Jesus, the traveler Part 2

Continuing from the last post...God doesn't desire that we cut ourselves off from the world, but He does want us to give Him priority over everything else. Jesus' humble life only re-enforces what He constantly taught in scripture... Man cannot serve both God and money. Let's look at the American church for instance. I think that America is one of the most difficult places for God to work. Why?... Because we have so many other things that take our attention and allegiance. The Church in China is flourishing. Why? Because Christ is all that they have to cling to. We are so blessed to live in a nation where we are free to worship and I love this Nation with all my heart. That's why I am so passionate about church planting. I truly believe that we have got to plant churches to reach this Nation for Christ. Has God called me to live such an uninhibited life as Christ did? I hope not, because if He has then I've missed my call. I have in my possession on this earth more than I think Christ ever had, most all of us do, and yet, we are not nearly as effective at spreading the gospel. Should we all sell everything that we have and start traveling around, preaching wherever we can find? I doubt that He is calling all of us to do that...but I do know that if we ever did do that, we'd be called freaks... Just makes me wonder how long it would take us to crucify Christ if he were preaching today... my guess is that it would not take too long.

Jesus, the traveler

first off, I'm typing this on my phone so there may be many typoes and it may have to be shorter than I would like. The question posed by phillip in the comments of my last blog was why do I think Jesus came to earth in such humble circumstances and then chose to remain in the same humble state? Well, I think that the qustion answers the question. Jesus humbled himself to show His love for us and to teach us how to act...with humility. So #1 to be the ultimate example. Also, there is some scripture that talks about a camel, a needle and a rich man. The fact is, the easiest way, maybe even the best way to keep your motives pure is to do without... Without what you ask? Well...Anything. Anything that may take your focus off of God. That's where a monks logic makes sense, but what a monk doesn't take into account is that God has designed us for fellowship, not seclusion. I must continue this when I am near a computer. Any thoughts so far?

Jesus...

So, I wonder why we think Christianity has to be so civilized. I mean, many times it seems to me that we have been satisfied to label someone Christian simply if they dress well, act good and eat healthy...oh wait, we never really pay attention to what we eat as a spiritual issue. Anyway,...So I wonder if we ever think about the fact that Jesus many times slept w/out a roof over his head. As He said, "The Son of man has no place which He can lay His head." From what I understand, if we follow Jesus, we may not sleep on the same pillow two nights in a row. It just amazes me how we don't like to think about the truth. Here is one for example...I don't think that Jesus always smelt very good. I mean think about it, I take a shower every day and put on deodorant every day...nether of which Jesus did. Does it make you uncomfortable to think about the fact that Jesus was musty quite often...I know that it makes me a little uncomfortable. We should never ever dumb Christianity down to simply dress well and act good and tell people about Jesus. I think I want to write a book... I'll title it "Untamed Christianity" Oh wait maybe that one has already been written... Barbarian way...Erwin McManus...check it out if you get a chance. Comment some thoughts if you get some time...

Much Apology

Many of you know that right now I teach music...I had to get a job...I do love music though. Anyway, the reason that I am writting is to tell every teacher that I ever had that I AM SO SORRY FOR BEING SUCH A JERK IN SCHOOL TO YOU!!... Not that I have any kids that remind me of myself years ago... It's amazing what Christ can do in someone's life... if you don't believe me then just come to school with me one day and I'll point out some kids that are just like I was in school. God has done a miracle in my life... If you've never given your life over to Christ, you need to know that He wants to do a miracle in your life too.

We have a staff meeting tomorrow night. I always look forward to spending time with my staff. they are awesome guys.

Blog Attempt Take 2

So I feel like I haven't been doing to well with blogging...I don't know why, I mean I blog at least once every 4 weeks.... So anyway, I'm going to try it again. I'm going to try to blog more often, but much shorter blogs. So here is the first. Today some of the core team visited North Point Church lead by Andy Stanley. I must say that it was a wonderful experience to hear Andy speak about God's desire to be glorified in each of our lives and God's willingness to do whatever it takes to get our attention. I am so excited about what God has instore for OC!

