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This past weekend I shared a message with our folks about “words”. Our words are powerful, reflective of who we are, and timeless. Although we use a lot of throwaway chatter, God tells us we are responsible for every word we utter. I talked about how church people are often among the worst. We bless and praise God in one breath, and in the next paragraph we slaughter others with our words. Gossip, slander, divisive and destructive words plague the church unlike anything I have ever seen. Blogs turn cowards into zealots, small groups can become fodder for fueling ungodly conversations, and thoughtless words do, in some cases, irreparable damage.
One of my friends Sunday said to me, “Boy, you really hurt my feelings today.” He was joking about how direct this message hits home. I told him, “That’s nothing. I hurt my own feelings today!” I cringe to think of some of the words I have used. Some of the mistakes that I have made in my speech and the concentric circles of influence that may come through those words. On the other hand, there are times that my words have lifted others, offered hope, provided needed instruction, and set someone back on the right path.
This week, think before you speak. Words matter! Try to avoid some of the usual habits of our lesser nature that provide opportunities for the enemy to discourage or even divide. Think of how your speech might be seasoned (like salt) with grace. Think of how you can lift someone’s spirit, cast a vision for them, declare a new destiny. That is a powerful thought. Good and evil…both should not come from the same mouth.
The last thought I will leave you with is that God indicates this is one of the most sure-proof ways we indicate the condition of our relationship with God. Angry, jealous, bitter, negative, cutting, and destructive words are not in His vocabulary. They shouldn’t then be in ours! If we can control our words, the scripture says we can control every other aspect of our spiritual lives. If we don’t, we are like a city whose walls are broken down. Bless God…but bless others, too!
Experiencing grace,
John
Life is tough and filled with one obstacle after the other! Just about the time you get everything pulled together, it seems another challenge presents itself. I have discovered that life is an effective teacher of two things…humility and persistence. Humility comes in realizing how little control we really have over our own lives and destinies. Persistence is the stuff that sees you through when you feel like giving up.
This past weekend, I officially entered mid-life crisis. Over the last two years, I have really turned my focus toward getting healthy. Diet and exercise have changed my focus and my attention. Because of this, I decided to enter a triathlon. Never mind that I had three weeks to get ready for it…I knew I was in great shape and could conquer what was in front of me. In fact, I got greedy. Twelve years ago, I competed in this very triathlon. I finished the half-mile swim, eighteen-mile bike, and four-mile run in just over two hours. Two hours and two minutes to be exact. Never mind I am twelve years older and that I trained for three months the last time…I knew in the shape that I am in, I could beat two hours. This is where the humility comes in. I started the swim which is in a lake, not a pool; and about five hundred yards in, I began to hyperventilate. That simply means you have so amped your body that you cannot slow your breathing enough to catch your breath. From a lack of oxygen, your muscles begin to seize up. I am panicked thinking I am going to have to stop before I even get started. While my pride was wounded, I was able to get my mental focus back, right myself, and complete the half-mile swim. I went on to complete a decent bike and run considering how little time I had prepared for this.
There was no breaking of the two-hour goal. In fact, I added seven minutes to the previous attempt (most all of that in the lake J). However, I finished! Two hours and nine minutes. While my pride had endured the humiliation of being reminded of my age and over-confidence, my heart learned again the power of persistence. You just keep pushing through when you feel like giving up. One of these days, you will cross the finish line! Galatians 6:9 (Msg) “So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit.”
Experiencing grace,
John
This week I was surprised! I have a friend who is a pilot. He asked me to go to breakfast one day this week, so I agreed. He picked me up and as we were driving, he suggested the name of a restaurant for breakfast. I told him I was sure it would be fine but that I had never heard of it or never been there. It was at this point that he immediately turned the wheel of the car and swerved into the airport. He told me I had never heard of it because we were going to fly there. Now, I am very sensitive to things like this because I am very prone to motion sickness. Breakfast is so unappealing if you feel green. He was aware of this, though, and took great precautions to make sure that I wasn’t getting sick.
I have to tell you; it was great fun to do something so out of the ordinary like this! We took off and headed to a nearby city, about a 30 or 40 minute flight. Once we were in the air, I was reminded, as I am any time in an airplane, of how different things look from a “bird’s eye” view. This was even more fun, though, because it was sights with which I am quite familiar. As we flew over the terrain, I spotted one landmark after the other that I recognized. These were buildings, places, and locations, many of which I see daily from my car or driving down the street. Some of them were places where I shop or work or live in and around. It is completely different to see them from several thousand feet in the air.
As usual, I came away from this with a fresh perspective of how different God’s view of our lives is from our own. We get so used to or so caught up in our traffic patterns of life, or in seeing things around us, that we stop appreciating how special they are to us. While we become entangled with the affairs of this life, God must look down and oft times laugh at our preoccupation with the immediate. He sees so much more the plans for our lives. He sees the greater scheme while we putter down the road conditioned to our surroundings. As I was able to this week, I would encourage you to ask God to help you to see things differently. Maybe, you can even get a glimpse of your life from His perspective. I promise you, it is a completely different point of view than most of us see. It just might change your outlook of where you are today!
Experiencing grace,
John
Well, this uncommon grace is easy to write. The last few days around Easter have been extraordinary at The Gathering. For those of you who have been at the last three services, you know what I mean. For those who missed one, or don’t know what I am talking about, we surrounded Easter with a series called HEALED! The premise is that the same power that existed in Christ, who brought life, hope, and healing wherever He went as He walked the earth as a man, still exists today. We listened to three extraordinary life experiences.
First, Jeff from our own church shared about a life of addiction. Alcohol, and ultimately drugs took their toll over decades of abuse that led to depression and self-destruction. Powerfully, God took over as Jeff reached up with whatever power he had left. God changed his life! For over three years now, he has been clean and sober. He has discovered the feeling of God’s peace and joy in the place of substitute highs and lows.
Easter brought Robin Giles to us from Brooklyn Tabernacle via Atlanta. What a beautiful lady and a beautiful spirit! Robin grew up in Ohio and suffered incredible abuse as a child. Her anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness led her to many self-destructive places. The incredible story of her deliverance, and the freedom of her granting forgiveness, led to a powerful journey of peace and the experience of grace.
The pinnacle was this past weekend. Wow, what an incredible story as Jonathan Ervin, a friend of mine from childhood, shared his journey. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, he could share with no one his confusing thoughts of same sex attraction. Through the highs and lows of his journey, he received the devastating news of his contraction of the HIV virus. Now in full blown AIDS, he is what his doctor describes as a walking miracle. He was told two years ago that he had six months to a year to live. He is the picture of health on the outside as God has protected his life and empowered him to share this absolutely incredible story of God’s redemption and forgiveness.
All of these stories stirred us deeply to know and appreciate the fact that God’s undeserved and unbelievable love knows no limits. No matter who you are. No matter where you have been. We all need healing. Because of a bloodstained cross. Because of an empty tomb…we can all be HEALED!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Last night, I met with some people to do a make-up class for our church’s Membership Class. I am blessed to be a part of those meetings as new people bring fresh perspectives. I take the time in this environment to explain to others what our church is about. The fact that we are different from the average church. We focus heavily on being the kind of hearts and the kind of people that Jesus would feel comfortable being around. In other words, not Pharisees. I am currently doing a series on the 5 Stupid Things Churches Do. To be honest, I had to think pretty hard to narrow it down to just 5. I have been around the church my whole life, and I have seen some pretty stupid things. The sad thing is that most people would agree with that. They poke fun at it, laugh at jokes about it, even talk about it in others’ churches. Yet, they seem to be completely blind to the practice of it in their own lives and/or church.
One of the couples who was there was so excited. They talked about their son coming to our church for the last couple of months. They told us that he hadn’t been in any church for any reason for 25 years! He missed the other weekend and he said, “I really hate that I missed church. I really do like this church.” Wow, what a great celebration. Sunday morning, another mother stopped me and, grinning from ear to ear, told me how her son, who has been quite far from God, commented to her how much he loves our church. Finally, yet one more mother came up to tell me that her son hasn’t missed the last four weeks after being out of church for years. He left the church when a pastor scorned him for his tattoo.
Here’s what I am saying. I am so glad to be in a place where the spirit is such that people like this feel welcome and accepted. That’s it. They feel accepted. Not judged, or rejected, or scorned by a bunch of hypocrites doing stupid stuff. Playing church games and putting plastic around those games is about “us” and not about God’s Kingdom. The truth of this is that God is using different. And a different group of people are responding. Come to think of it…it is kind of like reading the Bible!
Experiencing grace,
John
This morning, our staff started the day with prayer together. We prayed for a Divine appointment that would take place. After talking with one of our staff members, God answered our prayer! One of the ladies in our church had a former neighbor, a young lady reach out to her for help. While this young woman is an amazing story, she has spent the last year of her life virtually alone. Abandoned by her mother and father, she has lived where she could. She has continued to go to school and will graduate in a couple of months. She has also held down a job for most of that past year. Again… this is a seventeen-year-old young lady we are talking about. Still, all of this rejection and pain took its toll. After a trip to the hospital, out of the blue she called the lady in our church. Again, the only connection is that they were neighbors a while back. She said she didn’t know where else to turn.
As usual, God is in the mix. The lady called our church and asked if we could help. We accompanied them this afternoon to a shelter for young women. This is a very nice place only about a year old. Without our connection to them, she would have been on the waiting list for weeks to even get an appointment. Instead, she met with the director this afternoon. After a brief interview, they discussed a walk through. Only a few steps into the common area, another young lady cried out the name of this teenager and asked, “Is it really you?” It was this girl’s cousin. They hadn’t seen each other in years. They walked further into beautiful dormitory rooms with kitchens and linens on the bed. She was told that they would have to check availability.
The phone call was placed and you guessed it… they had only one room available. What you probably didn’t guess was that it was a suite room with a private bath. Now, that’s what I call sweet! (sorry J) This young lady went from being homeless today to being cradled by God! He put her in a suite! As we loved on her today in His name, she was able to see how awesome God moments can be! I am absolutely convinced that this happens every time that we care for these that God cares about. Wow! Matthew 25:40 (Msg) “Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’”
Experiencing grace,
John
Romans 2 tells us that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. Interestingly, most Christians seem to buy into the logic that condemnation does the trick. With hypocritical scowls of superiority and self-righteousness, we condemn others to put them into their place. Ironically, when God shows patience and kindness that leads us to a different way of life, it is to put us in a better place!
This past week, I have had the opportunity on three separate occasions to talk to three separate individuals who have experienced the most amazing turnaround in their lives. Each of them has commented that they are overwhelmed by the way that God never gave up on them. One was away from God for twenty-five years. One has endured a life of abuse and self-defeat. One has traveled a road of a prodigal…but all have come home! Amazingly, it was the need to fall into their loving Father’s arms. I couldn’t help but think, why is John Ortberg so on target when he asks, “Why is it that sinners ran to Jesus and today they run from His followers.” Perhaps it is a lack of kindness. Perhaps it is the hypocrisy of their condemnation. All I know is that it was a joy to sit with these friends and have them share with me those precious moments of being restored to God!
He has shown me extraordinary kindness. I can never repay His mercy and His forgiveness. I can never match His faithful and amazing love. But I do know this…I want to be like my heavenly Dad! His kindness and patience with me lead me back to Him, and I only hope that I can have a few more of those types of conversations!
Experiencing grace,
John
It is amazing how much influence the economy has on us. When times are good, people seem to be in a better mood. Economists even rate our mood with a consumer confidence index. We feel more invincible when the economy is humming. So, it only makes sense that when the economy is like it is today, people are insecure, moody, afraid, and downright irritable at times. The sun still comes up the same every day and life goes on, but the way we make that journey seems to ebb and flow with the rise and fall of our circumstances.
Now, I am not making light of the realities of tough times. Job insecurity or even job loss can be very stressful. Even Christians, who know that our security is not in a job or our money, still know the realities of this uncertain world. If you can’t pay your mortgage because you lose your job, well…you know it starts a process that is neither good or pleasant. So, while some spiritualize away the pressures of this life, they are very real. How is a Christ follower supposed to get through this up and down, topsy-turvy world we live in, and still trust in God? Where is the balance between faith and physical reality? After all, I know great Christians who still get sick and even die. Hard working, honest, and industrious believers have lost their jobs and incomes, too. And while we turn in those times to God where others may not, we still feel the pressures of life as fully as our non-believing counterparts.
I believe the trick to this is to break out of “circumstantial perspective.” In other words, we tend to judge God’s faithfulness, answer to prayers, ability to effect change, etc. on a sliding scale. We are pleased with Him when He allows our lives to be comfortable and consistently make sense. We are displeased (even though most self-respecting Christians would never speak this out loud J) whenever our world doesn’t line up with our current set of circumstances. Faith + Faithfulness + Service = Prosperity and Blessing! Or so we surmise. Truth be told, if God never gave me another thing, He doesn’t owe me anything. Graciously, He doesn’t leave me alone…but He could. It will help me…it will help all of us to take our eyes off our current “circumstantial perspective” and see that God is bigger than my problems, this economy, my job, my relationships, etc. Choose joy today in the fact that He is in the journey with you. And, oh yeah, when things turn around…don’t forget He is there, too!
Experiencing grace,
John
Currently, we are in a series around here called GPS. GPS systems are changing the way that we live our lives. It is amazing that we can engage a GPS signal, and it can tell us with amazing accuracy exactly where we are. We can program a desired destination, and it will guide us with precision to our desired location. For our particular view, we are acknowledging that a God Positioning System is inside each Christ follower. We have to possess the good sense to turn it on and tune it in, but when we do…wow. With laser precision, God is able to communicate to us just exactly “where we are” in life’s journey. He also can then communicate to us how we should proceed to our desired destination. In other words, He guides our journey.
Now, we can choose to go offline. We can choose our own path. We can ignore biblical guidelines, thwart spiritual authority, and choose what appears to be the more obvious route. However, when we do this, we are taking charge instead of following the lead of His voice. This is not a good thing. We have taken a look at how this leads us into dangerous territory and entangles us with “unsafe people.” The reason I bring this up today in Uncommon Grace is that there is a huge principle which has jumped at me through developing this study. I dealt with it this past weekend. It is the heartbeat of our church and the story of our journey.
Jesus was a “safe” person. While He was the embodiment of truth, He never beat people up with it. While He was the display of God’s holiness, He was a harbor of healing to those who didn’t quite measure up. He was an encourager to those who were down. He picked them up; He never piled on. He was a healer who did no harm. Matthew 11:19 (NLT) “And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!' But wisdom is shown to be right by what results from it." I put it in red so you would know He said it! It is amazing how much damage has been done in His name by people who claim to represent Him. His ire was given to those who could parse the law, not those who broke it. While Jesus never partook of the sin of the people of His day, they were strangely drawn to Him. They felt compassion and comfort in His presence. They were drawn to something different in Him that offered them hope and the prospect of a better way. While sinners ran from the scorn of the religious Al Qaeda assailants, they ran to Jesus and found shelter under His wing. Do broken people run to you…or do they run from you? The answer to that question determines whether you are a “safe” person or not. It also determines whether you are reflecting Jesus in your life or simply in your language. Followers of Christ determine to bring the healing heart of God to this world and ‘do no harm’ along the way!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It seems like such a heavy time. The economy is wobbling along. People are feeling the crunch of lost jobs, lost savings, lost retirements, and lost confidence. Uncertainty in the housing market and financial sectors have threatened our economic security. Uncertainly leads to uneasiness. What is strange about this, though, is how much our attitudes are shaped by our perspective. Somehow, when things are better economically, we feel invincible and confident. When the world wobbles, we feel threatened. Don’t get me wrong; I understand it. Having watched years of squirreled away retirement savings literally disappear has not been easy for me to swallow either. It’s just that there is a paradox in this. James tells us that our over-confidence in good times is foolish. Paul tells us that our worry in bad times is foolish as well. We live in a broken world that ebbs and flows. Our confidence is not tied to the market, whether on Wall Street, Main Street, or housing. Our confidence is in God who is solid and never changes.
Hold on to Him right now. Let’s right our perspectives and look above the current tough times. Look to His strong arms that hold us steady no matter what swirls around us. It is times like these…when we are squeezed, that we find out what is inside us. Anybody can exhibit trust in God while the good times roll. How about now? Can we trust Him even when it seems gloomy? He has no problem with the economy, or a lost job, or difficult issues. The only problem He has is independent children. So, look up…literally. Get a new view of His place in your life today. I think you will find it will steady you when you feel overwhelmed. Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT) “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. [12] I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. [13] For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.”
Experiencing Grace,
John
God is amazing. There is really no reason that He should involve Himself in the affairs of men…but He does. After all, this ole world is completely broken. Yeah, there are some pretty awesome things about His world. Creation can take your breath away. Life itself is a gift and should be enjoyed to the fullest. Yet, give us enough time, and as human beings we will find some way to mess it up. God could have easily walked away totally exasperated long ago. But, He didn’t. He still is patient with us, pursues us, and longs to invest relationship in us.
One of His most gracious gifts is to give us a fresh new beginning. Thank God for a New Year! It allows us to set new directions, establish new goals, and start fresh with our objectives for life. Lamentations 3:22-25 (NLT) says, “The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him.’” This year as He gives us the ability to let go of the past, to put down the last year…I would encourage you to pick up the challenge of experiencing the freshness of His plans for your life this year. A New Year, a clean slate, a new beginning, a fresh start. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity and place our hope, our trust, and our anticipation for this coming year in Him!
Experiencing Grace,
John
These are crazy times we are living in! We live with uncertainty of our future every day of our lives. We don’t know if an accident or an illness will alter our long-term plans. You know: “The best laid plans of mice and men…” Well, it seems as if that feeling is on steroids lately. Everybody has been caught in this episode. It began a few months back with the crisis in the housing markets. A pattern of constant growth had made us accustomed to that just being the way it is. Then, as the housing crash grew, the problem reached to the banking system. The domino had been pushed. Wall Street began a free fall, once untouchable companies are no longer in business, and the major car companies are begging for bailouts. As a result, millions of Americans have lost retirement and investment funds. Jobs are being lost, and our economy is in a full-blown recession.
Most people seem at best uneasy, and at worst afraid of the future. Certainly none of us know where all of this is going. So, what are we to do? Are Christ-followers no different than others around us who are like mice in a maze trying to figure our way out? The only way we get through this successfully is to gain a higher perspective. While it is true that we have no greater knowledge or insight than anybody else as to where all this economic uncertainty is going, we do know where all this is ultimately going. The answer to that is exactly where God wants it to go! We do have a choice. We can learn through trials and adversity that our source and our supply is not in a 401k, a government bailout, or even our own job security. Our source, our supply, our sustainer is God Himself, and nothing has caught Him off guard. He has it all under control…you, me, the universe… He’s got it. So, we can worry ourselves, fill our minds with stress and develop ulcers, or we can place our trust in Him.
Dave Ramsey was speaking in terms of finances and the current market, but something he said has a lot to say to this application as well. He said, “The only way you get hurt on a roller coaster ride is if you try to stand up and get off in the middle of the ride.” He’s right! You may face some hair-pin curves, and some ups and downs, but God will get you where you need to be as long as you don’t try to take matters into your own hands. Trust Him…it is the only secure place to be!!!
Experiencing Grace,
John
The other day I was in a store, and all the cashiers had on their Santa hats. I thought, “Wow!” From the week before Halloween, to the end of the year, it is all about retail sales. The problem with that is that we skip right over one of the most important and most valuable holidays of the year. Thanksgiving, unfortunately, has been reduced to the traditional turkey meal and some football. We make a mistake when we forget the deeper significance of this brief reminder, though. Thanksgiving is about pausing from our consuming long enough to appreciate how good God has been to us. Yes, I said it…God has been good to us. I know it is politically out of fashion to interject God into the public discourse without acknowledging six or seven other deities for equality sake. We really need to reclaim the power of the spirit behind Thanksgiving. While Halloween has been captured by costumes and candy, and Christmas fights for its life against shopping and Santa, Thanksgiving is carefully tucked away for our deeper repose. Granted, it is hard to package, market, and sell gratitude. (Not that they don’t try!)
