TBC Staff Blog

A Father's Portrait of His Son: The Light

2012-01-17T13:03:00.000-08:00

A Father’s Portrait of His Son– “The Light” - Pastor Perry Kallis – 1/15/2012
Text John 1:5-13 - Small Group Discussion Questions
The Farther away you get from the original the less value you have.
1. How many different types of light can you think of and what are their purposes?

2. What darkness in the world takes us away from the Original “Jesus”?
3. Why do we accept the things that are so far removed from Jesus? What are those things?

4. Why do you think John the Baptist was one of the greatest prophets?

5. What can we learn from John the Baptists Life? What can we emulate in our lives?

6. How can we reflect Jesus light in our everyday activates?

7. Why are people blind to the light of Jesus?

8. What is the difference between “receiving” and ‘Believing”?

9. What does it mean to you to be a light in a dark world?

10. When it comes to reflecting God’s Light is a single light best or many lights? Why?

A Father's Portrait: The Word

2012-01-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

A Father’s Portrait of His Son– Pastor Perry Kallis – 1/8/2012
Text John 1:1-4 - Small Group Discussion Questions
1. What is unique about the Gospel of John compared to the other Gospels?

2. Why did John write His Gospel? Was it something deeper than a historical record?

3. Why did John use the word “WORD” to describe Jesus? What did that mean to the Greeks?, The Jews? How about you?

4. What are the implications from verse 1? How does that strike you?

5. How does verse 1 relate to Hebrews 1:3?

6.How do Revelation 1:7 and 2 Cor. 5:10 relate to who Jesus is? How does this knowledge affect you?

7. What does Colossians 1:16-17 paint a picture of in relation to Jesus?

8. How does Jesus bring Light to the world? How about to your life? What do you bring to the world?

9. Why is it important to come to Jesus daily? What if we don’t?

Personalizing Christmas 12/4/11

2011-12-02T14:50:00.000-08:00

Personalizing Christmas
Small Group Discussion Questions
Text: Luke 1:26-38 Advent #2 – Peace 12/4/11

1. Why can we not pat ourselves on the back for making the good decision to accept Jesus as our savior?

2. How does knowing that God makes decisions based on eternity affect how we think about our lives?

3. Why do you think Mary’s first response was “Who Me?”
What other Biblical characters responded this way?

4. Why does God choose to use us as His tools to get His will done?

5. How is God glorified through us doing His will?

6. What are some of God’s Promises to us? How might it be hard to believe those promises?

7. Could it have seemed to Mary that all the pieces are not coming together the way I thought they would with God in control? What might she have questioned?

8. This Christmas how can we keep an eternal perspective in mind?

Cat and Dog Theology Reflection Questions

2011-11-09T13:58:00.001-08:00

Cat and Dog Theology: Reflections 11/20/11
Small Group Discussion Questions

1. How has going through Cat and Dog Theology changed your perspective on God?

2. How has it changed your perspective on your relationship to God?

3. Is God a Jealous God? Why?

4. How has this study affected your prayers?

5. How has this study affected how you view suffering and hardships?

6. Has it changed how you see God’s blessings on your life?

7. What is the difference between a cat view on the purpose of life and the dog view on the purpose of life?

8. Where do you go from here with this knowledge?

Cat and Dog Theology Week 6 Questions

2011-11-09T13:44:00.001-08:00

Cat and Dog Theology: Week Six (Revamped)
Small Group Discussion Questions
Text: 1 Peter 4:10-11

1. Read James 4:2-3 – What should be the criteria for when we ask for things from God?

2. Read Ezekiel 36:26-28 – What is a “cause me” prayer? What does a “cause me” ask for?

3. What is the difference between a “cause me” prayer and a regular prayer?

4. God wants us to be completely dependent on Him. How does that make you feel?

5. What does the Story of Gideon teach us about God and His purposes?

6. 1 Cor. 12:7-9 – How did Paul view his weakness? What did God teach him about his weakness?

7. Why don’t we take everything to God in prayer? Why do we only bring the big things usually?

8. How should we look at our challenges or problems? Psalm 50:15

9. Does the Holy Spirit give us power for just the big things in life? Acts 1:8

10. How best can we repay the Lord for all He has done for us?
Psalm 116:12-13

11. Why doesn’t God just do everything Himself? Why does he use us? What’s the point? He could do it better anyway.
1 Peter 4:10-11

12. What is the attitude difference between a person who listens to a missionary report and the missionary themselves?

13. What is holding you back from completely loving God and opening yourself up to what He wants for you on a daily basis?

Dog and Cat Theology Small Group Questions Week 5

2011-11-09T12:34:00.001-08:00

Cat and Dog Theology: Week Five (Revamped Questions)
Small Group Discussion Questions
Text: Jeremiah 2:13-14

1. What is the best way for believers to point to God’s infinite glory and value?

2. Read Matt. 6:9-13 – Looking at the Lord’s Prayer from a dog perspective, what do you see? What would a Cat see in this prayer?

3. When you pray, what is predominantly the reason you pray?

4. What does God want in our prayers?

5. How can some of the things we ask for from the Lord really lead us away from the Lord not closer to the Lord?

6. Why are there so many believers that are not Joyful in their life?
Read Jer. 2:2-3, 11-13 how do these verses answer that question?

7. Does God want us to be joyful in this life? How do you know? What does it take for you to be joyful in this life? Read Psalm 100 after answering the questions. Does this change how we view joy?

8. Read Matthew 10:38 – What does God mean that we “will find our life”?

9. How can our desire for Joy in this life be too weak? Do we make compromises for temporary joy? Why? Can this be a cycle leading us away from true joy in the Lord?

10. Read Jer. 29:13-14; Prov. 2:3-4; Ps. 130:5-6; Ps. 63:1 – From these verses how would you describe the search to know God and experience the Joy in Him? Why did God make this a search not an instant gratification?

11. Why does God often get forgotten in our joyfulness? How can you magnify God in your joy in the Lord this week?

KIDS QUESTIONS:

1. How Does God Bring Joy to Your Life?

2. How Can you Bring Joy to Other Peoples Life?

3. Does God like to have you pray to Him? Why?

Cat and Dog Theology Week 4 Questions

2011-10-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

Cat and Dog Theology : Week 4 – Updated Questions
Small Group Discussion Questions
Text: Exodus 34:14

1. Define Jealousy.

2. When we think of jealousy what do we think of?

3. Why does jealousy have such a negative connotation?

4. Read Exodus 34:14 . What does God mean when He says “I am a Jealous God”?

5. Why does it bother us that God is jealous?

6. What is the difference in Bible Stories between the “upper story” and the “lower story”? How does this change our perspective of the story? See Psalm 106:7-9 and Ezekiel 36:21-27.

7. What does it mean that “God lives for Himself”?

8. To say: “God lives for Himself” sounds almost as arrogant as hearing God say He is jealous. How do you explain that this is not only OK, but it is good, right and necessary?

9. How does God “Live for His Namesake”? What has He done to make a name for Himself?

10. How is God glorified through His love for you?

11. How can we match God’s Eternal Upper story to our Lower story as we live here on earth?

12. Why is it so hard to keep an eternal perspective? What helps us keep that perspective?

Dog and Cat Theology Small Group Questions

2011-10-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

Cat and Dog Theology : Lesson One
Small Group Discussion Questions
Text: Psalm 30:9; Romans 15:8-9; John 12:28

1. Nearly all Christians readily say, “It’s all about God,” but most don’t live it out. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
“Most of us live our lives trying to get from birth to death in the safest, softest, easiest, most comfortable fashion possible.”
Why do you agree or disagree?

2. How do Cats and Dogs mirror our relationship to our Master (God)? List five Cat ways and five Dog ways.

3. When it comes to praying what do you think the difference would be between a cat prayer and a dog prayer? Give examples.

4. Colossians 1:16 says “All things were created by Him and For Him…” What are the implications of that?

Why were animals created?
Why were galaxies created?
Why were angels created?
Why were you created?

5.How should it affect your attitude, and faith, knowing that the cross of Jesus Christ is first about bringing Glory to God.?

6. What are the Cat and Dog motivations for getting into heaven?

7. What would be the motivations or distinctives in worship between a Cat and Dog?

8. To what extent are Cats and Dogs subject to His Lordship?

9. What attributes of God do you think Cats might focus on? What about Dogs?

10. What would a Cat quiet time be like? What about a dogs?

11. What do you think you have to do to move from being a cat to a dog?

Cat and Dog Theology : Lesson Two
Small Group Discussion Questions
Text: Phil. 3:10; John 15:5; Hab. 3:17-18

1. Read Phil. 3:10. What do you think of this passage? How does it hit you? Do you sympathize with Paul’s statement?
How would a Cat respond? How about a Dog?

2. Read John 15:5-6. What does it mean to remain in Christ?
What is the fruit we can bear? How would a cat relate to this verse? How would a dog?

3. Why does God desire to bless you?

4. What does it mean to bring glory to God? What is a definition of God’s Glory?

5. How am I making God famous to my spouse? To my children? To my coworkers? To my classmates?

6. How do I radiate God’s glory to those who don’t know me?

7. What are the dangers of having a Cat mentality when it comes to our theology?

8. Can you think of any personal examples when you held an incomplete theology even it if wasn’t entirely incorrect? What part of your belief is incomplete and how could you make it complete?

9. What kind of verses would a Cat memorize? How would a Cat interpret Habakkuk 3:17-18? How would a Cat apply it?

10. Since Cats have a “feel good” theology, what questions would you ask before buying a new house, taking a new job or buying modern “toys” to determine if your focus is on God’s Glory instead of your own pleasure and benefit?

11. How might God be glorified if you were called upon to suffer for Him?

12. What interests and desires in your life keep you from focusing primarily on God’s Glory?

10 – 14-11 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:

How can we keep the focus in a world that it is all about me that it is all about God?

Why is a Me-olgy incomplete?

Read Col. 1:16 - Who was everything made for? Why? How does that make you feel?

What does a me-mentality(cat) want out of life? What does a God first mentality want out of life?

How do created things bring glory to God?

Why does thinking it is all about us rob God of Glory?

Why did God save us?

How many lives were touched by the Sacrifice of Jim Elliot and the missionaries?

Read Luke 12:33 – How does this apply to us today?

What can we give up to bring glory to God?

Cat & Dog Theology: 10/23/11 REPLACEMENT QUESTIONS

1. For some people in this world what is their “True North”? What is it they base their life and direction on? If it is not Jesus, what is the result?

2. In what ways does Jesus provide a “True North” a foundation for our lives?

3. Cat Theology tends to focus on the “Winners Circle”.
What false expectations can that foster for this life?
In the book of Job what would a cat focus on? What would a dog focus on? Why?

4. How can our suffering and even our death bring Glory to God?

5. What is the real “Winners Circle” about?

6. Read John 21:18-21 - What if this was God’s will for the end of your life? How would you feel about that?

7. 1 Peter 1:3-9 – How has your faith been tested by fire? What was the result in your life?

8. What are the “more precious than gold” (v7) treasures from God in our life?

9. In the Safety and Security area how have I ever risked for the Glory of God? This can be emotional, physical, mental, financial risks.

10. What is the difference between thinking about how God is glorified before an event as opposed to after the event has happened? What would this look like?

11. What is the chief end of Christianity:
A) The happiness of man while he is alive.
B) To make man happy after he dies.
C) To glorify God and delight in Him forever.
Why is your answer correct and the others are not?

12. How can we worship God in everything? Give examples.

How do you like this prayer? Can you pray this prayer?

"Lord, I do not live just for myself; I seek to live for Your glory.
I offer myself to you to do what it takes to make your name great
through me. Bless me with all things, or give me nothing. Honor me
before others, or bring me low. Give me unlimited energy for great
tasks, or appoint me to silent suffering. Send me over¬seas, or keep
me home. Shatter any dream that is not yours. I freely and
wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.

Cat and Dog Theology : Lesson Four 1/2 (For the Week of 10/30/11)
Small Group Discussion Questions
Text: Exodus 34:14

1. Define Jealousy.

2. When we think of jealousy what do we think of? Why do we think that way?

3. Why does jealousy have such a negative connotation?

4. Read Exodus 34:14 . What does God mean when He says “I am a Jealous God”?

5. What is He jealous of?

6. Is it bad for God to be jealous?

7. To say: “God lives for Himself” sounds almost as arrogant as hearing God say He is jealous. How do you explain that this is not only OK, but it is good, right and necessary?

8. How is God glorified through His love for you?

9. This week how have you reflected God’s Love and given Him glory?

Cat and Dog Theology: Lesson Four
Small Group Discussion Questions
Text: Exodus 9:16; 36:22; Matt. 6:9-13

1. Read Ex. 9:16-18 - How does God’s name get proclaimed in all the Earth today? Is that a positive proclamation or a negative one?

2. Read Matt. 6:9-13 – Looking at the Lord’s prayer from a Dog perspective, what do you see? What would a Cat see in this prayer?

3. What is one of your favorite Bible verses? What does it mean to you? Is it a Cat or Dog reason?

4. Does God want us to be happy in this life? What does it mean for you to be happy?

5. What brings more glory to God’s name typically in a person’s life: their happiness or their suffering? Give an explanation for your answer.

