Again

     You did it again.  Keep doing it and I’m going to get use to it.  It already doesn’t surprise me as much anymore and I guess I should stop being surprised at all.  You showed up to show you care about the future and direction of the Mid-Cities family.  Suzanne and I and the rest of the Worship and Teaching Team appreciate your participation, your ideas, your patience, and your prayers. 

     We started off looking at all the diverse and wonderful ideas that had been expressed since our last meeting.  However, if we were to try to incorporate every different idea we would truly be a small group church, we all would be in a small group of one.  Now, I usually get along with myself (although not always) but there wouldn’t be much fellowship.

     Your input was important.  Your input was informative.  Your input was exciting.  We are looking forward to devising a small group ministry that will accomplish the goal of making disciples.  Reaching those who haven’t experienced the grace of God and strengthening those who have.  I look forward to what God has in store.

     I remind you of what Dennis said about being “devoted.”  That’s the key.  No one of us are going to get everything we would like to have but to be devoted means we will be dedicated to each other and to those we are trying to reach with the Gospel.  The future of this family is really exciting and with small groups providing the direction, unlimited.  We know where we are going, we know how we are going to get there but I bet you we will find it is the journey that is the most thrilling part.  But doesn’t God always have exciting adventures in store for those who place their hand in His?

     This is only the first of  more ways we want to incorporate into each other’s lives and our community.  We want to honor God by doing each one well.  We don’t want to rush but we don’t want to drag our feet, either.  More ideas are needed.  We intend to show the film “Fireproof” in January.  It will be a great opportunity for each one to invite a friend and begin to establish relationships with others.  I hope that if someone were to ask to identify our direction in one word, it would be – “others.”

     Again.  You did it again and I love you for it.  Thanks for making Mid-Cities such a great place to be.  I hope you are as excited as I am.  I’m anxious to see the great things God is going to do through us.  Let the journey begin.

Keeping It Real

     Odd isn’t it that the most real things in this life are unseen while the things we do see are not as real and will certainly not last.  Jesus Christ, as the Hebrew author said is “the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.”  During the Thanksgiving holidays I hope you had time to look at your life and take stock.  ”Things” really tend to clutter up our lives, our days and our priorities.  

     Relationships tend to enrich, encourage and strengthen us.  Yet at the same time they require a lot of effort, some more than others.  Heard a fellow remark, “I traveled half way across the country to spend time with a family I don’t really like and don’t really get along with.”  Do you find that as sad as I do?

     Relationships that help us make it through our lives with enthusiasm are much like a garden.  It takes constant care to nurture and grow relationships, whether they be family or friend.  But when the effort produces desired results, it is all worthwhile.  Think about that for a minute.  

     The relationships in your life that are worthwhile probably have some things in common.  You have worked at them because you wanted to work at them.  It shouldn’t be surprising they got better.

     They are worthwhile because you didn’t mind giving whatever you needed to – friendship, love, time.  Many times it doesn’t even feel like you are sacrificing much.  It’s just what you do to grow.  

     They are worthwhile because you overcame any discouragements that came your way.  Discouragement is one of Satan’s greatest tools.  It leaves you feeling like giving in, like none of it is worth it.  In relationships, discouragement can come for a variety or reasons but when you decide not to let discouragements doom you, you grow strong and deep.  No relationship is perfect (after all, we’re in it) but overcoming disappointments and discouragements let us know, here is something worth my time, effort, love. It let’s you know what is real.

     And we are all looking for what is real, what will last, what will get us through.  And it all starts with our relationship with Jesus.  When that relationship is right, other relationships seem to be right as well.  ”Things” don’t last.  ”Things” need to be used and not loved.  People need to be loved and not used.  Our relationship with people can last forever, even past this life.  What will you do to enhance and enrich your relationships, starting with your relationship with the Son of God?

Let’s Talk Turkey!

     I never understood how that expression meant something on the order of, “Let’s get serious.”  Maybe because talking turkey this time of year has reference to what happens to all the turkeys who didn’t receive a presidential pardon.  Anyway…

     Thanksgiving is here!  Seems to get here quicker every year, doesn’t it?  Usually at Thanksgiving we are encouraged to look around and be thankful for ALL we have.  It doesn’t take long, we are usually reminded, to be made aware of how much we have.  And we do have, don’t we?  We are reminded we do have more than anyone else in the history of the world, including kings and queens. 