Since the focus is on keeping our economy afloat, I think this year will be even more so a cursory sentence or two about Thanksgiving and then back to consumer confidence, retail sales, and bloated bailouts. Perhaps you are experiencing a tougher year this year than in previous ones. Maybe a little less to be grateful for this year, right? Well, this is why I am writing this. Our gratitude should not ebb and flow based on our bottom lines. In fact, Thanksgiving was born in tremendous adversity. While 2008 may have upped the anty in the challenges department, we are far removed from the hardships of the originators of this sacred day. Faced with near starvation, outbreaks of disease and deaths, the early Pilgrims didn’t forget to be thankful…truly thankful.
Here is the proclamation of Governor William Bradford: “Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience; now, I , your magistrate, do proclaim that all Pilgrims, with your wives and little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday the 29th of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor, and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for His blessings.”
Experiencing Grace,
John
A lot of people just don’t care anymore. Either cynical or indifferent, most people are so wrapped up in their own lives that they have little time or focus to give to others. At least to give away selflessly. A great deal of human relationships are based on, “What’s in it for me? How does this help or advance me?” Very few people anymore give of their time or their emotional energy to others who have nothing to offer back in return (at least on the surface). For example, do we stop to help people who are caught in a jam if we expect absolutely nothing in return? Am I as motivated to serve somebody if they cannot in any way advance my career, provide a financial benefit, or meet some emotional need in my life?
I want to tell you about a group of people who are doing just that. You have heard me mention in the past of our involvement with the Nicholas Youth Treatment Center. This is a housing facility for young men at risk and being processed in the juvenile court system. There is absolutely NO reason why a bunch of safely sheltered, southern suburbanites should even be involved. Except for the fact that God put us together. It is a long, but really cool story of how we wound up partnering with their administration. Several months back, one of our small groups adopted the NYTC as their service project. First, once a month they would go to the center and connect with the young men. Then it grew into twice a month. Basketball, volleyball in the rain, flag football, campfires, and other connecting points have allowed them to break down the walls. They are now even taking the guys through a study of the book, The Purpose-Driven Life.
Recently, something extraordinary took place. For the first time in the institution’s history, our small group was given an invitation by the young men. They wanted the couples from our group to come and have Thanksgiving dinner with them on Family Day. The administration called and made the request. They said that no one from the outside has ever been invited. This has been traditionally for the young men and family only. However, the young men really wanted our group to come to this event. Wow, caring about someone else definitely made a difference! None of these young men offer financial benefit, personal advancement, or emotional benefit to our group. They just answered the call. They left their comfort zones and went anyway. Ironically, I think if you were to ask any one of them if it has been worth it, fighting back the tears, they would tell you that they are the ones who have received the most! Dare to care. It does make a difference…in everybody!
Experiencing Grace,
John
I think the one thing that all of us look for in this life more than anything else is security. It is a part of self-preservation that we want to know that life is going to be o.k. We want to know our families are o.k. We want to protect our health, our jobs, and our investments in this life. We make our plans and insure our possessions. And then…life happens. We are often reminded that in spite of our deepest desire to insulate ourselves from threats to our security, and our best plans to avert any detours, there are often circumstances beyond our control. I guess I personally had fallen into a false sense of security that after the Great Depression of the late 1920’s, that economists had learned the lessons of failure and would ensure that would never happen again. Greed, pride, and corruption have led us to some of the most turbulent times of our generation. Families have lost years of retirement and investment through no fault of their own. There is an air of uncertainty and apprehension about the future.
So what are people of faith supposed to do in times like these? First of all, be real. Spiritual platitudes and spiritualization’s are no answer for the real experiences of this life. We are, after all, people. We feel insecurity, fear, anxiety, and threats just like everybody else does. Admit it! However, the difference is our response. We don’t stay in our human responses. Faith allows for a different perspective. First of all, times like these remind us that the only constant in our lives is God! He is our source and our security. Secondly, we learn to trust Him in times like these…or not. Yes, uncertainty will stretch us. If we allow it to, though, we will see new and deeper ways that God is real in our lives. Take all the stuff away and what do you have? If you find God there, you are a rich person!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Galatians 5:1 (NIV) “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Wow, what a powerful phrase! One that many Christians let roll right off the tongue in familiarity. Yet, it is seen in practice so little of the time. We have been making a journey on the weekends toward the freedom that was granted to the Children of Israel as they made their way out of the slavery of Egypt. As we are seeing, it is not an easy path. Most of us think, “If I could just be here or if I could just have that, then life would be what I want or need it to be.” The truth is, it has its own set of problems to be faced. We are to be free in our lives and our spirits. Why is it, then, that so many Christians are so tied up and so bound up in their own issues. Depression, discouragement, addiction, and broken relationships are rampant in the community of Christ followers. What makes us any different than the other greater population at large around us? Ignore the systemic ‘better than thou’ arrogance of the average Christian and you are not much further removed. Oh, we are staunch in our beliefs, passionate in our politics, and certain of our rightness. Yet, we are still bound.
Freedom comes in being released. Freedom comes in seeing what God sees and not being limited to our own view. Freedom comes in shedding the baggage of the past and the chains of our minds and heart. Freedom is a way of life. There is nothing like it in the world. We have to fight for it and not allow the “old ways” that we are conditioned to and comfortable with to creep back in. The Children of Israel repeated an odd phrase over and over. They said, “We should have never left Egypt. We had it better in slavery than now.” They asked Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die?” The huge oversight on their part was they couldn’t enjoy freedom because in their minds and hearts they still thought like slaves. Breaking years of conditioning can be hard. However, do not forget…Galatians 5:1 (NIV) “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Do a body check…mind, heart, and soul today. Are you free? Free from unforgiveness? Free from the past? Free from the conditioning of your thought life? Run, and take a deep breath. Enjoy the freedom of what Christ has availed to each one of us!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It is not often that you have a hurricane in Ohio, but this past weekend we did! Power lines went down, trees fell on houses, thousands were left picking up the rubbish and dealing with no electricity. The amazing force of winds and the damage that they are able to inflict is awesome. My wife said come here, and we both looked out the window in time to watch our barbeque grill being flipped through the air. We considered ourselves fortunate that we had so little damage in light of what many suffered.
One of my friends emailed me an amazing story. She told me of God’s protection over their family as a large, old tree came crashing down in her yard. It could have easily fallen on the house and done tremendous damage! Fortunately, it fell sideways and landed in their yard. However, my friend also told me about two other little trees that she had been nursing along. She just knew that her little Dogwood and the other young decorative sapling were toast.
Amazingly, here is what she wrote to me…“On the third outing to look at the fallen tree I took some pruning shears out and dove into the top portion. I had to know what happened to the dogwood… its gruesome fate seemed to parallel my own stormy life. The little tree, after surviving two terrible winters, had to die with the crushing of a massive tree. So I stood there clipping branches searching until I saw what I couldn’t believe… The little dogwood tree with a trunk no more than 1 ½ inches thick was standing! The little black rubber strap around its trunk still trying to hold it upright from the wind now held it up against the weight of the downed tree’s branches. I frantically snapped the dead branches to release the weight off of the little tree and saw that the dead tree trunk narrowly missed the sapling by literally inches. A miracle in my mind! In fact, now the large downed tree provided shelter for the young sapling as its massive limbs sacrificially protected the little dogwood from the severe winds. This was a supreme gift to my heart and a reminder that Christ gave His everything to protect me from the storms of life.”Wow, isn’t that amazing. Most of us have probably felt the weight of a giant tree crashing in around us. We felt certain the outcome was doom. Only to discover that the crashing weight around us had actually protected us from being exposed to a storm we could never hope to survive. Don’t lose hope! Wherever you are, God has His eye on you. You are important to Him, and He has a great deal invested in you! The storm will pass, and when it does…mercy is revealed!
Experiencing Grace,
John
To say that pastors get phone calls is almost absurd. Crisis calls, calls of concern, informational calls , counseling calls, and even nuisance calls come in a steady stream and a steady dose. Today, though, I got a call from a friend that every pastor should get once in a while. Our church places people in small groups where biblical community is lived out. One of the high expectations that we place on our groups, though, is that they remain outwardly focused. To many, church groups by the sheer nature of function become closed and inwardly focused. With gluttonous attitudes of consumerism and entitlement, they gorge on steady diets of self-serving and self-fulfilling ministries. The result is stale, self-centered Christians who end up meeting each other’s needs, but never reach beyond the borders of their own group.
The Victory Project www.victoryproject.org has offered us ample opportunities for our groups to take on lasting commitments. Each group adopts a different phase of the ever-growing scope of caring for the least, the last, and the lost. Going to the site of the crash and renewing hope, offering help, and bringing real solutions to tough life problems is changing our community and changing our lives in the process. My friend is very good and very successful at what he does. He could EASILY isolate himself from the real problems of others around himself and his family. Instead, he along with the other members of his group dive in! His call was to tell me about last night. You see, last night consisted of their group making their regular trek to The Nicolous Youth Center. At-risk youth have the opportunity to hang out with our folks for a few hours and just experience unconditional love. Imagine, otherwise sheltered suburbanites crossing all sorts of barriers and loving on confused, angry, hurt, and at-risk kids. After months of cultivation and a couple of very competitive games of volleyball, they all sat down together to discuss The Purpose Driven Life. Incredible questions and dialogue were the outcome of this investment. As they break up, the youth say to one of the newbies, “See, we told you these guys were bangin’.” (I assume that is good. J) In fact, I know it is, because every time we leave, they say, “You guys are coming back, aren’t you?” Amazing stuff!
I am grateful for this call and this cause. I for one am sick of the church being a usual, do nothing crowd. All they can come up with is a complaint list of what the church isn’t doing right in their eyes. Do you want to get well? Do you want to get over yourself? Go and serve someone cold water in Jesus’ name. Be careful, though; you will lose your heart in the process! See ya on the front lines!!!
Experiencing Grace,
John
What if real church didn’t look like your neighborhood church. What if real church was something completely unusual, out of the ordinary, and radical. This past weekend I used an illustration out of a book by Neal Cole called Organic Church. In this book he talked about a group of Christians that decided to go where people are, rather than waiting for them to come to us. They started establishing “churches” or groups in pubs, community centers, coffeehouses, and all different types of community gathering places. I have not been able to get this one particular instance out of my mind, though. One group went to a bar called Portfolios. They were more or less the Green Berets because Portfolios was a coven of witches, vampires, Satanists, and warlocks. This is Hell’s kitchen. After a few informal conversations, one of the guys, Tim, was able to make a connection with Manuel. Out of curiosity, several of Manuel’s friends came over to intervene. Undaunted, Tim continued to share the power of Romans 6:23 with Manuel. Within a week, Manuel was baptized nearby on a beach. Within three weeks, he had brought and baptized himself three more of his own friends to Christ.
The power of the gospel to break the darkest hold on the hearts of men is staggering to me in this story. However, this really should be the norm. Jesus told us that the gates of Hell wouldn’t withstand the forward march of the Kingdom of God. And yet, we seem so content with the status quo. I know that I have been guilty of putting God, the church, and His Kingdom in my box. What if each of us blew up our boxes (culture, self-expressions, and conveniences) and went to where the people really are? What if we got in a position that God was truly able to put His incredible power on display? I am challenged by this notion, and I hope you are as well. Surely God is sickened by the lukewarm, self-serving consumerism of the modern expression of church life. I don’t know if you’re ready to take on a Portfolios or not, I am not sure I am; but we could start small and work our way and our courage up to that! Look around you…what if God wants to use you to start a fire? Who knows, a whole community, business, school, neighborhood, might be changed!!!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Recently, a couple of our leaders and I went out to The George Foster Home. This is an incredible place that works with the Montgomery County system to find temporary housing for at-risk boys in the community. Some of them have had minor run-ins with trouble and they find themselves looking for answers. One of the great gifts given to our church by God is the partnership of adopting this home. One of our small groups of suburban couples has taken on this whole household of inner city boys to love on in the spirit and name of Jesus Christ. Amazing! It has transformed us as much as it has helped them. We have been focused over the summer on a series called “Undoing”. We have been Undoing the damage, Undoing the stereotypes, and Undoing the negative effects of our enemy and his stronghold on our community. We will culminate this by heading down to this and other sites to Undo some damage. This brings me back to my story.
As we were walking through the house looking at some of the ways that we could bless them with improvements and repair, we came across an extraordinary young man. Now, don’t get me wrong. It is not that every kid down there is not extraordinary in some way. Each has his own story to tell. However, there is one kid who grabbed my heart. As we walked in, this small, young black teenager looked up at us. He flashed an infectious grin our way. He greeted us politely. As we interacted with him, he respected us with polite responses…“Yes sir, and no sir.” When we finished, he handed his homework to the house leader to be graded. “You all done?” he asked. “Yes,” was the reply, “you can grade it, but they are all right.” “They are,” the answer, “how do you know?” “Because, I am good at math.” With that another grin. He grabs his bus token and is off for an appointment. Lorenzo, the 6’ 6” leader of this band looks at me and says, “Do you know what Decapolis is?” “Well,” I stammer, “I know it is a city in the Bible.” “That’s right.” he says. “That is that kid’s name. Let me tell you his story.”
He proceeds to tell us how this kid had come to them a few weeks back. He said he is one of the most incredible kids they have ever had. For the last eight months, he has been homeless. He got on the bus to go visit his father. His father is in the hospital dying of Lupus. His mother died about a year ago with Lupus. He has been living on the streets by himself. As a sixteen-year-old kid, he would still take himself to the free clinic to get treatments, hoping to prevent Lupus from coming his way. Stunned! I stood there thinking: I have two teens at my house within months of this kid. A third within a couple of years. I cannot imagine them living on the streets. I am going to get to know Decapolis. Hopefully, we can show him what loving support looks like. In the meantime, I am proud to be a part of a group of people so committed to caring, loving, and sharing. The incredible people Undoing things around here are leaving their comfort zones, leaving their stereotypes, and leaving the damage in their wake…Undone!
Experiencing Grace
John
Well, it happened again. Another extraordinary day. For a second time since our inception as a spiritual family, we used a beautiful summer day to go to Eastwood Lake (an outdoor public park) and have a baptism. We sat on a hillside and practiced what Christians for centuries have done. One by one people came to a temporary microphone and shared their commitment to Christ. A brother and sister, husband and wife, singles…all moved emotionally as were we by their boldness to follow Christ. Their stories echoed throughout the park as onlookers and people in the park were able to hear.
One by one and two by two we took them out into the pristine setting of the water’s edge and placed them in a watery grave, pnly then to bring them up to the new life that Christ offers each of them. It was like the early church. It brought tears to our eyes. One man in particular said this was a special day for him, because he was burying a lot of his previous life before Christ that had actually taken place in that park. Only Jesus can do that!!!
The day was gorgeous. After witnessing and sharing together the event of our Christian faith, we sat down together and had a picnic. Enjoying one another’s company, children running and playing, and just relaxing in perfect weather, it was almost like a Norman Rockwell painting. Only God however, could paint a picture like this one. The weather, the fellowship, the sunset over the water, and oh yeah…redemption!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It seems that our church has developed a theme of UNDOING. You might ask what does that mean. Well, I have been doing a series on the weekends throughout the summer focused on this very topic. Most people are focused on their doings. Quite frequently, the Bible deals with undoings. Undoing the past! Undoing the damage and the negatives of traditional church life and church people. These are the themes that have been adopted. And let me tell you, it has been a journey.
It has taken us down into the urban areas and the poor sections of our community. We aren’t doing the traditional “drive-by churching’s” we are saying to this community, “We sincerely care.” I like to think we have made a dent with our Victory Project, but I have to tell you that whatever changes we have made in their lives and community, it has been multiplied exponentially in our church. It has changed many of our stereotypes, many of our perspectives, and many of our conversations.
But here is the kicker; it isn’t just the inner city! Since we have been focusing on this, I have noticed conversation after conversation of well dressed, well manicured, educated and successful people needing the Undoing of Scripture. In reality, this is the place true connection begins. There are millions who think they are super spiritual because of the façade they are able to uphold in a church community, the façade of having it all together. The truth is God has His hands full working with us until we are undone. Moses, David, Paul, Chuck Colson, Franklin Graham are all examples of people who discovered the power of Undoing. When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.
As I listen to people tell me with passion and energy in their voices their reports of the opportunities to connect with God in an Undoing, it is thrilling to my soul. Do you give to others without expectations? Do you serve without a built in prospect of reciprocation? If so, then I will see you Saturday at our next Victory Project event at Rollandia. Another opportunity to Undo some things in the name and love of Jesus! By the way, we’ll be undoing some things at Eastwood Lake this weekend too. Thank God for His Undoings!
Experiencing Grace,
John
The other day, I got an email from a friend of mine. It was a great article about Athletes in Action. It was written by a national religious editor for USA Today, who had recently had exposure to this organization. Jaded and repelled by his past experiences with self-righteous, perfect, know-it-all Christians, the reason for his article was that he was disarmed by their gracious manner. He commented that in their dialogue, their commitment to their mission was clear. And yet, it was presented in a manner that was respectful to those who choose not to agree or believe as they do. There is a novel concept these days for Christians. Our staff is reading a book together, and we recently went through a chapter where the author reminded us that although Jesus never compromised His standards of holiness, it never made Him unapproachable or unsafe. Sinners of every walk of life strangely knew He was different, and yet felt comfortable around Him. They even felt drawn to Him. What does that say of the current condition of Christianity when poll after poll tells us that Christians continue to be thought of in a negative light, and churches are the last place that people who are broken and hurting would turn to for help?
Here is what the journalist said that grabbed my attention. “Several AIA staffers I met voiced a desire to change the way Christians are perceived. ‘Many Christians are uncomfortable with where our culture is going, so they retreat from it,’ said Doug Pollock, AIA's evangelism director. ‘Instead of being 'in the world but not of it,' as the Bible stresses, they lob truth grenades over the walls of the fortresses they've created.’” Wow! Way to go, Doug! What an accurate picture of why we are where we are.
Here’s my thought for you this week. Drop the grenade! Rather than thoughtlessly lobbing “truth grenades” at people we don’t take the time to get to know, rather than being “right” all the time, rather than giving no thought to the collateral damage of our grenades, what if we acted more like Jesus? Let’s work on ways of letting people know that we are different, that they will not be shot, beaten, or hurt by us. And by the way, if you’re holding a grenade…put the pin back in it!
Experiencing Grace,
John
I stand back in amazement of what God has done through the Victory Project. It has literally been a God-thing at God’s speed. We are seeing more results, experiencing greater favor, and walking through more open doors than some faith based organizations that have been in existence for decades. A church that is primarily suburban birthing a baby that possesses a passionate heart for the least, the last, and the lost!
I think the thing that is the greatest encouragement to me is what this is doing to us. I personally have been touched and changed by my involvement in the greater community. Without question, I have watched this change many others among us. Stereotypes are falling by the wayside. People previously separated by income levels, skin color, background, and all other types of barriers are coming together. We are learning about each other. We are finding out that we are not as different from one another as we may have pre-conceived.
