treadmills

Well, one thing I've learned about training for a marathon in the spring in Central Illinois is that it's difficult. We've had such a tough winter (ice and snow covered sidewalks) that it's been impossible to run outside. Not to mention the really cold (like below zero) temperatures. Now, I've run in 15 below wind child before and it's really not too terrible, but you can't run on snow and ice...so I've done a lot of time on the treadmill. And by a lot, I mean ludicrous amounts of time. Last Saturday was a long run for me...I did 15 miles on the treadmill. Yeah I know! That's 60 laps on the little blip oval! That's a complete college basketball game and half of another! That's having to stop after 10 miles to reset the machine because it only goes up to 100 minutes! I think that distance on the treadmill is the most mind challenging thing I've ever done

Of course my mind wandered to preaching stuff. And here's the sermon about running on a treadmill for 15 miles. I didn't get anywhere. I ran in the same two by three foot rectangle for 2 1/2 hours. I ran fifteen miles but never left my basement. do you see where I'm going? It's possible to run, to sweat, to exert all kinds of energy and get nowhere!

I think the treadmill is probably one of the best illustrations our my life and your life sometimes. We get up every morning running and just run (to work, to events, to kids stuff, to activities, to church, to play, etc....) and really never get anywhere. Here's the question: Isn't it better to actually get somewhere when you run? Isn't it better to cover some ground? Isn't it better with a destination in mind? Think about these three questions in the context of your spiritual life today. Where are you going? Are you making progress toward the goal (Phil. 3:12-14) or are you just running in the same spiritual place you have been for the last several years. Man, get off the treadmill..it's just lousy running. Get out and get some air and go somewhere.

Hope that true this week for me both spiritually and physically.

solving predestination

Well, we've spent the last three weeks in the word talking about being chosen. Which always leads to (if you are carefully thinking through all the spiritual implication of choseness) to concern for the unchosen. There are Girgashites you know? People who are not chosen by God and who God commands his unchosen to take out (this in O.T. Promised Land history). This opens up a whole can of theological worms concerning God's foreknowledge, predestination, free will, etc... How can God be sovereign (big word for in control) over all and yet allow us to make choices that somehow play out in the equation? Of course Calvinists and Armenians have an answer to all of this (which am I? Neither, both guys who came up with these respective theologies were godly and intelligent men, but still just men. I believe everything the Bible teaches). But here's how I have solved these biblical truths in my mind:

First of all, I don't understand it and no one does. This is hard for those who want to have an explanation for everything about God, but the moment we can explain Him; we become as big and smart as He is and who wants a god like that?

Second understanding: Since i walk by faith and not by sight, I'm o.k. with not knowing. I believe that God is who he says He is and His written word is truth and so i trust everything there.

Thirdly (which I only use to irritate my jr. high english teacher who would say, "thirdly" isn't proper), there are only three truths we really need to know about our free will and God predestining us to be chosen. And here they are.
1. If you hear about Jesus you have a chance to believe in Him and therefore become chosen as heirs of the promise to Abraham through Jesus his "seed".
2. If you believe in Jesus (and I mean you follow him and trust him with your salvation and your life) then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.
3. If you are worrying about Girgashites being eternally condemned (or any other people or people groups in the world that you feel aren't getting a fair shake in the chosen realm) you are worrying about something outside of your control or understanding. It is up to God to save people and he's passionate about it (sent his Son) and has a plan (the church - that's you if you are a Jesus' follower). We have to trust that God will be God. We can't.

So I can say with equal passion. I came to Jesus by faith, an act of my own free will (I remember giving the good confession as a 7 year old). I really chose to follow him (and still do everyday). And at the same time. He chose me before the foundation of the world to be one of his sons and daughters. How complex. How confusing. How wonderful to be chosen.

Sunday nite special (live from San Diego)

Well, a great weekend in San Diego is winding down (and as most of you sleep, there's still enough time in my Sunday to let you into my awesome weekend) and since I'll be at 37,000 feet much of tomorrow, you get the Monday blog a little early.

Sara, Caleb and I flew to San Diego on Friday leaving 25 degrees and flurries behind for some sunshine. It's not that we saw a whole lot when we arrived (the sunset at 5:00 and we got the hotel around 6:00) but we could tell from the palm trees and soft breezes that we were in for a great weekend. We were not disappointed! 80's and sunshine both days! Here are the top ten memorable things from the weekend:

