Continuing Education

Go...Goodbye...Growth (Pains)

2012-02-13T18:38:00.000-06:00

As many of you know this fall brought a whirlwind of changes into my life. At the end of August I got engaged and I moved from Chicago to Richmond, CA. On September 1st, I began a new job as one of the pastors at Living Hope Neighborhood Church. At the end of September I helped my then fiance' move her stuff from Branson, MO to Richmond. On Saturday November 5th I got married to Josie! Then on Sunday November 6th we flew back to Richmond together to begin our new life and ministry together. It is safe to say that the end of 2011 flew by, and left my head spinning:)

In recent weeks I feel as if the weight of all of the changes has caught up with me. This morning I watched a video of a new song by J'son called "Goodbye" that strongly resonated with me and how I have been feeling. In J'son's case he relocated from St. Louis, MO to Iowa. I don't know all of the details of his transition there, but I know from the song he believes that God purposefully moved him there, away from all that he has known and loved. I think my situation is different from his, yet what he shares about "being in a fruitful place" and "growing pains" is exactly what I'm feeling.

In the song he says something like this, "leaving the city I love, leaving the people I love, but I gotta follow the God I love (paraphrase)." Then he adds, "saying goodbye to everything you know, cause you feel the Spirit telling you go." Chicago is the place that I "grew up" in ministry. During my ten years there I learned so much about God, myself, race & culture, living in community, the Church, etc. I came to love the city, it's pace, its joys, and its struggles. I also came to love the families whom I was serving in youth ministry. I love the young men and women whom I have watched grow up, and am so proud of them and of what God is doing in their lives. I built strong friendships with my co-laborers (both at Sunshine, at Christ Bible Church, and at other ministries), and feel like I have a huge extended family there. And yet with all of that being said (being in a place I love and at a ministry I love), I began to feel like the Lord was moving me. I say those words with caution (as I know they can be overused and abused - ie "the Lord told me..."), but I genuinely feel His hand has been on this move and transition process.

God now has me in a different region of the country, in a smaller city, in a very diverse community, and on staff at a small church (with big dreams). I feel like God is stretching me in every area of my life.

At Home: I love being married. The fact that I am married to Josie is evidence of God's grace. I am so thankful. Yet, with all of that being said I am learning what it means to be a husband. Marriage is holding a mirror up to my selfishness. This is a great thing for my growth, but a painful thing at the same time. I am learning what it means to be the spiritual leader of my home. Every day, I'm trying to better learn my wife - how the Lord has wired her, what makes her tick, and what ticks her off:) God is growing me through my marriage.

At Church: I still can't believe I'm a pastor, and all the responsibility that it entails. I am in over my head. I am blessed with a great team to learn from and to learn with. I am also blessed with a loving church community. However, at the same time I feel like my "ministry identity" has been stripped away and at times I feel like I'm not sure who I am, or how I quite fit in here. At Sunshine, I was the "youth outreach director." I'm not much into titles, but what I am learning about myself is that I did have a "ministry identity" that I had grown into and become comfortable in. Now God has stripped that away, and is stretching me to find my identity in Him and through community here, as we flesh out the Great Commission together.

In The Neighborhood: In Chicago I lived in a neighborhood that was predominately African-American. The part of the neighborhood in which I lived and worked was predominately low-income families. I loved it there, and learned much from my neighbors there. I now live in a neighborhood that is very diverse, both ethnically and economically. It has a completely different feel. Although racial and class segregation is not as felt here, people live very separate lives even though they live next door to each other. I am recognizing that I liked "being known" by people in Chicago. No one knows me here, and I am challenged to learn afresh how to best build relationships and bridges amongst my neighbors. For example, the family who lives next door to us are Muslims. There is a mosque at the end of our street. I am praying that I can build relationships and share Jesus with them, but to be honest it is a daunting challenge that I know the Lord has placed on my heart. God is using the newness of my surroundings to grow me.

So here I am (and here we are). I'm learning. I'm being stretched. It is uncomfortable. I miss people. I miss the more familiar. Yet I am trusting that God has been sovereignly leading this process, and He is shaping and molding me through it. God has blessed me (& Josie) with new community to do life with and new mentors and teachers. As J'son said, "I'm in a fruitful place." My prayer continues to be, Lord teach me what You would have me to learn.

"Cause I know your aim, to glorify Your holy Name, as we go through these growing pains" Amen.

Fruit of the Spirit: GOODNESS

2012-02-12T16:31:00.000-06:00

This past Saturday morning I continued our Fruit of the Spirit series, preaching on the fruit of "Goodness." Below are my main sermon notes...

Goodness
Galatians 5:22-23

Question: What is goodness?

You ever heard the expression, “I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?” Usually I respond with “give me the bad news.” My logic behind this is that I want the bad news first, so that the good news is highlighted. Hearing the bad news first magnifies the “Goodness” of the good news! So as we talk about goodness this morning…I have bad news and good news…and I’m going to start with the bad news…

Titus 3:3-7
a)Our condition before OR without Christ

Titus 3:3 = For we ourselves were once (OR apart from Christ we are...)
Foolish = unwise (without wisdom), unintelligible
Disobedient = unable to persuade, noncompliant
Led astray = to be deceived, to be led aside from the right way
Slaves to various passions and pleasures = owned by; to give one’s self up to; in total bondage, unable to free yourself
Passing our days in malice and envy = wasting our lives, passing our time in
Malice = ill will, wickedness, and a desire to injure
Envy = a grudging regard for the advantages that others seem to enjoy; a sorrow that others have that we don’t
Hated by others = hated, detestable
and hating one another = to pursue with hatred, to detest
=you are hated by others and you hate back (you hate yourself)

b)Our salvation through Christ

Titus 3:4 = But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared
Goodness is “love in action” – Warren Wiersbe

I. God’s goodness for us
The Cross screams the goodness of God. The Cross is truly God’s love in action. We need to remind ourselves daily of the Cross. We need to have a “day to day interaction with Calvary.”

Why? Because the Cross reminds us that God is for us. The Cross screams that God is good and God is for us.

Otherwise we might doubt the fact that God is good…all the time, and all the time…God is good!
Let’s think about this. I am newly married. I love my wife. Let’s just say that she started noticing some health issues and goes to the doctor to get things checked out. Let’s imagine that the doctor tells us that it might be cancer and that further testing is needed. We go in for the tests and then have to wait several days for the results. Let’s say that when we go in for the results the doctor says that she is cancer free. When we find out that she is cancer free, we might exclaim, “God is good!”
However, what if we find out that she has cancer? Would we still exclaim that “God is good?”
God is good all the time. And all the time God is good right?

That means that God’s goodness does not depend on life circumstances, but rather God’s goodness is based upon who He is…God’s character.
God’s goodness is based on who He is. His greatest demonstration of His goodness is at the Cross = God’s love in action.

II. God’s goodness through us

(1)We speak of His goodness

Psalm 145:7; Isaiah 63:7

“As endless as God’s blessings are, So should my praises be For all His daily goodnesses That flow unceasingly!” —Adams

(2)We show His goodness

the fruit of the Spirit are the “beautiful graces of the Spirit”

We have come to know and experience God’s goodness in Saving us, and His gracious Holy Spirit in us that gives us the ability to extend His goodness to others!

God’s goodness has changed our eternal destiny, given us a radical new identity in Christ, and His Holy Spirit now lives in us, therefore we are now able to have the desire to extend God’s goodness to others.

Goodness = God’s love in action
Through Christ we have the opportunity to put on display the “beautiful graces of the Spirit”

Good works or deeds = fruit – acts of Christian love that inevitably accompany a genuine faith

Titus 2:14 = who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works

Are we zealous to show acts of Christian love?

Question: Do our neighbors know that we love them? Have we shown them goodness, God’s love in action? The people that we long to see transformed must know that we care deeply for them.

God is good—make sure the people in your world know what He has done in your life.

What Church People Ought To Be About

2012-02-11T13:55:00.001-06:00

This past week was Moody's annual Founder's Week. I have been able to listen to two powerful messages from the week (you can find all of them on youtube). One of them was given by Pastor Erwin Lutzer. He referenced a poem that one of my mentors, Dr. John Fuder, shared with Moody Church. It is a poem by George MacLeod, and we need to hear his words today as the American church. Here is what it says,

“I simply argue that the Cross must be raised again

at the center of the marketplace

as well as the steeple of the church.

I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified

in a cathedral between two candles,

but on a Cross between two thieves,

on a town garbage heap,

at the crossroads of politics,

so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title

in Hebrew, in Greek, and Latin

and at the kind of place

where cynics talk smut, thieves curse, and soldiers gamble,

Because that is where He died and that is what He died about

and that is where Christ men ought to be

and what church people ought to be about.”

Erwin Lutzer added, "What an awesome reminder that we are not just called to love one another, but it seems to me that throughout church history whenever a church got serious with God, it got serious with its community; it got serious with evangelism through works of service and it began to make a difference."

Amen

The Gospel At Work - James 2:14-26

2012-02-06T18:50:00.001-06:00

This past Sunday I preached the rest of James chapter two, verses fourteen through twenty-six. You can listen to the message here. Here are the key sermon notes.

QUESTION (James 2:14)
In other words, “Is faith without works real, saving faith? What if someone’s faith is all talk? Is that genuine, saving faith?”

EXAMPLE (James 2:15-16)
It is…Lip service but no love, Words with not witness, Talk with no transformation

1 John 3:16-18 = By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

“We live sacrificially, not because we feel guilty, but because we have been loved greatly...those who have received mercy extend mercy. Grace in our hearts overflows in goodness from our hands…” -David Platt

ANSWER (James 2:17)
Dead in the Greek means = DEAD
Works or deeds = fruit – acts of Christian love that inevitably accompany a genuine faith

Here is an example of “Dead” faith…
“I was hungry and you formed a humanities club and discussed my hunger. I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel in the cellar and prayed for my release. I was naked, and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance. I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health. I was homeless and you preached to me the spiritual shelter of the love of God. I was lonely, and you left me alone to pray for me. You seem so holy, so close to God, but I’m still very hungry and lonely and cold.” - taken from “Signs of Life” by David Jeremiah

Real faith produces real fruit!

NO DICHOTOMY (James 2:18)
Saving faith is shown through works. There is no separation between the two.

“Faith is the source of our salvation, but good works are the way we express the reality of our salvation.” David Jeremiah

Jesus said in Matthew 7:16-17 = You will recognize them by their fruit.

It’s not just words…when someone truly embraces the Gospel, there is movement! It’s not just lip service. It’s not just checking the box on a doctrinal statement. It’s not “oh sure, yeah I believe that.” Real faith leads to real Gospel driven compassion and love lived out in community!

QUESTION (James 2:20)

BIBLICAL EVIDENCE (James 2:21-25)

(1) What is justification?
being declared righteous by God through faith, on the basis of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice
to be made right with God, to be in right standing with God through faith, ON THE BASIS of Jesus sacrifice for your sins

(2) Paul
The primary way in which Paul uses the word “justify” with this definition in mind. Consider these passages written by Paul.

Romans 3:21-24; Romans 4:1-3; Galatians 3:6-8
Paul was quoting from Genesis 15:6 which says, "And He believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness."

(3) James
He uses the word “justify” to emphasize the way in which works demonstrate that someone has truly been justified. In other words, James sees the good works that a person does as evident of true justification by faith as having taken place. So James doesn’t look at Genesis 15:6, but rather looks many years down the road at Genesis 22:9-12 where Abraham was ready to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice in obedience to God.

(4) James & Paul TOGETHER
Together James and Paul give the full dimension of faith.
Paul wrote about INNER saving faith from God’s perspective (the vertical).
James wrote about OUTWARD saving faith from man’s perspective (the horizontal).

(5) Rahab
Why would Rahab risk her life to hide the Israelite spies??
Consider Joshua 2:9-11
She was saved because of her faith in the true and living God AND she saved others because of her faith! In other words, her actions to save others were proof of her saving faith!

In Conclusion…

1) We are not saved by works
Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7

2)We are saved to works
Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8

His grace compels us to good works
His mercy compels us to show mercy
His love compels us to love others

3)His Grace → Good Works → His Glory
“The world around us can’t see our inner faith, but it can see the good works that flow from our faith.” - David Jeremiah

Matthew 5:16 = In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

“Good works are the result, not the cause, of God’s being 100 percent for us. If He were not for us because of faith alone, owing to Christ alone, we would be hopelessly unable to do good works, because our works would not magnify His grace but our resolve.” - John Piper

February Praise & Prayer

2012-02-01T14:42:00.001-06:00

Praises (We praise God…)
1)For His faithfulness – new lessons being learned, new relationships, provisions, and grace!

2)That we have the opportunity to travel with a team to Rwanda in mid April! More info on this upcoming trip coming soon!

3)Community – Both Josie and I had great community (people doing life with us) in Chicago and Branson. Although, we greatly miss our friends there, God has blessed us with great family here!

4)I have begun volunteering each week at Richmond High School and the Boys and Girls Club doing tutoring and mentoring!

5)Our church has begun to implement the ministries of Safe Families and Youshare! Both of these ministries will give us opportunities to better love and serve our church body and community.

6)For a great start to our sermon series in the book of James (Sunday mornings) and the Fruit of the Spirit (Saturday mornings)!

Prayer Requests (Please pray with us…)
1)That our faith in Christ and our love for Him would continue to grow! Please pray that we would truly trust Him in all areas of our lives.

2) a - Josie will be taking a physical therapy test in about a week. She needs to pass this test in order to maintain her state license. Please pray for her as she continues to prepare for it, and that she would do well.
b – She is also looking for a part time job to help make ends meet for us. She has an interview with the YMCA tomorrow (Thursday)! Please pray both for work opportunities and for wisdom.

3) a – We own a condo in Branson, Missouri (where Josie lived before we got married). Please pray with us that we would find a renter soon!
b – We also own a condo in Chicago. Currently, my good brother CW is living there as he attends Moody and works at Sunshine. However, this will be ending in June. Therefore, we need to make some decisions about this condo – short sale, renter, sell, etc. Please pray for wisdom for us.

4) Josie and I are going to begin directing the “game time” at our monthly “Kid’s Fun Night” here at the church. In addition to that, we will be meeting with an AWANA missionary this week about launching a club here in the fall. We are also praying about starting a youth day camp or VBS style program this summer to gain momentum towards the fall. Please pray for wisdom and vision as we move forward with this.

5)We (Josie and I) are beginning to work on support raising, planning, and preparing for our Rwanda trip (April 15th – April 29th) in collaboration with Hallomai International (the same ministry I went to Nigeria with). Please pray for direction for us, and that we would trust God to provide for this trip. We will have a newsletter coming soon! (Also, praise God as one of our plane tickets for this trip has been provided for!)

6)I will be preaching this coming Sunday (2/5) and the following two Saturdays (2/11 & 2/18). Please pray that the LORD would direct those messages, and that He would be lifted high as I preach. (If you would like to listen to our sermons click here.)

We are so grateful for your prayers, encouragement, and support! Please let us know how we can be praying for you! You can email us at pastordave@lhnchurch.org or ja92777@gmail.com

The Gospel At Work: James 2:1-13

2012-01-31T12:52:00.001-06:00

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach the 4th message of a nine week series we are doing, preaching through the book of James. Our series is entitled "The Gospel At Work." I preached from James 2:1-13. Below are the key sermon notes. You can listen to the sermon online here.

What is partiality?
“to be biased”
“to accept/judge according to face” and refers to favoritism on the basis of status
“It means that you base your treatment of someone – or your attitude toward someone – on something that should not be the basis of how you treat him.” - Piper

I. Consider…“our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory”

1)No partiality in living His life

Hebrews 1:3 = He (Jesus) is the radiance of the glory of God

Romans 2:11 = For God shows no partiality.

Jesus lived in a cultural context that was known for division, prejudice, and partiality and yet His life was radically counter-cultural in how He embraced all people regardless of their background and/or social status. During his life and ministry Jesus honored, accepted, and loved those who were despised and looked down upon. Consider how Jesus treated children, lepers, tax collectors, women, and Samaritans. Jesus didn't allow class divisions, racism, and "the way things are" to effect how He interacted with people.

2)No partiality in giving His life

Revelation 5:9 = And they (the four living creatures and the 24 elders falling down before the Lamb in worship) sang a new song saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation”

There are 16,789 people groups! Jesus died for all of them!

Justification by faith alone puts all of us on a level ground of utter dependence.

Ephesians 2:8-9 = 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.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ leaves no room for pride or arrogance. It’s all His grace!

II. The Gospel frees us from partiality!

Ephesians 2:13-14 = But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility.

Galatians 3:26 = For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith…v. 28 = There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus.

The Gospel demands a drastic new paradigm in how we approach relationships.

“Before we fell in love with Jesus, we were seated at the head of our own tables. For some, prior to Jesus, they may have lived naturally segregated lives, where the maxim ‘birds of a feather flock together’ was true of them. But now, having entered the marriage covenant with Christ, they are seated at the multi-ethnic, multi-socioecnomic dinner tables of the church, where Christ is the new head. Now they are told to do life with one another, to serve one another, and encourage one another. The covenant of salvation demands a radical re-patterning of relationships.” - Bryan Loritts

Why would a church show partiality to the rich?
Image
Status
It makes us look good!

Think Biblically:
God created the poor in His image
God sent His son to die for the poor
The poor who trust in Christ for their salvation are “heirs of the Kingdom”
In dishonoring the poor man…you are dishonoring God!

Level Ground of Utter Dependence: The Gospel makes the wealthy poor, because they can no longer depend on their wealth. The Gospel makes the poor rich because they become fellow heirs of the Kingdom (this should radically effect how we view one another!).

In the “World” this is what is happening…
Oppression, exploitation, social polarization, and an unjust legal/court system (this was the context of James)

Consider James 1:21-27
The Hope of Salvation (James 1:21)COMPELS us to practice "Pure Religion" = outward practice or service to God (James 1:27)
Pure Religion is marked by two things:
(1) “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction” – Justice/Compassion for the vulnerable
AND
(2) “keep oneself unstained from the world” - Holiness (to be distinct from the world)
1
By showing partiality to the rich, something that was happening in the world…they were violating the very 2 things, James said were the marks of true religion, or rather the marks of a truly transformed heart: compassion for those who are vulnerable and holiness from the ways of the world!

1)The Law can’t save you…you have to uphold ALL of it!

-Favortism and discrimination are violations of the kingdom law of love

2)The Gospel frees us to live under the law of liberty

Law of liberty – True freedom is freedom to obey God and do what pleases Him. That law of Christ provides freedom from sin through the Gospel.

Grace doesn’t produce lawlessness, it produces love!

3)In light of the Gospel, we are compelled to SPEAK and ACT as recipients, partakers, and givers of His Mercy!

Grace = when God gives us something that we don’t deserve
Mercy = when God withholds from us that which we do deserve

"Christian love means treating others the way God has treated me." Warren Wiersbe

The Gospel transforms us from "judges with evil thoughts" to loving givers of mercy!

Wedding Day Highlight Montage "WDHM"

2012-01-22T15:22:00.000-06:00

This is a wedding video "highlight montage" put together by our videographer. His work is amazing! Thought we would share it with everyone! If you want to know "our story" read here.

I still can't believe it! God is so faithful and so gracious!

Prayerful Perspective In Swaziland

2012-01-21T22:27:00.000-06:00

As some of you know, I am on the board of a ministry in southern Africa called Africa Revolution. Each year "AR" hosts teams of college age/young adult interns for a year long program of discipleship and service (called Vision Year). This past year a young brother in the Lord from Zimbabwe, named Clever, finished the year and really stood out as a servant leader. He is now going to stay on for an additional year as a team leader for the new team of interns coming to Swaziland in February.

A couple of weeks ago, while driving the AR van, he was "car jacked," beaten, and nearly killed by a group of men in a township in South Africa. Thankfully, God kept Clever and another young man from death (as this was the intention of the thieves). You can read more about the incident here.

Allan recently emailed Clever and asked him how he was doing. I wanted to share some of Clever's response. It is a beautiful display of the power of the Gospel and how it can alter our perspective in the midst of pain and tragedy. Here is part of Clever's response...

“As far as I am concerned, I am doing great. I am now getting back in the gear of prayer since I arrived in Swaziland. It’s peaceful here and no one is after me. When I was still in South Africa, I was still traumatized thinking about the event every day. I lacked trust, toward every South African male. I kept thinking that they are all thugs. I am sorry for this, God will forgive me. My mind is just thinking about the bus as you know that it was my favorite. I was treating it like my son. The way it was taken from my hands! It ripped my heart; it was something which I was treasuring so much. I had just committed everything in God’s hand he knows why this happened and he is the one who has a better and a good reason for this. My question to God was what have I done so much to deserve this? We are serving you with this bus but you take it away? What does this mean? I felt the Lord saying this message to me, ‘you are a victim of my purpose.”
Again I asked God what this means. “We served Mamelodi and the whole community spreading your Word, investing into this community and the very same community today is stealing from us.”

I felt that God wants us to love this community more. The same thing happened to Jesus. He came to serve and save his own people and the very same people rejected him, accused him and even killed him.

What a mighty God we serve. He wants to use us in this town regardless of being abused or robbed. Thus are my feelings for now. And I am praying for those thugs that they may see God in their lives.”

Please continue to pray for Clever. I am excited to see what God is going to do in and through him in the year ahead. Also, AR is trying to raise money to replace the van that was stolen. It is crucial to the ongoing ministry in Swaziland! The need is $8,000. You can learn more here.