6. When you pray, what is predominantly the reason you pray?

7. What does God want in your prayers?

8. What would be the difference between a Cat prayer and a Dog prayer?

9. When it comes to church, what would a Cat’s priorities be? What about a Dog’s?

10. Think of a tragic situation in your life. How was God manifested in your experience? Was He glorified?

11. Why does God often get forgotten in our happiness? How can you magnify God in your happiness this week?

2011-08-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

Measuring the Family Unit – Pastor Perry Kallis – 8/28/2011
Text Eph. 6:1-4 - Small Group Discussion Questions

1. In a “Christian” home what is the key to spiritual regeneration in a family? (See Eph 5:18, 21)

2. What works against children in their struggle to obey parents?

3. What does it mean to honor our parents? Does this ever stop?

4. Why is honoring parents so important to God?

5. Why is teaching children to obey and honor their parents foundational to society and a persons walk with God?

6. How does a child learn to obey?

7. As adults how important is it for us to model what we tell our children to do?

8. Why would a person that has honored and obeyed their parents have a long life and a good life?

9. What about honoring parents who were not honorable?

10. What are some ways that parents can frustrate their children?
(Eph. 6:4)

11. What are some ways as adults we can be positive Godly influence with children?

2011-08-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

The Romance of a Marriage Mission– Pastor Perry Kallis 8/21/2011
Text Eph. 5:22-33 - Small Group Discussion Questions
1. Other than marriage, what is this passage about?
2. Why would making a practice of serving God together make a marriage stronger?
3. Is marriage about being happy? If not, what is it about?
4. What does it mean to submit to each other and the Lord?
5. What is the measure of our love in marriage? What does that look like?
6. What is the intention for the Family? What is a family’s main purpose?
7. How does Christ love the church and how does that relate you a husband’s love for his wife?
8. With a man being purpose driven and a woman being relational, how does that work as a team on a mission?
9. How is the world’s view of marriage different from a Christian view of marriage?
10. What is your mission in your marriage? What are you working toward? How does Jesus factor into that mission?
11. Pastor Perry said “The reason for a couple to get married is that they can serve God better together than separately.” How do you feel about that statement?

Sermon Questions from 8/14/11

2011-08-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

Imitating Christ in Our Marriages– Pastor Gene Napier 8/14/2011
Text Eph. 5:21-33 - Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to study the culture and context when interpreting a passage?

2. What are the cultural differences between N.T. attitudes in marriage and now?

3. What is Biblical Headship? Give an example.

4. How should a husband use his authority?

5. Why was this view radical in N.T. Times?

6. What did Pastor Gene suggest men need to do more of at home?

7. What does it mean to submit?

8. How does the Trinity factor in to all this?

9. How do husbands and wives imitate Christ in their relationship? (1 Cor. 11:3, Mark 10:45)

10. How are we to lead our homes?

11. What areas of headship or submission do you need to work on?

5/22/11 Sermon Discussion Questions

2011-05-23T21:36:00.001-07:00

Can You “Walk a Straight Line”? – Pastor Perry Kallis

Text Eph. 4:1-3

1. What is the difference between the blessings of the “wealth” of the Christian and the “walk” of the Christian?

2. What were some of the “blessings” that Paul experienced in his walk with God?

3. How can we show the value of walking with God in every day life circumstances?

4. As Believers what is our job while we are here on earth?

5. How are we like the Moon as believers? What characteristics of God do we reflect? How can you reflect God more brightly? (see 2 Cor. 3.18)

6. How is our relationship with other believers a gauge of our relationship with God?

7. Who do you need to forgive or reconcile with in order to have a closer walk with Jesus?

8. Ephesians 4.2 lists humility, gentleness, and patience as important qualities to build unity. Define each of these words. Which one is the biggest struggle for you personally?

9. What does it mean that “hurt people hurt people”? How does that change how we respond to people?

10. What is your “next step” toward reflecting God’s glory in your relationship with others?

2011-05-16T15:56:00.001-07:00

Proclaiming or Possessing– Pastor Perry Kallis – 5/15/2011
Text Eph. 3:16-21 - Small Group Discussion Questions

1. How can we make our lives smell good to those around us? How can we smell more like Jesus? (referring to house aromas, check out 2 Cor. 2:15-16)

2. How are you feeling about your Christian Race? What is the motivation to run the race well?

3. What is the difference between a renter and an owner? What does it mean to be owned by Jesus?

4. What kinds of things do you tend to ask for in prayer?

5. What are some things you ought to start praying about that you currently don’t?

6. What are some examples of “help me” prayers and “cause me” prayers?

7. How can you be more filled with God? What are some steps you could take to “fill your bucket” with more of him?

8. What are some symptoms of “longing for a bigger bucket” rather than being content with the bucket you have?

9. What kinds of ways are you tempted to look for satisfaction outside of God’s unconditional love? How can we re-focus on finding our satisfaction in God’s love instead of other places?

10. What are some ways in which God can be lifted up (glorified) through your work? Through your family life? Through your participation in the Body of Christ?

11. What are some areas of your life where you’d like to see God’s power brought to bear? Keep a list of these for your prayer time.

"Filled or Flavored?" – Discussion Questions

2011-05-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

Pastor Perry Kallis – 5/8/2011
Text Eph. 3:14-16

1. What is the difference between being filled with God or just flavored by His presence?

2. Is God’s presence in your life the “main ingredient” or is He just another flavor in your life?

3. How are you using God’s power in your life to bring glory to Him?

4. Instead of praying for external issues in our lives what would prayers for internal issues be like? What kinds of things can we pray for but don’t?

5. Read Eph. 3:14-16 What stands out for you in Paul’s prayer?

6. Why can we approach God’s throne with confidence and present our requests? (see Hebrews 4:14-16)

7. What are some of the benefits you’ve seen in your relationship with Christ as you’ve walked with him longer? Are there ways in which you depend on him now more than when you first trusted Christ?

8. What are some ways that we can make Christ more at home in our hearts? To make room for him to “settle down” in our lives? Are there rooms within the home of your heart where Christ is not welcome? Places that are off-limits to God?

9. What are some specific ways we can increasingly make God the “main ingredient” in our lives?

The Ark – Ken Bayer – 5/1/2011

2011-05-02T23:19:00.000-07:00

Small Group Discussion Questions
Text: Hebrews 9:4

1. How does God relate to us?

2. How do you relate to God?

3. What were the 3 things inside of the Ark of the Covenant?

4. The 10 Commandments – God’s Standard for His people
How do the 10 Commandments relate to us today or do they?

What is God’s Standard for us to follow?

How is our relationship to God different compared to an Old Testament Jewish person? How is it the same?

5. The Manna (Hebrew for “What is it”) - God’s Provision
See Exodus 16:16-23
What were the limits of using the manna?

Why do think God made limits on the manna?

How does that relate to our provision by the Lord?

What are something’s you do not trust the Lord for or worry about?

Read Phil. 4:6-7

6. Aaron’s Staff – God’s Leadership
What was God’s Leadership like in the Old Testament?

How did that Change in the New Testament?

How does God lead you today?

Are there areas in your life that you have a hard time letting God lead in?
What is God’s Leadership Style?

How do we lead others to Christ or away from Christ in our lives?

Who is or was the Spiritual Leader in your life, and Jesus does not count? What made that person such a good spiritual leader?

Small Group Discussion Questions for April 10 Sermon

2011-04-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

"You are God’s Masterpiece" preached on 4-10-11 by Alex Bluhm

Read Ephesians 2:10

1. What is your favorite kind of art? Music? Sculpture? Painting? Dance?

2. How is it hard to see yourself as God’s masterpiece?

3. Why do we compare ourselves to others? Aside from Christ who is your role model?

4. How could your life more clearly reflect Jesus this week? What are a few things you could start doing?

Reflect on the drama “God’s Chisel.”

5. When we ask God to work on our lives, are there things we hold back and don’t want him to touch? What areas are “off limits” to you? (e.g. money, retirement plans, pride, speech, TV watching?)

6. If we become more like Jesus how would people react to us? Is there concern in becoming more like Jesus? What would becoming more like Jesus look like?

7. Is there any area this group can keep your accountable in?

8. What things are distracting you from fully following God?

Read 2 Pet 1.3-8
9. What are some of the things God has given us in order to live a godly life?

10. Which of the following traits listed in verses 5 and 6 is most needed in your life now? Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, love

Small Group Questions for April 3 Sermon

2011-04-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

God’s Resume For Success – Pastor Perry Kallis

Text: Eph. 3:7-13

1. How have I really challenged my faith in Christ this year?

2. Read 1 Cor. 1:26-31. In your experience, what are some specific foolish/weak things God has used, and how have they shamed the wise/strong?

3. How is serving God a gift? (see verse 8)

4. If you really had the attitude of a servant, how would your relationships at work/home/church be different?

5. Is telling others about Christ a privilege? What is your feeling about evangelism?

6. What are the treasures we have in Christ? (see ) What prevents you from telling others about those treasures?

7. Who could you tell about the riches you have in Christ before Easter? Be specific, and pray for those people with your group before the meeting is over.

8. Share one specific place in which you are feeling called to serve God more faithfully. Perhaps it’s a current ministry to which you could be more fully committed, or perhaps a new area of service for you.

Bonus activity!
Do some role-playing in your group, letting group members practice conversing with a pre-Christian friend, neighbor, or relative. One of the hardest things to do can be starting a conversation. Brainstorm some creative conversation-starters that could help take things to a spiritual level.

Small Group Questions for March 27 Sermon

2011-03-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 3:1-6 “Solving the Mystery”

Have you ever been part of a good team? Maybe a team that won a lot, or where everyone worked together well? I.e. sports, clubs, work.

Read Ephesians 3:1-6.

1. Paul was entrusted as a “steward” with the Gospel for the Gentiles. Tell us about a time someone has entrusted you with something valuable.

2. Have you ever been able to be the bearer of good news for someone? Perhaps the Good News of the Gospel, or another bit of good news? How did it feel?

3. Paul considered it an honor to suffer for Jesus. Is there a time you experienced suffering for doing what was right? Have you ever suffered directly because of your relationship with Jesus? (Note that there is a difference between suffering because of our bad choices or because of the broken world we live in, and suffering for Jesus.)

4. What truth(s) would you be willing to go to jail for? To die for?

5. The mystery Paul refers to is that the Gentiles, previously considered outsiders, were now included into the family of God. What prejudices do you have about different types of people that would make it hard for you to accept them into your family?

6. What kind of person seems so different from you that you would struggle to be excited to share Christ’s inheritance with them? Who would make you wrinkle your nose and question, “Do I really have to share this with them?” (Perhaps someone different than you, or someone who has hurt you?)

7. What preferences and differences do you have from others at TBC that you are willing to lay aside for the sake of harmony?

8. Christianity is unique in that we receive God’s grace as a gift, not something earned. Pastor Perry mentioned that we can’t earn an inheritance. Why, in your opinion, is it so common for people to want to earn right standing with God?

9. What are some of God’s promises that you are particularly grateful for? List off as many as you can think of. (Need help? Try Ps. 145.8; Ac. 2.38; Isa. 40.28-31; Phil. 4.12-13; Heb. 13.5; James 1.5; 2 Pet. 3.9; Ps. 46.1; Lk. 6.38; Jn. 15.5; Prov. 16.9)

Prayer: be sure to ask for God’s help in accepting Christians who are different from us, and to thank him for his promises.

3/20/2011 sermon discussion questions

2011-03-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

What’s the Point? - Pastor Perry Kallis

Text: Eph. 2:19-22

1. Now that we are on God’s team, what is our purpose or goal? (see Eph. 1:12-14)

2. How would you define Christian unity?

3. What distracts you from your purpose in Christ?

4. In what role in the body of Christ are you serving? How do you feel you fit into the body?

5. What is the difference between being a citizen and being part of a family?

6. Perry mentioned that some ways to become more of a family include: tenacious (or persisting) love, time spent together, being true (or authentic), and serving others in the family. Which of these do you need to grow in most? Which comes the most easily for you?

7. How has your small group helped the church become more of a family?

8. How does God build us into a “Temple”? What is our part in becoming a “Temple”?

9. Can you share a time when you were part of a team, body, or family to accomplish something for God’s glory? How did it feel to be on that team?
Are you part of a team now?

10. As a “stone” in the building of the “temple,” have you ever felt chipped, broken, misshaped, forgotten, or overlooked? How did you overcome that feeling, or have you?

11. How can we help those that feel this way?

12. What can you do this week to bring greater unity to our church family?

3/13/2011 Sermon Questions

2011-03-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

Going from Far to Near (Part 2) - Pastor Perry Kallis

Text: Eph. 2:13-18

1. Why do you think there was such a divide between Jews and Gentiles?

2. What are some possible divisive issues in the Body of Christ? Why do you think these things are divisive?

3. Is the unity of the Body of Christ more important that the individual? Why or why not?

4. Divisive issues tend to be along individual likes or dislikes, how does this fit into our identity in Christ? (see 2 Cor. 5:14-15, Gal. 2:20)

5. How many times is the word “peace” used in this passage?
What does this say about its importance in Jesus ministry and for us?

6. How do we sow peace as Christians in the World and with other Christians?

7. Have you ever been in a gathering where there were different cultures and languages but could feel the unity of the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ? Where and when?

8. Why is our human tendency to divide?

9. What makes Christianity “a new creation or a different thing” compared with other religions?

10. What are some ways for us to foster unity in the Body of Christ?

11. How can our diversity in the Body of Christ be a strength?

12. How does Pastor Perry’s statement “God values our holiness more than our happiness” strike you?

13. If everyone in the Body of Christ was the same, would that be a good thing or a bad thing?
Check out The Practical Steps to Unity from Pastor Perry’s Sermon:

Some practical “what if” barrier breakers for us:

What if...you went up to someone not in your age group and asked them ... their name and how you could pray for them this next week?

What if... some Sunday you sat in a whole new place just so you could worship with someone else in this “new” Kainos – kind of God given family?

What if... instead of just sitting and waiting for church to start... you briefly bowed your head and prayed for the person beside you that God would speak to both of you at this family time together?

What if... we had a paper out in the Information center with all the words of the songs we sang that day? If and you younger believers heard a hymn you didn’t know, and read some of those words as part of your quiet time... and if some of you who feel challenged with some of the newer songs did the same thing in your personal quiet time?

What if... those of us who are part of this family began to “on purpose” look around at people to greet, to talk to, and to get to know; people who, look new to us- both before and after church?

What if... the most important “offering” we brought to every worship time was a heart asking: "What sacrifice am I making for the “Bride” this morning?" Rather than "What am I entitled to in this service?"

"Going from Far to Near" sermon questions

2011-03-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

On March 6 Pastor Perry preached from Ephesians 2:11-13. Here are some questions for personal application.

1. Read Ephesians 2:12. Why do we find it so easy to isolate ourselves? Why do we find it easy to exclude others?

2. Read 1 Cor. 9:19-23 – How does this translate into today’s world? How can we break down the walls in our neighborhoods, work, families?

3. What are some tall barriers to reaching our friends and neighbors for Christ?

4. Israel was to be a light to the world sharing God’s love and pointing the way to Him. What happened? What is the warning from Romans 11:17-20?