10. Sara and I went to Point Loma Nazarene Univ. and watched the sunset over the ocean on Saturday night. Spectacular.
9. Caleb and I sat on our balcony overlooking the bay two nights and had great talks about dating, church leadership, preaching and life. I really treasure those times.
8. I ran 16 miles (still training for Champaign marathon in April) totally along the bay early Saturday morning in shorts! Even this kind of ludicrous (is that spelled right?) running is enjoyable when the sun shines over the water.
7. Hot tub with Sara on Saturday night (see number 8 and you'll know why I needed it) with a chill in the air.
6. Catching up with Chris and Lyndsey Hornbrook and seeing their new little girl Ruthie Grace. These guys were formerly the young adult pastors at Eastview and it's always good to spend time with them.
5. Lunch after church this afternoon on Mission Bay at a local fish joint. Great crab cakes with a view to the ocean.
4. Driving around in a really cool red convertible (Caleb had to sit sideways because there was no leg room, but he didn't mind - maybe).
3. A chance to think/pray/stare at the water/be still/read. It's good to say nothing and just be in the presence of God (and it's rare when I'm not talking :-).
2. Breakfast this morning before church was my usual routine - grande' Starbucks and a scone while I looked at the hundreds of boats docked in the marina. Very cool and I paid special attention to pray for my family at Eastview as I realized where they were in their church services. (I missed you guys, but not really the weather you were experiencing).
1. Preaching at Chris's three month old church (Momentum Christian Church - Google and check it out). There were two services - one for the workers (about 30 who serve behind the scenes when church begins) and the second for their church service of about 50-60 adults. I really enjoyed the cinema setting. The worship was great and the Spirit moved.

Words can't describe...great weekend, looking forward to being home. Everyone keeps saying to have a safe trip home, but I'm not the one flying the plane, so I'll sit in a seat as safely as I can.

never ceases to amaze

me at the stuff that happens in church. Yesterday in second hour during the prayer at the end of my sermon; I heard the loudest crash I've ever heard in church. One of our camera operators had passed out - and forward into the camera and off of the stand into the chairs in front of them. I didn't even know who it was at first (new member Lynn McCloud sp?? who is a great behind the scenes servant), but instantly stopped talking to God and started talking to any doctors in the house. within seconds she was surrounded with medical attention, our staff responded quickly and not really knowing what else to do, I prayed for her and her safety and then we proceeded with the worship tune scheduled after the prayer.

Now that I know she's o.k. I would be really interested in a couple of things. I wish we had a camera on how it happened (just to see what went down and o.k. maybe laugh a little - with Lynn of course! I suggested marking the seats in front of our cameras as hard hat areas in our planning meeting this morning and no one laughed (but that didn't stop me)). I also wish we had a video of my expression as I opened my eyes. I'm sure my mouth was hanging open and I had a super dumb expression like (now what am I supposed to say). Finally, it would be awesome if we had some video of someone who had fallen asleep (yes people still fall asleep in church) and how they jumped.

I'm glad it all turned out and we can put it behind us. What other stories you ask? Well, there was the time when two junior high boys started slugging it out during worship in camp. and the time where police came to the sunday school door to arrest some teens in my class for shoplifting at the store across from the church. and the time when a war protester starter saying stuff about Christians at a youth conference. and another when I was speaking to 4,000 students at the illinois teen convention and a guy off his meds starting yelling at me and walking down the middle aisle. Like I said, it never ceases to amaze. I wonder what's next?

reflection questions

well, it is that time of year...where I sit and reflect and take spiritual inventory at the end of yet another year. I'd say it's been good, but that answer is too easy and really doesn't mean anything. My soul yearns for deeper reflection and questioning (yours does too if you'll slow down enough to hear it).

Here are the questions I ask myself, maybe they'll help you. Did I grow in my faith this year? Did I pray more? Upon reflection; I really have gotten better at this. My prayer room attached to my office has truly become my refuge and I've found myself on my knees this year more - so that's good.

Did I give more? My Lord was a GIVER and so to be like him I must give. Well, in plain numbers, sara and gave more cash to God than ever before. But before I check that off as "well-done"; there is a deeper question that requires attention. Could I have given more? Was I just giving out of my abundance or sacrificially? I'll have to admit, as I close this year out, i have a lot of cool stuff, so I don't feel real sacrificial (not in biblical terms for sure)...so I'll keep growing here.

Did I overcome some sins? Well, here's the part where you'd like to know exactly what sins I'm overcoming (and frankly I don't know you well enough to do that) but I'll reserve those confessions for God and some close trusted brothers in Christ. Well, here's the deal as I reflect. I'm learning to dislike sin more and that's progress. My goal is to hate my earthly and fleshly ways as much as God do and embrace his spirit more.

Did I love and lead my wife well? Some old guy once told me the best way to judge a husband is to see how much the wife laughs. Well, Sara laughs a lot (mostly at me) so I must be doing o.k. Still I'm sure I need to give more to her as well, she continues to be my richest earthly blessing.