The Impact of Dr. King

2012-01-20T20:44:00.000-06:00

(One of my favorite speeches of his. It gives me chills every time.)

As many of you know, Martin Luther King Jr is one of my heroes! His life, and what he gave his life for, has inspired me ever since I remember first learning about him and hearing his speeches in junior high. Whenever Martin Luther King Day rolls around each year, I go searching the internet for new articles, blogs, and videos about him.

This year, through someone I follow on Twitter (American Indian News), I learned something new about the impact he had on all Americans.
Levi Rickert stated on the "Native News Network" site that Dr. King's "leadership and dream transcended racial boundaries." He went on to add,
"The effects of his work impacted the lives of all Americans. For instance, the passage of the momentous Civil Rights Act of 1964 benefited American Indians and Latinos, as well as African Americans. We can now go places we could not go prior to 1964. We can now stay in motels we could not stay in prior to 1964. Prior to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, American Indians were not allowed in many establishments simply because we were Indians. Many establishments prominently displayed signs that read: 'No Indians or Dogs Allowed' in various parts of this country. One Ottawa elder recalls, when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became a federal law, business proprietors, who owned restaurants, motels and shops, in the upper portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula held a meeting to discuss, 'What they were going to do now that they had to serve Indians.'"

Dr. King was a man who, compelled by the love of Christ, gave his life for others (1 John 3:16-18). His message is still relevant today as our nations is still plagued by racism and systemic injustice. His life should inspire us to contend for and sacrificially serve others. May we all have a holy discontent for the way things are, and dream and work for true Gospel driven unity and shalom.

Change The World For Christ: Remembering John Stott

2012-01-14T13:04:00.001-06:00

Shortly after moving to Richmond at the end of August I saw a quote that resonated with what I believe God had/has been showing/challenging me with. It is a famous quote from John Stott. He used to say, "We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God." That spoke very powerfully to me. Not only does the quote impact me, but the more I read about John Stott, the more I wanted to learn about the man he was. He was a local pastor, with a passion for London (his local context) and the world. He was a bridge builder and a cultural learner. He had a big vision...to change the world for Christ!

A July 27th, 2011 article in the New York Times touched on the global impact he had. Professor Mark Noll stated, "Mr. Stott became a patron, mentor, friend and encourager of thousands of pastors, students and laypeople from the newer Christian parts of the world. He became a bridge between the West and the rising Christian world.” He was dedicated to helping the poor in developing countries, what he termed the Majority World. Using royalties from his books, he set up trusts to help gifted students from the developing world earn doctorates abroad and then return to their native countries to teach in theological seminaries. His ministry, John Stott Ministries, is still going strong. It is dedicated to "equipping pastors so that the Majority World church matures through the Word of God."

I discovered the following (roughly 20 minute) sermon preached in his honor by Tim Keller at his United States memorial service (he also had one in England and Canada). I was both challenged and inspired by what he shared.

In light of John Stott's life of faith (Hebrews 13:7), we ought to be...

1)Convicted by his Kingdom vision
-He had zeal for the Kingdom!
-"His entire life was dedicated to banish apathy"
-He wanted to do something world, historical for Jesus. He wanted to change the world for Christ!

2)Cautioned by his cultural learning curve
-He went into the developing world (Asia, Africa, & South America) and listened.
-He got out and allowed Christians in other parts of the world to teach him about the Bible and culture.
-His travels gave him a growing concern for poverty and injustice.

3)Chastened by his leadership controversies
-He was a diplomat and a bridge builder, and yet he could not avoid controversy and conflict.
-If you want do do something for Christ, there will be conflict and controversy.

(4)Instructed by his great innovations
a)Expository preaching - he had electrifying clarity
b)He invented the modern city center church where he was committed to evangelism and ministry to the poor/social justice.
c)He used organizations to strengthen local churches and leaders.
d)He forced Evangelicals to think about social ethics and social justice.

(5)Created Evangelicalism
-Orthodox in doctrine, but intellectually, culturally, and socially engaged.
-Commitment to the authority of Scripture, to scholarship, and to engagement.

I am thankful for the example of John Stott's life. He has given me new mentor (through his books) and a life worth emulating. He was a man who followed Christ and spent himself on behalf of others (Isaiah 58).

Have any of you read any books by John Stott that you would recommend? Any good biographies on him?

Fruit of the Spirit: Love

2012-01-08T20:59:00.000-06:00

On Saturday morning we (Living Hope Neighborhood Church) began a 9 week series on the "Fruit of the Spirit." I kicked it off, with the first message on love. Below are my sermon notes (condensed version). I wish I had audio, but we aren't recording our Saturday messages just yet (coming soon).

The Fruit of the Spirit: Love
Galatians 5:22-23 = But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1)Christ’s Love For Us

The essence of God’s love is sacrifice. It is a sacrificial love

Galatians 2:20 = …who loved me and gave Himself for me.

1 John 3:16 = By this we know the love of God, because He laid down His life for us

Romans 5:8 = But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:4 = But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us…

Gospel Pause:
Have you truly received His love by putting your faith and trust in Him as your Lord and Savior? He’s not waiting for you to get your life together in this new year. He’s not waiting for you to clean yourself up. He loves you and He died for you in spite of your filth, in spite of your mess. He loves you. He gave Himself for you. He wants a relationship with you. Do you truly know His love this morning?

For those of us in this room who do know Him, when you repented of your sins and believed on Him, He came in. The Bible tells us that those of us who by grace believed in Him for our salvation, we now have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. God, in the person of the Holy Spirit lives inside of us.

Romans 5:5 = …God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

2)The Holy Spirit In Us

a)Indwelling
He dwells or resides within us (He is resident).

John 14:16-17 = …You know Him, for He (the Holy Spirit) dwells with you and will be in you.

2 Timothy 1:14 = By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us…

Think about that…the God of the Universe lives inside of you. The God of the Universe dwells within You. And He will never leave!

So if you are a believer and follower of Christ, the question is not whether the Holy Spirit is resident, but rather is He president? He is dwelling inside of you, but the question is, is He directing you? Is He in control of your life?

b)Filling
We need daily walk in dependence upon Him (He is president).

Ephesians 5:18 = And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Be continually CONTROLLED by the Holy Spirit

A drunk person is controlled by the alcohol he has consumed. Therefore, he thinks and acts in ways that are not normal or natural for him. The man who is spirit-filled is controlled, and he too acts in ways that are unnatural for him. He can now act in supernatural ways that contrast with his old life.

Galatians 5:16 = But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Walking is a succession of dependent acts. With each step you are dependent on your foot and leg to hold your weight. Each step is a step of faith, a step of dependence. To daily walk by the Spirit, is to daily depend on Him.

If you have the Holy Spirit living inside of You, and if He is in control of your life, then your life will produce fruit. Your character will be transformed. Your life will be marked by these 9 traits of Christlikeness.

3)Christ’s Love Through Us

Galatians 5:22 = But the fruit of the Spirit is love…

John 13:34 = …just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another

“Only God can generate within us the kind of self-sacrificing love which is the proof that we are His children.” - Ryrie

“If we are to love as God loves, that love – that Agape – can only come from its true source.”

Practical Examples of Love:
Love my wife (Eph 5:25) – who loved her and gave Himself up for her

Love our neighbors (Galatians 5:14; Matthew 22:37)

Love our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6)

1 John 4:11-12 = Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.

Our love (for one another) puts Christ on display to a watching world!

January Praise and Prayer

2012-01-03T14:33:00.001-06:00

As we head into the new year, we have much to both praise God for in the last month, and to pray for in the month and year ahead.

Praises (We praise God...)
1)For a great time at home (Chicago & Paw Paw) visiting with friends and family! We only wish we would have had more time to connect with more people. We are sorry if we missed you.
2)For a great wedding open house at Lawton EMC! We are humbled by the love and support we were shown.
3)For Josie being approved by the state of California to practice physical therapy here!
4)For the funding needed to purchase property here in Richmond for transitional/discipleship housing for men and/or women!
5)For partnerships being established with the Boys & Girls Club and Richmond High School!
6)For our faithful and generous supporters who make is possible for us to be doing ministry here!

Prayer Requests (Please pray with us...)
1)That we would grow in our intimacy with Christ and our love for Him.
2)For wisdom as we learn each other and what it means to love and serve each other well as husband and wife.
3)That God would direct us (the church) to the right housing to be used for transitional/discipleship housing.
4)For me this Sunday morning as I present the ministry of Safe Families to our congregation. Pray that our church would serve our neighborhood and city well with this needed ministry.
5)For us as we begin two new series: the Fruits of the Spirit (on Saturday mornings) and the book of James (on Sunday mornings). I will be preaching this Saturday on Love (Galatians 5:22).
6)We own a condo in Branson, Missouri (where Josie lived before we got married). Please pray with us that we would find a renter soon!

*Let me know how we can be praying for you! Email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org. Also, don't forget about our podcast on I-tunes under "Living Hope Neighborhood Church"!

Sunshine In The Big Sky

2012-01-02T21:20:00.002-06:00

This past summer a film student from Loyola Maramount University, Abbey Nelson, came to Chicago/Sunshine for a month to film a documentary about our annual trip to Bozeman, MT each summer. Abbey grew up in Montana. Her parents, Joe and Carolyn Nelson, have served as a "host family" the last 3 summers. This past summer was our 10th trip to Montana, so this documentary's aim was to tell the story of what makes this trip and the relationship between Sunshine and Springhill Presbyterian Church so special.

Sunshine in the Big Sky from Abbey Nelson on Vimeo.

Although, I am now serving at a different ministry, I hope to make the trip to Bozeman (along with my wife) once again this summer to have a great reunion with my Sunshine and Springhill family!

In 2012...

2012-01-02T15:51:00.000-06:00

These were initially shared on Floyd McClung's blog (he is a missionary who currently serves in Cape Town, South Africa). I have shared them on my blog the last two years, and I think they are great questions to pray through and think about as we head into another year.

In 2012...

1. What’s one way, you could utilize time, to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. Who are three people you can disciple more intentionally?

6. What is the most helpful way you can build community with a few other followers of Jesus this year?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. Who is the person you most want to encourage this year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing can you plan to do this year that will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

Thoughts? Other Questions?

2011 In Books

2011-12-27T12:56:00.001-06:00

This past year I read some great books. I thought I would share the books that impacted me this past year:

1) You See Bones I See An Army by Floyd McClung
2) Generous Justice by Tim Keller
3) The Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull
4) Radical Together by David Platt
5) What Is The Gospel by Greg Gilbert
6) Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got Married by Gary Chapman
7) The Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb

What book(s) did you read this past year that really impacted you?

In the coming year I have my sights on...
Biographies: Deitrick Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas and Frederick Douglass Autobiographies by Frederick Douglass and Henry Louis Gates
Race/Culture: Yellow by Frank Wu, Being Latino In Christ by Orlando Crespo, Living In Color by Randy Woodley
Church & Mission: Let The Nations Be Glad by John Piper, Oneness Embraced by Tony Evans, Bloodlines by John Piper, Operation World by Jason Mandryk, and The Trellis & The Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
Bible Study/Theology: How To Read The Bible For All It's Worth by Gordon Fee

Who We "See"

2011-12-26T15:10:00.000-06:00

I was recently at Home Depot to buy paint for our house. While we were standing in line for our paint, another customer approached the paint counter with a Home Depot sales associate right behind him, trying to keep pace. This customer was noticeably irritated by the sales person, and was evidently coming to the paint counter for "outside assistance." It became evident that this man, and the man who was trying to help him were having some communication struggles. The sales person was of Asian descent and his English was not the best as he spoke. However, the man who was shopping (and irritated) acted as if he didn't even see the salesmen. He dismissed what he said, got the answer he needed, and quickly walked past him to get back to what he needed. Now let me say, that I understand that sometimes communication can be difficult when someone's English isn't that strong. It can be frustrating when you feel like you keep "missing" each other in communication. However, the thing that really made me upset as I observed this interaction was how the salesperson became seemingly invisible to the customer. He chose to not see him and to not acknowledge his efforts to help him. The sales associate became worthless to him once he no longer saw him.

That same weekend, a man came to our Saturday service and breakfast with a large "Jesus" tattoo in the middle of his forehead. This man and his tattoo got my attention, and so I made it a point to get to know him and hear his story. I learned that he was staying at the rescue mission here in Richmond, but that he was originally from Seattle. Without going into great detail, he was recently divorced, relocated, and out of work. I began to ask him about life at the mission (homeless shelter). He stated that he greatly appreciated both having a place to stay, and a consistent meal. However, he said he was greatly disappointed and disturbed by the way the staff treated the men who came there. He shared that many of the staff "talked down at them." He further added that they seemed to lump everyone into the same category - drug addict, lazy, mentally challenged, etc. - rather then seeing the uniqueness of each person and each person's story. In other words, the issue with the staff at the mission is that they don't "see" the individual residents. It is because they don't truly see them that they feel compelled to talk down at them.

Whether or not we "see" people is critical. How we view someone, greatly affects how we treat them. When we lump people together (stereotype), seek to avoid certain people, or look down on people, we won't truly see them, and we will be unable to converse or connect with them in any type of meaningful way.

My good friend Aaron often says, "we cannot minister to someone who we think less of." Therefore, lack of sight and condescension go hand in hand. I love reading the Gospels and observing the way Jesus interacted with people. He interacted with all types of people. No one was above or below his compassionate reach. He saw people: tax collectors, women, Samaritans, lepers, politicians, etc. His sight always stirred compassion rather than condescension. Matthew 9:36 (and others) states, "When He saw the crowds, he had compassion for them..."

It was this "compassionate sight" that led him to the cross. Romans 5 says that "while we were still weak (helpless)" and "while we were still sinners" Christ died for us. That's the beauty of the Cross, and the beauty of the Gospel. It is the Gospel that then transforms how we "see" others and compels us to love everyone. Peter lost sight of this new "Gospel vision" in Galatians 2, and his brother Paul had to lovingly get in his face to remind him of his new eyes.

While we're at work, at school, in our neighborhoods, out shopping, etc. let's be mindful of the people who cross our path each day. May we be a people who "see" everyone with our Gospel eyes. Amen.

Our Great High Priest

2011-12-13T14:09:00.000-06:00

This past Saturday & Sunday I preached a message entitled "Consider Jesus: Our Great High Priest." It was a challenging study for me. I read through the book of Hebrews, some chapters several times. There is so much in that book! I still don't know if I fully understand all the priesthood entailed, but I was definitely encouraged in the study as I thought about all that Jesus is! Here is my outline. You can also listen to the message here.

Consider Jesus: Our Great High Priest

The office of priesthood was instituted by God in order to maintain fellowship between the holy God and the sinful nation. Priests were...
1)Chosen from among men and ordained/appointed to minister on behalf of his fellow man before God.

2)Offered gifts and sacrifices for sins.
-In offering sacrifices, they showed that sin was very real and deserving of death!
-The priests went before God as the people's advocate and intercessor.
-A blood sacrifice had to be made (usually bulls or goats).
-Sacrifices had to be made over and over, each year.

3)Supposed to be compassionate with sinners, because they themselves were subject to weakness.

4)Offered sacrifices for themselves as well as those of the people, for they too needed atonement.

Hebrews 4:14-16
Since then we have a great hight priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I. A Greater Priest

a)His Selection & Term
-Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:16; Hebrews 7:23-24

b)His Intimacy with the Father
-Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:12

c)His Sinlessness
-Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26; Hebrews 7:27-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21

II. A Greater Sacrifice
He gave Himself...once and for all...he sat down!
-Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:25-26; Hebrews 10:10-14

III. A Gracious Savior & Sustainer
"Jesus can both sympathize with and deliver us!" - Mark Driscoll

Sympathize mans to feel or suffer with.
-Hebrews 4:15-16; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 2:18

"It is Jesus our priest who knows every hair on our head, day of our life, longing of our heart, and thought on our mind. At this very moment, Jesus is brining our hurts, suffering, needs and sins to the Father in a prayerful and loving was as our priest." - Driscoll

Christmas Giving Opportunities

2011-12-02T18:01:00.001-06:00

Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift that this world has ever received, God's Son, Jesus Christ. The Gospel Of Jesus Christ compels us to be a people marked by generosity. During this Christmas season, here are two good options for gospel motivated generosity...

1)Sunshine Gospel Ministries' Annual Christmas Store
Each year Sunshine collects donated gifts (store bought gifts) for kids ages 0 through 18. They then set up an actual store, where parents can shop for their kids. Everything is marked down 75%. This gives parents in the neighborhood of Woodlawn a more affordable way to do Christmas shopping. Each year the store is a blessing to 50-80 families. You can buy gifts online at Target for the Sunshine store here. If you want to read more about the philosophy/theology of the store, check out this blog entry.

2)Africa Revolution's "Compassion Needs Wheels" Campaign
Africa Revolution is doing an amazing work alongside local churches in Swaziland: making disciples, caring for orphans, and doing medical missions. They have an urgent need for a new van for transportation for ministry outreaches. Their executive director Allan says, "We have come to realize that a reliable, sturdy vehicle is our primary tool to facilitate all our ministry. It enables us to to get the job done! Whether our team is doing rural medical missions or community outreach, we are totally dependent on our vehicle." To donate towards a new van click here.

December Praise & Prayer

2011-11-30T17:25:00.001-06:00

It is safe to say that November flew by, with the wedding, honeymoon, and Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for! Here is our December Praise & Prayer...

Praises
(1)For an amazing honeymoon in Hawaii, and for the financial gifts that made it possible!
(2)For the provision of our home (which is next door to the church)!
(3)For a great start to our Wednesday night Praise & Prayer service at church!
(4)For a successful surgery for my brother-in-law Ray. He had a tumor removed from his ear canal!
(5)For community and mentors here in Richmond!
(6)For working out the final details I needed to begin volunteering at Richmond HS!

Prayer Requests
Please pray with us...
(1)That our love for God and for our neighbors would grow.
(2)That God might direct us to and provide housing that we (the church) could use for transitional and discipleship housing for men and women.
(3)That the Lord would direct us as we consider becoming a satellite location for World Impact's "TUMI" (The Urban Ministry Institute www.tumi.org). This would give us the opportunity to offer seminary level coursework/training to men and women in Richmond and the East Bay at an affordable rate.
(4)For direction as we prayerfully consider (and move towards) partnerships with local school(s), the Boys & Girls Club, and other non-profit/social service agencies here in Richmond.
(5)That our church would leverage the ministries of Safe Families and Youshare in a way that would bless our city and the Bay area, and would mobilize churches.
(6)We own a condo in Branson, Missouri (where Josie lived before we got married). Please pray with us that we would find a renter soon!

*Let me know how we can be praying for you! Email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org
**Also, don't forget about our podcast on I-tunes under "Living Hope Neighborhood Church"!

Thankful

2011-11-23T12:50:00.001-06:00

It is Thanksgiving Eve and Josie and I just had coffee and cereal together and are now cleaning our house (all of that still seems crazy to write and say!). I was struck with all that I have to be thankful for!

I am thankful for my relationship with God through Jesus! His grace in my life is humbling! As a kid growing up the Lord began planting Gospel seeds in my life through my parents, key Sunday school teachers and AWANA leaders, and other Christians who we did life with. Then my freshman year of college, during the fall of 1996, the Lord brought me to a place of full surrender to Him. He then surrounded me with men to disciple me, Christian peers to walk it out with, and numerous godly examples. God then began to show me, over time, how the way He had wired me was according to His purpose, and that He had work for me to do. Ephesians chapter two, verses eight through 10, says it best! I am amazed at the LORD's faithfulness, His steadfast love, and His never ending grace and mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23).

I am thankful for my wife! Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD." That is exactly what has happened. God graciously directed me to my "good thing." He did it. If you want to read our story/testimony of how He brought us together, you can read it here. We have now been married for 18 days, and I still can't believe what the LORD has done.

I am thankful for my church where I serve as an under shepherd! Every time someone refers to me as "Pastor Dave" I am reminded of God's grace and am humbled that He is using me. God is doing some amazing things at our church! Yesterday's marriage was just one example, of how God is redeeming people and restoring lives and families. Our church is a beautiful picture of Christ's diverse bride. We come from different ethnic backgrounds and different socio-economic backgrounds to find family together underneath the banner of Christ. I am so thankful for how God used my neighborhood and community in Chicago to shape me, and is now doing the same thing here in Richmond.

I am thankful for all of the family and friends and supporters that Josie and I have. It was an amazing thing at our wedding to walk out and see such amazing support and love! We have "family" (some biological) all over the country, and in other parts of the world! This loving community is just another evidence of God's grace.

I am thankful for the legacy of faith in Christ that has been passed down from our parents - James & Gwendetta Albright and Dave & Coleen Clark. I am thankful for their faithful support, love, encouragement, and wisdom.

Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

3 Blog Entries Worth Reading

2011-11-22T18:37:00.001-06:00

Although, I have a few different blogs "in the hopper" that I plan to write soon, today I want to direct your attention to other blog entries that I think are definitely worth checking out.

(1) Today we had the opportunity to witness the marriage ceremony of a couple from our church. The three of us pastors took them to the county clerk to get legally married, with plans to have a church ceremony in the near future. God is doing an amazing work in the lives of Kevin and Karen Saechao. My good friend and co-laborer Curtis Zackery blogs about it here.

(2) As many of you know I serve on the board of a ministry in southern Africa called Africa Revolution. My good friend, Allan Greig, is the founder and executive director of this ministry. He and his wife recently spent 3 months in Swaziland serving the local church there, and pouring their lives into a team of vision year interns. As Allan prepares to return to the states, he had these challenging and thought provoking thoughts to share on his blog entry entitled "Plugging Back Into The Matrix."

