Stress Test

We recently had a problem with an outdoor faucet and had to call in the experts. Our plumber replaced the faulty faucet and inserted a gauge to test the water pressure. When he turned the water on, a greater problem was revealed. There was a split in the copper pipe that wouldn't have been caught if pressure had not been applied. So pressure is a good thing. Pressure helps to reveal where the flaws are. It works for copper pipes and for personal character. God allows us to live in seasons of pressure because he is forming us into the image of His Son. And while we might not be able to control an atmosphere of pressure, we can control the handle of the spigot. We can examine our own physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health, and control what we'll allow to come into our lives each day. If my batteries are charged-up, I can loosen the handle to take on a little more. If I'm feeling drained, I can tighten it. Of course there are emergencies that are beyond a person's control, but most of the time we have the ability to choose. Wayne Cordeiro said it this way - ". . . no one will monitor your energy level or your personal and emotional health." He said that, "One day when you lie in the hospital, suffering from fatigue and stress, they (friends, family, church members) will say, "Why, he should have taken better care of himself!" This is not just true for pastors, but for everyone. So watch the gauges, and be sure to allow more things into your life that strengthen you, rather than drain you. My visit from the plummer was not cheap, but it certainly costs less than a stay in the local hospital.

When you have time, read 1 Corinthian 10:13

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The Hero Inside

I was reading my new Collide magazine yesterday and came across an interesting article on why we tend to love the antiheroes of today. You might be asking, "Craig, what is an antihero?" An antihero is a severely flawed individual who is the main character or hero of a story. We find ourselves cheering for them even if we would never want to be them. The reason people exchange their heroes for antiheroes is because many of their heroes are flawless. We cannot relate to Superman because he is perfect. He has no real problems. But all of us, living in the real world, have real problems. So we gravitate to characters who have human failings and hope for some redemption to take place in their lives. The problem is, if they ever get that redemption and change for the better - we probably won't like them anymore. If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, in a way, you are an antihero. I don't mean this negatively. We all have our weaknesses because of the sin nature inside of us. But Christ also dwells in us and because of Him, we can do heroic things. We can make a difference in this world, not just for time, but for eternity.

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Throwing the Box Away

The message of the gospel should never change, but the methods we use to deliver that message should be ever-changing. The longer I pastor, the more I am convinced that the church today looks very little like the one we see in the book of Acts. We have created a religious box and put God inside - at least the god conceived in our minds. The one true God cannot be contained by our traditions. At Kingdom, we are thinking outside the box and I love it. On Wednesday nights, some of our small groups are meeting in area cafes for Bible study and fellowship. Parents can drop their kids off at the church and be at their life group within five minutes. Having so many cafes nearby allows us to take our faith outside the sanctuary walls and into the community. Most churches doing small groups meet in homes, and that's cool, but studying God's Word in Starbucks or Caribou Coffee is just awesome. As the culture changes, it will become increasingly necessary to think outside the box - or just throw the box away. Churches cannot continue to do things the way they've always been done. If we foster a take it or leave it attitude, unchurched people will just leave it. If we are going to go backwards in our thinking, let's go all the way back to the beginning when all the church had was Jesus and the abiding presence of the Spirit of God. Let us remember that the simple growth plan for the first church was an emphasis on God's Word, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer (Acts 2:41-47). Let's start there and ask God what what he wants the church to look like today.

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I'll Walk Right Beside You

My son is growing up. He used to want me to carry him. He used to want to hold my hand. Now he wants to do everything himself. I guess that's OK. I certainly don't want him living in my basement at 30, with no job, playing video games in his underwear. Yesterday we were out at a store and I said, "Son, hold daddy's hand." To which he said, "I'll walk right beside you daddy." Of course that lasted all of 15 seconds before I had to call to him again. When my son got too far ahead, or lagged to far behind, I would ask him to hold my hand and he would repeat his new declaration of independence. Finally, when Joshua said, "I'll walk right beside you daddy," I answered, "Are you really going to walk right beside me?" It was then that it hit me. How often do we promise God that we will walk right beside Him, only to run too far ahead, or lag too far behind? Walking with God means just that - walking with Him. When we get ahead of God, our best plans are disastrous. When we fall behind, we miss out on what God is doing all around us. The best place we can possibly be is walking right beside our God.

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All Is Right in the World

I know that we are fighting two wars, facing a financial crisis that rivals The Great Depression (or at least the Carter years), job losses, banking problems, world hunger, the AIDS epidemic, corrupt politicians, bailouts, illegal missle tests, border conflicts - and I could go on. But today, all is right in the world because my Tarheels are the national champs. Way to go UNC!

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A True Honor

I recently had the honor of officiating a funeral for a retired Washington, DC Capitol Police officer. The night before, at the viewing, there was a changing of the guard, as two officers stood watch over his body. The next day we had the funeral at Quantico with a full honor guard. It was incredibly impressive. I must admit that I still get choked-up whenever I see the American Flag folded and presented to the spouse of the fallen officer. As I drove away from the graveside, it reminded me of the importance of honor and dedication. When someone gives their life for the good of others, we should take time to honor that person. John Maxwell says, "If you want to know how important you are, just remember that 15 minutes after you're body is in the ground, everyone will be back at the church eating potato salad." Sad - but true. How amazing would it be if we got into the habit of honoring those we love before they die. I want my family to know how much I appreciate them now. I want my friends to know how much I appreciate them now. I want to eat my potato salad with a clear conscience. Take time for honor, because if we don't, our sense of morality won't mean much.

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