Pass the Salt, Please

Jesus told his followers that we are to be the salt of the earth. Why would he tell us to be salty? Maybe it's because salt makes one thirsty. If you're living your life as a passionate follower of Christ, you'll make people thirsty to know God.

How do you live a salty life? Make sure others know that Jesus is real and relevant to everyday life. Author and missionary E. Stanley Jones was once asked to name the number one problem in the Church. His answer was irrelevance. Not that the Church is irrelevant, but that Christians were failing to show in concrete ways how Jesus is relevant to daily life. Another great 20th century Christian leader, Elton Trueblood, said, "It is hard to exaggerate the degree to which the modern church seems irrelevant to modern man."

Be salty. Pass the salt to your family, friends, and coworkers. Let them see that Jesus is a real part of your life and that his teaching is relevant to everyday circumstances. Don't preach. Don't be arrogant. Don't swagger your salvation around. Don't act holier than thou. Be the person God created you to be. Use your personality, your gifts, and your abilities to make others thirsty to know Christ.

How to Save a Life

The Fray has a great song called "How to Save a Life." The song was written by Isaac Slade who worked as a mentor at a camp for troubled teens. He felt the frustration of how to communicate hope and life to distraught young people.

For thousands of years, the Church has been in the life-saving business and for thousands of years the Church has struggled with the best way to do it. Unfortunately, the Church has become such a complicated organization with all of its doctrines, rituals, traditions, and dogma that it has forgotten the basics of how to share the life changing message of the Gospel. In fact, I ranted about this a little last Sunday at TNC.

When it comes to the Church, I believe that we have complicated what should be a pretty simple organization. I didn't say it should be easy, but simple. In his book, The Connecting Church, Randy Frazee states that, "The key for the 21st century church will not be in buildings, programs, or great sermons or worship services, and not even in small groups as we have known them." Frazee goes on to say that, "The church's relevance and growth will largely depend on her ability to authentically connect people to the experience of doing life deeply together."

The message of Christ is transmitted best through genuine relationships, not meetings, programs, or events. Instead of focusing our ministry on doing church and learning all the ins and outs and do's and don'ts, we need to focus on how to do life with Christ. Instead of spending all of our time at various meetings, classes, and functions of the Church, we need to focus on spending time with those who need to hear the message. When Jesus is your focus, people will see the difference. At the right time, they will wonder how to get what you have and when you answer they will discover the greatest treasure known to man. That's how to save a life.

A Psalm of Wandering

I'm not into poetry, but I saw this in a recent issue of Discipleship Journal. I'm familiar with some of Joseph Bayly's writing and this caught my attention when I saw that he had written it.

A Psalm of Wandering by Joseph Bayly

Lord you know

I'm such a stupid sheep.

I worry

about all sorts of things

whether I'll find grazing land

still cool water

a fold at night

in which I can feel safe.

I don't.

I only find troubles

want

loss.

I turn aside from you

to plan my rebel way.

I go astray.

I follow other shepherds

even other stupid sheep.

Then when I end up

on some dark mountain

cliffs before

wild animals behind

I start to bleat

Shepherd Shepherd

find me save me

or I die.

And you do.

You Can't Take It With You

One of my favorite movies of all time is the Christmas classic, "It's A Wonderful Life" directed by Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart. Several years ago, my friend and fellow blogger Andy (andyfbcdenmark.blogspot.com) told me about Capra and Stewart's first movie together called "You Can't Take It With You." I looked for it in our local video store to no avail. I thought about buying it online but it was pretty expensive so I never saw it. Until Saturday. It is currently running for free on Comcast On Demand.

If you have never seen it, you're missing a treat. Though it is nearly 70 years old (It came out in 1938) it still has an eternal message. Life is not about money, power, and possessions. Life is about relationships. It is a very entertaining and funny movie. I recommend that you skip watching CSI, CSI:Miami, CSI:NYC, CSI:Las Vegas, CSI:Peoria and American Idol one night and watch a classic. You won't regret it.

That Poor Old Man!

Back in the day - the 70's and early 80's - I went to a lot of concerts. Van Halen (many times), KISS, Foghat, Molly Hatchet, 38 Special, The Commodores, Earth, Wind, & Fire...can't recall them all. (BTW, though I was never a huge KISS fan, I have to say that it was the greatest, most entertaining concert of all time.) As a teen, I remembered seeing teenage girls coming into the concert with their dads. I would look at the father and think, "That poor old man! His daughter dragged him out to a rock concert."

Well, it dawned on me last night that I was that poor old man. I escorted my daughter, Bailey, and her friend, Sarah, to see John Mayer last night in Columbia. It was a good concert. Nothing fancy - just John Mayer and his band. It was a pure music show. No elevated stages, blood, or pyrotechnics like the greatest concert of all time. I think John Mayer's style fits a smaller venue better. But when you can pack in 12-15,000 in the Colonial Center at $30(?) a head, that's not a bad night's work.

