Justin Farley

Johnstone

2012-01-26T23:11:00.000-08:00

I would recommend Patrick Johnstone's "The Future of the Global Church: History, Trends, and Possibilities." I was provided a copy of the book in a special pre-release directly from IVP Books for review purposes. You can pre-order a hardback copy for under $60 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Future-Global-Church-Possibilities-Adventures/dp/160657132X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327646982&sr=8-1) or directly from the publisher at http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=5659.

Ever since my time at Northwest University a decade ago, I have been a fan of http://www.operationworld.org/ (read more about the website and book at http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2011/07/operation.html). This was just one more reason I was so excited to receive a complimentary copy of Johnstone's latest work.

The book is broken up in nine major sections - demography, history, religion, the six mega-blocks of Christianity, renewal growth of Christianity, the evangelical explosion, the unevangelized, the future of missions, and a few conclusions.

For example, part one defines nine global challenges for the church - increasing population, migration, urbanization, health and disease, HIV/AIDS, climate change, the economy, energy resources, politics and freedom, and water resources. As it relates to health care and epidemics, the author states, "Christians have always been at the forefront in the caring professions. In post-colonial times, medical missions have not had the same importance, for health care has been seen as a responsibility of government. Are we likely to need a new generation of Christian agencies to cope with future challenges that may be too large for government to handle? (8).

Johnstone goes on to propose, "The church is the only network with the human resources, moral imperative and spiritual motivation to deal with the root causes of the spread of HIV (sexual promiscuity and substance abuse) and help its victims by providing local, self-sustaining mechanisms for survival, a loving community for the present and real hope for the future. How can the Church worldwide, and in Africa especially, be mobilized to help people living with HIV?" (9).

Official Book Description: In The Future of the Global Church, Patrick Johnstone, author of six editions of the phenomenal prayer guide, Operation World, draws on his fifty years experience to challenge us with his bold vision of the global Christian church.

The Future of the Global Church weaves together the strands of history, demographics and religion to present a breath-taking, full-color graphical and textual overview of the past, present and possible future of the Church around the world.

Through a thought-provoking glimpse into likely scenarios humankind may face in the next 40 years, The Future of the Global Church identifies significant trends that are rarely or never addressed by today's media.

The Future of the Global Church highlights the impact of evangelical Christianity over the past two centuries, as well as the astonishing growth of Evangelicalism over the past half century.

Johnstone focuses clearly on the unfinished task of world evangelization, with a special emphasis on the world's 12,000 people groups--especially those that have had least exposure to the Gospel.

Inside this work, you will find:

* Data and extrapolations that highlight likely scenarios for evangelical Christian ministry in the coming four decades
* Interpreted overviews of the worldwide impact of the first 20 centuries of Christianity
* Comparisons of the impact of Christianity with those of other world religions
* Summaries of the past, present and probable future contributions of the different streams of Christianity

This book examines trends that will have a major impact on the course of world events for a generation to come. God is in control--He holds the future in His hands--yet invites us to be His co-workers. How effective are you and your church or your organization as participants in His plan for the peoples of the world?

Canon

2012-01-25T23:57:00.000-08:00

Tonight's Merge Student Gathering featured a message by one of our interns, Jordan Faulds, on "Can We Trust the Bible?" (the third part to our IDK series).

The Bible reads, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV).

One of the more exciting aspects from the sermon was to see her passion grow through the preparation process. This message came from a woman who, just three years ago, had serious doubts concerning the validity of the Bible and who now is able to grasp the mystery of divine inspiration. Here is an example of someone who has discovered a God who speaks - and wants everyone else to hear him, too!

I really appreciated her clear explanation of the Canon - the measurement of what is to be Holy Scriptures. The criteria is as followed:
* Was the book written by a prophet?
* Was the author used in miraculous ways?
* Does the book tell the truth (without contradiction)?
* Does the book show the capacity to bring about lasting transformation?
* Was the author accepted by the original audience?

Ready

2012-01-24T23:21:00.000-08:00

The Bible reads, "So stay awake; you neither know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come]" (Matthew 25:13, The Voice).

The Voice commentators suggest, "Jesus provides a picture of the coming reality of the kingdom of heaven. As they approach the time of his sacrifice, Jesus makes sure the disciples know that soon it will be too late; the door of opportunity will close, and for many the door will remain shut. He gives them another image of the same reality to bring the picture into focus. Once they were bridesmaids waiting for their bridegroom; now they are slaves waiting for their Master. This time they are given responsibilities that will be rewarded. The blessings of the Kingdom bring risks along with the benefits" (334).

I have always read these texts in the contexts of the Second Coming. And there is probably some truth in that. The church ought to wait with anticipation and work with a sense of urgency as we know that the Return of the King is imminent. And yet, Jesus was initially speaking to his first followers. He was warning them that his time was coming. That they must be ready and willing. The Kingdom was being ushered in with suffering - and they were being asked to participate.

So maybe our focus should not be on the clouds - but on the commission. Maybe we as the church ought to focus on our Call. Know God while we can. And make him known to others while we can. Enjoy him and glorify him forever. Stop acting like we have all of the time in the world - this is our time in the world.

Pangs

2012-01-23T23:34:00.000-08:00

Jesus warned, "It is inevitable, this voilent breaking apart of the sinful world, but remember, the wars are not the end. The end is still unfolding. Nations will do battle with nations, and kingdoms will fight neighboring kingdoms, and there will be famines and earthquakes. But these are not the end. These are the birth pangs, the beginning. The end is still unfolding" (Matthew 24:6a-8, The Voice).

Here is what troubles me with much of the modern eschatological works out there at the moment...the great majority of chapters (or books, for that matter) focus on the destruction rather than the re-creation. So much of the emphasis is on how the "old" ends rather than on how the "new" begins.

Every generation of believers, since the Ascension, has believed that they were living in the last of the last days. And I think we must live that way. As long as one's motivation is the urgency of the mission and anticipation of seeing the Master rather than of fear of uncertainty or relief from discomfort.

But every group has pointed to the calamities of their day as proof that time was running out...and who could blame them? Who could blame us? But is that really where our minds and hearts should be at? These are not the end. The end is still unfolding. In fact, maybe our attention should be less on what is going wrong and more on what we are to do right.

So don't focus on the war. Look for ways to bring peace. Don't become paralyzed at the sight of a natural disaster. Be there to rebuild.

Then, and only then, are showing a glimpse of what will be. And what is not yet.

Bethany

2012-01-22T20:11:00.000-08:00

Today David Brakke, our lead pastor at Maltby Christian Assembly, continued our "Dinners with Jesus" - focusing on those moments over meals with the Messiah. Today's was on the anointing at Bethany.

The Bible reads, "Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 'Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?' He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, 'Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me'" (John 12:1-8, ESV).

Pastor David proposed, "True worship is always costly." Mary could not contain herself. She probably was in awe after hearing all of the stories of lepers being made whole and dead men rising. Who could have blamed her?

So what am I pouring out? Is my life a living sacrifice? How have I responded to revelation?

Is my hope in God and in nothing else? Or do I try to look the part but refuse to play my part?

No act of worship goes unnoticed. Mary indeed did a beautiful thing. So why do you go to church? What is your aim? And are you being the church? Giving your best for his glory?

Pour it out.

Fundraising

2012-01-19T23:02:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Marc Henshaw for Henri J.M. Nouwen's "The Spirituality of Fundraising." Check out Henshaw's work at Pilgrim Africa at http://www.pilgrimafrica.org/.

The author focuses less on "how" to raise funds and more on "why" to raise them. He writes, "Money and power go together. There is also a real relationship between power and a sense of self-worth. Do we ever use money to control people or events? In other words, do we use our money to make things happen the way we want them to happen? Do we ever use money simply to give others the freedom to do what they want to do? How do we feel when people ask us for money? (30).

The Bible warns, "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf" (Proverbs 11:28, ESV).

He goes to suggest, "The reason for the taboo [of talking about money] is that money has something to do with the intimate place in our heart where we need security, and we do not want to reveal our need or give away our security to someone who, maybe only accidentally, might betray us. Many voices around and within us warn us of the danger of dependance. We fear being dependent on others because of the idea that dependance is a threat to our security" (31).

Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

Belly-Dragging

2012-01-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

Jesus warned, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build monuments to your dead, you mouth pieties over the bodies of prophets, you decorate the graves of your righteous ancestors. And you say, 'If we had lived when our forefathers lived, we would have known better - we would not have joined them when they rose up against the prophets.' Even when you are preening, you make plain that you descended from those who murdered our prophets. So why don't you finish what your forefathers started? You are children of vipers, you belly-dragging snakes. You won't escape the judgment of hell" (Matthew 23:29-33, The Voice).

We must be careful to honor the past. Those who have gone before us. We have no idea where we would be without them.

That being said, we must also carefully examine what they did and why they did what they did (and what we would do differently). But never with a hint of arrogance. We will never know what we would have done in their situation had we faced the same challenges that they faced.

I fit in with my generation FAR too well. I often trip into the trap of skepticism and even find myself, at times, drowning in a pool of cynicism. I am far too critical of others and hardly critical enough of myself.

That being said, we also do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past and must aim to more fully reflect the gospel in our day. So we approach today's needs with humility. We pray a dangerous prayer - Search my heart. If there is anything in me that is in direct conflict with your Kingdom, bring it to light and remove it. May we be the church that the world needs at this moment in history.

Collision

2012-01-18T07:44:00.000-08:00

I would highly recommend Andy Stanley's "When Work and Family Collide: Keeping Your Job from Cheating Your Family" (previously released as "Choosing to Cheat"). I was provided a copy of the book in a special re-release directly from Multnomah Books for review purposes. You can pre-order a paperback copy for under $11 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/When-Work-Family-Collide-Cheating/dp/1601423799/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326858518&sr=8-1) or directly from the publisher at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601423795.

In his chapter titled "Collision Course," Stanley suggests, "In God's original plan there was no conflict between work and family. But when sin entered the world, conflict was introduced into both environments. Man would henceforth struggle at work and women would fel the pain of childbirth. And men and women would struggle in their relationship with one another" (23).

The Bible reads, "To the woman he said, "'I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be fort your husband, and he shall rule over you.' And to Adam he said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, You shall not eat of it,'cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return'" (Genesis 3:16-19, ESV).

The author goes on to propose, "When confronted with our misappropriation of time and affection, we're all quick to assure our accusers that we do, in fact, love our families. We talk about what we wish we could do, what we've intended to do, and what we plan to do in the future. We credit ourselves with good intentions...You may have even taken the 'good intention alibi' into the spiritual realm...you are expecting God to do your job for you [family] while you do a job for somebody else [career], essentially that prayer reflects the arrangement you have with God...We are assuming that God could not just as easily fill the void at work as he could the void at home...we are asking God to fill a gap that only we can fill while we scurry off to do a job that a thousand other people could do" (27-29).

I have always appreciated Stanley's practical steps to becoming a better visionary and communicator - both publicly and prayerfully. I still daily pray over my two boys (and students from our church) - I have a different prayer for my two daughters - a prayer that I first read about from "Next Generation Leader." I ask that God would give them wisdom and courage - that they would know what is right and do what is right. But in "Collision," Stanley writes, "When our kids were small, we were more specific. At least twice a week at bedtime, I would ask each of them this series of questions:
* Is everything okay in your heart?
* Did anyone hurt your feelings today?
* Are you made at anyone?
* Did anyone break a promise to you?
* Is there anything I can do for you?" (52).

I am eternally grateful for many men who have mentored me on the importance of valuing both family and career - and ultimately keeping the lordship of Christ at the center of all of it. First, there is my own father. My Dad spend much of my first couple of years traveling. He saw the effect that it was having on our family and thus left a higher-paying construction job for one on a nuclear reservation that took no time being on the road. He has always worked hard on the site - and equally hard in spending time with us once he returned home (I will never forget our endless free-throw tournaments on the driveway).

Then there is my father-in-law. He showed me how to pastor a church AND pastor his family. He disciples his children with as much intention and passion as he does those in his small group. He reminds me that the Mission of God begins at home.

And finally, there is my lead pastor. Jana and I knew that Maltby would be where we were supposed to be during the interview process. Pastor David mentioned the high value he placed on his family. He said that there might be moments that he will receive a call on his day off and that he will not take it because he is currently at "an appointment." The appointment might very well be his son's baseball game. After six years of working alongside him, I have seen a man who has raised his family to love the church as much as he does.

I only want to be better. I want my children, even at an early age, to understand what it means to follow Christ on the mission. I don't want them to settle for being well-behaved. I don't want them to focus just on being safe and stable (though I will do my best to protect, provide, and guide for them). No, I want them to know that wherever they are, whatever they are doing, whomever they are with, and whatever they have to give - should and could be used to share and show the gospel. I can't wait to see them worship. I can't wait to see them study. I can't wait to see them serve. And I am committed to being there with them through it all.

Official Book Description: Is Your Occupation Also Your Preoccupation? Let’s face it. With all the demands of the workplace and all the details of a family it’s only a matter of time before one bumps into the other. And many of us end up cheating our families when the commitments of both collide. In this practical book, Andy Stanley will help you...

• Establish priorities and boundaries to protect what you value most.
• Learn the difference between saying your family is your priority and actually making them your priority.
• Discover tested strategies for easing tensions at home and at work.

Watch as this powerful book transforms your life from time-crunching craziness to life-changing success. This leadership resource also includes a four-week discussion guide.

Official Author Biography: Andy Stanley is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries, Inc. Since its inception in 1995, North Point Ministries has grown from one campus to five in the Atlanta area and has helped plant over thirty strategic partner churches globally. Each Sunday, more than twenty-five thousand people attend worship services at one of North Point Ministries’ five campuses. Andy’s books include Enemies of the Heart, The Next Generation Leader, How Good is Good Enough? and many more. He lives in Alpharetta, Georgia, with his wife, Sandra, and their children.

Princess

2012-01-17T22:42:00.000-08:00

Yes, I understand that I am not Disney's target audience. Princess movies were not created for the enjoyment of 33 year-old males. Or at least they probably shouldn't be. And yet, I am a firm believer that, as a father, I need to show a little bit of interest in what my girls love. Hence, my ratings of Disney movies.

Allow me to preface my thoughts by first saying that I do not necessarily appreciate Walt Disney. I once spent a day at Disneyland and could not wait to leave (granted, I was sick from my recent visit to Mexico - but nonetheless, nothing about that day made me say, "This indeed is the happiest place on earth." No, that would be Six Flags or Dodgers Stadium, in fact). And before you give me the "worst father award', I assure you that I WILL take my children to Disneyland someday. But only because I have to. I would also like to say that I have fully embraced my daughters' enjoyment of such films. My four year old is convinced that I am "Booty" from "Beauty and the Beast" and have already promised her that we will waltz to "A Tale as Old as Time" for our Father and Daughter dance (I will go a year without shaving in order to do my very best to resemble the lead character).

I also would like to point out that my thoughts on Disney find only one exception - Pixar Studios. Pixar is what Disney used to be. Or at least I imagine it to be so. I of course am referencing the storytelling that does whatever it takes to invite you into an unchartered world and the vibrant colors that make you believe you are actually there (though I am afraid that Cars 2 might be the Great Departure from such values). But my appreciation (and ratings) of Pixar films are a blog for another day (probably reserved for the day I take my children to the "Brave" premiere later on this summer).

Okay, so back to the Disney Princesses. The idea behind this blog occurred to me this morning. My wife was singing old Disney soundtracks and my 20 month old boy would have nothing to do with it. I couldn't be more proud. So without further ado, here is a ranking of Disney Animated Featured Films from a man who has little to no interest OR expertise...

THE TOP 10 BEST
10. Dumbo (only because I can relate - my ears have not grown an inch since I was born)
9. Robin Hood (most of my favorite Disney flicks were obviously FAR from princess movies)
8. Tangled (a computer animated film - but worthy of the list because of the creativity)
7. Aladdin (the FUNNIEST movie they ever made)
6. Bambi (this movie ALMOST made me a vegetarian. Almost)
5. Beauty and the Beast (Disney recaptured the magic for a decade or so)
4. Fox and the Hound (forbidden friendship - everything that Lion King 2 wanted to be)
3. Little Mermaid (Ariel gave me a reason to learn how to swim)
2. Jungle Book (saw the re-release of this movie in a drive-in with my cousins. Sentimental)
1. Lion King (is there any contest?)

THE TOP 10 WORST
10. The Aristo Cats (I almost stopped listening to music because of this movie)
9. Pocahontas (this movie made me wish we never "discovered" the new world)
8. Mulan (I already saw the television version of this film - Xena, Warrior Princess)
7. Fantasia (still waiting for some dialogue!)
6. Dinosaur (I almost did not count this because it was computer animation - but now we know why Disney needed Pixar so badly. Technology is not enough. You still need a story)
5. Hunchback of Notre Dame (not one football scene in the entire movie)
4. Lilo and Stitch (if Elvis was still alive when they chose him for the soundtrack, he isn't any longer)
3. The Princess and the Frog (not a fan of voodoo - especially when it is a real problem in a real city)
2. Atlantis (I am only listing movies that I have seen. I am sorry that this made the list)
1. Treasure Planet (Michael J. Fox, if only you could go "Back to the Future" and not sign this contract)

I wonder what Julia and Joss would think of their father's list? What is yours? And why?

Wright

2012-01-16T22:14:00.000-08:00

The more I read of N.T. Wright, the more I claim him as my favorite author (his work titled "The Challenge of Jesus" has to be my all-time favorite theological study). That being said, "Scripture and the Authority of God: How to Read the Bible Today" (a revised and expanded version of a book previously published as "The Last Word") did not disappoint.

My favorite chapter was focused on "The 'Word of God' in the Apostolic Church." He quotes the Apostle Paul who preached, "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed" (1 Corinthians 15:3-11, ESV).

Wright suggests, "Paul expressed what the apostles all discovered: that this retelling of the ancient story, climaxing now in Jesus, carried power - power to change minds, hearts, and lives"...the 'word' was not just information about the Kingdom and its effects, important though that was and is. It was the way God's Kingdom, accomplished in Jesus, was making its way in the world. The Kingdom, we remind ourselves, was always about the creator God acting sovereignly to put the world to rights, judging evil and bringing forgiveness and new life. This was what the 'word' accomplished in those who heard it in faith and obedience" (49-50).

