"you should have asked ME"

Today is Sunday. Normally at this time I am reviewing my message that I will teach in a few hours and spending time getting my heart and mind aligned with God. But today that is not happening. Why? Because Tropical Storm Fay decided to spend a week vacationing in Florida. After criss-crossing over the rest of Florida, all eyes were fixed her next target (us). The local and national forecasts were predicting endless rain, the emergency operations centers were doing their thing, and so i knew i must make some storm-related decisions as well.

Local pastors called me to find out if FHBC was having services. I told them I would let them know after I got some more information.

I consulted:

• some of FHBC folks to get their take
• the local emergency operations center
• 5 weather websites
• 2 weather TV stations
• the example of other churches in the area

And so, after much consultation and research, I made the decision. For the safety of our senior adults, because of the potentionally unsafe conditions of our Transportation Ministry, and because the Sheriff is asking everyone to stay off of the road, I cancelled services.

To comfort my decision i recalled the verse in Proverbs, "wisdom is found in many advisors."

Well, Fay came right here and went right by. No real rain. No real wind. As I laid in bed last night, and again this morning, I felt like calling the newspaper to tell them that the Doe-Doe bird was no longer extinct. And then, i heard God laying 5 resounding words on my heart, "you should have asked ME." I began to think back through my decision making process. I thought about the ministry leaders, I thoughts about the websites, I thought about the local leaders, I thought about the TV meteorologists, and then I experienced a holy collision - I did not consult with God- I did not pray.

I am now trying to answer some questions that make my heart feel like a punching bag. Do I value the combined advice of man more than wisdom of soverign God? Do I turn to technology first and the God that created today last? Do i believe that prayer is a last resort or a first line of defense?

I've been told that you really believe only what you do; therefore, I need to spend much time rearranging my belief system. Would God have directed me differently? Maybe... Maybe not...

Regardless of His answer, I still wish different words could have come - "thanks for asking"; instead of, "you should have asked ME."

Power from the Pew

Bill Hybels is quoted as saying, "There’s nothing like the local church when the local church is working right.”





After reading such a quote, our minds begin to rush to discern the magic answer that can get the local church to work right.

• Is the answer having a great facility with the latest technology?


• Is it the style of music that reflects the surrounding community?


• Is it the creativity by the pastor in the delivery of his messages?

I submit that none of these answers will suffice. While these methods will assist the church in being a missional force in a community, the magical answer is not the method.

IT IS THE PEOPLE.

When the people of God, being infused with the presence of the Holy Spirit, authentically apply the word of God in the mission field that God has placed them, eternal transformation will take place in a community. My prayer for every Christian is for them to realize the power that resides within them (the Holy Spirit), and the important role they play in affecting the outcomes God has purposed for this world to experience - A People Who Live For His Renown.

There is power that comes from the pew - the people.

Brian

Pro vs. Joe

This morning I had the privilege and honor of leading a funeral for a man named Joe who was 100 years old. Of the countless funerals I have preached, I have never been so excited. It is not that Joe won't be missed; but, rather, that Joe was ready. Since I met Joe over two years ago, he was ready to join his beloved wife of 69 years in heaven so to walk the streets of gold hand in hand. Joe pretty much taught my kids how to give a high-five as he made his weekly (and sometimes weakly) stroll through the preschool area. Often my son would hop down from the lap of whomever was holding him and ease his way over to give Joe a high-five. Joe made a deep impact across generations.

When I think of the authentic Christian life, I think of Joe. He didn't put on a front. He told you what was on his mind and of his deep love for Jesus Christ. Being in construction for 24 years might of wore out his body, but it didn't wear out his heart. Joe often said that he "worked hard in the morning to make a friend, and hard in the afternoon to keep him."

So often churches get caught up in looking professsional that it misses that it forgets to be friend. My desire is that the follower of Christ strive, not to be a professional Christian, but a person that authentically allows the power of Jesus to work in their lives.

What's the result? I can imagine that when Joe reached the pearly gates and passed through heaven's throne room that Jesus slipped down off of the throne, stuck out His nail-pierced hand and, gave Joe a high-five saying, '"Well done..."

If you ever think the Christian life is about being a pro, just remember Joe.

Brian