Several weeks back when I was mining for info off of those I follow on Twitter, I responded to Craig Gross from XXXChurch.com. He was offering pre-release copies of his new book, Jesus Loves You. He asked those who received it to write a review and to blog about the book. I was anxious to get the book and when it arrived I immediately started reading. Craig and his co-author, Jason Harper took turns writing chapters like Jesus Loves the Bitter and Betrayed, the Disconnected, the Broken, the Forgotten and more. My neon highlighter has made quite an appearance on the 196 pages which read very quickly.
The style that both authors used; personal experience and their connections to familiar Bible passages; connected me in a way that not many books have. To paraphrase a county song, "they had me from hello". I saw within the pages a frustration with parts of "the church" that have made it difficult for the disenfranchised to find their way into the body. I, like Craig, could feel myself getting angry at Christians who have done so much damage - all in the name of the gospel.
I felt convicted and challenged in much of my thinking. But ultimately I am encouraged and inspired to reach out to the forgotten, the isolated, and the discarded in our society and show them the Jesus behind the statements.
The book ends with some "What ifs". I am now more challenged to dream with Craig and Jason about being sure that the church I belong to does not divide but unites behind Christ!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Hungry?
"The Edge" at the Grove has been discussing social justice issues over the last few weeks, subjects like immigration, human trafficking, poverty and hunger.
I know I can pretty regularly remark, "I'm hungry!" But it's not that I've missed many meals (except when I planned it or something got in the way). It's just that I'm used to having my belly full. I can remember losing my job back in 1990 and the church I was attending asked Cindy and I to come down in the basement for a moment. They had collected over 50 bags of groceries for our family to help us til I found a job. That was such extravagant love - especially back then.
A little over a year ago when Jeff Jemmison, Pastor of St. John The Baptist Church invited me to see their vision of a food pantry, I was excited but not sure what The Grove could do to help. Soon after, I got the brainstorm to invite the Grove family every first Sunday of the month to take a bag home and fill it with recommended food items for the pantry. Since that time we've averaged 10-15 bags a month.
As good as that sounded I knew we could do much more. So on our 2nd anniversary every family received an envelope containing $5.00, 5 recommended food lists, and we asked them to purchase five recyclable bags and distribute them to family and friends. Then we asked them to bring them back the next week. We invited Deacon Al Jones and Deacon Cliff Bolling to come to our celebration and we could symbolically give them the food. The excitement grew as bag after bag was carried in. 20 - 30 - 40 - 70 - 90 - 100! Final tally - 107 and two boxes!
Today some awesome people helped load it all into the church van and deliver it to the pantry. We carried them down the steep steps and filled their storage room to capacity and then began filling a second. We got a tour and explanation of how they run the pantry. What we heard melted my heart. When they began an average of 25 families would show up during the 3-5pm time they were open. Recent weeks that has grown to 70-75!
They explained that when a person comes in, they tell how many members in their family. If they say 2, they get food for 2, 3 meals a day for 3 days. If its 6, then 6 for 3 meals a day for 3 days. They never challenge how many they say - they just serve and trust God to sort it all out.
I'm inspired to see what more The Grove family can do - and to enroll the support of other churches as well. Will you pay with me on how we can bless those in our community?
I know I can pretty regularly remark, "I'm hungry!" But it's not that I've missed many meals (except when I planned it or something got in the way). It's just that I'm used to having my belly full. I can remember losing my job back in 1990 and the church I was attending asked Cindy and I to come down in the basement for a moment. They had collected over 50 bags of groceries for our family to help us til I found a job. That was such extravagant love - especially back then.
A little over a year ago when Jeff Jemmison, Pastor of St. John The Baptist Church invited me to see their vision of a food pantry, I was excited but not sure what The Grove could do to help. Soon after, I got the brainstorm to invite the Grove family every first Sunday of the month to take a bag home and fill it with recommended food items for the pantry. Since that time we've averaged 10-15 bags a month.
As good as that sounded I knew we could do much more. So on our 2nd anniversary every family received an envelope containing $5.00, 5 recommended food lists, and we asked them to purchase five recyclable bags and distribute them to family and friends. Then we asked them to bring them back the next week. We invited Deacon Al Jones and Deacon Cliff Bolling to come to our celebration and we could symbolically give them the food. The excitement grew as bag after bag was carried in. 20 - 30 - 40 - 70 - 90 - 100! Final tally - 107 and two boxes!
