Everyone Gets Somewhere In Life…

by Micah Osborne

No one starts a road trip without deciding on a destination. Most of us however live life without ever deciding on a destination. I just finished reading “Visioneering” by Andy Stanley where he states that “Everyone ends up somewhere in life. A few people end up somewhere on purpose.” One of the steps to getting somewhere on purpose is finding where there is. While reading Visioneering I realized I do not have a clear picture of where “there” is in, my relationship with Christ, my marriage, my family, my career and so on. In the book, Andy explains that a “Vision is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.” Without that clear picture or destination in mind I am adrift to the whims of today, unable to move directly toward what could and should be in my life.

In “Visioneering: God’s Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Vision,” Andy Stanley uses the story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem to illustrate how a God-given vision is born and then executed to completion.

This book has had a profound impact on my life as I have been thinking and praying through what could and should be in my life.

Financial Demons and Polka Dot Dresses

by Heather Myer

A financial demon lured me into Banana Republic. At least that is what I later told myself. I was quite innocently window shopping at Battlefield Mall, when a polka-dot dress caught my eye. Pushing aside all promises of faithful budgeting, I tiptoed into the store. Soon, I was in a dressing room modeling my prize. The pattern was cut from the sixties and exactly the perfect length for my tall stature. Swirling before the mirror, I grinned to think what my mother would say if she knew my intent to splurge.

“Where exactly would you wear that?” Mum would ask.

“Where wouldn’t I wear it?” I would cheekily retort.

“That is the same cost as your car payment. You’ll have no one to blame but yourself if you have to eat Ramen Noodles for the rest of the month.” Mum would counter.

I faltered. $168 was one third of my rent. Years after graduating college, when shopping at the Dollar Tree was a luxury, I still had not upgraded from Special Kitty to Tidy Cat nor from Purex to Tide. Always Save and Best Choice have been my close companions for many years. We have a tight relationship. This is largely due to my Mother‘s lessons in thrift.

“Yes, but Mum! It is just like Julia Robert’s dress in Pretty Woman!” I pointlessly argued as I kicked my heel back to further admire the full skirt. Pretty Woman, a beloved ninety’s classic, was a story of transformation. Richard Gere’s character fell in love with Julia’s, despite her past as a woman of ill-repute. Edward Lewis taught Vivian Ward that she was a lady of worth and great value.

Sighing, I knew the dress was never meant to be mine. This lesson was one I had already learned, for I am a daughter of the King. I have inherent honor, value, worth, and a responsibility. Frowning, I slipped out of the dress. How could I justify $168 frivolous dollars when I am merely the steward of God’s treasury? God gave and he could easily take away. With the same money, I could tithe more effectively, donate to missions more generously, or anonymously help some of the struggling single mothers at work. Just the day before, a care package fundraiser from the Navy arrived in the mail. It contained a picture of a sailor doubled over, his face screwed up tight, his hands balled into fists, crying in agony. The caption said, “This sailor has not received a care package in a very long time. Won’t you please help?” Though I could not doubt the sailor’s pain, I very much questioned its cause. It was doubtful that a box of Little Debbie Cakes, Mad Libs, and Entertainment Weekly could even begin to comfort his distress. All the same, care packages for our milita in Iraq was a much worthier way to spend my pay check than on the pretty dotted garment that hung forlornly on the clothing rack.

Desperately wishing that giving was not the strongest of my spiritual gifts, I left Banana Republic. Later, at Wal-mart, I slipped a Denise Austin DVD among my Sam’s Choice soup cans and Great Value milk. Every now and again, a girl needs to splurge.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. —1 Peter 4:10

Community Part III: To One Another

The New Testament continues throughout to give a picture of what it means to live in community “together” with one another to accomplish mission. These verses are representative of all that Christ-followers are instructed to be and do with one another. This kind of expression toward one another never just happens, but requires intentionality and faithfulness.

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us (1 John 3.23). Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (1 Thes 5.11). But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Heb 3.13). Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph 4.2, 32).

Love for one another is the identifying trait of a Christ-follower, but it can be difficult. We do not often think of love as difficult, but the extent to which we love is never truly known until it is tested. In order for a real love for one another to develop, it must be nurtured and grown. It is easy to say we love one another, especially when we first meet or in the early days of building a relationship when our “best face” is put forward. But life has a way of bringing challenges and struggles. How well we stand with one another and how much we are willing to endure alongside one another in the struggles and challenges of life will be determined by the depth of our love. After all, if we do not love one another in those times when we become “unlovable,” did we really love one another before?