(3) I recently began listening to the podcast of Pastor Bryan Loritts, and then shortly thereafter began following him on twitter. He pastors a multi-ethnic church in Memphis, TN. He recently shared his "Top 10 Books On Multi-Ethnic Ministry." I have read a handful of these, but was definitely encouraged to check out some of the others. You can see his list here.

November Praises & Prayer

2011-11-08T13:16:00.000-06:00

It is safe to say that the month of October flew by! It was a busy month of ministry, and of preparing for our wedding! This last week or so especially has been a whirlwind. I have woken up the last few mornings just in awe of God's faithfulness and goodness and grace. I have been struck afresh with the amazing truth that God is my Father, and loves me as His son! I am so humbled as I reflect on all of the ways the LORD has answered prayers in this unique season of my life, and our lives (I'm married now!!). Here are our praises and prayer requests, as we head into the month of November...

Praises

1)This past Saturday we got married in Chicago!!!!! I still cannot believe it! (Our web site, www.davidandjosie.com tells our story. God's grace is so evident in everything!)

2)For all of the friends and family who have shown us so much love and encouragement as we celebrated our marriage, and as we move into this next season of life together!

3)We both prayed that Christ would be lifted high in our wedding ceremony, and we feel that He honored our prayers on our wedding day!

4)For God's continued provision for our financial support needs! We have such faithful and generous supporters!

5)We have begun two small groups for married couples at our church, and are studying "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas! We are so blessed to be able to be in community with these other couples!

6)For the opportunity to disciple my brother Nick here in Richmond!

7)For key relationships and opportunities to serve at Richmond High School!

Prayer Requests

1)That Jesus would be our first love, and the foundation of our marriage!

2)For safe travels and and a great time on our honeymoon in Hawaii! We will be gone November 11th through November 18th. (We are also so thankful for the financial assistance that made this trip possible!!!)

3)Every Wednesday we fast and pray as a pastoral team for the needs of our church and our city. Would you pray with us and for us on Wednesdays?

4)This month we will be starting a Wednesday night Praise & Prayer service from 6-7:30pm! Pray that God would give us a passion to seek Him on behalf of our church, our city, and the nations! Pray that God would teach us how to pray as a church! We are excited to see how He will answer prayer!

5)Pray that the Lord would direct us as we consider becoming a satellite location for World Impact's "TUMI" (The Urban Ministry Institute). This would give us the opportunity to offer seminary level coursework/training to men and women in Richmond and the East Bay at an affordable rate.

6)That we would be a church centered on and passionate about the Gospel and making disciples of all nations!

*As always, please let us know how we can be praying for you! Email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org

Podcast
We, now have a podcast! You can subscribe on I-Tunes, and listen to our messages each week. You can search "Living Hope Neighborhood Church on I-Tunes.
If you don't do the I-Tunes thing, you can also listen to the messages on our web site, www.lhnchurch.org

1 John 3:1 = See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God...

The Priority & Power of Prayer: Part 2

2011-10-26T15:24:00.000-05:00

Four Prerequisites For Powerful Prayer
(Taken from a message given by Jackson Senyonga and found in “The Power Of A City At Prayer” by Mac Pier & Katie Sweeting)

1.Prayer must be desperate.

We must see our own need for God – out utter dependence on Him – and cry out to Him from our own impotence. Only when we realize that we can do nothing of value without Him will we come to Him in desperation.

Psalm 142:5-6 = I cry out to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!

1 Samuel 30:6 = And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his own sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Mark 9:24 = Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe, help my unbelief!”

John 15:5 = I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in Him, He it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

“Christ’s power is best displayed against the backdrop of human weakness.” - unknown pastor

2.Prayer must be united.

We need to pray in our own prayer closets in solitude at home, but we also need to pray together. There is great power in corporate prayer!

Acts 1:14 = All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer

Acts 2:42 = And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

3. Prayer must be sustained.

Prayer is not a practice that we pick up today and drop tomorrow in favor of some new spiritual fad. Prayer is essential to our lives! Prayer must be a day by day practice sustained on a personal level and on a corporate level

Psalm 105:4 = Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!

Ephesians 6:18 = praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 = Pray without ceasing.

4. Prayer must be inspired.

The Holy Spirit inspires our praying, and we need to listen to the leading of the Spirit as we pray.

Romans 8:26-27 = Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Ephesians 6:18 = praying at all times in the Spirit

Notable Quotes On Prayer

“Prayer breaks all bars, dissolves all chains, opens all prisons, and widens all straits by which God’s saints have been held.” -E.M. Bounds

“Behind every work of God you will always find some kneeling form.” - D.L. Moody

“It is possible to move men, through God, by prayer alone.” - Hudson Taylor

“Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief.” - John Piper

“The spiritual leader should outpace the rest of the church, above all, in prayer.” J. Oswald Sanders

“One should never initiate anything that he cannot saturate in prayer.” - unknown

“sometimes we have to push through until duty becomes delight” – unknown

“Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer.” E.M. Bounds

Living In Harmony

2011-10-24T22:21:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at LHNC. We have been working our way through the book of 1 Peter. You can listen to my message here. I would also encourage you to listen to the first two messages in the series preached by Pastor Aaron & Pastor Curtis. (We also have a podcast on I-Tunes, if you look up Living Hope Neighborhood Church.)

Here are some of the points of emphasis from this Sunday's message...

1 Peter 1:22-2:10
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame." So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

“We have a living hope in Jesus Christ that that compels us to live in holiness and harmony so that we might demonstrate and declare His excellencies.”

This supernatural rebirth has made it possible for us to obey the truth, to purify ourselves, and to love our brothers and sisters (v. 22-23)

The Cornerstone determines the design and orientation of a building is the most significant stone in the structure. The Cornerstone is the visible support on which the rest of the building relies for strength and stability. We are the building & Jesus Christ is Our CORNERSTONE!

Our unity affects our outreach
Our oneness affects our witness

John 17:21 = That they (believers, disciples) may all be one, just as You Father are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

The Priority & Power of Prayer: Part One

2011-10-19T00:23:00.001-05:00

One of the themes that the Lord is pressing into my life since moving to Richmond is the importance of fasting and prayer. These are disciplines that all of us as Christ followers would say are crucial, and yet we often struggle to consistently and persistently seek God. One of our first decisions as a pastoral team (and probably are most important decision) was to devote Wednesdays to fasting and prayer - to pray for our church and pray for our city. Wednesday has honestly become my favorite day of the week here. I feel like I am learning to pray afresh, and I am seeing God answer prayers and reveal Himself through our times of prayer.

We have also met some brothers who have unknowingly impacted us with their intentionality and devotion to prayer.

First, we met a pastor who began volunteering at Richmond HS when his son was a student there (I believe 6 to 8 years ago). He started volunteering with the basketball team as an assistant coach. The Lord gave him a real burden for the students of Richmond HS. So he began to look for other opportunities to volunteer and to have a presence in the school. In addition to helping with the basketball team, he began substitute teaching, and then volunteering as the school health officer. He eventually was hired as the school health officer. This position probably pays next to nothing. However, that is not his aim. He is doing it so that he can maintain a presence within the high school. He takes prayer walks and prays for the school in the morning before the day begins. Sometimes during the day he walks the halls and prays for the students. He invited us to come and pray with him anytime. He is praying that God would move upon the hearts of students, faculty, and the administration. He believes in the power of prayer.

Second, we met a man who is the executive director of an inner city para church ministry in San Francisco. His ministry is located in the Tenderloin District, which we were told is probably the poorest area in San Francisco. He started this ministry 29 years ago. When he first began, he left his corporate job because he felt God calling him to respond to the needs of this particular neighborhood. He was able to initially rent a storefront, but he knew the ministry would need more space - if they were to provide housing, and be able to do wholistic ministry there. So he rented an office space in a very spacious four story building that was owned by a company. He chose this building because He had begun to pray that God would give the ministry the building. By renting an office space inside this building, he was given keys to the building. He would wait until all of the employees went home for the night, and then he would walk the halls and pray and ask God to give them the building. The building eventually went up for sale, and near that same time he received a call from a man who lived in Chinatown. The man asked him to come and meet with him. When he went to the man's house, the man told him the Lord had told him to give towards the ministry. Interestingly, the man gave him a large amount of gold coins. The gold coins were enough to put a down payment on the building, and the rehab project began. Today they have a homeless shelter, food pantry, thrift store, weekly worship service, offices, and Christian school within the building! More recently, a wealthy businessman bought the building next store to the ministry building and turned it into a strip club. The director of the ministry recognized the danger of this. Yet he knew that he needed the city to take legal action if the strip club was to be shut down. So he decided to fast and pray for 40 days. Not only that, but he decided to sit in front of city hall in a chair while he fasted and prayed these forty days. He invited others to pray with him that the city would move to shut the strip club down. On the 36th day, they invited him into city hall, and after speaking with him decided to answer his requests. The strip club was ordered to close its doors! His son also told us that once a year he walks around the perimeter of the city and prays for revival in San Francisco. He believes in the power of prayer.

I am thankful for what the Lord is challenging me with in the "school of prayer." Lord I believe, but help me in my unbelief.

Bloodlines Documentary: Race & Grace

2011-10-14T16:09:00.000-05:00
John Piper has a new book out entitled "Bloodlines." You can read more about it here. He also made a short documentary film, introducing the book and his personal story behind it. I really appreciate his transparency about the "deep inconsistencies" he saw in his own life, his family, his church, and the "system" in which he grew up. I also love his emphasis on the Gospel and how it cleanses, forgives, and puts to death the "old racist nature." I encourage you to watch this short documentary...

May we be a people and a church who devote our lives to "Christ exalting racial harmony" and who contend for racial justice, and may it all be driven by the Gospel!

October Praise and Prayer

2011-10-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

Here are my Praises and Prayer Requests as we head into the month of October...

Praises
1) God's faithful provision (spiritual encouragement, finances, and relationally) throughout this major life transition!

2)God is pushing me out of my comfort zone and stretching me!

3)For safety as Josie and I moved her stuff from Branson to Richmond. We had a challenging journey, but God protected us and provided for us throughout the trip!

4)For encouraging connections and relationships being built with other pastors, coaches, teachers, non-profit leaders, etc.

Prayer Requests
1)For an increasing passion to seek God in prayer and the Word

2)For Josie and I as we continue to plan our wedding and do premarital counseling long distance

3)For discipleship relationships to continue to be developed here

4)I will be sharing my testimony at our Saturday service this week (10/15). I will be preaching on Sunday 10/23 and Saturday 10/29. Please pray that the LORD would direct those messages, and that Christ would be exalted in what I share.

5)Every Wednesday we fast and pray as a pastoral team for the needs of our church and our city. Would you pray with us and for us on Wednesdays?

6)Financial Needs: I have made two major moves in the last month and a half. First, I moved all of my stuff to California in late August. Then, Josie and I moved her stuff from Branson, MO to Richmond. Both of these moves were expensive. I am so thankful for the support we received to cover the costs of the first move. However, we are in need of financial assistance for the second move. If you are interested in giving a one time gift towards this, please email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org

Please let me know how I can be praying for you! Shoot me an email.

A Heart For The City?

2011-09-28T00:09:00.000-05:00

On a blog that I now frequent (Ed Stetzer's blog), I came across a series of posts entitled "You Can't Love A City If You Don't Know A City." I have been in Richmond now for a month, and I have tried to do all I can to "get to know Richmond." As many of you know I lived in Chicago for ten years. During that decade, especially following my urban ministry training at Moody, I devoted myself to learning Chicago. Dr. Fuder challenged us to not only be passionate about exegeting Scripture, but also about exegeting neighborhoods, cultures, the city, etc. My learning never stopped in Chicago! I anticipate that my "city education" will be ongoing here as well.

I (along with my teammates) have been visiting various ministries and social service agencies (rescue missions, transitional housing, health clinics, recreation centers, etc.). I have been researching and reading all I can about the history of Richmond. I have tried to get my hands on local newspapers. Wherever I visit, I try to ask a lot of questions. I even find myself taking drives just to observe different neighborhoods, or trying different routes just to see new scenery.

Richmond is a unique city. It has a population of about 100,000 people, yet it is very close to too larger urban centers (Oakland & San Francisco). It is also surrounded by smaller cities, which almost seem to be viewed as "greater Richmond." It is diverse - approximately 40% Latino, 35% African American, 20% white, 5% Asian (with a growing Asian and Southeast Asian population). Yet within this diversity there is not much segregation along racial lines. Although, there are neighborhoods within the city that are primarily low income and primarily upper class, it seems as if the majority of the city is mixed income. It is a place of great beauty (natural beauty and beautiful people). It is also a place of challenge and pain (homelessness, violence, crime, etc.). The city's slogan is "Richmond: A City of Pride and Purpose."

As I continue to learn and build and learn some more, I have been challenged by something the Lord has exposed in my own heart. We (the pastors) have been telling the church body that we love Richmond, and that we - as a body on mission - have to love our city. However, the Lord has challenged me with a convicting question "do you really love ALL of Richmond"? You see my heart gravitates towards the more "challenging" areas of the city - ie the Iron Triangle, North Richmond, etc. I love building with, listening to, praying for, and learning from homeless men and women. I am excited and passionate about engaging the public school system and contending for educational justice.

Yet, if I'm honest when I say I "love Richmond" the affluent areas of Point Richmond and Hilltop aren't included in that statement. My heart doesn't break for the residents of Richmond who seemingly "have it all together" externally, yet are lost apart from Christ. I am asking God to break my heart for the whole city.

I want to have the same compassion for the prostitute and the professional. I want to be burdened for the homeless man and the "high up" executive. I'm asking God to break my heart for the muslims who attend the mosque at the end of my street, the first and 3rd generation immigrant, the politicians and the powerless.

I'm thankful that God has highlighted this blindspot in my heart. I'm asking Him to continue to stretch me and break me in this area. Stay tuned...

Discipleship Through Dance

2011-09-27T23:20:00.000-05:00
This is actually my second post about the D3 Movement, but I just have to talk about it one more time! Below is a video of my good brother, Mike Avery, and two of his young apprentices, Devonte & James. Mike is using a God given talent and passion to make disciples of Jesus Christ. It is more than just dance classes/instruction. Mike is spending time with young men, teaching (Doctrine) and modeling (DNA) the truth. Discipleship is not just taught (Doctrine) it is also caught (DNA).

I'm proud of my brother Mike! Check out this video...

God Is Compassionate

2011-09-20T00:17:00.000-05:00
I had the opportunity to preach for the first time this past Sunday morning, in my new pastoral role at Living Hope Neighborhood Church. I really enjoyed this opportunity to share this message. I am excited to see what God is going to continue to do in and through His Church here! Although Sunday's message wasn't recorded (because it was an outdoor service), we do upload our sermons to our web site each week, and you can listen to them here.

God Is Compassionate

Luke 10:25-37 “The Parable Of The Good Samaritan”

What is compassion?
Compassion = splagchnizomai (splock-knee-zho-my) is to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity)

Compassion is derived from the Latin words “pati” and “cum,” which together mean “to suffer with.”
Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.
Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears.
-the above were taken from Henri Nouwen

“Compassion is to feel someone else’s pain in your heart.” – Pastor Ford

Compassion starts in our eyes --- we see someone in need
It then moves into our hearts --- we feel the pain of others
It then compels us to move our feet ---we act on what we have seen and felt

Compassion is risky, messy, and requires sacrifice!

(1) A Compassionate God

a) The Compassion of His Character
-Exodus 3:7-8; Jonah 4:11; Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14/Mark 6:34

b) The Compassion of the Cross
“Jesus is the Great Samaritan” – Tim Keller
-John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:4-5; Romans 5:8

(2) A Compassionate Church
In order for us to move with compassion we first must be moved by the compassion of Christ. The compassion he showed on the Cross for us, should compel us to show compassion to others.

May we be a Church that is known in the city of Richmond for our Christ-like Compassion!

Glen Kehrein"s "The Stuff Of Urban Ministry"

2011-09-17T20:45:00.001-05:00
One of the most impactful classes I ever took at Moody Grad school was "Urban Anthropology & Sociology." It was co-taught by Dr. Fuder, Moody's former Urban Ministry Director, and Glen Kehrein, long time Executive Director of Circle Urban Ministries on Chicago's west side. The Lord really used this class to give me a passion and desire to learn cities: their history, cultures, political systems, city systems, etc. At the time I felt (and I still believe) that EVERY Moody student should be required to take the course, regardless of their major.

During one of our last classes together, Glen shared his Top Ten List, entitled "The 'Stuff' of Urban Ministry. I recently found my notes from that class, and was greatly encouraged by it as I am seeking to learn my new city, and asking God to break my heart for Richmond. I thought I would share these valuable insights from Glen, one of my heroes in the faith.

The "Stuff" of Urban Ministry Top 10

(1) Personal Integrity
-be totally honest with yourself and others
-personal honesty & time will lead to trust

(2)Spiritual Commitment
-Pray, understand God's heart, and follow it

(3)Humility
-Know yourself in order to build God's Kingdom not your own
-Sacrifice = to give up a lesser value for a greater value

(4)Personal Support & Accountability
-From spouse & committed friends

(5)Faithfulness
-Learning from experience without quitting
-Faithful to the calling throughout ups and downs

(6)Define your vision (it is a process)
-Find out where you are going
-Mission + Philosophy(Theology) + Strategy = Vision

(7)Commitment to relationships over structure
-Structure is not the engine, nor is it the caboose either

(8)Resources follow commitment
-People give (time, talent, & treasure) to what they believe in.
-People give resources where they see commitment.

(9)Education (degrees, pedigrees, & OJT's)
-Spend your life learning, formal & self study

(10)The "Need" does not dictate "the Call"
-Even Jesus didn't do it all and get it all done...and He was God

Please be praying for Glen and his family as he battles cancer. He continues to give updates on his treatments as well as what God is teaching him on his blog.

Bye Bye Bye

2011-09-16T16:04:00.000-05:00
Some of you may know that it has always been a dream of mine to sing in a boy band. Well, at my YAFR (young adult fellowship) going away bbq I had the opportunity to perform one of my favorite N'Sync songs with some of my close friends. Hope you enjoy it...

With a little bit of practice, I think we can do something more like this...

Stay tuned...

September Praise & Prayer

2011-09-06T14:37:00.000-05:00

I have decided that each month I am going to post a praise and prayer blog entry. This will be a way to chronicle how God is at work throughout the year! It is also crucial for me to have people praying with me and for me as I begin this new season of pastoral ministry. Here are my praises and prayer requests for this month...

Praises
1) Engagement!
On the evening of Sunday August 21st I got engaged to Joanna "Josie" Albright! I still can't believe it! Lord willing, we will be getting married in early November!

2) The Move
After 36 hours of driving, we made it safely to Richmond, CA! I am thankful for all of God's provisions throughout this time of transition.

3)New Church Family
I am really thankful for my new church family at Living Hope! They have welcomed me with open arms, and many of them worked hard to get my home ready.

4)New Ministry Team
I am thankful for my new team here who I will be serving with and doing life with. These brothers are going to sharpen me, encourage me, and hold me accountable.

5) Saying Goodbye
-The Sunshine staff gave me two wonderful send-offs. We went on a Spirit of Chicago cruise on Lake Michigan as a staff. They also had a going away party at Sunshine on the Thursday evening before I left. It was a very emotional night for me, and I will never forget that time and the words of encouragement that were given.
-My young adult ministry at Christ Bible Church also threw a send-off bbq for me. It was a great time with my friends, and I left feeling very encouraged!

Prayer Requests
1) Moving Josie
Lord willing, on September 29th I will be flying to Branson. We will be driving a moving truck from Branson to Richmond, departing on Saturday October 1st. Please pray for safety and for provision with all of the moving costs.

2)Relationships
-Pray with me that the Lord would give me new discipleship relationships in Richmond!
-Also, pray that I would consistently continue to check in and encourage the young men I was discipling in Chicago.
-One of my responsibilities at the church will be building networks with other social service agencies and churches in Richmond. Please pray that the Lord would give me favor and authentic relationships with community leaders.

3)Richmond HS
Pray that the Lord would give us open doors of ministry at Richmond High School!

4) Preaching Opportunities
I will be preaching at our church on Sunday September 18th and Saturday September 24th. Pray with me that the Lord would give me the words to say, and that Christ would be lifted high in my messages!

5) Support Raising
I am still in need of monthly supporters. Pray that I would trust God to provide for my monthly support needs.

6) Making Disciples
-As a church, it is our hearts' desire to stay focused on our mission, that of making disciples. Pray that we would not become distracted from this, and that the city of Richmond would be impacted with the Gospel!
-This has been a violent summer in Richmond. There was a shooting again this past weekend. Pray that God's peace would reign here, and that our church would be active in working for the peace of the city!

Please let me know how I can be praying for you! You can email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org

Pray for the Greigs

2011-09-04T23:41:00.000-05:00

My good brother Allan and his wife Annie are currently in Swaziland serving the local church and local orphanage through the organization that Allan started, Africa Revolution (AR). AR currently has five interns serving and learning in community there!

I am excited about the things that God is doing in Swaziland and in and through the team of interns there. If you want to read more about AR or the work of the interns, check out the web site and blogs.

Words That Have Stuck With Me

2011-09-03T00:24:00.000-05:00

At the end of July, I attended the Legacy Disciplemaking Conference in Chicago. I attended a workshop on church planting. I figured since I was going to work for a 3 year old church plant, it would be good to hear what these pastors from Atlanta had learned and what insights they would share. One of the pastors shared a simple statement that someone had shared with him before he began pastoring a church plant. The man told him, "In a few days people are going to begin calling you pastor. They are going to assume that you have an authentic walk with God." That statement is simple and yet profound. It has stuck with me ever since I heard it. As I begin to serve my new church as an undershepherd, the authenticity of my walk with Christ is crucial. It reminds me of other words of counsel that mentors in my life have shared over the years...

