Happy 08

Please take a moment to vote on my current survey in the right column. I will reference the results in my message on 1-6-08.

All the stars looked down

The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,

His hair was like a light.

(O weary, weary is the world,

But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's breast,

His hair was like a star.

(O stern and cunning are the kings,

But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,

His hair was like a fire.

(O weary, weary is the world,

But here the world's desire.)

The Christ-child stood at Mary's knee,

His hair was like a crown.

And all the flowers looked up at Him,

And all the stars looked down.

G. K. Chesterton in The Wild Knight.

Home for Christmas

As a kid, I always skipped over the genealogies in the Bible (to be honest sometimes I still do – admit it, you do too). But lately I’ve been thinking about their importance.

In Bible times it was their scrapbook, their photo album. It was a way of saying you belong in the family. Perhaps that’s why the book of Ruth ends with a genealogy (looking forward) and the book of Matthew starts with one (looking back). That Ruth, an outsider and enemy of Israel, would be included in both gives me great hope.

I heard the true story this week of a little girl around age 4 or 5 who was adopted into a rather large family. As she began settling into her new surroundings, she often went to the wall in the house where photographs of all the other family members were on display. She would stand there for long periods of time, silently studying each face. About a month after the girl arrived, her new mother took her to a photographer. The mother noted that she wasn’t sure this little one understood the significance of that outing until days later when she came in from playing and her mother sent her to look at the wall. When the little girl saw her own picture hanging on the wall with the rest of the family, she laughed and sobbed at the same time.

That Ruth was included in the genealogy was God’s way of saying, “You’re a part of the family.” No matter where the holidays take you, I hope you find yourself “home for Christmas.” I hope you experience what it means to be at home with God. To see your photo in His album. To know your picture is on the wall in His hallway.

Decorated our tree tonight

I loved it.

(a view from outside)

Why Rahab?

Is anyone else surprised that God chose Rahab as one of the premier examples of faith in the New Testament (see Matt 1:5; Heb. 11:31; James 2:25)? I mean, when we first meet her she is described as a prostitute.

What I love about Rahab’s story in Joshua 2 is that even though she had very little information about the true God – just the little she could gather from the gossip around town – she responded in faith to the light she was given.

I was up on a ladder the other day when my little nephew wanted to do what every boy his age wants to do. “Can I climb the ladder, Uncle Dougie?”

“Sure,” I said, “as long as I’m here to watch you.” Climbing up the ladder was no problem. It never is. Climbing down, backwards, that was the problem. No longer able to see where to place his foot, the steps seemed long and uncertain. It felt, to him, as if he were stepping off a cliff.

As he would lower his foot, I would steady the bottom of his sole and encourage him saying, “Just a little further.” Each step got easier.

When we first come to faith, like Rahab, God often finds us in wobbly, precarious places. And the spiritual journey back to Him is often made up of short, awkward steps; backing out of the places we find ourselves.

But as we respond to God’s voice and touch, it gets easier. Little by little, one step at a time, into the arms of God.

Clinging to Hope

As we approach Christmas I will be looking at the women in Jesus’ family tree. Each one is a wonderful scandal.

Like Tamar. Childless, and widowed by two husbands, she takes things into her own hands and disguises herself as a prostitute to seduce her own father-in-law and had a baby. No wonder teachers skip this story in Sunday School.

But a closer look at her story reveals that the Bible paints her in a positive light. In fact, her story in Genesis 38 ends with Judah declaring, "She is more righteous than I.” vs. 26.

In what way is she righteous?

Tamar had married into a family with a promise. Through the lineage of this family the Messiah would come. But Tamar was the victim of two horrible marriages; in each case her husband died before a child was produced.

It helps to know that in that culture if a man died without a child, his closest, unwed, relative (like a brother) was required to marry his widow. More than that, recent discoveries of ancient documents indicate that the father-in-law was also responsible in the same way, if no brother would fulfill the duty. This is almost certainly the law of the land when Tamar lived.

But forget that law, because Tamar’s father-in-law had stopped believing, stopped hoping. He had forgotten the family promise.

While Tamar still believed. Still hoped. Still trusted. And within the law of the land she acted in faith in the hope of a promised child.

The focus of her faith would only be realized centuries later in a place called Bethlehem, where the descendant of Tamar -- this descendant of a baby born out of the strangest of circumstances, a wonderful scandal -- was born.

Tamar reminds us that God still has a plan even when things seem bleak. He keeps his promises. This season, remember we have been grafted into a family with a promise. And cling to hope.

View the latest on our Fire Relief Efforts here

Christmas Baskets!

Our church put together a bunch a Christmas baskets for those who are displaced this Christmas. Many of them lost all of their decorations in the fires. In addition to some very nice ornaments and a gift card to Home depot, there were Christmas mugs and homemade ornaments from our Sundat School kids. Awesome event!

See more photos here

Ordinary People

Somewhere in the “be-all-that-you-can-be” culture I’ve grown up in I’ve embraced the notion that God only uses super-saints. Somewhere along the way, I bought into the idea that God ordinarily uses extraordinary people.

The truth is just the opposite. Consider Acts 4:13.

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

We forget that those superstars of Sunday School – the Apostles - were once ordinary, unlikely, people. But God used them in amazing ways because they spent time with Jesus.

The only credential that matters, the only diploma that counts, the defining bullet point on your resume, is time spent with Jesus.

God extraordinarily uses ordinary people. That's the truth.

Create Culture

It seems to me that as believer we often fall into two errors when it comes to our culture. We either copy it … or condemn it. Both in the extreme are unhealthy.