When you look at marriage, it is interesting to look at a couple that has recently been married and one that has faithfully been married 50+ or 60+ years. In both there is a true love for one another. The difference though is that one is tested and has stood through time and the other is developing to stand through time. The definitions of love in each case are very different. The young couple understands love as a healthy infatuation with one another. The older couple understands love as a strong commitment to one another. Neither is wrong. When I first got married I was wholly infatuated with my wife. Fourteen and a half years later I remain infatuated, but our marriage is no longer primarily defined in this way. We have learned what it means to live to love one another, to love through commitment.

Loving one another in the church is best understood through the relationship of marriage. Learning to live to love one another…living to love and learn one another…loving to learn and live with one another, Jesus has called us to a great expression of his goodness and grace among us. May the gospel build a strong community that loves one another at LifePoint.

Encouragement is no secondary matter. In the book of Acts when a report would return to the Apostles of the gospel reaching a new people, immediately they would send one of their own to confirm that it was the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Once this was confirmed, the Bible says that they would encourage (Acts 11.23) one another to remain true. Encouragement is essential to remaining true to the gospel in our lives. We have assurance from God in his Word and by Holy Spirit. We need also to have encouragement from his people. God has put other Christ-followers in our life for a purpose and one of those purposes is encouragement. People who know you best are able to encourage you most.

Community is vital, to build unity, accomplish mission and love one another. Community Group is vital to the health and strength of LifePoint. This is a great time to get connected with a group. I encourage every adult to connect with a group. Look at the community group list and consider your schedule. Which group would be best for you? Several new groups will form in October, be ready to connect with one of them. Contact Micah Osborne, Director of Connections, and let him help you connect today. For the love of the gospel and the encouragement it brings…

—Pastor Lane

Baptists, Pentecostals, and Catholics—Oh My!

by Donovan Dobbs

How important are denominations in our lives as Christ-followers? I go to such and such church, so I am fine, right? We recently had Explore LifePoint, and in this session, there were three couples who were very interested in LifePoint. The question was asked “Are you affiliated with any denomination?” Lane aptly and with some brevity (emphasis on some), explained how LifePoint is not connected to a denomination.

Whether denominations are good or bad has been debated for centuries, and I am sure will continue to be debated. There is substantial evidence either way. Why wouldn’t you want to go to a church that isn’t affiliated with a particular denomination? I do not have the time or space to fully debate that question but I do want to point a few things out that may shed some light on the issue. If you want to compare the many denominations check out the religion comparison charts on ReligionFacts.com.

I cannot find any Scripture where Jesus spoke of denominations or different sub-groups of his followers. He said he was the only way to God (John 14:6). After his death and resurrection, his followers were called the Way (Acts 9:2). The Way was used because Christ was the way to God. This was not a denomination or viewed as a sect of the Jewish faith. It was a term used to identify Christ-followers’ beliefs. Followers of Christ were also called Christians from the very beginning of the church. The term is used three times in the Bible (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), originally meant “of the party of Christ” and was used as derision to Christ-followers. Eventually the term became a term of honor for followers of Christ. Unfortunately in the present time, being labeled a “Christian” has lost its meaning and has to some degree reverted to its roots.

Here at LifePoint, we are called to be Christ-followers. This is not a denotation of denomination but a term defining who and what we are. From my reading of the Bible, I have always thought that is what I was to do. When I first heard Lane use that term, I knew that I was in the right place. Nineteen times Jesus told his disciples (us) to follow him (Matthew 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 16:24; 19:21; Mark 1:17; 2:14; 8:34; 10:21; Luke 5:27; 9:23; 9:59; 18:22; John 1:43; 10:27; 13:36; 12:26; 21:19; 21:22). If Jesus called us to “follow me” then should we not do that? I am positive that when I stand before God one day, he will not ask me if I was Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, or some other denomination. He will ask “Did you follow my son?” I want my answer to be “I followed Jesus Christ, nothing more and nothing less.” What will your answer be? Is there anything else?