After college, I served as a program director at a Bible camp for a summer. When I was heading into that experience, my mentor at the time (Kelly O'Rear) shared, "Ministry is going to drain you. It is crucial that you drink deeply from the fountain (Christ and His Word). You cannot lead others where you are not."

During grad school my urban professor (John Fuder) used to emphasize the tension of "being vs. doing." He shared there will always be a tension during busy seasons of ministry between being God's man, and doing God's work. He asked the challenging question, "if you could no longer do ministry, would you still seek God's face?"

Most recently, my mentor and friend from Christ Bible Church (Russ Knight) consistently emphasized the importance to me of "being God's man." When I shared with him that I was moving, he again stated that regardless of geography or place of ministry, that being God's man is most important.

As I enter into this new season of ministry, I recognize the importance of guarding and developing my "first love." I want to be faithful to Him and to what He has called me to do. I know that if I follow close (Allan Greig), that ministry will flow out of that.

Pray with me that I would work out of rest in Him.

10 Year Reunion

2011-09-02T22:49:00.002-05:00

This year marked our 10th year of the Montana trip!! I have had the privilege of being on every single trip, and have enjoyed every year! This year was our biggest group of students. We took both teen guys and teen girls, and we also took a group of "Montana alumni" - guys now in college who had gone on the trip before.

Although every year is different, the same thing happens every year! Let me explain. The beauty of the yearly experience between Sunshine (Chicago) and Springhill Presbyterian (Montana) is that it is cross-cultural, intergenerational, multi-racial, and cross-geographical (not sure if that is a word, but it is now!). For one week each summer, we do life together. We learn from one another. We pray together. We laugh together. We study the Scriptures together. We have amazing shared experiences together (mountain hiking, fly fishing, Yellowstone, camping, etc.) Our family bond in Christ takes the forefront!

Our teens our impacted in a powerful way. They enjoy seeing the different states, and experiencing a new place. It is a blessing to get out of the city for a week during the summer. They are also impacted relationally. Their host families become family. We are all impacted by the love and hospitality we are shown by those who host us. We also get the opportunity to experience God in a unique context, and return to Chicago refreshed and encouraged to follow Christ.

Those who are involved at Springhill are also impacted in a powerful way. Our teens faith challenges them. The host families also feel that family bond that develops throughout the week. They begin to view the kids they are hosting as "their kids." At the end of the week tears are often shed as we say goodbye and as we reflect on the week. The Lord has also used this week to encourage and challenge the Springhill church to live "on mission."

We are both better Christians and have a bigger view of God because of our partnership.

I am now on staff at Living Hope Neighborhood Church in Richmond, California. Therefore, I won't be making the trip from Chicago to Bozeman next summer. However, I have been invited to come out once again. This time I will be making the trip from the west coast to the big sky. Lord willing, in future years we will be bringing young people from Richmond to Montana to share this experience with long distance family from Chicago and Bozeman.

I am so thankful for this partnership in the Gospel. It has been such a beautiful thing. If the Lord wills, I hope it continues for many years!

Moved By Majesty

2011-07-08T17:10:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at New Hope Fellowship in Lawton, MI. I preached from Isaiah 6:1-8, which is a very weighty passage. I was really challenged in my preparation to think hard about how I view God in His Glory, His Majesty, and His Holiness. It was a very encouraging and humbling time on Sunday morning. Please pray for me, as I will be preaching this same message at Sunshine this coming Sunday (July 10th).

You can listen to the sermon here. I have also shared my sermon outline below...

Moved by Majesty
Isaiah 6:1-8

(1)He saw His Glory (v. 1-4)
-John 12:41; Psalm 93:1-2; Revelation 4:8

“The word ‘majesty’ when applied to God is always a declaration of His greatness and an invitation to worship.” -J.I. Packer

(2)He saw his own sinfulness (v. 5)
-Ezekiel 1:28; Job 42:5-6; Revelation 1:17; Romans 7:24

“The vision of God’s Majesty, Holiness, and Glory made Isaiah realize that he was a sinner.” - Walvoord & Zuck

"As long as our gaze is fixed on the horizontal plane of this earth, we have no problem with ourselves. When we contemplate who God is, we will be broken." R.C. Sproul

(3)He experienced His grace (v. 6-7)
-1 John 1:7-9

God provided the forgiveness and cleansing that Isaiah desperately needed!

(4)His Grace compelled him to Go (v. 8)
-2 Peter 1:16 = …we were eyewitnesses of His Majesty

Glory --> Grief --> Grace --> Go!

It's Goin Down

2011-06-15T10:29:00.003-05:00

In addition, to this blog I also update Sunshine's blog. I recently posted a cadre of blog entries from some of our staff. It is exciting to see God at work as we serve together and learn together! You can check out the blog entries here.

Discipleship & The Arts

2011-06-10T14:17:00.003-05:00

A good friend and co-worker of mine, Mike Avery, recently started a movement, called the D3 Movement. Mike is a very talented dancer. He specializes in the following dance styles: krump, hip hop, pop locking, waving, and lyrical hip hop. He uses his art form to proclaim the good news and to give glory to God. Mike is also a disciple maker, so his heart is to use dance to disciple this generation of young people. I am excited to see how God is going to continue to use Mike in ministry! You can check out this web site here.

The name D3 stands for:
Deliver the Gospel
Deposit a new Mindset
Disciple this generation

In the book of Acts, chapter 13 verse 36 it says of King David, "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers...." This verse I think communicates Mike's heart behind the D3 movement. May the same be true of us. By God's grace, with the days He gives us, may we serve the "purpose of God in (our) own generation."

A Soldier On Mission

2011-06-04T11:43:00.005-05:00

On Mission

I recently read an article in the Kalamazoo Gazette that was written as a tribute to a young man who had given his life as a soldier in Iraq. His name was Gabe De Roo. His parents go to my parents church, and our families went to the same two churches throughout our growing up years. I never really knew Gabe well, but the article makes me wish I did. Gabe, age 25, died August 20, 2006, killed by a sniper’s bullet in Iraq. He had stooped to reassure captured Iraqi gunrunners that American soldiers intended to arrest, not kill them. As he rose, a sniper’s slug struck his neck in an area exposed between his helmet and bulletproof vest.

Gabe’s father, Dave, shared with the Gazette that he had initially dissuaded him from enlisting in the military. De Roo’s parents had urged him to take classes at a local community college instead. He came home one day and told his parents that he had enrolled two weeks prior to his conversation with them. He wanted to be in the infantry, front and center. He wanted the physical challenge. He wanted to serve his country. He left for basic training on January 30, 2003. He assured his dad he would find a church when he left.

During his service in the military, between 2003 and 2006, he wrote numerous letters to his wife and family back in Michigan. He consistently communicated his love for his family and how much he missed all of them. Some letters ended, “Be good and godly,” and were signed ‘Chummer’ a name his father had bestowed on him years earlier. Among the pictures he mailed home were several of smiling Iraqi children sitting next to the grinning, sunburned American soldier. He was intent on learning the language and considered someday returning to Iraq as a missionary he told his wife.

By Gabe's second deployment, Iraqi insurgency had escalated and US base commanders urged departing soldiers to “make sure you have closure with all your friends and family.” His mother shared that he was keeping a very short list and keeping his conscience clear during this time. He had been promoted to sergeant when he returned to Iraq in June 2006. Messages to his parents began to change during this time. “Please pray for us…that we would be godly parents who will teach little Gabriel to love God,” he wrote in a postcard to his mother and father. “I can never thank you enough for raising me with a firm foundation in the Scriptures,” he wrote in another letter.

What struck me the most as I read this article containing his letters home was his focus on "The Mission." Gabe was a dedicated soldier. He loved his country, and he served his country sacrificially. However, Gabe realized that ultimately he was sacrificially and selflessly serving the Lord that He loved. His most important orders came from the real Commander in Chief, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Gabe never lost sight of the fact that he was first and foremost "on mission" for Him. He was a soldier for his country, but he was a Soldier in the Lord's army. He wrote in one of his letters to his parents, "pray that I live as a godly example to those around me and that I give 100 percent all the time.” In another conversation he told them, “If there’s a grenade, I’m going to be the first one on it. These other guys need more time to get right with God.”

After a stirring military funeral and prayers of support, Gabe's father David De Roo was able to share a private moment with the soldier who accompanied his son’s body back to the US. The soldier explained that Gabe’s military friends had nicknamed him “John 3:16.” He had willingly done dozens of extra push-ups, the soldier told De Roo, because he had refused a drill sergeant’s order to utter a swear word. “What kind of person did you see in my son?” David De Roo says he asked the soldier. “Sir, I want to be like that man. I want to be like De Roo,” he remembers the young man responding.

Gabe's life made an impact and brought glory to God! He didn't separate his vocation from His Mission, and neither should we, regardless of what our vocation or profession is. God strategically places us in unique families, neighborhoods, jobs, cities, etc. so that we might be ambassadors for Him. I love the way Peter puts it in 1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." What a privilege it is to go on mission together (that's what we do as the church)! We collectively 'proclaim the excellencies of Him'.

A Big Move

2011-05-16T19:32:00.004-05:00

I recently made one of the biggest decisions I have ever made in my life. In mid-August I will be moving to Richmond, California to join the staff of Living Hope Neighborhood Church as an Associate Pastor! This coming transition is both exciting and difficult.

I have been serving with Sunshine Gospel Ministries in varying capacities since the fall of 2001. I began as a volunteer and intern while I was a graduate student at Moody Bible Institute. I have been serving full time with Sunshine since January of 2004. I have grown up in ministry here so to speak. Sunshine has been so much more than just my employer these last ten years. They have been my family. I have truly been blessed to have served at such a great ministry with so many great people! In addition, Chicago has become a place that I love. It is very much home. I love my neighborhood, and I love the youth whom I have worked with. I think the hardest think about this transition is saying goodbye to the youth. I know that I will return and visit, and that I will be able to stay in touch via the telephone, email, and facebook, but it will be different.

Yet I feel compelled to take this step of faith and enter into a new season of ministry. Over the last few years God has been doing a new work in me, and leading me towards pastoral ministry. Although there is still uncertainty, it is time to prayerfully move forward. Living Hope Neighborhood Church is a multi-cultural, urban church. It is a three year old church re-launch. By 2007, the membership had dwindled to roughly 10-15 members. My good friend, Aaron Roy, moved to Richmond in January of 2008 to pastor this new work in Richmond. Over the last three years, this nearly closed church has seen God transform lives and neighborhood impact is taking place. There is a need for additional laborers to make disciples and develop leaders. Another good brother of mine, Curtis Zackery, and his wife Monique will also be moving to Richmond (from Franklin, TN) in August to serve with the church.

As Associate Pastor, I will be assisting with the teaching and preaching at the church: Saturday morning service, Sunday school, Sunday morning service, and small groups. I will also begin an elder ordination process soon after I arrive. My main focus will be discipling men. This will include, but will not be limited to, working with teens. We are hoping to engage the local high school, Richmond High, and Lord willing I will be taking a leading role in this. In addition to my duties at the church, I hope to begin taking seminary classes again at Golden Gate Theological Seminary. My intent is to pursue a master’s in “missiology” – the theology of missions.

Richmond is a city of approximately 100,000 people. It is located in the bay area, near the cities of Oakland and San Francisco. It is a diverse city, both culturally and socio-economically. It has similar challenges to Chicago, including poverty, homelessness, gang challenges, educational inequity, etc. Yet, as in Chicago, God is using His Church in Richmond to draw people to Himself and to spread His fame amongst the Nations. I am humbled to have the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing there.

This position with Living Hope is not a paid position. I will once again need to raise financial support for my salary! I am excited to see how God will provide for this. I am asking that you would prayerfully consider supporting me in this new ministry adventure. My monthly support goal is $2,500. If you are already supporting me monthly, and you would like to continue to support me in Richmond, you can actually begin sending my monthly support to the church beginning July 1st.

Over the course of my time at Sunshine, I have been blown away by the team of people whom have come alongside me! I am once again in need of “teammates” who will support me both financially and with prayer. I would love to speak to you more about this opportunity, either on the phone or in person. Please let me know if you want to hear more!

Thank you for walking with me during my years here in Chicago! I look forward to continuing to be an encouragement to one another in this new season of life and ministry.

Radical Together

2011-05-05T15:28:00.002-05:00

We are going to be reading this book together as a Youth Outreach team this summer. I am really looking forward to it.

I love two quotes from this video...

"(In light of the Gospel)Now it just makes sense to show that type of mercy to others!"
and
"We've got a King who deserves praise from every people group on the planet!"

I hope to begin reading this book while I'm on vacation, so I anticipate more "Radical Together" posts in the weeks ahead...

Double Dream Feat

2011-04-25T21:39:00.001-05:00

I love this guy!

Persistent Prayer, Person, Promises

2011-04-23T11:29:00.003-05:00

On Sunday April 3rd I had the opportunity to preach at my home church, Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church. I was asked to share from Luke 18:1-8, the parable of the persistent widow. I really enjoyed both preparing and delivering this message. As I re-visit it today, I am still challenged by the things the LORD taught me in this text.

You can listen to the message here. Below are some of the key thoughts that I hit on...

The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Luke 18:1-8

Persistent prayer is fueled by an ever-expanding view of the Person & Promises of God!

(1)The Need for Persistent Prayer

a)Dependence
Widows were helpless and vulnerable…they were completely dependent on others for provision and protection!

“Prayer is the expression of man’s dependence upon God for all things.” - New Unger’s Bible Dictionary

b)Desperation
Luke 18:1-8 = …there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him…yet because this widow keeps bothering me…so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming…

c)Devotion
Luke 5:16-->Acts 1:14; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“A man should pray as often as he has an opportunity; should be constant and assiduous at the throne of grace, and continue putting up his request to God, though he does not presently return an answer.” - John Gill

(2)The Person & Promises of God

(a)His Compassion & Justice

Two of the key qualifications for a judge at that time were the fear of God and the love men!

“This parable is a standard Jewish “how much more” argument: If an unjust judge who cared not for widows can dispense justice, how much more will the righteous judge of all the earth, who was known as the defender of widows and orphans?” - Bible Background Commentary

Psalm 68:5 = Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation.

(b)His Coming Judgment
The Just Judge is coming back to judge the earth. Those of us who have believed on the Gospel should not fear His return, but rather long for his return. Maranatha!

Luke 18:8 = …when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?

Can you see the beauty of the Gospel in this parable?
We are like the widow: vulnerable, needy, helpless, dependent. We were oppressed by our sins, unable to save ourselves. We were dependent upon outside intervention! The Righteous Judge, the Just Judge intervened on our behalf in the person of Jesus Christ. We stood guilty before the Just Judge (for all have sinned and fall short), and God's justice demands that our sins are punished. If God doesn't punish sin, then He is not just. Christ took the penalty for our sins. He took the punishment that we deserved. Christ death satisfied the justice of God. His death on the cross and His resurrection are our source of hope! This work of redemption brought us back to God. We were fatherless, but He is now our Father. We were husband less, but we are now the bride of Christ. Christ is coming back, and because of the Gospel we can long for His return! So let's be steadfast in prayer and faithful service to the King until He comes back to get us!

Cardboard Testimonies of Transformation

2011-03-25T12:30:00.002-05:00

My parent's church did a "cardboard testimonies" service similar to the one in the video, and it was a powerful time. This video will definitely make you well up!

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.

Support Japan

2011-03-21T13:08:00.005-05:00

I have been looking into how to support Japan during this time of crisis. There are several relief and development organizations on the ground there now. I just wanted to highlight a few of the options that you can send money through:

Samaritan's Purse
For over 40 years, Samaritan's Purse has done our utmost to follow Christ's command by going to the aid of the world's poor, sick, and suffering. We are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. Read more here...

In Japan, Samaritan's Purse is "delivering emergency relief supplies, including heavy-duty plastic shelter materials, blankets, water, hygiene items, and first aid kits, to survivors of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan's northeastern coast."

World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Read more here...

In Japan, World Vision is "is distributing relief supplies to thousands of people devastated by the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11. An emergency response team is on the ground in hard hit areas, providing water, blankets, and other urgently needed supplies to survivors. Ongoing efforts will focus on the unique needs of children, who are the most impacted."

Churches Helping Churches
Churches Helping Churches is a global partnership of church communities who seek to rebuild other churches in the wake of a catastrophic natural disaster. Read more here...

In Japan, Churches Helping Churches is "getting behind a local organization called CRASH Japan, which comprises Japanese missionaries and churches who know each other and know Japan."

Our junior high students at Sunshine are going to begin collecting money this afternoon. We are going to donate the money to Samaritan's Purse, to support their efforts.

Let's all continue to stand with Japan in prayer! Let's pray that God would use this to draw people to Himself there.

One Month To Live

2011-03-13T16:20:00.002-05:00

This video is very inspiring and puts things in perspective!

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

The Gospel

2011-03-12T18:06:00.005-06:00

All of us need the Gospel. We need it every day. It exposes and crushes are notions of self righteousness and it reminds of our utter dependence upon the grace of God through Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

I have shared this quote before on my blog, but I think it is worth reposting...
"The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of those who trust him is old news. It is really old, really good news. So what are we aiming for in hearing again and again that which we've heard before? The hope in hearing the old, good news is that it would perpetually break new ground in our lives. Our hearts are like a jungle. There is untamed wilderness and darkness that has not yet been brought, as it were, under the rule of the One who has laid claim to it all. We need to hear the gospel again and again so that the old, good news of Jesus Christ would reach into these uncharted territories of our lives and fly the flag of its dominion. This is how we are "being saved." This is what it means to be overcome by the gospel." - Jonathan Parnell, Desiring God blog

Faithful Eternal Investment

2011-03-06T20:16:00.006-06:00

This past year I went to several funerals that have caused me to think on the frailty of life and the shortness of our time here. I feel a renewed sense of urgency to "maximize" my days. During my message on "Faithfulness" I looked at the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:16-30. It emphasizes faithful service to the King while he is away. The 24th & 25th chapter of Matthew reminds us that the return of our Master is certain and is on the horizon. He has entrusted us with an incredible treasure in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and He has given each of us varying abilities, skill sets, and spiritual gifts to be used for His glory and for the good of others. His instructions were to take the precious message of the Gospel and to invest it in the lives of others, that we might multiply ourselves and gain a return on our investment for the enjoyment of the Master.

We see these instructions given to us in the first chapter of Acts, and in the last chapter of Matthew. Prior to Jesus' ascension in the book of Acts he states, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had finished saying this, "as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight (Acts 1:8-9)." He gave similar instructions to us in the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20 where he said, “All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age." The question now is, are we heeding His instructions to us? In the Parable of the Talents, the servants were to faithfully serve their Master in His absence. Brothers and sisters, are we faithfully serving the King while He is away?? Are we giving our lives away, pouring ourselves out, making eternal investments in the lives of others?

In mid-October my Grandpa Clark passed away. I was honored to have the opportunity to speak at both his graveside ceremony and later at his memorial service that we had here in Lawton. His memorial service especially impacted me. You see my grandpa accepted Christ in his early 20s, and by God’s grace faithfully walked with the Lord for nearly 50 years. Many of those years, my Grandpa faithfully served as a pastor. During the course of his ministry years, he served at five different churches. So at his memorial service, men and women from all of those different churches stood and testified to the impact my grandpa’s life had had on theirs. Many shared that he had led them to the Lord or that he had encouraged them in their faith. It was such a powerful service, and it spoke loudly to me of importance and of the call to all of us as followers of Christ to live of lifestyle of eternal investment. We are to give ourselves to making disciples for as many years as he gives us.

In early January one of my former basketball players, Trevell Martin, was shot and killed outside of a party. His tragic death has pained me for several different reasons. I can’t fully explain all of the things it has caused me to think about. However, one message that the Lord spoke to me through Trevell’s funeral was loud and clear. At the funeral during the open mic time, a man in his 50s took the podium. He said this, “I first want to give respect to Trevell’s mother and his family who are present here today. However, Trevell was also a part of a much larger family. Will all of the Roc Creek family please stand up.” When he said this, more than half of those present in the church sanctuary that day stood up. That experience made my stomach churn, and challenged me in a great way. You see in a sinfully distorted way, the gangs are faithfully present in the streets and they are faithfully “making disciples.”

God spoke the same message to me at two very different funerals. His message was clear and concise: Make disciples! Our time is short, and only faithful service to Christ truly matters. Again I ask, are we giving our lives away by investing them in the lives of others? Are we faithfully serving the King, by making disciples, while He is away? May we be a people who will one day here the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant! Come and enter into my joy.”

Faithfulness: See His & Serve Him

2011-03-04T19:19:00.005-06:00

The last Sunday in February I had the opportunity to preach at New Hope Fellowship in Lawton, MI. I was given the topic of "faithfulness," and it proved to be a very timely topic for me to study, prepare, and preach on. I am grateful for the way the Lord worked in my own life through the process. This is my outline, and some of my key sermon notes.

Faithfulness: See His & Serve Him

I.See His Faithfulness
• Lamentations 3:23; Psalm 57:10
In the midst of pain, grief, calamity, and the consequences of sin, the author of Lamentations says, "But this I call to mind,and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!