The author goes on to propose, "The apostolic writings, like the 'word' which they now wrote down, were not simply about the coming of God's Kingdom into all of the world; they were, and were designed to be, part of the means whereby that happened, and whereby those through whom it happened could themselves be transformed into Christ's likeness...Those who read these writings discovered, from very early on, that the books themselves carried the same power, the same authority in action, that had characterized the initial preaching of the 'word' (51).

Just think, we are invited to take part in THAT story....

Occasion

2012-01-16T11:44:00.000-08:00

The King said to his remaining servants, "The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited didn't rise to the occasion. So go into to the streets and invite anyone you see; invite everyone you meet" (Matthew 22:8a-9, The Voice).

Clearly there are those who will not "rise to the occasion." They did not take the invitation for the absolute blessing that it was. Either they were busy with other things, they did not think it very important, or worse yet they took their VIP status for granted. Regardless, the party will go on without them.

So what are the servants to do? Invite anyone and everyone? Anyone we see or meet? Even if they do not belong? Even if they are not already a part of the family? What if they don't have the right clothes? It appears the Host will take care of that...as long as they are willing to trust him enough to try them on.

Maybe this needs to be another reminder to us that the wedding has less to do with us and much more about the Host. We are guests. Once slaves. Now sons. Everything we have - the right to enter, the clothes to wear, the food to eat - is all a gift that was far from deserved.

So why go alone? So go into the streets...

Snacking

2012-01-15T13:47:00.000-08:00

Who taught you table manners? Hear about some of my experiences at http://www.mcaweb.org/resources/online-messages.html or by subscribing to the "Maltby Christian Assembly" podcast on iTunes.com and listening to the January 15, 2012 message. I would love to hear your thoughts. Share them below.

Cocoa

2012-01-14T22:27:00.000-08:00

Our four year old taught me something last night. After playing hard out in the snow this afternoon, Josslyn was enjoying a warm cup of cocoa complete with Hershey Kisses and marshmallows. The only problem was that she decided to alternate her sips of hot chocolate with the occasional belch. Her mother would have nothing of it. Joss was warned that if she burped again then she would have to watch her treat be poured down the sink.

Josslyn obeyed...until her cocoa was all gone. Then came two more belches in which she smirkly responded, "Mom, I burped twice. But my hot chocolate is gone." She thought she outsmarted her parent. She thought she could do what she wanted no matter what she was told. She thought wrong.

Let's just say that Jana was "creative" with Joss' punishment. There were definite consequences to her rebellion.

But what really surprised me was how Josslyn's two older siblings reacted. Jace and (especially) Julia were incredibly uncomfortable as their little sister was being diciplined. They did not like to see her suffer - even when she deserved it. Even when she had been a reciepent of such good things (a warm treat on a cold day) and had disrespected the gift-giver (her mother). Even when she plotted out her sin as best as a child could and needed to learn a life-lesson.

This got me thinking...how do I typically respond when people "get what they deserve." When I watch people wreck their lives - as if they did not see it coming?

Some people laugh. Or at least they take a small amount of joy in other's judgment. They think it is funny - or at least "just". Better them than me. This response usually stems from a bit of jealousy. We secretly resent the rebel for doing what we have always wanted to do but did not have the guts to attempt. We feel vindicated. Or even relieved.

Others look away. This is typically how I deal with it. By not dealing with it. I dismiss the tragedy as a sad result of their choices. I take no part in it. I didn't have anything to do with it and therefore claim that I cannot do anything to help. I might even go as far as to say that I SHOULDN'T do anything to help. After all, how will they ever learn their lesson?

And then there is Julia. Tenderhearted. She does what I want to do - she shows compassion. She understands that her little sister made a poor decision and needs to grow. But her heart goes out to her. She actually wants to help her along the way.

The Bible reads, "But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (Psalm 86:15, NIV).

I am sure that Joss will get a cup of cocoa again. And she will show good manners.

Pooh

2012-01-13T12:11:00.000-08:00

As I have said before, our family aims to do family devotions (out of the ESV Seek and Find Bible - http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2011/11/find.html) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We also do our very best to read another book as a family on Tuesday, Thursday, and sometimes on Saturday. For the last year or so that has largely been out of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. We only have one and a half books to go before we complete the entire series. However, recently we took a short hiatus from Aslan to read through A.A. Milne's "Winnie the Pooh." It was a fun read for sure.

But here is what I have learned - I am a whole lot like the "small-brained bear." I like honey a bit too much. While caught in a flash flood, Winnie the Pooh was forced to find shelter from the storm. The author writes, "Escape was finished, there was Pooh sitting on his branch, dangling his legs, and there, beside him, were ten pots of honey....Two days later there was Pooh, sitting on his branch, dangling his legs, and there, beside him, were four pots of honey....Three days later, there was Pooh, sitting on his branch, dangling his legs, and there, beside him, was one pot of honey. Four days later, there was Pooh..." (228).

I eat when I am stressed. I eat when I am bored. I eat when I am hungry. I probably eat when I am none of these things. This has been an up and down journey (mostly up - at least in pounds) for me. And a well-documented battle at that (read more at http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2011/11/find.html). Three years ago I was at my heaviest. So two years ago I added a weightlifting regiment and accountability partner to the equation. I lost twenty-one pounds in a matter of months and but fell twenty pounds shy of my goal for that year. And sadly during the course of the year that followed, especially during the months of completing my thesis, I found myself gaining nearly all of it back (not quite - but close enough).

The Apostle Paul writes, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" (Titus 3:11-14, ESV).

Now don't get me wrong, there have been some significant victories along the way. One of those is that I have still been exercising pretty consistantly over the past 24 months. Now back to dietary discipline. I have since lost ten pounds in as many days. I have thirty pounds to my goal set for the end the year (and then an additional ten pounds for the following year).

It is time. And it will be anything from easy. But discipline must be an evident fruit in EVERY area of my life.

Milne's masterpiece concludes with a conversation between good friends. Piglet asks, "When you wake up in the morning, Pooh...what's the first thing you say to yourself?" Pooh responds, "What's for breakfast...what do you say, Piglet?" The pig replies, "I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" Pooh concludes, "It's the same thing" (265).

It cannot be the same thing. I will not find myself in a place where I live to eat - otherwise there is little to live for. Every morning after waking up, I am committed to give my very best to the real Adventure. All of my heart, mind, BODY, and soul...

Disruption

2012-01-12T23:38:00.000-08:00

Admit it, we like it when people sing our praises. We like it so much, in fact, that we try to keep it that way. Success can tempt us to play it safe.

Jesus was never impressed by crowds. He demanded nothing less than disciples. Who else would follow up the triumphal entry with a temple cleansing?

The Voice commentators write, "[Jesus] was the Anointed One, not to be taken lightly. In the midst of this scene filled with joy and chaos, there are extremes. Some are beginning to understand who this man from Galilee is - the Anointed - but the rulers are having great difficulty with the disruption to their orderly world" (288).

Is God really a God of extremes? Is he as present in the cheers as he is in the crisis? Is he at the center of such circumstances? Can such moments actually propel his purposes forward? Can they actually be intentional? Are you telling me that disruption is actually a good thing? That life was not meant to be predictable? That Jesus has the right to interrupt us in mid-sentence? But what will be left of our lives?

The Bible reads, "Then the blind and the lame came to the temple, and Jesus healed them. Rings of children circled round and sang, 'Hosanna to the Son of David.' But the priests and scribes didn't understand. When they saw the upturned tables, the walking paralytics, and the singing children, they were shocked, indignant, and angry, and they did not understand" (Matthew 21:14-15, The Voice).

The religious elite were in control. That is exactly the way that they liked it. If only everyone would live the way that they lived (and those who could not would just go away - or at least keep their safe distance). Everything was neat and nice. Everything had it's place. There was just one problem: God was no longer in it. Details.

But then children started singing (in a culture where they were better seen and not heard). And the outcasts were embraced. God was at work. And the establishment had nothing to do with. In fact, they did not really want to make it happen.

Maybe disruption IS a good thing. Because it brings us to a decision. Often, in order to be transformed, we must first become troubled.

Good

2012-01-11T22:16:00.000-08:00

Tonight's Merge Student Gathering featured a message by one of our interns, Michael Crepps, on "How good is good enough?" (the second part to our IDK series).

The Bible reads, "One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise'" (Luke 23:39-43, ESV).

Crepps drew from a few thoughts from Andy Stanley's book by the same title. He reminded us that the second criminal had no position from where to bargain. He had no second chances. No do-overs. No way of proving himself to Jesus. He had no possible way to do good from that point on. He was a dead-man. So what did he have to show for his life? Nothing? What did he have to stand on? Nothing.

What did Jesus give him in return? Everything that he had.

Coattails

2012-01-10T22:39:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been the last one in the room to get the joke? To be the last one to find someone in Hide-and-Go-Seek? To be the very final person to hear about the engagement or baby announcement? There are few emotions worse than feeling left out.

Some people just don't get it. They hear all about it - they just don't listen. One of those individuals was the mother of James and John. She thought that her sons were the greatest - and she could not imagine a world where others did not think the same. She favored them...so why shouldn't God?

The Voice commentators write, "Apparently the wife of Zebedee secretly thinks her sons have worked harder and sacrificed more for Jesus than the other disciples, and she probably suspects that Jesus loves them best. She thinks He will at least do the right thing and reward their hardest work and most loyal service. She also hopes that if her sons are there on the nearest, closest thrones, she may spend eternity near and close, too, clutching onto their coattails" (280).

But Jesus said, "Do you want the Kingdom run like Romans run their kingdom? Their rulers have great power over the people, but God the Father doesn't play by the Romans' rules. This is the Kingdom's logic: whoever wants to become great must first make himself a servant; whoever wants to be first must bind himself as a slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as the ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25b-28, The Voice).

But the Kingdom of God has nothing to do with coattails and everything to do with crosses. The life you have always wanted begins with the death that you never knew you needed. Sometimes I am so busy scrambling for the best seat in the house that I forget that my purpose is to serve those who don't even believe they deserve to be let in.

Seventy

2012-01-09T21:54:00.000-08:00

The Bible records a fascinating discussion between Simon and the Christ. The Scriptures read, "Peter asked, 'Lord, when someone has sinned against me, how many times ought I forgive him? Once? Twice? As many as seven times?' Jesus replies, 'You must forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven'" (Matthew 18: 21-22, The Voice).

The Voice commentators write, "The response of Jesus is like the story of Lamech in Genesis. He was Adam and Eve's great-great-great-great grandson who had two wives. One day he said to his wives, 'Wives of Lamech, I need to tell you something! I killed a man who struck me. Surely Lamech must be avenged seventy-seven times.' In the new Kingdom of forgiveness, we reverse and invert Lamech's plan. As Christians, we should forgive others' transgressions more readily than the world would avenge them" (261).

Is that my response? Am I as quick to give up my right to retaliate as others are at demanding it?

Wrecked

2012-01-08T16:14:00.000-08:00

Today David Brakke, our lead pastor at Maltby Christian Assembly, launched a new series called "Dinners with Jesus." We are taking the next five weeks to study moments where the Messiah shared a meal with someone else.

The Bible reads, "After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, 'Follow me.' And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?' And Jesus answered them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance'" (Luke 5:27-32, ESV).

Jesus was approachable. There was something about him that made people want to be who they were supposed to be. A conviction. Nothing like condemnation. Something that would cause a man to leave a profitable business for an unknown path of purpose.

We also discover that discipleship often begins BEFORE conversion. Levi became a disciple before he knew exactly Who he was following. Are we willing to lead those who cannot (let alone will not) lead themselves? Will we include the worst of the worst on the "best life now?"

And where did Jesus go first? Did he take Levi to the synagogue? To the temple? To even pay back all of those he had robbed? Jesus entered into Levi's world. He met his friends. His life was devoted to those who had been wrecked. He was the Remedy.

So shouldn't his church be approachable as well? Shouldn't we embrace the outcasts and outrage the legalists? Shouldn't we go where the people are more often than we expect them to find us? Shouldn't we be driven by the wrecked rather than diverted by the religious?

Distorted

2012-01-07T22:30:00.000-08:00

Imagine the highs and lows of being Simon Peter. At one moment he is referred to as the Rock and in the next breath he is called Satan.

Jesus says, "You are not thinking about God's story; you are thinking about some distorted story of fallen, broken people. (to his disciples) If you want to follow Me, you must deny yourself the things you think you want" (Matthew 16:23b-24a, The Voice).

The Voice commentators suggest, "Jesus is providing an entirely different perspective on success and happiness. The new Kingdom is breaking in, and the new community is coming together" (242).

How many of us have the Simon Peter perspective? We think we know who Jesus is but we don't quite know what all that means for our lives? We have yet to see ourselves as no longer the center of our own existence? We have yet to discover what God is doing - and how he has asked us to take part.

I want nothing less than to see with clarity and respond with commitment.

Ferguson

2012-01-06T23:31:00.000-08:00

I love the concept behind a book written by Dave Ferguson, Jon Ferguson, and Eric Bramlet titled, "The Big Idea: Aligning the Ministries of the Church through Creative Collaboration." The authors propose, "Many churches are discovering the same thing when it comes to teaching - too many alternatives can create a problem, and the solution is the paradox of the Big Idea...What we are discovering is that offering people just one Big Idea at a time results in more action, not less" (65).

They go on to list the benefits behind this simple strategy:
* Energetic: Less effort and better stuff (synergy and efficiency)
* Innovative: New ideas and always good ideas (brainstorming and critiquing)
* Cross-Generational (experiential and logical)
* Targeted and Reproducible (gatherings or groups, rural or urban, male or female, young or old)
* Creative: More time means bigger risks (planned and spontaneous)
* Growth (quality and quantity)

What are your thoughts of an entire church focusing on one message at a time? Are should this concept be modified? For example, Mark Batterson's church (National Community Church in Washington DC) uses the Big Idea strategy with the exception of their children's ministry). Is it truly possible to do more by doing less? If so, why is this not the norm in today's church?

Antipas

2012-01-05T22:04:00.000-08:00

The Bible reads, "Like the people of Nazareth, Herod wondered where Jesus' power came from" (Matthew 14:2a, The Voice).

The Voice commentators observe, "Herod is concerned with the attention that John is receiving, but he doesn't want to be seen killing a holy man. And now, Jesus is creating an even greater problem" (121).

Even a pagan like Herod was intrigued with Jesus. He wanted to know how Jesus did what he did. He probably wanted what Jesus had. Imagine, all that Herod had - and it was not enough. He couldn't make people like him. He couldn't make people better. Deep down inside, he knew he was not really a king. And then here comes a man with so little...and yet he had unmistakable authority over sickness, demons, and even nature. Herod would not and could not have it.

So will the same be said about his church? Do people look at us and wonder where our influence and integrity comes from? The peace, the grace, the mercy, the justice...does it drive them crazy? Do we have such power...but clearly not our own and clearly never yielded for our own benefit?

Can this be said of us? Let's create a greater problem.

Here

2012-01-04T21:15:00.000-08:00

Growing up, did you ever wish to be someone famous? Hear about my giant secret at http://resources.razorplanet.com/510796-5165/510796_1102_219280.mp3 or by subscribing to the "Merge Ministries" podcast on iTunes.com and listening to the January 4, 2012 message. I would love to hear your thoughts. Share them below.

Smallville

2012-01-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

I am almost embarrassed to say this, but tonight I just finished the tenth and final season of Smallville. That is the longest running show that I have ever followed from start to finish.

I am a sucker for anything Superman. I grew up idolizing the Man of Steel. Whether it be the Justice League cartoon, the Christopher Reeve movies, or even the occasional black and white television episode on Nick-at-Nite.

The only Superman interpretation that I never was able to embrace was the Lois and Clark edition. But I have to admit that I have been recently tempted to pick it up on Netflix. It just seems a bit too "Beverly 90210ish" for my taste.

But here I am, watching a show on the WB/CW for the past ten seasons. And to think that I almost missed it. My good friend, Phil Wade, called me while I was going to Northwest University and gave me the heads-up on a television show based on the origins of Superman. I watched it religiously - even carrying over to when Jana and I moved to Moses Lake. It would be some time during the third season that I would enlist another good friend, Darrin Cavnar, in watching it with me every Wednesday night after our youth ministry gathering. Only a move to Monroe would force me to go back to watching it alone and usually having to wait nearly a year after it was off the air when it would finally be released on DVD.

The first 3-4 seasons were fun. It was like watching a comic book. There would often be that jewel of an episode that would use Greek mythology, share the beginnings of another superhero in the Justice League, or even feature a surprise cameo by an actor from another Superman story. There were times, especially during seasons 6-8, where the viewer had to overcome an "OC" or "One Tree Hill" moment. But I never gave up. Even when Lex Luthor was killed off. I was too curious on how they would end it. I had watched far too much Smallville to not discover how the writers would finally morph Clark Kent into Superman. And just for the record, I am happy with how they ended it. They did the story justice.

I hope that our society once again embraces Superman. The last movie was a bust. I don't really know why. I appreciated it. Maybe our culture does not want to believe in superheroes with a dark side. They want someone that reminds them (or even excuses them to be) of themselves). Our postmodern age prefers the like of X-Men and Batman. This is probably why Superman is being rebooted and has rumored to be a bit darker in approach. My hope is that it resonates with a new generation without comprimising the integrity of the character.

Remember that Superman was created by two Jewish students during the World War II-era. Though not orthodox, they were searching for a Messiah. They were hoping to bring hope. Young artists and writers who utilized a new medium. There are quite a few Christological references in Superman - maybe not intentionally - but they are there nonetheless. Of course, I don't want take these correlations too far. All that I am saying is that stories like Superman are a visible reminder that people still want someone to save them. Someone to listen. Someone to act. Someone to do what they can't. Smallville gave us the backstory. We love a Savior. And we want to know how they became one.

Smallville, thank you for the memories. Now, on to television that is more for my age group and gender.