     We should be thankful for ALL we have.  Being thankful for ALL we have is our way of remembering WHO has blessed us so much.  But I wonder (here is where the talking turkey comes in)…

     Should we have ALL we have?  There is a fine line in being thankful for ALL we have and sounding a lot like the man known as the rich fool in the Bible.  If we really took stock (appropriate for this discussion) would we conclude that God had really blessed us with ALL we have or do we have ALL we have because of extravagance, excess, and luxury?   Did God really bless us with ALL this or did we accumulate ALL this simply because we wanted it?  

     We are reminded to be thankful for what is really important?  Relationship with God, family, friends, church.  That’s good.  We should likely be called more often to remember what our true priorities in life are.  Could it also be that we are called to remember those true priorities so we don’t think about the excess of things that clog our lives?  

     So here’s my challenge.  Be thankful this Thanksgiving season.  Be thankful for the things you should be truly thankful for.  Be thankful that God has indeed blessed us more than any other people in the history of the world.  Look around at ALL the things you have and decide which you should be thankful for and which you should share with others who have more need of them than you do. Be thankful that God has given you a mind to use to know how to make “Jesus like” decisions about what to accumulate from now on.  Be thankful that you have the opportunity to share some of your stuff with others and not just as a way to clear room for more stuff coming during the Christmas season.  

     Maybe we need to rethink “gifting” all together.  Is there a better way to share God’s blessings with more people?  You’re an inventive bunch.  What are your ideas?

How Far?

     I love my parents.  Both are gone now and I still miss them.  I owe them more than I could ever repay. They taught me so much.  One of the things they taught me was to not judge people by the color of their skin.  Perhaps they even went overboard in protecting me from the amount of prejudice and bigotry that actually existed.  After all, it was the 60’s and 70’s.  I thought we as a nation had major strides towards eliminating racial discrimination.  

      I can still remember the disbelief I experienced when we moved to Ohio.  After all, wasn’t the north (or midwest) suppose to be far less prejudiced than the antebellum south?  I just knew something had to be wrong when the black players on our football team dressed in a small, dimly lit, locker-less part of our dressing room.  I thought maybe they chose to dress there or that they dressed there but had lockers with the rest of the team in the other part of the locker room.  I’m ashamed to admit that my head was stuck in the sand to the way the situation really was and that I at least didn’t try to do something to correct it. It makes me wonder what else I missed.

     Now I find myself 30 years later wondering if we have indeed come very far.  Already several reports of racism have been reported following the election of Barack Obama. That saddens me.  I don’t want to miss anything this time around.  I want to be vocal, proactive.  I don’t have to agree with the man.  Heaven knows I certainly haven’t agreed with the sitting president.  But not only do I intend to respect Obama when he becomes president in January, I plan to defend him from unfair attacks to whatever extent I can, just like I think Jesus would expect me to.  

     I know enough history to know that the church wasn’t exactly at the forefront of the movement to secure basic human rights for all races.  I hope this time it is different.  I hope the church of Jesus Christ is quick to defend someone against unwarranted attacks based on the color of his skin.  I plan to start by not listening to racists stories or jokes and by calling out those who would tell such.  I want to stand against those bigoted enough to denounce and defame the character of Obama or any other based on race.  I want to show proper respect and honor to whom it is due and most of all, I want to treat all people, even those who disrespect and who are bigoted, the same kindness I believe my Lord would have displayed.

     I think we are about to see exactly how far we have come and that should tell us how far we have to go.  And in the race to get there, I hope the church, and especially the Mid-Cities church is at the front of the pack, leading the way.  Change has come and it will be interesting to see if that is true for our nation, our churches, and us individually.  I pray for those who will show me my own prejudice and for the courage to admit and change it.  I’ll get back to you in 4 short years.

Transitions

     In order to get from one place to another, what do you have to do?  Sometimes, not much.  If you’re not going far and it won’t take long, it doesn’t take a whole lot.  But what if you’re going a long way?  That takes more planning, preparation.  Most of life is short trips but isn’t it the long ones we usually talk about and remember?

     Are churches suppose to go anywhere?  I’m always amazed by people who would answer that in the negative.  It seems as though for some, churches  should remain status quo and never transist.  Actually, I understand the appeal of that.  Static can be easy, comfortable, non-demanding.  And after all, who needs one more difficulty, one more headache in life.  Let’s just keep things going the way they have always, not rock the boat, keep as many people as possible happy and whatever you do, don’t challenge, don’t make someone think, and don’t introduce anything that hasn’t been around since Constantine.