I had the poor old man revelation during the warm-up act. Enjoyed them too, BTW. When John and his band came out. I was glad to see that one of John's accompanying guitarists was quite old himself. I would guess he was at least in his late 50's. So I wasn't the only poor old man at the concert last night.

It really was a diverse audience. I was surprised at the number of "old people" there. But, then, Mayer's music reaches a wide age range. Here's a sample from last night...

What Would You Do If You Only Had One Day to Live?

What would you do if you only had one day to live? This is the question being asked by four Canadian guys who are traveling around the country in an RV. They have an interesting website (click the link above) and several videos. Looks like they are making a movie about their adventures. They have a list of 100 things to do before you die. I've done 14 of them. I think they have done about 27 so far. Some of the things they listed wouldn't be on my list but it's fun to read and think about. What would be on your list?

Rejection

I'm writing this because I know a lot of you bloggers are writers or wannabe writers. One of the first things you have to learn about writing is how to handle rejection.

Got an email from my agent in NYC today. One of my books that we're trying to sell has been rejected by five publishers so far including Zondervan and Broadman and Holman. One publisher expressed interest but my agent didn't like their offer.

But that's okay! I'm just happy that they are looking at it. Rejection is part of the writing business. Ask any writer and they will tell you that their rejection file is full of impersonal, form letters from editors saying, "Thanks, but no thanks." There are tons of stories out there about writers who were rejected over and over and over but then finally got their work published. It only takes one to say yes. There are still about 20 more publishers that we have yet to hear from or that will be receiving a package from my agent soon. Companies like Penguin Putnam, Harper San Francisco, NavPress, and Thomas Nelson. So, if you don't mind, say a little prayer that there is an editor out there that likes it and wants to print it. I'll definitely let you know when that happens.

In the meantime, if you're thinking about getting published, get ready for rejection. But consider it progress, not failure. More "no's" just get you closer to "yes."

Sloganize yourself

Click the link above and have fun!

See What I Mean?

See my previous post and then click the link above for an article from World magazine. Here's the first two paragraphs...

Of every dollar given to a Protestant church, the average amount that goes to overseas missions is two cents. In contrast, of every dollar Antioch Presbyterian Church in Chonju, Korea, takes in, 70 cents goes to missions.

For 15 years, the mission research and advocacy organization Empty Tomb, of Champaign, Ill., has analyzed the contributions and spending patterns of American churches. The latest report, "The State of Church Giving through 2003" (available at emptytomb.org), crunches the numbers for 41 Protestant denominations and surveys giving trends going back almost a century. In doing so, the study gives a not-too-flattering snapshot of the priorities of American Christians today.

A Costa Rica Christmas

We had a unique and wonderful Christmas this year. We flew to San Jose, Costa Rica to assist our missionary friends, Phil and Jill Jones with Blood-n-Fire Ministries, with their annual gift-giving project. (You can learn more about the Jones at www.philandjilljones.com.)

We arrived in Costa Rica on Dec. 18 and came home late on Christmas night. We gave away some 700-800 presents to the children of the Los Triangulos precario near San Jose. It took us over 2 days to go door-to-door surprising children with gifts. The precario is a 3 acre shanty town filled with over 1800 people. They build homes out of scrap metal and wood. They are among the poorest of the poor in Central America.

This was my fifth trip to Costa Rica. It was the third for my son, Cliff. For my wife, Beth, it was the second and for my daughter, Bailey, it was her first time. We love Costa Rica! We love the children in the precario and we love the climate and beauty of the country as well. Last July, when we were there conducting a Vacation Bible School, Beth fell in love with a little boy there named Joshua. In fact, she has a picture of him in her classroom at school and she prays for him everyday. She was hoping to see Joshua again on this trip. We didn't know where he lived in the precario and Beth was anxious to see him if, in fact, he was still there. (The homeless are quite mobile.) As you can see below, Beth got to see him again. In fact, he was one of our first "customers" early Sunday morning!

Needless to say, we made a memory. It was awesome taking a family mission trip together to minister to those who needed a smile, a hug, and a reminder of Jesus' love. I'm not sure if this will become a family tradition or not but I'm positive that this is one Christmas we will never forget.

Selling Like Hotcakes!

Amazon.com sent me an email saying that their warehouse workers have been working 24/7 since my previous post. They asked me to take it down but I refused. I told them to keep those forklifts rolling or else!

Gift Idea

In a move that is totally and shamelessly self-serving, may I suggest that you consider purchasing this book for that person who is hard to shop for. Heck, buy one for people that are easy to shop for!

Guys tend to like this book because it's easy reading, full of short stories, anecdotes, quotes, and jokes. It's good to keep nearby for those times when you just need a quick read (if you know what I mean.)

