I just wanted you to know that we had some staff-related communication issues. We want you to know that we are well. All is OK with the entire Celebrate Church staff.
Thank You.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Stepping Out of the Boat...
Have you ever been to a circus? I’ve only been to a few in my life. It is absolutely amazing the acrobatic stunts these circus performers attempt and succeed at and the faith and trust they exhibit. Like the trapeze artist who swings out holding on to the trapeze bar and then lets go in order to grab hold of another trapeze bar that swings and then back to the other side again. At one point during this exchange, they’re not holding on to any bar. The body and life are suspended in mid air for a split second. Have you ever felt like that in life? You feel like you are 180 feet above the ground with no net below and you are holding on to nothing.
God gives you a dream and the next step He wants you take. God is challenging you to do something about the dream He has deposited in you. Yet nothing is going to happen to that dream until you step out and put it into action. Just like that trapeze artist, you have to say, “I am going to go for it!” For every ten dreamers in the world, there is only one decision maker. A lot of people have dreams, and yet, they never get to step two – making the decision to trust God.
Faith is a verb. It is active not passive. It is something you do. Taking that step of faith requires two things: (1) You decide to lay it all on the line by saying, “God, you told me to do this, and I’m going to be faithful and do it.” (2) You cannot move forward in faith while holding onto the past. If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.
Like that trapeze artist, if you don’t let go and grab the vision God wants you to have, you’ll swing back. And what I’ve discovered is that when you swing back, you don’t swing back to the same platform, but to one lower. You see, God brings you to a point of decision, and your faith will build as you swing toward the dream God has given you.
God gives you a dream and the next step He wants you take. God is challenging you to do something about the dream He has deposited in you. Yet nothing is going to happen to that dream until you step out and put it into action. Just like that trapeze artist, you have to say, “I am going to go for it!” For every ten dreamers in the world, there is only one decision maker. A lot of people have dreams, and yet, they never get to step two – making the decision to trust God.
Faith is a verb. It is active not passive. It is something you do. Taking that step of faith requires two things: (1) You decide to lay it all on the line by saying, “God, you told me to do this, and I’m going to be faithful and do it.” (2) You cannot move forward in faith while holding onto the past. If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.
Like that trapeze artist, if you don’t let go and grab the vision God wants you to have, you’ll swing back. And what I’ve discovered is that when you swing back, you don’t swing back to the same platform, but to one lower. You see, God brings you to a point of decision, and your faith will build as you swing toward the dream God has given you.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Safe Zone...
As a pastor, I see more situations than I like that nobody should ever have to go through alone. Nobody should ever have to wait in the hospital alone while a loved one is in life-or-death surgery. Nobody should ever have to wait alone for the lab report on a problematic health condition. Nobody should ever have to wait for news alone regardless of the situation. Nobody should ever have to spend the first night alone when his or her spouse just walked out.
Life's tough times and tragedies are inevitable -- each of us will face them. But we don't need to go through them alone. We need God's SAFE ZONE to provide protection and support through these difficult times.
What is God's SAFE ZONE? It is a group of believers, Christ followers -- a handful of people who are really committed to you. We call this kind of group a community. Here's God's plan for community: "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26). Community is God's answer to despair. Community is God’s answer to life’s difficulties and tragedies. Romans 12:15 expresses it in these words: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
When you're going through a crisis, you just want somebody to be there to sit with you, hold your hand, put an arm around your shoulder, or cry with you. As Paul tells us, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Encouraging someone else doesn't always mean giving a pep talk or words of wisdom. Sometimes the best kind of encouragement is just sitting in silence -- waiting and weeping with a friend.
Do you have a SAFE ZONE -- a group of fellow Christ followers you know you can count on in life's toughest times? If not, begin building those friendships. The hard times in life are inevitable. A safe zone is an everyday picture of DOING LIFE TOGETHER.
Life's tough times and tragedies are inevitable -- each of us will face them. But we don't need to go through them alone. We need God's SAFE ZONE to provide protection and support through these difficult times.
What is God's SAFE ZONE? It is a group of believers, Christ followers -- a handful of people who are really committed to you. We call this kind of group a community. Here's God's plan for community: "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26). Community is God's answer to despair. Community is God’s answer to life’s difficulties and tragedies. Romans 12:15 expresses it in these words: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
When you're going through a crisis, you just want somebody to be there to sit with you, hold your hand, put an arm around your shoulder, or cry with you. As Paul tells us, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Encouraging someone else doesn't always mean giving a pep talk or words of wisdom. Sometimes the best kind of encouragement is just sitting in silence -- waiting and weeping with a friend.
Do you have a SAFE ZONE -- a group of fellow Christ followers you know you can count on in life's toughest times? If not, begin building those friendships. The hard times in life are inevitable. A safe zone is an everyday picture of DOING LIFE TOGETHER.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Time to Unlearn...