Instead I appreciate what Paul did in Athens. Addressing a city that was very spiritually confused he said, For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, `We are his offspring.' Acts 17:28 First he engaged their culture by quoting their poets. Then he used that as a bridge to share the gospel (see Acts 17:22-34).

Rather than simply mirroring the culture or throwing rocks at it, why not be about the work of creating a new culture? In Athens Paul left behind believers who would plant the church in this secular place. Michelangelo said, “Criticize by creating.” I love that.

When it comes to culture, why not take the lead?

A Block Party for Fire Threatened Neighbors

Yesterday our church hosted a block party in the Westwood area next to our church. One of the great stories that came out of it was the way it touched the life of a fire fighter in our church. He was one of the speakers at the event. Along the way he connected with several neighbors whose homes he had helped save (see the photo of him embraced by grateful neighbors at the end of the video below). The healing was as much for him as for the community.

Sorry about the low quality on this video. Check out the high resolution version this Sunday at church.

Serving our community continues...

We continue to have a great response to our community service opportunities. Here's the latest:

There will be another community clean-up/work day this Saturday, november 10. Meet at the church at 9 AM in the LOBBY. Be prepared to handle both inside and outside opportunities. Specific job sites listed at gvcfamily.blogspot.com

An Experiment ... because my family doesn’t read my blog

OK, my family does read my blog sometimes. But they don’t need to because they already know about my life. So here’s a little experiment to test the scope and impact of this blog.

I bought some See’s Candy for my wife because she loves it and it’s fun to get it even when it’s not Christmas. I’ve hid it under the piano bench lid. If you know my wife well enough, call her and tell her to look in the piano bench for a little gift from me.

I am posting this on Nov 7, at 7:03 pm. Let’s see how long it takes for someone to call. 1 hour? 1 day? 1 week? If no one calls, I’ll eat the candy myself and post an early list of all my kids’ Christmas presents here too.

FINE PRINT: Courtesy rule: Do not call after 9 pm or before 8 am PST. But you can email her anytime. The experiment officially ends when I hear that she found candy.

Check back and I’ll let you know what happens.

_______________________

Update: Well, I woke up the very next morning and there was a box of See's candy on the kitchen table. Kudos go to Cindy Sutherland for sending my wife an email (In the middle of the night -- what was she doing up?). Way to go Cindy Sutherland! Honorable Mention goes to Janine Sellers who called all the way from Florida to tell Cindy to look under the piano bench lid. So it took about 12 hours for the message to get to my wife. And we all learned a valuable lesson about the 24/7, global reach of the web.

The church at your address

Check out this entry from Luke’s journal (He is writing about how God work in and through an ordinary woman named Lydia).

The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. Acts 16:14-15

What impresses me about Lydia is how she immediately connected being a believer with acts of service. As soon as God opened her heart, she opened her home.

I love the practical faith of Lydia. As far as we know she never led a Bible study, went on a mission trip, or sang in the choir. She didn't go on the road with Paul, or debate about theology in the marketplace. All she did was open her heart to God and open her home to God’s family. All she did was put her faith into action. All she did was have the audacity to believe that God would show up where she lived.

Turns out, the church of Philippi was born in Lydia’s house. And one of the best loved books in the Bible, Philippians, was written. All because an ordinary woman had the audacity to believe that God would show up where she lived.

Serving our Community

On Saturday our church mobilized about 120 people into the neighborhoods of fire-scored Rancho Bernardo. Check out this 3 minute video (Sometimes you have to hit PLAY twice).

See more about GVC's Fire Relief efforts here.

A comment form one of the dozens of homes we helped:

Thank you one and all! What an amazing outpouring of love and compassion by GVC relief team! Your kindness is appreciated by our entire family, from San Diego to Rocklin, to the Galilee in Israel! What a testimony of love in action. My mom Katy is in awe of God's provision for her through your efforts and hard work.... Blessings and Shalom to you all

More than we ask

God always does more than we ask.

Last week, as the ash was still settling form the firestorm, I gathered some leaders together to pray and respond. As we met, President Bush flew overhead in a helicopter to view the devastation in the neighborhood next to the church. He was there to see, understand, and offer help.

As we began to pray one of the leaders said, “God, the president just flew over our heads. But we are seeking help from a higher source.”

Whether it is the fires we have recently experienced, or any new struggle we face, what a comfort to know that the One we talk to in prayer controls the wind, waves, sea and air. He knows our needs better than we do. And His plans are much greater than we can even ask or imagine.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask… Eph 3.20

GVC Fire Relief Task Force

A Fire Relief Task Force is now in place at our church. find out more or get involved at http://gvcfamily.blogspot.com/

Rancho Bernardo fires

We just got back to our home after being evacuated for a couple days. Thankfully our home and church are fine. I just set up a blog for our church family to stay connected specifically about the fire. Check it out at http://gvcfamily.blogspot.com/

Stay nearby

What is the most important thing you can do for the people you care about.... those you hope to influence? One day a believer named Philip was trying to reach out to a guy on the fringe of faith, and I love God’s instructions to him. The Spirit of God simply whispered this advice: "Go to that chariot and stay near it." Acts 8:29. In other words, stay nearby.

Philip’s obedience led to an amazing God directed conversation, and each aspect of the discussion that followed dripped with God’s perfect timing and provision. (Read Acts 8:26-40).

Ninety percent of success is showing up.... simply being there and available. We don’t have to have all the answers. We just have to get close enough to listen to the questions.

So then, how will you know when the time is right to speak up? How will you decide when to proceed or what to say? God may be showing you various ways to influence those around you, but this advice may be the most basic: Stay nearby.