     Truth is, churches are always in transition.  Why? Because people, who make up the church, are always transitioning.  We come to Christ for a makeover.  What he starts at baptism isn’t finished at death.  Now by the time you get a whole bunch of those transitioning folks together in this church thing, try to convince me the church isn’t always in transition.

     Wouldn’t it be great if we could all transition at the same time and the same pace but that just doesn’t make much sense, now does it?  And that’s where openness and honesty come in.  I’m so grateful that I serve a church that doesn’t mind a challenge, is willing to think about transitions, will tolerate others needs and even preferences, and is ok with feeling uncomfortable.  

     I hope you were as excited and impressed by the meeting Sunday afternoon as I was.  First, just the great number of people who attended. Second, the openness and honesty that was evident. Third, the variety in the different ideas that were presented.  But even more impressive, the willingness to listen to everyone else and not grow defensive or attacking. God’s Spirit was truly at work among us.

     Transitions are hard.  We know that to be true on an individual basis.  How much more true will that be on a collective basis?  The alternative is stagnation, superficiality, and lack of growth, direction, and focus.  As we all grow up to fullness in Christ, we keep growing in our love and appreciation for one another.  That’s an adventure I’m up for.  Let’s let Christ remain the head of our church and follow where he leads, regardless of how hard the transition may be.

Connected

     Remember what it was like to be picked for kickball on the elementary playground?  And of course, the sooner you were picked the better because no one wanted to be the last one chosen.  That was usually saved for the short, fat kid (Ok, so I’m not totally passed that just yet but I am still working on it.)  What was it that made that a neat time?  Wasn’t it the fact that you were chosen to be on a team, chosen to be part of something which included others and you wanted to do good because there would be another day of kickball and you wanted to be remembered as being good so the captain would pick you first.  And maybe, just maybe you could work yourself up to actually being the captain.  

     We all like to belong.  I believe God made us that way.  He made us for fellowship with Him.  Wow! Talk about the ultimate Captain.  I don’t know how He does it but somehow no one gets picked last.  To what are you connected?  Hopefully family.  Maybe a group of long time friends. Perhaps some people at work.  Shouldn’t the church be a “connecting” place?

     After all, look at all we share.  Like everyone else, we have been made in His image. But also, we have all been saved by grace.  We are all committed to living a Christ-like life.  We all struggle with sin. We share the common struggles of the seasons of life – marriage, children, aging parents, occupations and so on. We all have acknowledged a Savior who loves us more than we can fathom and wants us to experience the “abundant life.”  

     Who better to connect to than those we have that much in common with.  Let me ask you this.  You’ve heard me speak of Leith Anderson’s Lego theory.  We all have only so many connector places.  So who is connected to your Lego?  Can you name 4 or 5 really close friends?

     Here’s how you know.  Who would you  call when you wanted to share really good news.  I remember when Susan got pregnant.  As soon as we found out, we called some of our closest friends and had them meets us at a restaurant.  We wanted to celebrate and we wanted to be with people we knew would be happy for us and would put up with our silliness.  And they were truly happy for us.

     Who would you call in a moment of crisis? Could you go 4 or 5 deep?  Would they come running if you really needed them? Who do you pray for?  Who are you concerned enough to check up on if you think you need to? Here’s likely the clincher.  Who would you confess your sins to?  I’m pretty sure James wrote those words fully intending that they be practiced.  Now that would take connection.

     When I look at that Acts 2 church, I want to be a part of that.  So connected that there is nothing I would feel like is too great a sacrifice to make for my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I may be naive and idealistic (I’ve pretty much been told that) but I still think it’s possible.  

     How do we create those opportunities for our church to get connected?  You’ve got some ideas on how to do that. Let me hear from you.  Like I stated in Sunday’s message – 100% is the only acceptable number.  Every member connected to a core group of others.  I think that’s what God intended for His church, don’t you?

Shepherds

     Not being from a rural setting and certainly not familiar with sheep, most of what I know about sheep has had to come from others and not actual experience. I do remember very well when Charles Roseberry who was a sheep rancher shared some stories about his experiences (I’ll leave out the fact that he said “Sheep are the dumbest animals in the world.”  I’m sure he excluded present company).  

     When Jesus is presented as the good shepherd, good images are associated with that for me.  Images of caring and correcting and concern come to mind.  I wonder if Jesus might have had a pet sheep when he was a boy?  I know Charles said that sheep ranching was hard work.  Keeping sheep moving from pasture to pasture, not putting them in locations that present hazards like cliffs and fast moving streams, cleaning their wool and the amazing things he found in that wool before shearing were all part of being a good shepherd.  I remember Charles saying it was some of the hardest work he ever did.