Instant oatmeal, easy mac and cheese, instant coffee, and getting in shape in 6 weeks are just a few of the instant things out there. God chooses a different path than the instant path. So naturally, we have a lot to learn and, at the same time, unlearn.
Although God could instantly transform us, He has chosen to develop us slowly. Jesus was intentional in developing His disciples. Just as God allowed the children of Israel to take over the promise land “little by little,” so they would not be overwhelmed, He chooses to work in incremental steps in our lives.
Why does it take so long to grow up? Number one, we are slow learners. God shows us, teaches us, and yet, how often do we find ourselves reverting back to old patterns of behavior? Number two, we have a lot to unlearn. It took years to break the situation and we want an instant fix. Since most of our problems – and all of our bad habits – didn’t develop overnight, it’s unrealistic to expect them to go away immediately.
There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of removal and replacement. Growth is often painful. There is no growth without change, there is no change without loss, and there is no loss without pain. We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self defeating and self destructive because, like a worn out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable.
Every change involves loss of some kind, and yet you must let go of the old to experience the new. You must unlearn the past to learn a new future.
The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. Romans 13:12 (Message)
Although God could instantly transform us, He has chosen to develop us slowly. Jesus was intentional in developing His disciples. Just as God allowed the children of Israel to take over the promise land “little by little,” so they would not be overwhelmed, He chooses to work in incremental steps in our lives.
Why does it take so long to grow up? Number one, we are slow learners. God shows us, teaches us, and yet, how often do we find ourselves reverting back to old patterns of behavior? Number two, we have a lot to unlearn. It took years to break the situation and we want an instant fix. Since most of our problems – and all of our bad habits – didn’t develop overnight, it’s unrealistic to expect them to go away immediately.
There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of removal and replacement. Growth is often painful. There is no growth without change, there is no change without loss, and there is no loss without pain. We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self defeating and self destructive because, like a worn out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable.
Every change involves loss of some kind, and yet you must let go of the old to experience the new. You must unlearn the past to learn a new future.
The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. Romans 13:12 (Message)
Friday, July 2, 2010
Free is Not Free
It is the 4th of July weekend, and all across our incredible nation celebrations are taking place. Even in our own community, there will be a huge party celebrating freedom! Yet the freedom we celebrate was not free - it cost. It cost lives, someone’s love, undivided devotion, and selfless acts of service.
Did you know that we are commanded to serve? Jesus was unmistakable and not apologetic in His words to those desiring to follow Him. "Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life." (Matthew 20:28 LB). For a follower of Christ, service is not something to be tacked onto our schedules if we can spare the time. It is the heart of the Christian life. Jesus came "to serve" and "to give"— and these two verbs should define our life on earth.
Jesus taught that spiritual maturity and growth is never an end in itself. Maturity is an opportunity for service to minister! We grow up in order to give. It is not enough to keep learning more and more. We must act on what we know and practice what we claim to believe. Study without service leads to spiritual stagnation.
Before we feel the urge to go to another Bible study or spiritual meeting, I encourage you to find a place to give out what you have. We already know far more than we are putting into practice. What we need are serving opportunities in which we can exercise our spiritual muscles. Serving is the opposite of our natural inclination. Most of the time we're more interested in "serve us" than service. We say, "I'm looking for a church that meets my needs” not, "I'm looking for a place to serve and be a blessing."
The mature follower of Jesus moves from asking, "Who's going to meet my needs?" and starts asking, "Whose needs can I meet?”
Did you know that we are commanded to serve? Jesus was unmistakable and not apologetic in His words to those desiring to follow Him. "Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life." (Matthew 20:28 LB). For a follower of Christ, service is not something to be tacked onto our schedules if we can spare the time. It is the heart of the Christian life. Jesus came "to serve" and "to give"— and these two verbs should define our life on earth.
Jesus taught that spiritual maturity and growth is never an end in itself. Maturity is an opportunity for service to minister! We grow up in order to give. It is not enough to keep learning more and more. We must act on what we know and practice what we claim to believe. Study without service leads to spiritual stagnation.
Before we feel the urge to go to another Bible study or spiritual meeting, I encourage you to find a place to give out what you have. We already know far more than we are putting into practice. What we need are serving opportunities in which we can exercise our spiritual muscles. Serving is the opposite of our natural inclination. Most of the time we're more interested in "serve us" than service. We say, "I'm looking for a church that meets my needs” not, "I'm looking for a place to serve and be a blessing."
The mature follower of Jesus moves from asking, "Who's going to meet my needs?" and starts asking, "Whose needs can I meet?”