5.Pastor Perry mentioned that we ought to be “funnels” for God’s blessing and not “buckets” that hoard blessing for ourselves. When is it tempting to behave like a “bucket?” What are some ways in which we can become more like funnels?

6. Pastor Perry cited two ways that we can become ineffective for Christ: an attitude of legalism and an attitude of license. He defined “legalism” as thinking that “my choices, preferences and life actions make me a better Christian than others.” In what ways have you struggled with legalism? What would you say to a legalist? (Read Eph. 1.7-8, 2.6-9, and Rom. 2.1-4)

7. “License” could be defined as living too “feely” since you know that you’ve been forgiven. In what ways have you struggled with license in your life? What would you say to someone who struggles with this? (Read 1 Cor. 6.20; Rm. 6.1-7)

Diagnosis? Hope: 2/27/2011 sermon questions

2011-02-28T13:52:00.001-08:00

Text Eph. 2:1-10 - Small Group Discussion Questions
1. What part of the “before” is hardest for you to associate with? (Do we really understand how bad we were?)

2. Why is it important to remember where we came from (Eph. 2:12)?

3. Why is the word “wrath” in relation to God a problem for people? Why do most people gravitate towards the word “love” when talking about God? (Eph. 2:3)

4. How does sin affect the value of a person in God’s eyes?

5. When is comes right down to it why did God save us? What does he see in us?

6. What part of the “after” is hardest for you to apply to yourself?

7. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s workmanship/masterpiece/work of art. In what ways do you find it hard to apply these words to yourself?

8. On the reverse of that how does knowing that God made you special and has particular good works, that only you can do, make you feel?

9. How can an understanding that we were shaped to serve God, and not to serve ourselves or our passions, change the way we live?

10. Read Col. 3.5-17. What sins do you need to “put off,” and what virtues do you need to “put on?”

Sermon Discussion Questions from 2/6/2011

2011-02-23T16:16:00.001-08:00

God’s Power Always Makes A Point – Pastor Perry Kallis

Text: Eph. 1:19-23

1. When you think of God’s power, what do you think of?

2. We have the power through the Holy Spirit to Share God’s love, Suffer for Him, and Serve Him. For you, which of these is the hardest and why?

3. In what ways have you seen God’s power at work in your life to bring glory to Jesus?

4. Based on Eph. 3:20, Pastor Perry said that “we’ve got so much power from the Lord that we can risk living dangerously for God.” What kinds of risks do you think God might want you to take right now?

5. Since Jesus is seated at the right hand of God and has all authority and power, how should we think about life? About trials? About our obedience?

6. Read Eph. 1:22-23 – What is the significance of this for the Church?

7. What would a church empowered by the Holy Spirit look like? What would be different? How can you help towards moving in that direction?

8. How can God’s transforming power most freely be at work in my life? What things do we need to change in order to bring the most glory to God? Are there ways in which I’m hindering God’s power?

2011-02-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

Love is in the Air – Small Group Discussion Questions
Sermon by Pastor Joe Broesamle 2/13/11
Psalm 121

1. Read Psalm 121 – What speaks to you from this psalm? How does this psalm apply to
twenty- first century life?

2. Read 1 Peter 2:9 – What does it mean to be a royal priesthood? A Chosen people?
Based on this how can we “show others the goodness of God”?

3. Read Luke 12:6-7 Is there anything, object, model, craft, that you have built that you know every detail of it? How much do you value something like that? What is our value to God? One more question…why does he say “do not be afraid”? check out verses 4-5

4. How valuable do you feel to God? What gives us worth in God’s eyes?

5. Read Eph. 2:10 – When a painter, novelist, sculptor, makes what others consider a masterpiece what makes it so? What does it mean to you to be a “masterpiece”?

6. Got to take a look at Psalm 139:13-16 because it is a classic “masterpiece” of God’s workmanship in us. What moves you the most from this passage? Why?

7. Read John 10:10 What does it mean to have an abundant life? Are you having an abundant life? What do we need to do in order to have this abundant life that Jesus promises us?

8. How can our valuing ourselves, because of who we are in Christ, effect those around us?

9. What is our mission as believers in Christ? How does how I view myself affect that mission?

2011-02-08T17:02:00.001-08:00

Praying Prayers on Purpose – Pastor Perry Kallis – 2/6/2011
Text Eph. 1:15-19 - Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Read Ephesians 1:15-19. Why do we find it easier to list our needs and wants in prayer than to ask for the kinds of things Paul does here??

2. What should we pray for? What does God want for us?
See: 2 Thess. 3:1, Luke 11:13; 18:7; Romans 10:1, 15:30-31,
Eph 6:18-19, James 1:5, Matt. 9:38, John 17:20-21,
(These are just a sampling there are many more references to prayer see attached list.)

3. The Ephesians were known for their “faith and love for all the saints” what do you think you known for as far as your walk with God? What would you like to be known for?

4. How do we really get to know God? Where does theology and doctrine play into knowing God? Is knowing doctrine important?

5. See Eph. 1:18 - What is our Hope? What is our Calling? How would a better understanding of these change our everyday lives?

6. Read Eph. 1:19-20. What do you know about God’s power? How does that power get transmitted into our lives? What kinds of things does God want to give us the power to do? (see 2 Pet. 1:3; 1 Thess. 4:3-7;
Acts 4:29-31; Rom. 15:13; 2 Cor. 12:9; Eph. 6:10-13)

7. What are some specific things you feel challenged to start praying for?

With your small group you may want to spend some additional time in prayer this week and use the A.C.T.S. method of prayer:

Adoration of the Lord – Who He is and praising His character traits.

Confession – What do I need to confess (maybe silently)

Thankfulness – What can I thank the Lord for?

Supplication – What do I need to ask Him For?

2011-01-31T13:51:00.000-08:00

A Guaranteed Inheritance – Pastor Perry Kallis - 1/30/2011
Text Eph. 1:11-14 - Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Pastor Perry mentioned that Christians both get a spiritual inheritance from the Lord but also are a spiritual inheritance to the Lord. What does it mean to be a Spiritual inheritance to the Lord? In what ways are we Jesus’ inheritance?

2. What is our spiritual inheritance? How should knowing that I have this spiritual inheritance change how I live?

3. What are some of the promises of God?
Check these verses out: 2 Peter 1:3-4, Romans 5:1, 8:28, 1 Cor. 10:13, Phil. 1:6, James 1:5, 4:10, Luke 12:31, 1 John 1:9, 5:14-15, Matt. 11:28, Luke 6:35, John 10:27-28, John 14:3

4. With this inheritance what are you looking forward to the most? What do you think God is looking forward to?

5. How does our inheritance give us significance? How does it change your view of yourself in God’s eyes?

6. If we were to live knowing the power that God has in us what would that look like and how would we be different?

7. How close do you feel to Jesus at this period in your life? What specific things could you do to get closer?

8. Read 2 Cor. 5:16-20. We heard that reconciliation, bringing people right with God, right with each other, and right with creation, is the central theme of the New Testament. What can you do to join God on his mission to reconcile people to God, each other, and this world?

2011-01-27T17:01:00.001-08:00

Your Remarkable Redemption – Pastor Perry Kallis - 1/23/2011
Text Eph. 1:7-14 - Small Group Discussion Questions

1. What is the value of having a daily quiet time? Is there something that is keeping you from meeting with God? What gets in the way and why?

2. What about God makes you in awe of Him or are you seldom amazed by Him?
For some ideas read Psalm 145

3. Read Phil 2:5-11. Really think about what Jesus actually had to give up, live without, endure, on a daily basis to give you the opportunity to be redeemed and talk with Him. Don’t just say He died on the cross and rose again.

4. How does the fact that God redeemed us give us worth? Is there anything else that gives us worth?

5. What does it mean to you to be: Justified?
Forgiven?
Adopted?
Reconciled?
Redeemed?

6. Sometimes talk about meeting God and looking forward to that time makes people feel uneasy. Have you ever felt that way? Why?

7. “The Forgiveness He has lavished on us in His Grace” (reference) Is there enough forgiveness to go around? Are there things in your life that you believe are too big or bad for God to forgive you? If there are, consider getting together with someone you trust and talk this through because, if you have accepted His grace, you are forgiven.

8. In what ways does our refusing to accept God’s forgiveness keep us from a vital, exciting, wonderful relationship with the Lord?

9. How should someone who has been redeemed look different from others?
What difference should it make in your everyday life?

2011-01-20T16:29:00.000-08:00

Secured for Success – Pastor Perry Kallis - 1/16/2011
Text Eph. 1:3-6 - Small Group Discussion Questions

1. What are some of the Spiritual Blessings we receive from God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Eph. 1:3

2. How can we “bless” the Lord by our words and actions everyday?

3. Read James 1:17 and Romans 8:28 – What does it mean when every gift from God is good? What about hard times, illness and even death that are all allowed or come from God? Are those good?

4. Given that we are citizens of Heaven how should that affect our worldview on: people, things, and circumstances?

5. Read Eph. 1:4-5, Eph. 2:8-10, and Romans 3:11-12 –When it comes to Salvation you had nothing to bring to the table, you were not smarter, better looking, more likable, more spiritual, or graced with such talent God just had to pick you. God’s choice to save you was not based on anything you did. How does that make you feel?

6. Why does God save us?

7. What makes you uncomfortable with the doctrine of predestination?

8. What is the difference between “knowing about the love of Christ” and “Living out that Love”? What does that look like?

9. Read Eph 1:5-6 – How does God’s gracious choice affect how we worship, worry, witness, and our walk with God?

Bonus Question: What is the difference between Election and predestination?

All For One and One For All discussion Questions

2011-01-10T11:15:00.000-08:00

All For One-One for All - Sermon 1/9/2011
Text Eph. 1:1-2 - Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Read Ephesians 1:1: When you think about the fact that you too are a disciple “by the will of God,” how does that make you feel and what responsibilities does that place on you?

See also Romans 8:28-30 and Eph. 2:10: How does this factor in?

2. If you were in prison, what would your priorities be? What would you be thinking about? What were Paul’s priorities? In what circumstances do you fell justified in dismissing God’s priorities?

3. Does God only call us to do things that “feel” good? What are some things that God put the Apostles through that did not “feel” good? What are some things you have gone through that did not “feel” good but built your faith? See James 1: 2-3, 2 Timothy 3:12

4. When someone sets out to run a marathon is it best to just go to the marathon and run, or to train and practice first? If we know that we will experience trials that test our faith, how best can we prepare for them?

5. Paul refers to the Christians in Ephesus as “saints” and other biblical authors refer to Christians as “priests,” what does this imply for the everyday believer?

6. What does it mean to be “in Christ” and “with Christ” in our daily living?
See also Rom. 8:1, 8:39, 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 3:26-28, Eph. 2:13

7. Why is the city and book of Ephesus relevant to us today?

8. Read Ephesians 4:17-20: What activities, causes, or entertainment do we need to reconsider in our life that might be futile in our walk with Christ?
What things are bringing us closer to Christ and what things are dragging us away from Christ? Our most valuable commodity in this culture is time. How do we waste time on things not important to eternity? How might our reprioritizing our lives change the world for Christ?

9. How can I find joy in “living righteously” without becoming annoyingly legalistic?

Family devotional - Week 3

2010-12-12T09:55:00.000-08:00

This week we focus on the love Jesus brings to the world.

Emmanuel (God is With Us)
Read Matthew 1:18-23
What difference does it make God actually came to this planet?

Read Ephesians 3:16-19
How can we get excited about God’s love for us than about presents this Christmas?

The Way, Truth, and Life
Read John 14:2-6
Discuss how life in Jesus, living life God’s way, is the best kind of life.
Read Romans 1:16-19
What are some ways in which God’s truth is rejected by this world? How can we stand for truth?
Pray and thank God that he has shown us the way to heaven! We don’t have to guess how to get there.

Beloved
Read Matthew 3:16-17
Here we learn that the Father loved and was pleased with the Son, and are introduced to the name “The Beloved” or “The One God Loves.”
Read 1 John 4:7-12
In verses 9 and 10 we read that God loves us and has shown it by sending Jesus.
Is it possible for us to earn God’s love?
Since we can’t earn God’s love, how can we say “thank you” to him for sending Jesus to die for our sins?
What are some practical ways we can start being more loving towards others in our family? In our neighborhood? At school/work?

Grace and Truth
Read John 1:14-17
How did Jesus display grace while on earth?
In what ways did Jesus display God’s truth while on earth?
Pray that God can help you be more gracious and more truthful.
Thank God for coming to earth and “making his dwelling among us” through Jesus.

Family Devotional - week 2

2010-12-06T08:52:00.000-08:00

Week 2 focuses on the coming of peace through Jesus.

Prince of Peace
Read Isaiah 9:6-7. Here we learn that Jesus is a ruler who will bring true and lasting peace to the earth.
What are some of the sources of conflict in our world? In our families?
Pray and thank Jesus that someday he will return and bring an end to all the conflict in the world.

Healer
Read Psalm 103:1-5
Other than physical healing, what are other kinds of healing God can do?
Read Mathew 9:35-36
Jesus had great compassion for people. Who are some people you can develop a heart of compassion for? Ask God to help you do this.

Overcomer of Evil
Read John 16:33
What are some examples of the “trouble” Jesus’ followers face in the world?
Romans 8:35-39
How does it feel to know that Jesus’ love and power is greater than any of these things?
Pray for God to give us his perspective when we go through difficult times.

Peacemaker
Read James 3:17-18
God’s wisdom is pure; peace–loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Which of these is the hardest for you?
What are some situations where you could be a peace-maker?

Family Devotional - week 1

2010-11-30T08:37:00.000-08:00

For those of you looking for something to guide your devotions through the four weeks of advent, we are producing a weekly devotional for you and your family. Like our Advent sermons, these all center around names of Jesus. Take some time this week to look at these names of Christ and answer the questions below. We'll have new studies for you each week of Advent!

Hope
Read Jeremiah 17:13; Romans 15:13; and 1 Timothy 6:17
Who are some people around you without hope?
Discuss ways in which you can bring hope to those around you without hope.

Light of the World
Read John 1:4-5, Isaiah 9:2
Turn the lights out and talk about how it feels to be in darkness.
Light a candle and discuss the benefits light offers.
Read Ephesians 5:8-14
Discuss ways in which you can be light in the dark places of this world.
Pray and thank God for sending Jesus as light in a dark place.
Ask God to show you how you can be light in this world.

