With the Watoto kids choir from Uganda

The Watoto kid's choir was at our church last Sunday. I don't stand out at all, do I?

Photo with Watoto Leader

GVC families sponsored 26 new Watoto children (which brings our total to 80 for our church). We have sponsored the most children so far on their tour. They are blown away. Here's a photo of me with their leader.

Bible scribe for a day

Yesterday I wrote a verse by hand that will be used in a completely handwritten copy of the Bible (see www.bibleacrossamerica.com). It will be the first completely handwritten Bible in over 250 years. Displayed at the Smithsonian Institute, copies of it will be published at the end of this year. As I stood in line, I wondered what my random verse would be. It was Mark 15:21 which says...

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

Also I wrote the heading for the section, which is THE CRUCIFIXION.

I'm grateful. I want to reflect on that passage more. I want to reflect on that passage often. I'm glad to be a messenger of the CROSS in any manner possible.

Don't just go to church

Last summer I had a rare opportunity. For several weeks in a row, I was able to visit other churches on a Sunday morning. As a fulltime preacher, it was an unusual and cool experience.

But there was a part I didn’t like. I didn't like simply being an observer. I didn't like going in unknown and disconnected. And what bothered me the most was, because I was just visiting for that one Sunday, my church experience was limited to the hour and half between the time I got out of my car and the time I got back in. Church for me was over when I hit the parking lot.

And to be honest, I didn’t like it. Nevertheless, that is how many Americans do church. For them, it is a car door-to-car door experience. A lot of people have been raised with the notion that there’s going to be a reward in heaven for church attendance.

But nowhere does the Bible say that. Instead it teaches that God wants to use us, His people, to "spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." 2 Cor. 2:14

Here's the way we framed it last Sunday: Don’t just go to church; be the church wherever you go.


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You are God's signature

You are meant to be God’s signature.

In the ancient book of Haggai, God told a man named Zerubbabel how He intended to use him. The Lord said, “and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you.” (Haggai 2.23)

A signet ring was a piece of metal jewelry with an etching of a seal on it. It was worn by royalty and when pressed into wax it would seal official pronouncements. You can probably picture it.

I love the analogy of the signet ring because it reminds me of what God wants to do with you. Just as a signet ring was worn on the king’s hand or around his neck, so God longs to keep you close to His hand and heart. More than that, if you are His child, He has given you His authority to leave His impression on this world. You are His autograph, His mark, His seal. Let me put it this way: When God wants to put His autograph on this planet, you are the pen He chooses. You are His signature.

And all you have to do is let God use you. Be a ring on his hand. Respond to His touch. So trust Him. Let Him work through you. Like a signet ring, you're the one who makes the impression, but God’s hand provides the weight.

(See the post below and photos of how our church put this into action last Sunday on our Reverse Bus Ministry Service Project)
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Reverse Bus Ministry

Imagine a hundred people arriving at church like any other Sunday completely unaware of the significant impact they would have on their community before lunch. That’s exactly what happened at this morning’s service. By the end of the morning, dozens of people had rolled up their sleeves to scrub windows, pick up trash, weed planters, and spread mulch at a local elementary school. (Photos below).


All this was a part of our current message series, “Living Outside Ourselves.” At the end of today’s message, a school bus pulled up in front of our church (unannounced beforehand) and I challenged our people to consider serving at one of our local elementary schools. Arrangements had been made with the school’s principal and custodial staff. Tools, gloves, and t-shirts were provided. Approximately 35 people participated after the first service. They served for an hour and the bus returned just in time to transport another 65 who volunteered after the second service. Overall, 100+ man-hours of labor were invested all before lunchtime.

Next week, a video of our day will be shown at church, and the principal has offered to attend to thank our folks.

Years ago, many churches had bus ministries. A fleet of buses would leave their parking lot early to bring people (usually kids) to church. Today we reversed that. A bus arrived to take our people into the community. After all, Jesus said, "Go into all the world ..."

For other ministry leaders: This idea is very transferable to any church. Feel free to duplicate it. I hope many do. Do me a favor and let me know if you do. I’d love to hear your stories.

Your Turning Point

One of the things I think is curious about the GPS unit in my car is that it zooms in closer and closer right before it is time to turn. For long periods of time she is silent (yes, our GPS is a “she,” we call her Emily), but then when it is time to turn she starts to speak; “Turn right in 1 mile.” As I get closer, she is more adamant, and a giant arrow appears on the screen. Suddenly, this is my turning point.

In the Bible, the people of God found themselves exactly there. God was quite candid with them about why so many of their efforts were frustrating. And then God reveals the longing of His heart saying, “…yet you did not turn to me” (Haggai 2:17). That, of course, is the turning point God most desires in our lives. That we would turn to Him! As we read a few verses further in the Bible, we find God offering this promise, “From this day on I will bless you.” (Haggai 2:19). The connection is clear. The life God blesses hinges precisely on this one turning point.

Is there a place in your life where God is nudging you to change directions? If so, I’m trusting that God will zoom in on the screen of your life and reveal your turning point.

It’s time to turn. It’s time to turn to Him.

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