Lost my bus this week

It was a sad week for Cindy and me. Alongside the freeway, we watched as my bus went up in flames. It was a total loss. We all cried a little.

I am so grateful no one was hurt. But anyone who follows this blog knows how much I loved that vehicle. It was truly a gift from God. So I thank Him for the seasons He gave us and trust Him for the future.

We have it backwards

This is the video I showed Sunday Sept 30. It has a powerful surprise twist. Lots of people have asked me to post it so here it is:

(Hit the PLAY button - sometimes you have to hit it twice)

Best BBQ in Georgia

So I'm still trying to digest all I'm getting out of this conference but I did have lunch at an amazing BBQ place. In addition to the pulled pork sandwich I had Brunswick Stew which is like a BBQ chili with beef, chicken, pork, potatoes, corn and tomatoes - Wow! Part of what is incredible about this place is that they smoke the meat in the shed behind the restaurant (see photo below) - the real deal. If I'm ever in Georgia again, I'm eating here.

Rainy Night in Georgia

I am posting this from the Catalyst Reverb Leadership Conference in Atlanta where it is pouring rain and 10,000 church leaders have gathered. It has been awesome. Today Rick Warren said that we as believers should not try to change culture, instead we should create culture. That reminds me of something Mark Batterson said at a conference a year ago:

We have 4 choices when it comes to culture.

• Ignore it
• Accept it
• Change it
• Create it

I am excited to be a part if God's church where He can create culture through us.

Brown bananas under glass

My wife makes incredible desserts. And, as if the taste alone wasn’t enough to make you a raving fan, she also has a trick which makes her desserts even appealing. She puts her desserts under glass – one of these decorative glass cake stands. That’s not fair. When you do that, even Oreos look irresistible.

Our kids love her banana bread. They know that their mom has the ability to take bananas that are clearly past their prime, just days away from the dumpster, and turn them into awesome breakfast banana bread.

This past week we stepped into the kitchen and laughed. One of our kids had taken a bunch of brown bananas and placed them into that glass covered cake stand – a not so subtle hint for what they hoped would be a baking transformation.

But talk about seeing potential! Some people just see rotten bananas. Our kids see tomorrow’s breakfast. :)

One of the things I want to cultivate is the ability to see potential. Like Barnabas did with Paul. The Bible says that when Paul “came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple." (Acts 9:26).

Everyone was skeptical of Paul’s supposed conversion. No one believed that this guy, who once was bent on killing Christians, had now become one. No one, that is, except Barnabas.

"But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how [Paul] on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus." (Acts 9:27).

To most of the disciples, Paul was a liability - a disaster waiting to happen. They saw problems, but Barnabas saw potential.

The world might label you all kinds of things…

· Bruised
· Rotten
· Past your prime
· Headed for the dumpster
· Un-useable

But God sees what you could become. May we learn God’s way of seeing.

Happy Day

Today my older son and I baptized my younger son in the Pacific Ocean. Oh happy day!

Beautiful Beggar

Do you remember the story where Peter and John met the disabled beggar at the Beautiful Gate? (see Acts 3). It was a choice place to beg. High traffic. Lots of people hoping to look good before God. A choice place indeed.

But something else happened at the Beautiful Gate. Most scholars believe, that this is the place where parents brought their children to be dedicated. Can you imagine the contrast between these beautiful babies with so much life potential and the beggars whose lives had been reduced to begging for a few coins? I sometimes look at a lost soul roaming the downtown streets and think, “They were somebody’s baby once.” Did the beggars at the gate ever looked at the those infants and wonder how things could have gone so terribly wrong for them?

But then God did a miracle. All he had hoped for was a coin or two, but suddenly, through his encounter with Peter and John, the disabled man was, "walking, and jumping, and praising God." And then he was in the courts! And finally clinging the apostles!

All the potential that God had intended for his life was finally starting to materialize. He went from begging to praising; from sitting to jumping, from hoping for spare change, to living for God’s glory.

Come to think of it, his story is ours. In Christ, we are all beautiful beggars.

15 minutes

Do you know what can happen in 15 minutes?

· Light can travel 167 million miles
· A monarch butterfly can travel one mile
· Spammers can send 419 million emails
· The record holder in jalapeño eating once ate 167 pickled jalapeños
· You can save 15% or more on auto insurance …

OR…


YOU can spend 15 minutes at the feet of Jesus, before his Word – moments that can set the tone for your thoughts and emotions for the rest of the day.

Emotional health is a soul postured at the feet of Jesus.

Why is it taking so long for Jesus' Return?

At least part of the answer is that God measures time differently than we do. He stands above it, and to Him, there’s little difference between a thousand years and a single day. So far, it’s been 2000 years, which for God, is like a weekend.

But there’s another reason why Jesus deliberately waits. Each day He waits is another day for us to get ready.

Even in the first century, as time went on, the apostles were challenged about the apparent delay in Jesus’ return. Peter explained it this way: But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9

And the word repentance means change. Jesus’ patience means another day that He can work in me and through me.

His delay is deliberate.

Sweet bus

A little tribute I put together to the groovy life in the bus.

6 ways to simplify your witness

Mainly because of fear, many people never share their faith with others. I think we’ve made it too complicated. It doesn’t have to be that way. In John 9, Jesus healed a blind guy. Within minutes this guy was sharing his faith. He exemplifies how to share our faith simply.

(This will make more sense if you read all of John 9).

• Be yourself

But he himself insisted, "I am the man." John 9:9

Don’t put on your evangelist mask. Just be yourself.

• Tell your story

"How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." John 9:10-11

The story doesn’t have to be spectacular or dramatic. It just has to be yours.