Savior; Redeemer
Read Psalm 103:1-5
We learned from Matthew 1:21 that Jesus is our savior/redeemer.
Discuss what things Jesus has saved you from.
Pray and thank God for saving you from these things.

Emmanuel (God With Us)
Read Psalm 46:1-11. Note verses 7 and 11, “The Lord Almighty is with us.”
Reflect on ways our lives are different because we know God is with us.

Video Posted to web site

2010-09-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

For those of you who missed the August 29 service, or were there but wanted to share this with friends, I've posted the video of Ross Schmiedt that we showed that morning. You can view it either at www.tbclodi.com/TBC/Ross.html or at http://www.youtube.com/tbclodi#p/a/u/0/9u5PbPUkLDM

Feel free to share this with friends who might appreciate it. Praise be to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Ross!

God's Provision

2010-08-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

Pastor Fred Jantz listed 25 ways in which God provides for us, then said he could have listed at least 25 more. It was good stuff, though, and worth a deeper look. So I thought I'd post his list for your further study. Take some time to look over these verses and then thank God for his provision!

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No condemnation (Romans 8:1)

Salvation (Romans 10:9, 10)

Forgiveness (1 John 1:9, Psalm 51)

Life (Romans 6:23)

Meaningful life (2 Peter 3:18)

Power for living (2 Peter 1:3)

Liberty – Freedom (Galatians 5)

Strength to obey (Philippians 4:13)

Way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Guidance (Psalm 23:3)

Renewal (Isaiah 40:37)

Wisdom (James 1)

His Word (Psalm 119)

Adoption (John 1)

His Spirit (John 14:15)

His presence (Psalm 46)

A hiding place (Psalm 32:7)

Heaven (John 14)

Faith (Hebrews 11)

Hope (Psalm 39:7)

Love (1 Corinthians 13)

Joy for the journey (Nehemiah 8:10)

Tame fears (Isaiah 43:1, 2)

Hears us when we pray (Matthew 6)

Sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12)

Definition of God's Jealousy

2010-08-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd post Pastor Gene's definition of God's jealousy for you. I appreciated his excellent treatment of this difficult concept, and it's worth looking at this compact definition a few times:

"God’s jealousy refers to his deep, passionate, fiercely protective commitment to his own glory, which is the highest good that exists, AND his exclusive claim to our obedience and commitment to him, which is the highest good for us."

I like this definition. It communicates that God really wants what is best for us. And he knows without a doubt that's what's best for us is to be completely devoted to him. Not just a little bit of ourselves, a few hours here or there, and not just a little bit of him, like some jimmy-rigged conception of God we've pieced together from our favorite bits of God, but all of himself, in his magnificent glory and incomprehensible power.

Some weighty things to ponder, and some radical obedience and commitment called for in response!

Update from a home-grown TBC missionary

2010-08-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd post an email update a number of us received from Liz Stevahn, who is from our church and is serving as a missionary at Rancho Agua Viva, the camp we have a relationship with in Mexico. You can read more by checking out her blog at http://lizenagua.wordpress.com/

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There was a great group here from Canada (Winnipeg Manotoba to be exact) and they were so fun to be around. They were a group of 15 and they did all sorts of ministry in Ensenada. Every morning we would drive 45 minutes outside the city and do a VBS at a brand new church site at a church called Iglesia Betel (Bethel Church). The Pastor there had only been the pastor for about 6 months, so he was so glad to have a program for kids at his church. In the afternoons half the group would go to another church called El Gran Rey (The Great King) and play soccer and the other half would come back to Agua Viva and do construction for the remainder of the day. We teamed up with the youth from El Gran Rey and on Wednesday we played soccer against some other teams from Ensenada. A lot of the youth we played against were not Christians and we had the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.

There were some really great moments that happened this week that I know I will never forget. One of them was on the day we played soccer against the Ensenada teams and the Canadians gave them all Canadian flags. That was a hilarious moment to see the Mexican kids waving Canadian flags. (You can go to Agua Viva Ministries on Facebook and see the pictures!!)

In this group there was a 17 year old student who was severely autistic and OCD. He interacted as much as he could or felt comfortable doing. He was a really neat kid to get to know, but he was usually stand-offish and standing by himself in the back. On Thursday night we went to the church service at El Gran Rey and we sang this song that talked about when we think about Jesus we just can't stop singing, jumping, or praising His name. I looked over and saw this student in the middle of the group jumping up and down praising Jesus with all he had. Amazing!

There was also a male leader in the group who found out on Tuesday that his wife had a miscarriage and that they lost their 3rd baby this year. He was having a really rough time all week and was just really confused as to why this would be happening to him. At the church service I saw him singing with all his might this song that goes "Victoria la Victoria mia es" which means Victory, the Victory is mine. It talks about how we have the victory of Jesus living inside of us.

These were just a few of the moments that I got to experience this week that made me just stop and stand in awe of what Jesus can do.

In His Service,
Liz

Romania team updates

2010-08-02T12:38:00.001-07:00

For those of you not following Pastor Joe on Facebook, here is a digest of some recent activities of our Romania missions team:

From Saturday, July 31: what a great day serving together as a team...we painted at a "post orphanage" facility...they help orphans after they leave the orphanage at 18 to learn to live on their own and start to work...tomorrow will be more relaxing in preparation for camp...pray for energy for the team...we knew these first days would be hard and they were tiring for sure...thanks for the prayers...

From Sunday, Jugust 1: today at church was good...i think we are all ready for camp to begin tomorrow...no more facebooking til Saturday...this is the time to really pray...there are going to be many pre-Christians in the camp, pray for their salvation...pray that the Christ followers would make a commitment to grow even more in their faith...thanks...

Balancing life online and offline

2010-08-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

In this age of technology saturation it's easy to go overboard with our media consumption and internet use. Today in the sermon I quoted an article originally posted on the Breaking Free blog. The article mentions some habits to develop if we are to have a healthy balance of online and offline in our lives. Here is a link to that entry:

http://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/2010/07/01/family-unplugged-how-technology-disconnects-us-from-deep-relationships/

Update from a former TBC intern

2010-07-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd post an update from Matthew Lundy, former Youth Intern, for those of you interested in what he's been up to. Pretty cool ministry! Note his request for prayer at the end.

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In the pine forests of rural North Carolina lies Cameron Boys Camp. A branch of the Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina, Cameron Boys Camp is a therapeutic wilderness camp designed to reconcile troubled boys and their families. For the last year, I have been working at the camp as a counselor (aka: Chief) in the Trailblazer group. My group, ages 12 to 14, live in primitive shelters that we build out of pine logs and heavy tarps.

Campers learn relationship building, personal hygiene, wood carving, cooking, and many other practical life skills.
Camp is also a fully accredited alternative school. Aside from the standard reading, writing, and math, academic activities include menu planing, budgeting, and hands on studies of nature. Our field trips have included a month long, 250 mile canoe trip from the Okefenokee Swamp, down the Suwanee River, to the Gulf of Mexico.

You can be in prayer for me and my fellow counselors, the campers and their families, and the camp for girls that is set to open in the next six months.

I have included several pictures. One of the tent that I live in, one of my group on the Suwanee River, and one of me building a tent at the girls camp.

Shepherd Study Guide

2010-07-19T10:03:00.000-07:00

For those of you who wanted to use Pastor Ryan's sermon as a jumping-off point for your devotions this week, and didn't get a chance to write down the scripture passages he encouraged for further study of God's role as Shepherd, here they are:

As Shepherd, God...
Meets the needs of His sheep (Matthew 6:25-26)
Gives rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28-30)
Leads his flock to food & water (John 7:37-38)
Restores & heals (Matthew 9:1-8)
Protects & comforts with rod & staff (1 Samuel. 17:34-37)

Happy studying!

What's your name?

2010-07-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

We're getting back into our series on the Names of God this Sunday. Pastor Perry kicked it off on Father's Day with "Father," Bill Kehoe spoke about God our Healer, and this Sunday Ryan Anderson will speak about God our Shepherd. One feature we'll have during this series is members of our congregation sharing about their name. How they got it, if they have any nicknames, if they know the meaning of their name, etc.

I'd be interested to hear about your name. We won't have time in our services to hear from everyone in the congregation, so why don't you tell us blog readers about your name? How did you get your name, how has it shaped you, how have you come to grips with your name? Comment on this post if you're interested in participating.

All-consuming

2010-07-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

God wants to be everything in our lives. He wants all of us, not just part. He desires to be placed in the top spot or all our priorities, so that other things, such as our love for family, is a distant second (so distant that it might even be seen as hatred in comparison…see Luke 14.26).

Ryan McGladdery spoke to us yesterday about Colossians 1:17, “[Jesus] existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Jesus holds everything in this world together, and without his active intervention, things would spin out of control, both literally and figuratively. We ought to live our lives with Jesus in the prime spot, forming our values and informing our view of the world we live in.

God desires all of us, and hates being relegated to a more trivial place in our lives. We’re going to hear from Pastor Gene later in the summer that God is a jealous God (Ex. 34.14). He is jealous in a righteous way that is totally foreign to our human understanding of jealousy. His jealousy is primarily about over this matter: He wants our total devotion. Israel provoked God’s jealousy over and over by putting idols in place of God. We don’t usually actually worship false gods such as Baal or Asherah, but, as Ryan pointed out, we often put money, human relationships, escapism, food, or other things in place of God as our “sustaining force.” Only God can truly sustain us.

He doesn’t need our love, for he was perfectly complete before he created the universe. But he created us for the purpose of having a relationship with us, showing us his glory, and having his people reflect his character to the rest of the world (Romans 9.23, 2 Cor. 3.18, 2 Cor. 4.6, Eph. 1.11-12).

God wants us to find our satisfaction and sustenance from him alone for at least a couple of reasons. First, it works the best for us. God created us, and he knows how we function best. It’s like operating your car with gasoline, as the manufacturer recommends, rather than dumping carrot juice in to the tank. Second, God wants to bless us and satisfy us completely so that other can see how good and glorious he is. God’s people are the objects of his mercy so that our lives can shout out God’s goodness. We ought to be walking tributes to the grace and mercy of God (1 Peter 2.9-10).

Romans 12.1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship.” I’ve heard it said that the problem with living sacrifices is that we keep walking off the alter. Let’s daily re-commit our whole selves to God, placing our whole life on the alter so that God can work his grace and mercy in us, and through us bring glory to himself.

Books, brick, and mortar

2010-07-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

I just purchased our "summer reading" books at Vine and Branches bookstore in Lodi.

In case you haven't heard, Pastor Perry encouraged the congregation to read three books along with him while he's on his sabbatical this Summer. They are:

The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller

I'd strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of each of them and read them with us this summer. I'd also encourage you to buy them from your local Christian book store. Why? Here's a story:

I was trying to find a Christian bookstore while on vacation recently. In both Seattle and Portland I had great difficulty locating one. Many Christian book stores I had frequented in the past had been shut down. (I was able to find several good stores in Salem, Oregon however). I don't want to drone on about economics and e-commerce, but I do want to offer an encouragement to support your local Christian book store. It's great to have a great one in Lodi, where we can look through books, get exposed to products we might not otherwise encounter, and learn about events happening in our local Christian community.

I know you might save a few bucks here or there by shopping online (or maybe not! Sometimes there are great sales and discounts at local stores), but can you smell the pages online? I think not.

"I serve at the pleasure of the president."

2010-05-24T10:16:00.001-07:00

This line has been used in TV shows and movies about the presidency, and by real-life servants of real presidents. It ran through my mind yesterday morning when Pastor Perry spoke about 1 John 5.3: "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome..." It is an honor and a delight, he said, to serve God. It's not drudgery or joyless duty to live for Christ. Living a life worthy of the calling we've received is what we were created to do, it's what makes us feel most truly alive. (Eph. 3.16-4.1)

The Apostle Paul longed to be in heaven with the Lord, to see him face to face, yet he knew that life here on earth had a great purpose: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" he said in Philippians 1.21. Every breath we're given is a gift, meant to be used to serve God and not for our own pleasure.

Let's shift our focus. Let's remind ourselves and those around us that we exist to serve God. We were created to love and serve God, and it's a delightful thing. The moment we begin to feel that God's commands are burdensome, it's time to renew our minds through time in the Word, time with God's people, time meditating on Christ's sacrifice, and simply serving and obeying. These things will help us get our focus back where it belongs.

A Family Affair

2010-05-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we honored mothers. Why are mothers so important to God? Why fathers, for that matter? Aren't we all just people, individuals whom Jesus loves? What is the big deal about families and the roles we each play, whether father, mother, sibling, child?

As Pastor Perry said in his sermon yesterday, "Home is where we learn to live with other people; to forgive other people when they are wrong; to extend grace when it is difficult; where we learn that love is more than a feeling; it is a deep and abiding commitment that overcomes our feelings." I'd like to explore that concept a bit.

Families were a part of God's original design for humanity. When he created humans, he made a husband and a wife (Gen. 1.27). You probably remember the dramatic unveiling of woman, the perfect compliment for the man (Gen. 2.18-25). We see in that story that God had joined the husband and wife together in a special, "one flesh" connection. He created them as partners in the work of filling the earth and subduing it (Gen. 1.28).

It's been said many times from the pulpit that families are the most basic unit created by God to spread his glory and character through the earth. Sadly, however, the state of families is often far from a clear reflection of God's glory and character. We can look at sitcoms, or actual families all around us, and point to symptoms of dysfunction, but even in the Bible we find many bad examples of families living out their God-given purpose.

In the very first family, Adam, Eve, Cain, and Able (and certainly other sons and daughters as well, Gen. 5.4), we find a breakdown when Cain murders his brother because of jealousy. It doesn't take any longer than the first generation to realize the devastating effects of sin on families.

The priest Eli, who mentored Samuel, robbed glory from God with his family dysfunction. Eli's sons were crooked and were stealing from the people and sleeping with women at the entrance to the tabernacle (1 Sam. 2.12-17, 22). David, one of God's "Good Guys," had a family life that was less than healthy, including a son that murdered all his brothers (2 Sam. 13.30.