Together

Over the last few days I haven't really been able to watch much of the Olympics due to the fact that we had our cable turned off to prepare for what is to come financially. However, I have caught a little here and there. Something that I noticed in every event was that no matter how bad things would get in any of the team competitions, the team would always be there to encourage each other. One particular event where I really noticed this taking place was in the beach volleyball games. As I watched a little, I saw the Americans lose a significant lead over the team that they were playing...I don't remember who it was, but they were foreign...Anyway, what really struck me was how the same teamate kept making mistakes over and over. There is no telling how many years those two guys had been playing volleyball, hoping to play for a gold medal in the Olympics one day. Yet, no matter how bad the one guy did, his teammate was always positive to him, always giving him highfives and shaking his head yea, as if to say that's okay.
As we plant this church, my hope is that we as a staff and as a core team will always move forward toward the goal, no matter what we face, no matter how many mistakes we make. I'm not saying that we just want to go out and make a bunch of mistakes and hope for the best. What I am saying is that I want us to give it as much as we have and fight for the gold, but even if we go down in flames, we go down in flames together...as a team.
While I was trying to get some stuff done today, the boys were watching Narnia. I love Narnia, it is an awesome movie. One of the greatest parts is where Peter looks at the guy beside him just before they are about to run into battle, you know, the guy who is part horse...anyway...they are about to run into battle, and Peter looks at the horse dude and says "Are you with me?" and the horse dude looks at Peter and says "To the death." Wow, what a statement. So what about it team,...Are you in this? Are you with me?

What?! #7

I really feel that I must conclude the What?! series of blogs, so this will be the last one.
In planting this church I have heard some really crazy things about what people are wondering about Oasis. I've even heard that we have been called a cult, which is a very serious accusation to level against a church. Please, before any of you ever say that about Oasis church or any other church for that matter, please remember that you will have to stand before God and answer for it. What I want to share with you today is the simple fact that I believe in Jesus. I believe that Jesus is Lord and the only way anyone can get to heaven is to place their faith in Him and the sacrifice that He made on the cross. I do not think that anyone can get to heaven by just being a good person, or even by being a really great person. Christ truly is the only hope that we have as human beings. My desire is to see people in Greenwood come to know Christ. Ever since I came to know Christ, I have been part of a Southern Baptist church and currently my theology still lines up with the SBC. In saying that about the SBC you also need to know that I also believe that in heaven we will be worshiping right alongside people from many other denominations. As a youth pastor I always had and still do have really great relationships with Youth pastors in other denominations. As a pastor, I hope to have significant relationships with pastors who are not affiliated with the SBC. I believe in Christ, I believe His death on the cross is the only hope that we have.
To be honest, I have been amazed at how quick people seem to doubt me. My intention with the next few statements is not to brag, but just to be honest about how I feel. For three and a half years I served at Harris with integrity and passion. I think that if you ask anyone at Harris about my time there, they would be glad to affirm that I served there with integrity as far as they know. I really enjoyed the time that I spent at Harris and it was very very hard to make the decision to leave there. I have served in every area of my life with much integrity, and yet it seems like that means nothing to anyone. I really need those who know my character to stand up and defend me. I'm hurt by how I've been doubted. I have never given anyone any reason to doubt me and my love for Christ. I am hurt more than anything by the way my wife has been treated. She has had things said to her that no one should ever have said to them. I am utterly amazed at how quick people will abandon others. Do what is right! Stand up and defend me if you know me! If you don't know me, then don't speak up. If you hate my guts, then I'm sorry for anything that I ever did to you. I'd love for you to tell me what I did so that I can apologize. I love Christ and I want to see people come to know Christ, and there is nothing wrong with that. There is also nothing wrong with people following the call that God has placed on their lives. Will we make some mistakes following that call? Yes. Does that negate the call?....NO. I'm willing to admit that I have made some mistakes, but God is still calling me to plant this church, and that's what I'm going to do.