away. I heard a story. A story about a time when my grandfather had traveled to California for an event where he played. A woman approached him and wanted to buy his dulcimer. He politely declined but told her that he would make her one. She would have nothing of that and persisted in purchasing the one that he had. The problem for him was, this particular dulcimer that he had with him was his favorite and he had no intentions of selling it. I guess she wore him down and he sold it to her. But, that’s not the end of story. She ended up with cancer and didn’t have much time left. One of her desires was to ensure that grandpa’s dulcimer returned to the family. Through the course of events, she sold it to my grandmother for $1.00 who in turn gave it to me.

The dulcimer he’s playing in the video? Yeah, that would be the one.

My grandfather came to faith much later in life. I wondered at times how strong his faith was. After he died, we found a journal of sorts. Most of the days simply said this; “Read a little Bible....Played a little dulcimer.” “Read a little Bible....Played a little dulcimer.”

I’ve come to understand just how much I learned from him. Hard work, dedication, commitment, passion and faith, just to name a few. In the end, there was no denying what his passions were. Faith, music and family.

These gifts have meant so much to me and yet there’s an even greater gift. The gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. I need to be constantly reminded of this, as do you. It’s easy to get excited and emotional with the gifts of the world, even ones as personal as the one I’ve shared. But, in the end, none of them can come close to comparing to the gift of God’s Son. I need to be responsible with sharing that gift with others as it’s the most important gift one can receive.

In the end, what will be written in your journal when your time draws to a close?

“Read a little Bible....Played a little dulcimer.”

Faith 101

Faith is a funny thing. Often, I think I have it figured out until something apparently tragic happens and I realize fairly quickly that I don’t. In fact, I’m not sure it’s something that we can figure out at all. My family has been through several trials in the last few weeks. We’ve had a death in the family, a break-in and theft, a lot of sickness, and the list goes on. I can’t say that my faith has been shaken by all of it but I found myself questioning why.

I think faith is hard for me because I’ve had to learn and continue to learn that I’m not in control. For someone like me, that’s not necessarily easy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a control freak or anything but I like a certain amount of structure and predictability. The manager in me knows that’s not always the best ideals to hold because change brings about growth and blah, blah, blah. But, you get the picture. I like organization. I like things in their tidy little boxes. I like to be in control.

Hall Photography

The reality is this; I’m not in control. He is. And in the midst of my doubt, He is still faithful. I’ve been through tough times before and I’ve learned these lessons before. I guess sometimes we can see clearly and other times it’s like we’re looking through the clouds to try and find the answers.

I continue to learn that God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes He makes it known to us; other times He doesn’t. In retrospect, these particular events have spurred some much needed growth in my life. I’m spending more time in prayer seeking His direction for my life. My wife and I are both praying and working through how best to be used by Him and in what capacity and ministries. Introspection and refinement are in place. I may have questioned why, but in many ways, I’ve received more blessings as a result. That is very humbling to me.

Our pastor posed this question last Sunday; “Are you involved in doing the will of God for your life?” I know I’m working toward that goal. That is my heart’s desire. I know it will take work. I know it will require faith and dependence in Him.

Are you striving to get there? Are you letting Him lead? Or, are you still trying to do it on your own?

Influence

Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

I've been thinking a lot lately about my influence. Specifically, the influence I have on others. Even more specifically, how am I influencing others for the Kingdom? It's been an interesting few weeks as Nancy and have have been praying about and taking an introspective look at what God desires for our lives in the way of service. Obviously, we are called to serve others around us each and every day, but we've been looking at different things we could do in a ministry related setting.

I've often been interested in Leadership. It was one of the main reasons I went back to college in 2005 to get my Bachelor's degree. It was then that I read a book (for class) entitled "Developing the Leader Within You" by John C. Maxwell. One thing in particular stood out to me. He states: "Leadership is influence. That's it. Nothing more; nothing less." This has stuck with me the last several years as I've been in different jobs and served in different roles. It all comes back to influence. 

I've come to understand that influence doesn't require a degree, a position, or a title. It does require a willingness to be used. And that's my prayer. That I'd be willing to be used in whatever situation He places me in. And, to be more aware of those opportunities and act on them. I desire to be that Godly influence to my family, friends, co-workers and fellow members of the Body of Christ. I pray that I can be an effective servant in this area.

In what ways are you a Kingdom influencer?

YouVersion

If you're like me and are looking to start a one year Bible reading plan, check out www.youversion.com. They have some great reading plans to choose from and a ton of Bible versions. You can also access them from your Android, iPhone or Blackberry smartphones for extra convenience. Our small group is looking to do this together and hold each other accountable for the next year in this effort. Go ahead and join us if you like. Looking forward to what God will do in 2011.