To take hope into hopeless people and situations is one of the most thrilling prospects I have ever been a part of. It may be a small difference we are making; but for the first time in my life, I feel like we are a part of the solution and not just a part of the problem. Thanks to those of you at the Gathering for embracing this vision. Thanks to community leaders for partnering with us. Thank You, God, for creating such a rewarding partnership. Who knew…and who knows where this will end up!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Last night, I was privileged to be a part of a small group of people who enjoyed an extraordinary moment. Life has those moments that throw huge doses of perspective at you. For example, it might be pretty easy right now to feel stressed by gas prices or the economy. Perhaps your family is going through or has been through a tough time. I know that pain is pain. It doesn’t matter what someone else is going through if you are feeling torn apart. However, I have to tell you, this will at least cause you to think. It might even cause you to be thankful for your problems. We received a phone call the other day that one of the men in our church had been diagnosed with cancer. When I sat down to talk with him, I discovered that two months earlier he was in good health and taking care of his wife who was sick and in the hospital. In his late 50’s, he was looking forward to retirement and enjoying time with her. Now, he has been informed that unless God does a miracle, he has months to live. That is tough news for anyone to hear. They had called and asked if he could be baptized, along with his wife. I sheepishly walked into this not knowing his state of mind. How would you respond? How would I? I honestly don’t know! I have to tell you, it was not what I expected. He has the most extraordinary outlook.
This group and I regrouped at their home last night and experienced a worship service in their living room. We read Psalms together and prayed over them as a couple. We took communion together in a sacred moment of remembering our own Redeemer, and then we baptized them. That’s right. For the first time in over twenty years of ministry, I baptized a man in his recliner! J His wife as well in the chair right beside him. It was cool! We worshipped God and we grew together. I don’t know whether God plans to heal my friend in this body or to heal him in a perfect body…but heal His son He will!
The most amazing thing about this man to me is his perspective. He is one of the most extraordinary encouragers I have ever met. I keep trying to say the “pastoral things” you say in moments like these, and he won’t let me talk. All he can say…as he sits there apparently being eaten alive from within by cancer… are amazing words of encouragement to everyone else. I told him I need to come see him every day, because I go to be a comfort, and he sends me out on cloud nine. He greets me by saying, “It is an honor to have you in our home.” Wow! Rather than complaining, feeling sorry for himself, or lamenting his plight, he speaks life into everyone who walks into his living room. He has one of the greatest attitudes, perspectives, and outlooks that I have ever seen in something like this. To my friend, thank you for blessing us! You have encouraged me beyond words. I am praying for your healing; but whatever happens, what we started last night…we will do together for thousands of years!
Experiencing grace,
John
Here’s a thought…what if those of us who claim to follow Jesus Christ actually patterned our lives after Him? Two thousand years of church baggage has blurred the vision of many from Christ’s own actions and reactions. Have you noticed how forgiving God can be and how unforgiving His followers can be? An insatiable need to be right, to be more pure than the next group, to constantly reassure ourselves against the backdrop of others failures are all vivid departures from who Jesus really is. While I am not saying the church has lost its place in our culture, I am saying it has created a huge obstacle to overcome. That is the negative perception of His own followers by those to which we are trying to share His message. This is not new. Gandhi said, “I believe I would have been a Christian, were it not for Christians.” Enough! It is time to stop apologizing for our insensitivity and stupidity and start making fundamental changes.
This is not a rant about crazy Christians, or an angry backlash at stupid things done in the past. This is a heartfelt appeal for true God followers to become less focused on ourselves, and more focused on the people we are called to show Christ to in our lives. Non-spiritual people or unbelieving people are not stupid. They see through our shallow gimmicks and slogans. They recognize that often times our evangelism, our programs, and our Christianity is more about us than them. And they have walked away in droves.
Consequently, God has put it on our hearts, at The Gathering, to go after the Dechurched. The Dechurched are not people who have been unchurched; they have no relationship with God. Quite the contrary, the Dechurched have a spiritual relationship, believe, trust and a love for God. They are simply tired of the games that church people play to make themselves look better. They are tired of the stereotypes, judgments, condemnations and insensitivity of modern expressions of Christianity.
We can make a difference – you and I. We can show this world a different expression of Christ-following. I believe a more accurate one. To be absolutely clear, we are all flawed and imperfect. The sooner we all admit this beyond a cliché level, the better off we will be. The second thing is to be love. As soon as I say this, some truth protector is going to call me soft, liberal, watered down or some other insult to bully me to their position. Sorry, I can’t do it. I can’t be so far away from the pattern of Christ just so angry, self-righteous Christians give their stamp of approval. I want to share with you, anonymously, an excerpt from an email I received this week. The person writes… “I always thought church was a place to judge and form opinions about people that make mistakes. The Gathering has been a place for me that I see that is not true about church. It is a place that I can be honest and truthful. I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your church family. I look so forward to becoming an active member of your fine organization! Broken people have a place at The Gathering and I am so glad that something led me to your church.” This may only be a dent, a pebble in a great ocean of commotion and confusion, but nonetheless it is one! And if more and more of us treated others the way that God has treated us…who knows what could happen?
Experiencing Grace,
John
I don’t believe a bar is the place to find the answers to life, but I understand why some people feel much safer there. This week I led a New Member’s Class at our church. At the end, one of the people who God has led to our family said, “The thing I love about this church is that you don’t judge people. Virtually every other church I have been a part of judges people, and feels vindicated in doing so.” It is time to stop the madness! It is time that thugs in the Christian community stop destroying other people in the name of truth. It is time to stop the senseless and hypocritical violence! I am grateful to finally be with a group of people who get this. We are ALL sinners. And to those who aren’t a part of this…to those who don’t get it with the ‘throw the first stone’ bit, please…just don’t tell anyone you’re a Christian. We have enough to overcome with the damage already done!
Recently, I had lunch with a friend and a leader in our church. Both of us have been around the block enough in the “Christian circles” to know the drill. And yet, the topic of our conversation casually over lunch turned to the fact that we never cease to be amazed at the brutality of Christian on Christian violence. Now, I hate violence of any nature. I believe it to be the antithesis of who Jesus Christ, my hero, is. The African American community for years has decried the Black on Black violence that seems so senseless and so destructive. Drive-by shootings, gang warfare, and random acts of violence has created unspeakable grief and pain in a community already coping with many institutional wounds as a community. Rather than closing ranks, and showing solidarity, love, and support, many within the community itself “hate” on one another. Senseless!
I don’t know that I will ever understand why then it is that Christians live out this kind of foolishness. Self-righteous gang violence, drive-by slandering, and random acts of harm are not the patterns of Jesus. I just wish we could stop the senseless stuff. Rather than reinforcing the negative stereotypes of an unbelieving world, what if we shifted our focus to “do no harm.” What if we tried to love people with the crazy, unexplainable, unconditional love of our model - Jesus? What if we were less worried about always being right, and more focused on setting broken things back to right? I hope to spend the remainder of my life making a positive difference in the lives of hurting people. I don’t want people feeling like they have to go to a bar to find the acceptance they are looking for in life. What about you? Are you willing to love people, accept them, and offer a healing and helping hand? Speaking of hands, your hand is either lifting people up or pushing them back down. Which is it? And as for all the finger pointing…how has that worked out for us so far??? Just something to think about!
Experiencing Grace,
John
We now have a running joke among our crew here that has emanated out of what God continues to do. It has been amazing…over-whelming, even at times mind-blowing to watch what God has done with our church and His mission in the world. By taking seriously His charge to care deeply for the least, the last, and the lost, we have seen him partner with us in extraordinary ways! He has opened doors that we could not have opened on our own. He has given us favor with agencies and institutions that normally don’t connect with faith- based organizations very effectively. He has changed the lives, the futures, and the fortunes, of hundreds of kids. And He has changed us in the process.
It has at times almost become comical how He is using The Victory Project outreach though. This past week, we had yet another call from now a federal agency that wants to investigate a partnership with their at-risk community. We don’t know them and aren’t quite sure how they got our name. (But we know why!) Last night, one of our small groups made our first attempt to connect with the kids at The Nicholas Youth Center. They went down to hang out with the kids, prepare the way for a bi-monthly bible study time with them, and to play volleyball in the rain. By the end of the very first night, the kids were saying, “When can you come back?!” One of the adult leaders said, “We have never seen our kids respond like this to anything.” As they offered hugs and high-fives on the way out of the door, we once again realized this as a divine appointment!
So, now…every time someone calls out of the blue, every time we have one of those God orchestrated connections, every time another kid pronounces their new-found hope, every time one of our groups has an emotion altering experience outside of our comfort zone, we simply say, “Well, of course they did!” Our God is a good God!
Experiencing Grace,
John
When was the last time God set an appointment in your life? You know, one of those moments you hadn’t really planned on taking place. It is rarely on a schedule or a calendar. More often than not, it shows up as an ambush moment. When you least expect it, it’s there. You are just walking through life trying to walk with God, and He says, “You know what, I can trust you. I will use you!” And He intersects two lives that have eternal benefits and results. Yet again, this week we have seen another of those at The Gathering. I had yet another phone call from one of our staff leaders that led with, “You’re not going to believe this.” God has continued to open doors for us, to make provisions for us, and to create a unique existence that far supersedes “church life.” I will be honest, having been burned time and time again by “church people” over two decades of pastoring; I had just about given up on the organized church community. God has restored so much of my faith with these amazing events that we have experienced over the last year and a half of The Gathering, that He is restoring my soul and my faith.
I have seen clearly that God is still working mightily in the world around us. It just takes getting out of the crusty, self-satisfied organization of church life to see Him move in mighty ways. So, I say, let them have it. Let those who are “perfect” and have “all the right answers” meet and have meetings. I want to continue to meet with God. His meetings usually take place at the crash site. And for those who are willing to go to the crash site, get their hands dirty, and care more about real people than their persona, chances are…you will meet Him!
One last thing for this week…these are exciting times for our spiritual community! A week from Sunday, we will announce our building objectives. It is going to be awesome to have a home base to continue to reach out to our entire community with grace! Let me encourage you to get in the habit of checking, BecauseWeBelieve.com for regular updates and progress throughout the building process.
Experiencing Grace,
John
Last week, I was having dinner with some friends. One of them was Monnie Bush, the Director of our Victory Project. His phone vibrated on the table. He picked it up and checked the message. While we were still having conversation, he started beating the table. I looked at him and said, “What is up?” He punched another button or two and handed me the phone. He said you have to listen to this. So, I did. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. On the other end of the phone was the recorded voice of a young man, about 17 years of age. This young man is incredibly sharp and full of personality. However, he is also a product of his environment. We met this young man through one of our Victory Project events. This means he had experienced some run-ins with the authorities. At this event I watched as he came to life as we handed him the camera and said, “Why don’t you video tape this?” Several times since then, we have been able to interact with him and his family.
Back to the phone call…on the other line his usually bubbly personality and voice were shaky. Rather than his usual cutting up, he was near tears. He said,”Monnie, I need to talk to you. I am tired of this life and I want to give my life to God. You are the only man I know to turn to right now, can you help me?” Needless to say, we were elated. Monnie did call him back that night. And later that night, Monnie sent me a text that said “We have a new brother!” What an amazing God we have! Only God could have made this type of connection that changes an eternity!!!
I am so grateful to be at a place where people care about what God cares about. Where the focus is on what truly lasts. I am grateful that God is expanding that, and allowing us to realize a new home. Because We have Believed, we are experiencing an amazing truth…Grace and people can really meet!
Experiencing Grace,
John
In the stories behind the story, there is always a gem. This past weekend, we celebrated Easter. It is the time that sincere followers of Jesus Christ celebrate the ultimate victory. We have life, the promise of eternity, and restored relationship with God because of the finished work of Jesus. For years, it has also been traditionally a time when people who don’t frequent church make a weekend worship experience a part of their observance. And traditionally, churches have made it a time to take a twice-a-year swipe of guilt at these guests. No wonder they don’t beat the door down to get back the next week. Hey, give me some more of that.
Consequently, churches are populated by two groups of people. Masochistic people who feel better after they have been emotionally beaten, and self-righteous, know-it-all, dogmatic types who elevate their plastic lives by pointing out others’ short-comings. Again, no wonder that daily the church is losing influence with the very people we are called to bring hope to in the message of the gospel. It has been my experience of late that the gospel has little to do with the mission and the message of Christ and has more to do with a culture that cultivates pride and pretense. Never the twain shall meet.
That is why this story means so much to me. This story, now added to the growing list of incredible stories at The Gathering, points out that the people of The Gathering are taking seriously the fact that grace and real people can meet. A mother and her daughter were invited by a friend to our Easter service. It just so happens that I happen to know them and the background of their story. When they arrived and the celebration began, they both sat and wept at their experience. Rather than a cold, ritualistic observance of Easter, rather than an emotional beating for all of their OBVIOUS shortcomings, they were introduced to a warm and loving God. They discovered that He was crazy in love with them. As life would have it, I heard through the grapevine that they are starting a new habit. They are coming back this weekend. They are coming to our early service and then go grab a bite together as a mother and daughter. A pretty cool new habit to add to life. I just hope that we can meet their new-found trust with the grace that it deserves. I hope that they see Jesus. Not the Jesus who is a good luck charm, or the Jesus who has been hi-jacked by American suburban Christianity, but the Jesus who is crazy, madly in love with them. I hope they see the Jesus who has big plans for their lives. Now that’s a habit!
Experiencing Grace,
John
To a follower of Jesus Christ, there is no greater or more intense week than that of Easter. Yes, it is true that our culture has hijacked the season…as have most of them through the ever increasing secularization of America. Most view it more as a birth of Spring, kind of like a second groundhog day. Others throw a religious spin on it and dress up for an annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Still others market the time with Easter bunnies and the sell of candy. Now for years I have believed that the church has exactly the wrong perspective of this. Knowing these realities and beating people up with them are two different things. Rather than resenting people and brow beating them for only showing up “twice a year”, we should be grateful for the opportunity to share with them in creative ways the greatest news ever told. The other makes church members feel superior, but has really no positive effect. One of our greatest sins (beyond our condescending, judgmental attitudes) is that we are boring. No wonder they only show up once a year…it is the same ole grind every time.
But I digress. The point I am trying to make is that beneath it all, this is spiritually the most significant week of the year. Christmas is magical and inspires us with the amazing love of God. However, without Easter, Christmas would be a bedtime story for children. He was born one of us for a reason! He came into the world not just to teach us a new and better way or to dazzle with the power of miracles. No, He had a divine appointment! His whole life was headed for a specific mission. Almost certainly, the drumbeat of that appointment would grow stronger and stronger with each step that took Him closer and closer to the cross. The last week of His life was an amazing paradox of humanity. From “Hail, Him!” to “Hang, Him!” in a matter of hours only reveals the capricious nature of humankind.
This week, I want to encourage you to walk that path with Him in your mind. Listen to the cheers as He arrives, knowing that they will turn on Him. Look into the eyes of the disciples who will one by one abandon Him. Look at Judas at the end of the table. Follow him out to the cover of private corridors, all the way back to a kiss on the cheek in his last act of betrayal. Watch Him wrestle with the weight of the world in the garden. Listen to the lying, condescending lips of the religious elite. Feel the whip, the thorns, and the weight of the cross. Imagine the agony of the nails. Look out over the ingratitude of the very people He came to rescue. Try to imagine the blackness of His soul as He cries out, “Father, where have you gone?” Watch the demons dance as His life ebbs away. Listen to the sobs of His mother and dear ones. BUT THEN…get up on Sunday morning and go to the tomb! It is over! It is finished! Now listen to the shriek of the demons as they realize their ultimate demise. He is alive again, and now He is victorious…and so are we. Because of Him we are free! Let me encourage you to be amazed this week. Walk this path, and worship Him!
Most everything we do in life we do because there is some level of reward in it. We go to work because of a sense of accomplishment…and the paycheck helps with the necessities of life. J We establish relationships because we feel connected to other people. We protect our families because we love them. We participate in a hobby because of the enjoyment we receive from it. We eat for strength…and because we like to eat. J J Well, you get the picture. Just about everything we do, we do for a motivating reason. For people of faith, Because We Believe…we act in certain ways in our lives as well. We live with a sense that God is involved in our lives, that He is watching our lives, and that He is ultimately going to hold us responsible for the way that we have lived our lives.
These days at the Gathering, we are living Because We Believe…! This is a call to action. It is a declaration. And, this is a commitment which involves everyone’s personal participation. Too many people talk of believing, but never transfer it to action. Our belief demands a response. As a spiritual family, we are moving forward! Recently, God provided land for us to build a new and permanent home. Ten beautiful acres in a wonderful location are creating a magnificent future for the awe-inspiring, life-changing ministry He has started in a group of people called The Gathering. As the plans unfold, and as the future becomes more and more clear, we are all going to be called upon to share our resources, our time, our talents, and our gifts to watch the patchwork of what God is pulling together in us. Weekly, I hear stories of how God is changing people’s lives…the most incredible stories I have ever heard in twenty plus years of ministry. And, I believe, this is only just the beginning. The doors He is opening in the heart of our city, the safety He is creating for broken and wounded people to find hope and healing in renewed relationships with Him are amazing. Because We Believe…we are acting on our past. Because We Believe…we are acting on our future. Because We Believe in our message, our community, and our future, I can’t wait to see what is on the other side.
Experiencing Grace,
John
I begin with an apology. For those of you who read this on a weekly basis, I have been “preoccupied” over the last three weeks. We have been incredibly busy taking care of buying property, securing zoning approval through our township, and closing through the bank on that property. Praise the Lord, we are so excited to finally be land owners! We have also been busy developing plans for a new facility. This is going to provide a permanent home for The Gathering. Without question, God has been directing our steps from the inception. We have tried on several occasions to follow other paths where many churches around the country have gone. We looked for buildings to convert. We looked at leasing in plazas. We have looked at all types of options. In every case, it seemed so clear that God was saying stay put.
So, we began to look for a piece of property where we could build a building. We thought we had finally found it. We began to take the necessary steps along the way to purchase the property. At the last minute, it became another of a long line of closed doors through the oddest of circumstances. The zoning director, who had suggested the property to us, called to inform us that it couldn’t be zoned for a church. Back to square zero. What was God doing? Why did every turn seem to be a dead end? What we knew in our hearts and discovered over time was that God was steering us where He wanted us to go. A property that we would have initially wanted, but was out of our ability from a financial point of view, had been sitting there all along. Because the time wasn’t right, neither were the terms. However, as God was teaching us, He was preparing our property. We were blessed to be able in the right point of time to purchase these combined properties in an even better location at a greatly reduced price – all the while making it fit into our budget. Yeah God!
As God so often does, He uses our journey…the joys and the pain, the problems and the set-backs, the victories and the valleys to teach us how to trust Him. He is always good and always provides for His kids. We are so excited and thrilled that He has shown uncommon grace to us. By the way, He has continued to change lives in our midst with some of the most extraordinary stories you can believe. What a mighty, awesome God we serve! See you next week. I am back on track now experiencing uncommon grace!
Experiencing grace,
John
For years I have used an illustration for teaching purposes that has to do with forgiveness. Here it is…‘When the first missionaries came to Alberta, Canada, they were savagely opposed by a young chief of the Cree Indians named Maskepetoon. But he responded to the gospel and accepted Christ. Shortly afterward, a member of the Blackfoot tribe killed his father. Maskepetoon rode into the village where the murderer lived and demanded that he be brought before him. Confronting the guilty man, he said, "You have killed my father, so now you must be my father. You shall ride my best horse and wear my best clothes." In utter amazement and remorse his enemy exclaimed, "My son, now you have killed me!" He meant, of course, that the hate in his own heart had been completely erased by the forgiveness and kindness of the Indian chief.’
I love this story because it is almost heroic. How could someone forgive so freely, so easily, and so completely. I love this story because it shows the power of forgiveness. Bitterness, pain, and hurt are all parts of broken relationships. Anybody and everybody can understand that. Sometimes life just happens, and sometimes we do things to harm one another…much like the story. In either case, it is incredibly difficult to forgive. Even sanctimonious Christians, who know we are supposed to forgive, use the appropriate words, but struggle like everyone else to let go of hurts. That is why I have been blown away by a heroic example of the process of healing beginning.