1)In His Salvation
• Hebrews 10:23; 1 Corinthians 1:9

Hebrews 10:23
-->Let us hold fast (cling to)

-->The confession of our hope
Jesus is our hope! The confession of our hope is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:9-10)!

-->for He who promised is faithful (completely trustworthy)

The assurance of our salvation is based on the fact that God is Faithful!

2)In His Sustaining Grace
• 2 Thess. 3:3, Philippians 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:8

II. Serve Him Faithfullly
1) Examples of those found faithful
• Abraham (Galatians 3:9), Moses (Numbers 12:7), Daniel (Daniel 6:4 & 16), Paul (1 Tim. 1:12), Timothy (1 Cor. 4:17)
*God counted these men faithful, having made them faithful by His grace.

2) Will we be found faithful?
• Matthew 25:16-30; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20
“Well done, good and Faithful servant”

Are we faithfully serving the King while He is away? Are we giving our lives away, pouring ourselves out, making eternal investments in the lives of others?

Standing With Brian

2011-02-08T22:36:00.004-06:00

My sister's husband's brother was recently diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. His name is Brian Schnurstein and he lives in Kalamazoo,MI with his wife Lindsay and their daughter Kylie. This video tells a little bit of their story, and of the battle that they currently face.

Brian suggests ten different ways that you can get involved at the end of the video. He also has a blog that he updates regularly to raise awareness about ALS and to give updates on his progress and perspective.

Please stand with me in prayer for Brian Schnurstein and his family!

Not Safe But Good

2011-02-02T19:03:00.004-06:00

Today I enjoyed a rare thing in Chicago...a snow day. It was much needed actually. It gave me time to read and pray and reflect. January flew by. It was full of activity. Overall, it was a good month - in ministry and personally. However, it was also a challenging month in some ways. I consistently battled anxiety and some depression over the course of the month. As I look back on it, I'm thankful for it, as it caused me to press into God. God has proven Himself faithful once again over the course of the month.

I consistently journaled over the course of the month. The interesting thing is that the notebook that I am using to journal in, is actually an old notebook that I partially used back in December of 1999. That month was also an anxious month for me. I graduated from college that month, and stepped out into the "unknown." I didn't have a job lined up, and I wasn't even sure what my "career" would be. I was both anxious and fearful about so many unknowns. I was reminded by the notebook that I attended a Campus Crusade for Christ Christmas Conference that year, that December. One of the main sessions at that conference was given by Pastor James Ford (He is now my pastor here in Chicago at Christ Bible Church!). The message he gave that night was entitled "Hope For The Hood" and it was a call to college students to prayerfully consider giving their lives in service to Christ in the hood. I took a lot of notes during that session, and it spoke powerfully into what God was already doing in my life, and the things He had given me passion and compassion about. Over the course of the next year (2000), I would progressively have an increasing sense of the Lord's leading towards urban ministry. God would continue to reveal this to me in spite of my anxiousness and fear. In the fall of 2001, I would head to Chicago, to Moody, to study Urban Ministry.

I love how in the midst of a period of anxiousness, entering a new year (2011), I would grab an old notebook to remind me of God's faithful presence and persistent pursuit of me over the last ten years or so. God is stretching me and pushing me out of my comfort zone as I head into a new year with Him. As I continue to seek to follow close after Jesus, I'm reminded that He is not always safe but He is always good. A co-worker reminded me of the following dialogue in the Chronicles of Narnia.
Lucy, the little girl, when speaking of Aslan to Mr. Beaver, says "Then he isn't safe?" "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver, "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king I tell you."

So as we continue on in this new year, let's seek the King and His Kingdom even when it's hard and uncomfortable. And may He be "the stronghold" of our lives (Psalm 27:1) as we face the inevitable coming unknowns.

The Legacy of King's Message

2011-01-23T22:23:00.002-06:00

Philip Yancey, an author I greatly respect and admire, wrote the following excerpt in his book entitled "Soul Survivor." This excerpt is a powerful tribute and reflection on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. It is long, but it is well worth the time to read! You can check it out here.

Remembering Trevell

2011-01-22T20:24:00.009-06:00

(Trevell is the player to my left, technically off my right shoulder)

(Trevell is in the blue polo shirt. He and Baby T were rapping at our hip hop service).

On the late evening of Friday January 7th (or possibly into the early morning of Saturday January 8th) 18 year old Trevell Martin was gunned down outside of a party in the south suburbs. He was shot 3 times in the chest and 1 time in the back. There are different stories and theories circulating as to what led to his shooting. It is believed to have been "gang related." However, the particulars that led to his death seem almost trivial when I reflect on the tragedy of a high school senior with so much potential losing his life in the midst of the senseless cycle of violence that is claiming so many young men's lives on the streets of Chicago. Another sobering detail of Trevell's death is that he is survived by his twin brother Terrell. However, Terrell is currently serving a 9 month sentence in Cook County Jail. I traveled to the prison with another neighborhood pastor to deliver the news to Terrell, that his twin brother Trevell had been shot and killed the night before. Pastor Brad had to yell "the news" through the prison glass as Terrell sat and cried into his prison uniform.

I first met Trevell during the summer between his 7th and 8th grade year. That summer he played for our basketball team in the Miracle League. That same summer he also spent a week at Sunshine Cove with the rest of his teammates (His mother recently told me, that week really impacted he and his brother.) That next school year I would attend 4 or 5 Fiske grade school basketball games to watch Trevell and the other guys (Terrell, Baby T, Pierre) play in their regular season and then playoffs. Later that spring I attended Fiske's 8th grade graduation. Over the next 3 summers I would coach Trevell and the guys in the Miracle League. During the summer of 2009 Trevell was even interviewed and featured as part of our web site and Sunshine's blog. That same summer, I also did a blog entry highlighting my Miracle League players.

I wrote the following about Trevell in that particular blog entry...
Trevell "I Need More Touches" Martin - After one of our first games, Trevell told me and his teammates that we would be better off if he just "got more touches." As the season progressed I believed him. Trevell is a streaker shooter with 3-point range, and an ever-improving mid-range jumper. He models his game after his idol, Tracy McGrady, and he continues to develop his game each summer. Trevell will be a junior at Team Englewood High School this fall.
I remember Trevell consistently reminding me with his big smile that he had NEVER missed a practice during ALL his summer seasons with the Sunshine Warriors. Trevell loved the game of basketball. He loved playing with his "guys" from Fiske. He loved to laugh and clown with his teammates. On the court, he played intense defense and was a streaky perimeter shooter. I could count on Trevell to motivate his teammates in a positive way.

This past summer, I dropped down and coached a junior high team. My high school players continued to play in the league with Sunshine, but they played for some different coaches. Every time I would see Trevell at Moody's Solheim Center (where the league games are played) he would approach me with a big smile and say, "Coach Dave we need you to come back." Even as recently as the week after Christmas he had created a "Bring Back Coach Dave" Facebook page. He had invited Pastor Brad and all of the former players to the page, and was trying to convince me to come back and coach the high school team for one more season.

Trevell had aspirations to play college basketball. He would have graduated from Team Englewood High School this spring.

It really hurts my heart as I reflect on his life and on his tragic passing. I do know that we had Gospel conversations over the course of the summers that I coached him. I know that he consistently heard the Gospel each week during the Miracle League season. I wish I could say with confidence that Trevell had believed on the Gospel, but I can't. I only know that IF he did, there is eternal hope.

Trevell is the second of my players (who I began with in the summer of 2006) to lose their life to gun violence. Damian Turner was also tragically shot and killed late last spring. They are certainly not the only young men whose lives have been claimed by violence over the last year. It just doesn't make sense. The youth homicide statistics in Chicago right now are sobering. These "numbers" are personal to me now. I know this ongoing violence breaks God's heart. I am asking Him to continue to break my heart for my young brothers who are caught up in the streets, in search of identity and community in the wrong places. More importantly, I am asking God to break the Church's heart for these same young men. May we not view them with suspicion or fear or self-righteousness, but may we view them through the lens of Christ so that we might respond with compassion and courage.

Please continue to pray for Trevell's mother Pat, his twin brother Terrell (who is scheduled to be released in May), and for his many friends!

Jesus: Servant & Savior (Blog #2)

2011-01-22T19:52:00.003-06:00

Here is the second part of my message that I shared. If you have not read the first part, you should read it first in order to understand the context.

II. Jesus came to Save

I want us to think about each of these examples for a minute. For we should be able to see us in each of the people that I just went through…

Children - We are like children in that we have no social status. We have no standing on our own before God. But yet Christ receives us. We have standing before God because of Jesus’ status (Paul learned this, and shared it in Philippians 3. Jesus is our list!). We are defenseless and in need of a spiritual Father and a spiritual adoption. We need God to become our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ (John 1:12).

Lepers – We are like lepers. We are unclean because of our sins. Our sins separate us from a Holy God (Romans 6:23). We too are in need of the cleansing touch of Jesus. We are in need of His work on the cross, and for His blood to wash us clean. Without Christ, we find ourselves "outside of the camp" in need of the fellowship and intimacy with God that Jesus offers.

Tax collectors – We are also like the tax collectors. We may not be hated by men, but we are enemies of God – unless we have received the reconciliation that Christ offers according to Romans 5:10. Through the Gospel we are transferred positionally from being "objects of wrath" to being seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:1-10).

Women & Samaritans – We too are like the women and Samaritans of Bible times in that while society might not esteem us as having value, Christ paid the ultimate price for us on the Cross (Romans 5:8). Christ says we were worth dying for. He obtained us with His own blood(Acts 20:28).

Our rescue by the Great Samaritan – Finally, in the story of the good Samaritan we can find ourselves in the man who was beaten and left by the side of the road. The man in the story was completely helpless, there was nothing he could do…he was stuck…he was beaten down…he was exposed…in fact, if someone didn’t intervene, he would have been in a potentially very dangerous situation…he needed treatment and help to get back to health but he couldn’t afford the payment…he needed someone to pay for his treatment, someone else had to pay to restore him.

We are the man found beaten and left for dead on the side of the road…
-we were not deserving of help
-we were completely helpless
-there was nothing we could do
-we were stuck
-we were beaten down
-we were exposed
-we were jacked up
-we were in a dangerous life and death predicament

But Jesus…
He came to our rescue, He left His comfort, He came down and identified with us, He selflessly sacrificed His own life in place of ours. He paid a debt that He didn't owe, and that we couldn't pay. He paid for our restoration.

The Gospel is such a beautiful message! We need Jesus as our Savior. And it’s only through the transformation that His grace and His love brings, that we can love and serve others after His example.

Matthew 20:18 ...the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Jesus: Servant & Savior (Blog #1)

2011-01-19T14:48:00.009-06:00

On the second Sunday in January, I got to share the following message with some of our families and staff at Sunshine. This is the first part of the message...

Jesus Part 2: Servant & Savior
Matthew 20:18 ...the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

I.Jesus came to Serve

(1) Children
Background:
-Children were people of no social status. In other words, they were socially powerless and dependent.
-There was a high infant mortality rate. One scholar recorded that only half of all children lived beyond the age of 8. Poorer Gentile families often discarded babies if they felt that they couldn’t afford them. They would simply place them out with the trash to be taken to the dump. It was not uncommon for such children to be taken home by the worst kind of people, who molested the children, sold them into prostitution, or forced them into slavery.

But Jesus...
-Jesus treated children differently. He valued them. He welcomed them.
-Even Jesus’ birth was significant in this. He came as a child. He was born into poverty to a young mother. He was seen by many children in tragic circumstances as giving them both dignity and hope. As Marc Driscoll states, “By coming as a child, Jesus honored childhood.”
-Children were the recipients of Jesus’ miracles – Matthew 9:23-25; Matthew 14:21; Matthew 17:14-18.
-Jesus spoke of the importance of both having the humility and faith of a child in Matthew 7:11; Matthew 11:25;Matthew 18:1-4.

Luke 18:15-16 Now they were bringing even infants to Him that He might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God."

(2) Lepers
Background:
-Lepers were those who suffered from various skin diseases.
-They were not only sick and dying, but they were the outcasts of society.
-Leprosy made a person ceremonially unclean and thus excluding him from communal life (Lev. 13:46).
-They were looked down upon, abandoned, and socially isolated.

But Jesus…
“Jesus not only met their need for physical healing, but reached out His hand and touched them, giving them their first human contact in years.” - Tim Keller in Generous Justice
-In other accounts throughout the gospels Jesus can be seen eating in the home of a Leper, in fact is even mentions that he touched lepers, something that you just didn’t do because touching a leper made a person ceremonially unclean (Lev. 15:7).
-In Luke 7 and Matthew 11:4-6 – Cleansing lepers is noted as part of Jesus’ ministry
-In Matthew 8, Mark 1, and Luke 5 – Jesus heals a man with leprosy and touches him.
-In Matthew 10:7-9 – when he sent His disciples out, He told them to heal/cleanse lepers.

(3) Tax Collectors
Background...
-Tax collectors were employees of the Roman Government. The Roman government was brutally oppressive and known for corruption and excessive greed and injustice.
-Tax collectors were bitterly hated by their own countrymen and regarded as little more than traitors.
-They taxed people excessively and kept many people living impoverished while they lived well and passed part of their profits back to the Roman government.

But Jesus…
-Jesus chose a tax collector, Matthew to be one of His disciples. Jesus visited the tax collector Zacchaeus in Luke 19 and ate with him in his home.
-Jesus was criticized by the religious leaders of His day because He ate with tax collectors and sinners - Matthew 9:10-12.

The “Table Fellowship” of Jesus: Jesus intentionally reached out broadly to all He encountered, inviting them to participate in the life of his “congregation” of followers. This is most apparent in what scholars have called his “table fellowship.” Table fellowship symbolized those you found to be worthy of inclusion in your social circle. Whom you ate with made a statement about who where your friends. The Pharisees were considered a “table fellowship sect.” They used table fellowship to maintain the purity of their nation as well as to model what they believed should be the exclusive ethnocentric identity of Israel. Jesus disturbed and disrupted religious leaders of his time because he used table fellowship to model what he believed was the future of God’s people (and who were included in that group). -United By Faith pg 16

(4) Women
Background...
-In many ancient cultures women were essentially regarded as property of their husband.
-Women were generally omitted from theological instruction.
-Women’s testimony in court was not accepted/admissible.
-Women were not to be spoken to in public.
-Jewish men had a practice of praying and thanking God that they weren’t a Gentile and that they weren’t a woman.

But Jesus…
-He often challenged social taboos regarding women and in so doing honored them.
-Some of Jesus followers and supporters were women - Luke 8:1-3
-Jesus allowed Himself to be anointed by a sinful woman – Luke 7:36-50
-He used women as examples of persistent faith and radical generosity (Luke 18:1-5; Luke 21:1-4).
-He visited the home of Mary and Martha and spent time with them – Luke 10:38-42.
-Jesus appeared to women first after His resurrection – John 20:11-18.

In John 4:4-26 Jesus intentionally had a conversation with a Samaritan woman who was caught up in an immoral lifestyle.

(5) Samaritans
Background:
-Jews often avoided Samaria by crossing the Jordan and travelling on it’s eastern side.
-Jews did not associate with Samaritans, they despised Samaritans.
-The normal prejudices of the day prohibited public conversation between Jews and Samaritans.
-The Jews held that Samaritan women were unclean from birth.

But Jesus…
-He approached the Samaritan woman in John 4 in humility, spoke with her, and told her of the living water that He had to offer her.
-In the Parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke chapter 10, Jesus made the Samaritan the "hero" of the story, and exhorted others to follow his example (Go and do likewise!).

As followers of Christ, we need to really think about the example of Jesus in how He loved and served others (1 John 2:6 on em!).

The Best Books I Read In 2010

2010-12-25T13:59:00.005-06:00
I am doing some year end analysis/reflection/prinking and I thought I would share the top books I read in 2010. I would recommend any of these as solid reads!

"Transformation: How Glocal Churches Transform Lives and the World" by Bob Roberts
(I am finishing the year with this book, and it is a great one to finish on)

"Vintage Jesus" by Marc Driscoll

"Leadership As An Identity" by Crawford Loritts

"When Helping Hurts" by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett

"Forgotten God" by Francis Chan

"The Cross Centered Life" by CJ Mahaney

What were the best 3 books you read this year?

Best Video of 2010

2010-12-21T15:40:00.001-06:00
This is the best video I have seen this year. Double Dream Hands...nuff said.

Thoughts? Reactions?

Kingdom Investments In 2011

2010-12-20T13:41:00.005-06:00

I posted these questions in January of this year, but to be honest I really didn't put any "feet" to these questions after I posted them. I have printed them off for myself this year, and I hope to spend some time in the next two weeks thinking and praying through them. These were initially shared on Floyd McClung's blog (he is a missionary who currently serves in Cape Town, South Africa).

In 2011...

1. What’s one way, you could utilize time, to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. Who are three people you can disciple more intentionally?

6. What is the most helpful way you can build community with a few other followers of Jesus this year?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. Who is the person you most want to encourage this year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing can you plan to do this year that will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

**Note on picture: I had not caught a fish in Montana in approximately 7 years, so the fact that I caught one in 2010 is a great accomplishment! So...

Christianese

2010-12-10T19:05:00.002-06:00
I'm not sure who put this together, but I think it definitely rings true. It definitely made me laugh!

What do you think?

Love For The City

2010-12-04T15:51:00.006-06:00

I have been reading through "Vintage Jesus" by Mark Driscoll and have really been blessed by it. Today I was reading through the chapter entitled "Where Is Jesus Today?" and I appreciated the perspective he shared on our glorious "urban future" and our current perspective on an ever-increasing urban world and its significance to Gospel mission. Driscoll states the following on pp 156-158,

"As an aside it is important to note that the new creation will not be the idylic rural lifestyle that has dominated so much American vision of faithful Christianity. Rather, at the center of the new creation will be a grand metropolis from which Jesus will rule over the earth 30. The entire storyline of the Bible is not from garden to garden, but rather from garden to city. The Bible opens in its first few pages with a beautiful garden. But the Bible closes in its final few pages with the vision of heaven as a dense city filled with people - the ultimate goal of creation is an urban paradise.

Practically speaking, a city is marked by both greater density and diversity than suburban and rural areas. For the first time in the world's history, roughly half of the world's population is urban. That number is expected to swell to 60 percent by the year 2030.

Sadly, most Christians associate the city with vice, not virtue. In truth, cities have long been seen as a haven for violent crime, sexual sin, and drug abuse. But sin is often most clearly seen in the city because it is more concentrated in the city than in suburban and rural areas. As a result, the related need for God is most clearly seen in the city. The rawness of the city makes it exactly the kind of place that God would use to convince people of their need for Him. Furthermore, by revealing the unveiling of the city upon His return, Jesus intends for Christians to love cities in the meantime.

Unlike today where Christians have largely fled the cities in favor of homeschooling about the rapture amidst large stacks of canned goods readied for a hunkering down at the unleashing of Armageddon, Christianity has historically been an urban religion. A reading of the history book of the early Christianity, Acts, reveals that Christianity began as an urban movement led by Paul, whose itinerant church planting ministry was almost exclusively urban as he moved from city to city and bypassed the rural areas.

Indeed, God's people should bring the gospel to any place where there are people, because God loves all people. But since there are more people in the city, it also makes sense that bringing the gospel to cities would be a priority.

One of the reasons Christians in our day are to love the city as they await the unveiling of Jesus' city is that the city is the most strategic place for Christians and the gospel. If culture is like a river, then cities are upstream, creating culture that then flows downstream to the masses. Because government, law, education, healthcare, information, media, arts, sports, entertainment, trade, travel, population, and industry are concentrated most in a city, cities are the fountains from which culture flows. Therefore, for Christians to flee from cities then to only complain about the kind of culture that is flowing into the culture from the cities is both foolish and hypocritical. The answer is for Christians to love the city, move to the city, pray for the city, and serve the city until Jesus returns with His city from which all culture will emanate throughout the new earth."

My former urban ministry professor Dr. Fuder used to share with us that he prays that more men and women would give their lives in the city for the sake of the Gospel! Amen.

I'm The AWANA Game Director, So...

2010-11-30T20:51:00.003-06:00

(The above picture is our AWANA Sparks - 1st & 2nd graders - and their leaders.)

Every Monday evening I "man the whistle" at our AWANA club at Sunshine! Our AWANA night is a Bible outreach club for 1st through 8th graders. Our night contains a few elements: opening prayer/announcements, song time, Bible time (where Pastor Pete teaches a weekly lesson), handbook time (where the kids work on memorizing verses), and game time. AWANA is an acronym that stands for "approved workman are not shamed" - which is taken from the Scripture verse 2 Timothy 2:15. The main emphasis of the program is encouraging, teaching, and inspiring our young people to memorize God's Word.

This is our second year running our club, and it has been a very enjoyable outreach for us. Although we have the occasional behavior challenges (every youth/children's ministry does!), our kids are thinking about the Gospel and its implication for their lives, they are growing in their identity in Christ, and they are memorizing large portions of Scripture. I was personally involved in an AWANA club when I was in 1st through 5th grades at my childhood church. I have good memories of my days at AWANA. Not only that, but when I began reading the Bible again, during my freshman year of college, I would repeatedly read verses that I had memorized at AWANA. Those verses never left me. I may have not been able to recite them word for word from the King James like I used to be able to, but the foundation was there.