It's not all gloom and doom. There are some good biblical examples of family, though. Ruth followed her mother-in-law Naomi back to her homeland of Israel, became a follower of the one, true God because of Naomi's example of faith (Ruth 1.16). Timothy became a faithful follower of God because of the godly example of his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1.5).

Families are a laboratory for love. If we can learn to love within our families, we have a much greater chance to love others. It is relatively easy to show "love" to strangers, acquaintances, or casual friends, but it becomes much more difficult in the laboratory of the home, where we see one another day in and day out, and are more intimately acquainted with one another's faults and shortcomings. We quickly extend grace to perfect strangers when we let someone go ahead of us at the grocery store, but won't let our spouse off the hook when they make a mistake.

It's easy to say we care about the institution of the family, to wear a T-shirt or apply a bumper sticker in support of family values, even to vote for propositions that protect a Biblical understanding of family. It's much harder to live out godly love in our families. But the latter will likely have much more impact on our world. Our neighbors, friends, and relatives need to see what faithfulness looks like. Even when it hurts to keep our promise.

Only by looking to the sacrificial example of Jesus can we hope to love unconditionally. Lord, help us learn how to show love in the family. Help us to live out that love in a world that needs to see it.

Our deceitful hearts

2010-04-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday Pastor Perry quoted Jeremiah 17.9, which says:

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

When it comes to faith, our hearts, our emotions, can be poor indicators upon which to base our decisions in life. At times, we might feel far from God, whereas he's always close to us. (James 4:8) At other times, we don't feel any kind of distance from God, but we ought to because our actions have broken our fellowship with God.

About one hundred years ago, an author named Finley Peter Dunne coined the phrase "Comfort the afflicted, afflict the comfortable." I believe 1 John 3.19-24 speaks to this idea. There are some who need the comfort of knowing that even though they feel afflicted by guilt over their sin, God loves them deeply (Ephesians 3.16-18). These people need to know that if they belong to Christ and have asked for forgiveness, there is no condemnation for them (Romans 8.1; 1 John 1.9). Even though their hearts condemn them with guilt, they can know that "God is greater than our hearts" (1 Jn. 3.20).

Others among us, however, don't feel the guilt we ought to because of self-deception. Read Jeremiah 17.9 again if you don't think it's possible. Sin breaks our fellowship with God, though our relationship with God can never be lost. Think of a disobedient child: they will always be children of the parent, but sin and rebellion breaks fellowship until there is repentance and restoration.

The best place to be is in a right relationship with God, in which sin is dealt with and repented of, and we can live boldly for God. We can have the kind of relationship described in 1 John 3.21-22, where it says, "if our conscience does not condemn us, we have courage in God’s presence. We receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him." This kind of life is not about self-gratification or asking so that we can please our human pleasures (James 4.3), but John is talking about a life lived to bring glory to God. This kind of living is all about asking "What can I to today to please God and advance his agenda in the world?" If we ask for things in keeping with this line of thinking, we can be sure God wants to give us what we ask for.

Family Resemblance

2010-03-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

Dear friends, we are already God’s children…we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. (1 Jn. 3.2-3)

As the father of young children, I wonder from time to time if I am messing my children up. Lysa TerKeurst, our Treasures of Christmas speaker from 2009, even has a book out called “Am I Missing Up My Kids?” Maybe some of you parents out there sympathize. At times I think, “What weird traits, annoying habits, or sinful tendencies are these kids going to pick up from me?” I hope they pick up all the good traits and toss all the bad ones. They already say things that I say, do things that I do, and there’s not much I can say to reverse this. Imploring kids to “do what I say, not what I do” is a useless proposition.

I’m not saying that this tendency of kids to emulate parents is all bad. Hopefully I am modeling good behavior as well as bad, and they are picking up on this. I read my Bible in the mornings, and they notice this. If I get busy doing something else first, one of my kids will often say “Daddy, don’t you want to get your Bible?” My point is this: for good or for ill, our children will always tend to behave like us.

When it comes to our Heavenly Father, do we have this same pattern of emulation? God tells us to “be holy, because I am holy (Lev. 11.45). Do we start acting like God the longer we know him? His habits ought to "rub off" on us, just like our earthly parents' habits do. In God, there are no bad habits to pick up, only good ones. Habits like unconditional love, compassion, faithfulness, truth-telling, and graciousness are ones that should be "rubbing off" on us.

Let’s pray that we can each start acting more like our Heavenly Father, that people would recognize a “family resemblance” in us. What if people who observed us said, “Hey, you must belong to Jesus Christ’s family. I can tell it by the way you’re living.” That could be pretty cool.

Don't love the world, but love lost people

2010-02-07T09:46:00.001-08:00

As we heard this morning, if we love the world system and its values, love for God gets pushed out of our lives. Indeed, being controlled by our sensual desires, living for pleasure, will quickly blunt our love for God. Indeed, Paul says in 1 Timothy 6.6-10:

...godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Note that it isn't money or the "stuff" of this world that is a problem, but a live for them. Misusing God's good gifts, misplacing our priorities, will be sure to get our life out of whack and away from God's will.

If we live according to God's priorities, we will indeed look odd to the world around us. This doesn't mean, however, that we should try to be strange to the world. We shouldn't try to offend people by appearing as condemning, judgmental, prudish people, but instead we should love lost people. Jesus loved lost people, Jesus hung out with lost people. W ought to care enough about lost people that we are in touch with their needs, hurts, and hopes, and we ought to bring Scripture to bear on those things. We have real answers to the questions and problems people are facing, but if we're out of touch with lost people, we have fewer opportunities to share the hope Jesus gives.

There is definitely a balancing act to obeying our mandate to "Be in the world, but not of the world." The key in relationships with lost people is to frequently ask ourselves (and trusted Christian friends) whether we're influencing our lost friends more, or if they're influencing us more. I loved Pastor Perry's analogy to scuba diving. We need the "fresh air" of the Word, fellowship, and accountability. These things help remind us of God's priorities. But we still need to be in the water, living for Jesus as we encounter people who are drowning, who desperately need to breath the air.

More than a potluck

2010-02-01T17:00:00.000-08:00

Christian fellowship is often associated with "fellowship suppers" or "pie fellowships," or something involving donuts. Now don't get me wrong, I love food. I'm actually salivating a little bit when I think of how many great pies I've had at our church. I also think food can play an important part in bringing people together: it gives us a great reason to sit around a table and chat. Lots of great ministry opportunities can arise as we learn about each other, discern each other's gifts and needs, and so forth.

However, Christian fellowship must go farther than this kind of thing. John says in 1 John 1.7 says,

"...if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

When we have a right relationship with Jesus, we can relate to others in a way that non-Christians cannot. One of the results of the Fall of humanity in Genesis 3 was that shame was introduced into human relationships, and with it all kinds of barriers. Only when we're made whole in Jesus can we start to relate to others in a more healthy way, with some of the barriers removed.

The kind of fellowship John invites us to includes confession and accountability (1 Jn. 1.9; James 5.16). It includes encouraging each other and reminding each other of our ultimate destination, heaven (1 Thes. 4.15-18). It includes all sorts of growth as we prefer each other above ourselves, learning about the unique way God made each of us (Phil. 2.1-4). Fellowship means bearing one another's burdens, praying for and serving one another (1 Cor. 12.26). And I could go on...

My point is that true fellowship is something deep, something infused with the Holy Spirit, something that brings edification and growth to us and others, and something that pleases the Lord. Since we've been covered by the blood of the lamb, we have the opportunity to participate in this kind of fellowship. Let's do the best we can to grow in this area. Because fellowship doesn't just happen, we need to seek out these opportunities, be these kinds of people, and in so doing become more like Jesus.

Blog referenced last Sunday

2010-01-12T17:06:00.000-08:00

I thought some of you might appreciate reading the whole blog entry about the Starbucks Jesus, Hippie Jesus, and so forth that Perry referenced on Sunday. It's from Kevin DeYoung, a blogger for The Gospel Coalition.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2009/06/10/who-do-you-say-that-i-am/

In that vein, do you have any other "idolatrous" versions of Jesus that you think infect our culture? Let me know!

Who do you say Jesus is?

2010-01-10T14:19:00.000-08:00

Jesus asked his disciples in Matthew 16.13, "Who do people say that I am?" This question elicited a number of responses, none of them correct. Then Jesus asks his disciples again in verse 15, "But who do you say I am?" Peter gets the right answer when he says that Jesus is the Messiah, the very son of God. Jesus affirms that answer in the verses that follow, and says "My Father in heaven has revealed this to you."

The question about Jesus' identity is not one with multiple correct answers. Survey members of our society about who Jesus is and you may get as many unique answers as you have responses. But this lack of agreement about Jesus doesn't change the fact that Jesus is who he says he is. He is the one and only Son of God, and Savior of the world. As Pastor Perry mentioned this morning, what we choose to believe about Jesus doesn't change who he is.

It is essential that we get the right answer to the question of who Jesus is. There is only one right answer, and it's our hope and prayer that you accept the Bible's testimony about who Jesus is, that you take Jesus at his word. Our understanding of life's purpose and our place in this world depends on it. And our eternity depends on it.

Are you self-important?

2009-09-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine from Mexico told me a saying that I like a lot. If someone is acting self-important, full of themself, thinking they're all that, you say to them "Do you want me to go kill a chicken for you?" As if to say, "Do you really think you're so important? Shall we have a feast in your honor?"

We tend to make ourselves, our problems, our issues the big deal. My dad says "The definition of 'minor surgery' is 'surgery somebody else is having.'" One of the points of our new sermon series is this: God is the big deal. His will is the one that matters. Things that are big on his radar screen are the things we ought to care about and orient our lives around.

Let's let Jesus Christ become greater, and ourselves become less (John 3.30). In the words of Psalm 34.3, "Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness (or let us magnify the LORD); let us exalt his name together."

God in HD

2009-09-19T23:13:00.000-07:00

I'm really looking forward to our new sermon series from the book of Malachi. We'll hear how God is bigger than we think. He's more holy, righteous, loving, etc. The more clearly we see who God really is, the more we burst open the boxes we keep God in, the more we can respond in appropriate ways. If our view of God is small, then it's easy for us to minimize his influence in our life. But the bigger our view of God, the more full-orbed our understanding of his magnificence, the more all-encompassing he can become in our life.

It's kinda like when I walk into my father-in-law's house and his 52-inch Plasma screen TV is turned on. No matter what it's tuned to, the HD images is hard to ignore. I want God to be that way in my life. I want to be totally engrossed in God's Word, captivated by his power and glory, and attentive to his Holy Spirit.

By the way: if you want to see our amazing intro video to the series, visit http://calmastoast.blogspot.com

Many thanks to Dale Patterson for his great work on the video!

How strange are you?

2009-09-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

So we've spent four months studying 1 Peter, learning how counter-cultural we should be. We should be shocking to our culture, because of how seriously we take the claims of Christ and his instructions on how to live life. We've learned about how our marriages, our relationship to governing authorities, our response to trials in life, and more ought to show others the values of God's Kingdom.

So how strange are you? In 1 Peter 2:11 we are called "aliens," "foreigners," "sojourners," "pilgrims," "strangers," or "exiles," depending on your translation. Romans 12.2 tells us, though, that the pressure of the world, our normal tendency, is instead to "conform...to the pattern of this world." We know this to be true when we see teenagers all rushing to dress like each other, or suburbanites struggling to "keep up with the Joneses," or our language, preferences, and habits reflect our fallen world more than God's Kingdom.

There are so many places where we are asked to hold firm, not compromise to the world. Ephesians 5.1-20, Colossians 3.1-17, and more attest to the tendency to drift towards those around us, to live according to our old nature than our new nature.

One of the tasks of the Church is to call its people to ever greater degrees of faithfulness to our task. We ought to remind each other often that we are strange. We ought to encourage one another when the world dampens our resolve, stand by one another when things get tough in our marriages, at our places of work, in our parenting. We ought to cheer each other on, not gloat when we see yet another failed marriage or Christian leader leaving ministry in shame. We ought to be accountable to one another so these shipwrecks are prevented before they happen.

Let's be strangers together. Let's walk boldly with Christ, practice radical obedience to his commands, and help one another as aliens and strangers.

Romania #2

2009-07-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody,

We have just finished an amazing week at camp. Many lives were changed dramatically and the team has many great stories to tell. We came here to break down walls in the lives of Romanians and we did that.

Going to Paris tomorrow for some relaxation before flying 10 hours home.

Joe

Sunset Perspective

2009-07-11T23:43:00.000-07:00

I love sunsets. I know, you scientists out there will just tell me it’s about refracted light, about the angle of incidence at which the sun’s rays hits the atmosphere at, but I am often moved by sunsets. I’ve seen lots of good ones on my vacation. It’s amazing how sunsets turn plain or even dull landscapes into gorgeous ones. The shadows and the richer colors highlight details we might tend to miss. Any good photographer will tell you that morning and evening are the best times to shoot landscape pictures. (And let it suffice to say I have way more experience with sunsets than with sunrises.)

I was thinking today about perspective. A sunset gives us a different perspective on our surroundings. A perspective more in touch with beauty, with majesty, with color, with contour, with the grandeur of Creation. I wonder how I can be more in touch with God’s perspective on this world. How can I come to see people in the same way that God sees them? I’m not saying that everything in this world is beautiful, there is a lot of ugliness that can be attributed to sin.
But we do read in the Bible that God created people in his image (Genesis 1.26). And even though the image of God has been badly marred by sin, it is still there. Further, God wants to redeem every one of his creatures, if they will turn from their selfish ways and turn to him (2 Peter 3.9).

I want to have a “sunset perspective” on the landscape of the people I encounter. How can I see every person as someone with potential, someone who can come closer to Jesus Christ, experience his mercy, and reflect his character to the world (2 Corinthians 3.18)? How can I act in such a way towards all people that it makes them want to follow Jesus more closely (1 Corinthians 11.1)? This is a daunting task, but I think to begin with I need to “have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had…” (Philippians 2.5) It comes when I set aside my selfish desires and look with eyes of compassion on people around me. (Matthew 9.36)

Romania #1

2009-07-10T06:04:00.000-07:00

Hello from Romania,

Just wanted to let everyone know that we are safe and sound in Romania. We spent Friday doing some site seeing and shopping. We are going to spend some time with the kids that are going to camp tonight at a pizza party.