     God has blessed the Mid-Cities church with 7 amazing shepherds.  How often have you prayed for them and their families?  Satan would love to get his claws into our shepherds and their families.  If you’re not already, cover both shepherd and family in constant, regular prayer.

     Like Charles, our shepherds have a tough task.  I never cease to be amazed at their work ethic.  In a day and time when everyone’s schedule is overbooked, our shepherds always seem to find time to accomplish necessary, difficult and many times unpleasant tasks.  We sheep can be a contrary lot.

     Consider their task.  They are not representatives of a duly elected democracy.  At another place I heard the statement made by an elder, “The people I represent…”  Shepherds are senators.  Neither are they poll takers.  While listening to the voice of the sheep is important to know what we sheep are thinking, the Bible talks about the sheep knowing the voice of the shepherd.  While that is a direct reference to Jesus, you will never convince it doesn’t apply to shepherds.  In fact, I’m convinced that one of the best ways to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd is to hear the voice of the local shepherd(s).

     Can shepherds make a mistake?  I do hope so.  They can’t identify with me if they can’t and I need to know they’ve been through and are going through struggles, too.  It’s easier to hear the voice of a fellow “climber” encouraging me to keep on keeping on when I look up and see they further down the path than I.      Shepherds are at times called upon to make decisions that “go against the flow.”  That’s hard!  It takes courage! Sheep can often “act up” when they don’t get their way.  Attacks can sometimes get personal rather than objective.  That hurts! But when a direction is charted that may go against the flow, you can best believe it is because shepherds 1) have prayed and prayed over it 2) have the best interests of the family at heart and in mind and 3) believe it will nurture the spiritual health of the church.

     Your shepherds love you.  Not because they have to but because God has loved them and they want to share that.  I know that because I have been around these men a lot.  I’ve heard their prayers, I’ve seen their hearts, I watched the pain when things aren’t going well with the sheep.  Their lives would be a lot easier if they weren’t shepherds but God has called and they have answered, faithfully.  Shepherds following the Good Shepherd as they lead the sheep.  What a plan!  Thanks, God!!!

Transforming

     When we received Christ as our Savior and put him on in baptism, what happened? We became a “new creation.”  We stopped being one thing and started being something else.  The transformation wasn’t complete when we became new, it was just beginning.

     When does that transformation stop?  For Paul, I’m pretty sure he never saw it stopping.  He told the Philippians that he hadn’t attained  what he was aiming for but was pressing on toward the goal.  The words he used indicated he expected it to be a struggle.  It wasn’t going to be easy.  He was going to have to fight to attain it and he sounds as though he is up for the battle.  He wasn’t running scared or disillusioned that the chase for transformation was a journey more than a destination.  He welcomed the challenge.

     Near the end of his life, while likely sitting in a Roman prison, he urges Timothy to bring him the books and parchments.  He was at best a few months from losing his life and possibly only a few weeks, but he realized the job of transformation was incomplete and he wasn’t ready to resign the task.  

     Transformation can be scary.  It takes us to the unknown (like a Roman prison).  It gets us out of our comfort zone.  We have to admit God is in charge and not us.  I wonder if Abraham would of ever left Ur had he known exactly what was ahead.  I’m pretty sure Moses would still be a Midianite shepherd, burning bush or not, if he would have had an inkling of an idea of what the last 40 years of his life were going to be like. 

     But is that all for those Biblical times guys? I mean, what about us, are we to be transforming?  And if we are, what does it look like?  Even asking what it looks like tells us we don’t get it.  Paul didn’t know, Abraham and Moses didn’t know, why do we think we should?

     What about churches?  Are churches to be transforming?  There’s a certain amount of healthiness in saying “I don’t know.”  What should this church look like in 5, 10, 20 years.  If we are transforming, the only possible answer is, “I don’t know.” And if we do know what we will look like in 5, 10, or 20 years, wouldn’t that likely mean we aren’t transforming?

     Like I said, that’s scary.  Jesus remains the same, yesterday, today and forever.  But as his follower, I should be changing every day.  Growing is the word we often use.  Transforming is what the Christian life is all about (Romans 12:1-3). That’s putting our trust in God for Him to take us where He wants us to go, not where I want to.  Isn’t it amazing that even though the times were different, Abraham, Moses, and Paul all wound up at the Promised Land.  You know, the one with God.  The other thing they all had in common was that it was God who got them there.  Ready for the journey?

