What Matters Most

Today I was thinking about some of the experiences of my life up until now. My life has been full of building relationships not knowing what would happen afterwards. To put it another way, in every place I have been we have made some dear friends and acquaintances. At the time I had no idea that we would cross paths again. Let me explain.

When I was a Youth Pastor in my 20's I was part of a church that was just starting. There was a family that took me in as a part of their family.I still remember thinking this is the good life, I had a family that thought I mattered, and cared for me.

There were kids in the church at the time that were never in my classes or a part of what I was doing but I treated them as though they were just that important. This is just how I was taught. Now fast forward many years I find that two of these "kids" are now planning on getting married, and guess who they asked to do the ceremony? I have accepted and I am honored to conduct the wedding. Why do I tell you all of this?

What matters most is that you mattered to a child in your lifetime. Here is the challenge, whether it is your kids or other children treat them like they are the most important dignitary. You will never regret that decision.

Not Accepted?

My brother and I were just talking on the phone. I love my brother always has a way of encouraging me in the things of the Lord. He was telling me of one time when he wanted to be accepted, and he wondered why people hadn't noticed his talents. Then he told me that the Lord spoke to his heart and said, "you will never be accepted because you are mine." That got me to thinking does that mean that is always going to be this animosity between us and the world system? Yes. Does that mean that we are hated because we name the name of Christ? Yes. Does that mean that we should do something about this? Yes. We should love the fact that we belong to Jesus.

There is no way that we can please people. Have you tried it before? It is so difficult, it is meant to be that way. The one we are supposed to please is God, because He has accepted us and loves us enough to change us from the inside out. Today, be of good cheer you are accepted by God.

Homeless?

Have you stopped to think for just a minute what it would like to be homeless? No house to call your own, no car, just what you have on your back. This would pretty well devastate most of us including me. But, wait a minute. We are homeless.

Isn't it true that this world is not our final resting place? Also if that is case then it would mean that the house or car or clothes or any other possession that you "own" is just on loan. That changes things doesn't it? What if we lived a live that we so focused on this fact, that we are not staying long? How would that change how we lived our lives?

Today I have been having a Rich Mullins marathon as I have been watching all of his videos and listening to his music. He really seemed to be focused on what was really important. I want to be a man like that. I want to be a homeless man.

Just Play the Game

This past Saturday. I went to my son's football game and realized that we were need of people to hold the "chains" and the "down markers" and of course someone to help referee. Then the coach turned to me and asked me to be the referee. I asked what was involved and he said that it was simple, all I had to do was make sure there were no penalties. Oh and did I mention that I was not supplied a whistle? At this point you are probably thinking about all the referee jokes you have heard and have told. Please refrain from that, as I share with you some things that I learned.

• I learned that being a referee is a lot easier if there are rules
• Being a referee is done best when you know the boundaries
• Refereeing is a job that requires your undivided attention

I knew the basics of the game, but did not have a copy of the rules that were related to Grid Kid Football. It was interesting to note that there were some rules that we had that the other team didn't follow. I knew the boundaries but I wasn't sure that the players knew them, and even though I was watching intently I missed some penalties.

Okay John what is your point? Refereeing is a lot like life, it is more easily enjoyed when you know how to play the game. In life there will be a lot of times we don't know what we are doing, it is at those times we need to look at the playbook, and ask the coach what to do.

How Long O Lord?

I was on the phone with my brother yesterday, and I found out that yet another thing has hit his family.

My brother is a godly man who has been through it this last year. Just to share a few things with you. He had a job that his supervisor tried to make him quit by the way he treated him, he was promised a better position at this same company only to be told that he would not get the position. He has been injured on the job, he has been lied about and physically pushed on the job. And that is just at work.

He finally found a good church to take his family only to see the church close and no place to call as his home church. I just found out that his wife had been fired because of false accusations. The only question I have is how much more can he take? He just came through a debilitating bout with a physical illness resulting from stress. Yet, my brother refuses to give up.
Here is the secret to enduring difficult times, know they will end. That's it, nothing earth shattering; just know that they will end.

God did not allow us to go through tough times for no reason, He has a plan for all that He does. I may not know the plan, but at this moment God's plan for my brother is on target. Is it easy for me to say this because it is not me, yes it is. Here is the truth, God will not forget those who have put Him first in their lives. It is said that many people are waiting for their ship to come in. Sometimes the heaviest ships are the slowest ships to come into port.


For those who are suffering, God has not forgotten you, He is testing you and He knows that you will come through this test as the victor. So how long o Lord? Until we look more and more like Jesus.

Missional: Taking Christ to the Marketplace

My journey/education experience at Gonzaga has been eye opening to say the least. I have just completed my third weekend of classes, and I love it! It has been since 1993 that I have been in school so, needless to say I have had to "reboot" so to speak. After the initial feeling of being overwhelmed, I have been able to settle down and enjoy the journey. Let me tell you why.

In all of the publications that are church related the buzz word is missional. I understand that we need to be about the mission of God, and how we do that will be different in every situation. But I have been given an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of other students. Since Gonzaga is a diverse setting, no one is rejected based on their beliefs. This is a two edged sword, there are those who are totally godless, and then those who are seeking for truth. It kind of reminds me of the U2 song "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" The other side of this is that when I am asked how I perceive truth I can say that truth is absolute and is found in the person of Jesus Christ. How cool is that? Let me give you an example of the opportunities I have been afforded.

There is a student who is on one of my classes that has had a messed up life. This student is not a happy person, and if you knew their background you would understand why. Anyway, the other day this student said "I want to know God, but I don't know how." I was totally blown away. Here is the good thing I will get to live out my witness before this student. God is so good.

Can I challenge you to take the word missional and apply it to your situation? It is not only for Pastors, etc. it is a word for the Body of Christ to embrace. So go to your job and live out your faith knowing that others are watching. Let's take Christ to the marketplace, and not leave Him at church.

Your Family: Your Choice

I was reminded of how much pressure we live with in America. A Pastor friend of mine who is 47 just had a major heart attack! Wow! How does that happen? Answer: stress. I am concerned that we Pastors think we have to "save" the church. Is that really our calling? Aren't we supposed to support the work of the ministry and love those who are ministering? I think we have come to believe that we are the ones keeping the church afloat. I remember Jesus saying "I will build my church.." If it is His church then maybe we should remember that He is in control. Let me share this with you.

As Pastors there is a pressure all about us to take care of everyone around us, and by doing this neglect our family. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. The most important member of your church Pastor is your spouse
2. The most important children of the church are your children
3. If you take care of your family, you will have a rich ministry
4. Finally, if it comes down to "saving" the church or taking care of your family; opt for taking care of your family.

Let me say that I am not advocating neglecting our duties as Pastor, I am advocating prioritizing our lives. You will always be glad that you put your family first.