Please pray that even more people would sign up for camp. They are some times last minute.

Thanks

Pastor Joe

Desiring what we don't desire...

2009-06-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

One comment from Sunday's sermon that stuck with me is the idea that God commands us to desire something we may not desire. 1 Peter 2.2 commands us to "crave pure spiritual milk," namely the Word of God. I can relate to late-night cravings for Golden Grahams, or cookie dough ice cream, but these seem to come upon me, unbidden. My only choice is to relent and dive into the kitchen to obey my craving, or to abstain for the sake of my waistline.

But the Scriptures indicate in a number of places that we can cultivate a craving for more of God's Spirit, more of his Word, more of Him! Hosea 10.12 says
"Plant the good seeds of righteousness,
and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts,
for now is the time to seek the LORD,
that he may come
and shower righteousness upon you."
(see also Jeremiah 4.3)

I like that agricultural image (though I'm no farmer, nor the son of a farmer): our hearts can be fallow ground, hard dirt that is not pliable or receptive to God. We can prepare our hearts for God. We can ready ourselves for and develop a sensitivity to God's spirit.

Further, in James 4:8 we read, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." I firmly believe that, even if we don't "feel" close to God, even if we don't "feel like" reading Scripture or pausing to listen to his Holy Spirit, we ought to do it anyway, and our feelings (which we can rely too much on) will come along eventually. Faith that is based primarily on feelings of religious fervor is sure to be hollow and let us down as soon as our feelings change. Praise God that His Word endures forever, and isn't subject to change and whims like our feelings can be!

"For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say,
'People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
But the word of the Lord remains forever.'
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you."
(1 Peter 1.23-25)

This is your brain on drugs

2009-05-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Perry mentioned this morning Peter's command to be "sober-minded" and not allow our minds to be numbed by anything. I have talked to a number of drug and alcohol addicts who say they used drugs or alcohol to do just that: to make their problems go away, to numb their pain. "Life is pain, highness, and anyone who gels you otherwise is selling something." forgive the Princess Bride quotation. Let's get back to the Bible: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (Jn. 16.33) the world offers us plenty of ways to numb the pain that inevitably comes with life, or to forget our purpose for being here in the world. In fact, if we just follow the world's example we will become less and less mindful of God.

We can use lots of things to numb our minds: drugs and alcohol, of course, but also sensuality, amusement, a myriad of addictions, and more. In fact, any any cause or interest that we place in front of Jesus Christ and his kingdom will not only numb our minds but reduce our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and our sense of God-given purpose.

In two places, the Apostle Paul juxtaposes drunkenness to being filled with the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 5:18 he says "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit..." Rather than being intoxicated with alcohol (or anything else that might "intoxicate" us, I might add), we ought to be intoxicated by God's spirit, moved to give all we are and have to him. This kind of Spirit-filled living will indeed make us look different from the world around us. We might even shock those in our culture by our God-directed living. Now that would be something!

Shocked, or Shocking?

2009-05-05T13:23:00.001-07:00

Our "Culture Shock" series on 1 Peter addresses how we live in a world that should feel very "foreign" to us. We are citizens of another place (heaven), servants of another King (Jesus), and our primary allegiance is to another Kingdom (the Kingdom of God).

Some Christians are very shocked at the world. They see people with different value systems and behavior, and feel repulsed or indignant about it. However, I believe that we shouldn't be shocked at what we see from those who don't love Jesus. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:32, "if there is no resurrection, 'Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!'" If there is nothing beyond this life, if our actions in this life have no bearing on anything, why not live it up? From our first parents in the Garden of Eden, people have chosen to behave in ways that are selfish, self-serving, and small-minded.

Instead of being shocked at sin and selfishness in our world, we should be a shocking example of what a life surrendered to Jesus looks like. If we live in obedience to Jesus, we'll live life the way it was meant to be lived. We'll be the most fully-alive human beings we can be. We will shock our co-workers and neighbors as they see the way we treat money, sex, food, work, ethics, and family. Do we look shocking to those around us? Or do we tend to get comfortable with the values of our world, so that we reflect our culture more than we reflect Jesus Christ?

"Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. " (1 Peter 2:12)

Are you an alien?

2009-04-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

I've got a friend who is a Canadian citizen, but lives here in Lodi, has actually lived in the U.S. more time than in his native land. However, he's chosen not to become a U.S. citizen, because doing so would mean losing his Canadian citizenship. He's got a card much like this one that allows him to live and work in this country (his picture is on it, not this lady). It actually says "Resident Alien" on it. He even said they make you show your right ear, for enhanced security. They can use your right ear as well as your face to determine your identity.

All of this to say that this guy has a regular reminder that this country is not his permanent home. He is a citizen of another land. He lives among us, works among us, but this country isn't his home.

What a cool analogy as we think about our identity as aliens, sojourners, foreigners in this world. Heaven is our eternal home. It's our destination. It's our goal, and is promised to us if we trust Jesus for our salvation. Heaven ought to inform our values, inspire our obedience, and give us a purpose in life.

At the same time, we are called to live in this world. We are even called to influence this world for God. We ought to have significant relationship with lost people. We ought to engage our culture, to examine it, to challenge those who are tied up in it.

A common saying I've heard is "Don't be so heavenly-minded that you're of no earthly good." And the converse is also true, "Don't be so earthy, so tied to this world, that you forget you're a citizen of heaven."

If either of these statements describes you, this sermon series on 1 Peter should have much to say to you. I pray we let the Lord speak to all of us.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2.9-12)

Who's the boss?

2009-03-15T10:03:00.001-07:00

It seems like something in us loves to buck authority. This isn't just a crazy 1960's, Woodstock tradition. It's always been around. For example, consider the first human beings on the planet. In Genesis 3, the serpent temps the woman to consider that God might not be correct in his command regarding a certain tree. Adam and Eve both minimize God's authority, his right to command their lives.

We try to buck authority in many ways, whether it's government, teachers, church leaders, or just "The Man."

The problem with this tendency is that it's sin, plain and simple. The Bible commands that "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." (Romans 13.1) More importantly, God is the ultimate authority in the universe.

Our job is to simply recognize God's authority and submit to it. It's that simple. Make him "The Boss" in our lives, every day, with every decision.

Mighty to Save

2009-01-25T11:24:00.000-08:00

You may check out the video referenced here by going to http://tbclodi.com/TBC/Videos.html

I know many in our congregation were touched by last week's drama. I don't know about you, but my favorite part was when the Jesus triumphed over the dark powers. It reminded me of Colossians 2:13-15, which says:

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

Jesus triumphed over the powers and authorities of the present world (which is under the dominion of Satan, the "ruler of the kingdom of the air," see Ephesians 2.2). He totally defeated them. That doesn't mean we don't still succomb to their influence. We each choose to let them influence us when we let sin reign in our lives, when we let bitterness or anger or lust or pride go unchecked and unconfessed. Maybe your temptation isn't one of the ones pictured in the drama, but anything can "beat us up" if we let it come between us and Jesus.

I also love the imagery of Jesus waiting, grieving, looking on with compassionate eyes, ready to step in when invited. It's been said many times before that "Jesus is a gentleman," waiting for us to ask for help and not just barging in uninvited. After the lead character turns to him, though, he fights for her and takes her place and takes our punishment. I am reminded of Isaiah 53.5:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Why were many of us so moved? Why did tears well up in my eyes every time I saw the drama performed? Because it's such a powerful declaration of the supernatural, miraculous work of Jesus Christ. I choose stupid things over his good plan for me, and reap the consequences (because sin always breaks something.) But Jesus looks on with compassionate eyes, longing for me to give up my striving alone and return to his gracious presence. And when I do repent, or turn from my sin, he is always there to fight for me.

Let's praise God for his glorious grace (Ephesians 1:3-6).

Humble Servants of the Humble King

2008-10-19T11:16:00.001-07:00

we heard today that Jesus did the humble thing in order to serve us. This is true when he was baptized, when he was tempted, when he came to this planet in lowly circumstances, when he submitted to death on a horrendous instrument of death, and countless times during his earthly ministry.

So are we willing to humble ourselves and serve God? It doesn't take much humility to attend church (at least in our country at this moment) or even to put a fish icon on the back of your car. I believe that at this time in history, though, there is a big need for humble service:

In a society that is increasingly anti-Christian, we ought to humbly declare God's truth. We don't need more people with signs and megaphones on street corners, but we need Christians who show a different and better way to live through our marriages, friendships, workplace ethics, and finances.

Our world also needs more Christ-followers who give humble service to our world. There are so many needs to be met in our neighborhoods, across town, and across the world. Are we willing to do even small things to ease the burden of another? Do we have a pattern of life that is looking for needs to meet, rather than asking if our needs are being met? Are we willing to do an act of service even if nobody recognizes our effort or gives us a pat on the back?

"I want to be like you, Jesus, to have this heart in me. You are the God of the humble. You are the humble king."

Reflections on September 28

2008-10-01T22:52:00.000-07:00

I share the following with you from Jamie Howen:

Today my friend Pastor Brian shared with our church family about “the adventure” he has been on with God since his 44-year-old wife Sheila passed away unexpectedly this past March. He shared many ideas that resonated with me. I hope these few will bless you as well:

• We live thinking we are “self-sufficient” until God allows a trial in our lives that makes us realize how utterly dependent we are on Him. We live in a fallen world and will encounter hard times, but the Lord promises that He will always be with us and help us in every situation.

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

• Do you really believe his Word is true?

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

• God has made each one of us unique and we are not here by accident. We are here to do His work all the days He has ordained for us. The day Sheila died, God was not taken by surprise. (Our days are numbered and I truly praise the Lord that He has been merciful to my mother and sister, specifically, who danced on the edge of death, yet are still with us. I pray they will see His mercy and grace and receive the eternal life He has for them through Jesus our Messiah)

Psalm 139:13-16 For You formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.

• God will use everything in our lives to further develop our character, to form patience and faith and trust in Him.

• God does not want us to be stuck in our painful past, but to move on or we will miss the opportunities of the present to help others and share His power and love with those that need to hear His message of love and reconciliation. How do we respond to our trials? With trust in God? With anger or bitterness? You cannot move on to accomplish the work the Lord has prepared for you to do, unless you give your hurts and bitterness to Him.

Ephesians 2: 8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Messiah Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

A Champion of [greater than] Olympic Proportions

2008-08-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

I love watching the Olympic games. I'm not sure why I start to care so much about sports and players I have never before followed (except perhaps four years ago). But suddenly, I must return to the TV screen to watch the finals in badminton, trampoline, rowing, lawn darts (OK, not lawn darts...maybe in 2012). And for me at least, one of the most intriguing parts of the Olympic coverage is the athlete bios. I love the intriguing stories of obstacles overcome, grueling training regimens, and victories won in spite of overwhelming odds.

As I mentioned in service this morning, Jesus has won a victory even greater than an Olympic champion (even an 8-time champion). We all know that he died on a cross and rose to life again, but perhaps we aren't familiar with thinking of Christ as a "Champion."

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 tells declares, "'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Jesus Christ won the victory over death by dying and rising to life again. This is different than when he raised others to life while he was alive (for example, Lazarus or the daughter of Jairus). These people died, were raised to life again, but then they died a natural death some time later. When Jesus rose from the dead, he rose to eternal life, never to die again. This fact confirms our belief that we, too, will join Jesus in heaven and live there eternally, if we are his people. That's why Paul says that "Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Cor. 15.20)

Jesus' victory over death is, without a doubt, an even greater triumph than beating 7 competitors across a pool, or sticking the landing on a triple flip with a double twist.

So let's enjoy the great stories from the Olympics, but let's let them remind us of the greater Victor, the Champion of Champions, the one who has won the greatest race of all. And he calls us to join in the race, and finish as champions ourselves, with his help.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:24)

Una Mas

2008-07-25T06:18:00.000-07:00

Hello to those of you in the pacific time zone. Well today we are getting ready to debrief with our group and spend an afternoon walking around Nashville. Pray that decisions that were and are being made will be cemented "down the mountain".

We have seen a different way to live life, one that will make us have compassion for all others.

Please ask these kids how God changed their life this week.

See y'all in church on Sunday.

Joe

Wednesday

2008-07-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

So today we were able to go back to 2nd harvest food bank to pack more meals for kids, today we packed 5016. That is over 9000 in two days. That is a lot of meals.

Again the kids worked really hard and we never heard them complain at all. So if they complain about making their own lunches you can refer back their time in Nashville and the over 9000 meals they helped make.

We are growing together and learning about the word compassion a lot. Compassion is not a wimpy word to us anymore, just look at the Greek definition.

Keep praying that we will put our expectations aside so we can be CHANGED by God from the inside out. Pray the kids would really be challenged by the messages and worship that is being presented every night. Pray for Matt Wilkes as he is really praying through his messages and he told me last night, that he has pretty much thrown his manuscripts away and gone a new direction. God is really leading him, pray it will continue.

All of the kids are doing really well in less than two days we will be on the way home.

Joe

Dinner Post

2008-07-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

Here is what some of my team says about the day at the food bank.

Danae - "I like knowing that I am making a difference in someone's life and making a difference. Allowing a child to eat that wouldn't normally."

Kelsey - "It made me realize that working with people you don't know is hard but having a loving heart to show compassion. "

Ashley - "I felt good about helping 1000 kids by just filling up bags. And now I can work in a grocery store as a bagger."

Michelle - "Knowing that in 3 hours, I helped so many people and satisfied their hunger, made me feel happy. Something so small is going to help so many people."

Kelly - "Sweaty! just kidding. ummmmm. I felt honored to be a part of an organization that helps children, go home with food for the weekend."

We are headed to worship and a challenging word from our speaker Matt Wilkes, who was helping us today at the food bank, that was cool too. Pray Pray Pray.

Joe

2nd Street Harvest Food Bank

2008-07-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

WOW!!

What an amazing day of service at the 2nd street harvest food bank. We,(our group of 50 people we are partner with) pack 4086 bags of food. The bags will be used to feed 1000 children every weekend for one month. You see 2nd street takes bags of food to schools to give out to children who would normally not get to eat on the weekends. So on Friday before they leave school there teacher will put the bag of food in there backpacks for them to take home. How cool is that?