Indianapolis

2012-01-01T23:10:00.000-08:00

Here are my 2011 NFL postseason predictions:

WILDCARD WEEKEND
Cincinnati narrowly defeats Houston (Dalton wins round one between these two rising franchises)

Pittsburgh destroys Denver (The Steelers defense will be too much for Tebow-Time)

New Orleans outscores Detroit (Drew Brees will prove why he should be this year's MVP)

New York takes care of Atlanta (The Giants are coming together at just the right time)

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
New England shuts down Cincinnati (the Bengals have no shot in Foxborough)

Baltimore makes it three victories against Pittsburgh in a single season (the Steelers are just too beat up to go deep into the playoffs)

New Orleans survives San Francisco's defense (this is the year that the Saints finally win a playoff game on the road)

New York shocks Green Bay (if there is a team that can beat the Packers in Lambeau it is the G-men)

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
New England embarrasses Baltimore (Flacko. Need I say more?)

New Orleans ends the New York Run (Manning is a fourth quarter hero - but the game won't be in reach at that point)

SUPER BOWL
New Orleans squeezes by New England (the Patriots will finally be reminded that their passing defense is one of the weakest in the league)

Now, for who I actually WANT to win (match-ups would be different than above due to NFL seeding rules)...
* Texans over the Bengals (forget being America's team, my hope is that the Cowboys are not even Texas' team)
* Steelers over the Broncos (I cannot pull for Denver nor can I imagine how smug Skip Bayless would be after a Tebow win)
* Saints over the Lions (Though I feel bad for the city and the franchise, Detroit's team attitude - from top to bottom - really is beginning to bother me)
* Giants over the Falcons (we need at least one Manning to go deep into the playoffs)

* Steelers over the Patriots (pretty much anyone over Brady)
* Texans over the Ravens (time for some new blood in the AFC)
* Saints over the 49ers (Brees is a class-act)
* Giants over the Packers (but I really appreciate both teams)

* Texans over the Steelers (Pittsburgh has their share of titles)
* Saints over the Giants (this game was a blowout the last time these two teams matched up)

* Saints over the Texans (how crazy would it be for analysts to start talking the possibility of a dynasty when it comes to the 'Aints?)

What are your predictions? Preferences?

Curran

2012-01-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

New Year's Day at Maltby Christian Assembly was a memorable one. Curran Parker shared his story of being healed of cancer. You can hear his testimony below.

Another leader followed that up by sharing a passage out of the Scriptures. Though the context happens to be a lesson on discipline, the truth of the author's words can be applied to several different circumstances. The Bible reads, "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong" (Hebrews 12:12-13, NLT). Follow Christ. Others will follow.

May we approach 2012 with expectation that God is doing something special and show an equal commitment in joining him on that journey. Have a happy new year.

Quitter

2011-12-31T15:39:00.000-08:00

Jon Acuff's "Quitter" is a must-read. My favorite chapter centered around what Acuff calls "hinge moments." These are the times in life "when you are planning to do something standard and normal, something you've done many times before, like turn a key in the ignition. And then seemingly out of nowhere, something, a small detail usually, hinges you in a different direction" (541).

Acuff shares a list of helpful questions to ask during such moments:
* What do I love enough to do for free?
* What do I do that causes time to feel different?
* What do I enjoy doing regardless of the opinions of other people?
* If only your life changed, would that be enough?
* Are there any patterns in the things you like doing? (603-604).

He also draws an interestingly sharp contrast between the stories of Cinderella and King David. He writes, "It's a sweet story, but it's also incredibly quick and and easy. Cinderella may have spent years laboring under an evil stepmother, but after her hinge moment, things happen for her almost instantly" (1484).

Was that the case for another such underdog? The Bible reads, "When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, 'Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.' But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.' Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, 'Neither has the Lord chosen this one.' Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, 'Neither has the Lord chosen this one.' And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, 'The Lord has not chosen these.' Then Samuel said to Jesse, 'Are all your sons here?' And he said, 'There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.' And Samuel said to Jesse, 'Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.' And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, 'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.' Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah" (1 Samuel 16:6-13, ESV).

He went back to Ramah? Acuff suggests, "Regardless of being anointed as the king, he immediately returned to the solitary life of sheep and big skies and big dreams, with oil on his head but a simple staff in his hand. It would be years before he'd ascend to the throne. He didn't hit main stage right away" (1498).

Are we willing to wait? Are we willing to work?

I remember a conversation that I had recently with my lead pastor, David Brakke, about true success. He encouraged me to define success on every venture that I take. He advised me to make sure that my idea of "success" is more about obedience and less about expectation.

This was a timely read indeed.

Leaven

2011-12-31T08:59:00.000-08:00

Jesus taught, "Imagine a woman preparing a loaf of bread. The kingdom of heaven is like the leaven she folds into her dough. She kneads and kneads until the leaven is worked into all the dough" (Matthew 13:33, The Voice).

The Voice commentators suggest, "Without the leaven, the dough remains flat. But the secret is the almost invisible leaven making her loaves fluff and rise" (212).

God's Kingdom was and is and continues to be a quick and quiet movement. The Spirit of God kneaded and kneaded and kneaded. Working and working and working - often with little to no results. Almost invisible. But very present. Before you know it, Jesus's movement overturned an Empire with peace. They invited the poor and weak rather than enlisting the wealthy and strong. They would rather die than fight back.

So why do we expect it to be any different for the church today? Maybe we like the headlines a bit too much. We would rather draw attention to ourselves than to the One we claim to follow? We talk a lot about rights but not enough of true righteousness. We want people to like us. We want positions of influence rather than commit to be people of influence.

I love to see and hear of churches who are infiltrating a community with grace and mercy. They are seeing the need and filling the need. They share AND show the love of God in practical ways. And before you know it, the community is turned right-side up...the Kingdom is here.

Debate

2011-12-30T20:14:00.000-08:00

If nothing else, Tim Tebow has shown us that we see what we want to see and that is all that we will ever see. Nothing will change our pre-conceived opinions of him. For critics, it will never be enough. For the committed, it doesn't have to be much. People have their reasons for hating him and others have their reasons for loving him - and Tim Tebow has little to say (or do) about it. Let's face it, sometimes we just want a good fight.

But what happens when people argue over more than just football? When the debate is actually about the things in life that actually matter? You want to talk about divisive figures in history? You want to talk about embracing the outcasts and outraging the elite? The Bible says that the common people wondered of Jesus, "Could this be the Son of David [while the professional clergy remarked], "It is only through Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this Jesus can cast out demons" (Matthew 12:23-24, The Voice).

How could two very different groups look at Jesus and reach such very different conclusions? Was it just because they were so different? And wouldn't you think that their responses would have been reversed? The sinners should have been ashamed? Fled? Fought? Wanted Jesus dead and gone and out of their lives once and for all.

But the experts in the Law? The ones who knew the most about God? Who did everything right? They should have seen Jesus for all that he really was. God in the flesh. They should have worshiped him.

So why do some respond in faith and others in fear? Why do so many rebel for so long only to finally repent? And why do others who claim to know God for so long tend to know him the least?

Can this be true of our churches? Who is attracted to the gospel and who is most repelled? Is it the same as it was for Christ? If not, are we actually being his Body?

Proof

2011-12-29T23:24:00.000-08:00

Even John the Baptist had his moments. He had no problem dying - as long as it was not for a lie. He needed Jesus to come through for him. He needed Jesus to be who he thought he was - because from a distance, this was not what people were expecting the Messiah to be.

Jesus said, "Go back and tell John the things you have heard and the things you have seen. Tell him you have seen the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers cured, the deaf hear, the dead raised, and the good news preached to the poor. Blessed are those who understand what is afoot and stay on My narrow path" (Matthew 11:4-6, The Voice).

People want proof. Can you blame them? But are they getting what they need? Is the church sending the right message? Can they see what is happening in and through us and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is in all of this? Can we say to people, "Go back and tell them these things?" What would we tell them? What would we show them? What signs are we using to point people to Christ?

Travel

2011-12-28T23:55:00.000-08:00

Jesus instructed, "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me on the narrow road, then you are not worthy of Me. To find your life, you must lose your life - and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:38-39, The Voice).

The Voice commentators suggest, "Whether [the apostles] die literally or figuratively, His followers give up their lives for Him" (183).

This makes me wonder what it would be like if a church actually embodied what Jesus was teaching in this passage. What if we took his instructions seriously enough to actually go out as the disciples did? With the conviction that the Kingdom of God was actually here among us? With the belief that we had been given much that we might turn around and give it all away? That we were ready and willing to lose everything for his gain? Does this mean that we spend less emphasis on inviting people to church and actually invite them to be the church? Do we ask of them more than they can afford because that is exactly what Christ has called us to give? What would THAT church look like?

Film

2011-12-27T23:32:00.000-08:00

I have come to the conclusion that a great many of our traditions are just excuses to do what we most enjoy on a somewhat consistant and continual basis. And in most cases, such traditions are harmless and in other cases they might even be helpful. Tradition can build anticipation and foster community.

One of the sillier holiday traditions that I share with my father (and sometimes my brother if he is able to join us) is to go to a movie a day or two after either Thanksgiving or Christmas (depending upon what time of the year that we are all together). Here is a list of what we have decided to watch over the years:

* Ali (2001): My father loved it and my brother and myself liked it (my father's choice).
* Santa Clause 2 (2002): My father loved it, my brother liked it, and I disliked it (my father's choice).
* Return of the King (2003): My father and stepmother liked it and I loved it (my choice).
* Christmas w/ the Kranks (2004): My father loved it and I liked it (my father's choice).
* King Kong (2005): My father liked it, my brother loved it, and I hated it (my choice).
* Deck the Halla (2006): My father loved it and my brother and myself HATED it (my father's choice).
* The Great Debaters (2007): My father and myself loved it and my brother liked it (my choice).
* James Bond and the Quantum of Solace (2008): My father and myself liked it (my choice).
* Avatar (2009): My father and myself liked it (my choice).
* Unstoppable (2010): We all three liked it (my choice).
* War Horse (2011): My father and myself loved it (my choice).

I hope this tradition lasts for many years to come. So, what do these selections and opinions necessarily say about us?

Draft

2011-12-26T23:10:00.000-08:00

The first season of our keeper league for fantasy football is now complete. Read about my draft disaster at http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2011/09/keeper.html. I started the season 0-2, had an eight game winning streak, and eventually ended the season on top of the pack. My team - or I should I say mine and Jana's team - is officially the 2011 Champion.

Here is my season in a nutshell:
* Week One: Loss
* Week Two: Loss
* Week Three: Win
* Week Four: Win
* Week Five: Win
* Week Six: Win
* Week Seven: Win
* Week Eight: Win
* Week Nine: Win
* Week Ten: Win
* Week Eleven: Loss
* Week Twelve: Win
* Week Thirteen: Win
* Week Fourteen: Loss
* Semifinals: Win
* Championship: Win

Considering that this is a "keeper league," who should I lock down before next season's draft (which I will make sure that I am present for)?

Why?

2011-12-25T11:05:00.000-08:00

Last night and this morning was Christmas by Candlelight at Malty Christian Assembly. David Brakke, our lead pastor, concluded our Christmas series by sharing a few thoughts on this holiest of days.

The Bible reads, "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 1:1-7, ESV).

Pastor David challenged us to dig even further beneath surface of wonder and actually ask ourselves, "Why?" Consider why God would lay underneath the stars that he once had created. Why did he choose to come to us in the flesh? To dwell amongst us? Fully God and fully man.

The wonder leads us to worship. The magic of Christmas tradition has nothing on the miracle of Christmas transformation. Jesus did not stay an infant. The crib lead to the cross.

Today, may we realize that God truly dwells with us. Merry Christmas.

Jethani

2011-12-24T20:37:00.000-08:00

I would highly recommend Skye Jethani's "With: Re-imagining the Way You Relate to God." I was provided a copy of the book in a special re-release directly from the author for review purposes. You can pre-order a paperback copy for under $11 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Reimagining-Way-You-Relate-God/dp/1595553797/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1324785735&sr=1-1) or directly from the publisher at http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595553797&title=With.

The most difficult chapter for me was the one devoted to "Life Under God." The author writes, "On November 28, 2010, the Bills faced off against their rival Pittsburg Steelers. The Bills ultimately lost the game when [Steve] Johnson dropped a pass in the end zone during overtime. After the game, via Twitter, he publicly blamed God for the loss. Johnson wrote, 'I praise you 24/7!!! And this is how you do me!!! You expect me to learn from this??? How??? I'll never forget this!! Ever!" (27).

Jethani suggests, "For Steve Johnson, and many others, religion is a means of seeking control over otherwise unpredictable events - in his case football games - by incurring divine favor. But notice that in this arrangement the creature (Steve Johnson) assumes a position of authority above the Creator (God)" (28).

The Bible reads, "As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.' Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, 'Go, wash in the pool of Siloam' (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing" (John 9:1-7, ESV).

The author proposes, "Three years before the attacks [September 11, 2011], the leaders of Al-Queda issued a "fatwa" (an Islamic legal pronouncement) denouncing the presence of American troops in the Arabian Peninsula: "...in compliance with Allah's order, we issue the following fatwa to all Muslims: The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies - civilians and military - is an individual duty for every Muslim'" (33).

Jethani writes, "But the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks were not the only ones displaying the tragic effects of the "Life Under God" posture. Shortly after the attacks, one prominent Christian leader in the United States made the following statement: 'I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say you helped this happen'" (33).

The problem with this approach is threefold:
* Trying to get everyone to follow the rules and live by divine expectations is not what God intends for his people. It's not what will set us free from evil and fear.
* Living this way only fosters hypocrisy. On the surface everything looks great, but dig any deeper and you end up holding your nose (37-38).

A few questions to consider...
* Can you recall a time when you tried to "bargain" with God? What was the nature of the agreement? How did it play out?
* What motivates you to obey God's commands? What are you hoping to achieve? What does this reveal about your deepest desires?
* Is there an explicit or implicit hierarchy of sins in your community? How can you tell when morality has slipped into moralism?
* What kind of "heavy burdens" have you experienced in religious communities? Were you ever tempted into hypocrisy? How does Jesus' message set us free from this tendency? (188).

Official Book Description: Instead of life over, under, from, or even for God, what leads us into freedom and restoration is life with God.

Why are American Christians, who have more access to biblical teaching than any other people in history, failing to experience the freedom of the Christian life? Why are pastors, those closest to the work and ministry, burning out at an alarming rate? Why do many church members, who give large amounts of their time and wealth to Christ and his kingdom, secretly question the legitimacy of their efforts? And why are spiritual seekers dismissing the validity of the Christian message?

Is it possible we’ve misunderstood the call of the Christian life?

With explores the narrative of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and the stories of faithful women and men throughout history, to show that we were created to be with God, and that restoring this connection is his mission. When we neglect this calling in favor of a life over, under, or even for God, we will not know the freedom Christ intended. But a life lived in rich communion with God cultivates faith, hope, and love in a way that transforms both us and the broken world we inhabit.

Official Author Biography: Skye Jethani is the managing editor of Leadership Journal, a publication of Christianity Today International. Skye also contributes regularly to Catalyst Leadership, Relevant, and The Huffington Post. Skye’s blog, SKYEBOX, was awarded second prize for the best Christian blog by the Evangelical Press Association.

Skye has been featured in newspapers around the country and is a frequent speaker at ministry conferences such as Catalyst, Q, and Moody Pastor’s Conference.

Skye earned a Masters of Divinity degree in 2001 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He and his wife, Amanda, currently live in Wheaton, Illinois, with their three children Zoe, Isaac, and Lucy.

Envy

2011-12-23T20:53:00.000-08:00

The Bible reads, "Jesus drove out the demons, and the mute spoke. The crowds were amazed.

Crowd: Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.

Pharisees: It must be the prince of demons who give Him the power to cast out demons" (Matthew 9:33-34, The Voice).

We don't like it when others have the success we don't have. We don't like when others have the power we ourselves want. We don't like it when we are the experts in our field and are then shown-up by the untrained or the unlearned.

And this goes for pastors as well. We like to make excuses when other churches are seeing good things take place. We want to think that they are cheating in some way or another. That there is something dark and nasty behind what they are doing. But maybe the dark and nasty is within us.

The Voice commentators write, "Matthew gives a summary of what Jesus has done - teaching, preaching, and healing - and why He has done it - because of His compassion. Jesus then calls His disciples to this same type of ministry" (174).

If these things are happening - then rejoice. Other churches might not be doing exactly what we would be doing - but rejoice. If they are making disciples - celebrate. If the gospel is being presented in compassion - celebrate.

No more excuses. No more envy. Be amazed.

Buried

2011-12-22T23:59:00.000-08:00

Jesus instructs, "Follow me! And let the dead bury their own dead" (Matthew 8:22, The Voice).

The Voice commentators suggest, "Does Jesus say, 'Fair enough, you must of course bury your father. Just catch up with me when you are done?' No. This is one of the strange and radical things Jesus brings about - our families are no longer our families. Our deepest bonds are not those of blood. Our family now is found in the bonds of fellowship made possible by this Jesus" (161).

Wow. Could you imagine if we as disciples of Jesus thought of our church - the people of the church, not the building we call church - as our family? If we redefined (aka rediscovered) the term 'fellowship'? That it was more than a 'fun' event or one that centered around food. But that the church could actually exemplify a connection that SURPASSED that of family?

And that anyone could be invited to take part? Who wouldn't want to go? Who wouldn't want to be?

Standards

2011-12-21T22:34:00.000-08:00

Jesus taught, "If you judge other people, then you will find that you, too, are being judged. Indeed, you will be judged by the very standards to which you hold other people" (Matthew 7:1-2, The Voice).

The Voice commentators propose, "So when someone is tempted to criticize his neighbor because her house isn't clean enough, she seems ill-tempered, or she is a bit-flighty - he should remember those same standards and judgements will come back to him. No one should criticize his neighbor for being short-tempered one morning, when he is snippish and snappish and waspish all the time" (149).

Though I don't necessarily recall which Brennan Manning book it was in, I do remember him mentioning that what we hate in others is often what we hate in ourselves. It is far easier for us to resent others than it is to repent before God.

Show grace towards others. You never know when you will need grace for yourself. That being said, do not shy away from helping others caught in sin. Just make sure that you have asked for help yourself - and that you are more concerned with them being made right than you are in revealing that they are in the wrong.

