Father God,
Thank You for the questions that litter my mind. The questions that I'll never be able to answer or explain. Questions that fascinate me, frustrate me, inspire me, and divide me. Thank You for allowing the confusion that sometimes results from my search for truth, because within that confusion, I realize that I'm not meant to know it all. It becomes clear that You, and only You, are the One who has all the answers. And I discover that when I'm with You, I don't have to know it all...because You do, and You love me. Thank You for being as close as I'll allow, and for always being available to me. I know the questions will come and go, but You never will.
Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Monday, October 1, 2007
You Did What?
Yep...we did it. Last Sunday we put together a Letterman-style service called "The Sunday Morning Show." We had the desk, the band, the guests, the monologue, the top 10, and even commercial breaks! We had no idea how it would turn out, but we busted our butts to make it the best we knew how...and it happened! It actually came together impressively well for our first go, and surprisingly enough, touched people's hearts.
I'm sure that there are probably those that think what we did was a waste of a perfectly good Sunday morning, and we should feel guilty for neglecting an opportunity to present Christ. I know I would've not too many years ago. But that's mainly because I had a box that church fit into, where creativity was limited to just a few channels of possibility.
That's what has been so cool about our "show." We've heard a lot of great feedback, not only about how funny it was, but also how meaningful it was. We planned it and prayed that way, but we were nervous as to how clearly the message would come across. Once again, God came through and proved to me again that He does NOT fit, nor belong, in any box.
He's the Creator...why wouldn't He bless creativity?
I'm sure that there are probably those that think what we did was a waste of a perfectly good Sunday morning, and we should feel guilty for neglecting an opportunity to present Christ. I know I would've not too many years ago. But that's mainly because I had a box that church fit into, where creativity was limited to just a few channels of possibility.
That's what has been so cool about our "show." We've heard a lot of great feedback, not only about how funny it was, but also how meaningful it was. We planned it and prayed that way, but we were nervous as to how clearly the message would come across. Once again, God came through and proved to me again that He does NOT fit, nor belong, in any box.
He's the Creator...why wouldn't He bless creativity?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Looks Matter!
I recently read an article that made us change up our stage setup. I'm a church boy, we're a church, and just like growing up in your parent's house, you do things a certain way until either the light comes on automatically or someone helps flip the switch for you. In this case, it was the latter for me.
Anyhow, here's the question that got me: Where else in the world do you walk into a musical venue and all the singers are lined across the front of the stage with the band either crammed into a corner or serving as the backdrop for the singers...but CHURCH? Not to say that that's the wrong way to do it or anything, but our church is very strategic in reaching un-churced people. So we want to do everything that we can to create a welcoming and normal atmosphere for those who have never been exposed to church before! The goal is to remove any controllable hindrance from the path of those who are seeking truth in order to help them find the One they're looking for.
It's cool when you get that feeling inside of you that goes deeper than the buzz you get from just a good idea, ya know? That's what I felt when I read this...like God was suggesting this. "It's not just a good idea...it's a GOD idea!" Yes, I hear you laughing (mostly staff), but I don't care!
Anyhow, here's the question that got me: Where else in the world do you walk into a musical venue and all the singers are lined across the front of the stage with the band either crammed into a corner or serving as the backdrop for the singers...but CHURCH? Not to say that that's the wrong way to do it or anything, but our church is very strategic in reaching un-churced people. So we want to do everything that we can to create a welcoming and normal atmosphere for those who have never been exposed to church before! The goal is to remove any controllable hindrance from the path of those who are seeking truth in order to help them find the One they're looking for.
It's cool when you get that feeling inside of you that goes deeper than the buzz you get from just a good idea, ya know? That's what I felt when I read this...like God was suggesting this. "It's not just a good idea...it's a GOD idea!" Yes, I hear you laughing (mostly staff), but I don't care!
Homeless
A week ago Saturday, Pastor Timmy and I spent 24 hours in the shoes of a homeless person. We were dropped off at 7:00 a.m. down by The Plaza, and we were on foot with only the goods in our backpack until 7:00 a.m. the next morning when we arrived at church unshaved, unshowered, and feeling not so fresh (for real).
I was amazed at how many homeless people we encountered and got the chance to talk to...I guess when you're actually looking, it makes a difference! We heard so many different stories of how these people ended up on the street, and when you really think about it, most of us are not that far removed...say, maybe a paycheck or two?
I'll never forget the people we met, especially this one guy. His name was Richard, and we ran into him in the middle of a park across from one of the nicest hotels in the city. It appeared he was hiding; he was enclosed in a landscaped area of small trees and shrubs, and he was leaning back on his pack smoking a cigarette. But when I approached him and said hello, he was nothing but polite, and immediately started talking like he hadn't had a decent conversation in a while. After about a half hour of chit chat, he looked at me and said, "Thanks for stoppin', man. You see all these people walking by here...they don't give a f---. Thanks for listening. Thanks for lettin' me get that off my chest."
I felt like we did more for Richard by simply acknowledging his existence and lending an ear than we ever could have by giving him money. In fact, he never asked for a dime. Instead, I think he felt that we were actually interested in who he was, where he's been, and where he's going.
As we walked on with sore feet and sunburnt faces, I felt this little glimmer of hope inside of me. What if everyone treated these people like they were valuable, like they mattered, like they had purpose? What if we all treated people--all people--the way Jesus would?
Charity is one thing...love is another.
I was amazed at how many homeless people we encountered and got the chance to talk to...I guess when you're actually looking, it makes a difference! We heard so many different stories of how these people ended up on the street, and when you really think about it, most of us are not that far removed...say, maybe a paycheck or two?
I'll never forget the people we met, especially this one guy. His name was Richard, and we ran into him in the middle of a park across from one of the nicest hotels in the city. It appeared he was hiding; he was enclosed in a landscaped area of small trees and shrubs, and he was leaning back on his pack smoking a cigarette. But when I approached him and said hello, he was nothing but polite, and immediately started talking like he hadn't had a decent conversation in a while. After about a half hour of chit chat, he looked at me and said, "Thanks for stoppin', man. You see all these people walking by here...they don't give a f---. Thanks for listening. Thanks for lettin' me get that off my chest."
I felt like we did more for Richard by simply acknowledging his existence and lending an ear than we ever could have by giving him money. In fact, he never asked for a dime. Instead, I think he felt that we were actually interested in who he was, where he's been, and where he's going.
As we walked on with sore feet and sunburnt faces, I felt this little glimmer of hope inside of me. What if everyone treated these people like they were valuable, like they mattered, like they had purpose? What if we all treated people--all people--the way Jesus would?
Charity is one thing...love is another.
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