This is not a story or a illustration. This is the real thing. Last week I shared with you Michael’s story and his turnaround. (If you didn’t read last week, you have to go back and read it to get this week’s story.) I am amazed as I write this week. God decided to test Michael early. After a great experience last week, we received a contact from Amber, a parole officer in the system. She notified us that Tommy, the teenager who shot Michael’s brother, was being released. She notified us that he felt great remorse and wanted to do something to make it right with Michael. When Monnie, our Victory Project Director contacted Michael about such an offer, he got quiet. Monnie went on to tell him that she had discussed with Tommy how we had become involved in Michael’s life and some of the changes that had resulted. Tommy then asked if he could come to our church, too. To our utter amazement, Michael thought about it and then said, “That would be cool.” Now, we know that there is a road to walk here; but I am not sure I could do what this courageous kid is doing! I am utterly amazed at the power of God to heal and to forgive. “You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Col. 3:13 (NLT) This is much easier to quote than to practice, believe me! Yet, whenever we do, there is a power that releases a response that is really only one word…WOW!
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to be a part of an extraordinary moment. It was one of those times when God just brings things full circle. I am including it here, because several months ago I referenced the first part of the story. This story, or at least our initial involvement in it, has a tragic beginning. Because of our connection with “at risk” youth in our city, every story comes with a story. Michael’s is no different. When we received a call from our friends at Building Bridges, we were horrified by their background report to us. You may remember me sharing Michael’s story at the time. Last year, two weeks before Easter, Michael’s mother overdosed on drugs. At the time, he was only sixteen and left in the world with only one living relative…his seventeen-year-old big brother. As if this wasn’t enough to bear, two weeks later, on Easter Sunday, Michael’s brother was shot in a random drive-by shooting. A senseless act of violence had now taken Michael’s only remaining family in this world. He was soon placed in a less than desirable foster situation and left to sort all of this out. This is where The Victory Project comes in. Contacted by Michael’s Parole Officer, we reached out to him. Several guys grabbed him and took him to a ballgame. He was a part of our V.P. events (bowling, field day, etc.). We intentionally hooked him up with a couple of brothers: Michael and Aaron, who had experienced difficult backgrounds themselves. In their early twenties, they were able to make a generational connection with Michael. They went to a movie and dinner together. They hung out together, and they developed a friendship. This is not to suggest that it all turned around here. Michael had both some issues and some incidents. Understandably, His anger at God, life, and his circumstances had left him feeling desperate at times.
Michael is one of the very first kids we locked onto and determined to love with the love of Jesus Christ. He has taught us that that love has to be persistent and not just convenient. This past Sunday his new friend, Aaron, was baptized. Aaron shared his dramatic faith story of how he had made many bad choices in his young life, but that God had always been pursing him. He had been trying to get his attention through these events. One year ago, early in the morning, when he was care flighted from an accident for a second time, he gave his life to Christ. Since that time, Aaron has been on fire about his newly found relationship with Christ. Jesus has changed his life in dramatic ways for everyone to see. Michael sat and listened to Aaron’s story (which he had heard before), but this time he really listened. He watched as his friend was baptized as a fully devoted follower of Christ. I had already spoken with Michael that morning; but after the second service, Aaron walked up to me with Michael and said, “Michael wants to talk with you.” “I want to be baptized, too,” he said. “That’s great, Michael; but first let me tell you what this means.” I proceeded to talk to him about opening his heart, finding forgiveness of his sin, and turning his life over to Christ. I asked him, “Do you think you’re ready to do that now?” “Yes!” he said. Aaron, a new brother bringing a new brother to Christ; Michael, a weary soul looking for peace, and myself joined hands and Heaven threw a party with Michael’s name on the banner as he walked over the line of faith! I looked at Michael after we stopped praying and said, “Michael, where is Christ now?” He looked at me confidently and said, “He is in my heart!”
I cannot tell you the joy we have been experiencing around here this week. All the kids, all the changed lives (the kids and ours), all the incredible stories of the past year and this unbelievable thing called “The Victory Project,” have been so awesome, that we regularly just shake our heads and say, “Only God!” We have seen this story come full circle. From a potentially life-destroying beginning, to a new life and eternity with Christ. I looked at Michael after we prayed and told him how proud I was of him. Easily, he could have been bitter and angry for the rest of his life. He could have continued this ever-present cycle of crime and violence because of what had happened to him. Instead, he is now going to use his life for God and for good. What an extraordinary experience! At the end of the day…this is what it is all about. Loving people, changing lives, and leading people to a healing Savior…how long has it been since you took someone full circle? Look around you today; I bet there is someone God wants to love through you!
Experiencing Grace,
John
A friend of mine just called me. He said, “I gotta tell you a story.” So, I said, “Go ahead.” He proceeded to tell me about a lunch that he had just experienced the day before. An old friend from home roots had called him up and asked to get together. Over lunch, this long time friend began to reveal how his life had taken a long and wrong turn. In fact, he was now acknowledging that because of his pain, he had become an alcoholic. As they sat there talking through his life, he made a strange statement, though. He said, “You know, you have always been a good friend to me.” And he said, “I think one of the best things that ever happened to me was about a year ago, you gave me a Bible. Do you remember that?” My friend acknowledged that he did. And then the gentleman said, “I have been reading it. In fact, I have probably read the Gospel of John 20 times or so.” As the story further came to light, he said, “You know what? I’m in trouble. I got my second DUI. It was in violation of a probation.” My friend said, “Are you o.k.?” And he said, “You know what…for the first time, I am at peace. You see when I left the jail that day, I prayed that prayer you talked about.” “I don’t know why I am at peace, but I am. My wife was just laid off. The company I work for was bought out, so we are both without work. I am facing possible jail time, but I have peace.”
My friend grinned and told him, “You know what that tells me?” “No, what?” “It tells me that God has come to live inside of you! And all of your problems may not instantly go away, but now He will go through them with you!” So, my friend calls me and says, “Can you believe that!” We went on to discuss how we could get involved in their lives and help them out in tangible ways. The small group my friend attends has stepped up with some financial support. Our church is going to help them in some additional ways. And since we are so involved now in Montgomery County Corrections, we are going to see if we can get involved and speak on his behalf to those handling his case. My friend contacted his friend back and told him some of this. His response…you guessed it, tears!
Now, we have all shed enough tears from our pain. It is an incredible moment whenever someone sheds tears from joy and a sense of renewed hope. I feel that whenever we overwhelm someone with love and a response of compassion, we are helping them to experience grace. People who only have to be “a little forgiven” aren’t moved. Yet, whenever someone experiences tremendous forgiveness and is flooded with grace, compassion, and hope, they are overwhelmed. At least that has been my experience. I am grateful that I have a friend who acts like Jesus.
And I am grateful to be involved with a group of Christians who bring hope to people instead of taking it away from them. If there is one thing about this life that you can say for sure…people need hope!
Experiencing Grace,
John
One of the most exciting aspects of what God has done through a people called “The Gathering” is to birth a vision of compassion for broken and hurting people. We have been in the streets with the poor and homeless. We have been in the prisons with people who find themselves in trouble. We have bridged racial and cultural barriers to tell “different” people that we love them and care about them. Perhaps the most amazing experiences, though, have come from our connection with the Juvenile System of Montgomery County. In over twenty years of public life, I have never seen or experienced anything like this. In Rev. 3:8 (NLT) Jesus told the Church in Philadelphia, “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.” We certainly believe we are experiencing this. We are new and limited, and in some ways weak; but God had done what only He could do. He has opened door after unbelievable door.
Last week, Monnie Bush, our leader of Victory Project, got a call from one of our kids. His dad wouldn’t take him to court for his probation hearing. So, Monnie jumped in the car, grabbed the kid, and took him to court. They know him there because he has stood beside so many kids now. The leading judge in Juvenile Detentions looked at him and said, “O.K., Reverend, what do you think? Is he worth it?” To which Monnie was able to speak to our involvement in this young man’s life. To the young man’s amazement, he walked out of the courtroom. We are helping him with pulling his life together, getting a job, and taking responsibility for his own actions. He had never experienced anything like it before. So, Monnie began to explain to him what Grace is like. It really is getting kind of funny. One of the Parole Officers wrote him an email not long ago in another case and said, “It wasn’t you, and it certainly wasn’t the judge, but I’ve never experienced anything like that. God was in the courtroom.”
After twenty years, I have finally figured it out. The Parole Officer was right. Jesus was right where He said He would be. It isn’t with the snobs and do-gooders who think they are better than everyone else. It is with the poor, the broken, the sick, and the weak. Amazing! He said it all along; I was just too thick to see how simple it was. We have become focused on His priorities and He is opening door after door of opportunity. In fact, this judge has now called us and asked if he could meet with our leadership. Community leaders in every facet of the system dealing with these at risk kids are finding out that now, “God is in courtroom.” If you want to find God, hang out with some of these people, I can guarantee you will bump into Him!
Experiencing Grace,
John
As I am writing this, I am watching the snow blow sideways out the window. The wind chill is near 0. The only golf I am playing these days is in my imagination or computerized golf on a video screen. So, January in the Mid-West is an odd time to bring up the subject of golf. However, golf is something that I truly enjoy. Even when I can’t play because of the elements, I enjoy dreaming about the coming Spring that is going to provide the perfect weather. The first day that peaks into the low 70’s and reminds us of the beauty of the sunshine, I will be on the course battling for par here and there. Most of all, though, I will be taking in the outdoors. I love golf because it is normally a beautiful surrounding and a calming influence. I used to stress if I didn’t shoot well; now I just enjoy being away…taking it all in. I enjoy golfing with friends as well.
Most of my friends that I golf with are the kind that if one of us hits a really bad shot, we’ll volunteer the phrase, “hit another.” In golf, this is called a “mulligan.” And there are many, many stories about the birth of the golf term "mulligan.” It's quite possible that none of them are true, because nobody really knows how mulligan acquired its golf meaning (a mulligan, of course, is a "do-over" - hit a bad shot, take a mulligan and try again). All we have are urban legends. One such story is found in The USGA Museum. In this particular version, a fellow by the name of David Mulligan frequented St. Lambert Country Club in Montreal, Quebec, during the 1920s. Mulligan let it rip off the tee one day, wasn't happy with the results, re-teed, and hit again. According to the story, he called it a "correction shot," but his partners thought a better name was needed and dubbed it a "mulligan." Again, with the friends I hang out with, I can see this one being true!
I love golf because the friends I play with understand grace. Everyone of us needs a “do-over” at some point in our games. No one is threatening the PGA Tour. The truth be known, every one of us needs some “do overs” in our lives as well. There seems to be something fitting about the beginning of a New Year to imagine the possibilities of a fresh start. The powerful offer that God makes available to each of us is that “…if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” 1 John 1:9 We frequently say to one another during this time of year, “Happy New Year!” It really is a greeting of the season with little thought or consideration given to it. This can be a Happy New Year, however, if we reconnect with God in a close and intimate way. Sometimes we may not even feel that is a possibility. We feel that we have drifted or moved so far away that we can never get back to where we need to be. One of the delights of this journey of The Gathering has been to watch so many people take a spiritual “mulligan.” God is like the Father in the story of the Prodigal Son. He is so thrilled to welcome us back that He throws a party. Forget about the resolutions to eat less, to eat better, to exercise more, to quit smoking or some other bad habit. Instead, why not plan this year to make a real change…get a fresh start and walk through ’08 in a closer connection to Him!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It’s hard to believe (and it usually is this time of year) that Christmas is just days away. It seems the older I get, the faster Christmas gets here. We all seem to go through this emotional roller coaster during this season of the year. We come out of our gratitude at Thanksgiving. That is like the clicking and clacking of the roller coaster climbing the hill; and once it crests … well, if you have ever been on a roller coaster, you know what happens next. You are in for hairpin curves and your body pulling all sorts of G’s. People are screaming around you and you’re holding on for dear life. That pretty well sums up the month of December, doesn’t it? Parties to plan, plays to attend, presents to buy, and bills to pay all add to the roller coaster ride of this season of the year. It seems that every year –the church, at least – says the same thing. We need to slow down. We need to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. We need to pay less attention to all the hustle and bustle, and we need to calm ourselves by a quiet manger. Sometimes we do a pretty good job of that, and sometimes it is just more of the tradition of the season to say it.
If we ever do slow down, the paradox of this great event…Christmas is one of the most staggering truths of all time. Who does such a thing? What Lord willingly gives up His throne? What dignitary becomes a commoner? What God becomes one of His own subjects? I am amazed by this on two levels. One, that He did anything at all. He had every right to walk away from the whole mess. Love wouldn’t allow it. And two, the way He did it. I mean a baby? Jesus being born a human being at all – genius. But not in a palace or among royalty – no; He would be born in obscurity to common unknowns. The One who created all that is with the power of His spoken word, would cry like a baby when He was hungry. The One who holds the universe in precise orbit would need a mother and father to sustain life. The name that is above every name would be unknown by those He came to rescue. The vantage point of Heaven must have been something else. All the angels looking at one another and saying, “They don’t know who He is! Can you believe that?”
More than a handful would soon know who He is. The angels declared His birth saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors." Luke 2:14 (NLT) What an incredible realization. God has honored Himself by lowering Himself. And in doing so, He has brought peace to us. Peace – do we as the followers of Christ bring peace to this world? I hope so. I pray that is our mission, for it was His. To a world that is distressed, on a roller coaster, and about to give up hope, He is peace! We pray this season that you will know the peace of God which passes understanding. Why not get off at the next stop? Let someone else ride for a while. Perhaps you could use some peace and tranquility in your journey. I know just the thing – Jesus is peace on earth, good will to men.
Merry Christmas! May God bless you and your loved ones this year. And as you begin a new year in 2008, I pray that the baby who was the God-man, who grew to adulthood and fulfilled an even greater mission, will walk with you and in you!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Here’s a question for you. When is God good? We had a really great week around The Gathering last week. Incredible stories continue to roll in from the Victory Project. As doors of ministry and opportunity continue to open, our family has been reenergized by great news. After a year of searching for the right location, it seems pretty certain that God has provided a new home for us. Timing is everything. Because of the condition of real estate right now, we have been able to acquire property that is a fantastic location for our new church building; and we acquired it at almost half of the original asking price so that it fit in our budget. Last week, we took the single largest one day cash offering since I have been in Ohio. We received an above the normal gifts offering of almost $50,000.00. We received a check the next week from someone who wasn’t able to be there the week before, which sent us over the $50,000.00 mark. Incredible! We weren’t giving to buy land because we didn’t know we had any at the time. We weren’t giving to a picture or drawing of a building. One of our Management Team leaders spoke to our church that morning and said, “I have never felt more excited about my spiritual family, never felt more freedom and authenticity than we have together over the past year.” We just gave because God has been good to us over the last year, and God blessed us in that incredible way.
Now, I have to confess, it was fairly easy for everyone around here last week to be upbeat and celebratory with this kind of news rolling in. It is obvious on days like these that God is good. But what about the other days. I have a good friend who almost laughs when he says this, because he says it so much. `God is good…all the time. And all the time, God is good.’ I also have to confess I have had some days in recent memory where I perhaps struggled with that reality. My circumstances didn’t necessarily lead me to the conclusion in life that God was always good. Maybe you have felt that way, too, at least once or twice in your life. Someone you loved died prematurely (by our estimation), you lost your job at a terrible time to be without income, someone hurt you deeply or treated you unfairly, etc.., where was God on that day? The harsh realities of this world lead many to believe that maybe God is good all the time, but He just isn’t strong enough to get the good through to us all the time. Others might suggest that God is not as good as we say.
Here is what I believe I have learned and would suggest to you. God IS good all the time. We cannot evaluate His nature, character, and consistency based upon our fallen existence in this world. In other words, He isn’t good on the days that good stuff happens to us, and not so good on the days that bad things happen. Was God not good to us over the last year because we didn’t get property until now? Was He too weak to pull anything together before now? I rather doubt it. In fact, as I suggested earlier, I think He was just waiting for the right time. He was growing us in the process. And He was preparing us to be ready when the time was right. As for God being too weak to adjust my circumstances or yours, let’s not blame our mess on Him. He loves us, redeems us, and blesses us; but we are still pilgrims living in a broken world. It is a sin-stained world that each of us has contributed to. The fact that He shows His goodness at all in this place is a tribute to His grace and goodness. He really doesn’t owe us any explanation at all; but He gently shows us throughout scripture that He is far above our judgments, understanding, or perspective. So, we are left to choose. Some choose to disbelieve. Religion is just a mind-controlling opium to keep us in line. Others stay angry with God, because of the bad days. Me…well, I am going to choose to believe that God is good, all the time. I am going to believe that He is bigger than all of this messed up world, and that the fact that He dips into it at all is grace. I am not going to associate His goodness with the ups and downs of my personal journey. I am going, by faith, to link arms with a man whose struggle with this question may have been the greatest struggle in history….Job. Job 13:15 (NIV) “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him…”
Experiencing Grace,
John
This past week, I had a phone conversation with a friend of mine who lives halfway across the country. He has been going through some tough times in his life, his marriage, and his career. We have known each other for years. So, knowing that he was hurting, I picked up the phone to call and check on him. He was in tears because of the call. In our conversation, he told me that he had truly discovered who his friends were in life. He had just finished having dinner with his aging parents; and he quoted himself as saying to them, “Going through this difficulty, I have discovered who my true friends are. When trouble comes, true friends walk in while everyone else is walking out.” He is a deacon in his church, one of the most effective people I have ever met at pointing others to Christ, and an outstanding follower of Jesus Christ. Yet, with pain in his voice, he told me of how many people had walked away from him in his time of trouble. An older couple who had mentored he and his wife, staff members in the church of which he had been a backbone member, even people he had helped to find Christ had slowly but surely walked away. Proverbs 17:17 (NLT) “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”
I couldn’t help but relate to his pain. Psalm 41:9 (NLT) “Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.” There is perhaps no greater wound than the one that comes from the hand of a trusted friend, family member, or fellow believer. Yet, far too often this is exactly what happens. I have been amazed as we have lifted the banner of love, grace, and acceptance at The Gathering, how many wounded warriors have come forward. Too many stories to tell of people who had given up on the church, but are now so glad to be reconnecting with God in a “safe” spiritual community. We had two more mountain-moving stories like that just this weekend.
I discussed on Sunday the subject of grace; and as Martin-Lloyd Jones said, “Grace is risky…It brings grace abusers as well as grace killers out from under the rocks.” So why do I care so much about my friend now that he is wounded? Why not do what most people do in these situations and just walk away? Why do I care for the countless people who walk through our doors week after week, intrigued by the possibility that there really could be a church that was different, authentic, and accepting…“safe”? Why do I care so much about the poor, the prisoners, and the homeless in our community? I will tell you why…it is the ONLY honest duplication of the spirit and life of Christ. Whether it was Peter in betrayal, a woman caught in adultery, or the sick, lame, and possessed, Jesus was always a “safe” person. No judgment! No condemnation! Just forgiveness, healing, hope, and a new beginning.
Warning: Insecure and non-authentic Christians will pile on in these moments in life. In some twisted way, it makes them feel better about themselves to focus on someone else’s failures. However, I cannot find one case of this in the life of Christ. This is not maintaining a standard or following integrity. It is plastic hypocrisy, and it has wounded thousands upon thousands needlessly. Look at Jesus; His hand was turned open, it was soft, and it was healing and helpful. Most people experientially know there is nothing more dangerous than a self-righteous person armed with a sense of principled superiority. Boy, are they proud of themselves for defending truth, standing for what is right, and shunning others. The only problem is…they look nothing like Jesus! So, I will seek safety first. When people are wounded, broken, and repentant and looking for hope, I will seek to be a safe person - because He was. I will always be a part of a church which seeks to be a safe church for sinners - because He would be. I will call my friend again and often. I will seek to find and help wounded people every day. Anything else just isn’t right. Unsafe people will blog until Jesus comes; and they will argue endlessly, which just doesn’t help anyone!