• Remember it’s OK to say "I Don’t Know"
  

"Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said. John 9:12

In fact it is good to say, “I don’t know.” Everyone else knows you don’t know everything. Don’t let the fear of being stumped keep you from sharing what you do know.

• Focus on what Jesus has done for you

One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" John 9:25

I have been amazed how receptive people are when I simple describe the difference God has made in your life (see I just did it).

• Don’t worry about the results
  

Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! John 9:28

Lot of times we don’t see the results. So stop worrying about them.

• Expect your own faith to grow
  

Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. John 9:37-38

Not only will others be impacted, Jesus will also reveal Himself to you in new and cool ways.

Easily Distracted

I am so easily distracted. Like Martha in the Bible. Luke 10:40 says, But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

Jesus had just dropped by her home and Martha was the hostess. Martha was responsible.

Can’t you just see her? Frantically running around the kitchen kneading the dough, making the soup, and sweeping the floor? All for Jesus. She had such good intentions.

And all the while her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet oblivious to her sister’s frantic display.

This passage above gets sort of personal, for me, because the word translated preparations could actually be translated ministry. Which means that it is quite possible for good things, even godly things, like the ministry things I stress over, to take our focus away from the one thing Jesus wants us to focus on.

The story continues … Martha came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

We’ve all been there. Frustrated when others don’t share our sense of urgency and responsibility. And Martha’s boiling point is found in the phrase, Lord, don't you care? “Don’t you get it? Don’t you even notice?”

I love Jesus’ response: "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." LK 10:41-42

That’s what I long for: the peace that only comes to a soul that is postured at the feet of Jesus.

Feature Creep

Why does a remote control have more buttons than we will ever use?

Chip and Dan Heath and their remarkable book ‘Made to Stick’ say that the answer is “the noble intentions of engineers.” (Thanks, Deyl, for the recommendation). Somewhere along the way someone gets the great idea to add another ‘gee whiz’ feature. It is called feature creep which is the tendency for things to become incrementally more complex until they no longer perform their original function very well.

Feature creep happens in my life all the time. I have a predisposition toward complication. I am so influenced by the more-buttons-the-better culture in which I live. Left on my own, I always make things more complicated. And it influences the way I approach my walk with God. I can also buy into the mindset that more is better.

And then I remember the words of Jesus to the rich young ruler.

MK 10:21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Of course, the transferable part of what Jesus said was the very end: “Follow me.” That is the thing that Jesus did say and does say to all of his disciples: “Follow me.”

But what’s revolutionary is the way to follow Him.

• Not to do more, but to do less.


• Not to accumulate more, but to release more.


• Not to multiply … but to simplify.


• Not a checklist of duties, but a re-centering of our lives.


• And to make sure nothing gets in the way of following Him as our highest ambition.

For the next several weeks we will be exploring what it means to simplify our lives before God. Looking forward to the journey together.

Pacific Coast Highway Beach Bus Tour

Last week we spent a couple days as a family in our 71 VW bus. We called it our PCH Summer Bus Beach tour as we hit the beaches in San Diego and Orange Counties. When was the last time the biggest decision you had to make was, "What beach should we go to now?" Or "Where can we get some beach burgers or chocolate shakes?"

Now I'm back to a more complicated life -- planning my preaching series for the next year. Turns out my first message series will be on "Simplify". And with that in mind, here's a couple photos of our trip:

New Old Heights

Sorry I've been absent from my blog for a bit. We've been on vacation.

Last week my oldest son, Chris, climbed Half Dome in Yosemite for the first time. I've climbed Half Dome three times. All of those treks were before my kids were born. It's weird how life spirals; to see him follow in my footsteps while at the same time knowing his stride and strength easily outpace me.

Well, that was certainly a highlight for me. Maybe I'll tell you about the bears later...

No doubt about doubt

Did you know that followers of God experience times of doubt?

Some people don’t get this. Some people think that faith and doubt are opposites. In fact, one of the evil one’s most effective tools is to make Christians wonder if they really are believers simply because they doubt.

My friend Greg Waybright has helped me here. He says that you can only doubt what you believe. For example, you know what an atheist doubts, don’t you? In an unguarded moment, an atheist says, “What if there is a God?” You can only doubt what you believe. And if you’ve been a believer for very long, no doubt you’ve wrestled with doubt.

Asaph, who wrote Psalm 73, experienced doubt. His thoughts are so relatable and can be stated very simply in a question: If God is on our side, why do the wicked prosper? I mean, if God is good at all, if He has anything to say about this world, any involvement whatsoever, then it seems that God would be quick to reward those who are pure and quick to judge those who are evil. Asaph saw the success of those who didn't follow God, and he called it oppressive (See Psalm 73).

But then there was a turning point for Asaph:

…till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. PS 73:17

The answer is in the sanctuary.

I realize there are times when you just don’t feel like going to church. Nonetheless it is in the sanctuary that God reveals himself. Something happens at church. Something happens in worship. Something happens when we sing. Something happens in God’s presence. We gain an eternal perspective. We discover God’s viewpoint.

The answer is in the sanctuary.

To whom can you be a stretcher friend?

I wonder who first thought of it? When those four men, carrying their disabled friend on a stretcher, approached the place where crowds were tightly gathered around Jesus, who was the idea guy? Which one said, “If we are going to get close to Jesus, we will have to do something drastic! I know! Let’s break through the roof!"?

I like friends like that! And their creativity was rewarded because the story goes on to say, When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:5.

I think it is very interesting that the Bible tells us, When Jesus saw their faith… Now this may have included the paralyzed man’s faith, but it certainly was much broader than that. It was also the faith of his friends! There are times in our lives when we do not have a lot of faith. There are times when our faith is frail, times when we need others to trust the Lord for us.