Okay, seriously, there are only about 300 of these left in existence. If everyone who reads this blog buys one and tells 299 of their friends to buy one, then I won't have to pay my distributor anymore for storage and warehouse fees. Plus, if I sell a lot this month it will raise my rating with Amazon!

For those of you who live in NAug, I might even sign it for you.

So hit the link to your right that says "Get My Book Here!"

You'll be glad you did.

And me too.

No Limits

A few years ago Fast Company magazine profiled Doug Blevins, a man who had aspired all of his life to be an NFL coach. So he started blitzing New York Jets manager Dick Steinberg with faxes detailing the flaws of Cary Blanchard, the Jet’s place kicker at the time. Steinberg was evidently impressed with Blevins’s knowledge of the game and hired him as a kicking consultant in 1994. The amazing thing is that Blevins himself has never attempted a field goal. He’s never punted for any team, on any level, let alone in the NFL. Because he was born with cerebral palsy, he has, in fact, never even walked. (Fast Company, September 2000, 48)

Doug Blevins story should be a reminder to us that there are no limits when we put our minds to something. Most average thinking people would have discounted any possibility that a victim of cerebral palsy could coach in the NFL. If a person’s own will and determination can do that, how much more can we do with Christ at our side! “I can do everything through him that gives me strength” - Philippians 4:13.

God, keep me from being an “average thinker” and give me the strength to realize that, with you, there are no limits

Giving Jesus The Butterflies

If you’re not a pastor, you may not be able to relate to this but something tells me you will. Sunday mornings are anxious times for pastors. On a good Sunday (and most of them are good), I wake up with somewhat of a nervous stomach. A little excited about the day ahead. When I was an athlete we called the pregame jitters “the butterflies.” I’m concerned that everything will be done with excellence. Sometimes concerned about a logistical issue, a new song, or that the message will connect with the congregation. I have a feeling that many pastors feel the same way. On a bad Sunday, well…I don’t even want to think about the occasional dreaded Sunday but let me say that there have been Sundays in the past when I did not want to go to church.

This past Sunday was a good Sunday, in fact, a great Sunday. But in my usual walking around making sure everything is in order and working (not that our excellent TNC setup team needs me to do that, I just do. It’s a pastor’s instinct, I guess) I, as usual, had “the butterflies.” At around 8:10 AM, I overheard Steve and Chuck say that they needed something from the office. Steve (our Lead Pastor) volunteered to go get it but I knew that he needed to meet with some baptism candidates at 8:30 AM. I told them that I would go, so I made my way to my car.

Because parking space is at a premium, the staff and leaders are asked to park on the other side of the parking lot so it is a pretty good walk to where I park. Steve originally parked his car out front to unload some stuff so he and two of his boys, Christian and Cameron, were moving his car to the boonies to park too. As I got into my car to go to the office, the Davis boys were getting out of their car making the long trek back to the gym. Christian and Cameron were playing with a football and as they were making their way back they tossed and kicked the football to each other.

That’s when I learned a lesson. As I watched the three of them, one of the boys stopped to punt the football. Now if I were in Steve’s shoes, I would have kept walking and I would have emphatically told the boys to do the same! It was 8:17. I had a meeting in 13 minutes. Two sermons to preach. Details to go over with the worship leader and production team and a costume to put on. (If you didn’t attend TNC last Sunday, you won’t get the costume thing.) There’s no time to stop and kick the football, I would have said.

But I noticed that Steve stopped what he was doing, showed his son how to properly hold a football for a punt, and then he watched him kick it to his other son. I smiled when I saw that.

Maybe that story doesn’t do anything for you but for me it was a relief. It reminded me that I need to stop and take every opportunity I can with my family and friends. Even in the busyness of life. Even on harried Sunday mornings when there are half a dozen things to do. Even when there seems to be no time. It’s important to invest in people, not just a production or a program. I was reminded that Jesus said, “I will build my church.” It’s his job not mine. Why do I need to stress over it? Why should I get anxious on Sunday mornings? Why not let Jesus have “the butterflies”?

Proud Humility

A pastor friend of mine preached a sermon on humility one Sunday morning.  While greeting his congregation as they filed out the front door after the service, one of his dear elderly women said, “You know, Pastor, I’ve always been proud of my humility.”

 

Pride is a sneaky thing.  We are naturally bent to look out for number one.  It’s the core of our human nature.  And, if not kept in check, it can lead to disaster.  Someone defined pride this way:

 

P - I am concerned with my position.

R - I want my rights.

I  - I am most important.

D - My desires are more important than yours.

E - I expect everyone to agree with me.

 

Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”  (Matthew 23:12)

 

 

 

 

Arrrgh!