Experiencing Grace,
John
This past weekend, some were still traveling home from the holiday. Trying not to fall asleep at the wheel, overcome by large doses of tryptophan, it appears that our friends have all made it home and back to school and work. For those who celebrated the power of our risen Savior in our weekend worship time, we looked at one of the most difficult things in the world to tackle – forgiveness. We are in a weekend series called Imagine. We are imagining the power of God to be supernaturally released into our lives by the introduction of the God-life. Forgiveness being one of the largest components of that life. Have you noticed how easy it is to look at someone else’s situation and conclude that they were making a big deal about nothing? You calmly, logically, and even biblically thought they should just forgive whatever it was that they were upset about and move on. Isn’t it strange how that whole calm thing gets lost when we are the ones under the magnifying glass? When it is our feelings that are wounded, all the emotions swirl and seemingly our sense of perspective is temporarily “out of order.” Since Sunday, I have had many people walk up to me and say, “Wow, that one really hit me where I am.” I just grin at them and say, “It hits everybody.” You cannot live in this life without bumping into other people. You are going to face conflict. What we do with that, and how we respond to it, has a great deal to say about us. Perhaps nothing reveals with any greater extent our emotional, spiritual, and mental healthiness (or lack thereof) than our willingness and our ability to forgive.
Forgiveness is not a difficult concept. Little kids on the playground can pick it up right away with the simplest of instructions. Kid A offends Kid B. Adult instructs Kid A to apologize to Kid B. Kid B whimpers and grimaces for sympathetic effect. Kid B then relinquishes and acknowledges Kid A’s apology. Five minutes later, Kid A and Kid B are playing again as if nothing ever happened. A case for forgiveness. Yet, when we begin to grow up our offenses become greater and our relationships far more complicated. Let’s be honest; forgiveness is easy to define. Just about any of us could even lay out appropriate steps to take in seeking forgiveness or seeking to forgive. Defining it, quoting scriptures about it, even instructing others about it is not hard to do. What is hard to do is to forgive. You see, there isn’t a one of us who doesn’t feel justified in our offense. We know how we have been wronged, and we know how it has hurt us. So, our pain, our emotions, and our wounds create a warm greenhouse for our resentments, our bitterness, and our desire for revenge. So much so that we are willing to act in otherwise uncharacteristic ways. Christians are the absolute worst when it comes to this. Our secular friends are not nearly so caught up in the plastic pretenses that Christians seem to be, so they just let it rip. Not Christians, we know that we are to forgive; but our pain is just as real as that of non-Christians. So, we quote Bible verses right and left, justifying our actions, our attitudes, and our aggression. All the while, trouncing dozens of other portions of scripture that we choose to conveniently ignore in our sense of rightness.
As one pilgrim who is on the journey of trying to forgive others who have harmed me, I tell you I understand how difficult and how elusive forgiveness can be. I now have dozens of messages on forgiveness in over twenty years of communicating God’s Word publicly. Trust me; it is a lot easier to stand and list the steps, the principles, the actions and reactions of scripture in forgiveness than it is to simply put it into practice. Yet, I can’t help but walk away with the simple principles that we looked at last weekend. I need to experience forgiveness from God, and so do you. I need to embrace His forgiveness in my life, and so do you. But my process is not complete until I learn to extend that forgiveness to others, and neither is yours. It isn’t easy. I don’t naturally want to forgive. I want justice, I want my apology, and I want restitution for the offense. In the middle of this brokenness, God says it doesn’t matter what I want. He knows what I need. So, I have to choose to forgive. I believe, if I sincerely choose that path, that eventually, my heart will follow. I am to forgive because God says to. I am to forgive because I have been forgiven myself. And I am to forgive because I don’t want to carry the bitterness and destruction of unforgiveness in my life and my future. Struggle with me, but let’s make a commitment to choose freedom: freedom from anger, bitterness, hatred, and destruction. There, I feel a little better already. How about you?
Experiencing grace,
John
My dad, who now lives with Jesus, used to say there are two things that God won’t share with anyone. Those two things are His glory and His revenge. Here’s how I have always pictured it: If any of us start to take credit for what God has done, or we start to settle a score that belongs to Him, He backs away. In other words, you can use all the Christianese you want to…all the usual phrases, but God won’t come anywhere near a group of people or an individual who have tried to steal His glory or seek His revenge. Just quickly, I will speak to revenge. It is best served, or sweet, or all the other things that people say. The bottom line… it is wrong. In Romans 12:19 (NLT) Paul told us, “Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, `I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,’ says the Lord.” Some may have tried to harm you, they lied about you, slandered your name, stolen things from you, abused you, tried to destroy you or any number of other things. Everything inside your human nature cries out to settle the score. Yet God says, “Leave it alone! Walk away and leave them to Me.” He does a far better job of settling the score than any of us could possible mention.
The first of these two items is why I am writing today, though … His glory. God is serious about people seeking to horn in, steal, or even share God’s glory. Now, Christians have become skilled at finding ways around this. Hiding behind phrases like, “He deserves all the praise,” or “Praise the Lord!” or pointing to the sky. While there may be nothing wrong with these expressions, they are often perfunctory and hide a true motive which is more deeply and carefully concealed. We should all arm ourselves at how subtle this can be in our own lives, where we want God on our side; and we want to share in the spoils of battle. Micah 6:8 (NLT) “No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” The only way to walk with God is to walk humbly before God.
This is the season of the year when we give thanks to God for His provision and His goodness to us. God has been so good yet again to us. If you have been reading this column throughout this past year, you know that God has blessed The Gathering in an unusual way. Our staff has talked about it many times … we must be so careful not to even hint that we have anything to do with it. We could have organized a church. We know how to do that. We could have drawn a crowd. We know how to do that. We couldn’t do God-sized things in God moments and in God-appointed ways, though. So, we stand back and we lift our applause to Him! Thank you, God, for your goodness to me, to us, and to your children in this world. We pray for our future that Your name will be lifted higher and higher for greater recognition. The applause is for You alone!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! May you experience His richest blessings on your life and your families.
Experiencing Grace,
John
I am still celebrating from this past weekend. With gray, overcast skies, and rain falling we were able to gather in the heart of our city and lift the name of our King for the city to hear. While we were celebrating what God has done in and through us over the last year, He was continuing to build and lay a foundation for what is to come. Early on the morning of the 11th, cars began to assemble in the parking garage. Eager worshippers, filled with excitement and anticipation, were scurrying about inside this great convention hall in preparation for a day of declaration. And what a day He gave to us! If you weren’t there, it is hard to express the genuine excitement that was in that room. We had a great number of guests - people coming to see if this is for real. Could it be true? Is there really a church out there that is freed up from traditional constraints, freed up from condemning know-it-all Christians, freed up from consumerism? The answer was a resounding YES!
I wish you could read some of the emails I have received this week. I cannot share them with you in deference to the confidentiality of what has been shared with me. However, I can tell you that people are coming out of the woodwork, finding a safe, spiritual environment where people are real and they are beginning to genuinely love and care about others. While others are discussing theories, strategies, theologies, and formations, we are simply helping people to make a connection in a genuine way with a God who loves them. Rather than making people feel unworthy and condemned, we joyfully offer hope. We are focused on building over-the-top small communities where people are now experiencing the joy of belonging and loving. As these groups are growing, loving and serving together, they are developing a sense of community that is beyond theory and definition. And compassion, well, you just can’t be a part of The Gathering without a heart for compassion. You see, the defining spirit of who we are is a genuine care and concern for the broken. Jesus lives with the poor, the broken, the hurting, and the prisoners. There are those who have been overlooked, neglected, and rejected. NO MORE!!! God is throwing doors open for us to minister His life, His love, and His healing. My whole life I have been in churches. I have rubbed shoulders with cultured and polished Christians. While these values were talked about, they were barely practiced or carried out by only a few. To see a whole community of Christ-followers embracing this spirit is extraordinary. I believe it is why God is opening doors for us in the community at large that we could never have believed.
Thank God for His gifts of mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness. He specializes in taking a broken leader, a broken group of people, and a broken situation to display His power, glory, and awesome power. I can tell you at this point, He is the only one who can take credit or applause for what is happening. The degree to which He has changed lives, and the stories of what He has done are eternal in nature. I am so grateful and so blessed to be in such a sweet and loving group of people. I want to thank The Gathering family for making the journey of the last year with me. What the enemy has meant for destruction, God has used for His good! He is an awesome God!!!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It is hard to believe all that God has accomplished in us in just twelve months. November 12, 2006, we began a journey together. The Gathering was born. We had no idea where we were going or what God was going to do. The last year has grown and changed all of us. What an experience. In many ways, this has been one of the most fruitful spiritual years I have ever experienced. We have seen people respond to a safe spiritual environment. Story after story sticks out to me of people who have come out of their reclusion to experience an authentic community focused on the healing power of Jesus Christ. 49 people followed Christ in baptism at two of the most moving experiences I have ever seen: one in an Olympic pool and one in an area lake. Both of these days were mountaintop experiences – hearing the stories of a former Buddhist, three generations, husbands and wives, fathers and their children being baptized. There ain’t nothing like it.
The Victory Project has been God-sized and at times staggering to watch. Door after door has opened for us to have the opportunity to reach people who have been hard-pressed and who are hurting. Tears have streamed down our faces as He has allowed us to stand and catch people who were falling. We have lifted them back up and offered hope! Cross-cultural worship experiences and ministry outreaches have forever changed our hearts. The spirit of love and unity and excitement has characterized our weekends. God has indeed been good!
When God was leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt and into a Promised Land of great provision, He told them to take reminders with them. These things would remind them for generations of the faithfulness of God. Joshua 4:19-24 (NLT) “The people crossed the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month — the month that marked their exodus from Egypt. They camped at Gilgal, east of Jericho. [20] It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River. [21] Then Joshua said to the Israelites, "In the future, your children will ask, 'What do these stones mean?' [22] Then you can tell them, 'This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' [23] For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. [24] He did this so that all the nations of the earth might know the power of the Lord, and that you might fear the Lord your God forever."
This weekend, we will be gathering as one family at the Dayton Convention Center. Trust me; you don’t want to miss this day. It will be another stone…another marker that we won’t soon forget. As we look back over the last year and celebrate what God has done, we have much to be thankful for, much to remember, and much to commemorate. With video and song and life stories, we will see the proof of God at work. We will once again experience the mantle of His blessing. We also have much to do in the future. As He continues to open doors, we have unlimited opportunities in this coming year to tell our community that God has an incredible love for them. Thank you, God, for changing lives, especially mine!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Recently, I had the opportunity to help with a funeral. The man who had passed away was a fireman. It was awesome to watch the public service community respond to their fallen companion. Throughout the time of visitation, they took turns standing at attention around the casket. When the service began, with military precision they marched in and saluted two at a time. They waited in unison and then sat together in mass. Firemen, Policemen, and Paramedics. They were a community and they stood as one. After the service, they carried the casket and placed it on top of a fire truck. With honors, they paraded to the cemetery. Lights on, each branch of the community was represented and stood at attention. When we arrived at the gravesite, they had a special ceremony with fly over, a last call on the radio, taps, and bag pipes. It was amazing to watch and to be a part of this experience.
When it was over, the chaplain of the forces came to me and thanked me for my part in the service. I responded appropriately and then told him how impressed I had been by all that had taken place. His response was key to me. He said, “Oh yes, we are a very close group. We share common life and common risk. We ALWAYS have each other’s back. We do in life situations, and we certainly wouldn’t turn our backs on one another in death.” Wow! I walked away thinking we as the church need to take notes from these guys. What could God do with the church if we, as Christians, had each other’s backs? What if we had that level of commitment to each other, to our community, and to our mission? Unfortunately, the Christian Church is more characterized by a “gotcha” mentality. Make any statement at all…anything…and you will find somewhere a Christian that is closer to God and more right than you are. They then feel the need to straighten you and everyone else out. The Bible was intended to arm us for life, not for battle to destroy one another.
Recently, a friend forwarded me an article about Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. They have been one of the most influential churches in America and around the world in the last thirty years. What made news is that they acknowledge some of their strategy for growing mature beliefs wasn’t working as they thought, and they were looking at recalibrations. A few people rightly praised them for their honesty and integrity in living and learning. Most churches would never spend money to determine whether their ministries were actually working and having the desired effect. It would burst their delusional bubble. As expected, the usual bandwagon of know-it-all, pile-on, closer-to-God-and-the-truth Christians began pounding away at Willow. They are used to it, but I for one am tired of it. I am tired of Taliban Christians who sabotage and bomb others without conscience. Their perspective was, “See, we have known all along how wrong these guys have been.” When these guys baptize 1,000 people at a time, does it makes sense to listen to the nay saying, bitter and frustrated, pseudo-intellectuals rip apart from their self established platforms of truth and righteousness? Virtually every church I talk to right now is reeling from the attacks, blogs, and arm-chair quarterbacking of Christians who have nothing better to do with their own personal issues than throw up all over everyone else. Why is it that every frustrated, bitter, arrogant Christian feels the need to expose the world to their narrow-mindedness and ginsu tongue?
I am not saying that we should fall over dead. There is such a thing as truth. There is such a thing as absolute truth. And the truth is, none of us possess it absolutely! I have wondered for years why we Christians always feel like we are right and those who disagree with us are wrong. We are the biggest babies. If people disagree with us about ministry or worship style or church structure or leadership, we feel obligated…no compelled to expose them and demonize them. This only reveals a lack of security in who we are and a substitution of true intellect for a rote simplicity. As for me, put me with the firemen, the policemen, and the paramedics. If you are a part of the spiritual family, I have got your back. By the way, that is true even if we disagree on a couple of theological interpretations. My only caution: watch out for the Christians carrying knives!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It has been an unusual and difficult month for our spiritual family. About a month ago, Tab M. at age 47 went to sleep and didn’t wake up. His death was shocking to all of us, and still doesn’t, in some ways, seem real. I keep expecting him to walk in the back door pushing his tech cart to set up and help out in our children’s lives. A beautiful young lady, a senior in high school, was tragically killed in a car accident just a couple of weeks ago. A beautiful life with seemingly so much to live for…now gone. Her death affected many of us. Although several people did know her, even among those of us who didn’t, it was a horrible tragedy and loss. This week, we had a funeral for another wonderful guy. Mark J. was a quiet and unassuming person out in large group settings. However, privately, he was a cut-up. A great guy who would go out of his way to help you any way that he could. His only real downfall was that he was a Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan. Oh well, no one is perfect, I suppose. J Cancer took physical life from him at 37 years of age. He leaves with us a precious wife who our family loves and will continue to walk with into the future.
Why? Why death? Why now? Why these wonderful people? I mean, if you look around, there are a lot better candidates to take from this life. There are people who abuse children. There are people who are bitter and mean. There are people who are violent and dangerous. Shouldn’t God take more of them and leave us with more bright and wonderful people like these amazing friends? It just seems somehow wrong from our vantage point whenever someone wonderful dies at a “premature” age. If you and I were God, we probably would try to balance the ledger page with more “bad people” than “good people.” After all, when someone is gunned down with street violence, we normally don’t ask why…we just assume they more or less deserved it. When mean and bitter people die with cancer, we don’t ask why, we might even subconsciously feel it a relief for the living. Maybe others deserve to die sooner because they don’t live up to our standards of “good lives.”
I didn’t know the young lady. I am told she was a sweet person. However, I did know both Tab and Mark. I know that they were nice guys, good guys. They will be missed! The last month has caused me to think, though…perhaps you as well. None of us are invincible. This life has no guarantees. If you are planning on doing some living, you had better get to it now. I, for one, am glad that I am not God. I would have messed this up a long time ago. More than that, I am glad that you aren’t God either. None of us would be any good at it. The truth is we live in a broken world. A world that daily suffers from and feels the effects of our sin brokenness. Some of the effects are due to our own failures. Some of them are no fault of our own, just the fact that our entire world, the systems in this life, the pleasures of this life, even our ecosystem in this life is broken. That is why we shouldn’t live for this broken-down life. Make the most of it, yes! But, we need to set our sights on something higher. Something that lasts and that isn’t broken. A city whose builder and maker is God.
Just a couple of random thoughts to close. One – live every day to the max. You may add up a lot of incredible days, but there is no guarantee of what lies ahead. Second – love the people who are in your life. Make your words, thoughts, and experiences sweet. When one of us leaves this life for eternity, it makes it so much easier on those of us left behind for a while. Three – Live life and enjoy life, but don’t get so caught up in it that you fail to live for eternity. Make investments in things that last, in things that matter. You won’t regret it. Four – Realize that everyone who dies matters to someone. They certainly matter to God! Maybe I won’t be so calloused the next time I hear of one of those “bad” people dying in a drive by. You see, God loves “bad” people every bit as much as He loves me…or you. Yeah, whatever you do, live life by making the most of it! Thanks for the memories, Tab and Mark. We will see you again!!!
Experiencing grace,
John
Throughout many periods of the last two thousand years since Christ, the Church has actually become so politicized, corrupted, and even at times evil, that God moved the mission and the movement of the Church outside the walls of the organized church. The river of God’s redemptive force has been flowing, though, since the Holy Spirit was poured out in this world to empower and enable the Church to accomplish the mission of God. Sometimes it shows up in the strangest and most unusual places - places where no one would anticipate or think to look. It might be in the slums of Calcutta, India or behind prison bars, or even in the worst sectors of town. Sometimes it comes in an outside organization that has euphemistically come to be known as a parachurch organization. Yet, it has been there. In spite of the enemy’s best attempts to derail, defame, or destroy the Kingdom of God, it still prevails.
Today, it appears that the same reality is taking place inside the American church. You can find the Kingdom of God, but it is not in the usual places you might think to look. For example, you are more likely to find the Kingdom of God in a homeless shelter than in the beautiful church building on the corner. The sign may entice you to look inside the beautiful ornate building; but when you look, often you will find a subculture of self-serving, self-congratulatory, and self-centered existence. The virtues of the gospel are hailed, but rarely truly practiced. It was for the sick that our Great Physician came…not those who see themselves as well. You are more likely to find the Kingdom of God in a prison, in a poverty stricken community, or a mission field than on a Christian campus. Don’t get me wrong. I have two earned degrees. I have attended Christian universities and seminaries with appreciation for the knowledge they impart. The problem is just that … knowledge. It has a way of puffing up. Many of the fat-heads that populate these bubbles of Christian knowledge wouldn’t know a movement of God if it ran over them.
We are learning to see this at The Gathering. As we are focusing our vision on finding God, rather than asking Him to find us, He has taken us to some unusual places. We have found Jesus in a soup kitchen, in court appearances with the Juvenile Court system. We have seen Him in tough neighborhoods where love has brought hope to hard-pressed people. Seven months ago, we launched something called the Victory Project. The primary objective is to create a series of sensational projects that bring hope and healing to those who need it the most. This past week, we began to see how incredible this may be. It is phenomenal to see what we have already experienced, but the people we approached several months ago now know that we are not “wannabes.” We have been asked if we would be willing to sit down with the city leaders and expand our partnership into the city’s hurting needs. I can’t tell you how humbled, how proud, how excited I am that God is opening doors that no one else could open. I invite you to get involved. Not in some stale, stuffy, self-righteous, self-serving church gig. No, I am asking you to join the mission and the movement of God. Dive into His river of redemption and watch the incredible places it will take you. I can promise you this…sooner or later, you will see Jesus!
Experiencing grace,
John
This past week was an unusual one for our church family. We ran the gamut of emotions. First, we received what to us was a shocking phone call that one of our own had gone to sleep on Tuesday evening, and didn’t wake up. Well, he woke up, but in another dimension. Tab was special to all of us. And being only forty-six, to die so unexpectedly left all of us in shock. Tab was the epidemy of a servant. Soft spoken and gentle, he faithfully carried out so many responsibilities that he had assumed for our ministry in worship, in the children’s area, and, as a fireman, in the medical support team. He will be deeply missed by his spiritual family and terribly missed by his immediate family. Our prayers are continuing to support his precious wife and two wonderful sons.