Today some awesome people helped load it all into the church van and deliver it to the pantry. We carried them down the steep steps and filled their storage room to capacity and then began filling a second. We got a tour and explanation of how they run the pantry. What we heard melted my heart. When they began an average of 25 families would show up during the 3-5pm time they were open. Recent weeks that has grown to 70-75!
They explained that when a person comes in, they tell how many members in their family. If they say 2, they get food for 2, 3 meals a day for 3 days. If its 6, then 6 for 3 meals a day for 3 days. They never challenge how many they say - they just serve and trust God to sort it all out.
I'm inspired to see what more The Grove family can do - and to enroll the support of other churches as well. Will you pay with me on how we can bless those in our community?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Ahhsummm
I am smiling and chuckling to myself right now. After watching myself on video Sunday interviewing Grovers and listening to my response so often being, "Awesome, that's awesome", I want to choke myself. My speech teacher and other word police like me would slap me.
However, The Grove is an AWESOME place. The people are AWESOME. What they did with the food collection Sunday was AWESOME! What God is doing is AWESOME! I know I overuse the word lately so I'll try to vary my responses in the future.
But there is one person who can say it over and over and I'll never get tired of it. Angus Benjamin, my 2 year old grandson is venturing into the world of words more everyday. I watched his mother's video she posted with him saying AHHsumm and my wait for them to come and visit in 2 weeks seems an eternity! If you want to smile, take a look at the video at http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1179124273881
The team I serve with at The Grove is AWESOME too. What amazes me is that they still love me when I screw up. Sunday was no exception as I had asked Carolyn to put together a slide show of our history at The Grove and then forgot to ask her to run it. I was told she was waving at me to get my attention and I, as I sometimes do, stayed in my tunnel and didn't see it. What made it worse was that she had stayed up so late to finish it. She tried to make me feel better by saying she now had more time to make it better, but I saw it and it was great in its first form.
God's grace is AWESOME and when his people extend that grace as well it is AWESOME too. Especially when you are a pastor that needs it more and more.
So year 3 has started - we have AWESOME opportunities ahead like: Painesville Party in the Park this Sunday, an outdoor baptism service at Headlands beach August 2nd, our 40 Days of Love campaign starting September 13th, and the list could go on and on.
What is the most AWESOME is the life change happening in our people and the community.
Hope you are as excited as this old pastor!
However, The Grove is an AWESOME place. The people are AWESOME. What they did with the food collection Sunday was AWESOME! What God is doing is AWESOME! I know I overuse the word lately so I'll try to vary my responses in the future.
But there is one person who can say it over and over and I'll never get tired of it. Angus Benjamin, my 2 year old grandson is venturing into the world of words more everyday. I watched his mother's video she posted with him saying AHHsumm and my wait for them to come and visit in 2 weeks seems an eternity! If you want to smile, take a look at the video at http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1179124273881
The team I serve with at The Grove is AWESOME too. What amazes me is that they still love me when I screw up. Sunday was no exception as I had asked Carolyn to put together a slide show of our history at The Grove and then forgot to ask her to run it. I was told she was waving at me to get my attention and I, as I sometimes do, stayed in my tunnel and didn't see it. What made it worse was that she had stayed up so late to finish it. She tried to make me feel better by saying she now had more time to make it better, but I saw it and it was great in its first form.
God's grace is AWESOME and when his people extend that grace as well it is AWESOME too. Especially when you are a pastor that needs it more and more.
So year 3 has started - we have AWESOME opportunities ahead like: Painesville Party in the Park this Sunday, an outdoor baptism service at Headlands beach August 2nd, our 40 Days of Love campaign starting September 13th, and the list could go on and on.
What is the most AWESOME is the life change happening in our people and the community.
Hope you are as excited as this old pastor!
Friday, June 12, 2009
I Love My Church!
I can't believe our series on "What in the World is Going On?" is almost over - just 3 more weeks! It has caused me to look ahead to what's next at The Grove. We'll begin a 2 week series called "I Love MY Church!" as we celebrate our 2 year anniversary.