Carolina lost a squeaker to Florida today. They are proving that they can play with good teams this year. But they can't put the nail in the coffin. They've got to learn how to keep a lead, keep momentum, and win!

Happy Birthday To Me

Today is a special day for me. Go to October 2005 (the link is on the right side of this page) and read A Life Changing Day.

I called my friend Richard today to remind him that it's been 28 years.

Gallivantin'

Last Friday my dad and I went gallivantin'.  We spent all day looking for dead relatives buried in cemeteries in Edgefield and McCormick counties.  It was a little emotional, a little morbid, and a lot of fun.  It was kind of like going on a treasure hunt. My dad told me stories that I'd never heard as we spent all day going down memory lane.  It all started a few weeks ago when he mentioned that when he is dead and gone that no one in the family would know where our relatives are buried.  So I told him that we should go out one day and let him show me everything he knew.  We actually found some graves that he'd never seen before -  my great-great grandparents.  I took 4 or 5 pages of notes and directions to cemeteries.  (One is in the middle of the woods somewhere near McCormick, SC.)

 

In addition to grave sites, he showed me the house where he was born.  The black church that he used to attend with his black mammy.  (I know that's not politically correct these days, but that's what she told him to call her when he was a kid.)  We also went to the site where he grew up as a teenager.  It was a wonderful day with my dad.  For those of you that don't know my dad, he's 76 and still in great health.  He works two days a week for the construction company that he's been employed by for years.  So it's not like he's on his last leg or anything.  We just thought we should take that trip while we had the opportunity. 

 

It was a little emotional for me because the reality of it all hit me.  My mom went to be with the Lord 4.5 years ago and daddy knows he's already passed the average lifespan for an American man.  To go on a trip with your aging father and see the graves of those he grew up with who are already gone and knowing that his time is sooner than ever, it just put a lump in my throat.  To hear his tales, often funny, of times gone by were enjoyable and priceless but also a little sad.  Dad knows his prime years are behind him and I guess that makes me sad.  Yes, he still has the health and ability to make many more memories but after living over 3/4 of a century, I was reminded that the same is happening to me.  

 

A few weeks ago I turned 45 - halfway to 90!  Time is passing.  It's not waiting on me.  I have to make the most of each day and every opportunity.  I need to take time for my wife and kids.  I need to give time to the Lord.  I need to accomplish what He's called me to accomplish.  I want to finish strong and finish well.  Because this one thing I know for sure,  one day I'll be finished.  At last, here on earth.  Then comes eternity, and that will bring a whole new meaning to life!

 

 

A thought from Oz

I love Oswald Chambers.  In fact, his devotional website is my home page, i.e., www.myutmost.org.  I try to read it each day before I dive into the computer.

Here’s a quote from today’s thought.  I edited it and took out some of the old English.  Oz wrote this book about 100 years ago so it is difficult to read sometimes.

The great enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day is the conception of practical work that has not come from the New Testament, but from the systems of the world in which endless energy and activities are insisted upon, but no private life with God. The emphasis is put on the wrong thing.  In the life of Jesus, there was none of the press and rush of tremendous activity that we regard so highly, and the disciple is to be as His Master. The central thing about the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship to Himself, not public usefulness to men.  (Taken from My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers)

 

Catalyst

Attended the Catalyst Conference with 14 leaders from TNC.  It was phenomenal.  If you've ever been to a conference, retreat, mission trip, etc. and thought, "This is what heaven might be like."  That's what Catalyst is.

 

Only the mission of Catalyst is not to get a taste of heaven, but it is to get the Church to be the Church instead of just doing Church.

 

Here are some quotes and thoughts from Catalyst:

 

"The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."  (4 times in Daniel 4:17, 25, 32, & Daniel 5:21)  Andy Stanley reminded us that leadership is temporary.  It can be taken away.  It is a stewardship and we are accountable.

 

Great leaders find out what is unique about a person and capitalize on it. (Marcus Buckingham)

 

Gary Haugen shared the story of Elizabeth, a child slave forced to work in a brothel as a prostitute in a Third World Country, who scratched Psalm 27 on the wall of her cell.  When you read Psalm 27 and consider her plight, it is amazing.  The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?  When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.  Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

 

"Reaching people is not a 'how to' question but a 'want to' question."  (Rick McKinley)

 

"Discipleship happens 'on the road.'  Information does not equal transformation."  (Rick McKinley)

 

"The Church exists for the world, not ourselves."  (Rick McKinley)

 

"We must proclaim the gospel, not protect it."  (Rick McKinley)

 

"We cannot be heard if we stay protected from the culture." (Rick McKinley)

 

"We ought to be inside-traders.  People who have inside information about eternity." (Louie Giglio)

 

"The big decline in the U.S. is consumerism.  Churches are falling for a consumeristic mentality."  (Donald Miller)