Friday, June 25, 2010
Anything is Possible
Ever take a wrong turn or find yourself traveling down a street with a sign that reads, “DEAD END: No Outlet”? Well, with God, there are always outlets. God has a way of building our faith by planting a dream within us. Yet, that dream will require a decision of faith, and then God will stretch our faith as we face delays, difficulties, and dead ends. It is then – after the delays, difficulties, and dead ends – that God comes in and delivers. God does a miracle. God provides a solution. For instance: In Moses' case, God parted the Red Sea…In Abraham's case, he and Sarah miraculously conceived a child…In Joseph's case, all of a sudden his dream came true, and he found himself no longer imprisoned in a dungeon; instead, he was the second in command in Egypt.
Jesus was even resurrected! God can even turn a crucifixion into a resurrection, and that means he has the power to transform your dead ends into deliverance. He builds your faith through delays, difficulties, and dead ends, so that when he delivers you—God gets all the credit!
When faced with a dead end, the best response is to expect God to act. What are you expecting God to do in your life? Jesus says, "According to your faith will it be done to you." (Matthew 9:29)
When you wait for deliverance, then God gets the credit. And you can look back to see how God led you through a path of faith, expanding and increasing your trust of him with every step. Your faith is stronger, and now you can say with confidence: "I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again, I will see his goodness to me . . ." (Psalm 27:13)
One more scripture from God’s Word to encourage you to know that anything – that all things – are possible with God. "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." Mark 9:23 NLT
Jesus was even resurrected! God can even turn a crucifixion into a resurrection, and that means he has the power to transform your dead ends into deliverance. He builds your faith through delays, difficulties, and dead ends, so that when he delivers you—God gets all the credit!
When faced with a dead end, the best response is to expect God to act. What are you expecting God to do in your life? Jesus says, "According to your faith will it be done to you." (Matthew 9:29)
When you wait for deliverance, then God gets the credit. And you can look back to see how God led you through a path of faith, expanding and increasing your trust of him with every step. Your faith is stronger, and now you can say with confidence: "I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again, I will see his goodness to me . . ." (Psalm 27:13)
One more scripture from God’s Word to encourage you to know that anything – that all things – are possible with God. "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." Mark 9:23 NLT
Friday, June 18, 2010
Butterfly Kisses...
I am here at Beach Week 2010. What a generation of young people passionate for purposes bigger than a paycheck and materialism -- passionate for meaning. Our world is full of sons and daughters who desperately need a father who is a spiritual leader. Is it possible your kids are among them? You can become a spiritual leader to your children by making a commitment learn and live the characteristics of Jesus in front of them. Even if you are not a father or a mother, you will be able to lead others into the heart of God by following the example of Jesus. Here is what Jesus did for His followers:
First, Jesus helped the disciples to know God. Dads, this is your number one responsibility as a father. You need to help your children get to know God because eternity hangs in the balance. It is your responsibility to help make sure your kids are introduced to God. They belong to God. He loans them to us for a period of time in which he wants you to parent them. Parenting, like all forms of leadership, is really about stewardship. You learn to say, “God, I am the steward of these children, whom You put into my care, and I will do what You need me to do to help them achieve their purpose.”
Notice Jesus led by example. This is one of the most sobering truths about being a parent. For right or wrong, for good or bad, whether you like it or not, your children’s idea of God is going to be largely determined by the kind of father you are. You may not like that. I may not like that, but it’s the truth. If you are an impatient and demanding father, they’re going to think God is impatient and demanding. If you are distant and detached and never have time for your kids, they’re going to think God is distant and detached from them. If you are inconsistent and unreliable, if you break your promises, they’re going to think their heavenly Father is inconsistent and unreliable and breaks His promises.
What is God really like? God is caring…God is close and aware of the details… God is consistent.
If my kids are going to grow up knowing God is caring, close, and consistent, then I must be caring, close, and consistent. I must care about my kids enough to show them what God is like and show them how they can become like Christ.
First, Jesus helped the disciples to know God. Dads, this is your number one responsibility as a father. You need to help your children get to know God because eternity hangs in the balance. It is your responsibility to help make sure your kids are introduced to God. They belong to God. He loans them to us for a period of time in which he wants you to parent them. Parenting, like all forms of leadership, is really about stewardship. You learn to say, “God, I am the steward of these children, whom You put into my care, and I will do what You need me to do to help them achieve their purpose.”
Notice Jesus led by example. This is one of the most sobering truths about being a parent. For right or wrong, for good or bad, whether you like it or not, your children’s idea of God is going to be largely determined by the kind of father you are. You may not like that. I may not like that, but it’s the truth. If you are an impatient and demanding father, they’re going to think God is impatient and demanding. If you are distant and detached and never have time for your kids, they’re going to think God is distant and detached from them. If you are inconsistent and unreliable, if you break your promises, they’re going to think their heavenly Father is inconsistent and unreliable and breaks His promises.
What is God really like? God is caring…God is close and aware of the details… God is consistent.
If my kids are going to grow up knowing God is caring, close, and consistent, then I must be caring, close, and consistent. I must care about my kids enough to show them what God is like and show them how they can become like Christ.
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