Recap

     For 5 of last 6 weeks, we have tried a format on Sunday morning that allowed people to interact during the sermon time in order to discuss the mission and goals of the Mid-Cities family.  Those who participated discussed what it meant to “go and make disciples.”  We looked at the part thanking God, serving others and growing deep play in one becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

     Now we need to keep moving forward and define specifics of thanking God, serving others, and growing deep.  Many of you have offered ideas and plans to put the “nuts and bolts” to this mission.  When it comes to thanking God, several have suggested ways to make our worship times accomplish this.  Included are ideas about small groups.

     For instance, some who were involved in Care Groups have not become involved in House churches.  Some who have become involved with House churches were not involved in Care Groups.  What did we learn?  No one small group approach is right for everyone.  Let’s rethink our small groups ideas and see about offering a variety of small group ideas to help people connect.

     When it comes to serving others, we noted we are doing a decent job of ministering to each other although we need more people involved.  But nearly everyone agrees we could do a much better job of impacting our community.  Our building houses home school activities and that’s great.  While that is a passive contribution we make, what about a more active approach.  Several have offered ideas.  Connecting with Christ’s Haven Childrens Home, Lakewood Village Retirement Center and looking into how we could minister to the homeless of Ft. Worth have all been given as ideas of how we can become actively involved with our community.

     Growing deep has provoked many to look at how more of us can strengthen our walk with God.  More in depth Bible studies, prayer groups, mentoring relationships for marriages, finances, spiritual development and other areas, encouraging deeper friendships have all been offered as ways to grow deeper.  

     Isn’t it amazing and exciting what happens when we put our heads together and look for ways to impact lives, both our own and others?  All of these are great ideas and will be pursued.  If you would like to help “flesh out” some of these ideas, let me know.  I’m sure there are more ideas to be offered that will be worthwhile. There’s just so many opportunities.  How will you make an impact?  We’ve started the process.  Now let’s commit to seeing it through.  It may take a reordering of priorities for some. It make take a restructuring of our time commitments.  But I foresee families serving together, learning together and the church becoming stronger and stronger – kind of like more fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.  Hey – isn’t that where we started?

Impossible?

     What do you consider impossible?  For me, running a 4 minute mile (ok, an 8 minute mile) would be at the top of that list.  Eight gold medals seems something of a reach.  I wonder if sometimes choosing to let others have their way is impossible (see last weeks blog.)

     There is currently an ad running on TV that says, “Impossible is nothing.”  Do you believe that?  Wouldn’t it be great if that was true.  The list is endless of what we could accomplish.  But for what purpose?  I’d like to run a 4 minute mile just to see what it feels like to run a 4 minute mile.  I’m afraid if I could win 8 gold medals, it might be for no other reason than to feed my own ego (like that needs another meal.)

     If we had the talent and ability to do anything and everything, I wonder if some of the things we could do would lose their luster. After all, isn’t that what makes 8 gold medals special?  If everybody could do it, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal (or maybe it means we would all get to host SNL).

     From time to time, God and Jesus seemed to ask the impossible.  When a hungry crowd of 5,000 needed lunch, Jesus told his disciples, “You feed them.”  Wonder if he meant that?  Wonder what the disciples thought?  Wonder if any of them thought that maybe Jesus had slipped a cog?  Makes you appreciate Andrew for even thinking of presenting a little boy’s lunch to Jesus.  Makes you wonder what he said to the little boy to get him to agree to part with his lunch.  

     Has Jesus ever asked the impossible of you?  How did you respond?  Did you even offer your meager talents?  One thing about the impossible, if it does get accomplished, it must not be because of your ability. Is that why Jesus asked the disciples to feed that crowd?  I’m not so sure it was even that Jesus wanted the credit as much as it was that he wanted his followers to know they could trust him to get them through any situation, including the impossible. For Jesus, it is true, “Impossible is nothing.”  But have we trusted him that way today?

     What impossible hurdle is in your path?  Can you hear Jesus saying, “You do it?”  The assurance is, he’ll get you through.  Think of how awesome it will be to be a part of something impossible.  Hard?  Very likely. That’s what makes something impossible.  I have a feeling it’s up to us to be available and it’s up to him to feed the crowd.  Pray – “Lord, do something impossible and let me be a part, that I may trust you come what may.”  Do you have the courage?