Month: November 2008

Posted on

Don’t Be Boring

Seth Godin, in his book Tribes, implores the reader to avoid being boring. He says:

Boring ideas don’t spread. Boring organizations don’t grow.

Right now I can’t think of anything less fun and engaging than being a part of something boring.  Lifeless. Wilted. Just OK. It’s like when people respond to the “How are you?” question with “Fine.”  Fine. That’s it. Just fine.

 

My beloved music teacher, Mr. Kinne, used to say, “Fine? Fine? That’s all you got?  How ’bout GREAT!?!” And to that I would respond with a ever-growing smile…”Yah, I’m great. I was fine…but now I’m great!” That’s the power of Mr. Kinne – a man who was never boring. His life spread in me and in others. He was contagious. That’s what I want my life to be like. Never boring. 

 

And that is what the church should be also.  Thoughts?  What would make West Salem Foursquare Church a NOT BORING place?  Let me know.

Posted on

God in a Nutshell

SCRIPTURE:
“The god who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth does not live in temples built by hands…” Acts. 17:24
OBSERVATION
Paul walked into a unique situation in Athens. Everything was foreign both to him, as well as to the people of that region. To them Paul’s teachings were new (17:19) and strange (17:20). Paul was brought before different groups and had to endeavor to impress them with wise words and lofty concepts – basically fodder for their debates.
The Athenians liked to get all their ducks in a row. That is the way ‘religion’ works – make sure every base is covered and every altar inscribed (17:23). Total Religion.
Paul identified this right away. Therefor his words to them are non-stereotypical, about life and movement and a God that cannot be contained.
APPLICATION
The risk for me in this next season is to try to put a label on everything – to categorize each and every thing, ministry and event.
In a nutshell…to get God and his work…well…into a nutshell! But he does not contain himself in temples. He has determined where we, his people, should live (17:26) but refuses to be confined himself – that would be religion.
With God, we can know where we are but in that place be so free to ‘live, move and have our being (17:28).
PRAYER
My heart and prayer is that i would let you God be God. My human hands cannot really help you – you are fully capable on your own. So, in my efforts to wrap my self around new leadership challenges I must so completely rely upon you oh God – I am your offspring (17:28). You animate my life, giving it movement and purpose. Thank you Father.

Posted on

Careful Investigation

“Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning…so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Luke 1:3

Luke took from reports and eyewitness accounts in order to assemble his orderly document regarding the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It’s just like a doctor to document the entire history – birth, early days, and maturation in order to establish a background for this miracle-working Messiah. We are grateful for Luke’s diligent approach to scripture – he provided for us a systematic, clear account of Jesus’ ministry.

We are called to be “Luke” today – to carefully investigate and orderly communicate so that others can be certain of what they are being taught. The Apostle Paul challenges Timothy to be diligent in these matters: to watch life and doctrine closely – to persevere so that both self and the hearers will be saved. He goes on to exhort Timothy to ‘correctly handle the word of truth’ Our high call is to preach the word…but that preaching must be carefully investigated and diligently communicated.