To whom can you be a stretcher friend?

Think about those in your life to whom you can be a stretcher friend. You may feel like you cannot do much, but you can bring them to Jesus.

There seems to be three levels of faith in this passage (Read Mark 2:1-12).

• First there are the “If there’s a seat” people. This is a mix of curious and even oppositional individuals.

• Then there are the “Peering through the door” folks. They represented a higher level of commitment. They are there on the periphery and willing to take a back seat.

• But then there are the “Through the roof” people, who eagerly seek a close encounter with Jesus. Perhaps there is person in your life that God is bringing to mind. God wants you to reach out enthusiastically.

Are you willing to go "through the roof" to bring those you care about to Jesus?

A roadmap for your conversations with God

The Lord’s Prayer was never meant to be said by hurried lips. Instead we should see each line as scaffolding to build our prayers around. Let me suggest how you might use it as a roadmap for your conversations with God.

Start your prayer with both hands clenched. This represents the things we want to bring to God, the things we care about, the things we are holding on to.

The right hand represents the God-ward request of this prayer.

As you release your right thumb recognize the intimate relationship you have with God. Our Father in heaven,

As you release your right pointer remember God’s holy character, love and power. hallowed be your name,

As you open your tallest finger ask God to help you make His cause your highest priority. your kingdom come,

Opening your right ring finger, submit your will to His. In the process you will move from submission to anticipation as you open yourself to his purposes. your will be done

Then as you release your pinkie look for ways you might experience and express God in your world. on earth as it is in heaven.


The left hand represents the us-ward request of this prayer.

As you release your left thumb register your heart’s concerns with God; both big and little. Give us today our daily bread.

Opening your left pointer, let it remind you when it comes to sin, point to yourself first. Confess your sins, failures and blind spots. And celebrate His forgiveness. Forgive us our debts,

As you open the longest finger on your left hand, remember that God desires His forgiveness to reach into all the relationships of your life. Ask for a forgiving spirit. as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Opening your left ring finger, ask God to lead you. Ask him to lead in such a way that you keep your vows to him and other and do not yield to temptation. And lead us not into temptation,

Then as you release your pinkie pray for His protection from all that would be destructive in your life and lives of those you love. but deliver us from the evil one.

Notice how this prayer ends: with both hands open. You started with two clenched fists full of all of your cares. And along the way every one has been released. And now you are ready to receive all God has for you.

Do you blog?

If you go to Green Valley Church and have a blog, let me know and I'll create add a link to it on my page. I'll start with my new favorite GVC blogger, our worship pastor, David Toney. His blog takes awhile to load but it's worth it as you can actually listen to some of his worship songs directly from his website. Check it out here.

Wrestling in Prayer

As you can see on the right column, I’ve been taking a survey on my blog asking people which phase of the Lord’s Prayer they consider the most meaningful. The #1 choice so far is: Your kingdom come, your will be done…

Perhaps this is because as we wrestle with this phrase we often find ourselves struggling to put our priorities in the right place. So often in prayer, we want our castle, not God’s kingdom; our agenda, not His cause; our choice, not His will.

I believe so many of our seemingly unanswered prayers really are answered … they are just answered with the word, Grow. God wants to teach us to embrace His kingdom purposes for our lives.

Simone Weil said, “Isn’t the greatest possible disaster, when you are wrestling with God, not to be beaten?” Learn to ask the question, “Where do you want me to grow?”

_________________.

For fun, I’ve written a version of the Lord’s Prayer that sounds a lot more like I am sometimes tempted to pray:

My Butler, who is in heaven,
Hallowed by my plans.
My kingdom come,
My will be done,
On earth as it is in my mind.
Give me today enough surplus for a year (and here’s my list);
forgive me if I left something out.
And do all this in a way that I won’t experience anything uncomfortable;
for my little kingdom, forever and ever, amen.

20 years together - Wow!

Two decades ago Cindy and I thought we had love figured out. Rose petals flew and we began THE adventure ... and God has been good and gracious beyond our dreams. We spent the last couple days at a B & B overlooking the harbor where our reception was held. We laughed about 500 people jammed into a $300 reception hall, the church pot-luck style dinner, and how naive we were. If you were there, thanks. If you weren't, thanks for being here now. Here are some photos.

Fresh Bread

It so easy for me to worry about the future, wondering if I’ll have the spiritual, emotional, or material resources I might need. It is then Jesus’ prayer becomes so instructive.

“Give us today our daily bread,” Matt 6.11.

But how come this bread delivery apparently never lasts more than a day?

I believe it is because God only promises to provide for the next step in our journey. He never promises bread for next week, or next month. Only for the next step. God doesn’t want us to store up a warehouse full of blessings and then not have to turn to Him for another couple years. Instead He wants us to trust him for new reserves every day.

I’ve been thinking about how committed God is to this principle:

· In the Old Testament wilderness, God provided Manna for His people – but only one day at a time. They woke every morning dependent.

· In Matthew 10, Jesus comforted His disciples saying if they were persecuted, in that very moment, God would give them the words to say. No words ahead of time, so don’t rehearse them.

· In Philippians, as Paul faced an uncertain future, he was confident that whatever he faced, God would give him sufficient courage at that time. Courage is only earmarked for the time it is needed.

In other words, when you get there, so will the resources. That’s why it’s daily bread.

Starting upstream

When we go camping in Yosemite, we have a favorite spot to park our tent trailer because of the creek running close by. Just a small creek. It’s a trickle of water, really.