Game time and the AWANA game circle is my domain. On some Mondays I wear my game whistle all day, just to set the tone and prepare myself mentally for the evening (because let's just say you can't just turn on the "intensity switch"). We play various dodgeball games, beanbag games, balloon games, and the classic AWANA relay races. I try to emphasize competing hard, while maintaining a good attitude. I encourage good sportsmanship and the importance of both winning and losing with graciousness. These are not easy lessons for those who are competitive, but slowly some of these character traits are sinking in. I thoroughly enjoy the various perks of being the game director: wearing and using a whistle, utilizing a "5 count" to keep the kids on point, pretending to view an instant replay of controversial calls, and being humored by both the leaders and kids as they compete.

Here is a "snapshot" of our Trek (6th-8th graders) relays...

And here is a small taste of our T&T (3rd-5th graders) relays...

Why Go?

2010-11-28T13:34:00.003-06:00

One blog I read and appreciate is Floyd McClung's. Floyd is currently a missionary in Cape Town South Africa, but he has also served in Afghanistan and the Netherlands. He recently wrote a post called "7 Reasons To Go." I thought I would share part of it here, and you can check out the entry in it's entirety here.

Here are 3 reasons why we must go...

The Lamb is Worthy
At the end of time people will gather from every tribe and tongue and nation around the throne of God to honor the Lamb of God, all worshiping in their redeemed cultures. They will gather joyously around the throne of God and celebrate the victory He has won on their behalf. The One who died a shameful death to redeem the peoples of the earth will be the object of honor and praise for all eternity. All of history will be consummated in the praise of the One who gave Himself for us. He died to make us a kingdom of priests. He set us free from religion and fear and superstition so we might freely enter His throne room of grace. Everything is headed for that day. All we do that has meaning will find its fulfillment at that celebration. May it come quickly, Lord Jesus! This is the mission of God, and that is the mission of the church of God. The church's ultimate purpose is not the programs we offer to people or the missionary outreaches we do, or our budgets or faith giving, our missionaries dressed in strange costumes, not even about the lost people or the needs of hurting millions. It is about Jesus, the Lion who became a Lamb, the Redeemer of the all peoples, the Savior of the world. He is our great goal. It is for Him. We go to others so Jesus will receive the just reward of His suffering.

The Lost Are Dying
Most of earth's population will spend eternity separated from God if they do not have a chance to hear the Good News of God's salvation. Eternity is real, and though many people believe theoretically in hell, they don't really believe that a “good God will send people to hell.” May God impress deeply on our hears the terrible reality of man's lostness without a savior. Men and women need forgiveness of sins. There is no other way for that to happen than Jesus. It is by hearing, believing and calling on His name that people are rescued from a certain, eternal, separation from God.

The Poor are Suffering
We can easily become immune to the horrendous suffering of the victims of drought, famine, poverty and injustice. It is only by the grace of God than our hearts can be filled with the compassion of Jesus. The Bible says that when Jesus looked upon the crowds, He had compassion. May we have the same response, whether it be to a neighbor in need, a child's face in a Christian advertisement, or a news broadcast from the Horn of Africa. We know the statistics, we hear and see the faces, may we not become hardened to their plight. There are only two ways to maintain genuine compassion: getting involved with the poor, and maintaining a lifestyle of personal devotion and prayer for the poor.

Nigeria, Boxes of Love, the Gospel, & Prayer

2010-11-26T15:18:00.007-06:00

As many of you know I recently returned from a ministry trip to Lagos, Nigeria. While I was there I had the opportunity to preach in three different churches and to teach at a pastor's conference. It was a great trip, and the Lord taught me many things during my time there. We (Sunshine) also recently participated in the "Boxes of Love" outreach. Boxes of Love is an annual outreach sponsored and coordinated by the Agape Center, a ministry of Campus Crusade's Here's Life Inner City. A box of love contains a Thanksgiving turkey, several side items, and Gospel literature. We split up into two groups last Saturday and visited approximately 16 families (whom we have relationship with) to drop off the box, to pray with them, and to share the Gospel.

The Gospel
Both of these recent ministry experiences reminded me of the importance or the centrality of the Gospel message. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, says that the Gospel is of "first importance." It needs to have this same place of importance and high priority in our lives and ministries. Both followers of Christ and non-believers need the Gospel. When a non-believer believes on the Gospel of Jesus Christ a supernatural work is done in that persons' life. They cross over from death to life (John 5:24), experience a new birth (John 3:1-15; 1 Peter 1:3-5), are set free (John 8:36), and are saved and made alive (Ephesians 2:1-9) - to name a few of the transformations/effects of a relationship with Christ. They become possessors of eternal hope (1 Peter 1:3-5) and have peace with God (Romans 5:1). It is an amazing, miraculous transformation!

This amazing, miraculous transformation continues to happen in the life of the believer because of the ongoing work of the Gospel. I was reminded of this in a blog that I recently read. Jonathan Parnell wrote the following on the Desiring God blog,
"The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of those who trust him is old news. It is really old, really good news. So what are we aiming for in hearing again and again that which we've heard before? The hope in hearing the old, good news is that it would perpetually break new ground in our lives. Our hearts are like a jungle. There is untamed wilderness and darkness that has not yet been brought, as it were, under the rule of the One who has laid claim to it all. We need to hear the gospel again and again so that the old, good news of Jesus Christ would reach into these uncharted territories of our lives and fly the flag of its dominion. This is how we are "being saved." This is what it means to be overcome by the gospel."

We need to daily remind ourselves of the Gospel, and allow it to transform our lives continuously. We also need to share this life-changing message with others through personal witness. And it is the Gospel message that is our motivation to extend mercy and compassion to others and to contend for justice.

Prayer
While in Nigeria I was given opportunities to pray with people during and after church services. I would either place my hand on their shoulder or hold their hand and lift their request(s) before the Father and seek to be an encouragement to them. I could tell that each brother and sister I prayed with was very appreciative of the time I spent in prayer with them (and I was blessed by it too). During our boxes of love outreach day, we would hold hands in a circle with each family and lift them up in prayer. It was such an encouraging time, and again everyone seemed so grateful for the time of prayer. Both of these experiences reminded me of times when others have prayed for me (either on the phone or in person) and how encouraging that always is. There is something powerful about praying for others and having others pray for you. It is a simple action to do for someone, but for whatever reason we don't seem to do it as often as we should.

By God's grace I want the Gospel to transform my life on a daily basis, in such a way that it overflows in my life - in my words and in my actions. I also desire to grow in the area of intentionally looking for opportunities to pray for and with others. The Gospel & Prayer: powerful, essential, transformational, necessary.

Blessed In Nigeria

2010-11-22T23:31:00.003-06:00

Just over a week ago I returned from my trip to Lagos, Nigeria. I travelled as part of a team from Hallomai International (www.hallomai.org), a ministry started by my good friend Blessed Madugba. Our team consisted of four Nigerians and three Americans. Over the span of our time there, I had the opportunity to preach at three different churches and to teach at a pastor’s conference. It is still hard to believe that I had this opportunity, and that I was able to play a small part in the work God is doing in Nigeria. God is crazy! As is always the case when we serve Him in ministry, I received more than I gave during my time there. My family in Christ in Nigeria blessed me in a few different ways. First of all, I was blessed by the hospitality we were shown. We were welcomed and treated as family. There is a greater emphasis there on “people over tasks.” Our family (in Christ) there made us home cooked meals, opened their homes, gave us many rides, and spent long, traffic-filled days with us. I look forward to continue to build relationships via email, skype, facebook, etc. with the brothers and sisters we met there. Secondly, I was challenged by my family’s dependence upon the Lord. For some of the pastors there is limited denominational support. The congregation may or may not be able to give enough to support both the pastor’s salary and the church expenses. The LORD provides. My family there, both the pastors and the church members, believe God for big things, and God comes through for them. In my travels now to both South Africa and Nigeria, I have seen a dependence on the Lord in both places that I do not often see here. Finally, I was reminded of the “globalness” of our God. He is the God of ALL Nations. During my time in different churches there I learned new songs, I saw joyful worship, and I heard prayers in languages I didn’t understand. It was beautiful! Christ is actively shining His light throughout the globe through different cultural lenses, and for ten days I had the opportunity to see Him at work in and through His Nigerian church. I only wish we could have more multinational, multi-cultural family gatherings to celebrate Christ and learn and build together. I was reminded afresh that we need each other!

The Lord Is Our Provider & Our Provision

2010-11-19T22:17:00.003-06:00

This past Saturday I was given the opportunity to be the closing speaker at my Grandpa Clark's memorial service in Lawton, MI. I was honored to be able to share, and below is what God put on my heart that day...

My Grandpa instructed the family, to not “make a fuss” when he passed, but rather to keep the service simple. I think I know why he gave these instructions. He wanted the focus to be somewhere else. William Carey, the pioneer missionary to India, was known to have once said something to this effect. He said, “When I die don’t spend too much time talking about the missionary, instead focus your attention on the missionary’s Savior.” So I want to do a final summary of my grandpas life in order to point toward His Savior. I want us to think about two things as we reflect on my grandpa’s life:
(1)The LORD was his Provider And (2)The LORD was his greatest Provision

First of all, The LORD was his Provider
• Let’s start from the beginning. When my grandpa was 1 years old, his father died. His mother was not fit to take care of him. The Clark side of the family even suggested that he be put in an orphanage. But the LORD was his provider. His step grandmother insisted that she and his grandfather take in him and his brothers, so that they would indeed have a home with family. The LORD was his Provider.
• The LORD provided my grandfather with an amazing singing voice. He had a booming, full, powerful voice. In fact as an older teenager and young adult a local church paid him so sing in the choir there. It was at that church one Sunday that the preacher gave an invitation to Salvation in Jesus, and my grandpa walked the aisle and prayed to receive Christ. So at the age of 21, my grandpa experienced the amazing Gift of Salvation. He received God’s amazing grace in the person of Jesus Christ.
• That same year, 1937, he joined the military and while in the military the LORD provided an evangelistic ministry. A ministry team was formed, and they began ministering at churches in England. In God’s Sovereignty, at one those church meetings, the LORD provided a wife and ministry partner.
• Fast forward the tape a bit, and when my grandparents returned stateside, the LORD provided two more children in addition to my dad who was born in England.
• During my grandpa’s seminary training the LORD provided a job as a camp director and many young people came to know the LORD.
• My grandpa and grandma would then serve at four different churches in Michigan – Wadhams, Lansing, Novi, and Decatur. At each stop the LORD provided a home for the family, a car to drive, and loving community. They never had much, but they always had enough. The LORD was his provider.
• When they moved to California, the LORD once again provided a ministry home – this time at Foothill Bible Church where my grandpa would serve as assistant pastor.
• Even when there was no formal ministry position for my grandpa, the LORD faithfully provided ministry opportunities for my grandpa to teach and proclaim the Word of God and to encourage others with his infections spirit fueled by the joy of the LORD. The LORD was his provider.
• As my Grandpa entered his 90s, his body began to break down. The LORD provided a sound mind and an unshakable memory of the Word of God. The LORD provided peace in the midst of pain and joy in the midst of sorrow.
• A few weeks ago, on a late Friday afternoon in California my grandfather passed away. The LORD was his provider, this time providing a heavenly home in the presence of His LORD and Savior.

But not only was the LORD his Provider. The LORD was his greatest Provision. Can we thin for a couple of minutes about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that my grandpa came to believe on as a young man.
GOD – The God of the Universe created us in His image. God is all powerful and all-knowing and never-changing and eternal. He is worthy of our awe, of our adoration, and of our praise. This God created us and He created us to known Him and to have a relationship with Him.
MAN – However, this Holy and Righteous and Just God has a problem with us, or He has beef with us. You see we have offended God with our sin. The Bible says that all have sinned and that the wages of our sin is death. Our sin separates us from God! We cannot come to know Him in our sin.
CHRIST – However, God is not only holy and righteous, but He is loving. The Bible says that He loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die and pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus died for us. He took on the punishment for sin that we deserved. And after dieing on the cross, He rose again three days later. He conquered death. That is good news! Romans 5:8 says that God demonstrated His love for us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
RESPONSE – Our response is repentance and faith.

The LORD Jesus Christ died for my grandpa’s sins. He gave my grandpa eternal life. He lavished His grace upon my grandpa’s life. Jesus was my grandpa’s greatest provision, his prized possession, and his treasure. And you see when Jesus becomes that Big and that Beautiful in our lives, it radically changes our perspective on life – I would suggest in two major ways. When Jesus is our greatest possession we will have a different view or perspective of self & stuff.

First of all, when Jesus is our greatest possession we become more and more selfless. We increasingly live for His purposes and for His agenda. We increasingly give our lives for the glory of Christ and for the good of others.
Acts 20:24
Philippians 1:21
Philippians 3:8

Secondly when Jesus is our greatest possession we will have a different perspective on stuff. Materialism will increasingly loosen its grip on our lives. Because of His grace and mercy, our lives will increasingly be marked with generosity on behalf of others, rather than self focused accumulation of more and more stuff. This is how my grandpa lived. Because of Jesus, he lived simply. He lived generously, and He made eternal investments his entire life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19

Some might say, and even some Christians might say that my grandpa was not “financially wise.” You see there is no large earthly estate that he is passing on. My grandpa never earned a home. His kids are not getting large inheritances, and neither are the grand kids. But I am reminded of what Jim Elliot once said. He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose. My grandpa made eternal investments his entire life. He invested in people – today is evidence of that. Family we did not inherit money, but we inherited his legacy of faith in Jesus Christ and if we have believed we have received that Paul calls the Gospel of the grace of God.

So today we celebrated the life of a great man, but let us remember that he served a GREAT GOD who was both His Provider and His Provision. And may we come to know the LORD ever-increasingly as both our Provider and our greatest Provision. Amen.

Song Time In Nigeria

2010-11-06T09:01:00.006-05:00
I Am A Child Of God

This past week we participated in a three day revival at Christ Believer's Assembly, located just outside of Lagos Nigeria. I had the opportunity to preach on Wednesday, Mike preached on Thursday, and then Blessed closed it out on Friday. Each day we were all asked to "give a word" to the congregation, and we had different opportunities to pray for different church members as well. After two days there, I realized that there was a good group of children who sit in the very back of the sanctuary. I explained to Pastor David that I lead songs with kids in Chicago, and I asked him if I could do so with the children at his church during Friday's service. He gave me the chance on Friday, and I think the kids really enjoyed it!

This Is The Day
This Is The Day In Nigeria from Dave Clark on Vimeo.

Heading To Nigeria

2010-10-26T08:56:00.007-05:00

This Saturday (October 30th) I will be heading to Lagos, Nigeria!! I will be traveling and ministering with a team of 6 others from the States. I was invited by my good friend and former classmate at Moody, Blessed Madugba. He grew up in Nigeria and initially came to the United States to study at Moody (back in January of 2002). The Lord has put it on Blessed’s heart to equip and empower other African pastors and leaders through an organization he is starting called “Hallomai.” Hallomai is the Greek word for the word “leap” and it’s mission is to educate, equip, and empower church leaders in Africa and Asia. During this trip we will participate in both a Pastor's Conference and local church ministry in the city of Lagos. This conference will be the first ministry initiative of Hallomai. I have been asked to teach a workshop at the conference. I will be teaching on the holistic impact of the Gospel! Lord willing, I will be sharing how the Gospel leads us to not only do evangelism, but to also contend for justice and reach out to our neighbors with compassion and mercy. I will also be doing some preaching in the evenings after the conference in various churches there.

I am so honored and humbled to be a part of this team. Although I will be teaching while I am there, I am also traveling as a learner. I know that I have so much to learn from pastors in Nigeria and from the church there! I am excited to build with believers there and to be an encouragement to one another. I covet your prayers for this trip!

Here is our itinerary:
Sat 10/30 & Sun 10/31 Travel to Nigeria
Mon 11/1 Get our "bearings"
Tue 11/2 - Sunday 11/7 Local Church Ministry
Mon 11/8 Lagos Conference
Tues 11/9 Conference Concludes/Time in Lagos
Wed 11/10 - Thurs 11/11 Return to Chicago
*There may still be some schedule changes, but this is a general guideline of our time.

Remembering My Grandpa

2010-10-10T17:19:00.003-05:00

On Friday evening my Grandpa Clark went home to be with Jesus. He died peacefully, with the family at his bedside. He was 93. Over the last couple of days I have been thinking of the things that I appreciated most about my grandpa and his life.

First of all my grandpa was faithful to the LORD. He came to know the Lord at the age of 23 years old (neither of his parents were believers). He would walk with Him for 70 years! He spoke often about the Lord and His faithfulness in his life. Over the years I observed him witness to waitresses, store owners, relatives, etc. He loved Jesus and He loved to tell others about Him! He also loved to sing praises to God! I have vivid memories of him singing SO LOUD at whatever church he visited. It sometimes embarrassed us, but he didn't care...he was going to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Second, he was faithful to his wife. My grandparents were married for 64 years!! They have 3 kids, 8 grandkids, and a growing number of great grandkids. As a grandkid, I (and we) could count on a few things from grandpa: a huge hug when we saw him, an occasional mini-sermon or quoted Scripture verse, a "Reader's Digest" joke, and a lot of laughs. He loved to play games and cards at the kitchen table with all of the family! I greatly respect and admire the way my grandparents placed high value on the things that really mattered. My grandpa never had nice "stuff," but he has passed on his faith, his love for people, and the joy that characterized his life.

Finally, he was faithful in ministry. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul exhorted Timothy to "preach the word: be ready in season and out of season." My grandpa never stopped preaching the Word! When he no longer served the Lord in formal ministry, he continued to preach the Word to whomever would listen. He spent 50 plus years of His walk with the Lord serving Him in ministry as a pastor, a singer, and an evangelist. He served as a pastor at churches in Port Huron, Lansing, Novi, and Decatur MI. He was known for his passionate proclamation of the Word, and for a passion for missions. In his later years, he would preach evening services at a church in Sylmar CA, and continued to occasionally fill pulpits into his 80s.

Over the last few years, I have begun to preach at a few different churches. I really enjoyed sharing with my grandpa what I had preached on and where I had preached. Ever since I began serving in ministry in 2001, he has let me know that he is praying for me and that the Lord was using me to do a good work. His encouragement meant so much to me.

In a few days I will be giving the "memorial message" at the cemetery where he will be buried. I am so honored and humbled to do this. I know my grandpa would want me to preach the Gospel. So Lord willing, I will lift up the Name of Jesus as we say goodbye to a man who loved to do the same thing.

I love you grandpa and I look forward to singing with you in the presence of the Lord!

Thinking About "Radical"

2010-10-02T11:15:00.007-05:00

During the middle of August I bought I book that I had been curious about for a while, called "Radical" by David Platt. It didn't disappoint my expectation. I quickly read through the book in a week and a half. I am revisiting the book to day, to further chew on some of the things in the book that resonated with me and challenged me.

One thing I appreciate about Platt as he writes is that he has been "marked" by his travels to various parts of the world where he has seen followers of Christ live out their faith amongst the difficulties of persecution and poverty. Upon returning from a trip to Asia where Christianity is forbidden by the government, he had this reflection to offer, "...I could not help but think that somewhere along the way we had missed what is radical about our faith and replaced it with what is comfortable. We were settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves (pg 7)."

He sums up the main idea of the book on page 13 where he states, "We are giving in to the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist Him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with. A nice, middle-class, American Jesus. A Jesus who doesn't mind materialism and who would never call us to give away everything we have. A Jesus who would not expect us to forsake our closest relationships so that he receives all our affection. A Jesus who is fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts, because, after all, he loves us just the way we are. A Jesus who wants us to be balanced, who wants us to avoid dangerous extremes, and who, for that matter, want us to avoid danger altogether. A Jesus who brings us comfort and prosperity as we live out our Christian spin on the American dream."

Later he reflects on the Church displayed in Acts and expresses this as a "dream" for the Church today. He states, "I cannot help but long to be a part of this kind of scene in the church today. A scene were we refuse to operate in a mind-set dominated by an American dream that depends on what we can achieve with our own abilities. A scene where we no longer settle for what we can do in our own power. A scene where the church radically trusts in God's great power to provide unlikely people with unlimited, unforeseen, uninhibited resources to make His name known as great. I want to be a part of that dream (pg. 53)."

I also like the way he unpacks the "great why of God." He states, "God blesses His people with extravagant grace so they might extend His extravagant grace to all peoples on the earth (pg 69)." Later he adds, "It centers on His greatness, His goodness, and His glory being made known globally among all peoples. And to disconnect God's blessings from God's global purpose is to spiral downward into an unbiblical, self-saturated Christianity that misses the point of God's grace (pg 71)."

One last thing (for this blog entry at least) that I liked was how he challenges his congregation with the question of whether they are "receivers" or "reproducers" of God's Word. In other words, are you going to church to get "YOUR" Word, or rather to take what you've heard and passing it on to others (making disciples). He asks, "What if we began to think, how can I listen to this Word so that I am equipped to teach his Word to others?" Although, I realize that God can speak to us individually through the teaching of His Word and convicts us and challenges us to change. However, too often we stop here and limit it to only personal application. I like that he is pushing ALL of his congregation to be teachers of the Word by having a "reproducer" mindset.

I may write some additional blog entries as I continue to chew on this book. It is definitely worth picking up. Stay tuned...

Check Out "Rehab"

2010-09-30T14:52:00.002-05:00

Lecrae’s long-awaited fourth album, REHAB, is now in stores! The album features Tedashii, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka, Sonny Sandoval, Anthony Evans and many more. You can check in by picking up a copy of Rehab now on iTunes or at Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Mardels, LifeWay, Berean and Family Christian. For more information on where to find Rehab in-store click here.

You can also purchase the deluxe and/or vinyl version of Rehab as well as album merchandise at the storefront. For more information about the album and to listen to the three singles click here.