Wilderness

2011-12-20T23:05:00.000-08:00

The Bible reads, "John wore wild clothes made from camel hair with a leather belt around his waist - the clothes of an outcast, a rebel. He ate locusts and wild honey" (Matthew 3:4, The Voice).

The Voice commentators suggest, "Sometimes when people see John they are reminded of the last time God's people had wandered in a wilderness - after the exodus from Egypt...They think perhaps John is inaugurating a new exodus. Actually, that is a pretty good way to think of it" (114).

Maybe it is time for Christians to be asked to be strange again? I am not proposing that we wear camel hair and eat wild honey in the wilderness. I don't think we go out of our way to look or act odd, necessarily. But I do believe that we must be different. That we must show a different way of living. That we make a difference with our words and actions. That we are clearly a part of a new Rescue.

One note of caution: Make sure you are sending the right message. Sinners were attracted to John the Baptist. They wanted to repent. They wanted what they knew was lost. They were reminded of who they used to be and wanted a New Day. So as we takes on the Way of Christ - make sure that people are responding to us as they did to Jesus.

And who did not initially respond well to John the Baptist? Who did he target with the harshest of his words? Calling them sons of snakes? Those who had the most to lose.

So show trust and obedience. There will be a cost. Make sure that your motive is always to prepare the way and not to attract attention to yourself. We are the messengers - not the Message.

Myrrh

2011-12-19T22:50:00.000-08:00

Today, I began my twenty-four week reading plan out of The Voice New Testament (read more about this translation at http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2011/11/ecclesia.html).

A portion of today's selection reads, "The wise men left Herod's chambers and went on their way. The start they had first seen in the East reappeared - a miracle that, of course, overjoyed and enraptured the wise men. The star led them to the hose where Jesus lay; and as soon as the wise men arrived, they saw Him with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. They unpacked their satchels and gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:9-10, The Voice).

The commentary reads, "These are exceptionally good gifts, for gold is what is given a king...incense is what you expect to be given a priest...myrrh ointment is used to heal, and Jesus is a healer. But myrrh is also used to embalm corpses - and Jesus was born to die" (The Voice, 108).

The magi were not just giving gifts - they were sending a message. They were declaring to all in attendance that Jesus was the King of Kings. Their allegiance was now to him and his governance. Jesus was their Priest. He was their access into the Holiest Places - their Way to the One True God. Jesus was their Healer. Though they could not have fathomed the fullness of this revelation - they were looking forward to the day that his sacrifice would make them whole. Peace. Right in every way imaginable.

What will you offer this coming year? What message will your gifts be sending? Consider showing compassion on a grand scale - commit to feed one child through a trusted organization like Convoy of Hope. Read more at http://convoyofhope.org/givehope/. Search high and low. Then worship him.

Bright

2011-12-18T15:24:00.000-08:00

Today David Brakke, our lead pastor at Maltby Christian Assembly, continued our Christmas series by talking about Jesus as the light to the world.

The Bible reads, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life,t and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:1-5, ESV).

Darkness is scary. Everything seems out of order. You have no idea what is around the corner. But is the path really as treacherous as initially perceived? Are we looking at threats or are they mere shadows?

Pastor David shared a little background behind the Jewish festival we now know as Hanukkah. In the days of Judas Maccabee's brave revolt against Antiochus, the soldiers witnessed a miraculous intervention and protection. Only one jar of oil was sufficient enough for a candle to burn in the temple for eight full days.

But it was during the Festival of Dedication where Jesus would claim to be The Light. That he is The Intervention. The Protection.

And now we are called, as his followers, to be a reflection of the Light. People are looking for direction. Shine.

Birth

2011-12-17T20:18:00.000-08:00

What do I most remember about the birth of our firstborn? Why was it so impacting?
I will never forget the roller-coaster ride of emotions that went into the emergency c-section and eventual celebration behind Julia's arrival. Those doctor's words are forever etched into my memory - “It’s a girl, she’s big, and she looks just like her Daddy!”

What do we find so fascinating about a child’s birth? Why are babies so special to us?
There is something to be said of the supposed innocence and initial dependence of a young life that strikes at our deepest emotions. We are absolutely mesmerized by all they do. What else causes grown men to make silly faces and speak in high-pitched voices. We record everything! But make no mistake, babies change everything, too. I have often said that having children means that we will finally have someone in the house that is more selfish than we are.

So about the birth to end all births? The one that would not just change a household, but history as we know it? Israel was looking for a Rescue. They were in the midst of what was five hundred years of military oppression and four hundred years of prophetic silence. And who would God select to be mother to such a hero? He would choose the unlikeliest of all individuals - Mary was young, she was a virgin, she was from Nazareth, and she was probably quite poor.

But maybe God saw something in Mary that we would too often miss. She responded, "I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true" (Luke 1:38A, NLT).
It was not so much how she initially responded to the news of an emaculate concoeption - but how she would live her life from that day forward. The Bible tells us that she continued to hide these miraculous things in her heart until the time was right to share them - the angelic visitations, the shepherds' worship, the magis' travels, and the thrilling and terrifying escape to Egypt.

She would surely make some mistakes along the way. There would be moments where should would pressure her Son to reveal what he was capable of before his time was right and other situations where she would demand that he be with his family instead of being out seeking and saving the crowds.

But then there was that frightful day when Mary would witness firsthand his public, painful, and shameful execution upon a wooden cross. But even in the midst of such terrible suffering, Jesus would go out of his way to make sure his mother was taken care of past his departure. She would then go to the tomb in order to pay her respects - only to find that Jesus was gone. The tomb was empty. And she, like every other disciple, would wait in Jerusalem for the promised empowerment to be his witness.

So like the girl at the mall, where should I begin to look for meaning behind Christmas?
Make sure that you participate in the story of an all-consuming and dangerous love - a love that began in a crib and ended on the cross. Admit that our rebellion has caused nothing but conflict (between us and God, and ourselves, and us & others). But we also believe that Christ has conquered sin and we have been given the opportunity to commit to trust and obey him.

What can we learn from life of Mary? Will Jesus’ birth give us new life as well?
I will never forget the Christmas that took place during my fifth grade year. Just days before the 25th, we received a knock on the door from one of our closes neighbors. A mother and her two young daughters needed a place to stay. She had been beaten by her husband. My father and mother responded with such grace. They showered this family in gifts and tradition - offering shelter and celebration in a time where both were so very needed.

New life produces new life.

Murrow

2011-12-16T23:58:00.000-08:00

I would reluctantly recommend David Murrow's "Why Men Hate Going to Church." I was provided a completely revised and updated copy of the book in a special re-release directly from the publisher for review purposes. You can pre-order a paperback copy for under $11 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Why-Men-Hate-Going-Church/dp/078523215X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324569625&sr=8-1) or directly from the publisher at http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=078523215X&title=Why_Men_Hate_Going_to_Church&author=David_Murrow.

My hesitancy in endorsing this work largely stems from the tone behind the book. The author, at times, comes across a bit condescending and judgmental. Many of his statistics are enlightening but his conclusions are questionable. He has quite a few interesting theories and practical solutions - but just as many that I would take issue with. In other words, I agree with that there is a problem. But it might not be the problem that he has necessarily pinpointed.

That being said, my favorite chapter happened to be the one titled, "The Battle to Reengage Men" (and ironically sparked some ideas that had little to nothing to do with men specifically). The author tells the story behind the founding of the YMCA. He writes, "A twenty-two-year-old farmer-turned-department-store-worker named George Williams gathered eleven friends and organized the first Young Men's Christian Association, a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from dangers of tenement housing and life on the streets of London" (127).

Murrow suggests, "Muscular Christianity was a direct assault on Puritan notions of piety. During the Colonial era (1600s and 1700s), Christians had developed a mistrust of anything physical. Many clergymen felt that recreation, sporting, and competition distracted from spiritual pursuits such as Bible reading and prayer. Physical conditioning was frowned upon because of the corruptibility and impermanence of the flesh. Fun and pleasure were out; serious theological discourse was in" (128).

He goes on to write, "So imagine the furor when the YMCA built its first gymnasium in the name of Christ, in 1869. Sixteen years later, the YMCA opened America's first rural summer camp...coined the term bodybuilding...and invented the games of basketball, volleyball, and racquetball" (128).

A quote that I keep on going back to is one posed by Mark Batterson - "I am convinced that there are still ways to do church that have never been done before." I would say there are ways to BE the church that have never been seen before. Williams was a visionary. He saw a need in the city and he brought the gospel. Same message. New method.

So what is our world looking for? Or where has our church forgot to look?

But on this topic, I do have one great concern. At what point do churches become so caught up in offering new methods that the message is lost? For example, my generation tends to be critical of "busy" and "complex" churches - where people are so caught up being at the church that they have little time or opportunity to actually be the church on a daily basis. So our natural response is to envision churches that are simple in strategy and structure. We tend to lean towards a church that partners with existing organizations - creating awareness and mobilizing involvement. I personally get excited at the thought that a church could offer environments to the community - such as coffeehouses and community centers.

However, when do such "services" takeaway from the mission rather than compliment it? The YMCA is no longer a "missional" movement. Could a church fall into the same trap? Busy churches do. Why would simple churches be any different? The natural tendency seems to be to do the right thing for so long that we forget why we are still doing it. What evaluation points are necessary to protect the mission?

Official Book Description: It’s Sunday morning. Where are all the men? Golfing? Playing softball? Watching the tube? Mowing the lawn? Sleeping? One place you won’t find them is in church. Less than 40 percent of adults in most churches are men, and 20 to 25 percent of married churchgoing women attend without their husbands. And why are the men who do go to church so bored? Why won’t they let God change their hearts?

David Murrow’s groundbreaking book has been completely revised and updated, with eye-opening research and a persuasive grasp on the facts, to explain the problem and offer hope and encouragement to women, pastors, and men. Why Men Hate Going to Church does not call men back to the church—it calls the church back to men.

Official Author Biography: David Murrow is an award-winning television producer and writer based in Alaska, most recently working for Alaska's most notable resident, Sarah Palin. He is also director of Church for Men, an organization that helps congregations reconnect with men and boys. His first book, Why Men Hate Going to Church, was an instant Christian bestseller. His efforts have spawned articles in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune, to name a few. You may have seen him on PBS, the NBC Nightly News, or the FOX News Channel talking about the gender gap. He and his wife, Gina, have three children and a dachshund named Pepper.

Auckland

2011-12-15T23:44:00.000-08:00

I love to see how different churches tell the Christmas story with such conviction, creativity, and compassion. What an incredible time of the year for the gospel to be shared.

Kringle

2011-12-14T21:10:00.000-08:00

Dreams do come true. Today, I had an opportunity to be Santa Claus - TWICE. Once at Primetime Wednesdays (an afternoon gathering at Maltby Christian Assembly) and again at our Reindeer Games (a Merge Christmas Party). Check that off of the bucket list. I am so amazed at how a simple costume can bring such joy to a room. Here are some of the pictures...

Winner?

2011-12-13T08:08:00.000-08:00

So what is behind Tebow-Mania? Has there ever been more attention paid to one sports story? Like I wrote before (http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2011/11/tebow.html), is it the religious issue? The racial one? Something else?

Has ESPN fueled the story? Has it been manufactured by personalities like Skip Bayless? What is really behind the ratings? What are your thoughts?

Beard

2011-12-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

Forty-two days in and No-Shave November must come to a close. I now present to you the different faces of me:

The before and the after:

So what should I do next? Less than eleven months until my next beard. Can't wait!

Emmanuel

2011-12-11T12:10:00.001-08:00

Today David Brakke, our lead pastor at Maltby Christian Assembly, continued our Christmas series by talking about the meaning behind "Immanuel" - what it really means to believe in the miracle that is "God With Us."

The Bible reads, "'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel' (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus" (Matthew 1:23-25, ESV).

Isaiah had originally relayed this message to Judah - God will not forget you. He will rescue and restore you from oppression and exile. But Matthew saw a fulfillment that was so much greater. Jesus (The Deliverer) would be God's exclamation point - that he more than keeps his Word. Seven hundred years in waiting...finally an intervention to end all interventions. An invasion into human history. The Incarnation. God With Us.

And even that was not the end of the story. Christ would live. Would share. Would show. Would die. Would rise. Would ascend. But before he leaves - just one more bit of instruction. Just one more promise. Go into all of the world and make disciples. And I will be with you until the end of the age. I will be with you. I will be with-in you. Our bodies would become his temple. He would be our Counselor.

So acknowledge his Presence. In the good days and in the bad. We can't always trust our feelings. But we can trust in his Word. He once was at the center of the campsite in the form of the Tabernacle. At the center of Jerusalem as the Temple. At the center of history on that first Christmas morning. Now he is to be the center of our lives. The center of his mission. He is with us.

Anniversary

2011-12-11T05:59:00.000-08:00

Today is our twelve year wedding anniversary. The love of my life - Jana Neree (Beal) Farley.

I have been reflecting a whole lot lately on our journey together. She always said that she knew that she would be a wife to a youth pastor. But I am convinced that description does her no justice. God tends to speak our language - using words that we can understand at the time that we are willing to listen. Because what I really see in my wife is the desire to love Christ, be the church, and live on the mission.

She has believed in our calling as leaders long before I ever did. She worked full-time while I was finishing school, putting up with the long nights while I studied Greek (or at least attempted to study Greek), and encouraging me during the times that doubted if and when we would ever enjoy our first pastoral position.

Jana was more than patient with me while we simultaneously learned what it meant to be youth pastors AND parents to toddlers during our time in Moses Lake. I watched her as she mentored female leaders and rediscovered her love for music.

The last six years have been the best yet. She is in her element. Jana does such a tremendous job of teaching our four children - in every area imaginable. Her ministry has had its ebbs and flows for sure. Different schedules and emphasis depending upon the season. She always has had a niche for using what she has to reach who she is with. Even now, she has built and strengthened relationships through such hobbies as scrapbooking and coffee.

She trusted me enough the last two and a half years to continue my education. Evening after evening of putting the children to bed and then allowing me hours of study time. My Masters degree was as much her accomplishment as it was mine. We learned a lot about our direction and dreams during those discussions. She was probably tired of hearing of my theories. And yet, she is determined to walk alongside me as they are realized.

So the children are getting older. Our roles are morphing. But I am excited to see what lies ahead. I know whatever it is, I will continue to be fascinated by my wife's love for others. She is determined, no matter the cost, to show and share the love of Jesus with people.

I look forward to many more of these anniversaries. I love you, Jana.

Brennan

2011-12-10T06:39:00.000-08:00

I thought that I would follow up "Ragamuffin Gospel" (http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2011/12/ragamuffin.html) by reading Brennan Manning's newly released memoirs titled "All is Grace." I am glad that I did.

It was a tough read. We all struggle to see the humanity in our heroes. To discover that they too have chinks in their armor. That they might not even have practiced what they have preached. That they did not live up to their own convictions. That they had skeletons hidden far away in their closets.

Scholars still debate the thorn that tormented the Apostle Paul. Was it physical? Social? Relational? Emotional? The Bible reads, "I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:1-10, ESV).

Manning's biggest struggle might not have been with alcohol as much as it was with his own mother. He writes, "The phone rings and you're given a choice - answer it or not. Maybe I shouldn't have. Maybe I should have sidestepped it like a land mine. But I answered it. It turned out to be a foghorn of bad news.

The voice on the other end on the other end belonged to someone I loved. My sister spoke two words: "Mom died.' It was February 1993.

After we hung up, I was aware of nothing but a single emotion. I could tell you that I felt sadness or regret or even fear, but I've vowed to be ruthlessly honest with myself in these pages. After Gerry called, all I thought was 'God, what bother.' I packed a bag and booked the flight.

'Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.' Surely the priest spoke those words over the casket of my mother, Amy Manning, but I cannot be certain because I missed my mother's funeral. I was back at the motel waking up from a blackout, trying to remember where I was.

The fact was that I was in a motel room in Belmar, New Jersey. But the truth was that I was in some distant place, having squandered my mother's last respects with drunkenness. In that moment I felt the most profound shame in my life. 'My God, what kind of man am I? How could that have happened?'

I didn't visit my mother's gravesite later that day either. The reality is I've never visited it" (175-177).

Though I don't personally enjoy hearing of such great brokenness - I am certain that we do need more honest dialogue. The truth is, there are a lot of divided and devastated people that call themselves Christ followers...you and I are a part of that equation...and we must be determined in providing and protecting an environment where hope and healing win out at the end of the day.

Brennan Manning has a sad story. But I pray that this is not the end for him. I pray the same for all of us.

Twelve

2011-12-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

Our family began the Christmas season celebration tonight with the typical timeless traditions - decorating the tree, listening to music, eating nachos (a Beal contribution), drinking egg nog, and reading the Christmas story.

Tonight we read of the magi. The Bible reads, "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it roset and have come to worship him.' When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel" (Matthew 2:1-6, ESV).

Herod so desperately wanted to keep his kingdom that he was willing to go as far as to kill the King of Kings. You could say that he was ahead of his time. It seems that ever since then, there has been various governments who have also attempted to squelch the gospel. And to no avail. Christmas is a time to declare that God has come to us. That he is here. That we are a part of a new Kingdom. A new way of living.

The church needs the heart of the Magi. That we would follow the Light into his Presence. That we would offer all that we have to him - even when it takes years to see it become a reality. God is still Present today. His Spirit works in us and through us. I pray the world would see how we think, act, and speak - and be drawn to Christ. That they would feel welcomed into his Kingdom.

One way each of us can celebrate the true spirit of Christmas is by helping organizations like World Vision or Convoy of Hope to help children and families all over the world. While you may not be able to afford to sponsor a child (or maybe you do already), the World Vision Gift Catalog is a wonderful way to give something of value (something that’s sustainable) to a family in need!

The Gift Catalog (http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?go=gift&xxwvCampaign=10892956§ion=10389) is filled with a wide variety of gift ideas that people all over the world need — things that often help a family become healthy, live sustainably, and experience some hope in their situations…

Give a family three ducks!
Give a family a goat and two chicks!
Give the gift of clean water!
Give a family a donkey! Or, you can share in giving a family a donkey!
My favorite thing to give is animals.