But if you follow the creek upstream you will find that it branches off the Merced River which is usually gushing. Follow it further and you get to Mist Trail which takes you to the thundering Vernal Falls. Beyond that you'll reach the Emerald Pools fed by the amazing reserves of high elevation alpine snow.

It occurs to me, that if I compare that water flow to the dialog God invites us to have with Him, I usually start my prayers at the creek. I start my prayers where I live, where I camp, where I dip my feet. I usually start with my concerns and send them upstream to God. Then I sometimes try to maneuver my prayers in such a way as to get God’s attention, maybe even impress Him with my ability to navigate up falls.

How different it would be to start my prayers upstream where the flow begins. When I start there it becomes altogether different. When I start there, it's as if God’s will, like fresh mountain water, gushes down into the lowlands of my life. I think that is what Jesus had in mind when He taught us to pray: Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

Headed to a Marriage Conference

I'm making a quick trip to Bakersfield to teach at a marriage conference over the next couple days. It's just Friday and Saturday; I'll be back to preach on Sunday. thought I'd try out a few of the things I intend to say on you.

Some key points about communication:

• Good communication takes humility. We must let go of the need to be right and embrace doing right.
• Check what you hear. Don't assume you understand the question or the comment the first time -- take time to clarify what is behind the comment or question.
• Listen for feelings as well as facts.
• Learn to express what you desire. It gives your spouse the ability to be successful at loving you.
  

What about you? What have you learned about good communication?

One word that will transform your prayers

There is one word that will transform your prayers. Before I give you the word, let me mention three myths about prayer:

1st Myth: Looking at prayer as a formality.

Many people have the idea that there are formal, set prayers. Ask them to pray at a wedding or special function, and they think it’s something they need to look up in a book or online.

2nd Myth: Regarding prayer as a transaction

“If I pray,” people think, “especially in a certain way.... God will reciprocate.” This view sees prayer more like a grocery list or a bank transaction. That is why I’m not crazy about the phrase “prayer list”. Is prayer really, at it's heart, about bringing God a list?

3rd myth: Seeing prayer as a monologue

Some people think of prayer in terms of what they say to God and how well they say it. Often, the more words the better. This is a monologue mentality.

All these myths about prayer lead to frustration.

Jesus revolutionized prayer with one word. He said,

Do not be like them (those who babble on and on), for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. "This, then, is how you should pray: " `Our Father in heaven… Matthew 6:8-9

Now this was a new way of praying. No one had addressed God like this before. Nowhere in the Old Testament does anyone address God in prayer as Father. Jesus did it 170 times.

To make this even more profound, the word Jesus often used was “Abba,” the most intimate of terms.

When we view God as Father we experience prayer, not as formality, but as intimacy, not as a transaction but a resource, not as a monologue but a relationship.

What prayer does God always answer?

Is there one? I welcome your comments. What prayer does God always answer? (This will be the topic of a message series I begin on April 22).

I've already received one comment (Thanks Paige). Paige said that God answers every prayer ... and in a way, He does (yes, no, or wait). But let's make this harder. Is there a prayer that God always answers in the affirmative? To what prayer does God always say "Yes"? What do you think? Serious or funny comments welcome...

PS Also feel free to comment about this using "Doug's Upcoming Message Survey" on the right hand side of your screen.

College visits

Just got back from a whirlwind trip with my son to visit some prospective college campuses in the Midwest. It's the middle of April and it was ... snowing! Talk about a reality check! We had a blast though (and a couple snowball fights).

Touch His Wounds

A week after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Thomas and made a stunning request: "Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side" (John 20.27).

What a bizarre request! Why would anyone want to put their hand into a wound like that? What in the world is Jesus getting at? Imagine seeing Jesus in all His risen glory today. No doubt, it would be amazing and overwhelming at the same time. There is one thing you might not picture. Jesus still bears those scars from the cross. Why would Jesus still have these marks? Why didn't the power of the resurrection erase His wounds? Why are the nail prints still visible?

The wounds of the Risen Jesus are an everlasting reminder that His death and resurrection are real. They also give harsh evidence that He truly understands our pain. The fact that even today Jesus carries those scars, demonstrates that God is not out of touch with our suffering nor removed from our struggles. In fact, because of the Risen, Wounded Jesus we are no longer allowed to picture a God who is distant and removed. His scarred hands reach out to us in the midst of our hurts and failures.

The Bible also says, "by His wounds we are healed" (Isa 53:5). In other words, when we touch His wounds, we find peace and wholeness. Perhaps like Thomas, you need to hear Jesus' invitation to "touch His wounds."

Neck and neck

OK, I've been running a random poll for the last couples weeks to determine whether I should wear a tie for Easter. The race is too close to call right now. You can vote in the column on the right.

Update 4-8-07 : I wore a purple tie on Easter morning. As of late Saturday night the purple tie was leading the survey by one vote... Thanks for participating (all 41 votes); the survey has now been archived.

Let someone else pay the "stupid tax"

A certain project has allowed me to meet often with three very wise men over the last couple months. I wish I had been writing down many of their words of wisdom. Recently one of them said, "Let someone else pay the stupid tax." It was his way of saying, "Learn from the experience of others." Read books, ask advice, observe the successes and failures of others. Why should we always learn the hard way?

How about you, heard any good advice lately?

The Soon Return of Jesus

The Bible ends with a promise and a prayer.

Jesus promises, "I am coming soon." The only appropriate response to His promise is our prayer, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." (See Revelation 22:20)

After 2000 years how do we make sense of that? In what way is His return soon? Perhaps this helps. When Jesus was on Earth, He compared His second coming to the final stages of pregnancy (Mark 13:8). I remember what it was like for my wife to be in the final stages of pregnancy. Three times we have experienced it. With each pregnancy, we eventually got to that “any day now” stage. There were several common characteristics.