Did I live a life my boys could aspire to? Again, I am far short of where I want to be, but I'm having a lot more conversations where my oldest is asking for my advice (and bailouts - but even the government does that) and that's been cool. Of course, he has moved out and started his own tattoo business - I'm proud of him and pray God will show him how he should use this gift. My youngest is growing (literally taller) and it's fun watching how God is moving in him. He tells people I'm his hero (even though he hates it when I tell him to clean up his mess) so that's good.

Did I use my gifts for God's glory? Well, I've had more fun preaching this year than ever before and I will say I take this gift of preaching more serious than I've ever taken it (something about 2,300 adults coming every week to hear from God that makes me want to represent Him well).

If I died right now (I know it's morbid, but you have to ask it) would I be content with the life I've lived? Heavy stuff huh? Well, I'm sure God would have changed some actions, decisions, motivations, etc... I know this because I would too. But all in all, if today were my last day and I got to see God by grace and faith in Jesus; I'd be cool with that. And that's about the best conclusion I could come to.

Like i said earlier 2008 was a good year.

weather outside is frightful

Well, the weather has been frightful (as in high temperature of 7 on Sunday) but at least it's not windy (if you live in Normal you can feel the chill of that sarcasm). So, as people keep telling me we are experiencing global warming, we're experiencing ice on everything. Well, as the song goes, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.

Sunday, Sara and I got home from church around 12:30 to find our electricity out. It had just gone off 15 minutes before (the church also lost power about this time - glad the sermon wasn't long). So we lit the gas stove and cooked lunch, then we dressed into some warm clothes, built a fire in the living room and lay on the couch and talked. I kept the fire going and it at least took some chill off the air. We both read some and napped some - awesome relaxation. Around 4:30, I checked the temp and it was around 59 in the house and getting wintry dark, so we lit a bunch of candles. Now it's time where Sara's kind of annoyed with the whole thing and I'm really starting to dig it! I just loved, the conversation, no interruptions, and the base survival kind of thinking (can we survive the night sleeping by the fire?). Well, it got so cold that I decided to even let the dog come in the house (and they say I have no heart for animals) to keep him from freezing.

After about an hour of candle light, we called our friends steph and al and headed out for some supper (and warmth) - the fellowship and food were great and by the time we got home the electricity was on. Honestly, i was kinda bummed - but the first thing I did was get the dog in the garage (with a space heater).

Then last night, after a long day at work (trying to do a whole week's work in three days isn't easy and that's why I'm blogging on Tuesday) we headed to our great friends J.K. and Sue Jones and their daughters Lyndsey and Chelsea (which i'm sure are probably spelled wrong) and Lyndsey's husband Matt. Anyway, the fellowship and laughter around the table and meal soon moved to the living room and a fire place. What a great time of closeness and sharing and warmth (and the fire was good too).

So I like it cold...because when it's cold and you're gathered around the fireplace with those you love...it really is delightful.

weekend giving

You know what's inspiring? Giving. It inspires me to see other people give. You know why? Because it is in giving that I most see God. Remember God so loved the world that he GAVE! Remember Jesus GAVE his life. Remember the Spirit GIVES us direction and comfort. If God is the ultimate giver (and He is) then I saw glimpses of God through the giving of my church family this weekend.

For the last month i have seen people carry coats, food and toys into church on Sunday mornings (sometimes I watch from my office window as I prepare to preach) to give away. We estimate (always dangerous for pastors, but here it is) that there were somewhere between 50 and 70 thousand dollars spent on this project (3,000 toys, 2,000 coats, tons of food - yes tons).

Then on Friday night, hundreds gathered in our auditorium for a meeting on how to serve. We were out by 9:15 and under-resourced people were lining up at the door by 10:00 p.m. for the doors to open at 7:00 a.m. Hundreds (yeah, someone counted) spent the night at our church doors. By 6:15 over 700 Eastview volunteers showed up to serve - and that's what they did for over 5 hours. They loaded groceries, prayed, served food and coffee and hot chocolate (lot's of hot chocolate), played with kids, did crafts, translated, encouraged, registered, took care of all those who had shown up with needs. When the day was over, more than 600 families were served representing over 2,000 people! I was moved to tears many times.

So, that's it right?! Nope, on Sunday we had our special offering for the finish of Turn the Page (our capital campaign that is almost over). Our goal was $500K and many were skeptical that we'd get a fraction of that. I was moved to watch people walk forward during our worship on Sunday and put their gifts in the offering. You want to know the total we received? Over $300K and counting. This was on top of our general giving and it was a blessing from God! I'm so inspired by that. And giving continues. We still have 16 days in this month and checks are still rolling in. I'm not sure where it will stop, but we'll celebrate it on our special worship service the 28th. It's going to be amazing. God has given so much and he has used you and I to do continue to give for His purpose.