Check out my favorite song off of the album, "Boasting" featuring Anthony Evans!

Do You Micah 6:8?

2010-09-20T23:08:00.003-05:00

This past weekend I had the opportunity to preach on Micah 6:8 at New Hope Fellowship in Lawton MI. This Scripture has had a big impact on my life and philosophy of ministry (and the ministry of Sunshine) over the past 9 years or so that I have become familiar with it. Preaching from it, gave me the chance to really dig into the book of Micah and see the big picture of the book and just how Micah 6:8 fits into the context of the book (I definitely recommend reading the book of Micah!). I am still chewing on what it means to truly live out the "Micah marks of grace" found in Micah 6:8. Below is a summary of my message from Sunday...

"Do You Micah 6:8"
Passage: Micah 6:1-8

The Context:
(1)Verses 1-3 = The LORD presents His case against His people
(2)Verses 4-5 = The LORD reminds them of all that He has done on their behalf
(3)Verses 6-7 = The Big Question: “What does the LORD require?
(4)Verse 8 = Our Response to His Redemptive Work

The Micah Marks of Grace

(1)Justice (do justice)
Justice (Hebrew “mishpat”) is much more than legal equity; it refers to the entire scope of God’s government of His world. Thus to “do justice” involves, on the part of government, a fair and just use of power and proper functioning of a fair judicial system, especially to protect the weak from the strong. On the part of individuals, “justice” involves honest and fair business dealings and faithfulness to keep one’s word, as well as not taking advantage of the poor or those with less power or protection.

We must contend for justice individually and corporately, personally and systemically!

(2)Mercy (love kindness)
Mercy is the Hebrew word “checed” (pronounced hesed) which means goodness, kindness, and steadfast love.

"The Gospels are filled with stories of Jesus touching those declared untouchable, speaking to those who were not to be spoken to, befriending those who were thought not to deserve a friend.” - taken from United By Faith

(3)Faithfulness (walk humbly with your God)
(a)One cannot “walk humbly with God” apart from a relationship with Jesus.
(b)A Biblical view of who God is will always lead to humility
(c)We must disciple others to walk humbly with God

Consider this…
67% of the world’s population does not know God (the Lost)
40% of the world’s population lives on less than $2/day (the Least of these)

People are poor (in Scripture & in life) for 3 reasons:
1)Oppression/Injustice
2)Personal Tragedy/Calamity
3)Personal Sin

People who are experiencing injustice and oppression need others to contend for justice (personal & systemic)!
People who are reeling after a personal tragedy need others to lavish mercy on them!
People who are in bondage to personal sin need to have their eyes opened to what it means to humbly walk with God!

Do you Micah 6:8?

Reflections Of A Runner

2010-09-15T12:55:00.003-05:00

This past Sunday morning I once again "competed" in the Chicago Half Marathon. As many of you might remember, I ran in the race last year for the first time. I really didn't know what to expect last year, and my goal going in was simply to "run the whole time." Going into this year, I put a little more pressure on myself. I began training earlier in the summer. I was stricter about my diet. My goal was to get my time under 2 hours this year. Therefore, the morning of the race and even in the days leading up I was "feeling the pressure" so to speak. One of the best things about this year's race was that I had a good friend, Curtis "CZ" Zackery, come into town to run with me. Although we didn't run together during the race (he moves at a much faster clip), it was huge to be able to talk through training practices, morning of routines, diet, etc.

The weather was perfect on Sunday. There were once again approximately 20,000 runners. I was able to finish the race this year with a time of 1 hour and 56 minutes (Praise God!). It felt so good to cross that finish line!!

Here is a "race footage interview" done by Sarah Murphy & Nikki Blodgett...

Here is a "post-race interview" of myself and Curtis "CZ" Zackery done by Nikki Blodgett...

I once again ran to raise money for Sunshine. I want to thank everyone who has either already sent in a donation online, or who is planning to soon. We are still accepting donations! Email me (dave@sunshinegospel.org) if you are interested, and I can send you the donation instructions.

Lord willing, I hope to stay in half-marathon shape and continue to do other runs/races throughout the coming year. I'm a runner, so...

Equipped For A Glocal Urban Reality

2010-09-05T20:00:00.005-05:00

Each fall I have the opportunity (along with other staff members from Sunshine) to do volunteer training with primarily college students and young adults. In addition to "program specific" training, such as discipline, how to tutor, etc - we teach sessions on the historical context of our neighborhood, seeing and celebrating the image of God in other cultures, educational inequities in urban areas, a Biblical response to poverty, and last but not least...The Gospel. For those coming to us from schools like Moody, I know that the Gospel and exegeting the Scriptures will be emphasized in their four years there. However, one thing I have emphasized this week (that one of my mentors, Dr. Fuder, use to stay to us in class) is that we must not only learn how to exegete the Scriptures, but we must also learn how to exegete our city, our neighborhood, cultures, people, etc. We must be cultural learners. We have to intentionally study (and re-study) the historical context and current social trends and challenges in the area in which we serve. In humility and with graciousness we must approach the realities of race, culture, and class as learners in God's school. This type of ongoing education is crucial for us as Christ-followers in the 21st Century. The integrity of the Gospel is at stake because we have an "all nations" commission and a "love our neighbor as ourselves" mandate.

I told the students this week that regardless of where they end up serving, whether it be rural, urban, or suburban that thinking Biblically through issues of race, culture, and class will always be relevant if we want to live missionally in a way that truly exalts Christ. However, studies are showing that the world in which we live is increasingly becoming urban. A recent Christianity Today article entitled "Urban Urgency" reported that more than half of the world's population now lives in cities. In 1950 fewer than 30 percent of the world's people lived in cities, but it is projected that by the year 2050 almost 70 percent of the world's estimated 10 billion people will live in urban areas (according to the United Nations). As God is sovereignly moving people to cities (Acts 17), He is bringing the Nations to these cities. As this happens, Ray Bakke likes to say that "other nations" are no longer geographically distant, but rather culturally distant from us (as believers). It not only becomes about crossing cultural divides to reach people for Christ, but also about learning from our global family (those who know Christ) as we begin to do life together and celebrate our differences.

We have to ask God to give us a "glocal" mindset and heart (that's local and global). We need not juxtapose the two against each other. It is both/and. This new growing urban reality is going to require believers to have an ever increasing Christ-centered compassion for both the neighborhood and the nations.

Clark The Runner

2010-08-20T14:56:00.004-05:00

On the early morning of September 12th I will be running the Chicago Half Marathon on behalf of Sunshine Gospel Ministries! I am looking for people to sponsor me in this endeavor. All of the money that I raise will go directly to Sunshine!

The race is 13.2 miles long. So you could sponsor me per mile (example of $1/mile), Or you could simply pledge a lump sum (example $100) of money.

If you are interested in donating towards this, go to www.sunshinegospel.org and click on the “Donate” link. Then click on “Donations To Sunshine Gospel Ministries.” Make it a “general budget” donation, and please indicate that it is “Clark Half Marathon” or “Clark The Runner.” All donations are tax-deductible.

Thank you for supporting me in this worthy endeavor!!

Tragic Urgency

2010-08-19T13:45:00.005-05:00

(This is a picture of OJ, 16 years old.)

(This is a picture of Damian Turner, 18 years old.)

On Saturday evening I was driving home from a BBQ with my roommate CW. A block away from our house we saw what is sadly a familiar scene on weekend nights during the summer, police cars and police lights. This particular scene included not only police cars, and several of them, but also an ambulance. I said to CW, "somebody got shot." It wasn't until the following evening that I discovered what happened. The shocking part of the news was that the young man who was shot and killed was a former player of mine, 18 year old Damian Turner. He had played for me on three different summer teams. Even after his playing days I would see him all the time, as we only lived a block or so apart. He was a cool kid, liked hanging out with his friends, like to write and record music, and was active in a local community organization called STOP. He had so much potential! He was shot in the back on Cottage Grove around midnight on Saturday, and he died shortly thereafter.

Tragically, Damian is not alone. Earlier this summer another one of my former players, OJ, was shot multiple times in the head and his body was dumped on some remote railroad tracks. The number of young men (although young women are dying too) who have died in the streets this summer alone is alarming. Chicago has now surpassed New York and Los Angeles as the youth homicide capital of the United States. At a funeral earlier this spring, Pastor Corey Brooks was quoted as saying, "hurt people, hurt people." This is where we are at right now in Chicago. We have a lot of hurting young people, who are acting out of that hurt. There is a conditioned hopelessness that sets in, creating an emotional numbness, and leading to acts of desperation.

Whenever there is a string of shootings, all of the experts chime in. Sadly, oftentimes, there is a lot of finger-pointing that happens. I read and hear statements like this:
We need less guns on the street.
Parents need to parent their kids.
We need more police on the street.
If we could just get the gangs under control...
The kids need more positive activities.
The church no longer has the presence and impact that is once has.
We need less drugs on the street.
The mayor needs to allocate more funds to youth programs.
The interesting thing is, I would agree with all of these statements. We need all of the above! We need involved parents, less guns, just police, more outlets for youth, more engagement from local churches, less drugs, and more funding for after school activities. The underlying factor in all of this is the need for long-term, preventative, life on life investment. We don't need more marches, we need more mentors - coaches, teachers, parents, police, block club leaders, and especially pastors and Christians all working together on a long-term consistent basis. The cry after each shooting is for Intervention, but really the call needs to be for more long-term investment in Prevention.

What about the Church? I think we need to re-think how we do church in our American context. As my friend Allan would say, "we have made it too much about the Sunday morning show!" The city and suburbs are full of "drive-in spiritual service centers" where we "fill up" and then retreat to "normal life." I really believe we need to re-think how we can BE the church Monday through Sunday on our blocks, in our neighborhoods, in our schools, and on our jobs. The service on Sunday then is only the beginning, it is only the huddle, but we should look forward to "breaking huddle" each Sunday and heading into the battle of the coming week. We have lost this sense of battle, this sense of mission, this sense of urgency!

This recent shooting has also reminded me of the eternal weight of the Gospel message that we possess. Our blocks, neighborhoods, and cities need us to both proclaim the Gospel (Jesus is the only way to be reconciled to God) and portray the Gospel message (justice & mercy). It must be a both/and commitment on our behalf. To put it simply, people need Jesus!

Tomorrow morning I will be attending Damian's funeral. Please lift up his family and friends in prayer.

Continue to pray for Churches and Christ followers here in Chicago, that we would work well together for the sake of the Gospel and for the sake of our city.

Horizontal Transformation

2010-08-16T11:10:00.005-05:00

Red Revolution from Threads on Vimeo.

(The following video was done by Adam Thomason of Red Revolution. I met Adam at the Legacy Conference this year. He taught a workshop I attended called "Living Out Biblical Community." I am still unpacking all that I learned!)

During my time at Moody Graduate School I became aware that historically and currently in America we have bought into and lived out a very individualized, "me and Jesus" Christianity. It is focused primarily on the vertical reality of what Christ accomplished on the cross (reconciling us back to God), while either excluding or minimizing the horizontal reality of the cross (reconciling us one to another). When this happens, the church mirrors society's emphasis on individualism and materialism. The church than also becomes infected with our cultures "caste system" built around race and class.

Although, this "one-sided" Christianity has unfortunately plagued the Church, it is not found in Scripture. I like what Mark Dever says in his book entitled "What Is A Healthy Church." He states, "It should be no surprise then that Jesus said that 'all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments': love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. The two commandments go together. The first produces the second, and the second proves the first. Through Christ, then, being reconciled to God means being reconciled to everyone else who is reconciled to God." I am thinking a lot lately of what it means than to practically love our neighbor as ourselves, and exploring afresh what it means to truly be this new blood-bought family of God. How can we best reflect Christ to a watching world as His covenant people? How do we sacrificially love and bear with one another the way it is described in Acts 2?

I would love to chop it up if you have thoughts, questions, etc. Also, do you have any books you would recommend on Biblical community? I just purchased "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Let's chop...

Who Is Our Family?

2010-08-12T21:51:00.003-05:00

We just returned from our annual discipleship trip to Montana. For me it was my 9th “pilgrimage” west! Over the course of these nine years, I have developed some great relationships with the people of Springhill Presbyterian Church in Bozeman, MT. I have come to view many of the people there as my “Montana family.” However, just before I departed on the trip this year, I was reminded of the impact of the Gospel on our horizontal relationships. In the opening verse of the book of Philemon, Paul refers to Timothy as his “brother.” In the Gospel of John (11:21), Mary refers to Lazarus as her “brother.” The difference between these two passages is that Lazarus was Mary’s biological brother, while Timothy was Paul’s brother in Christ. The interesting thing is that both passages use the same Greek word, “adelphos.” This word literally means, “of the same womb.” Take a second and think about the significance of this! Mary and Lazarus were biologically related, while Paul and Timothy were Blood related. The Gospel had caused a radical paradigm shift in Paul’s life. Remember Paul was of Jewish descent and was very proud of his ethnic stock (Philippians 3). However, when God rocked him with the Gospel on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), his perspective of horizontal relationships was radically altered. He became the “apostle to the Gentiles.” He confronted racism/ethnocentrism (Galatians 2:11-14). He acted compassionately on behalf of the poor (Galatians 2:10). Paul’s new birth in Christ caused him to view all believers as “family.” This family perspective superseded any racial, ethnic, or economic differences that existed. That is true Gospel transformation!

So when we travel to Montana, we realize that there are geographical, cultural, and economic differences between us, but we quickly recognize that we are family. We get to know each other, we sharpen each other, we laugh together, and throughout the year we pray for one another. As followers of Jesus we are adopted into a multi-national, multi-ethnic family! Lord give us the grace to be family!

A Great Legacy

2010-08-11T23:17:00.004-05:00

The last Thursday and Friday in July, just before departing for Montana, I attended the Legacy Discipleship Conference here in Chicago! I have been to every one thus far, and I have to say that this year's was the best. The workshops I went to were so meaty and the main sessions were challenging! I will be doing some additional blogs on the content that I am still chewing on from the workshops.

Thabiti Anyabwile did a great review of the conference on his blog. Much of what he said resonated with me!

Clinging To Him

2010-08-07T00:41:00.004-05:00

In Sho Baraka's song, "Kobe Bryant On Em" he has a line that says, "When life throws you curve balls like Nolan Ryan on em, don't give up in the field...Detroit Lions on em!" During the months of May and June, I feel like I got thrown a curve ball. Honestly, it felt like a bad dream that I wished would end. What made this "curve ball" particularly challenging was that there was nothing I could to to change things. I cried, I cried out to God, I sought counsel. My circumstances didn't change, but in and through it God has been changing me.

It is now August, and in some ways I am still struggling. However, in the midst of this I have experienced God's grace, faithfulness, and love in powerful ways. It is always amazing how during painful circumstances/seasons, there is an intimacy with Christ that is stronger than that of sunny days. He is chiseling me and challenging me in different ways. He seems to be asking me two questions: Do you trust me? and Do you love me?

I recently came across some verses in the book of Joshua where he exhorts the Israelites to "cling" to the LORD (Joshua 22:5, 23:8). I love the imagery of "clinging" to the LORD as my Father, my Rock, my Refuge, the one in whom I put my trust. The word cling means to adhere to, to follow close, to pursue hard. The Israelites were still struggling with the uncertainty of the future, despite the promises God had given them. They needed to hear Joshua's words of "cling to Him." As I wrestle with concerns of "the future" I need those same words - cling to the LORD. By God's grace I want to learn how to cling to Him a day at a time, and to cultivate a "crazy love" relationship with Jesus, where He is my first love.

Thinking About Church

2010-07-26T21:20:00.004-05:00
Over the course of the past year or so (and possibly even longer)I have been thinking about church. I've been thinking about what it means to "be" the church, how to live out community, church based community ministry, a parish mindset church, etc. I have read two books by Francis Chan that have got my wheels churning about church - "Crazy Love" and "Forgotten God." He has challenged me to read through the book of Acts and the Gospels, and then ask the question "Does the American Church look like a Biblical church?" I have also had the opportunity to visit a diverse group of churches in the past 3 months or so - in rural, urban, and suburban settings. I don't have any real "conclusive" thoughts as this point, but I wanted to share some of the things that have my "wheels turning" about what Church should be.

First, here is a sermon entitled "Is This Really Church?" This is 58 minutes long, but it is worth watching.

Secondly, here is a short excerpt from the book "Forgotten God":
"A while back a former gang member came to our church. He was heavily tattooed and rough around the edges, but he was curious to see what church was like. He had a relationship with Jesus and seemed to get fairly involved with the church.

After a few months, I found out the guy was no longer coming to the church. When asked why he didn't come anymore, he gave the following explanation: 'I had the wrong idea of what church was going to be like. When I joined the church, I thought it was going to be like joining a gang. You see, in the gangs we weren't just nice to each other once a week - we were family.' That killed me because I knew that what he expected is what the church is intended to be. It saddened me to think that a gang could paint a better picture of commitment, loyalty, and family than the local church body.

The church is intended to be a beautiful place of community. A place where wealth is shared and when one suffers, everyone suffers. A place where when one rejoices, everyone rejoices. A place where everyone experiences real love and acceptance in the midst of great honesty about our brokenness. Yet most of the time this is not even close to how we would describe our churches.

Without the Spirit of God in our midst, working in us, guiding us, and living and loving through us, we will never be the kind of people who make up this kind of community." Later he adds, "As for me, I am tired of talking about what we are going to do. I am sick of talking about helping people, of brainstorming and conferencing about ways we can be radical and make sacrifices. I don't want to merely talk anymore. Life is too short. I don't want to speak about Jesus; I want to know Jesus. I want to be Jesus to people. I don't want to just write about the Holy Spirit; I want to experience His presence in my life in a profound way."
-"Forgotten God" pp 152-153

Finally, here is a copy of the "Church Values" of my dear friend Pastor Aaron Roy's church, Living Hope Neighborhood Church in Richmond, CA. These values really resonate with me!

1)Christ Centered - We want to promote the supremacy of Christ in all that we do (Colossians 1:15-20).

2)Outward Focused - We will live out the "great commission" as a command and not an option.

3)Multi-Cultural - Embracing and celebrating the diversity of the body of Christ here on earth

4)Holistic - Our conviction is that the Gospel is concerned with the "whole" person and that the church is to meet the special needs of the diverse urban community (Acts 2:42-47).

5)Missional - We desire to view God as one who is intentional throughout the whole world. The church can/should engage in "global" transformation.

6)Local/Parish - We will strive to better our local community in the areas of schools, housing, and over all health (spiritually and physically) of its residents.

"The success of a church should ultimately be defined by the degree to which it changes its neighborhood." - John Perkins

Any thoughts, insights, Scriptural references that have shaped your "ecclessiology" or your view of the Church?

Youth Outreach Summer Update

2010-07-23T22:27:00.007-05:00

Wanted to give a quick Youth Outreach summer update…

Safe Families
Erica has still been working really hard networking, seeking to mobilize churches, Christian families, and social service agencies to take part in the ministry of Safe Families. We are one of the top performing hubs (amongst the new hubs trying to be established). Please continue to lift up Erica and the ministry of SF in prayer.

Summer Blast
Next week will be our final week of Summer Blast (our day camp for 2nd through 5th graders)! We have been averaging between 30 and 40 kids each day. We have had a good group of “returners” as well as built some new relationships with some new kids and families. The summer staff have done well, and we are thankful for all of them serving with us this summer.

Summer SWAGG (Students Worshiping a Great God)
Next week will be our final week as well! We have been averaging 20 to 25 6th through 8th graders on Monday and Wednesday night! We have also made some new relationships, as well as strengthened some existing ones. Brittney & CW have done a great job!!

Sunshine Cove
We took a record-breaking 75 kids to camp this year!! They were between the ages of 7 and 14. The theme for this year was one love, as we unpacked what it means to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. We had a great week building with the kids, and many Gospel conversations were had. The kids are already asking when we will be heading back to camp!

Miracle League
We had a junior high team and a high school team this summer! The Jr High team (which I coached) ended the season with a record of 1 and 10. We also bowed out early in the season ending tournament. Although our record wasn’t ideal, the time I was able to spend with the guys was great. I look forward to following up with them in the weeks and months to come. Seeds were definitely planted in each of their lives.

The high school team ended the season with a record of 5 and 5. Pastor Brad (Bethel Church) and Pastor Brown (from First Baptist Church) co-coached the team. We are all excited to continue to build into the lives of the high school guys as well.

Montana Trip
We will depart on our annual pilgrimage west on Sunday August 1st (returning on Tuesday August 10th). We will be taking 6 young men and 4 young women. Myself and Mike Avery will be the counselors for the guys. Sarah & Erica will be the counselors for the girls. The Blodgetts will also be coming to work with both the guys and girls. Praise God, the church from Montana is sending us a very generous check to help with various trip expenses!!

Fall Staff Editions
I have revamped the 2-5-2 Director position, and am hoping to have filled this vacancy by mid-August.

Brittney Rost is heading back to Elkhart during the month of August to continue to raise support. Lord willing, she will join our staff in September.

CW Allen could potentially be coming on in the fall as well to work with jr. high/high school. We are still working through a potential “youth staffing partnership” with Young Life to see if we can leverage our collective resources in order to bring on a youth staff team.
Please pray for all of the above concerning staffing.

I just thought I would try to give everyone a “snap shot” into some of the “hustle and flow” of the Youth Outreach ministry this summer.

The Daily Need To Abide

2010-07-13T12:54:00.004-05:00

On the morning of Sunday July 4th, I had the opportunity to preach at Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church in Lawton, MI. You can check out the sermon audio here. Since preaching the message (and while preparing it), I have really been challenged to "walk it out."