• Our bags were packed, at least sort of.


• Every appointment was scheduled tentatively.


• We knew there was going to be some pain, before the joy.


• And we were living each day, moment, with this one event foremost in our minds.

It wasn’t like we could predict the birthday, nevertheless we knew that day was near, at hand, inevitable.

The nearness of Jesus' return should impact everything we do. We should act in such a way that we wouldn't be embarrassed if Jesus were to come back within the hour. We should treat others as if Jesus were joining us shortly. We should cultivate our relationship with Jesus in such way that when we see Him face to face we greet Him as the central figure of our life rather than approach Him as we would a distant relative.

God is looking for people with an “any day now” mentality. "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

I'm Curious

Well we just wrapped up the Revelation for Dummies series. What stood out for you? I'd enjoy hearing what has made a difference in your thinking (or better yet, living)?

Singing the Songs of Revelation

OK, here's a cool thing. Our worship pastor, David Toney, has written 7 new worship songs taken directly from the songs found in the Book of Revelation. He's already introduced a few in church, but on Sunday March 25, we will sing all of them. I will also be speaking on the theme of "worship in revelation" and using it to review this amazing series we've been in.

Also, that morning the whole message series (10 messages) will be available on CD and the set will include a separate CD with David's 7 songs.

Afternoon at the Park

Cindy and I enjoyed a much needed day off today. Marriage is an investment of time. The best conversations are unforced. I'm a fortunate man.

Fully Engaged Believers

It was a very strange and exciting period of my life. It was the only time that words like flatware and stemware frequently rolled off my lips. I referred to the woman of my dreams not with an English word like friend, girlfriend, or wife; but rather with the French term, fiancé. Of course, I’m talking about being engaged.

And from the moment on something happened. All of a sudden there was one central focus: our wedding day. Every plan was made, every action pursued, in light of this future event. It was as if there was a countdown clock in our heads. We were living with a date on the calendar.

And while for most people who are or have been married the time of engagement is relatively short, still it becomes the perfect analogy for all of our lives. Here’s what I mean. As I read Revelation, it seems that one of the very first events on the schedule when get to Heaven is a wedding reception. The Bible calls it the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.

Revelation 19.7 says, Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

So, if in heaven we celebrate our relationship with Jesus through a wedding, it means that right now, as believers, we are engaged. (It doesn’t matter if you are married or single, from heaven’s perspective you are engaged). And if we, as God’s people, are engaged to His Son, then the purpose of this time on earth is for us is to get ready for our forever relationship with Him. Notice again the words in Rev. 19.7, his bride has made herself ready. WE NEED AN ENGAGED MINDSET.

Let me suggest 4 things you could do to get ready.

· Say “Yes,” to Jesus’ proposal. He’s asked you to make a forever after commitment to Him.
· Be captivated by your relationship with Him. Make every decision with that future date in mind.
· Don’t flirt with the world. How tragic to get to heaven and realize we had misplaced our heart, passions, and affections in this life.
· Watch for His arrival. Someday the Groom will come that we might live forever with Him.

It's time for some of you guys out there to come to church

No offense. I just thought this was clever.

Reading Plan - final week!

For those of you reading along, here's this week's plan.

SUNDAY Feb 25-- Rev 19
MONDAY Feb 26-- Rev 20:1-6
TUESDAY Feb 27-- Rev 20:7-10
WEDNESDAY Feb 28-- Rev 20:11-15
THURSDAY Mar 1-- Rev 21:1-8
FRIDAY Mar 2-- Rev 21:9-27
SATURDAY Mar 3-- Rev 22:1-6
SUNDAY Mar 4-- Rev 22:7-21

If you made it this far, CONGRATULATIONS! Take yourself out to dinner!

You know, the book of Revelation promises a blessing to those who take it to heart (Rev. 1:3). In what ways has God given you a sense of His presence and involvement in your life through your study?

Back from the Mountains

Rest is a good thing. Here's a few highlights from the weekend.

• Hiking and hanging out
  
• Waffles with real maple syrup home-made and hand-carried from Wisconsin
  
• Playing a new really fun game called Faces


• Great conversations with family and extended family


• Watching National Treasure again.


• Finishing a really good book, Leadership Above the Line, that was recommended to me by Geoff Horn.


• Resting. Rest is a good thing.

Reading Plan - from on high :)

Our family is away for the weekend so I'm logging in from the mountains. We're enjoying the pine trees, fresh air, and family time.

Doug Sutherland is speaking this weekend from Deuteronomy 8. We'll resume our study through Revelation next Sunday. But for those of you who are trying to read along, here's this week's plan. (I'll update this week to week).

SUNDAY Feb 18 -- Rev 18:11-24
MONDAY Feb 19 -- Rev 19:1-10
TUESDAY Feb 20 -- Rev 19:11-18
WEDNESDAY Feb 21 -- Rev 19:19-21
THURSDAY Feb 22 -- Rev 20:1-6
FRIDAY Feb 23 -- Rev 20:7-10
SATURDAY Feb 24 -- Rev 20:11-15
SUNDAY Feb 25 -- Review Chapter 19

Find previous weeks' reading just scroll down to past posts.

What about those who have never heard?

What if you could spend five minutes in Heaven? Wouldn’t you agree that those 300 seconds would change your life? John, the author of Revelation, is given a privilege few people get: to see Heaven, and then stick around on Earth long enough to talk about it (Revelation 15).

And these weren’t just any old five minutes in Heaven. John was given a glimpse into Heaven five minutes before God pours out His complete wrath on the world – we’re talking Judgment Day.