Defining Our Context

by Jon Goings

Dennis and I recently attended a conference on worship. There were so many things taught and discussed I feel like my brain is about to explode. I may have to sit down with the podcasts, re-listen to everything, and digest what I took in. I will say that God had a lot to say, and now all I can do is pray that God will work a little Isaiah 55:10-11 in my life.

So what do I mean by “Defining our Context”? A lot was made about putting the text into our context. The “text” being the Word of God. Our “context” being where we do life.

For several months I’ve been wrestling with trying to figure out my context.

This area of the country is often referred to as “The Buckle of the Bible Belt.” I disagree. This seems to indicate that we have things together. This seems to indicate we have a good handle on the things of God. This seems to indicate God can rely on us to keep things up.

This seems to be an inaccurate assessment.

I would consider this part of the map “The Kiddie Pool of the Kingdom.” The most interesting thing about the kiddie pool is that it is very difficult to make a distinction between the urine and the water. It all looks the same. Everything is so saturated by “Christianity” in this area ( i.e. the chemicals that keep the pool looking pretty) that it’s real easy for people to exist without feeling like there is anything wrong.

How do we stop concerning ourselves with looking pretty and start worrying about Revelation 3:15-16?

Community Part II: To Accomplish Mission

When I read and study the book of Acts, I’m blown away to think of all that was taking place. I know how exciting the last three years of church planting have been for me, my family and all those that are now called LifePoint. Planting a church is a rush…or at least it has been in my experience. What must it have been like in the days, weeks and months following Pentecost. We are given an incredible insight into the pattern of the Apostles and the new disciples. I like to think of this pattern as a rhythm…an ethos of how followers of Jesus lived after Pentecost. One danger inherent in reading this passage is to idealize it and make it a ‘pipe-dream reality’ for today. The simplicity of it is amazing and the focus of it empowering. In order for LifePoint to accomplish her mission, we must understand the role of community. Follow me here through these verses…

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. –Acts 2.42–47

They devoted themselves…Now this IS worth getting excited about. I love it when people devote themselves to the Gospel through LifePoint. Devoting oneself to anything shows a great commitment, a discipline to it. The disciples devoted themselves to these things not because it was part of a routine, but rather because it was the essentials of their faith. Life is full of that which we are ‘devoted to’. When we devote ourselves to a matter/cause, we give our affections & desires (heart), thoughts (mind), time, energy, money, every part of our life to it. Our problem today is not a lack of devotion. Our great fault is that we have elevated too many ‘causes’ to a level worthy of our devotion. Our grand problem is that we devote ourselves to everything and nothing is left to be hallowed. Devotion to Jesus reflects a change of heart and life. Devotion sets a high standard for how we should participate in the life of a community of Christ-followers and creates a high desire to be faithful. I don’t desire to fill a person’s schedule with more church. I do want to help people fill their lives with that which matters, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a great challenge to teach and encourage devotion. I’m encouraged when I think of all the people at LifePoint who have devoted themselves. You’re invited to join us…

They focused on essentials; the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. This is very refreshing. We live in “Churchville,” as some would call it, in southwest Missouri. Don’t get me wrong, I love this part of the country and thank God every day for calling me here. However, I’m not naïve to my culture. When “church” is mentioned most people think of a location, building or a ‘style.’ Church represents so much more than the description given in Acts 2.42. I wish this were a good thing, but sadly it’s because so many secondary matters have become essential to defining “church” while the essentials of the Gospel have become burdensome to doing church. I believe following Christ, while not easy, is much simpler than most people in “Churchville” have made it and often looks very little alike. This is a typical tendency for people. We love to create standards that make us feel better about our spirituality but have no real power to impact us for the Gospel. How powerful the rhythm of a community of Christ-followers when they celebrate the essentials of the Gospel in all they do. Let’s not be naïve about another aspect of our culture in southwest Missouri, locals are more and more the minority. We live in a fast-changing culture of people from all over the country and world. We don’t have time to champion all the secondary matters of Churchville. We must remain radically focused on the essentials of the Gospel. Community Group is a great environment to do this and a great opportunity for adults to experience what this looks like among a group of Christ-followers.