Preliminary plans are to hold an outdoor worship service on July 5th to begin our celebration.
During the following week we hope to visit all of the Life-Growth Groups and video members responses to why they love The Grove.
On Saturday, July 11th at 6pm we will feature an outdoor concert (band TBD), ice cream social, carnival games, and bonfire for the whole family.
Then we will conclude our celebration the following morning and view many of the video taped testimonies as well as a few other surprises.
Invitations are being printed, but accept this note as a SAVE THE DATE request!
Start thinking about how you would answer the question, "why I love The Grove" and let us know if you'd like to be included in this celebration. Meanwhile watch for ways to help out to make this 2 year anniversary memorable to all.
Preliminary plans are to hold an outdoor worship service on July 5th to begin our celebration.
During the following week we hope to visit all of the Life-Growth Groups and video members responses to why they love The Grove.
On Saturday, July 11th at 6pm we will feature an outdoor concert (band TBD), ice cream social, carnival games, and bonfire for the whole family.
Then we will conclude our celebration the following morning and view many of the video taped testimonies as well as a few other surprises.
Invitations are being printed, but accept this note as a SAVE THE DATE request!
Start thinking about how you would answer the question, "why I love The Grove" and let us know if you'd like to be included in this celebration. Meanwhile watch for ways to help out to make this 2 year anniversary memorable to all.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Puddle Water or Living Water?
A couple of months ago, a dear pastor friend of mine passed away (prematurely at 56). I've remained in contact with the family somewhat, more so through our facebook connection. I have been so impressed with his daughters over the years. Looking at some of their photos have given me a look into their day to day lives and quite honestly I'm ashamed of myself! Why?
Because everything I see and sense from them is their daily pursuit of God, His will for their lives, and the quest to win others to Him. Am I as diligent? What about those that attend The Grove?
That's what I hope to spark in all who attend The Grove and especially in the young adults at The Edge. In my morning devotions this morning I ran across a quote from Matthew Henry. He is a theologian and has written many a book and Bible commentary. This is what grabbed my attention.
"Nothing will supply the needs, and satisfy the desires of a soul, but water out of this rock Jesus Christ, this fountain opened. The pleasures of sense are puddle-water; spiritual delights are rock water, so pure, so clear, and so refreshing -- rivers of pleasure." Matthew Henry
In essence - if you are seeking pleasure, happiness, fun, from things in this world you have been drinking puddle water. It is pleasant for the moment but it is contaminated, will dry up quickly and harden and crack your heart. Facebook, vices, sex, naps, another entertainment experience, etc, will not fulfill the longings of the heart that God has placed there for only Him to fill.
But if you drink exclusively of the "Living Water" you will find nourishment and be refreshed and satisfied.
So why not take a moment and identify where you may be trying to satisfy a spiritual hole in your life with stuff that doesn't satisfy and ask God to heal your heart and to seek after Him every day.
Because everything I see and sense from them is their daily pursuit of God, His will for their lives, and the quest to win others to Him. Am I as diligent? What about those that attend The Grove?
That's what I hope to spark in all who attend The Grove and especially in the young adults at The Edge. In my morning devotions this morning I ran across a quote from Matthew Henry. He is a theologian and has written many a book and Bible commentary. This is what grabbed my attention.
"Nothing will supply the needs, and satisfy the desires of a soul, but water out of this rock Jesus Christ, this fountain opened. The pleasures of sense are puddle-water; spiritual delights are rock water, so pure, so clear, and so refreshing -- rivers of pleasure." Matthew Henry
In essence - if you are seeking pleasure, happiness, fun, from things in this world you have been drinking puddle water. It is pleasant for the moment but it is contaminated, will dry up quickly and harden and crack your heart. Facebook, vices, sex, naps, another entertainment experience, etc, will not fulfill the longings of the heart that God has placed there for only Him to fill.
But if you drink exclusively of the "Living Water" you will find nourishment and be refreshed and satisfied.
So why not take a moment and identify where you may be trying to satisfy a spiritual hole in your life with stuff that doesn't satisfy and ask God to heal your heart and to seek after Him every day.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
So Much To Say, So Little Time
My brains about to explode. OK, I can hear all the comments 6 hours away (what brain, will probably be a small explosion etc.)