I will try to get some responses from our kids at dinner and update you. But I will tell you our kids worked really hard today to pack those boxes. Not one time did we have to tell anyone to get going or move faster. Our host from 2nd street, Matt, was amazed at what we got done in such a short amount of time.

I was so excited I couldn't wait til dinner to post, but I will try to post at dinner.

Joe

101 degrees

2008-07-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

So the start to our week came with scorching southern heat and time spent in the cleaning the streets of Nashville. Our students came home red faced but smiling the whole time. God is speaking to the kids in many ways. Since I am with the guys, we will start with them.

Parker - "I need to be more open to looking at situations differently."

Brandon - "I need to accept people I don't know for being a child of God. "

I will try to get more from the girls tomorrow.

Joe - "No matter what God is calling you to do, or where, or how hot, we need to do it 100%."

Our speaker is challenging us to be a part of God's story, to contribute to God's story and to accpet His love for us. Tonight was an amazing time of worship and Matt Wilkes really helping us see God in a new way. Keep praying. Lives are being changed.

Joe

Al Gore

2008-07-20T06:33:00.001-07:00

So as we are sitting on the ground waiting for other people to board with us to Nashville, guess who walks in and sits down, Al Gore. It created quit a buzz as people started to come on, you could see them all say to themselves, "that was Al Gore".

Well, we have arrived here in Nashville and Vanderbilt University, our home until Friday. This campus is very beautiful and we are glad to have a day to get focused before we start our week.

This morning we are eating breakfast at Panera Bread and waiting for our ride to church. We are going to attend Highland Park Church.

Emotions on the team are very high. We did some team building stuff last night to get them to see their strengths and weaknesses. There were some frustrations but I think they realize the point of the exercise and are ready to put what they learned to practice.

This afternoon we are going to do some site seeing downtown and then take a (long) stroll home through centennial park.

Thanks for praying, I will update you all later.

Joe

Nashville Beginnings

2008-07-19T05:33:00.000-07:00

Nine of us are embarking on a journey to Nashville, Tennessee. We are sitting here in the airport with nervous anticipation of what God is about to do in our lives. This experience is going to be more unique than anything we have ever had. I know that the lives of our one Junior High student and six High School students will change forever if we allow ourselves to be open to HIS leading.

Please pray for us: Joe Broesamle, Kelly Broesamle, Brandon Ivy, Parker Fox, Kelsey Walters, Nickole Martinez, Danae Sym, Michelle Rusher, Ashley Tassano

Look for more...

Joe

Prayerful Planning

2008-05-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

This morning we heard that Nehemiah had both prayer AND planning going on as he addressed the situation in Jerusalem. Lots of planning with no prayer can easily lead us out of God's will as we enact our own ideas without any input from God. Conversely, praying about a situation but not engaging our minds and putting together a plan can lead us to spin our wheels and not move forward. Of course, our plans need to be subject to change if God says so, but if we don't use our God-given intellect and skill we will be less effective than if we let godly planning go hand-in-hand with praying.

I am reminded of James 4:13-15:

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

As James indicates, it's not wrong to have a plan. It's just subject to "the Lord's will." His will is discerned by prayer and the counsel of godly people.

Let's keep both prayer and planning in focus as we examine how God might use us to restore the rubble around us.

And don't forget to check out the other blog site and share your stories with us!

From Rubble to Restoration

2008-04-27T10:57:00.001-07:00

I hope you're nearly as excited as me about our new sermon series in the book of Nehemiah. One aspect we're hoping to involve the congregation in is this: telling your stories of restoration. We'd like for you to share with us stories of something God has restored, or is in the process of restoring, or something you'd like to see restored in your life.

There are two ways to get involved in this ministry: one is to post an actual piece of paper on a "wall of restoration" we will be constructing in the foyer. You will hear about this in the next week or two. Another opportunity is to email us with your story of restoration and have us post it to a new blog I've set up. I think this is a great way we can "spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10.24)

A grace-filled reputation?

2008-04-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

In his sermon on stewardship this morning, Pastor Perry mentioned that our testimony as Christians is at stake as the world looks at how God's people handle money. This isn't news to any of us: we know that the world is always watching Christians. And unfortunately, many of us give them many good reasons to reject the faith. Our words and our actions often don't line up. Our declaration of faith doesn't translate into a changed life in their eyes. Those outside might be thinking things like "Why should I consider the claims of Christ? There's nothing different about Christians, and there's even lots of things I see in their lives that I don't like, like hypocrisy."

Not only is the world watching Christians, they're all watching each other. And the area of finances and how we deals with possessions and our "stuff" can be a very visible thing to observe. That's why the phrase "keep up with the Joneses" holds true. People notice what other people do with their stuff and their time. This presents God's people with a great opportunity to display a changed life. Rather than seeking after every dollar we can earn, owning every new toy and giving our time to please ourselves, we can display God's character and priorities by giving our time and money away. This is acting like Jesus.

Perry mentioned that those in the Church have the same track record with over-spending and living in financial bondage as the rest of the country. This is a sad fact because not only are we missing an opportunity to show the world our changed priorities, we're missing a key element of discipleship: learning that life isn't about us but is about God. This is a foundational starting point for our walk with God: taking ourselves off the throne of our life and placing Christ there. Saying to God: "You're the boss!" If he is really our boss, he will be the boss of our pocketbook and boss of our day planner.

So I urge us to diligently work at getting out of financial bondage. This isn't always easy: it took years to get where we are now, and it may take years of hard work to get out of. But when we're free from financial bondage, we can be free to obey God. If we're not weighed down by car payments and the downward spiral of credit card interest, we can go where God asks us right away, or give to a need he lays on our heart.

The Church is supposed to be a grace-filled community that gives God's grace to each other and the world. We hinder our ability to do this when we're over-committed in our finances or time schedule. Let's obey God's word when it comes to stewardship, and be free to show God's character to the world.

I Surrender All? That's outrageous!

2008-03-30T09:42:00.001-07:00

We sing a lot of things we don't really mean. I have thought many times, "Should I really be singing this? I'm having trouble living it out." There are a great many outrageous claims made in our songs. For instance: "Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold." (For your information, "mite" refers not to a tiny insect, but is an archaic word meaning "a Flemish coin of very small value, a third of a penny.") Have you ever sung this song before? (It's from "Take My Life and Let it Be.") Have you ever withheld something from God that you know he wanted you to give?

Whether referring to money or more generally to giving ourselves to God, what should be our response to these kinds of claims? Should we refrain from singing those verses if we can't fully say we're there yet? Some may feel led to do so, and I respect that choice. I even know one person who will change the lyrics they sing in church to reflect their heart. On the song "The Heart of Worship" there is a line that goes "I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made (worship)," which is a confession that worship has become something it should not have been. This person will sing "I thank you Lord for the thing you've made it" as she sings. This is certainly a creative solution.

However, I want to make a case for "singing outrageous claims." Let me begin by stating that it is only by the grace of God that we can obey him. I believe that even the ability to have faith in Christ is a gift from God. Sure, we need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as he works in our life, but our obedience to God ought to be credited to God himself, not any of our own goodness. In light of that, it is an outrageous claim to say that we are followers of Christ. But we ought to do so, relying on his grace to keep us safe. That's why Jesus says "I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day." (John 6.39). It is by Jesus' power that we will not be lost.

It is also by the Spirit's power that we can obey him. Again, our role is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, so that we can obey and become more like Christ. So when we say (or sing) "I give myself to Jesus Christ" we are really saying, "Lord, I want to cooperate with you as you desire to work in my life." Seen in this light, "Take my silver and my gold" can mean for me, "Lord, help me to be as generous as you. I want to give whatever you ask of me. Help me to be more in tune with your promptings."

The danger of singing outrageous claims like these is when we sing them, but never intend to fulfill it. When we sing mindlessly or vow to do something without really intending to follow through with it, God is grieved. Ecclesiastes 5.4-5 says, "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it." If you don't really believe what you're singing, it's better not to sing at all.

Whatever our response, we ought to engage our minds in what we're doing. We ought never shut our minds off when we come to church, or in our private worship. Let's give him all of our emotions, minds, and wills so that he can do beautiful things through us.

All to Jesus I surrender
All to him I freely give
I will ever love and trust him
In his presence daily live

Do we really care?

2008-02-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

Mark Cahill posed a great challenge to me, and I trust to you, this Sunday morning. Given that heaven and hell are very real places, do we really care enough about lost people to do something about their eternal destiny? We may come up with myriad excuses, but none of those holds water in comparison with the command to simply go and share something. It's not my job to "win" people, that's God's job. It is not my job to shape the perferct "presentation," but merely to engage people in a "conversation" about matters of eternity. This can be freeing, because I often want to stall and put off sharing because I'm not sure I'm "ready" with answers to any potential questions a particular person might ask. (This is rediculous, because I've got a Master's Degree from a seminary. When am I ever going to be ready if I'm not now?) I bring this up to highlight how weak some of our excuses can be. The point is that we need to get busy obeying God, responding to the opportunities around us. May you find the courage to start a conversation with someone God has layed on your heart this week!

To find out more about Mark Cahill's ministry, visit http://www.markcahill.org

Run away from sin!

2008-02-10T11:28:00.000-08:00

This morning, Perry spoke about ridding oursevles of sin, and especially running from the dangers of sexual sin. On this topic, I can think of no better Biblical example than Joseph. He was sought after by the wife of his boss Potiphar, and had plenty of opportunities to act on her advances without anyone knowing. Yet time and time again he resisted, saying "How could I do such a wicked thing against God?" (Gen. 39.9)

One day, the story continues, Potiphar's wife insisted that Joseph have sex with him, and here's what he did: he ran away. She grabbed ahold of his cloak, but he left it right there in her hand.

Now many of us know how the story ends, how she falsely accused him of trying to come after her, but I love the fact that Joseph ran away from sexual sin. He didn't hang around, trying to rationalize his actions, or talk her out of it. He was faced with temptation and ran.

Paul says there should not even be a hint of sexual immorality among us. Like the dead mouse Perry wanted to throw out of his house, let's "throw out" sin from our lives each day. We ought to be ruthless when it comes to getting rid of sin. May God give us the courage to run away from temptation. Let's not court it any longer, thinking we are strong enough to resist it.

Big-Picture Living

2008-02-03T11:19:00.001-08:00

I was fascinated by Pastor Perry's image last Sunday about grazing animals. In case you missed it, it went something like this: Usually, when grazing animals get lost it's not because they run headlong away from the pasture, but because they have their head down grazing for food, and gradually lose their way. This is an interesting but sad picture of what a "dumb animal" can do when it stares at the tiny patch of grass in front of them.

Like these kinds of animals, we can easily become too focused on what is right in front of us and get sidelined in our faith. Things we want to achieve or get, whether a promotion or a new vehicle or the romantic attentions of another person, can blind us to the big picture.

Let's live with our heads up, aware of what God is doing around us. Let's live with an awareness of what things are really important to God, and try to make those things important to us as well.

Suffering

2008-01-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

Much has been written about suffering over the centuries, and I'm not going to try to offer a treatise on the subject, but I was struck by Pastor Perry's first sermon point this morning, that Christians suffer joyfully. I've always struggled to understand the Apostle Paul's perspective when he talks about suffering, for he almost seems to enjoy it. However, I know Paul is not just a glutton for punishment. As we learned this morning, though, Paul sees himself as participating in Christ's sufferings when he suffers. And there is nothing like suffering to bring the body of Christ together in support of each other. It can even draw us closer to God as we depend on him.

All of this sounds rather trite, though, coming from someone whose most common form of "suffering" is having to stand in a long line at the grocery store, or wake up in the middle of the night to answer the cries of a child (well okay, my wife usually does that). So I wonder how this idea of suffering applies to the average TBC member? Many of you have dealt the aches and pains, broken bones and broken hips, or bodies that are slowing down. (These are reminders that our bodies were not meant to live forever, though our souls can live eternally with God!) Perhaps some of us face teasing or taunting from family or co-workers about our faith. But little suffering comes our way because we follow Christ.

Perhaps an application for me to think about is how I can react differently to the "stuff" that does come my way. When I do have to stand in that long line or follow a slow driver, how can I change my instant reaction of frustration to one of patience? Whatever I go through, how can I point to Christ during that time? I am encouraged when I hear stories of people walking through a crisis who use their circumstance as a chance to minister. Whether it's the patient in the hospital encouraging those who care for them, or someone who has suffered a loss who then turns around and comforts someone else who has lost someone, these are wonderful examples of how we can find joy in our suffering.

Any other ideas out there? I'd love to hear them.

Thankful For Wonder

2007-11-25T22:53:00.000-08:00

After spending an extensive amount of time with two small people this past week (my two children, to be exact), I am again in awe of a child's sense of wonder. What makes them so excited about seeing an airplane in the sky, or a truck full of Christmas trees headed down the highway? Why do they "ooh" and "aah" over Christmas light displays, no matter how poorly constructed? I don't think it's an under-developed sense of aesthetics, but more a connection to the wonder that can be found in everyday life. Sure, I wonder about big theological concepts like forgiveness and atonement and God's all-powerful nature, but I also long to have more of my children's sense of awe about things I tend to find mundane. I want to remember to thank God for the changing of seasons and the various changes that brings to our world. I want to be pleased when I see what marvelous thing another of God's creatures has made, whether it be an airplane or an MRI machine or a painting of a sunset. Lord, help us to be in awe of the wonder of this life you've called us to, in all of its fullness. (John 10:10b)

Hurry up and wait...

2007-08-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

On August 19, Pastor Perry spoke about James 5.7-12. Some thoughts on patience:

When we feel overwhelmed by problems, remember that it will be worth the wait! James 5:7-8a says, “Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient…”

We know this passage is addressed to believers because James uses the term brothers four times (vv. 7, 9, 10, 12). The kind of patience to which James is referring can only be achieved by a person whose life is connected to God. Patience is listed among the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. It is a characteristic of being born again. As such it is one of those things that set the believer apart from the world. But patience is not one of those things that comes easily. There is a price to pay for patience. Impatience seems more natural, and is often the easier route.