Committed to one another…All the believers were together. Participation is key to commitment. Together has such powerful implications for the church. If every person is to do their part in together, participation must happen. Church “disconnected from people” is not a Biblical teaching or example. At LifePoint we are taking an aggressive strategy this year to connect adults in Community Group. Why? Together matters and Community Group is the best environment to grow together among our people. Community Group is the primary point of connection for adults. People need to connect with LifePoint in gathered worship experiences on Sunday and in community together during the week. There is far too little room in this blog to fully explain the benefits, but the fullest implication and application of the word ‘fellowship’ will only occur in Community Group. Let us help you connect with a group this week and discover all that together means.

I hope you are thinking through a greater understanding of community and its purpose for LifePoint. Next week I will finish working through this passage and consider some of the more practical details of Community Group in my blog. And by the way…if you have a great testimony to share from your Community Group, please send it to us at info@lifepointozark.com. We would love to hear it and share it!

–Pastor Lane

Greeting the Dawn

by Heather Myer

Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. –1 Timothy 4:8

Sound, comfortable sleep was broken by the unceasing cry of three alarm clocks. Groaning, I rolled over and slapped at the various squawking contraptions. I must not be late. Slipping into my shoes, I carelessly tossed my hair up and grabbed a glass of water before leaving my comfortable home. It was only 5:40 in the morning. The sun had not yet graced the horizon and I was preparing for a 7 mile jog through Springfield. Most sane citizens remained asleep in their beds. Fighting the tempting thought, I pulled away in my car towards the Green Way Trails.

Arriving at Sequiota Park, I joined sleepy joggers as they ambled around, trying to their shake heads free of lingering dreams. Three familiar figures waved me over. Sarah, Linden, and Alison greeted me cheerfully as they stretched at a large rock. Murmuring greetings, we fell in with the group of runners and awaited our instructions. Not paying close attention, I tightened my shoe laces and pocketed a power gel. The twists and turns of the course were hard for me to comprehend before a decent cup of coffee. Two months of early morning runs had taught me this. Sarah and Linden would accurately remember the details down to the last tenth of a mile. Alison and I would follow. We gathered with the half marathoners and began our trek.

The sun was now peaking in the sky. The landscape, once cloaked in black and gray, was at last clarified by color. A cool breeze encouraged us up the sloped course. I cherished the wind. It would not last for long. Birds began to sing in the glen. Nature was arising and so were we. The lane was covered by a canopy of trees, marked by ivy, marigolds, queen anne’s lace, morning glories, and bordered by a tall meadow. Mist clung to the tops of sun flowers and the tall grass. Concentrating on the meadow, I daydreamed of climbing through the grassy maze to an adventure of epic proportion. Leaving behind my routine job and daily duties in trade for a new kingdom and a mission. Before I could brandish my sword and clasp on my cloak, Sarah called to me, “Come on, Heather! We’re almost to the water stop!“ My reverie was broken. I concentrated on the task at hand.

We wove through the course as an accordion. The four of us ran side by side when possible, and in single file line when bicyclists or speedier runners threatened our peaceful morning with a collision. My muscles groaned in protest and my breath became rhythmic to match our pace. It would take around three miles before the pain in my side would pass. Sarah and Linden led the way. Alison and I followed. Alison bounded in place beside me with more energy than I could muster, her paced slowed to accommodate mine. We spoke of the Lord’s provision for our families. We shared of how God had revealed himself to us over the previous week. Linden had been blessed by an opportunity to teach English in Germany and was preparing to move. Alison was pursuing medical mission opportunities abroad. Sarah and Linden had recently finished graduate school and were working on thesis projects. Sarah had been blessed by a new position at work, as Assistant to the Elders. Listening to my companions share their hopes and dreams, I praised God for the blessings he had provided. On our long runs, we analyzed the deeper theological meanings of Harry Potter, Bodies’ exhibits, and space monkey polls, and six degrees of separation with Kevin Bacon. We motivated each other with thoughts of cinnamon toast and watermelon soup as rewards. Our feet fell into a rhythm as we shared our hopes, dreams, and blessings with each other.

As the miles wore on, the four of us shouted encouragements at one another and by-passers. “Come on, Linden!” Sarah would cry. “Way to book it, Alison!” Linden called out. “Good morning!” Alison greeted a lady walking her dogs. “Just a little further…just 3 more miles!” I cried, adding to the excitement. Knowing that 4 miles were tucked under the proverbial hydration belt, allowed a certain understanding that the last 3 could easily come in stride.