Within hours of this news, we were made aware that another beloved couple in our church had just given birth to their first-born son. We have prayed through this pregnancy with them and were so glad to see Nathan make a long, but healthy journey into this world. As we began to piece the two events together, we realized that although we don’t know the exact moment of Tab’s departure, the two events probably took place within a hour or two of each other. Within moments, God took one of our treasures to Heaven to be with Him, and granted a new treasure to our spiritual family to be loved extraordinarily. It was an odd day for me. To walk into a hospital room and see one family grieving at the shock of their world turned upside down. Then, to travel across town and see another family rejoicing and celebrating the miracle of birth. We were able to live out Paul’s instructions to “laugh with those who laugh, and cry with those who cry” all in one day.
God causes it to rain on the just and the unjust. I am sure there is some mean-spirited person who will bitterly harm and hurt people for the remainder of their long life. While, from our estimation, there is a wonderful man in Heaven who won’t have any more years in addition to his forty-six to continue to love and serve. If you were God, wouldn’t you straighten all that out? The “bad people” would die quick and painful deaths, catch all the diseases, and suffer all the setbacks. While the “good ones” would live long, fulfilling, and rewarding lives. It is a good thing that you and I aren’t God. He possesses a whole unique perspective that you and I do not possess. We don’t always understand what He is up to; but honestly, we can’t. We don’t know what He knows, or see what He sees. That is what makes Him God, and we learn to either trust Him or not.
It left me pondering the realities of life. First, we are not assured of one more day on this earth. Even our taking it for granted cannot change that fact. We should live each day to the fullest extent. Live each day, making some deposit in eternity with the investment of life. Live each day, treasuring the ones you love, the good times in life, and laughter with family and friends. On the other hand, the joy of a new baby reminds us that God hasn’t forgotten us either. He makes all things new. In spite of the fact that we have messed up what He created in perfection, God is still intimately involved in this broken world around us. Thank you, Lord, for life, for love, for laughter, and for the moments that we share in love with those who are dear to our hearts! I am grateful for the journey with a people of grace at The Gathering! I couldn’t have been more proud of you last week! You really know how to laugh and cry!!!
Experiencing Grace,
John
I had an interesting conversation the other day with a couple of good friends. The topic of church came up. Now, all of us in the room are sincere followers of Christ. Yet, the level of honesty that almost immediately developed was amazing to me. Rather than the usual pat answers and conditioned Christian cliches, we really talked about where the church is today. The experiences that all of us had been through having been around the church all of our lives were remarkable. You have to understand, we are not outsiders hurling rocks at an institution that we have no time for…quite the opposite. Each of us has given significant chunks of our lives to serving Christ through the local church, and in some cases have been extraordinarily close to hugely influential leadership. We are not debating crossing the line of faith here; we are all in!
What amazed me, though, was the emotional nerve that was struck when church came up. In his article, “Church Free Christianity”, Daniel T. Haase researches this emotion and discovers that many people love Jesus, but not the church. His research reveals that this is not exclusive to those outside the church. Many inside the church have been completely turned off by the atmosphere and culture of the present day representation of Christ in the world around them. It also makes me think of one of my favorite book titles: When Bad Christians Happen To Good People. The emerging generations are not offering blind loyalty to the institution and machinery of the organized church. Many, like their secular counterparts, have been turned off by the self-serving, condescending, and brutal approach to “truth”.
Back to my conversation…one of those present made a somewhat startling statement. He told us that he hadn’t been in a church service in five months. This came as a shock because we know the sincerity of his faith. When pressed about why, he responded, “I know that the church is the place that you are supposed to develop community, serve the world, and worship in community; but I am so completely turned off by the church today that I want nothing to do with what it has become. The church is full of politics and pretense. The way the church presents itself, and the way it treats people, I can’t abide by.” I responded by saying, “I certainly can relate to that and I am sympathetic to your position, but what about your kids? What are you saying to them by ignoring the church?” To which he replied, “I am the prophet and priest of my home. It is my job to teach my children about God and His Word. Besides, I feel that if I am protecting them from the damage and destruction of the phonies of church life, I am doing them a favor.” Pretty strong stuff!
I am not saying that I agree whole-heartedly with this position. I think the church needs good people to stay involved. If not, we hand it over to the condescending, know-it-all phonies who continue to propagate the stereotype of hypocrisy. For all of its flaws, the body of Christ is the God-ordained agency in this world charged with the mission and the empowerment of God’s Spirit to take the gospel of Christ to the world. I plead with my friend and all of you not to give up on the church. Don’t forsake the gathering together of yourselves. I certainly understand the hurt, disillusionment, and resentment of what it has, by in large, become. However, there are hypocrites in every sector of society. We can’t expect the church to be exempt from it. I guess it is fair to have a higher expectation of the church; but the truth is, the higher expectation merely becomes a pit-fall for greater ranks of hypocrisy. We are ALL hypocrites to one extent or another. I guess for some, if they can point out the failure of others, it takes the focus away from themselves - at least for the moment. My point is this…flaws and all, the church is the bride and the body of Christ. If you’re sick of the games, if you’re turned off by the show and the sham, then dive in and make a difference. Love…true love always wins out!
Experiencing grace,
John
In a couple of weeks, we will be starting a new series of focus during our weekend worship. These several weeks in a row will be called “Moving Beyond The Mask,” where we will address the condition of modern Christianity. If you think about it, it is pretty interesting stuff. Just what is the state of modern Christianity? How accurately does it reflect what Christ launched when He emerged from a grave victorious over death? In those critical days after His mission was accomplished, He did something extraordinary. He handed His Father’s Kingdom to flawed followers. Just days earlier, at His moment of greatest stress, this rag tag band of apostles had all denied Him and run like frightened school children. Now, here He is handing the keys to the Kingdom (car) over to them. Think about that for a moment. If they had failed in this mission, all His sacrifice, all that had been accomplished, could have been lost in vain. No one can know for certain what would have taken place. Certainly the plans of God would ultimately not be thwarted, but it does make you wonder. The difference was the Holy Spirit! Entering the picture, He fills and empowers them to accomplish with astonishing boldness victory on a supernatural scale.
Two thousand years plus have passed now and it is quite a different vantage point. One of the most interesting classes I took in seminary was church history. When you chronicle the abuses of man over this ancient period of time, you have to know God is in the true church, or man would have killed it hundreds of years ago. Through all the twists and turns that have taken place, the church has come out, though, in a lot of different forms. Some of those accurately and biblically reflect, I believe, what Jesus intended. Some of them are aberrations and project a black eye to the world around us. Why is it that year after year, polling indicates that the greater population has such distain for Christians? Even if people choose different lifestyles, why is it that they do not respect and admire the zeal and sincerity with which Christ followers pursue Him? Now, some Christians may wear it as a badge of honor that we are widely rejected, and even call on the words of Christ Himself who said, "When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. [19] The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you.” John 15:18-19 (NLT) To be sure, there is a spiritual adversary that has great animosity toward the children of God. There is a somewhat measurable disdain in the world’s system toward the followers of Christ. However, to be objective, on a more personal level most people who are not Christ followers have the perceptions they do from personal experiences, not some underlying spiritual opposition. It reminds me of a great book I once read entitled, When Bad Christians Happen To Good People. They are not rejecting God, but those who claim to follow Him. Sickened by the subtle condescension of superiority, the guilt-trips, put downs, and well intended insults, people have turned into `church refugees.’
That is why we have passionately committed ourselves to being a church that rejects the cultural overload of `churched-people’s’ expectations and insensitivity to the world around them. One of the gravest dangers that Christians face is the sometimes subtle, sometimes not so subtle pressure to view life through the created bubble of Christian isolation. Our bubble gum churches are constantly congratulating ourselves they we are not like the people on their way to Hell. If there is a message that comes through loud and clear in this, it is that churches don’t care about those people. If we did, instead of talking about them, we would talk to them. Instead, churches in America are dying by the thousands…not because of government interference or restrictions of worship. No, they are rotting from the inside out. The church has become to many a poor man’s country club where they show up expecting the church to meet their every whim. We will feed you, get you back into shape, help raise your kids, and meet your every spiritual demand. We will provide social networks, single’s hook-ups, and business connections. Why, we will even provide entertainment for your social nights out as long as you help out with the dues. The church has turned into a niche marketing machine that will try anything to get people to connect with us. This works beautifully if you just don’t cross the line. Don’t ask anybody to think about anything other than their desires. Don’t ask them to deny themselves, serve others, or give of their time, money, and talents. No wonder people are turned off in mass by the church experience. This is one small voice pleading with the Christian community to snap out of it. We need to apologize to our secular counterparts for being so self-absorbed and condescending on top of it. Last weekend, when I was with a team of our people among the poor in the streets of Covington, KY. I was reminded yet again of the one thing that works - Love! Love breaks down almost every barrier. What a coincidence. Jesus didn’t say they’ll know you’re speaking truth because the college professors and the seminary crowd have signed off on your theology. Here are HIS words: “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 (NLT) Go share your faith with someone; and, if necessary, use words!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Have you noticed there are people everywhere around you? Go to the grocery store; they are there. Go to the gas station; they are there. Go to a sporting event; they are there. Go to work or school; they are there, too. Everywhere you go, you will find people…lots of them. So, we get kind of used to it. We are conditioned to walk right past people without really ever connecting beyond a cordial, “Hi.” or maybe a wave and a smile. Every day - people everywhere. We just get used to it. So, it is unusual whenever someone breaks through the monotony of it all and genuinely shows a care or compassion for someone else. Whenever someone does something with no strings attached, it is odd.
One of the things that I am most proud of and get the biggest kick out of is how the phrase, “Who are you people?” keeps popping up. From Probationary Officers in the Montgomery County system, to parents of distressed teenagers and their children, to people less fortunate in the material things of this life, to recipients of random acts of kindness and love, people are finding out what it feels like when people break through the conditioning of ignoring one another. Thank you, Gathering family, for being a people who have opened your hearts and your lives. Thank you for selflessly serving others around you. It is amazing how this phrase continues to come back to us from people who have absolutely no ties to one another. And all of this is happening because we are taking the time to break through the plastic conditioning into which the world around us conditions us.
The most recent of one of these comments happened when we became aware of a family about to lose their power. We didn’t know them and they didn’t know us. But God put us in their path. When we took care of a single utility bill, they couldn’t believe it. The lady said those words that we are hearing over and over now, “Who are you people?” We had the joy of sharing with her that we are just a group of people in love with Christ, and He wanted you to know today that He loves you, too!
Isn’t it amazing? Conditioning works in reverse as well. Society, by in large, has been conditioned to ignore churches and Christianity. Now, we can get defensive about it (which Christians usually do) or we can take false pride in it (theologians normally do) and say that they are rejecting our truth, or we can be honest about it and acknowledge where we are with society. Ironically, the truth is that poll after poll indicates that people are not turned off by God or the Bible or prayer. However, they want little to do with Christians. They ignore our commercials, reject our invitations, and deplore our marketing. What they haven’t been conditioned to, though, is love. Gimmicks are an instant turn-off, but love works every time. Love, genuine love, is in such rare supply that it breaks through the hardened, plastic conditioning that nobody really cares. It has been thrilling to hear some of these stories where we have loved people with real action, to hear them turn around and say, “Do you think we could come to your church?” When you care for someone, you are making a difference. When you show love to someone, you may be used to change a life. When you offer to meet someone’s needs with this world’s resources, you may have the opportunity to offer the next life as well. 1 John 3:18 (NLT) “But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help — how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.” Way to go Gathering Family!
Experiencing Grace,
John
If there is one thing that we have in common as human beings, it is that we are never really far from pain. Oh, we may catch one of those occasional seasons where life lets up a little bit, but it is always there. Never far in the distance is another challenge, another crisis, another shot. Sometimes pain comes completely out of the blue. Sometimes it comes in like a lamb and out like a lion. Wherever, however, or whenever, there is one thing you can count on - pain cometh! And when it does, it leaves its wake. After a couple of phone calls this week, it seems like everyone I know is going through some strain. Every church I hear about is caught in some kind of trauma. So, I leave my area and go to a prayer meeting. There I find a whole new level of hurt as we pool the collective reach of our little circle and the distress that is represented there. Often, it appears to us that the presence of hurt and pain in this world is so overwhelming that we are not going to make it through. Horatio Spafford wrote in his tremendous hymn, It Is Well With My Soul a line that says, “…when sorrows like sea billows roll.” That is such a vivid picture. Whether a calm and beautiful day, as the waves gentle and melodically roll in, or in turbulent winds, as the surf pounds the beach…the waves come. And they don’t stop coming. It is enough to make one long for Heaven.
There is an inevitable question that comes from all of this, however; and strangely enough, it comes from the heart, if not the lips of Christians. Where is God when it hurts? I mean, didn’t he promise peace and comfort even in this world? Didn’t he at least insinuate that if we would follow Him, it would take many of the difficulties of this life away? Didn’t He say that we would have joy unspeakable and peace beyond description? Don’t we teach our littlest children that God is good and that everything He does is good? Don’t we tell them that He is in absolute control over time and the universe? Couldn’t He have stopped or at least softened the power of pain in our lives? Christians (at least honest ones) wonder where God is when there is cancer. Why didn’t He prevent the car from crossing the median? Why didn’t He “allow” the disease to go into the body of some `well deserving’ soul instead of a precious little child? Why doesn’t He intervene immediately and declare a right and a wrong side in Christians who misbehave with one another? I am not throwing rocks here, because there are days I flat out ask Him what He thinks He is doing.
I can tell you right now, you are not going to like this. The answer to these and countless other questions is…faith. We have to have faith that God is bigger than the mess that we have created in this world. We have to have the faith to not judge Him, His faithfulness, or His sovereignty through our circumstances. We have to have faith that what He has let us in on reveals that life events do happen we will never have the answers to and that in those moments, He is still God. In fact, He becomes the rock that we hold on to for security and strength through the storms of life. When we display faith that He is bigger than what our “bad news” might say, He normally allows us into a deeper understanding of Him and His ways.
So, in a broken world filled with sharp and jagged edges, are we just to spout Bible verses to one another? Do Christians just become delusional with such superhuman faith that we mentally “block” the pain? Not at all! That is why God has given us one another. We are to help each other carry the load. We are to comfort and strengthen one another. Being part of the church means that is why God has put us in the world. To offer help, hope, and healing to the broken, bloodied, and beleaguered. Mother Teresa has always been a hero to me. I cannot imagine the depth of spirit she possessed to walk into the slums of Calcutta every day and see the pain that she encountered. Yet, it is stated that she began each day praying with her staff that they would see Jesus in the eyes of those they met that day. Wow, sounds like the perfect place for imperfect people to me!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It was only a couple of weeks ago that anyone hearing the story of little Mark Kreusch was overwhelmed with shock, disbelief, and horror. Mark was a four-year-old little fellow living in the Centerville area with his family. The family was enjoying a day together at a local lake. They were boating and skiing on a beautiful summer afternoon. This is the way the picture is supposed to look. Suddenly though, in a freak accident, Mark’s little body was thrown from the boat by a wake. Instantly, he was hit by the boat and killed. There is just something inside of us that revolts against this. Four-year-olds are supposed to have scraped knees, cuts, and bruises from falling down while playing. They are not supposed to die. It is hard for any of us to process such an incomprehensible tragedy of Herculean proportions. A couple of families in our church have been closely tied to this precious family. We have all struggled. There are no words to say. There are no trite answers to help this make sense. The only thing you can do in a situation like this is to pray for this family; and if you know them, just hold them a lot and let them know you are there. It is in stark moments like this one that we realize just how fragile this life is and how broken our world really is.
Our hearts go out to John and Susie, Mark’s mom and dad. And to Nick as well, Mark’s six-year-old big brother. I don’ t know this family personally, but it doesn’t stop my heart from hurting for them. I have four children of my own and I can only imagine what this family must be experiencing. In our minds, we think our children will come to our funeral one day. We never imagine the possibility of going to one of our children’s funerals. It just doesn’t make sense. It just seems out of order. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kreusch family in the hopes that God can and will heal the gaping hole in their hearts left by a precious little boy.
The reason that I am writing about this story, though, is not to relive the nightmare of it all over again. No, I am writing because in the darkest hour, there is the offering of a ray of light by the indomitable human spirit. It is almost impossible to put into words the power of human kindness. The second part of this story that caused me to write about this comes from an unnamed neighbor who plays the part of an angel in this script. Having season tickets to the Cincinnati Bengals games, they invited Nick to go to the game with them. Every six-year-old little boy is blown away by the ‘bigger than life’ environment of pro football. Once Nick had accepted the invitation, this wonderful neighbor called the Bengals front office. They shared the story with the Bengals organization and asked if there was any way Nick might could come down on the field before the game and meet some of the players. My understanding of the story is that about an hour before the game they got a phone call; and Nick was not only invited on to the field, but got to go back into the locker room with the players. He was able to walk out of the tunnel and onto the field with Carson Palmer and the rest of the team. David Pollack, an injured player who happens to be a Christ-follower, spent a few meaningful moments with Nick and signed his jersey for him. Nick’s jersey was number 9. David told him it was one number away from being perfect…since his was ninety-nine. Nick got to stand on the sidelines for the warm-ups, pre-game, and opening kick-off.
While this was taking place, unbeknownst to Nick, another set of friends got their hands on two tickets for John and Susie. They were able to walk down to the banister rail and watch all of this take place. Now, I realize that an hour or so of ‘bigger than life’ moments doesn’t erase what has happened. Yet, I can’t help but believe, if even for a moment or even by a ounce, it helped to lighten this gargantuan load just a bit. Just when you think the tunnel can’t get any darker, the power of light shows up!
Go shed some light. Matthew 5:14 (NLT) “You are the light of the world — like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see."
Experiencing Grace,
John
This summer has been filled with lots of the usual wonderful stuff: picnics, pools, golf, vacations, and kids having fun in the park. People tend to just relax a bit in general during the summer months. It seems that you don’t have to go on vacation for a more casual approach to life in the summer. It also tends to string us all out a bit. When kids are not in schools, families have an opportunity to be involved in different types of things. This affects church life, too. Instead of seeing everyone at least once a week, we start the summer churn and you see everyone on a rotating basis. For that reason alone, most ministries in a church’s life are scaled way back during those summer months. Some ministries even take the summer months off.
Not Victory Project! It has been amazing how this is picking up steam as we are moving through the summer months. It is becoming a joy to watch as (not quite on a daily basis yet, but certainly a regular basis) officials working with at-risk youth in Montgomery County, who we don’t even know, are calling and saying, “Hey, we have heard about you guys. Can you help me with a situation?” Yesterday, this happened again. A probation officer called us this week. This follows the two from last week. The officer said, “I have a situation with three little girls. They are 7, 9, and 12. They are in foster care; but when I checked on them, they don’t have any decent shoes or clothes. They are getting ready to go back to school and they have nothing.” We sent out an email asking if anyone would be willing to help us gather up some school supplies and some clothing for these three girls. Literally within minutes, we had them taken care of completely - school supplies, clothing, and some other small items to take to them. Again, I believe this is where Jesus lives. I am so grateful for the hearts of our folks that are so eager to make a positive difference in the world around them. The beauty of this scenario is that we are going to have the opportunity to not just show charity, but also to build relationships. Small groups in our church are already “adopting” kids as their own to love and care for in tangible ways.
Monnie Bush and I had the opportunity to sit down with a wonderful African-American woman who works in the Juvenile system. She is a genuine Christ-follower and it shows through - both in her face and in her heart. She has a genuine love for these kids who are hard pressed. We had worked with her on a couple of projects, but we shared our vision and our dream for this endeavor. She shook her head in amazement. We asked her if she would be willing to partner with us and help us have a better perspective of the needs from her vantage point. She jumped at the chance to be a part of this. God just continues to amaze us as He opens doors and develops God-sized relationships. Only He knows where He is taking us all on this journey, but it has been one of the most extraordinary and rewarding opportunities of anything I have ever seen. One person can make a difference in one life that can change the world. There is a place for you to plug into this incredible excursion. Join a small group and get involved. Who knows, you just might change your world!