We have all experienced the hurt of mistreatment and misunderstanding. Such hurts come in a variety of forms; intolerable work situations, domestic conflicts, difficult relatives, individuals who take advantage of us, friends (so called) who turn against us, neighbors who believe false things about us and dozens of other hurtful circumstances. Our natural tendency is to retaliate, to return evil for evil, to get even, or to hold a grudge and become bitter. But there is a better way, a higher way that God calls his people to. We see another example of this in 1 Peter 2:18-20: “Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval.”

Anyone can endure when things are going well. And enduring suffering brought on by our poor choices is nothing extraordinary. However, enduring unfair treatment with patience is particularly noteworthy. When we respond in such a supernatural way, God is pleased. May the Lord grant us this kind of patience. He modeled it on the Cross, and he can give it to us as well.

Conflict, Entitlement and Me

2007-07-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

This last Sunday when Pastor Perry was talking about conflict I couldn't help but be reminded of a recent article I read in Group Magazine (vol. 33, no.5) that dealt with Entitlement in today's youth. The article itself covered a lot of ground really quickly and was packed with a lot of great resources, but I want to address the role Entitlement plays in Conflict.

Really, one of the main problems with our culture today, is the fact that we are raising kids with an "Entitlement Mentality". Pastor Perry shared how the size of our homes have grown in the last 50 years by more than 100%, while the size of families has shrunken. Consider the fact America is the richest country in the history of the world with a GDP of more than 13.22 TRILLION dollars. I don't even know how many zeros a trillion is, but I imagine it's a lot! You'd think that with more money people today would be happier, but we all know this isn't so.

In fact multiple studies have come to the same conclusion in recent years. At $12,000 a year a person’s estimation of their satisfaction in life pretty much flat lines. That means that most people are happier at $12,000 a year than they were at $10,000. BUT the same or less people are still at the same level of satisfaction at $20,000 than at $12,000. Just like Biggie said, "Mo' money, Mo' problems".

If I make more money, somehow I feel entitled to more things. I can't explain this completely but I'm sure there is a Psychological explanation, for now let's call it Greed. America, today, feels entitled to so much more than the rest of the world's people. Do Maasai tribesmen of Western Africa feel entitled to own a car? Probably not. Do they feel they've earned a new iPod? I doubt it. So what is it about our society that drives our entitlement?

Quite simply I believe it's our desire to avoid hardships. The low times make the highs all that much higher. Example 1: with the youth we participate in the 30 Hour Famine, for 30 hours we go without food. This hardship brings a greater appreciation for the things we do have. Therefore the student’s sense of Entitlement is lessened.

What's all this have to do with conflict? Why do we struggle against one another? Why do we bicker and fight amongst ourselves over things such as parking spaces or musical styles (especially worship music)? Why am I constantly coveting my neighbor's possessions? Is it because I'm entitled to those things? No, it's because I think I am.

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Jesus. (Matthew 6:28-34)

So, what are we really entitled to?

Pragmatic suggestions for dealing with conflict

2007-07-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

Following are 10 ideas for dealing with, and avoiding, conflicts in your life:

1. The greatest enemy to healthy relationships lies within your own selfish desires. Jesus said, “It is not what is on the outside of person that defiles them, but what comes out of their evil desires.” – hate, envy, jealousy. Practice a Holy Spirit-empowered self-control of your emotions, desires and thoughts. You have the power to solve 80% of the problems behind quarreling. Only Jesus had perfect motives.

2. When you hurt another with offensive words seek reconciliation with a forgiving attitude. Jesus said, “First be reconciled to your brother before presenting your offering at the altar.” If we say that we love God without loving our brother or sister, we are a liar and the truth does not abide in us (1 John 4:20).

3. There is a difference between discussing issues objectively and taking issues so personally that we begin to assault another’s character. Incessant quarreling is a sign of carnality and immaturity. Paul writes, “You Corinthians are still infants in Christ… You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?” (I Cor. 3;2,3) It’s okay to let things go sometimes!

4. It is all right to disagree without being disagreeable in the process. By controlling one’s tone of voice, one is able to calmly discuss issues without becoming agitated, irritated or emotionally volatile. Some people have more tolerance for differences of opinions than others. Carefully gauge whether or not it would be beneficial to share a different opinion.

5. Be humble, realizing that no one except the Lord has all the facts. Do not presuppose the superiority of your own point of view. Take other people’s feelings into account, even though you may have more information at your disposal. Relationships are more important than intellectual jousting.

6. Ask the Lord for patience when dealing with people of a different viewpoint. Jesus patiently spoke truth to the Pharisees who loved to argue, debate and publicly dispute ideas. The Lord demonstrated great restraint with people who were intellectually astute but spiritual dead.

7. As far as it is possible, live at peace with all people (Romans 12:18). This may mean politely bowing out of a conversation before it is too late. Through the wise use of chosen words you will be able to live in harmony, unity and cooperation with a wide variety of people. Some whom you have disagreements with may end up being your greatest allies.

8. God allows for unity amidst great diversity of opinions, cultures and personalities. “The Lord created Christians in one body and one Spirit with one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:4-6) Learn to appreciate God’s ability to work through diverse people to accomplish His Kingdom purposes. You may not be able to understand how or why he made us the way we are, but His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts. (Isa. 55:8-9)

9. Warn others about quarreling over words as it is of no value and only ruins those who listen (2 Tim. 2:14). We ought to concentrate on the essentials of faith and our obedience to what God has clearly revealed, rather than arguing endlessly about non-essentials.

10. Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. Instead, choose to be kind to all, able to teach, not resentful. Gently instruct people with the hope that God will grant them a change of mind leading to a knowledge of the truth. (2 Tim. 2:23-24)

On the road together

2007-06-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Let’s face it, men, living God’s way doesn’t come naturally. That’s one of the great reasons God put us in the church: with the help of other believers we can become like Jesus more effectively. Accountability to another man is a great tool to help you in your desire to be more like the Savior.

In his book, “Locking Arms: Strength in Character through Friendships,” Stu Weber proposes four important aspects of Christian men’s accountability.

• Acceptance - we will choose to accept each other as we are with no conditions. Solomon wrote: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17). Paul encouraged the church at Rome, and us men today, to “accept one another as Christ as accepted you.” (Romans 15:7).

• Affirmation – we will commit to building each other up through genuine expression of interest and regular encouragement. In a world that beats us down every day wouldn’t it be nice to have a friend that intentionally encourages us?
1 Thessalonian 5:11 instructs us to “…encourage one another and build up each other…”

• Accountability – We will regularly check in with one another in key areas of our personal and spiritual growth. Solomon knew the value of accountability: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

• Authority – We will recognize and if necessary remind one another of God’s ultimate authority in our lives. Proverbs 27:5-6 reminds us: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Truth telling is indispensable in a friendship that under God’s authority.

As men, we are not meant to walk this path alone. Ecclesiastes 4:10 says:
“If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:10).

Gauges

2007-06-11T23:50:00.000-07:00

Ask anyone who knows about cars, and they’ll tell you it’s important to pay attention to your gauges. They tell you what’s going on under the hood, and can help diagnose problems with the car’s systems.

According to James 3, our tongue is a good spiritual gauge or meter. It can control our whole body and set the course for our life (James 3:6). As such, it can also serve as an indicator of how things are functioning “under the hood” in our lives. What is the direction our life is heading in? How close to Christ’s life are we walking? Our words are one indicator.

I’ve heard it said that “when you’re shaken, what comes out is what you’re really made of.” I’m not just talking about the words we use when calm, cool, and trying to put on a good face. I’m talking about what you say when someone cuts you off in traffic, or slanders you, or you don’t get your way. These are the moments when our faith is shown for what it is.

Christ-followers, let’s remember to keep a close eye on the “tongue gauge.” Our faith can never register on a higher scale than our words.

Hide it under a bushel?

2007-06-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite passages describing our walk with Christ is found in 2 Corinthians 3.17-18, which says, “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” We reflect the light of Jesus, like the moon mirrors the light of the sun. And the more like Jesus we are, the clearer we can reflect his character and light.

Pastor Brian mentioned yesterday that the Holy Spirit is like a light in us. Miraculously, when we trust in Jesus, the Light of the World, we become little lights that point to Jesus, the ultimate source of light. Hence the kids’ song, “This Little Light of Mine.” (My daughter has yet to bring this song home from Sunday School, but I know it will be fun when she does.) When the song poses the question, “Hide it under a bushel [basket]?” the obvious answer is a resounding “No!” And yet, for a variety of reasons, we do indeed try to hide or squelch that light.

What are some of these reasons? How can we hide the light of the Holy Spirit within us? One way is by continuing to habitually sin. The scripture above from 2 Corinthians indicates that as we become more and more like Jesus, we will more and more clearly reflect the light of Jesus. So if we remain in sin and unrighteousness, we will be “smudged mirrors” that are ineffective at showing a clear image. Now I’m not supporting the idea that anyone can reach “sinless perfection” before we reach heaven, but merely saying that every Christian ought to be putting to death specific sins in their lives, and putting on godly character traits, and reducing the actual amount of sin in their life as time goes on. Do this, and your Holy Spirit light will shine brightly in a world in need of light.

Another reason our light may be dim is being ashamed of our faith. In a world increasingly hostile to Christianity, it can be easy to retreat into a corner, never letting anyone know that we have a relationship with the Creator of the universe. But if our lives have indeed been changed, if we are a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), and if God is indeed blessing us each day with new mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23), how can we keep it in? It’s like shaking up a bottle of Coke, then trying to just gently open up the lid without making a mess. God has blessed so abundantly that we ought to be bursting at the seams with praise (Ephesians 3:20-21). People of God, let’s not hide our relationship with Christ for fear of looking foolish. The Lord himself suffered great shame for our sake.

There is so much the Bible has to say about light, but the basic point is that we are light now in the Lord, and ought to live as people unafraid to live in the light, with our deeds exposed to the light of God’s truth. By obeying Jesus we shine his light into a dark world and offer a message of hope to the confused and hurting. Let’s go light it up, people!

Knowing and Doing

2007-05-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

Many of us know more than we do. For me personally, I find it's not that I don't know what I ought to do as much as it is failing to do what I know I should do. Pastor Perry’s May 6 sermon dealt with James 1.19-27, which includes the following: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (verse 22)

Perry writes, “The good thing about listeners is that they tend to spend time in the word. Listeners are often people who have a systematic quite time. That is they spend time almost every day reading, studying and taking notes over the things they’ve learned. Listeners are often people who love the church, they usually take copious notes during the sermon time and they even teach bible studies. But according to this passage there’s another step necessary for your spiritual development.” Too many of us who love the Bible don’t actually obey the Bible. The problem is that the Bible is meant to be obeyed, not just listened to.

The pattern we ought to have in our lives is to learn some of God’s truth, then put it into practice, then learn more truth, then put that into practice. But it tends to be that we sit in classrooms and sermons, listen to teaching on CDs and podcasts, all the while filling our heads up with knowledge and not changing our lives one bit. (Does this remind you a bit of the Pharisees that we studied in our last sermon series?)

We love to point our hypocrisy and contradiction in the lives of others. Think of the respiratory therapist who goes out on a break to have a cigarette, or the cardiologist stuffing his face with high-cholesterol foods and fattening himself up, or the beautician with a wretched hairdo. The real challenge is to see the inconsistency in our own lives and then do something about it. We ought to take some of that knowledge we have of God’s word and actually start applying it to our lives, making changes and the Holy Spirit puts his finger on dark corners that need the light to shine in them. O Lord, shine your truth into my life!

God's Yeses

2007-05-07T15:06:00.000-07:00

First of all, I want to say that the spelling of this title is correct. I even double-checked it in the dictionary, and "yeses" and "yesses" are both accepted spellings of the plural of "yes." Okay, that's for those of you bothered by spelling and grammar like I can be. :)

I've been thinking about a point from April 29th's sermon in our sermon series on the book of James. In the midst of talking about temptations, Perry said that we need to "Live in light of God's yeses." Way too often, we tend to think of God's commands as a series of "no's." Don't do this, stop doing that, and on and on. Many a church has helped pour guilt onto Christians by piling up rules, boxing people in so they are in veritable straight jackets, unable to move.

What if we focused instead on the things God has said "yes" to? What if we painted much better and brighter pictures of what God affirms? I'm not suggesting that sin doesn't matter to God, but that we would do well to focus less on that big, shiny pile of things we call "sin" and more on life the way it was meant to be lived.

It seems easier for us to use our imaginations to picture what is ungodly, twisted, or sinful. This certainly seems true for the motion picture industry. If you're familiar with the Lord of the Rings trilogy of movies, think about how thoroughly evil the depictions of Mordor are, and how ghoulish the orcs and other servants of the Dark Lord are. The dark imagery is very powerful. Compare that with the ability of the film makers to achieve beauty in places like Rivendell. Sure, it's nice and all, with waterfalls and ornate carvings, but it's not nearly as compelling as the dark.

Why don't we set our minds to picturing the good things God has in store for us if we follow his way? (Philippians 4.8) Since God made us, with all our interests and desires, shouldn't we think that he knows the best way to fulfill those desires?

We are tempted to spend all our time and money on ourselves. Why don't we do a better job painting a picture of a life lived for others, a life of serving and giving? People who go on short-term missions trips to developing countries usually return saying things like, "They were so poor, but so full of joy," and then in a few weeks often return to the same lifestyle as before their trip. Perhaps we can do a better job of highlighting joyful lives of ministry.

We are hounded today by temptations to illicit sex and sensuality. Why don't we herald the beauty of sex within marriage, the way God designed it to be? And I'm not talking about puritanical, prudish talks about "waiting for marriage," which is of course an obvious given, but about saying things like "Want to avoid lots of hang-ups, distractions, and dissatisfaction in your sex life? Then stay away from pornography, don't fool around before you're married, and you'll have much more fun in the long run."

The desire for a thrill drives people to jump off of high structures with bungee cords strapped to them, to jump off their houses while friends video tape them, or to a myriad of "extreme" sports. Why can't we declare the thrill of knowing you're fulfilling your purpose, doing what you were created to do? (Ephesians 2.10) Or the thrill of sharing your faith with a neighbor you've developed a relationship with over months and years? Or the thrill of enjoying the beauty of creation and praising its Creator?

Let's live in light of God's yeses, and in doing so fully live (John 10.10). Have you got any more pictures to paint? I'd love to hear about them. Share them in the comments to this entry.