As the run progressed, our pace slowed and our speech ceased. Talking wasted too much energy. Alison’s bounding was subdued, her energy ebbed by the distance of our run. The sun had risen to its full glory and beat mercilessly upon our brows. The breeze that once welcomed our journey now opposed us and slowed our pace. The very hills that we had sped down earlier now rose against us. My feet dragged, and my muscles protested further movement. “Just one more mile!” Alison chimed. One more mile. What was that when 6 were behind us? Suddenly, we all began speaking encouragements to each other, prodding ourselves forward. The speech that had robbed our energy earlier were now all that kept us going. “Come on ladies!” Half a mile was all that was left. Shouting encouragements over our shoulders, we broke into a full run and sprinted as quickly as we could to the finish line.

Joyful that we had completed our exertion, we served each other water and Gatorade. After, we returned to the stretching rock for a cool down. Our bodies were strengthened by the run and our fellowship was strengthened by our encouragements. Raising my face towards the sun, I silently praised God for providing me with the chance to greet the dawn.

Community … Together

This is the kick-off week for a new season of Community Group ministry at LifePoint. Significant changes have been implemented to expand the ministry: new leaders, new groups, new locations, and a new strategy for connecting people more quickly and effectively. Strong community is vital for LifePoint to accomplish mission. Community Group is the key to this strength.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. —Acts 2.42–47

First, be clear of the relationship between community and mission. To use a phrase from a good friend, LifePoint is not a mission of community, but a community of mission. “Community” is not the mission of LifePoint, but it is the pathway to accomplishing our mission: leading people to be real Christ-followers in life…together. We must remain absolutely clear of this in order to understand the value of making community a high priority for every member and regular-attender at LifePoint. The value of active participation in a Community Group is great! Community Group…engages people through study of the Bible and the life-transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ…encourages people by connecting them with others whose lives are being impacted by the Gospel…equips people to participate in sharing the Gospel through missional living.

When a person actively participates in Community Group, the Gospel works in their life and grows them in authenticity (a buzzword heard so often that it may become worthless in meaning). Two concepts help to define real authenticity; transparency and vulnerability. Transparency is the willingness to open up your life to others and speak with an honest recognition of life, including joys and celebrations, weaknesses, brokenness or struggles. Vulnerability includes the willingness to trust others, open your life up and allow others to ‘speak into it’. It is encouraging to experience a group that is led by a spirit of authenticity, spreading from those who will lead in it to those who are more hesitant initially. Sin fights against us and condemns us in our weaknesses and brokenness, building pretense to put forth our best façade and so deflect the ‘magnetic attraction’ of authenticity. Thankfully, the grace of God is greater and the light of God’s truth is brighter, to overcome sin’s darkness and condemnation.

The cumulative impact of the Gospel through community is immeasurable and unimaginable. God uses the power of Holy Spirit and his Word along with encouragement from his people to nurture his work of grace in a disciple’s life. Over the next couple of weeks I want to consider more deeply the impact of the Gospel through community by taking a look at it in its infancy in Acts 2.42-47. Community does not begin with this passage in Acts, but we do begin to see the power of grace and redemption among God’s people that forms Biblical community.

I encourage you…connect with a Community Group this week. Check out the complete listing on our website or e-mail the office at info@lifepointozark.com and let us help you. Be an active participant in a strong community of transformation and help LifePoint move forward in mission. Because He Lives…

–Pastor Lane

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Photo by Chris Austin at LifePoint’s 2006 Thanksgiving Celebrate LifePoint

Too Busy to Serve?

If you’ve ever had a to-do list show up on your refrigerator, you probably thought one of two things: “I wonder how my spouse/parent/roommate lost his/her to-do list and how it ended up on the refrigerator?” (This is what you thought if you were unwittingly on the verge of apartment hunting) or “I’d better chose one of these to work on before someone chooses for me.”

Last weekend, our church published its servant guide again. It’s a brief document that outlines all the fun ways to get involved with the church, like explaining the book of Job to college students or cleaning Saran Wrap and lip gloss off your car. The servant guide is a little subtler, while I am a little more honest. I’m on church service like ants on Pixie Stix (I’m also on Pixie Stix like ants on Pixie Stix). Teaching? Sounds fun! Leading a community group? I’ll help! Writing and recording? I’ll try it! In fact, I’m the worst at overextending myself. But this isn’t about me – it’s about you.