Last week, I was away with my family on one of the white sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast. There is something healing in these experiences for me. They always have been. Every time I set foot on one of these magnificent beaches around our country and look out over a vast ocean, I am reminded of how great God is and how small we all really are. Oh yeah, we get caught up in ourselves and our lives and we feel like life is bigger than we can imagine. Maybe we feel like our problems are enormous and no one can understand. Just stand on a beach for a few minutes. Listen as the waves gently roll in and out. Take in the vastness of the horizon and imagine all that is in front of you. God is magnificent in all of His creation, but there is something special in the ocean waterfront or a mountain view. It just puts it all in perspective!
While I was gone, our church continued to deal with Real Stuff…Real Stuff in a real world. I was thrilled when I heard about what God was doing in our church while I was away. First of all, we had another Juvenile Connections project. About 70 people crossed racial, economic, and cultural lines and built bridges of relationship. About 30 kids from the juvenile system and about 40 people from The Gathering spent a Saturday together bowling, eating pizza, laughing, and making a difference. Maybe the highlight of the day, aside from some really meaningful conversations, was when some of the kids from The George Foster Home asked, “Do you think we could come to your church?” Why not, we are the perfect place for imperfect people!
Right on the heels of a great day like that, we had one of the Home Run weekends of our year. Even on vacation, I got a couple of calls from people saying, “Wow, this was unbelievable. There wasn’t a dry eye in our worship today.” We focused on Real Stuff in the world around us. John and Kathy Craft talked about how their first trip to a homeless/poor ministry called Sugartree had impacted their lives. Ron Reigelsperger, who is a supervisor of the Montgomery County Juvenile System, also came and spoke. He stated that in thirty years of doing this, he had never seen anything like this. Churches had come to them in the past, offered money, and two or three people who would stand on the sidelines and watch the kids. Ron said, “I don’t know what is in the Kool-Aid here, but you people are for real.” (See, the rumors are true! J ) He went on to say, “Your folks love on our kids, embrace them, and our kids notice the difference.”
Amazingly, six months ago, we went to the Montgomery County Juvenile System and asked, “Can we partner with you?” They looked at us with a yeah, yeah expression and said, “We’ll try this.” Six months later, their representative said to our spiritual family, “The system wants to partner with you!” The next day, we received a phone call from a probation officer regarding a sixteen-year-old young lady who needed help. The officer said, “I don’t know who you guys are, but I have heard about your church.” When Monnie Bush, the director of our Victory Project, was recently at a preliminary hearing for another young man, this probation officer came up to him and hugged him. She said, “I can’t wait to work with you guys.” You know what…this is where Jesus lives! Last night, over 30 more of our people went down to Sugartree and loved on some people who have been hard pressed by life. At this point I will quote Ron Reigelsperger again who said, “This is the way church ought to be done.”
Last Sunday, Jake Daniel, our Next Generation Pastor, spoke about Real Stuff in our families. So many people have commented to me that this was exactly what they needed to hear. Some of our families, who have deep hurts, walked out with tears, but renewed commitment and hope. This is what we are about. We are not a place for the pretty, the plastic, and the perfect. But we are a perfect place for imperfect people to find hope, help, and healing for their lives. Whenever this happens, it is beyond words. I am thrilled at what God is doing here. To be honest, I have pastored in larger churches, but I have never seen larger life change than what is taking place here.
On a couple of occasions now, we have risked outdoor events. Each time we do this, we run the risk that anywhere from a dozen to several hundred people will make plans to be at an event and the weather will unplan it for us. Each time it has been remarkable. Each time we have all commented at how perfect the day has been. This past Sunday, though, somehow seemed to top them all! The weather could not have been more perfect as The Gathering began assembling on the banks of Eastwood Lake for our first outdoor baptism party. This was a first for me. In over twenty years of being a pastor, I have never participated in an outdoor baptism. So, I was excited to be a part of this day of tremendous memories. Jesus said in Luke 15:7 (NIV) “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” As people began to assemble and pull out their lawn chairs, as kids tossed Frisbees and footballs, and as spiritual family members greeted one another, I couldn’t help but think, “Heaven is about to throw a party!” Surely God must be smiling to see His kids getting together to throw a party and have eight more people declare their love, loyalty, and allegiance to Jesus Christ.
I had not been to this particular place; but as it began to take shape, I thought that this is almost like a John the Baptist moment. (Minus the speed boats! J) There was a perfect hill slowly sloping into the water. As our spiritual family began moving down to the water, it looked like a biblical scene almost that you would picture in your mind of Jesus standing at the banks of the Sea of Galilee and teaching the people about the Kingdom of God. Throw in a microphone for twenty-first century effect and we were ready to go. In those moments, you could see it. You could see the first-century church and the twenty-first century church coming together in a God-shaped experience. An ancient ritual symbolic of the spiritual renewal of regeneration was passed from the first church to the current church. For two thousand years now, followers of Jesus Christ have been walking into water to follow His example. We could also see the fulfillment of prophecy in the meshing together of the two baptisms. These words of Jesus were recorded in Acts 11:16 (NLT): “Then I thought of the Lord's words when he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'” In keeping with the Great Commission, we were helping disciples to become obedient followers of Jesus by publicly declaring their hope in the Christ life. And in the very same moment, we were being dunked in the baptism of God’s mighty spirit by hearing these extraordinary stories of faith. The power of God to change a life left very few dry eyes.
One by one they came to the water. First, a father to baptize his daughter: a culminating moment! From the first time Dad had wrapped his arms around his little girl, he had given her life to Jesus. Dad and Mom had poured a lifetime of faith into this child; and now, to walk into the water of this lake and have it become sacred ground…wow! The next two sets, father and son, came to experience baptism together. One generation embracing faith simultaneously with the next. An instant legacy was formed. These sons will never forget the day they were baptized next to their dads. And we won’t soon forget it either. A beautiful young woman tearfully shared with us how God had redirected her path and her values. The passion with which she committed her life to Christ moved us all. Finally, a husband and a wife come to the water’s edge together. We learned that they were sharing their first anniversary as husband and wife together there with us. Their moving story was one of redemptive love not only experienced in their lives together, but also from a merciful and awesome God. The whole experience was a gift from God to those on that hillside that day. But not just to us… Just off in a respectful distance, a couple of boats full of spectators pulled up to take in this unusual Sunday afternoon at the lake. As they discovered what was taking place, they also cheered as each person came up out of the water. Only God knows where this story ends….
If only a glimmer, I think we saw a little bit of Heaven that day. We retreated back up the hill to eat, enjoy our friendship, and play. As the sun went down, like a picture glistening over the water, it was almost perfect. And until we get to Heaven, I don’t know that it gets much better than this! We have been a church for eight months now. In that time, we have watched forty-nine people follow Christ at our two baptism parties. Some of those baptized have the most extraordinary stories I have ever heard.
Thank you, Gathering family, for the way you are allowing God to use you. I am so glad to see what Christ intended with the body of Christ!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It is an amazing thing that God does, but if you think about it…it makes sense. God takes a broken group of people and pieces together an army to take back the terrain that belongs to the Kingdom of God. He even told us He would do it this way. 1 Cor. 1:27 (NLT) “…God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10 (NLT) “…`My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. [10] Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” So, why are we surprised when He starts to do what He said He would do? This is so like God; only He can get the credit for it.
This week, it happens again in story after story. God takes a people called The Gathering, and He is using us to bring back prisoners of war. This week, one of our team members who has invested a great deal into the lives of one of the young men we have met through Juvenile Connections was able to hear the result. Unfortunately, crying out from the pain of an already incredible life, Michael has now run into conflict with the law. A few weeks back, he attempted suicide as a result of losing his mother to drugs and his brother to a drive-by shooting within weeks of each other, leaving him without any family in this life. The foster system threw him into an untenable situation. Monnie Bush, the Director of our Victory Project was there at the arraignment. He was able to tell him that we are not giving up on him. On Wednesday, Michael stood and spoke for the permanent court record. He told the judge and everyone listening, “I want to thank those people from that church for not giving up on me. I am looking forward to going to a baseball game with them as soon as I get out. I want everyone to know that since I have been here, I have rededicated my life to Jesus Christ.”
Sunday, Nick was back! He has had a few tough weeks in his recovery from addiction. It was cool to watch, though, as he hugged people in his new spiritual family and said, “I have missed you!” We had missed him, too; and he was hugged back by our family. Not only had he come back, though; he brought a friend. His friend was another one of those precious people to Jesus who hadn’t been near anything resembling a church in any recent times. He had some piercings that I am not quite sure how they were able to pull them off, but he hung out with us. And I considered it an honor to hang out with him! Another guy told me of his problems of being framed in a court situation. We prayed together. I encouraged him to walk a little closer to Jesus. On Tuesday, he emailed me and told me that the situation couldn’t have gone any better. I think he is going to walk closer to Jesus now. It just never ceases to amaze me how God is changing people’s lives!
This week, we called the record label of an urban music company in New Jersey to ask permission to use their song on a video. Within a couple of days, the Vice President of the company called us back at the church office. He asked what we were doing in Dayton, OH that we wanted to use their music. When we explained the Victory Project to him and our desire to reach people in the entire city, he replied, “You use any of our music any way you want to. And by the way, would you send us a copy of your video when you get it put together so that we could use it on some of the things we are doing here in New Jersey?” We serve an absolutely amazing God! Who knew that by shaking up the devil’s domain here in Dayton, He might start a few tremors in New Jersey and other places as well.
We may not look like much to the big and the bad out there. In fact, I am sure some church people would turn up their noses at what we are undertaking. Yet, I think that is exactly why God is showing up in such extraordinary ways. He wants to blow the minds of the wise and the strong, and He wants the credit for the Kingdom stuff that is done. God is using The Gathering to spread a message of hope to those who need it the most. God isn’t knocking down doors for us; he is blowing the whole wall up. Montgomery County Services is now steering people to us. They are telling them, “Contact this church. These people are for real and they will help you.” People in their system are saying, “I don’t go to church; but if I did, I would go to one like The Gathering. You folks are doing it the right way.” Wow! What a gift!!! The people who Jesus would be hanging with if He were walking and ministering and teaching in our city are starting to know who we are. We serve an amazing God!
Experiencing Grace, John
Several weeks ago, I began using a phrase to describe our church. We’ve called it `a perfect place for imperfect people.’ Allow me a moment to consider our meaning of this phrase. First of all, the word `perfect.’ There is no perfect place. I have never been to Hawaii, but I have been to Jamaica and the Gulf Coast. I have seen the peaks of the Colorado Rockies and the beauty of the Western Pacific Coast. Vienna, Austria is the most beautiful city I have ever seen, but in this life…there is no perfect place. Beneath the spectacular beauty of these and other glorious landscapes, there are imperfections everywhere. And there certainly is no perfect church either. Quite the opposite! Most churches are consumed by consumers. By stating this is the perfect place, we are just saying this is a fit. This is an opportunity for us to provide a safe place for real people to find help. This is an opportunity for us to provide a non-threatening environment for people to drop their guards and the plastic mask that they hide behind.
The truth is most people would be scared to death to do something like that…let down their guard that is. They have seen what happens when you are vulnerable with people in general. Savage is not a strong enough word to describe how people can take advantage of one another. It is crazy what we do to one another in this human experience; and yet it is the very fact that the world itself is imperfect that lends itself to such hypocrisy, and personal destruction. Abuse of every form, addiction, broken hearts, broken relationships, and broken lives are all examples of the results of living in this imperfect place called life. That is why it is such a powerful offer to say to our community, “You can trust this. This is a safe place.” And while we don’t claim to be perfect, this is a good fit for your needs.
Next is the whole concept of a place for imperfect people. Actually it is a play on words. We are all imperfect people. Some of them just don’t know it yet! Oh, they may say that they’re not perfect; but deep down, they believe they are pretty doggone close. So, for people who have gotten over themselves, for people who are tired of the plastic perfect games, for people who are tired of maintaining an image to disguise the real thing, have we got a deal for you. Come, relax and enjoy the difference. Experience the oasis from the world around you. This is a place especially created by a vision to embrace the heart of God. God loves people the world rejects as imperfect. When others have their arms cocked to throw rocks, God has His arms open to embrace and provide shelter. When others are condemning, God is redeeming. His hand is not extended to arm, but to lift us out of the dirt and the dust of this imperfect world.One more comment about this topic. As I have already said, all of us qualify, not all of us know we do. Through the Victory Project, our church has embraced those that Jesus particularly identified as the target group. Specifically, the poor, the prisoner, the overlooked, and the left out are on His heart. So, we have gone to them and tried to show them the love and life of Christ in shoe leather. Yet, this is not the entirety of our mission. Imperfect people are everywhere. They live in suburbs just like they live in inner cities. They are executives, secretaries, teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, and computer technologists. Some have a lot of money and some have very little. Some have tremendous education, and some barely received any. Some have visible problems, and some have hidden ones; but everyone has the chance to walk equally at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ - to there find forgiveness, hope, and a new beginning. For some of us, it is an opportunity to reconnect in a deep and meaningful way with our faith. Wherever this life finds you, I invite you to come to a place where grace and people meet. We will love you for who you are. You can fit right in. And maybe most importantly, you can make a new way in life that involves the purpose and the hope you have been desiring!
This past week, as our church worshipped, I looked out and saw a couple who six months ago was disconnected spiritually. It had literally been decades since they had been in a church. I am grateful to be in a place where they and all of us feel free to be ourselves. I am grateful to be honest with our self, our Savior, and our spiritual community.
Experiencing Grace,
John
Eight months ago, our church embarked on a spiritual journey. Starting a church is no easy task. Like most things, getting the ball rolling is not the hard part. It is growing beyond the initial rush of energy and adrenaline to building something that lasts…something that really matters. I have been a follower of Jesus Christ for 33 years now. I have been in Christian leadership for 21 of those years. Needless to say, I have witnessed a lot and I have learned a lot. One of the things I believe with all my heart is that we are slow learners. I haven’t given up on the church because I don’t believe that Jesus has. Yet after 2,000 years of history, the church seems to repeat the same mistakes over and over. How is it that Jesus was so transparent with His message, and yet it constantly becomes recalibrated through our cultural expressions?
It is liberating to be able to take a swing at the plate and ask God to truly create in us a spiritual community which reflects what He wants His church to be in the real world around us. I am 100% certain that we are missing it in some areas because we are a flawed group of people. However, I do believe that, being free from denominational encumbrances, years of traditional baggage, and ugly attitudes of members who have poisoned the church with their memberships since Noah got off the boat, we have a once- in-a-lifetime shot to give this our all! We have the chance to give ourselves to the noble cause of radically taking Jesus Christ at His own words. We can dare to dream what a church might look like if it were one that He would be comfortable to be a part of were He to walk among us today. I challenge you to think about it…He probably wouldn’t choose the churches you think He would.
As we continue to grow in this regard, this summer we are focusing our attention on a series called ‘Real Stuff.’ We are going to be talking about reality in our lives, our church, our community, our world, and our families. Real stuff is courageous enough to stop hiding behind the pretenses of false projections. We are throwing away the plastic facades of hypocritical church people who pretend to be who they never intend to be. We have rejected the condescension of judgmental Christians who elevate themselves by looking down on others and pretending their sins are less offensive to God than others around them. We are m0ving beyond the obnoxious turnoff to unbelievers of self-righteous, know-it-all, always have to be right Christians.
America says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" These are the words on the Statue of Liberty welcoming the world to New York Harbor. Why should the message of the church veer away from an even greater calling? I believe that Jesus taught us as the church to say, “Give Me your battered, your broken, your hopeless, and your rejected. I AM the beacon of light that they are looking for and I WILL give them life both now and eternally.” Churches advertise, teach marketing strategies (evangelism), and offer signs and slogans to invite the community to come to their buildings. The truth be told, this crowd would never darken the door of the average church any more than a poor, homeless immigrant would join one of our local country clubs. They would be rejected for their language, dress, scent, and their failure to acquire the appropriate standards of a respectable church community. Ironically, these are just the people who Jesus is looking for to be a part of His spiritual family. Don’t believe me? Listen to the religious professors and biblical scholars of His day. Matthew 11:19 (GW) “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and people say, 'Look at him! He's a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'”
So, I have a question for you to ponder…who is really a friend to someone who is far from God? The woman who shows up without fail to church fresh from the beauty parlor with every hair perfectly in place? The man who would never lower his standards to be around people who smoke, or drink, or cuss, or otherwise sin, because of what the deacons would say about his reputation? The articulate teacher who can dazzle with Greek verbs, historical insights, or hermeneutical genius? I believe if we are to accomplish our mission, we have to get over ourselves and the selfish ways we build churches to cater to our own needs and desires. We have to stop thinking we are better than everybody else, know everything, and believing that we are always right and others are always wrong. Sinners ran to Jesus and run from His followers today. What if we got over ourselves and went to people who needed Jesus in their lives. ‘I wouldn’t know what to do’, you say. Here is a story straight from the pages of Jesus’ life. Luke 5:18-20, 24 (NLT) “Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to push through the crowd to Jesus, [19] but they couldn't reach him. So they went up to the roof, took off some tiles, and lowered the sick man down into the crowd, still on his mat, right in front of Jesus. [20] Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven. I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins.’ Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!’" Now there are some true friends!
Yes, even with Jesus in the room there were people who were critical and accused Jesus of both sin and compromise. In their “purity” they would later kill Him for this and other heinous healings. Make your choice where you want to plant your spiritual roots. As for me, I want to be where broken people are being made whole, not in a place where self-righteous people are constantly commending themselves and thinking of new ways to spiritualize selfishness! Our church is a hospital…the perfect place for imperfect people. If you are looking for a real connection to God without all the baggage of traditional religion, bring your mat. We will try to give you a seat right in front of Jesus!
Experiencing Grace,
John
This past week, I got a phone call from a friend of mine inviting me to attend his men’s small group. This group consists of several men in our church, along with some other guys who they reach out to on a regular basis. They have a standing meeting one night every week. They have a meal together, do some Bible study, and then spend some time praying together. Throughout the whole evening though they just spend time, usually two to three hours, together. Since the timing worked out with my schedule on this particular day, I called him back and told him I was in. I am really glad that I went. It was such a gift to be a part of their group experience that night. I have always been and still am today a strong proponent of the small group community. On this particular night, I was able to see firsthand just what a powerful experience this is in the lives of these men. I understood what draws them back week after week to be with one another.
As the guys begin rolling in around 7:00, there are the “reconnection” moments. Light chatter filled the deck as we watched the forming rain clouds of the coming storm. Guys are checking in with each other and reconnecting their lives as a part of the group. This doesn’t seem like much, some might call it `small talk’, but it is. It is a necessary ritual that established identity with each person as a vital and welcome part of the group. After spending a week out in the realities of the world we live in, there is a safety and a security in knowing that there are people who still care about you. Bonds are formed by repeating this process over and over for weeks, months, and even years at a time. These bonds will grow in strength and commitment as the group grows in authenticity.
The call goes out…it is dinner time. The host, whose house is the usual meeting place, tells me, “It is just me and my son here. We don’t need a big table; but I went out and bought one, so that all of us could eat together.” This night, I was one of several guests who had been included. So, thirteen chairs went around the long and co-joined tables. I don’t know if you have ever stopped to think about it or not, but sharing a meal together is a spiritual experience. Oftentimes a first date will be over a meal. Good friends reconnect with each other by getting together for a meal. Business deals are often conducted in a more relaxed fashion by making it over a meal. We eat so much, we don’t think about it, but it is true. Can you imagine recalling the rest of your life, being there the day Jesus blessed a small order of Long John Silver’s and fed five thousand people? We see Jesus on several occasions going to someone’s home to fellowship over a meal. Perhaps the most powerful imagery of this reality, though, is when Jesus shares `the last supper’ with his twelve disciples. So, after a blessing in a mixture of English and Spanish (from our friend Pastor Jimmy, who is a Hispanic pastor) we broke bread and began to fellowship with each other around the table. There were moments of laughter and moments of sincere conversation. Service was modeled as some of the guys would check on and care for the rest of the table’s needs. As we met our physical needs of hunger, we also took care of some of our emotional and spiritual needs through nurturing conversation which established encouragement and connection.