Today has been overwhelming. Ken Davis made us laugh til we cried this morning - his definition of humor, "A gentle way to acknowledge human frailty." he reminded pastors of our need to be "honest" with the gospel - in our relationships. I will have to work on that - I seem to battle with the desire to be liked too much - some people I need to be more honest with.
Part of the message needs to be directly related to a reminder that in regards to our culture people respond in one of 4 ways;
#1 - condemn it
We define ourselves as Christians by what we don't or won't do.
#2 - critique it
All we do is analyze - kind of like the paralysis of analysis
#3 - copy it
When all we do do is copy our culture, we then end up looking to our culture for what we need.
#4 - consume it
We've become culturally mainstream as Christians and the church and not necessarily culturally discerning.
None of these are going to change the world for the Kingdom's sake! All of those postures are reactionary. The biblical posture is to "cultivate"; keep something going that is already good and "create" ; by creating good culture - making good movies, good music, not always trailing behind the culture.
So what does this all mean for The Grove. I hope further discussion will clarify more.
Sorry for this random flow of thought - like I said too much to absorb - hope this has some meaning to your life. More later tonight or tomorrow.
Today has been overwhelming. Ken Davis made us laugh til we cried this morning - his definition of humor, "A gentle way to acknowledge human frailty." he reminded pastors of our need to be "honest" with the gospel - in our relationships. I will have to work on that - I seem to battle with the desire to be liked too much - some people I need to be more honest with.
Part of the message needs to be directly related to a reminder that in regards to our culture people respond in one of 4 ways;
#1 - condemn it
We define ourselves as Christians by what we don't or won't do.
#2 - critique it
All we do is analyze - kind of like the paralysis of analysis
#3 - copy it
When all we do do is copy our culture, we then end up looking to our culture for what we need.
#4 - consume it
We've become culturally mainstream as Christians and the church and not necessarily culturally discerning.
None of these are going to change the world for the Kingdom's sake! All of those postures are reactionary. The biblical posture is to "cultivate"; keep something going that is already good and "create" ; by creating good culture - making good movies, good music, not always trailing behind the culture.
So what does this all mean for The Grove. I hope further discussion will clarify more.
Sorry for this random flow of thought - like I said too much to absorb - hope this has some meaning to your life. More later tonight or tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Go Make Disciples
This was the second time I've had the privilege of hearing Voddie Baucham at Moody's Pastors Conference. He is a funny guy who goes straight to the point. He reminded us today that the Great Commission is simply this - Go Make Disciples! Yes we are to go into all the world and win souls and baptize them - but the primary thing is not to leave them there - it's to help them mature and fulfill their calling in Christ.
Voddie stated that God has provided a 3 legged stool to help us in the process.
Leg #1 - God has given us older, more mature believers in the faith as a tool to disciple us.
Leg #2 - God has given us Godly Elders as a disciple making tool.
Leg #3 - The Family - Godly families are a disciple making tool.
Actually Leg #3 is the primary disciple making tool. When you think about it, the church only gets children, and people for that matter, only a couple of hours a week. How many hours a week are we in our families?
The first of the year I challenged our Steering Committee members to begin to disciple at least one person in the Grove family. It's been quite a challenge for them to find someone who would be willing to put in the time to be mentored.
I guess we need to revisit this. I hope to develop this material into a message some day soon.
More insights tomorrow. Let me leave you with a couple questions:
What is your plan to mature in your faith?
Parents - what's your plan to mature your kids in their faith?
Voddie stated that God has provided a 3 legged stool to help us in the process.
Leg #1 - God has given us older, more mature believers in the faith as a tool to disciple us.
Leg #2 - God has given us Godly Elders as a disciple making tool.
Leg #3 - The Family - Godly families are a disciple making tool.
Actually Leg #3 is the primary disciple making tool. When you think about it, the church only gets children, and people for that matter, only a couple of hours a week. How many hours a week are we in our families?
The first of the year I challenged our Steering Committee members to begin to disciple at least one person in the Grove family. It's been quite a challenge for them to find someone who would be willing to put in the time to be mentored.
I guess we need to revisit this. I hope to develop this material into a message some day soon.
More insights tomorrow. Let me leave you with a couple questions:
What is your plan to mature in your faith?
Parents - what's your plan to mature your kids in their faith?
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