People are busy. At least, American people are. If I ask you what your daily commute to work is and you say “15 or 30 minutes,” you’re probably not that busy. If you say “21 minutes with lights, traffic, cops, and God willing,” you’re a busy person. Most people I know fall into the latter category. And in such a busy culture, a church that actually prints a guide for committing time to service must have some big brass bells in its steeple.

I’ve struggled with the amount of time I give in service to my church, and here’s what I’ve decided. If I don’t want to do it, I’m not going to do it. If I sign up to wrangle preteens for 3 hours a week and I hate it (which I don’t, but we’re speaking hypothetically here), what I’m really doing is contributing to hypocrisy in the church. I’m really building a Kingdom of Kit, not a Kingdom of Heaven. I’m really wasting my time. I think of Jesus saying “Anyone who puts his hand to the plow and still looks back isn’t fit for service in God’s Kingdom.” (Luke 9:62)

But if I agree to teach VBS for four straight nights and I find joy in that, even though I have to inhale dinner and essentially work 12-hour days for 8-hour pay, then I feel like the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand. I have a picture from VBS by my work computer right now: Five students, one teacher, and me. In the picture, I’m tired, I’m soaking wet from a water fight, and I’m happy. My life is meaningful in that picture.

If you’re thinking about serving at you’re church, whether that church is LifePoint or First Methodist Kalamazoo, I encourage you to check out Lane’s sermon from August 26 on LifePoint’s website. Consider the cost, consider the value, and act accordingly.

–Kit

Stale Fish Saran Wrap

A couple of years ago Sue gave me tickets to a motocross freestyle event in Dallas. I’ve never felt more loved. She looked deeply into my soul and found a birthday gift only a wife who is tuned into the passions of her man’s heart could find. We headed down to Dallas for the spectacle that is freestyle motocross. My expectations were high. As the live metal band kicked into its ear shattering set the energy of the stadium was crazy. Then the two hour onslaught of Nac Nacs, Lazyboys, Stale Fish Saran Wraps, Cordovas, McMetzes, and No Footed Back Flips began. It was electric. It was way beyond my expectations.

God has really been dealing in my heart about how flippantly we spend time in His presence. How can we come into His presence, whether in our daily relationship with Him or when we come to church, completely void of any awe or reverence of God’s power and holiness? I know this seems like a big leap from motofreestyle, but hang with me. I was reading accounts of different people in the Bible who came into the presence of God. Isaiah immediately was overwhelmed by his filth and unholiness before a holy, powerful God. Moses was filled with fear and hid his face when God spoke to him in a burning bush. The man whose name would be changed to Paul was blinded by God’s presence. John fell as if dead. Why is it that I can watch a guy on a motorcycle do a “Kiss of Death” across a 90 foot gap and feel like I can die a completed man, but when I open up the living breathing Word of God I give it the same respect as the sports section of the newspaper. How can I scream like a lunatic in a stadium packed with rednecks and stand in the presence of God with my church family and act like I’m in high school detention?

I believe many of our issues stem from extremely low expectations. I want to challenge us all to think honestly about how we approach God. What do you expect when you open up the Bible? Are you looking for God to speak to you from His living, breathing Word? Are you searching for the answers to your life? Do you expect to be challenged – to be changed? 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” When you pray do you really think of it as speaking to Holy God and Creator of the universe? Do you believe it makes any difference if you pray or not? James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” When you go to church what do you expect – to be entertained, see friends or do you wonder why you are even there? Read I Kings 8. How did Solomon feel about church?

We are allowed to get a glimpse of the glory of God. Think about what that means. How crazy is it that we have a relationship with immortal, omniscient, omnipresent, all powerful, all loving God and we cavalierly prance through the ritual because that’s what we do to be religious. How we approach God says so much about our relationship with Him. Empty ritual may help us feel better about ourselves because we are able to check it off the Christian “to-do” list, but it is an empty sacrifice to God – a stench in His nostrils. I’m convinced that if God would give us a small look at how we could live, we would be appalled by our current existence. Enough of empty rituals, it’s time to seek God and actually believe we will find him.

–Pastor Dennis