But there are hundreds of other gift ideas…

You can even help children and families here in the United States.

Over the next few weeks, as you engage, share, search for, and/or experience the True Spirit of Christmas, take a moment to blog about what that means to you and consider giving the spirit of Christmas to somebody in need from around the world…such as through 12 Days of Hope through Convoy of Hope.

“The campaign is called 12 Days of Hope and a portion of the proceeds from all sales of their single and album during the campaign will go to our work of helping those who are impoverished and hurting,” says Jeff Roman, corporate relations director at Convoy of Hope.

The Twelve Days of Hope campaign begins on November 25 and ends December 6. To help launch the campaign on the 25th the band will also release their newest video, Between Here and Now, which shows many of the places Convoy of Hope responded to human suffering in 2011 including Haiti and Japan.

“Convoy of Hope is an amazing organization,” says Joey Avalos, guitar player for Stars Go Dim. “They just want to help people ... That’s what pulled us in.”

Recently, the three-member band traveled to Haiti with Convoy of Hope to see the organization’s feeding initiatives in action and to meet children in the orphanages where the organization’s food is distributed. The band also shot footage for the Between Here and Now music video, which can be seen below.

“One aspect of our partnership with Stars Go Dim is that they have made a commitment to give back,” adds Roman.

According to Roman, the partnership with Stars Go Dim is one of many that allow Convoy of Hope to continue meeting needs of millions hurting people. “As our partnership base increases, we continue to reach more and more people around the world who need our assistance,” he says. “Such help allows us to continue to encourage communities to reach out to their neighbors in a spirit of compassion and humility.”

Stars Go Dim is slated to tour in the Philippines this December and looks forward to connecting with Convoy of Hope efforts in that region. The band also plans to be involved in Convoy of Hope outreaches throughout the United States in 2012.

For more information about 12 Days of Hope go to http://www.convoyofhope.org/go/headlines/entry/12_days_of_hope1.

"Between Here and Now" by Stars Go Dim from Convoy of Hope on Vimeo.

Stars Go Dim, national recording artists, have a goal of raising $12,000 in 12 days for Convoy of Hope by asking their fans to make a donation or buy their latest single or album.

Pujols

2011-12-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

Oh, Albert Pujols. First, allow me to go on record by stating that I share no ill feelings towards him or his decision. I might disagree with his choice of leaving the Cardinals, but this is not a matter of him having character or not. Every free agent as the option of choosing where he wants to play. Even when I don't like it. We all have made career moves - why shouldn't he? And most of us have no idea what it is like to have to deal with the sort of money that he is being asked to deal with. After all, he did bring two rings to St. Louis and played there for a good length of time. I can't stand the Angels (only third to the Yankees and the Giants). But the idea of watching him on a regular basis from Safeco Field - that excites me (but I would not have that same feeling if I was a die-hard Mariners fan, for sure).

I have always had the highest respect for the Machine. In fact, ever since A-Rod's steroid situation was revealed, I have since perceived Pujols as being baseball's greatest hope for redemption. He is the one best positioned to break both the single season and career home run records (and do them while being "clean").

All that being said, I still wish he would have stayed. I believe it was Willy Mays who once told Ken Griffey Jr. that you will never find fans who love you more than the ones from your first team. The Cardinals saw Pujols as one them. They had discovered him and developed him. He grew up before their very eyes. They made each other great. Anaheim (I refuse to consider them Los Angeles) will not perceive him in the same way. Sure, in the beginning they will embrace him with an excitement that will be absolutely astounding. But they will expect much of him. As they should. And he will be expected to perform at a high level and for a great length of time.

Speaking of time, my brother has a great point. Ten years! Sure, he would and should ask for it. Isn't he is 32 years of age? He wants this to be the last contract he ever has to sign. But is it worth it? Won't he only be AP for four to five years? And then what? Gone are the days where Barry Bonds was able to play at such a dominant level well into his 40s. Our bodies are not designed for that. Performance enhancing drugs are (hopefully) not going to be an option. So will the Angels regret it when it is all said and done? Or will a championship or two suffice? Is a championship even guaranteed? Or are they banking on him breaking the record (or records) in an Angels' uniform?

Regardless, my heart goes out to St. Louis today. Never thought you would ever hear this Los Angeles Dodgers fan say those words before. But I will never forget my fourteen year old brother's reaction to Griffey leaving town for the Reds. It always hurts. This is just one more reason that I have never been a "players guy." Superstars come and go. I pull for the team as a whole. My defense-mechanism, I guess.

Good luck, Albert. I hope you break all of the records. But as an Angel, please don't win anymore titles.

Inn

2011-12-07T21:41:00.000-08:00

Tonight's Merge Student Gathering featured a message by one of our interns, Daniel Walton, on missed opportunities in life (the second and final part to our Rhythm series).

The Bible reads, "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:1-7, ESV).

Have you ever took a good and hard look at the nativity scene? The angels, shepherds, and magi. The magi! Even after it probably took over two years for them to finally arrive on the scene and see the infant Jesus - they still receive credit as part of praising the Messiah. But what about those who never bothered to go? King Herod for one. Or even those who were so close (and yet so far away)? The innkeeper, for instance. For one reason or another, he did not let them stay in his presence. A very pregnant young woman who had just traveled from over seventy miles away. Was there really no room? Or was she shamed in her fiance's hometown? And where was Joseph's family in the mix? We will probably never really know.

In the midst of such difficulty, where did God choose to break into human history? None other than in a dark, dreary, and damp cave. Found in a feeding trough. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords...and an innkeeper missed it.

I don't want to miss what God is doing. I want to be a part of it. I want to give him the praise that he is due. And I must first realize that he is far too often found in the strangest of places. In the quietest of places. In the hardest to reach places. That is where I want to be...if it means being with the Master.

This is yet another reason why I am so proud of Daniel Walton. He has been an intern at Maltby Christian Assembly for a year and a half. He has been accepted by the Engage program with the Assemblies of God (http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2011/11/engage.html) and will be serving alongside missionaries in Bangladesh for 1-2 years. Daniel has always been one who uses what he has to reach who he is with - no matter the cost to himself. He always makes room for the Master.

Ragamuffin

2011-12-06T07:39:00.000-08:00

I would highly recommend Brennan Manning's "The Ragamuffin Gospel." It is truly one of the best books that I have ever read - and I very much am looking forward to reading Manning's memoirs next (look for my review on "All is Grace" in the coming weeks). I was fortunate enough to be provided a copy of "Ragamuffin" in a special re-release directly from the publisher for review purposes. You can pre-order a paperback copy for under $16 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Ragamuffin-Gospel-Bedraggled-Beat-Upnd-publication/dp/B003HZWI1O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323467227&sr=8-2) or directly from the publisher at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781590525029.

My favorite chapter was titled "Something is Radically Wrong." He contrasts the two accounts that are listed back-to-back in Luke's Gospel. The Bible reads, "Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, 'Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it'" (Luke 18:15-17, ESV).

Manning writes, "[But then] a rich young man comes to Jesus, asking what he must DO to inherit eternal life. He wants to be in the spotlight. It is no coincidence that Luke juxtaposes the passage of Jesus and the children immediately preceding the verses on the young aristocrat. Children contrast with the rich man simply because there is no question of their having yet been able to merit anything. Jesus' point is, there is nothing that any of us can do to inherit the kingdom. We must simply receive it like little children. And little children haven't done anything. The New Testament world was not sentimental about children and had no illusion about any pretended innate goodness in them. Jesus is not suggesting that heaven is a huge playground for Cajun infants. Children are our model because they have no claim on heaven. If they are close to God, it is because they are incompetent, not because they are innocent. IF they receive anything, it can only be as a gift" (26-27).

The author goes on to suggest, "Jesus sat down at table with anyone who wanted to be present, including those who were banished from decent homes. In the sharing of a meal they received consideration instead of the expected condemnation. A merciful acquittal instead of a hasty verdict of guilty. Amazing grace instead of universal disgrace. Here is a very practical demonstration of the law of grace - a new chance in life" (29).

So what "tables" are our churches setting? Is their a difference between being attractional and being invitational? Is it the church leadership, ministry, or program that is expected to send the message or should it be the church - the people who make up the church - who are scattered all over the community and primarily entrusted to be "grace-ful"? Do we believe that the gospel is enough so much so that we are willing to go anywhere and do almost anything?

Official Book Description: A Furious Love Is Hot on Your Trail!

Many believers feel stunted in their Christian growth. We beat ourselves up over our failures and, in the process, pull away from God because we subconsciously believe He tallies our defects and hangs His head in disappointment. In this newly repackaged edition—now with full appendix, study questions, and the author’s own epilogue, “Ragamuffin Ten Years Later,” Brennan Manning reminds us that nothing could be further from the truth. The Father beckons us to Himself with a “furious love” that burns brightly and constantly. Only when we truly embrace God’s grace can we bask in the joy of a gospel that enfolds the most needy of His flock—the “ragamuffins.”

Are you bedraggled, beat-up, burnt-out?

Most of us believe in God’s grace—in theory. But somehow we can’t seem to apply it in our daily lives. We continue to see Him as a small-minded bookkeeper, tallying our failures and successes on a score sheet.

Yet God gives us His grace, willingly, no matter what we’ve done. We come to Him as ragamuffins—dirty, bedraggled, and beat-up. And when we sit at His feet, He smiles upon us, the chosen objects of His “furious love.”

Brennan Manning ’s now-classic meditation on grace and what it takes to access it—simple honesty—has changed thousands of lives. Now with a Ragamuffin’s thirty-day spiritual journey guide, it will change yours, too.

Includes New 30-Day Spiritual Journey Guide

Official Author Biography: Brennan Manning is a Korean War veteran and former Franciscan priest who lives in New Orleans , Louisiana . A native of Brooklyn , Manning earned degrees in philosophy from St. Francis College and in theology from St. Francis Seminary. His books include The Signature of Jesus and Abba’s Child. Still traveling widely, Manning continues to write and preach, encouraging men and women everywhere to accept and embrace the good news of God’s unconditional love in Jesus Christ.

Grant

2011-12-05T23:12:00.000-08:00

I have been given a bad rap. Many people mistakenly believe that I do not enjoy Christmas music. That statement is only partially true. Allow me to explain. For the longest time, my wife had only a limited amount of Christmas music in our family library. And by limited, I mean all three of the Amy Grant Christmas albums. All three. So, every year when we would go to cut our tree down, decorate it, eat nachos (yes, nachos as a tribute to the Beal-side of the family), read the Christmas story, and drink egg nog - Amy Grant would be singing her heart out from within the iPod player.

It must have been four to five years ago that I began a new tradition in the Farley home - I chose to buy Jana a new Christmas album on the day that we decorate our tree. We have slowly but surely added to our collection over the years. And I have sense discovered something. It is not that I hate Christmas music...it is that I hate AMY GRANT Christmas music. Who would have thought? I would have never had known that had I not decided to do something kind for someone else despite my own personal preferences.

This revelation reminds me of another eye-opening experience that has occurred in my life. I was probably nine years at the time. My Uncle Mike took my cousins and me to Wendy's. I was so terrified. I had never been to Wendy's. I was told that I hated Wendy's hamburgers. My mother and sister could not stand them and therefore I had probably never been there. But I was also taught something else at an early age - to always eat what is given to me (especially when I am the guest). So I ate it. And I loved it. Wendy's quickly became my fast food restaraunt of choice.

Taste buds change every three years. So I wonder what else I have missed out on in life. The things that I would not do because someone else told me not to? Or the things I tried at one time but maybe was not quite ready for?

I don't every want to become stuck in my ways. And even worse, impose those opinions and ideas on someone else. I want to grow. Learn. Live. Listen. And even eat?

Just for the record, this year's Christmas addition is courtesy of by the band called "She & Him." The best one yet, in my opinion. But you need to give it a listen for yourself.

Bethlehem

2011-12-04T16:16:00.001-08:00

Today David Brakke, our lead pastor at Maltby Christian Assembly, began a Christmas series by talking about the birthplace of the Messiah.

The Bible reads, "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:1-7, ESV).

He posed an interesting question. Why Bethlehem? Why not Jerusalem? Where all of the religiously powerful, prestigious, and popular leaders resided? The iconic symbols of a Chosen People. The temple. The Sanhedrin. Or why not Nazareth? Sure, the common mantra of the day was that "nothing good" came from there...but at least it would have been convenient. Why the distance? Why the location?

What did Bethlehem have to offer? The birthplace of a king. The residence of Ruth and Boaz. David's old stomping grounds. Bethlehem literally means "House of Bread." Nothing was more important to a first century Jewish meal than bread. The staple. The food choice for the young or old. Rich or poor. The centerpiece and source for all.

Could it have been a subtle message - a preview of a life to come? An infant would one day grow up to declare, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (John 6:35, ESV).

Accountability

2011-12-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

The Bible reads, "'I have loved you,' says the Lord. But you say, 'How have you loved us?' 'Is not Esau Jacob's brother?' declares the Lord. 'Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.' If Edom says, 'We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,' the Lord of hosts says, 'They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called the wicked country, and the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.' Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, 'Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!' (Malachi 1:2-5, ESV).

Why is it the longer that we are Christ followers, the greater the temptation to forget the cross? Shouldn't the longer we have been recipients of grace, the more grateful we should become?

Israel was okay with being blessed. They just struggled with being a blessing. Could the same be said of the church? There is that constant temptation to make the mission about us. Comfort and convenience replace contribution and sacrifice. We fail to share the gospel with others. We do the bare minimum in hopes that it can still be called obedience. We mistake legalism for life. Or immaturity for liberty.

He will hold us accountable. We cannot stand still. We cannot continue to say that we are God's people and fail to reflect his heart.

Great is the Lord.

Kahn

2011-12-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

I love history and I love baseball (especially Dodger's baseball). If you appreciate either, a must-read and possible holiday purchase for you should be Roger Kahn's "The Boys of Summer: The Classic Narrative of Growing Up Within Shouting Distance of Ebbetts Field, Covering the Jackie Robinson Dodgers, and What's Happened to Everybody Since."

Many consider this work to be one of the greatest sports histories of our time. It does not disappoint. Half of the book is made up of the author's experiences as a child raised in Brooklyn. You learn about his love for baseball, his unique relationship with his father, and his challenging career as a journalist. The second half is then devoted to interviewing each player from those storied lineups of the 1950s (decades later). You see these men in a whole new light. Their love for the game, segregation of baseball, financial difficulties, family struggles, etc. The chapters on Campanella, Erskine, and Robinson alone make the book worth the read.

I cannot relate to the Dodgers in Brooklyn, necessarily. But one of the reasons I am a Dodgers fan today is because of my father. Though I remember glimpses of the 1985 World Series that the Twins ended up winning, the first Fall Classic that I truly remember is the 1986 matchup between the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox. It was during one of those games that I overheard my father tell my Grandpa Buller that he was a Dodgers fan growing up. He would talk about Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale.

I was bound and determined to be a Dodgers fan for life (which includes being partial for the National League, no Designated Hitter, small ball, and strong pitching). It was not too hard initially to hold to such convictions. The Los Angeles Dodgers would win a World Series just two years later. Little did I know that this would be the last Pennant I would see to date. Still waiting - twenty three years later. Maybe they are still the Bums after all.

Heartbeat

2011-11-30T21:59:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been asked to do something that you knew was absolutely impossible? Do you tend to respond in insecurity or arrogance? Tonight I was given the opportunity to co-preach with one of our youth ministry interns named Jordan Faulds. Hear our thoughts at http://resources.razorplanet.com/510796-5165/510796_1102_207271.mp3 or by subscribing to the "Merge Ministries" podcast on iTunes.com and listening to the November 30, 2011 message. I would love to hear your thoughts. Share them below.

Tony

2011-11-29T12:04:00.001-08:00

One more reason to partner with organizations like Convoy of Hope.

The Haynes' Story from Convoy of Hope on Vimeo.

Click here to help Convoy of Hope continue to impact families like Tony’s. http://www.convoyofhope.org/go/headlines/entry/from_honored_guest_to_volunteer

Bright colors flooded the parking lot of city hall in Roswell, Ga., where a Convoy of Hope community outreach was well underway. Inflatable bounce houses, rides, games and balloons welcomed children to the sprawling kid’s area.

Large striped tents housed volunteers who offered medical screenings, job placement assistance, haircuts, family portraits, prayer and connection to local churches, agencies and organizations.

One family of volunteers knew exactly what it was like to be an honored guest at the outreach because two years earlier they were homeless and had come to the distribution site for help ... and hope.

They received both.

Tony, a volunteer, can’t stop his eyes from filling with emotion as he recounts how he moved his wife and three children to Atlanta more than five years ago to establish a construction business with partners.

Partner with Convoy of Hope to help families like Tony’s. http://www.convoyofhope.org/go/headlines/entry/from_honored_guest_to_volunteer

“Contracts stopped coming,” he says. “I couldn’t pay the mortgage â€¦ couldn’t feed my family. I lost my house. We ended up living in our car.”

At night during months of homelessness Tony watched his children huddle together to stay warm in the car. “It was real despair,” he says of the experience. “I kept asking myself, ‘Was it my fault? How did this happen?’”

Tony heard that Convoy of Hope was distributing free groceries and decided to attend the outreach in Roswell.

“People were genuinely concerned about our situation and wanting to help,” recalls Tony.

A group of volunteers at the outreach went above and beyond their duties to help Tony find a job, a home and furnishings. They also helped enroll his children in school.

“At the outreach my life completely changed,” he says.

Zechariah

2011-11-28T23:47:00.000-08:00

Return to God and he will return to you.

The Bible reads, "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, 'The Lord was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds. But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, As the Lord of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us'" (Zechariah 1:1-6, ESV).

Zechariah lived in a time that generation after generation had forgotten God. Their short memory had lasting consequences. They had lost their leadership and land. The temple foundation was left in ruins. But now they had a second chance. And in the midst of the desolation came a discovery. The old scrolls. The old prophecies. Warnings. Promises. A time to repent. A time to remember.

God often says something to one group and then has to wait years for another group to finally respond. Just look at the Exodus. How can thousands eyewitness the plagues and Red Sea and then be afraid of giants? Why settle for wanderings when the Promised Land is across the Jordan?

