BLeach

Forever Young

 

Can't believe my mom turns sixty today!  And if you could see her I know you'd be surprised as well.

I'm thankful that as I creep up on thirty, I have a front row seat to watch my mom age so gracefully.  She's full of life, working full time, learning to be a grandmother, and leading the hospitality ministries at our church.  She made her fifties count!

No one has made more personal sacrifices to see me succeed than my mom.  No one.

Mom, I honor you today!  Thanks for twenty-nine years of non-stop love, prayers, encouragement, and support.  I love you!

The Challenge of Crafting a Good Challenge

I strive as a preacher to include certain elements in every message.

• Exposition/Explanation (what the Bible says)
• Illustration (appealing to the senses)
• Application (connecting to real life)
• Inspiration (get up and go)

I personally have to work the hardest at application.  And I have to guard against two mistakes.

Broad Application: The prophet Nathan could tell parables all day and get David to agree as long as they were general enough.  Generalized applications, made with broad, sweeping statements, get everyone to agree without anyone feeling personally challenged.  But truth hits home when the parable ends with "You're the man!"

Narrow Application: The opposite extreme is to get too specific.  If I only apply a message to twenty-nine year old Pistons fans who have been married less than four months, then 99% of the church will checkout and assume, "That one wasn't for me."

The great challenge in preaching is crafting a challenge that applies to everyone in a personal way.  That takes hard work, a few re-writes, unending interaction with real people, some newspaper/magazine subscriptions, and a whole lot of dependence on the Holy Spirit.

I Still Do

Sunday was my 100th day of marriage.  Incredible how fast three months can pass!

Last night I had a dream that I was back at my wedding again.  Like most dreams, a good chunk of it was incoherent.  I didn't recognize the place.  I didn't even recognize a few people in the bridal party.  But I recognized Leah, because when I woke up I felt just like I felt when I first watched her walk down the aisle 102 days ago. 

Absolutely grateful.

Then I turned to my left to make sure that she was still lying next to me and that I hadn't dreamed the entire past three months:)  And sure enough, Sleeping Beauty was there!

The dream got me thinking about the nature of commitment.  I didn't realize on January 19 that in 100 days I would feel even more confident about making a life-time commitment to Leah.  But I do.  The confidence I felt in my covenant decision three months ago was real.  But today it's even more real.

Commitment is difficult for many people today.  Do I commit to my girlfriend?  My boyfriend?  My church?  There are obviosly several factors that go into such big decisions.  But when it's the right person, or the right church, I wonder why we hesitate.

One of the most common questions I get from spiritual seekers whenever an opportunity for water baptism comes up in our church has to do with the weight of commitment.  How do I know if I can commit the rest of my life to Christ?  I still have so many imperfections?  What if I fail Him?

But here's the strange thing: The feeling of confidence that we think we're missing, that we're waiting for, it often grows after we make the commitment. 

I remember hearing Rick Warren say that we don't grow to commitments, we grow through commitments.  What if growth doesn't always precede commitment?  What if the courage to commit actually produces conviction that we wouldn't stumble upon simply by waiting?

I made a commitment to Leah 100 days ago when I looked into her eyes and said, "I do."  Now, after three months of laughter, conversation, and tears, I still do. 

And much to my surprise, I think I mean it even more.

On the Clock

This is the Super Bowl for Lion's fans:)

Say a prayer...

Growing Pains

Our church is really enjoying some fun momentum right now.  Guest Central was packed on Sunday morning with about twenty first time guests.  We consider every guest who comes in our church to be a gift from God.  Great to have so many gifts this past weekend!

Our hospitality team brought in extra chairs to line the back wall of the sanctuary.  And one of our leaders just told me that she got blocked out of the sanctuary during meet and greet.  She couldn't get through the door because of all the people in the way!

Huge thanks belongs to so many committed volunteers and leaders who faithfully serve the mission of Church of the King.  Jesus is using you!

Tonight we gather to simply worship.  That's it.  The band is warming up now to lead us in a night of surrender.  So grateful to Jesus for the opportunity to do life and ministry with this community of people.

2008 Book List

Just updated the book list on my sidebar. The majority of the books I've read have been required reading for my graduate studies. While my class reading has felt a bit overwhelming at times, I'm thankful that school has pushed me to be a better reader. And fortunately, I've found most of the books to be helpful. I've also been able to squeeze in a few by choice.

Here are some notables:

Most Interesting Story-Line: Out of the Silent Planet (What if there is life on other planets, and what if those people never chose to sin?)

Most Underlined: The Leadership Challenge (It will stay on my frequent resource shelf)

Every Church Planter Should Read: Leading at the Speed of Growth (I wish I'd read it six years ago)

Could've Gone Without: Leading Turnaround Churches (Wake me up when I'm done)

Most Intellectually Stimulating: The Reason for God (It shows up again on this list)

Most Feminine Cover: Becoming Naturally Therapeutic (It took a lot to take it out in public)

Fastest Page Turner: The Kite Runner (Incredible story of guilt and redemption. Couldn't put it down)

Best Overall: The Reason for God (Seriously, this one vaulted to my top five all time. It's a brilliant apologetic for postmodern skeptics).

Laugh Without Smiling

This was the challenge Leah inspired me to take during a quick study break today.

Go ahead.  Try it!

It's toughter than you think:)

Marriage and Macs

I'm typing this post on Leah's new Mac. She's had it for less than 24 hours and I already feel less cool than her. I also think she's begun to look at me differently; dropping hints as to why my Dell no longer measures up.

I feel a distance growing between us...

Should I be concerned?

Inquisitive Little Minds

Kim Burton, one of the leaders in our church, teaches fourth grade at Hanley Academy in Hamtramck. She was selected by the school to help organize career day, and invited me to speak in five classes about what I do as a pastor. I felt so grateful to see Kim serving in her missional environment.

And the kids were a riot:)

Figuring out how to explain my job to a fourth grader is one of the most helpful exercises I've done in awhile. I talked about various aspects of pastoral ministry, but landed on one big idea. I help people have a clear concept of God. As we go through life, our view of God tends to become blurry. I help people clear away the cobwebs to see who God is.

My favorite part of the day was definitely the questions. So random. So unique. The questions were less theological, but interesting nonetheless. Here's one memorable exchange from Kim's class.

Curious Fourth Grader: What do you do with your church at night?

Me: What do you mean?

Curious Fourth Grader: Do you have security guards who watch the building?

Me: No, we just lock the doors. That usually works pretty well.

Another Curious Fourth Grader: What if someone breaks through the window?

Me: Then we have insurance. Any more questions?

Leroy Barber on Building a Blended Church

I enjoyed a question and answer time with Leroy Barber.  Good to ask him some questions as an African American leader about how I, as a young white pastor, can work for racial reconciliation.

Some of his responses:

• Value personal relationships to avoid taking a "token approach" to reconciliation
• Don't lead out of guilt.  You'll especially be tempted toward guilt because of your benefits from white privilege.  But guilt doesn't motivate. 
• When a blend does begin to build, look for new vehicles to express it.  Give it fresh art, new music, and new literature.  Tell the story to your community.
• White leaders need to take the cape off.  We're not here to save the day.  Instead, our best contribution is by simply becoming part of the "beautiful community."