We cleared the plates out of the way and started a spiritual meal. Pastor Jimmy kicked it off with some thoughts from a theme of scriptures. Ironically, it was the exact theme that I am currently using on the weekends at The Gathering. We talked about the renewed mind leading to a renewed life. From Proverbs to Romans to Ephesians we journeyed. I didn’t say a word as I listened to a group of men share their struggles in this journey. I listened to the amazing work that God was doing. To tell you the truth, this is quite a group. The group consisted this particular night of some past lives that were addictive and destructive. Finally, some of them looked at me and said, “You haven’t said a word in our Bible study. What are you thinking?” To which I began to tell them that it was a beautiful picture I was looking at around the table. Someone had joked earlier about the number of children we had if we added them up around the table. So, I said, “What would it look like if we added up the sin that we have fathered around this table?” An audible sigh led to a few comments. “And yet,” I said, “look at the work God has done in our lives by His grace around this table tonight. We have been transformed by an authentic power. We are set free from every form of addiction and self-destruction. Be encouraged!” I also told them that I had come from a different life. I had grown up and spent most of my adult life around `perfect church people’ and that I would rather be in that room with that group of guys any day. Wow! What an experience. This IS the power of God, and I believe this IS the place that Jesus would be hanging out were He wearing out shoe leather today.
We moved into a time of prayer. And although it didn’t sound like a room full of Bible professors, I KNOW these were prayers that God heard and that moved His heart. How can I say that with such certainty? I can because they were honest, unpolished, and straight from the heart. Luke 18:9-14 (NLT) “Then Jesus told this story to some who had great self-confidence and scorned everyone else: [10] `Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. [11] The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, [12] I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.' [13] "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' [14] I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored." Two and a half hours later, we broke up, hugged one another, and went on our way. As I drove home, I thank God for the experience and the reminder of the power of God. I also thanked Him for the power of these little communities that He creates. I would tell you, if you aren’t connected in one of these little life-giving communities (a Small Group), you have no idea what it is that you are missing! Dive in; it will change your life!
Experiencing Grace,
John
This past Sunday was a difficult day for me. Not for the typical reasons you might think make a Sunday difficult for a pastor. Summer has set in and people travel, play hooky, go on vacation, etc…. That is not what made this Summer Sunday hard, though. It was Father’s Day. Big deal you might say; it happens to roll around once a year. But this year was different. This year my dad wasn’t here. This year, Father’s Day made me realize how much I miss him. I miss being able to pick up the phone and say, “Hey Dad, how are you?” I miss hearing him say, “Hey son, I am great. How are you?” This year, Father’s Day reminded me that that particular voice of reason and wisdom is no longer able to speak into my life. He won’t ever say his proverbial, “Son, let me tell you something.” This line normally led into some type of solicited (or unsolicited) advice.
Don’t misunderstand. Death is as normal in life as birth. I know that I and my family were blessed to have eighty-two years with my dad. My mom was able to celebrate fifty years of marriage with my dad. He was able to see, know, and take pride in all of his grandchildren. There were many more untold blessings in having him for forty-two years in my life. When I was a boy, he taught me life lessons like: responsibility, truth, integrity, and character. He taught me how to work. I realize that many people never have the chance to know their dad this way. Others never take that chance. So, I am grateful. Somehow today, though, my gratitude for the wonderful memories doesn’t change the fact that I just miss him. I know this - I am a lot more sensitive when I hear of someone else losing a parent. No longer do they have my sympathy. Now they have my empathy.
If you have lost a parent, you know what I feel. It takes the legacy that my dad’s strong shoulders have borne and places it on me. It was also Father’s Day for me. I have four daughters, and they made my day very special. So did their mom. I am so blessed by a wonderful, loving, supportive family who loves and looks to me now as the standard bearer. I love them dearly. Yet, even my role as being a dad has changed my life and my view of life. I now better understand my dad’s ways with me. I better understand how he must have felt all the years and experiences we had together.
Most of all, I think that it has taught me how God must feel about us as His kids. Now that my dad lives with Jesus, and I can’t see or talk to him for a while, I am grateful that I still have a Father to talk to. I still have a Father who cares and offers wisdom and guidance. 1 John 3:1 (NLT) “See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are his children.” My God is the ultimate standard bearer. He stands steady and strong always. So, if you are in need of the strength of a Father today, give your dad a call. Tell him that you love him. If he is close enough, go see him. You won’t always have that chance. But if you’re like me, and you can’t pick up a phone or get in a car and go see your dad, then call out to your heavenly Father. He loves us more than we can imagine. I am grateful for the picture he gave me of that with my dad. I can’t wait to see them both!
Experiencing Grace,
John
When God gives you one of those days…you need to write it down. Saturday June 9, 2007 was one of those days! First of all, if you were outside, the weather was simply fantastic. In the second week of June it was like being in an air-conditioned room. The beauty and invigoration of the blue sky and warm sunshine were perfectly accompanied by a gentle breeze. As beautiful as the day was, there was an even more perfect picture captured on this day. Amid the thousands of people who made their way to Young’s Dairy Farm, there was a beautiful mixture that the masses may have missed; but God certainly didn’t .
It was the first effort of our Victory Project that we have attempted alone. We have participated in other projects, but this was “our baby.” Some kids have made bad choices, and others have been forced into unimaginable circumstances. Each has found themselves in the juvenile corrections system. Each of them are in need of a victory in their life. Several months ago, we began to ask God to give us a different vision for these kids. Saturday, this came to life. Juvenile corrections for us became Juvenile Connections. Ninety individuals comprised of kids, adult sponsors, and members of The Gathering came together for a day and an opportunity to connect. In these four hours, God was able to paint a mosaic of different racial, economic, and cultural differences into a mixture of fun, encouragement, and hope. It was a pleasure for me to watch with pride the members of The Gathering being the hands and heart of Jesus Christ. Business owners were hanging out with troubled teens. Suburbanites were caring for and caring about kids from the streets of the inner city.
Approximately 15 teams were formed between the kids, the counselors, and our folks. Anywhere from two to four kids were paired up with two or three different members of The Gathering. As they spent time together, had lunch, played games, and got to know one another, I was able to witness something you don’t see every day. One member of our team walked up to me in the middle of this day and said, “This is what it is all about!” The director of The Montgomery Juvenile Corrections Program: Building Bridges said to me, “I am so impressed by your people. Most groups that we participate with don’t get involved. Your people are for real. They mix with the kids and genuinely care.” He also said, “Some of these kids didn’t want to come to this voluntary event. When they heard The Gathering was going to be there, they wanted to come.” I am so proud of our church for being such caring and real people. I am proud of them for having a heart for people who are different from them. I believe our church is the perfect place for imperfect people.
Others may have spent the day working on their yards, lounging by a pool, running errands, or just plain chillin’; but these wonderful people spent the day making a difference. Only Heaven knows what this day meant in the lives of these kids. Only God knows what a difference this might make in the direction that one of them chooses to follow. Amazingly, something as simple as a round of putt putt, a trip to the batting cage or the driving range, or sharing a sandwich can be a day that one of these kids never forgets. Some of our folks discovered you can have fun, and have an impact doing it. It just may be the day that starts a long-term investment in a relationship that alters a destiny. I want to say thanks to Monnie and a bunch of my friends. You are dream makers and you make a difference. Matthew 25:40 (NLT) “And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Way to go, Gathering…I am proud to be a part of you!
Experiencing Grace, John
Last week, I made a brief getaway with some friends on a fishing expedition. There were the usual bouts of laughter and relaxation that takes place whenever friends get together. We had some unexpected stress, though, in our return travel. We arrived at the airport to come home, only to find out that our plane had been delayed significantly by bad weather in Chicago. Since this was the last flight out for Saturday evening, I began to develop a small level of anxiety. I was scheduled to speak the next morning and it was already going to be a late night (make that early morning). Should I call and let someone know? After all, I would hate to throw it on somebody else on Sunday morning that I didn’t make it back and “Oh, by the way, you’re speaking today!”
You hear people say that nothing happens by accident. My friends and I believe that we know exactly why God delayed our plane. No, there was no crash or anything like that, but more like a divine appointment scheduled. We grabbed a bite to eat at one of the restaurants in the airport. It was at this point that we met Joy. A 21-year-old waitress who had to put up with our foolishness and teasing. Somehow, though, this created an environment for a deeper conversation. After the meal and after the silliness, we were able to have a much deeper conversation. Since it was late and the airport was quiet, Joy was able to stand at our table and talk with us for ten or fifteen minutes. These are ten or fifteen minutes that I will not soon forget. Much to my chagrin initially, one of my friends had identified me as a pastor to her. I have to confess, I hate that. Not because of being a pastor, but because of what it does to other people. All of a sudden, all of the weirdness of every negative stereotype comes screaming at them telling them to “run before it is too late!” Somehow on this night, though, it started a conversation with Joy.
Something about us seemed different to her. She began asking us questions about our church. As she did, we fell into the predictable routine of steering her to websites and business cards. It was at about this point that she opened up to us. She declared, “I am a Zen Buddhist.” I think she did this first feeling that we might be a safe group to tell that sort of thing. I don’t know, maybe she did it for shock value to see how this group of evangelical Christians would respond to such a revelation. Either way, there it was. Four Christian guys just hanging out with a Buddhist, having a chat.
We asked her how she had arrived at the conviction of being a Zen Buddhist. She said that she had searched many religions, and this was the place that she had discovered peace in herself. Interesting, we thought. But why Zen Buddhism? Not many people go searching on a quest for inner peace and joy and find it there. At least not many in the West. Then she told us that she had grown up in the home of Christian ministers. Her parents had been Christian pastors. She told us that her home had been anything but peaceful and joyful. In fact, it had been abusive. A harsh conformity to rigid legalities had been inflicted as well as enforced. Anger, screaming, beatings, all ironic enforcements of an adherence to Christianity. She had left her home an emotional mess. From there, her anger toward organized religion had led her to become an agnostic. After a number of sessions from professional help, she had made her quest that led her to Buddhism. She still doesn’t believe in God, but she does believe she has discovered the path to inner peace and joy. We thanked her for a meaningful exchange and headed off to catch our now arrived plane.
So what do four Christian guys feel like when they walk away from a conversation like this? I have to confess that I felt so sorry for her. I felt sorry that she had been abused as a child. I felt sorry that she had seen such a poor misrepresentation of Jesus Christ and His message. I wanted to tell her a hundred times how sorry I was that Christianity is so often represented this way! I wanted to tell her “thank you” for the gift of this conversation. I hope that somewhere along the way she meets at least one Christian who looks and acts like Jesus. I hope she sees that the authentic message of Jesus is one of real peace and joy. These are the very things He promised us. And, I hope that she comes to believe that Jesus was more than a prophet. I believe He is who He says He is. I don’t know, maybe she saw something different in us than the other Christians she has seen in the past. I can only hope. I want her to know that although I may disagree with her conclusion, I would never judge or condemn her. I also wanted to tell her that she is my friend. So, Joy, if you are reading this, I meant what I said. You are a very mature and special young lady. I do apologize for all the wrong done to you in the name of Jesus Christ. You are my friend. And, I hope to see you again someday! Maybe we can have another great conversation.
Experiencing Grace,
John
Jerry Falwell died this week. You had to know what was coming. One headline said, “He Rallied Some, Divided Others.” Another headline wrote, “The Face of the Religious Right Dies.” I am not sure if they were celebrating or not. Whatever you thought of Jerry Falwell, you had to think something. Hardly anyone was neutral when it came to Falwell. Like most of us, I think he was a mixture of strengths and weaknesses. No question, he took a stand for religious values in America. He led Thomas Road Baptist Church to great accomplishment and founded Liberty University, where today some 27,000 students are being educated. He had influence and the ear of most of the recent presidents of the United States. He was a frequent “expert” guest on many of the talk shows as pertinent issues would come up. I believe that Jerry Falwell in his own way served God the way he felt led to do so.
I started wondering this week, though. With all the talk of The Face of The Religious Right, what does the face of Christianity look like? Certainly different people would answer that question differently. Perhaps different individuals or different groups would suggest one of their leaders. Maybe it would be a political powerhouse like Falwell, or maybe it would be a compassionate activist like Mother Teresa. Some would certainly offer Billy Graham or Robert Schuller. Either way, it would be from our vantage point. No, I think we should use moments and phrases like this one to go back to our gold standard. The face of Christianity is Jesus Christ. He is the only true representation and the only one there ever will be. All the rest of us are imitators.
So, what was the face of Jesus? Would anybody recognize Him today? I doubt sincerely that He would come and dive into our systems of organized religion. He wouldn’t be one of the redeemed, self-righteous know-it-alls that claim to be following Him. Matthew 11:19 (NLT) “And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!' But wisdom is shown to be right by what results from it.” Just a thought … why is it that sinners were drawn to Jesus, and yet today they run from His followers? We have turned Christianity into something it was never intended to be. Church is not a place for self-righteous snots to come and strut how much better they are than others. It should be a hospital for sinners. That is if we are at all interested in the true face of Christianity.
I received a kind, gracious and encouraging email this week from someone who said they were so grateful and excited to be a part of The Gathering. When they gave the rationale for such a statement, the person said, “You guys are real. There is no pretentious
façade.” They went on to say they were grateful to have such a warm, loving and safe place to worship. While I am very grateful for such a gift of words, I know that my face certainly doesn’t look like His yet. How about you? Does your life reflect the face of Christianity? A good way to test this question is this…do broken people run to you or from you?
Experiencing Grace,
John
Life is sometimes thrilling, sometimes hard, sometimes just plain weird. Recently, I had one of those weird days. In the middle of the busyness of a routine day, tragedy struck. A friend of mine walked in and asked me to help him break the news to his family of an unexpected death. As I made my way to the house, I thought about how unpredictable life can be. Most all of us seem to subconsciously think we will live forever. And in some way I think this inadvertently causes us to take life for granted. We just believe we’ll live to be ninety-nine, go to sleep one night and just not wake up. The truth is I plan to live a long time, but I don’t know if I will live another week. James 4:14 (NLT) “How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone.”
As I sat there with this grieving family, they were wrestling with the questions we all do at a time like this. Why did this have to happen? Why did this have to happen now? What are we going to do? You offer the comfort of God’s presence, but we all seem shocked by the obvious. Death, whether we think appropriately timed or not, is as natural a part of life as birth is. We just respond differently.
Grieving is a normal, natural part of our human experience. And I honestly
believe that when we grieve, God grieves with us. One member of the family looked at the children and said, “You know, this ole world is something else…some good, some not so good.” This made an impact on me. It is so true. One minute, you can be busy minding your own business, and the next high-jacked by the unknowns in this life. I walked out with a sense of sobriety about life. There was a heaviness to the moment.
Literally within a couple of hours, I drove to another part of town where I attended a wedding I was to perform that night. These people knew nothing of the first group. As every wedding should be, there was an air of celebration of life and love. People were smiling and laughing and enjoying the environment of a party. What a contrast from where I had just been. I felt a little weird at first as I walked in and smiled back at these happy people.
This was no ordinary wedding, though. For me, this wedding was special. Both the bride and the groom had discovered a brand new relationship with Christ in their lives within the last several months. Not only were they marrying with hope for their future, but they were also marrying with the hope of God now being involved in their home. They were my brand new brother and sister.
And there it was. The moment I guess I had been seeking. To just know whether you are laughing or crying, whether it is a celebration or a broken heart, God is there! So whatever we are going through in this life, I for one am grateful for the presence of God in all of it! Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Experiencing Grace,
John
Lose hope, and you more than likely lose your grip. One of the tasks that we have as followers of Jesus Christ is to offer hope to people who seem to have run out of hope. Too many churches are camps for the members. Every desire and every want is expected of the collective effort. I believe from reading scripture that Jesus cares about and gave the bulk of His attention to those who were near the breaking point. He was a distributor of hope to help in the times of brokenness.
Now, we are talking about the serious stuff here. Not the pie in the sky, spiritualized, soupy stuff, that Christianese is notorious for spitting out. Too often, Christians tend to spiritualize life into phrases or clichés. No, this is a sincere hope. This is a solid, confident assurance that God is in control and that I can trust Him completely.
One of our team members recently made a visit to someone who is at the end of a rope. For confidentiality, I won’t give a name or a lot of detail. However, I will tell you that the person was in jail. And I will tell you that through the conversation, we discovered this individual to be a pretty tough case. Yet, it seems that God delights in the big ones, because He alone gets the credit for these breakthroughs. This individual, who has to maintain a pretty tough demeanor, became misty-eyed when he was reminded that God loved him. Where a chemical dependence and a whole lot of bad choices had left him in absolute despair, he regained a glimmer of hope, just in knowing that God loved him. We know this not only by his reaction in that moment, but because he later told his family he hadn’t felt this much hope in a long time. A turnaround of perspective from a simple conversation that clarified a reason to hope.
It is a powerful thing when you believe in the future. Optimism is one thing, but a true belief is something altogether different. I have found in my life, and those that I have crossed paths with, that hope provides strength to face tomorrow. It is the rock that holds us in the storms of life. Thus a life verse for me comes to mind…Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NLT) “For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. [12] In those days when you pray, I will listen. [13] If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. [14] I will be found by you," says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land." Thank God for the way He restores hope to the broken heart, and how He daily offers hope to each weary pilgrim.
Experiencing Grace,
John
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit in a staff meeting. On an impromptu impulse, I asked everyone at the table to take a minute, and share what was going on in their areas of responsibility. They could share victories, struggles, needs, problems, or successes…whatever. They just had to share what they thought others in the room needed to hear and know about their part in our journey.
And so we were off. One by one, we went around the room and began to talk about our plans, our needs, (there are endless needs in a church family) and our celebrations. Incredibly, the power of our passion and commitment didn’t lessen the needs, but somehow made them seem more like opportunities. But it was the celebrations that made these brief moments special. Each person was able to talk about what they were seeing God do in their areas of responsibility. This was real stuff. Not the usual canned phrases of church people. We were individuals moved and motivated by what we were seeing, what we were hearing, and what we knew God to be doing.
We began to talk about how genuine community was breaking out in small groups all through our church. People felt safe, and so they were being transparent with each other. Tremendous struggles were being shared and others within those small groups were helping shoulder the load. Impenetrable bonds were developing in people’s commitment to one another. Others talked about truly seeing God provide for needs. (So often, it is nothing more than organizational resources) There was no mistaking these circumstances. This was God making sure He got the credit.
I guess the thing that moved us most though was how God still changes lives and destinations. Some of the staff had the chance to walk with Jesus as about a dozen of our folks reached out through The Victory Project last weekend. Those who were there had the chance to hang out with teenagers that are caught up in a system that intends to rehabilitate them. In the end, we were the ones who came away with the rewards. (and the burdens) We met one sixteen year old this weekend and his story broke our hearts. He had lost his mom and older brother within weeks of each other. He is looking for a home and looking to make sense out of this world. What do you do? Well, we’ll dry our tears and go put our arms around him. Just maybe we can lighten his load a bit.
Another friend will be walking out of jail in a couple of days. And since he has recently started a relationship with Christ, he will walk out a new person. Another lady lay on her death bed and thank God, she met Jesus this week too. She now knows where she is headed. The depth of these and other stories like them brought most of us to tears. These were the good kind though. The kind you cry and say, “thank you God for letting me be a part of something so special!” These are the moments you live for.
Experiencing Grace,
John
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