Is it any coincidence that Zechariah's name literally means "Yahweh Remembered"? Now was the time to return.

Does the prophet's message speak to our day and age? We will not ignore what God is doing. We will join him on the mission. His vision must become our vision. His work our own work. No more delays. No more distractions. No more disobedience. Remember who he is and what he is about. Remember why we are here. Remember what he has done. Remember what he is capable of.

Pursue

2011-11-27T22:37:00.000-08:00

Today David Brakke, our lead pastor at Maltby Christian Assembly, concluded a series on the Holy Spirit titled "The Third Person by talking about spiritual gifts.

The Apostle Paul writes, "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up" (1 Corinthians 14:1-5, ESV).

Pastor David reminded us that we must utilize the gifts that God has given us where they are needed the most - outside the church walls. He proposed, "We shouldn't just make it through life. But we should make a difference with our life."

So what gift has God given you through his Holy Spirit? I am not talking about your natural talents or tendencies. I am talking about what only God can do in and through you. And are you using that gift in a way that brings glory and honor to God or only for time and attention to yourself? Are you showing decency, order, and maturity? Remember, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not the same as the fruit of the Holy Spirit. But the gifts should be used in such a way that shows fruit.

And what was the highlight of this morning's gathering? That our Thanksgiving celebration ended with Sherry Brakke and team leading our church in creating over one thousand care packages for our community. Talk about showing gifts of kindness.

Holdman

2011-11-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

My children are begging me to hang up Christmas lights this year. They have asked every year. But I have been far too picky in preference to meet my own expectations. But I need to do it for them. Not for myself. Isn't that what parenting is all about?

Here is what I am thinking:

List

2011-11-25T21:59:00.000-08:00

I remember a friend of mine recently describing Thanksgiving as a time of year that we are so grateful for what we have that we spend the entire next night buying more. I don't really know I feel about Black Friday. But on the flip-side, as a parent of four children, I do see the value of stretching a dollar. What do you think about our national day of consumption?

Regardless, I think that every shopper should make it interesting for others. Why not have some fun in the midst of the chaos. Here is an idea for a little dose of friendly competition -

Do you have any memorable experiences from Black Friday?

Gaius

2011-11-24T23:55:00.000-08:00

The Bible reads, "Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth" (3 John 1:5-8, ESV).

I came across this text on Thanksgiving Day and cannot but think about a conversation that I recently had with Steve Shoop (read more about what this missionary does in developing leaders at http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2011/11/engage.html). He mentioned to me how such holidays can be the loneliest days of the year for missionaries. American holidays, of course, are not celebrated elsewhere in the world. Families are separated. Turkeys are even expensive.

Show your gratitude this year by being hospitable to someone who needs it the most. Pray for a missionary. Write to a missionary. Facebook them. Skype with them. Make sure they know they are missed and appreciated. Hospitality.

Zophar

2011-11-23T23:01:00.000-08:00

The Bible reads, "No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these? I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock. In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; it is ready for those whose feet slip. The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hand" (Job 12:2-6, ESV).

We must be careful not to find ourselves in a place where we believe that we have it all figured out. Believing that we have all the answers makes us feel better...but it does not necessarily always make others feel better. Job's friends had all of the theories and formulas that they needed. They took great comfort in knowing how God worked...and yet they failed to see God at work and his desire to bring comfort.

We are not the end all. There are aspects of life and love - grace and mercy, truth and mystery, justice and holiness - that we are not fully aware of. Often what hinders us from helping others is not just our misunderstanding of God but also our misunderstanding of other people. Job's friends did not know Job. They did not want to.

Is our intent to be heard or to bring about healing?

Tebow

2011-11-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

Allow me to go on record and say that I don't necessarily believe that Tim Tebow will be a long-term success in the NFL (at least as a starting quarterback). But I am not a Tim Tebow hater. In fact, I am anything but a Tim Tebow hater. I still believe that he is the greatest college player of all time. He is a winner. But I also believe that he had no business being drafted in the first round. The Denver Broncos took him far too early. And he does have sketchy footwork and a slow release. The option offense cannot and will not work in the NFL on a consistent basis (just as the Wildcat only lasted for season or two).

That being said, I will not allow myself to be grouped in with the majority of Tebow-critics. Though they would say everything that I have said (and more) - I have a sneaking suspicion that they are saying all of those things for all of the wrong reasons. There is a great difference between predicting that someone will fail and actually actively wanting them to fail. Why do so many people absolutely detest Tebow? And are these actually things that Tebow can control?

First, there is ongoing plight of the African-American quarterback. Many former players resent Tebow for playing the game that they played and yet receiving the opportunities they did not have earlier and easier in the process. There has been (and in some ways there still is) a stigma with black quarterbacks. A sad but true aspect of our society. And yet, there are signs that this is changing for the better. Regardless, is this Tebow's fault? Is he the one to blame for this injustice? This is misplaced hatred.

Second, there are those who cannot stand Tebow because of the way that he outward displays his faith in Jesus Christ. But what is wrong with this picture? Sure, I get sick and tired of God's name being thrown around before and after every game by random players who do not mean what they say (which is not everyone by the way) - especially when he is primarily referenced as the Reason that a certain team one and a certain team lost. But that is not how Tebow usually references him. Tebow does not talk about how God MADE him win and his opponent lose. He talks about how God has given him the integrity and influence to be all that he is supposed to be. Tebow gauges his life not on wins and losses, but on showing love and respect to others. He wants to make his team better. He talks about leadership and decision-making.

Tebow knows that his life is not all about football. But he also knows that he is supposed to use the game of football as a part of his life. He wants God to receive the glory. And I believe that he would do that regardless of his profession. Tebow wants to be a man worth following. What exactly is wrong with that? Why is our culture enraged by athletes promoting their faith and okay with them trying to sell a sneaker? Why do we give Tebow a hard time for not criticizing his coaches when we give other athletes a pass for inappropriate tweets, angry press-conferences, or yet another contract hold out? Why do we give loud-mouths reality shows but refuse Tebow the right to have a commercial on the value of life?

The Bible reads,The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them" (Proverbs 11:3, ESV).

I want Tebow to do well. Not just in football. But in life. Heck, I might even become a Denver Broncos fan if they re-sign him. Well, let's hope that won't happen. Not that I am rooting against him or anything.

Bjorklund

2011-11-21T23:22:00.000-08:00

I would recommend Kurt Bjorklund's "Prayers for Today: A Yearlong Journey of Contemplative Prayer." I was fortunate enough to be provided a copy in a special pre-release directly from the publisher for review purposes. Moody Publishers has graciously offered to send one of my readers a complimentary copy of the book as well. Comment on this blog and/or retweet (tag me in the tweet/status update so that I am notified) for your chance to win (I will select the winner by random within the first 48 hours of this blog going live). You can pre-order a paperback copy for under $11 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Prayers-Today-Yearlong-Journey-Contemplative/dp/0802463509/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321949967&sr=8-2) or directly from the publisher at http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41829&pid=70996.

As I have already mentioned in my recent review of Mark Batterson's "The Circle Maker," I really sense that God is calling me to make 2012 a year of prayer for me and my family (http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2011/11/circle.html). This book will be a helpful resource as it draws from the truths of Scripture and traditions of the church.

My favorite entry, thus far, happens to be Day 29 and is focused on being a prayer of intercession (specifically interceding for those trapped in injustice). The Bible reads, "I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence" (Psalm 140:12-13, ESV).

Mother Teresa once prayed, "Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow men through the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands this day their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy" (47).

Winifred Holtby echoes those words when he wrote, "God give me work till my life shall end. And life till my work is done" (47).

The author suggests, "Take a few moments to pray for the poor and hungry in the world. The oppressed and persecuted. Those who have suffered from a natural disaster. Offer prayers for peace among the nations regarding current events. Pray for those on the front lines of work with the marginalized in our world. Lord, how can I better aid those in need? Lord, how can I better seek justice? Lord, is there an oppressor that you are calling me to oppose and remove?" (47).

Official Author Biography: Bjorklund was educated at Wheaton College, Trinity International University, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. After serving two churches in the Chicago area, Kurt served as a Senior Pastor in a church in southeastern Michigan for a decade. He is currently the senior pastor of Orchard Hill Church, a large non-denominational church outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Faith live with their four sons in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

Official Book Description: A collection of classic and contemporary prayers, some derived from Scripture and others from the writings of Christian leaders throughout the centuries, this beautiful volume invites readers into a daily experience of closer intimacy with God. Each day's entry focuses on one of ten traditional types of prayer:

* Prayers of Thanksgiving
* Prayers of Confession
* Prayers of Affirmation
* Prayers of Petition
* Prayers of Renewal
* Prayers of Praise and Adoration
* Prayers to Have Christ-like Character
* Prayers for Wisdom and Guidance
* Prayers of Intercession
* Prayers of Surrender

With 260 entries -- enough for every weekday of an entire year -- Prayers for Today guides readers through a unique kind of spiritual pilgrimage, a pilgrimage toward the very throne room of God.

For any reader who's ever wanted more out of prayer or who's ever hungered for a greater sense of God's presence, Prayers for Today promises deepened communion with the One who treasures the words and longings of His people.

Engage

2011-11-20T13:39:00.000-08:00

Steve Shoop, an Assemblies of God missionary and Engage International Director (http://www.engagemylife.com/), joined us today at Maltby Christian Assembly. He is a good friend and missional entrepreneur.

He reminded our church that the Spirit of God has empowered us to GO. Christ did not say to pray for the harvest - but for the workers of that harvest. The Bible reads, "And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest'" (Matthew 9:35-38, ESV).

But we all at times wonder how God could use someone like us. But Shoop proposes, "It's not what you bring to the table, it's that you are at the table." Are you willing to step out and meet people where they are already at? Even when you have no idea what to do next? Are you willing to do whatever it takes in obedience to the Cause of Christ? No matter the cost? Is my life defined by the commission to make disciples? How else am I able to make disciples if I am not willing to engage in relationship with those currently distant from Christ?

Speaking of Engage, I encourage you to check out Shoop's website. His team is changing the way that our movement is shaping and sending global missionaries. I have already seen three of my former students participate in the two-year program. You might know of someone who has been compelled by the Call but has little idea of how to make it a reality. What if they could continue their college education AND enjoy ministry experience abroad? With Shoop's help, they can.

BC

2011-11-19T22:02:00.000-08:00

I enjoy every season that Notre Dame defeats Boston College. I will never forgive the Eagles for what took place in 1993.

The last football game that I remember watching with my Grandfather Farley, just months before he passed away, was the epic matchup between the #1 Florida State Seminoles and the #2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Even though the game would be held at South Bend, very few analysts would give the Irish a fighting chance. But Rick Mirer would prove them all wrong and walk away with the win. The only thing that would stand between Notre Dame and their first national championship in five years would be a single game at Boston College.

That was all they needed to screw it all up. The Holy War to end all Holy Wars. Notre Dame ended the season with one loss. FSU with one loss. And no shared title. The Seminoles stole one. The Irish have since had four coaches in the last 18 years and no national title to show for it. Beat Boston College every year. And beat them bad.

Boundaries

2011-11-18T23:34:00.000-08:00

I would recommend Dr. John Townsend's "Beyond Boundaries: Learning to Trust Again in Relationships." I was fortunate enough to be provided several copies in a special pre-release directly from the publisher for review purposes (I gave the autographed copies to members of our Network leadership team and pastoral staff). You can pre-order a hardback copy for under $16 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Boundaries-Learning-Trust-Relationships/dp/0310330491/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321835937&sr=8-1) or directly from the publisher at http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310412908&QueryStringSite=Zondervan.

My favorite chapter was titled, "Knowing When You are Ready." Dr. Townsend writes, "Simply put, grief is letting go of what you cannot keep. Grief requires accepting, both mentally and emotionally, that something you loved and valued is no more" (90). This could be due to various factors:
* Breakup, separation, or divorce
* Family conflict or change
* Loss of friendship
* Death
* Career disappointment
* Addiction
* Injury or illness
* Financial difficulty
* Childhood trauma

Dr. Townsend proposes, "Grief converts a wound into memory" (91). Jesus lamented, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'" (Matthew 23:37-39, ESV).

There are six components for grieving a lost relationship:
* Acknowledge the attachment: The greater the grief you feel, the greater the love you have for the person you lost. This would explain how a couple who was married for twenty years could treat each other with such contempt following a divorce.
* Accept that you can't control the loss: You don't have permission or power to change the other person's decisions. Some people mistakenly believe that every problem can be solved if only they try enough. Some things are out of our hands.
* Name what you valued: You must say goodbye to the other person, not simply the negative parts of the person (93). A half grief is never a healing grief.
* Surround yourself with people who are comforting: Being present means they don't try to give you advice, cheer you up, or change the topic (96). So many of us are so terrible at this. We want to do something. We want to fix it. We offer solutions. We offer theology. Sometimes, we just need to be there for them when no one else.
* Allow sadness: Get out of the doing mode and into the feeling mode. Welcome sadness at times (97).
* Give yourself the gift of time: Devote time and energy - but don't prolong your grief either.

Official Author Biography: Dr. John Townsend is a psychologist, popular speaker, and cohost of the nationally broadcast New Life Live! radio program, and a cofounder of Cloud-Townsend clinic and Cloud-Townsend Resources. His bestselling books include the Gold Medallion Award-winning Boundaries. Website: www.drtownsend.com

Official Book Description: How do you know you’re ready to trust again … and what does it take to be ready? Painful relationships violate our trust, causing us to close our hearts. But to experience the freedom and love God designed us for, we eventually have to take another risk. In this breakthrough book, bestselling author Dr. John Townsend takes you beyond the pain of the past to discover how to re-enter a life of intimate relationships. Whether you’re trying to restore a current relationship or begin a new one, Townsend gives practical tools for establishing trust and finding the intimacy you long for. Beyond Boundaries will help you reinstate closeness with someone who broke your trust; discern when true change has occurred; reestablish appropriate connections in strained relationships; create a safe environment that helps you trust; and restore former relationships to a healthy dynamic. You can move past relational pain to trust again. Beyond Boundaries will show you how.

Ruins

2011-11-17T23:11:00.000-08:00

The Bible reads, "Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord's message, 'I am with you, declares the Lord.' And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king" (Haggai 1:12-15, ESV).

Nothing is more discouraging than looking upon destruction. To see what once was. There are really only two people in this world - those who look upon ruins and settle with the thought that it will never be again. Some become bitter. Others apathetic. But regardless, little is done to change the current situations. A new normal inevetibly sets in.

Then there are those who see what is left and immedietely speak of what will again be. They actually hold on to the conviction that the past was great - but believe that it will pale in comparison to what awaits them in the future. They see promise. They see possibility. They see a challenge. They anticipate a generation stepping up and stepping out in ways yet to be witnessed.

I have always said I am realist. That is what all pessimists claim. I tend to always go worse case scenario. A defense-mechanism. I tend to not ask because I fear hearing "no." My worst nightmare is failure and mostly because failure might lead to rejection.

No more. I want to build. I actually want to be in a place where my back is against a wall - maybe even a broken down wall - so that God HAS to intervene. So that he leaves me no choice but to act. To rebuild out of the ruin.

Door

2011-11-16T23:00:00.000-08:00

Tonight was our annual Merge Wednesday Special where we invite parents to join us for a time of worship, message, and small groups. This year's guest was Jeffery Portmann (our Network Youth Director and winter retreat speaker).

Pastor Jeffery set up this year's theme - "The Difference." The idea is that Christ changes us that we might bring change around us. He is the Difference. And where does the difference begin? With decisions.

We were reminded that sanctification, God's work of making us holy, is both positional and progressive. We are placed in right relationship because of Christ's work on the cross...but we must then respond. We must receive. We must follow. And this is where we are first transformed. But then how must we live? In submission. In surrender. Deciding time and time and time again to trust and obey in a world that only knows doubt and disobedience.

Pastor Jeffery suggested, "One decision does not determine our destiny. But it does shape it." He read the timeless words of Joshua, "Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:14-15).

Joshua made a choice. And he continued to make that choice until the day he died. We all want to be like Joshua. But very few of us are willing to do what it takes to be men and women like Joshua. Who wouldn't want to be a hero? To lead the people into the Promised Land? But how many of us are willing to stand up for what is right when everyone else is only wanting to do what is wrong? To see a land of milk and honey when everyone else is afraid of giants? Joshua made the right decisions when they were tough because he made the right decisions when they were probably a bit easier.

Pastor Jeffery asked a thought-provoking question, "Have you ever asked yourself, 'How did I get here?'" Where you look around and you wonder how you made such a mess of your life? You have no more desire to stay where you are...but you have absolutely no way of knowing the way out?

I don't want to be in that place. I want to look back on my life and ask myself, "How did I get here" - but in a different sense. I want to wonder how God did what he did with what little I had. How he made something good out of it. I want to be in the sort of place where only God can get all of the glory. That there is no question who is really in charge. And I do want to stay there. Truly a land of promise.

No small order...to make the right decision. And to keep on making the right decisions. So where does it all start? As Pastor Jeffery said, "Small keys open big doors." You never know how close you are to something special. Make the right choice.

Dove

2011-11-15T21:48:00.000-08:00

I love what Dove is doing right now. They are starting conversations in our communities. They are attempting to redefine (maybe even redeem) beauty for what it truly is. The question is, why did it take a soap company and not the church of Christ?

The Bible warns, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion" (Proverbs 11:22, ESV). I fear for my children. There was a day when there was great secrecy and shame in purchasing pornography. You would have had to go to the nearest mini-market and walk out with a paper sack that everyone knew what was inside. Now we live in a day and age where it is convenient and private - and more often than not, it finds us rather than us finding it.

What chance does my six year old boy have? When I have to drive by a "naughty barista" stand on my way to Fred Meyer, where we stand in line at the grocery store and see magazines promoting the latest and greatest sex positions, and where it seems that every teenager now has a smartphone that has little to no restrictions or parental oversight on it?