We went to camp this past week. I have spent time at Christian camps in different capacities since the summer of 2000. That being said, the thinking can easily go, "I know how to 'do camp'." But John 15:5 says, "apart from me you can do nothing." In other words, apart from Christ I cannot bear real fruit, Kingdom fruit, eternal fruit. Apart from Christ, and abiding in Him, we merely spin our wheels. We can be busy, we can be active, but there will be not true impact apart from abiding in Him. I need this reminder EVERY day. I will be preaching this message again on Sunday the 25th at a church just outside of Chicago, so I will be chewing on this once again. I am grateful for what the Lord is teaching me through this message/passage.

John 15:1-11
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes,that it may bear more fruit. 3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

The Legacy Conference 2010

2010-07-11T16:20:00.002-05:00

The Legacy Conference will be here soon! I am looking forward to it! If you are interested in attending, and you need a place to stay, let me know. I will keep as many people as I can at my place during the days of the conference. It is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 29, 30, & 31st. For more information check out the Legacy Conference web site.

Abide In The Vine

2010-07-04T23:57:00.003-05:00

Abide In The Vine
John 15:1-11

Abide is taken from the Greek word “meno” which means, “to stay in a given place or state, or to continue in, or to dwell, to remain” OR “to be held or kept continually”

I. The Roles of Abiding
v. 1, v. 5
God the Father is the gardener, Christ is the vine, & we are the branches.

II. The Requirement of Abiding
v. 4, 9, 10

III. The Repercussions of Not abiding
For believers…
a)No fruit
v. 4b, 5

For non-believers…
b)No Future
v. 2, 6, 8
“The thought of a person calling himself a “Christian” without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd…Is this idea of the non-fruit bearing Christian something that we have concocted in order to make Christianity ‘easier’?”
- Francis Chan in "Crazy Love"

IV. The Result of Abiding

a)The Purpose is Fruit
v. 5, 7

b)The Process is Pruning
v. 2b, 3
“He prunes” gives a picture of painful but necessary removal of some interests and activities in order that the remaining branches may bear even more fruit.

c)The Product

1)Joy for the believer
v. 11

2)Glory to God
v. 8

A Theology of Brokenness

2010-06-29T12:12:00.005-05:00

I was first exposed to this when I bought the Ambassador's album "The Chop Chop" a couple of years ago now. I have just been reminded of this afresh in the last month or so as God has been humbling me (breaking me) and reminding me of just how dependent I am upon Him. In the Gospel of John, it says that those who bear fruit, God prunes so that more fruit can be born. The end result is beautiful, in that God is glorified and the believer experiences true joy in Christ. But the process...whew!

Listen to this sermon track. I have also tried to copy most of the words below.

A Theology of Brokenness by Pastor Eric Mason

If you are going to walk in the implications of the Gospel, then you’re gonna have to be married to the understanding of the principle of brokenness.

Brokenness is the mark of a person that is qualified to be used by God. But at the end of the day people that are being used by God in a crazy way, in an off the meter way are people that have been cracked at, who have been lunged at by God and God has done something to them.

Broken can mean…
Shattered
Crushed
Maimed
Devoid of arrogance
Disabled
Crippled
Distressed
Fractured
Handicapped

Brokenness, based on the Scriptures, is the spiritual state by which one is disarmed of one’s self dependence and pride, therefore leaving one disabled and in desperate need of help, thereby making one a viable conduit for the glory of Christ.

In Training

2010-06-28T00:10:00.002-05:00

This September I will once again be running on behalf of Sunshine in the Chicago Half Marathon. (If you would like to join me, check out the Flashlight). Last year I didn't start training "seriously" until August. However, this year I am starting now. I am watching my diet (except for the cookies and milk), I am lifting much more consistently, and I have begun running along the lake again. Lord willing, I will be in better shape come September 12th this year. We are looking for more runners to run for Sunshine this year. Would you be interested?

Seek To Show Hospitality Audio

2010-06-14T20:16:00.004-05:00

As many of you know I recently preached a message on Biblical Hospitality at two different churches. It was recorded at City Lights International Assembly on Sunday June 6th. If you are interested in listening click here.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to share this message, and humbled by the way God worked! It was definitely all Him!

Got Faith?

2010-05-31T11:56:00.004-05:00

During my vacation, I have been thinking and praying about a couple of different "themes" that God seems to be pressing on my heart. One of those themes is the importance of faith.

In a few days, I will be fully immersed in another summer season of ministry with Sunshine. This will be my 9th summer of ministry with Sunshine! I am excited for it to begin. However, at the same time I am challenged by the thought/question of what I expect God to do this summer. I am convinced that He wants to do big things in us and through us. Sadly too often I limit His largeness. It is so easy to slide into what is comfortable, and to be content with small prayers and small results. I don't want that to be the case this summer. I want to seek Him for big Kingdom impacting things, and I want to serve Him with fervency and anticipation.

Sometimes I am guilty of looking at others who are in ministry and thinking "I wish I had that type of faith." Or I look at the believers in the book of Acts, and think wouldn't it be great if God did that today. The thing is, He still can. God has not changed. His Holy Spirit is still alive and active. The men and women and the Bible are no different than you and I. As Pastor Chan reminded me James 5:17 states, "Elijah was a man just like us." In "Crazy Love" Chan states, "As chronicled in Hebrews 11, the God that the people of faith served is the very One we serve." Later he adds, "When you pray, your prayers are heard by the same God who answered the Moses' prayer for water in the desert, the God who gave Abraham and his barren wife a son, and the God who made the slave Joseph second in power only to Pharaoh (pg 116)." Do I believe that? Do you?

I am also in a season/situation in my personal life where I am not in control. In other words, "my hands are tied." I have no choice but to trust God. There isn't another option. This is hard. This is stretching. The following words out of Francis Chan's "Crazy Love" really resonates with me. He states, "This place of trust isn't a comfortable place to be: in fact, it flies in the face of everything we've been taught about proper planning. We like finding refuge in what we have already rather than in what we hope God will provide." Whew! That is rocking me right now.

The Bible states in Hebrews 11:6 it states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Lord I believe, help me in my unbelief.

Seek To Show Hospitality

2010-05-26T19:42:00.004-05:00
The next two Sundays I will be preaching a message on the topic of Biblical hospitality. Here is my sermon outline thus far. I have greatly enjoyed studying this mark of God's people. I covet your prayers as I share this message with God's people on the next two Sundays.

Seek To Show Hospitality
Romans 12:13 = Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

(1)The Meaning of Hospitality

Hospitality = Greek word = philoxenia = love of strangers

(2)The Mandate of Hospitality

Hospitality is to be a mark of both…
a) Church Leaders
• 1 Timothy 3:2
• Titus 1:7-8

b) Church Laypersons
• Hebrews 13:2
• 1 Peter 4:9

(3)The Motivation for Hospitality
a) His grace
• “God’s grace calls for gratefulness, and gratefulness calls for a welcome of the stranger.”

b) His example
• The Table Fellowship of Jesus

(4)The Metamorphosis of Hospitality
a) Missional Transformation

b) Personal Transformation

“The practice of hospitality is an alternative to a life focused on consumption and materialism. God lends us our homes and possessions to use for Kingdom purposes, not just for our own comfort and entertainment. Hospitality ensures that we maintain a right relationship with our possessions.”
David Anderson “Unleashing the Family” pg 427

“Hospitality must be relearned and activated if we are going to reach the nations in our cities.”
Dr. David Anderson in “Hospitality in the City” pg 243

“God’s mission in the city is much larger than seeking the transformation of the poor or strangers. His purpose is to transform all the people of the city, including the people of God. God brings us together in the city for mutual transformation. The Spirit is changing all of us into God’s likeness. This makes openness to change essential for the Christian who seeks involvement in ongoing transformation. Only in this state of embracing vulnerability and accepting change as a gift can a person begin to welcome others. The person who does not want to change cannot afford to welcome others.”
Mowry pg 118

Vision Trip

2010-05-26T17:09:00.005-05:00

I just had the opportunity to spend 5 days with my Grandpa and Grandma Clark in Simi Valley CA. My grandpa is now 93 years old, and my grandma turned 85 this year. They have been married for 64 years!! The last few years, I have made it a point each spring to fly out an spend time with them (and my other family in Simi - love you guys!). I didn't really grow up near my dad's parents, so I have always looked forward to our yearly time together.

My grandparents met in church. My grandfather was serving a military term in England, and while there he visited various churches to preach and sing. On one particular outing he sung and preached at the church of a young Phyllis Joyner. She played the organ and he sang, and let's just say they caught one another's eye:) She would eventually move back to the states with my grandpa and they would serve in ministry together for over 4 decades. He pastored 4 different churches in Michigan. He was a passionate proclaimer of the Word of God (he did it with a sparkle in his eye), and each of his churches shared his passion for missions work. My grandma continued to play the organ, raised a family of three (including my dad), and blessed each congregation with her selfless love and intercessory prayer. My grandparents have never had much, but they have always had enough. They never owned a nice car. They never had an extravagant home. However, they would be quick to testify of God's faithful provision for them. One thing that has always been evident to me is that my grandparent's possess the joy of the LORD. They love the Lord, they love people, and they love to laugh.

My grandpa's health is declining now. His mind is still sharp (especially his Scripture knowledge), but his body is breaking down. It was honestly hard for me to see this up close this time. I realize it is a part of life though. In the midst of this, I was so blessed to see my grandparent's interaction with each other on this trip. My grandma now serves my grandpa each meal on his couch, as it is difficult for him to make it to the kitchen table. She makes sure that he takes his various medications (and she is stern with him when needed if he is stubborn). Each night she helps him get into bed, and tucks him in. There are also times where she has to help bathe him after a humiliating episode, and let him know that things are okay. My mom made a comment to my grandma about how challenging this must be. My grandma responded in her own cute way, "this is what we do, for better or for worse." As I sat watching TV with my grandpa the other day he told me, "God has blessed me with a great helpmate. I am blessed." As I listened to my grandma tuck him in last night he thanked her and said "God bless you."

64 years of marriage, 4 decades of active ministry service, 3 kids, 8 grandkids, and a growing number of great grandkids. They also have numerous ministry relationships that span many years and geographic locations. My grandparents have lived for Christ and they have lived for others, and God has been so faithful to them. I continue to take note of their life. I too desire to have a best friend, a teammate in ministry and family (keep praying y'all, I'm getting closer:)). I also aspire, by God's grace, to have their enduring joy in the Lord and faithfulness and longevity in service to the King. I am thankful for the example of my grandparents, and for this recent visit that proved to be a "vision trip" for me.

The Beauty Of The Body

2010-05-23T00:39:00.004-05:00

On Sunday April 25th I worshiped and preached at New Hope Church of SW Michigan in Lawton MI.

On Sunday May 2nd I worshiped and presented at Glorious Light Church in Chicago.

On Sunday May 9th I worshiped and celebrated Mother's Day with my mom at Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church in Lawton, MI.

On Sunday May 16th I returned to worship at my home church in Chicago, Christ Bible Church.

Tomorrow (while on vacation in California) I will worship at Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley California.

Next Sunday (May 30th) I will be worshiping and preaching at Living Hope Neighborhood Church in Richmond, California.

Sunday June 6th I will be worshiping and preaching at City Lights Assembly in Chicago.

All of these churches are very unique. I love all of them! Some of the churches that I mentioned above are predominately white and some are predominately black. One of the churches is a multi-cultural church plant, and one was planted by a Nigerian missionary. Each of them are seeking to make a "glocal impact" - meaning they are committed to reach their neighborhood and the nations. Each worship service is different (different songs, different styles, different service lengths, etc.). Individually and collectively they are a beautiful picture of the body of Christ.

I am thankful for this 7 week journey and for the opportunity to celebrate Christ with my brothers and sisters at these different assemblies. It is a beautiful thing to realize that amidst our differences we are all One underneath the banner of Christ.

Some day I want to get all of the above churches in one arena for a joint worship service! Wouldn't that be crazy? Wouldn't that be beautiful?

Playing It Safe?

2010-05-23T00:10:00.004-05:00

I am re-reading Francis Chan's "Crazy Love." It is a book that God has used to challenge me greatly, to examine my love for Christ, to re-think generous giving, to continuously check my comfort level as I follow Christ. I was reminded of this youtube clip of Pastor Chan in which he likens many of our lifestyles for Christ as "straddling a balance beam." I think, especially given our American Dream influenced Christian culture that we live in, this clip is a good challenge to self-examine whether or not we are playing it safe.

Thoughts??

Something Was Missing

2010-05-22T23:17:00.005-05:00

I recently attended a 3 day preaching workshop at a church in the west suburbs of Chicago. It was a gathering of pastors and ministry workers from all different denominations and churches. Some of the men were from the Chicago area, and some had travelled quite a ways to get there. The main sessions were excellent! The breakout sessions were very helpful and engaging. Overall, I had a great experience at the training and learned some valuable tools that I can implement in my own preaching and teaching. However, something bothered me each day I was there and as I drove away from the training on that Friday.

Here is what bothered me. This was a meeting of multiple church leaders from various denominations. This was a conference located just outside of a large metropolitan area (a metropolitan area that is racially and culturally diverse). However, the conference attendees were 95% white and all of the main session speakers were white. The worship was VERY white.

If this conference was in an area that is predominately white, then fine. If this conference was for a certain denomination that is predominately white, then fine. This was not the case though.

Right now the world is becoming increasingly urban, and cities are becoming increasingly multi-cultural. The Church is growing rapidly in South America and Africa. In the US, although it is reported that the church is dying, ethnic congregations are growing (check out the book The Next Evangelicalism if you don't believe me). Given these current realities, I don't think we should ever settle for homogeneous gatherings - especially interdenominational gatherings in metropolitan areas. It is an incomplete picture of the body. We miss out on opportunities to learn form one another and to celebrate our cultural differences and our unity in Christ.

As John Piper states, "Christ died for a diverse bride." Just look at Revelation 5 and Revelation 7 at the beautiful scene of Christ's multi-ethnic bride worshiping together in heaven. If this is God's heart, should it not be ours?!

As the Church in this generation we must care about this! As the Church in this generation we must God to allign our hearts with His "All-Nations" perspective and "All-Nations" compassion.

I don't write this post to bash the conference I attended. If fact, in a loving way, I wrote a smaller version of the above post on my evaluation. I just want Christ's bride to make Him look good. This is an area where I pray that the Church in this generation will rise to the occasion. Let's be learners, and let's be lovers of all nations.

Returning To The Blogosphere!

2010-05-20T12:51:00.003-05:00
I haven't done an update in a minute. I have been busy, as we have finished the school year. However, I do have several "blogs in the hopper." They will be forthcoming. I am heading to California today, and it is going to give me a lot of much needed time to pray, rest, reflect, journal/blog, etc. I thought I would share this short 1 Minute Sermon that is worth checking out. Enjoy!

Safe Families

2010-04-21T12:22:00.003-05:00

I just posted a blog update on our Sunshine Ministry blog, the flashlight. Please pray for us on this new ministry journey!!

A Legacy Of Love

2010-03-27T18:20:00.005-05:00

Last night my Grandma Wilson (my mom's mom passed away) peacefully at around 9pm. She was 85 years old. The last 3-4 years of her life had been challenging ones for her with ongoing health issues that made getting out of bed each day a painful experience. Although her body continued to deteriorate in her latter years, her mind was as sharp as ever. I will miss my grandma very much, but at the same time I am thankful that God took her home yesterday.

Over the last few days, various memories of my grandma have been on my mind. There are many things that I admire as I think about my grandma, but I think her greatest legacy will be her love. She loved my grandpa, she loved her kids, and she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren (and even her great,great-grandchildren). You could not visit grandma's house without knowing that you were loved.

I grew up within walking distance (or a short drive) of grandma's house. It has always been one of my favorite places to visit! I never left with an empty stomach. I loved dinners with her and my grandpa, and watching television while eating popcorn and coke. In addition, my grandma always made sure that the house was "stocked" with milk and oreos when I came to visit.

When I moved to Chicago and began working in ministry here, my grandma became one of my most faithful supporters (with her prayers, her love, and her financial giving). She refused to send her checks to Sunshine, because she wanted to ensure that I got every penny:). Each month, she sent me a little card with her monthly check. Although she never totally understood how her grandson who grew up in Paw Paw came to love Chicago and serve in ministry there, each time I would see her she would make it a point to tell me "she was proud of me and what I was doing."

This past week I was able to visit with her on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, before she slid into a coma late Wednesday afternoon. I will always cherish that visit. She was very frail and very tired, and continued to go in and out of sleep. However, during the moments she was awake she was very sharp and grateful for everyone who was there to visit. I was able to tell her that I loved her, and she told me how much she loved me and how much I made her smile. I was even able to joke with her as I always had. Just before lunch time some friends of hers visited who happened to be musicians. The man brought his harmonica and his small guitar. We all surrounded my grandma's bed and he played hymn after hymn about the hope we have in Christ. I could tell that my grandma greatly enjoyed the songs. We then circled up for prayer, lifting up my grandma and trusting the Lord for his will to be done. It was a very emotional time for me. Later that afternoon, my grandma slid into a diabetic coma.

My grandma had a peace about dieing, a peace that only came because of her faith in Christ. She was ready to go home to be with her Lord. My grandma was never one to be outspoken about her faith in Christ. However, she lived her faith out loud. You could see the love of Christ in her countenance, and in the love she showed to everyone she met. You could see the love of Christ in her hospitality and in the love you felt when you were at "grandma's house." I rejoice in the fact that she is no longer suffering, but rather worshiping in the presence of King Jesus!

I will always be grateful for the relationship I had with my grandma. She was such a special lady! I will miss her SO much!

Low Expectations

2010-03-11T11:54:00.007-06:00

Yesterday morning I had the opportunity to spend time with our Bridge Builders group (89 college students here for the week) as they had a chance to meet two pastors who serve nearby us on the south side. My intent heading into the morning was to do a brief orientation with the group and then to leave. However, after staying and hearing Bishop Peecher share I decided to stay with the group for their time with Pastor Brooks as well. God was definitely sovereign in orchestrating my time yesterday morning. I heard two amazing testimonies of the power of God displayed on behalf of His people through two pastors and two churches. Both men shared how God did the impossible on their behalf. It both inspired me and caused me to reflect on what I am believing God for. Do I believe that God can do amazing things in and through me, through Sunshine, through my church (Christ Bible Church), etc?

This morning I read a daily devotional from "Experiencing God" by Henry & Richard Blackaby entitled "Raising Our Expectations." It states, "Too often we settle for much less than what God wants to do through us. We read in Jeremiah 32:27: 'I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?' and we answer, 'No Lord." Yet, when we face difficult situations we begin to qualify our belief in God and lower our expectations of what God will do. It is one thing to God could perform a miracle in the Bible, or a thousand years ago, or even in the life of a friend; it is quite another matter to wholeheartedly believe God can do anything He chooses to do in our lives!" Later, it asks the following questions: Do you sense there may be far more that God wants to do through your life than what you have been experiencing? Ask God to show you what it is, then be prepared to respond in faith and obedience to what He tells you.

These last couple days of experience and reading made me want to re-visit a question that Floyd McClung threw out for the new year, "What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?" If I'm honest, I don't often think, dream, and pray for BIG things. I too often articulate a faith in a BIG God while asking and expecting "normal things" to happen. I want to grow in this area, dreaming big dreams, praying big prayers, and trusting in a big God.

Lord I believe, but help me in my unbelief. If I could quote my dear and trusted brother from the Bay, "You feel me?"

A Few Minutes

2010-02-24T00:15:00.003-06:00
The following is a video of Francis Chan responding to the persecution of Christians that is currently going on in India. It is hard to watch, but I would encourage you to watch it all the way through. When you are finished, I encourage you as Francis does to spend a few minutes in prayer for the Christians in India. This really puts things in perspective.

Keep Praying, Keep Giving

2010-02-13T11:34:00.002-06:00

Our young people are raising money all this month for kids their age in Haiti. This has kept the tragic events in Haiti on my mind, as we continue to talk about it, continue to pray for them, and continue to raise money. I have prayed that even as the media and the cameras shift their attention elsewhere, that we "the Church" would not be quick to move on. The road to recovery is going to be a long one for the people in Haiti, and we need to stand with them. The relief agencies, the development organizations, and the Church in Haiti need our ongoing prayer support AND they need our generous giving. Last weekend at camp we focused our attention on 1 John 3:16-18. This passage makes a direct correlation between Jesus display of sacrificial and selfless love on the cross, and in turn our response in showing sacrificial and selfless love to others. We cannot separate the two. They go hand in hand. Verse 17 states, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no compassion (compassion always leads to compassionate acts) on him, how can the love of God be in him?" The recent events in Haiti serve as an "in our face" opportunity to BE the Church and to respond with compassion. I am so encouraged by our young people at Sunshine who "get it" and are giving generously and praying sincerely about this!

The following is a video that was produced by "Churches Helping Churches" (a non-profit organization that was started by Pastor James McDonald and Pastor Mark Driscoll in the days after the quake to assist churches in Haiti) entitled "Who Will Rise Up?"

This second video was produced by Reach Records for a song entitled "Far Away" written by Lecrae. He performed it live at a Hope for Haiti event in Minneapolis. All of the proceeds from the song and from their Hope for Haiti t-shirts will go to relief and development work in Haiti.

This 3rd video, is a song written and produced by Kirk Franklin entitled "Are You Listening?" It features an all-star cast of gospel artists. All of the proceeds from this song will also go to the relief and development efforts in Haiti.