I often have conversations with spiritual seekers about how (or even if) God is going to judge people. They are especially concerned about those who have not had an opportunity to hear about Jesus. And I have to admit that some of the details are unclear. The New Testament teaches that no one will be saved apart from Jesus. But how God will sort this out is a mystery.

But here’s what I love about the vision John is given in Revelation 15. It reveals the future response of those who see God’s justice perfectly. Those who will have a front row seat to God’s dealings will be singing …

Just and true are your ways, King of the ages...
All nations will come and worship you …
Your righteous acts have been revealed. (Rev.15:3-4)

In other words, God will be completely fair. God always operates within His love, truth, and mercy. What that will look like remains concealed. But I take great comfort in knowing that when we see things from Heaven’s perfect vantage point, we also will be moved to say…

Just and true are your ways, King of the ages...
All nations will come and worship you …
Your righteous acts have been revealed. (Rev.15:3-4)

The Structure of Revelation - 7 Sevens

OK, I made an offhand comment that I would post this info on my blog, and Christy held me to it (see her comment in the side bar) so here it is:

In many ways, you can think of the Book of Revelation as given to us in a series of 7's, some are explicit while others are simply implied:

7 churches (chaps. 2-3);
7 seals (chaps. 6-7);
7 trumpets (chaps. 8-11);
7 thunders (chap. 10);
7 signs (chaps. 12-15);
7 bowls (chaps. 16-18);
7 last things (chaps. 19-22).

Others like to divide up Revelation around four key visions:
(1) the vision of the Son of man among the seven churches (chaps. 1-3);
(2) the vision of the seven-sealed scroll, the seven trumpets, the seven signs, and the seven bowls (4:1-19:10);
(3) the vision of the return of Christ and the consummation of this age (19:11-20:15); and
(4) the vision of the new heaven and new earth (chaps. 21-22).

Revelation Reading Plan

If you're reading along with me through Revelation, here's this week's plan. (I'll update this week to week).

SUNDAY Feb 11 -- Rev 15:1-8
MONDAY Feb 12 -- Rev 16:1-9
TUESDAY Feb 13 -- Rev 16:10-21
WEDNESDAY Feb 14 -- 1 John 3:1-24 Focus on the word "love." (Hey, it's Valentine's Day - you could use a brief break from Revelation, right?)
THURSDAY Feb 15 -- Rev 17:1-8
FRIDAY Feb 16-- Rev 17:9-18
SATURDAY Feb 17 -- Rev 18:1-10
SUNDAY Feb 18 -- Rev 18:11-24

Find previous weeks' reading just scroll down to past posts.

What's CLEAR and CONSISTENT COUNTS!

I was invited to speak at a Book of Daniel Bible Study at our church tonight. You thought Revelation was intimidating, try being the only guy in the room of all woman :)

I shared with them how to identify what is really important in Apocalyptic Literature (like Revelation and the second half of Daniel). Three points:

1. Focus on what is CLEAR. Don't get lost in the details. What we need to know God is big enought to make clear. Center first of all on what is CLEAR.
2. Then focus on what is CONSISTENT. When God says something repeatedly in the Bible we can know this is important and substantial.
3. Focus on what COUNTS. By that I mean that which matters. Spend your time on those things that will change the way you think, act, and feel. God's Word is not suppose to just inform. It should transform.

Revelation Reading Plan (cont.)

If you're reading along with me through Revelation, here's this week's plan. (I'll update this week to week). We are going to backtrack a bit so you are reading around what I will be speaking on.


SUNDAY Feb 4 -- Rev 10:1-11
MONDAY Feb 5 -- Rev 11:1-14
TUESDAY Feb 6 -- Rev 12:1-17
WEDNESDAY Feb 7 -- Rev 13:1-10
THURSDAY Feb 8-- Rev 13:11-18
FRIDAY Feb 9-- Rev 14:1-20
SATURDAY Feb 10 -- Rev 15:1-8
SUNDAY Feb 11 -- Rev 16:1-9

Find previous weeks' reading just scroll down to past posts.

God's Judgment: Now or Later?

I recently received this question about last week's message. I thought it was a fair question and I thought I'd share my response online.

Hi Doug,
At homegroup this week we had a question about the January 28th message. I believe you said in reference to war that it was God's sovereign judgment over corrupt humanity (or something like that)? How would that be? I guess I always thought that war was due to "corrupt humanity", but not necessarily God's judgment. If so, how do you believe God directs such things? Please explain.Thanks so much.

This was my response:

Great question! You are absolutely correct that the sinful aspects of war (there is a Christian case for a Just War, but that's a different topic) are due to corrupt humanity. Nevertheless, the fact that people are allowed to continue and sometimes even prevail in this evil is also a sign of God's wrath. Let me explain.

There are two aspects to God's wrath. 1. Current wrath. 2. Future wrath.

The current wrath of God is being revealed right now. As Romans 1:18 says, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness," But how is God judging people now? Currently? If you follow the logic of this passage you'll see that the way this wrath is being revealed is through God allowing people to experience the destructive aspects of their sin (see especially Rom 1:24, "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts..."). Verse 24 is directly connected to the mention of God's wrath in vs 18. The current wrath of God is experienced when people reject God and turn to false substitutes (war being just one). Unfortunately many innocent people are hurt by the consequences of such sin.

The future wrath of God is reserved for the end times when He will also finally make all things right. Things will be as He intended once more.... sinless, and without war.

Hope this helps. I'm going to post your question (anonymously) on my blog so that others can grapple with it too. Great question. Please encourage your HomeGroup to review my answer on the blog and to keep asking questions.

God's best,
Doug