Leaders, keep in mind that we are just ten years away (if that) from pastoring congregations that are in great danger of being completely sexually dysfunctional and broken - and I am talking congregations (let alone those who are unchurched). What will marriages look like when five years in, these couples are having to deal with porn addictions, past experimentation, STDs, and abortions?

We deal with beauty and purity now or we wrestle with the ramifications later.

Touch

2011-11-14T06:47:00.000-08:00

I find it fascinating that each generation has its own struggles with the doctrine of Jesus being both fully God and fully man. Not half God and half man. Not sometimes God and other times man. He is fully God and fully man. Christ is the only One who can stand before God as a representative of humanity and yet still be God's perfect gift to humanity.

Generally speaking, our society seems to be okay with Jesus as man. They see him as a good one. A teacher. A humanitarian, even. But don't dare place his words equal to the Divine. Or cast him as the Word. We do not want to be accountable for ALL that he said. To submit to another. So we ignore his death, crucifixion, resurrection, asscenions, and evenual return. That all just does not make sense, after all.

But what about the weeks and months that followed the Empty Tomb? People had little problem in believing that he was God. He taught it. He lived it. He confirmed it! No, the heresy of the early days was that he was never man to begin with. They could not grasp the mystery of the Incarnation. That God could be or would be in the flesh. That is why evangelists like John had to remind people, time after time, that they knew him to be divine AND human. That they walked with him and talked with him just like anyone else.

The Bible reads, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that ourt joy may be complete" (1 John 1:1-4, ESV).

So what do we in our day? When people claim to like Jesus but do not know Jesus for who he really is? We follow the example of John. We talk about the times and the ways that we "touch" him. That we hear him. That we share life with him. That we know him. That he knows us. We talk about the relationship. That he is Alive. That he resides in us and works through us. And that he can be known by others. By God's grace. That their joy might be complete.

Evidence

2011-11-13T11:55:00.001-08:00

David Brakke, our lead pastor at Maltby Christian Assembly, continued a series on the Holy Spirit titled "The Third Person by talking about the initial evidence and enduring work.

The pattern of Acts seems to be that the outward sign of the inward work of being empowered by the Holy Spirit was speaking in an unknown language. This was the confirmation that the disciples were to go out and make more disciples. After all, this was already promised by Christ himself. Jesus instructed, "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning" (John 15:26-27, ESV).

But do not forget what else took place in the Book of Acts. People were added to the church on a daily basis. Sinners repented and were baptized in water. The sick were healed. God played no favorites - outsiders were welcomed into the covenant. Persecutors became Apostles. And the more believers were killed - the more the lost were saved.

Pastor David suggested, "One reason people tend to be uncomfortable with the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit is because they don't see enough of the enduring evidence of Christ-likeness"Far too many people want to feel good but not do any good. And others want to be a church on the mission but refuse to rely upon God's power. I envision a church who is dependent upon God AND devoted to his mission. So go and show the world who the Spirit of Jesus really is.

Circle

2011-11-12T20:24:00.001-08:00

I would highly recommend Mark Batterson's "The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears." I was fortunate enough to be provided a copy in a special pre-release directly from the author for review purposes. You can pre-order a hardback copy for under $13 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Circle-Maker-Praying-Circles-Greatest/dp/0310333024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321158449&sr=8-1) or directly from the publisher at http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310333029&QueryStringSite=Zondervan.

Batterson writes, "So while God is for us, most of us have no idea what we want God to do for us. And that's why our prayers aren't just boring to us; they are uninspiring to God. If faith is being sure of what we hope for, then being unsure of what we hope for is the antithesis of faith, isn't it? Well-developed faith results in well-defined prayers, and well-defined prayers result in a well-lived faith" (23).

The Bible reads, "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, Give me justice against my adversary. For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.' And the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?'" (Luke 8:1-8, ESV).

Like many of Batterson's previous works, this book could not have come at a better time. I have this sense that 2012 must become a year of prayer for me personally. I am going to take a page out of "Circle-Makers" (and other counsel I have received from mentors in my life) and to prayer walk once again. I remember being an avid "prayer walker" during my senior year of high school. Why not again? Walk circles around my church property on Thursday afternoons? Asking God to do what only he can do? Listen to what he has to say? Why not? Walk circles around my neighborhood and pray for the families inside their homes - many of which I do not yet know? That Christ would make things new? Why not? Batterson writes, "Define your dream. Claim your promise. Spell your miracle" (23). I have a feeling that I am on the cusp of walking into some territory and asking for some miracles that I have never before thought possible.

Official Author Biography: Mark Batterson serves as the lead pastor of National Community Church, one church with seven locations in Washington, DC. Mark is the author of several best-selling books: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, and Primal. Mark is a popular speaker at leadership conferences, denominational gatherings and men’s retreats. His articles appear in a wide-variety of periodicals including Leadership Journal, Rev, Outreach Magazine, and Relevant. Mark and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children.

Official Book Description: According to Pastor Mark Batterson in his book, The Circle Maker, “Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn’t just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It’s a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.” Do you ever sense that there’s far more to prayer, and to God’s vision for your life, than what you’re experiencing? It’s time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle Maker—a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not budge from inside it until God answered his prayers for his people. What impossibly big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? Sharing inspiring stories from his own experiences as a circle maker, Mark Batterson will help you uncover your heart’s deepest desires and God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer that God delights to answer.

Nadarkhani

2011-11-11T16:14:00.001-08:00

Join me this Sunday in prayer for the persecuted church.

AG: Suffering Church from Ashen Rayne on Vimeo.

Nero

2011-11-10T23:03:00.000-08:00

The Bible reads, "Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen" (1 Peter 4:14-18, ESV).

Peter probably wrote these words from within the confines of a Roman prison. He knew that Nero would eventually call for his head. Christians faced pressure from within and from outside the church. False teachings and political persecution abounded. But Peter refused to lose faith. He had done so in his earlier days. And now, under the empowerment of the Spirit, he refused to deny Christ in another dark time.

Christ followers hold to the conviction that the enemy can take everything but that which matters the most - their souls. Therefore, take everything from them - even their lives - but they refuse to fight back. And by not fighting, the battle is actually won. God's Kingdom shows, over and over, to be upside down in so many different ways. In times of comfort she tends to grow apathetic but in times of intense pressure she awakens. For every Stephen, there emerges a Saul.

Masquerade

2011-11-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

Tonight's Merge Student Gathering featured a message by two of our interns, Blair Hopkins and Mary Knight, on the topic of hiding our hurts (the second and final part to our Masquerade series). They opened their sermon by showing the following YouTube clip.

Looks pretty serious, doesn't it? But at least there was a trained medical staff on the scene. And he was probably rushed to the hospital for urgent care. We all know what to do in the event of a broken bone. But what about a broken heart? Who takes care of that? Who is available to rush in and do what no one else can do? And aren't such ailments easier to hide? To "cope" with? But wouldn't you say, in all honesty, that such brokenness is just as harmful? Even as deadly?

The Prophet Jeremiah knew all about pain. In fact, he is best known as the "Weeping Prophet." Isn't it hard enough to be called by God at an early age? Better yet, imagine being called to publicly suffer at an early age? Isn't difficult enough to be ridiculed and rejected for over forty years? How about being asked to stay and comfort those who had just rejected you for all forty of those years?

The Bible reads, "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the Lord inflicted on the day of his fierce anger" (Lamentations 1:12, ESV).

Israel had lost so much. Her land and leadership. Her children. Her future. Her freedom. And Jeremiah stays. He is done crying for himself. For the things he did not deserve. Now he cries for his city. For all that she did deserve.

I pray that God heals you. I don't know what hurt you or why it hurts you. But may he heal you completely and instantly. And may you have the strength and circumstance to tell your story to someone who needs to hear it the most. May that story be a sign that points people to Christ. Don't be afraid to stay.

Find

2011-11-08T22:03:00.000-08:00

A couple of years ago I had this awful (but necessary) realization as a parent. I was doing a much better job of discipling the students of our youth ministry than I was of discipling my own children in my home. So I did what I do as a youth pastor - I developed a strategy. And my wife and I evaluate that strategy on an annual basis.

The plan as of right now? We do family devotions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning (and read something "lighter" on Tuesdays and Thursdays). Or at least we schedule to do as such. We don't always accomplish it. But we don't delete the appointment. Why? Because I would not delete a date with anyone else. So we just move it. Does the devotions time always go as planned? Hardly. Does the devotional time always end with tears and joy? Hardly. But do we stop, study, pray, listen, and learn? Most of the time.

The main resource that we are using at the moment is the ESV Seek and Find Bible (a Bible that I found about eighteen months ago and my father was so kind as to purchase for Julia and Jace). Here are some of the reasons (taken from the official product website at that I enjoy this specific Children's Bible (understanding that no Study Bible is going to be perfect)...

The website reads, "Published in partnership with Concordia Publishing House, this new full-color children’s Bible combines the complete ESV Bible text with more than 120 new, vibrant illustrations of major Bible stories. Accompanying each full-page illustration is the Bible story itself, clearly and accurately retold for young readers—and for the parents, grandparents, and teachers who read to them. Each story includes a Key Bible Verse to memorize, Additional Readings for discovering more of the story throughout the Bible, and simple Reflection Questions to help children begin to understand and apply God’s Word. Colorful icons make it easy for young readers to see where each story is found in the Bible text and to locate the illustration that goes with it.

In addition, dozens of Bible characters are profiled throughout the pages, and color call-out sections provide illustrated facts about important Bible objects, structures, and places. Each Bible book begins with a child-friendly introduction, highlighting the important characters and themes found in it.

The ESV Seek and Find Bible is the ideal first “real” Bible for pre-readers and young readers, ages 5 to 9, to grow up with. It is also a wonderful resource for parents to use in family Bible reading and for teachers who teach the Bible to young children.

* More than 120 full-page, full-color illustrations
* Simple Bible story retellings for each illustration
* Age-appropriate introductions to each Bible book
* Key Verses to memorize
* Illustrated profiles of more than 50 major Bible characters
* Illustrated facts about Bible objects, structures, and places
* Reflections Questions for children, parents and teachers"

We are currently going through the Bible cover-to-cover (reading the highlighted Bible stories - as a way to get an overview of God's Story). After we are done with those we will begin again, this time stopping to read Book Introductions, Character highlights, etc. My hope is that my children will always grasp the larger Biblical narrative rather than just isolated stories (and thus better understand how they play a part in that Redemptive Story).

A few slight complaints/concerns that parents need to be aware of...the pictures are far from historically accurate. I wish that the characters looked a little less "European." And some of the commentary leans a little too Calvinistic for my taste and places far too much emphasis at times on the importance of pastoral leadership. Ironic, I know, since I myself am one. I just wish that there was a little more teaching on the priesthood of all believers - that everyone is invited on the Mission. Last but not least, I look forward to the day that the publisher offer this resource as an e-book. It would be great to have the Seek and Find Bible on my iPad for those times that we away from the house - on the go or on vacation. But overall, I am so grateful for this Bible and plan to use it for years to come with my children.

Burn

2011-11-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we hurt people even when we don't mean to. We had quite the scare tonight. I was pouring boiling water into the sink. Some of the water bounced out and fell on to my eight year old daughter - right through her shirt and right on to her hip. She looked at me in shock. Then she screamed, "It hurts! It burns. Daddy!"

I tore her shirt off as fast as I could. There was already a mark the size of a nickel. I called my wife. I put ice on her fresh wound. Then aloe. I held her. I prayed with her. I did everything I could...and it still was not enough.

Pain teaches us a lot about life. I found, at that moment, that I would do anything to take away her pain if only I could. I would rather hurt than see her hurt. But as much as I love her, I could not give her exactly what she needed. I am not as in control as I make myself out to be And even though I did not mean to - the damage had been done.

Then there is the scar. I pray that she heals quickly and completely. I pray there is no lasting damage - no matter how small - that will forever remind us of the incident.

So, I just returned from tucking her into bed. I sat at her side for quite a while. We talked about the evening. The movie we watched. The books that we read. The school day that awaits her in the morning. I told her that I was sorry about the burn. That I never wished to hurt her. She knows. I prayed with her. I held her hand. I looked into her eyes and let her know that I was there. I think she is going to be okay.

Person

2011-11-06T13:16:00.000-08:00

Have you ever witnessed a misunderstanding or misuse of the Holy Spirit? Hear my thoughts at http://resources.razorplanet.com/510796-5165/510796_1102_198806.mp3 or by subscribing to the "Maltby Christian Assembly" podcast on iTunes.com and listening to the November 6, 2011 message. I would love to hear your thoughts. Share them below.

Belle

2011-11-05T20:41:00.001-07:00

Have you ever interviewed a four year old? Here are a few reflections from our youngest daughter as it relates to her birthday party. We are grateful for such outstanding family and friends - especially the Westerfields (who have opened up their home to us time and time again).

Enemies

2011-11-04T23:01:00.000-07:00

I would recommend Andy Stanley's "Enemies of the Heart: Breaking Free from the Four Emotions that Control You" (previously released as "It Came from Within"). I was fortunate enough to be provided two copies in a special re-release directly from the publisher for review purposes (I already gave the other copy to my lead pastor). You can purchase a paperback copy for under $11 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Enemies-Heart-Breaking-Emotions-Control/dp/1601421451/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320471588&sr=8-1) or directly from the publisher at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421456.

Stanley detects and defines the greatest dangers to our hearts:
* Guilt: I owe you
* Anger: You owe me
* Greed: I owe me
* Jealousy: God owes me

His answer to the struggle? Respond with confession, forgiveness, generosity, and celebration.

The chapters that I most wrestled with were the ones dealing with jealousy. Stanley writes, "Why do we have so much? A consumer-driven culture keeps us laser-focused on what we don't have, and focusing on what we don't have leaves our hearts vulnerable to greed" (147). He goes on to suggest, "When we don't have enough, we wonder why. Why not wonder when we have more than enough? (148). Stanley teaches, "Why do I have more time and resources than I actually need? (152).

Too many of us resemble the man who said of himself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry" (Luke 12:19, NIV).

Stanley suggests, "If you're consuming and saving to the point that there's little or nothing to give, you're greedy" (153). Instead, ask yourself, "Who can I help? What kingdom endeavor can I fund?" (155). How do we do this? Be a percentage giver. Give away a portion of everything you take in and increase that giving percentage annually. But also be sure to be a spontaneous giver. See the need and fill the need.

Official Author Biography: Andy Stanley is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries, Inc. Since its inception in 1995, North Point Ministries has grown from one campus to five in the Atlanta area and has helped plant over thirty strategic partner churches globally. Each Sunday, more than twenty-five thousand people attend worship services at one of North Point Ministries’ five campuses. Andy’s books include Enemies of the Heart, The Next Generation Leader, How Good is Good Enough? and many more. He lives in Alpharetta, Georgia, with his wife, Sandra, and their children.

Official Book Description: Break free from the destructive power of guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy. Divorce. Job loss. Estrangement from family members. Broken friendships. The difficult circumstances you are dealing with today are likely being fed by one of four emotional forces that compels you to act in undesirable ways, sometimes even against your will. Andy Stanley explores each of these destructive forces—guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy—and how they infiltrate your life and damage your relationships. He says that, left unchallenged they have the power to destroy your home, your career, and your friendships. In Enemies of the Heart, Andy offers practical, biblical direction to help you fight back, to take charge of those feelings that mysteriously control you, and to restore your broken relationships. Includes a six-week discussion guide—a valuable resource for small groups! Previously released as It Came from Within

Ecclesia

2011-11-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

I would highly recommend The Ecclesia Bible Society's "The Voice (New Testament): Stepping into the Story of Scripture." I was fortunate enough to be provided a copy in a special pre-release directly from the publisher for review purposes. You can purchase a paperback copy for under $8 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Voice-New-Testament-Thomas-Nelson/dp/B002IT5P4W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1320375322&sr=8-4) or directly from the publisher at http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1418549010&title=The_Voice_Bible_(VOICE)_&author=Ecclesia%20Bible%20Society.

There is great value in several different Bible translations. My personal favorite happens to be the English Standard Version (http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2010/11/esv.html). The ESV is what I primarily use for serious study and sermon preparation (I also lean heavily on the NASB and the NIV). However, for daily devotions, I have found it important to regularly gravitate between different Bible translations and reading plans. For example, there was a good two-year stretch where I was reading out of the New Living Translation.

With that in mind, and in an effort to hear the Scriptures from a fresh and bold perspective, I have decided to spend 24 weeks (beginning in December) reading out of the Voice.

Using the narrative of Jesus' water baptism, listen to the interesting perspective given by this translation (it reads almost like a play)... "But before John's imprisonment, when he was still preaching and ritually cleansing through baptism the people in the Jordan River, Jesus also came to him to be baptized. As Jesus prayed, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit came upon Him in a physical manifestation that resembled a dove. A voice echoed out from heaven.

Voice from Heaven: You are My Son, the Son I love, and in You I take great pleasure.

At this, the launch of Jesus' ministry, Jesus was about years old" (Luke 3:21-23, The Voice).

The scholars write, "What does it mean for Jesus to be baptized by John? If John's baptism symbolized a rejection of the religious establishment centered in the temple of Jerusalem, then Jesus' baptism by John symbolized that He was aligned with this radical preacher. Jesus isn't simply coming to strengthen or even renew the centers of power. Instead, He is joining John at the margins to be part of something wild and new that God is doing. And the vivid manifestation of God's pleasure - the dovelike appearance and the voice from heaven - suggests that even though Jesus is in a sense aligning Himself with John, John is simply the opening act and Jesus is the main attraction. The choreography between John's work and Jesus' work continues, but from this point on, Jesus is in the center of the story" (94).

What Bible translations do you prefer? What purposes do you use them for? Reading plans and websites? I would love to hear your ideas and experiences.

Official Book Description: The Voice™ Bible translation is a faithful dynamic translation of the Scriptures done as a collage of compelling narratives, poetry, song, truth, and wisdom. The Voice calls the reader to step into the whole story of Scripture and experience the joy and wonder of God’s revelation. Created for and by a church in great transition, The Voice uniquely represents collaboration among scholars, pastors, writers, musicians, poets, and other artists, giving great attention to the beauty of the narrative. The heart of The Voice is retelling the story of the Bible in a form as fluid as modern literary works yet remaining painstakingly true to the original manuscripts. This translation promotes the public reading of longer sections of Scripture—followed by thoughtful engagement with the biblical narrative in its richness and fullness and dramatic flow.

This is an updated and revised version of the New Testament edition, now at an even more affordable price. Features include:

--Italicized information added to help contemporary readers understand what the original readers would have known intuitively

--In-text commentary notes include cultural, historical, theological, or devotional thoughts

--Screenplay format, ideal for public readings and group studies

--Book introductions

Hide

2011-11-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been caught red-handed? Tonight I was given the opportunity to co-preach with one of our youth ministry interns named Austin Zornes. Hear our thoughts at http://resources.razorplanet.com/510796-5165/510796_1102_197176.mp3 or by subscribing to the "Merge Ministries" podcast on iTunes.com and listening to the November 2, 2011 message. I would love to hear your thoughts. Share them below.

Myslak

2011-11-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

I met with a good friend this morning. He said something that shook me up a bit. Ariel Myslak, the youth pastor at New Beginnings Christian Center in Moses Lake, was describing a difficult time in his ministry. He was referring to a time, a few years ago, where he was working with children. And all the while, he wanted to be upstairs leading others in the youth ministry. This is when a thought occurred to him...that this is right where Jesus would be if he was in the building. Downstairs. Away from the limelight. With the children. Making disciples. Showing compassion. Leading. Shaping. Sharpening. Answering questions. Joining in all of the joy. Living in the fullness of their faith.

We hear the passage at every baby dedication. We hear the narrative so much that we become numb to it. We don't ever stop to truly consider the ramifications. The Bible reads, "And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.' And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them" (Mark 10:13-16, ESV).

Would Christ want the spotlight? The stage? The sermon? The audience? Would he want what so many of us think is of the utmost importance?

Would he see children as an annoyance? Or as second-class? A side-note? An afterthought? A necessary ministry alongside other ministries? Nothing more and nothing less? After all, a church won't grow without a healthy children's ministry. Or maybe we are thinking about this from all the wrong angles. Maybe the healthiest church IS the children's ministry? Maybe that is where Jesus already is?

Maybe we need to spend more time "downstairs." Lead pastors, elders, and parents need to make it a healthy habit to visit...to serve...in the children's ministries of their churches on a more consistent basis. And be reminded of what Jesus loves the most.

And so, with a friend's words fresh in my thoughts, I pray for our children's pastors. I pray specifically for those gathering on Thursday at Northwest Children's Ministry Fusion Leadership Conference. I am grateful for these leaders of leaders. Many of them are instrumental in the spiritual formation of my own children. Week after week, they encourage and embody the faith of a child. They exemplify the Kingdom. And they are doing it downstairs.

Lament

2011-10-31T06:53:00.000-07:00

We ask a lot of God. There are times that we are so lost in what we want, when we want, and how we want it that we lose sight of God's Greater Story. And I am not just talking about outright rebellion. Sometimes we cloak our own desires and demands carefully in the veils of faith and passion. We see life the way we see life and anything outside of that is just plain wrong.

Take Habakkuk for instance. He was sick and tired of Judah getting away with breaking the covenant time and time and time again. He decided to force God's hand. He wanted answers. He wanted action. Do something! Sounds good and all. But he wanted it done now. And he wanted it done in a way that made...sense.

The prophet writes, "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you 'Violence!'and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted" (Habakkuk 1:2-4, ESV).

Wait a minute. God had already answered his prayer? Before the prophet even asked for it? But he just could not see it yet. An Empire was on the move. But still quite a distance away. And not quite ready for the siege.

And could God really be right in using Babylon? Aren't they worse than Judah? How is that justice?

Here are the struggles. God is often doing something that we cannot yet see. God is often doing something we might not always agree with.

Habakkuk was learning a valuable lesson. It is really easy to honor those we agree with. It is really easy to be obedient to a plan that we helped devise. But do we trust God enough to do what he will - even when it does not line up with our own timing and expectations? And what is a prophet anyways? Isn't Habakkuk supposed to be a mouthpiece? A scribe? A messenger? There are definite times to make requests. And ask questions. Even share our own concerns and complaints. But when it is all said and done - share the message and trust that your message is just a part of the Message.

Chittister

2011-10-30T18:49:00.000-07:00

I love to occasionally read books that are far outside of my denominational tradition. And no matter if we embrace or endorse those events and methods that have gone before us in the Christian faith, it is crucial to have somewhat of an understanding of our Church history. This was one reason that I recently picked up Joan Chittister's "The Liturgical Year."

My favorite chapter was titled "The Sanctoral Cycle." In it she writes, "The Irish parish had a St. Patrick's day festival. The Italians had a street fair for St. Joseph's Day. The Polish celebrated the feast of St. Stanislaus with a great parish dinner of potato pancakes and pierogi. The Slovacks celebrated St. Francis with a parish dance. The Germans had a pretzel sandwiches nand beer in the church parking lot on St. Michael's Day. The Greeks celebrated St. John; the Russians, St. Vladimir; and years later, the Hispanics and Vietnamese and French I knew, all did the same, with some figure unknown to us" (254).

I am not encouraging today's Protestant church to implement modern-day version of sainthood. But I do wonder...what is it that our churches are celebrating? What brings us together? That we gather together for meals and anniversaries for? What stories are we telling to our children and our children's children? Why aren't we talking about those who have gone before us? Who lived lives worth following? Those who followed Christ no matter the cost? Those who gave everything for the mission in their day and in their time? Those same characteristics that we want to see displayed in the people of our era? Do we recognize that this Story has existed far beyond us and will go on long after us?

The author suggests, "In the lives of the saints, we see in our own time the qualities that make life possible (259).

Suffer

2011-10-29T23:40:00.000-07:00

We simplify suffering. We want to explain it (probably in hopes that we might predict it or even avoid it altogether). But in so doing, we probably misrepresent God and mislead people.

The Bible reads, "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, 'It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.' Thus Job did continually" (Job 1:1-5, ESV).

There are times that people suffer for the Cause of Christ. It can be the most righteous believers who are persecuted and even killed for the sake and furtherance of the gospel. One of the most unexplainable aspects of faith is this - why is it often those who have the least are also those called to give the most? They do everything right - and everything wrong happens as a result.

Then there those who suffer because of their own doing. They literally bring it upon themselves. Sin produces destruction, division, and death. The reward for rebellion is too high a price to pay. And yet, those who are caught in such dysfunction, are the very ones who wish to blame anyone but themselves. They refuse to take responsibility let alone a posture of repentance. They are so wrapped up in the crisis and chaos that they have no idea that they are to blame.

To make matters even more complicated, sometimes bad things happen for no reason at all. We simply live in a broken and bruised world.

So how do we tell the difference? When do we know when we are suffering due to God's purposes? From our own actions? Or just in the midst of a larger tragedy?

And if this is how complicated suffering is - then could the same be said of blessings? We can't just name it or claim it. We can't just do all of the right things and expect all the right things in return. We are not in control. We do not deserve certain things because of who we are. Remember - grace and mercy. God is God and we are not.

But here is what we can do...we can comfort those who are suffering. We can pray and defend the persecuted church. And not resist persecution ourselves. We can ask that God search our heart and cleanse us of any destructive attitudes and behaviors. We can be there in times of trial and turmoil and do what no one else is willing to do. That much, I am certain of in the midst of suffering.

Desolate

2011-10-28T23:56:00.000-07:00

I often wonder what Jonah would have thought if he was alive when Nahum prophesied? So much had changed in the one hundred years that separated them. Nineveh was finally about to get what they deserved. They had repented...but not for long. And their conquest would have to come to a chilling end.

The Bible reads, "Desolate! Desolation and ruin! Hearts melt and knees tremble; anguish is in all loins; all faces grow pale! Where is the lions' den, the feeding place of the young lions, where the lion and lioness went, where his cubs were, with none to disturb? The lion tore enough for his cubs and strangled prey for his lionesses; he filled his caves with prey and his dens with torn flesh" (Nahum 2:10-12, ESV).

There are several lessons to be learned here. Far too many to be contained in just one blog. But one thing is certain: God does the right thing, in the right way, and all in the right time. Though he sounds similar, Nahum could not be any more different than Jonah. Jonah wanted what Jonah wanted. Nahum wanted what God wanted. Jonah wanted Nineveh to pay. Nahum wanted God to reign.

We must trust God with judgment. Never wish it on someone. Never celebrate it (though I do suspect that a part of Nahum did seem to enjoy it).

Above all else, we must keep our motives in check. Assyria was guilty of conquest. Taking what they did not deserve because they were convinced that they did deserve it. They thought that they could scare the world into believing that they were as strong as they thought themselves to be. They believed that the world was their's for the taking. They refused to worship the One who had created it all.

We must refuse to believe similar things. Nahum did not cheer himself on. He did not even cheer his own nation on. He gave all honor and glory to God and to God alone. There is a tendency for us to want to use God in the ways that pagans have used their own false gods - for what they have to gain out of the relationship. Do we take satisfaction in our enemies' defeat? And why do we do so? Because it "proves" that we are right and they are wrong? Or do we look on the suffering and hate the sin that causes such division, destruction, and death? Do we realize that it is only by God's grace that we are considered his people?

I pray that the repentance in our day and age lasts a whole lot longer than the one in Nineveh's era.

Underfoot

2011-10-27T23:25:00.000-07:00

Micah the Prophet lived in a day and age when God was looking for people of action. For a remnant of believers whose trust would translate in obedience. Micah promised Israel, whether they knew it or not, that God would be a God of action. That he was about to do some incredibly difficult things...but that he was going to do such things in the right way and in the right time and all for the right reasons. And that discipline would one day result in restoration.

The Bible reads, "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all ourt sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old} (Micah 7:18-20, ESV).

Here is what I love most about Micah's prophecies - he always said things such as, "Who is like our God?" We need to ask that question again. May he reveal himself in such a way in our lifetimes that people again take notice. That they know that he is alive and on the move. May it not be judgement. But salvation. May he show himself in and through his church.

Micah was calling Israel to be people of love, justice, compassion, and humility. Not much has changed. As we live that way, I am convinced that people will ask, "Who is like our God?" How great is he. I see his goodness and glory in the hearts, minds, and hands of his people.

360

2011-10-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

I would recommend John C. Maxwell's "The 360-Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence From Anywhere in the Organization." I was fortunate enough to be provided a copy in a special re-release directly from the publisher for review purposes. You can purchase a paperback copy for under $12 at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/360-Degree-Leader-Developing-Organization/dp/1400203597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319656151&sr=8-1) or directly from the publisher at http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=9781400203598.

My favorite section was on "They Myths of Leading From the Middle of an Organization."
1. The Position Myth: I can't lead if I am not at the top
2. The Destination Myth: When I get to the top, then I'll learn to lead
3. The Influence Myth: If I were on top, then people would follow me
4. The Inexperience Myth: When I get on top, I'll be in control
5. The Freedom Myth: When I get to the top, I'll no longer be limited
6. The Potential Myth: I can't reach my potential if I'm not the top leader
7. The All-or-Nothing Myth: If I can't get to the top, then I won't try to lead (22)

The "inexperience myth" hit me the hardest. Effective leaders actually give away control as they gain influence and gain influence as they give away control. There is so much that is out of your hands anyways - we might as well embrace it. Maybe the limitations of an organization are more often a reflection of our own limitations? Maybe there are people who can do what we are trying to do at a high (or even higher level)? I am not saying that we shouldn't be held accountable for what happens...we must always answer for the results and consequences. However, to think that if we always were able to do what we wanted that everything would turn out exactly as we hoped? Are we thinking of ourselves higher than we ought?

Maxwell suggests, "In leadership - no matter where you are in an organization - the bottom line is always influence (13).

That being said, my one frustration with Maxwell's resources often is that I feel that much of the content has appeared in his other works. It almost gets to the point that if you have read three to four of his works that you have read them all. He needs to be intentional in using new information.

For more on 360-Degree leadership (influencing others no matter where you are in the organization), I would recommend Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson's "Leading from the Second Chair." This work comes at the issues from both angles - from the one who sits in the first and second chair. Great resource.

Official Book Description: New York Times best-selling author John C. Maxwell shows anyone how to lead, regardless of their level in any organization. In his nearly thirty years of teaching leadership, John Maxwell has encountered this question again and again: How do I apply leadership principles if I’m not the boss? It’s a valid question that Maxwell answers in The 360 Degree Leader.

You don’t have to be the main leader, asserts Maxwell, to make significant impact in your organization. Good leaders are not only capable of leading their followers but are also adept at leading their superiors and their peers. Debunking myths and shedding light on the challenges, John Maxwell offers specific principles for Leading Down, Leading Up, and Leading Across. 360-Degree Leaders can lead effectively, regardless of their position in an organization. By applying Maxwell’s principles, you can expand your influence and ultimately be a more valuable team member.

Fish

2011-10-25T22:36:00.000-07:00

If there is one thing we learn from the Book of Jonah, it is that more often than not a pagan will be saved before a prophet. The sailors repented at the sight of a storm. The Ninevites at the sound of one warning. Jonah? It took three days in the belly of a fish...and he still did not want God to get his way.

The Bible reads, "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.' So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!' And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them" (Jonah 3:1-3, ESV).

Maybe this is why Jesus spent so much time with sinners and seemed to be harder on the religious elite? Because he knew so many were just one warning away. That they needed help - they just did not know how to ask. Or where to turn?

Contrast that with people like Jonah. They act as if they are better than the Ninevites. And on many counts, they are. But they are not good enough. Sure, the Ninevites were treacherous people and were guilty of terrible crimes - many of them towards Israel. But who was Jonah, really? Someone who could not believe that God's grace was sufficient? Or that obedience should be immediate and without limit? That he could think that he could outrun or outsmart the One True God? Is that any less pagan?

Or the Pharisees who would come years later. Those who claimed to know God better than anyone else but who would kill him when they saw him face-to-face. Maybe we do need to spend more time with the "pagans." Maybe that is where the change all begins.

Angels

2011-10-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

Jesus is superior to the angels.

The Bible reads, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs" (Hebrews 1:1-4, ESV).

We are approaching the season - the time between Halloween and in Christmas - where people are more interested in spiritual things. But spirituality is far from the same as righteousness. There is an emerging generation interested in vampires, witches, and other paranormal things. There is an intrigue to power. There is a desire to believe in something beyond ourselves - even when we have no business being that far beyond.

But make no mistake, something does not have to be dark in order to be a deterrent. There are plenty of Christians who are interested in topics that mean little to the gospel or to the Kingdom of God Even well-meaning individuals can get so caught up in heaven, end-times teachings, and other such topics that they slowly but surely lose sight of Jesus Chris altogether.

We must continue to point to the cross. To the Son of God. To the One who stands Superior. And why he stands Superior. Spirituality is no substitute for revelation. Experience is no substitute for encounter.

Pigs

2011-10-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

Our lead pastor, David Brakke, continued our series today at Maltby Christian Assembly based on Timothy Keller's bestseller titled "The Prodigal God." After several weeks focused on the elder son, we turned our attention on the younger brother.

The Bible reads, "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate" (Luke 15:17-24, ESV).

He came to his senses. You can't help but hear the shame and regret in his voice. I think we have all been there at one time or another. How did we end up here? It was not supposed to be this way. This was not what I signed up for. I was supposed to be different. I thought that I could get away with it. After all, it is not my fault. Or is it?

We live so much life without ever seeing ourselves as we really are. Exiles. Separated from the only One who can make things right.

But then...we come to ourselves. The pig slop just doesn't do it for us anymore. We would rather be servants than slaves. The goal is to go home. And what awaits us? Family. Who would have thought that our Father has been waiting for us the entire time. He won't even allow us to finish our sentence.

You ready to come home?

Sores

2011-10-19T22:30:00.000-07:00

Have you ever given someone the silent treatment? Felt looked past in life? Tonight I was given the opportunity to co-preach with one of our youth ministry interns named Jazmin Ridley. Hear our thoughts at http://resources.razorplanet.com/510796-5165/510796_1102_191228.mp3 or by subscribing to the "Merge Ministries" podcast on iTunes.com and listening to the October 20, 2011 message. I would love to hear your thoughts. Share them below.

Whoredom

2011-10-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

The Bible reads, "When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, 'Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.' So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son." (Hosea 1:2-3, ESV).

I wonder if we, as Christ followers, should be living a whole lot more with the heart of Hosea? That we should be willing to extend grace to those who continue to spit in our faces? That we show an unyielding commitment to those who don't even know what commitment looks like? Spending all that we have (and more) on those who make us the fool over and over and over again.

Maybe grace is not really grace until you have nothing else to give? Maybe grace is not grace until you find that you cannot love the person anymore...at least not in your own strength.

Then, and only then, do we have the heart of Hosea. The heart of Christ. That we would weep over a city that has killed prophets and is about to kill us. When we weep over a city that has seen God and has yet turned the other way. This is why we weep. Because we hate what sin has done. What death feels like. But we refuse to believe that anyone has gone too far and has fallen to fast.

We will continue to fight for those who fight against us. We will continue to show grace.

Status

2011-10-17T22:47:00.000-07:00

The Apostle Paul writes, "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free; but Christ is all, and in all" (Colossians 3:11, ESV).

This verse keeps me up at night. How many times in my life do I make it about me rather than about us? Where I focus on differences rather than on unity? Status instead of community? Position over mission?

The saddest part of the story...the very ones entrusted with leading the charge are often the ones fighting for their agendas. Why do we insist on drawing distinctions between those who make up the Body of Christ? To create status symbols rather than a priesthood of all believers?

I want to be a leader who mobilizes other leaders who accomplish far greater things than I could ever do on my own. This might be pushing the theological envelope a bit, but stay with me. Jesus knew that the best thing he could ever do for his disciples was...to leave. Sure, empowering them with his Spirit, did not hurt...but you see what I mean? They were in good hands. They were prepared. They continued what he started...as imperfect as the ride as been...the Movement moves one.

Can the same thing be said of us? When we leave for one week? When we leave for a lifetime? What will be left? Is the mission bigger than us?

The church is not restricted to one race. To a tradition. To gender or economics. And the church definitely is bigger than one personality. Especially mine.