Many people live in a conundrum. They don't like change, but they want change. Maybe it's fear. Maybe it's inscurity. Maybe it's just that we are too comfortable. Yet in our comfort we complain and sometimes as "spiritual people" we grow numb, become dull, or feel dry. There is a missing vitality to our lives.

Often when that happens people look to something or someone to spice things up. Change is in order - a new toy, a new job, a new house, a new church, a new spouse, a new religion. They try to recapture the "feel" of the past. But what happens if the feel of the past isn't what will revive us? 

I read a Scripture passage recently that made me wonder if I, we, look in the wrong places for that missing vitality.    Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Israel was at a dry place, distant from God, and separated from His blessings. They longed for what they had before; they craved for the past - "Maybe if we just change things so they're back to what they were before...."  God, however, wasn't going to re-vitalize them by rewinding the tape. He was doing something new and different. He would bring vitality and life to the most dry of places through something new ... and His challenge to them was to see it, look for it, perceive it. 

• Instead of trying to orchestrate change on our own, maybe we need to perceive what God wants to do in our lives.
• Instead of trying to mimic the feelings of the past, maybe we need to grasp the new feelings & experiences God has for us.
• Instead of holding onto the comforts of the past, maybe we need to embrace the changes God is bringing.

We may not like change. We may want change. Either way, we must make sure it's God's change. We do that by seeking Him daily in an ongoing personal relationship.

Last week my family and I traveled to Maneadero, Mexico (south of Ensenada) on a missions trip. Though a few of us had been on missions trips before this was the first one we'd experience all together. I didn't know what to expect. And was I going to be surprised.

We flew into San Diego, met our C&MA missionary host, Rick Romano, and headed south across the border. At about 1 AM (3 AM our time) a tire on Rick's van blew out ... and he didn't have a spare. We waited for his wife to drive up and rescue us. It wasn't until 3 AM (6 AM for us) that we got to our room, that is, our dark, dusty, dirty, bunk beds on a cement slab room. When my bed sheets didn't fit the mattress I wondered what I had got myself into. But that was only the beginning.

The bathrooms were mere outhouses so small that your knees would hit the wall when you sat. The showers were small, dirty, and with limited water supply. And we had to wake at 8 AM for breakfast. Being exhausted he first day was not the ideal way to start this trip.

I began the next day finding out that our primary job was going to be construction. Now, my family and my church know that I really dislike construction work. I am not the guy who buys tools and loves to putter around the shop. Urgh! I get no satisfaction or joy from doing that kind of work. When I saw, however, where and for who we'd be building a house for (a poor family living in a crowded shack) I determined to do the job.

It wasn't going to be that easy though. The discomforts continued. Other than dinner the food was repetitive and, well, quite disatisfying. That was minor for on the second day I got a severe sinus headache. The next day my back starting hurting. The next day the van hit a bad bump and I crushed my head & neck on the roof. Then, to top it off I almost got a concussion when a 2x4 fell on me! It really seemed like "someone" was trying to discourage me so I'd just give up. I was out of my comfort zone, beaten up, and among strangers. Nonetheless, the joy of the Lord was my strength and for the first time in my life I enjoyed construction; I actually WANTED to build this house.

When the week was over we introduced the family to their new home. It wasn't much by American standards and it certainly wasn't built by skilled professionals, but it was a mansion to them. Their expressions, their tears, their appreciation made all the inconveniences worth it.

Serving the Lord isn't always convenient, but it is always worth it.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58

My daughter wrote this song a few years ago for me. She and a couple friends then shared it with our church...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYxsqkrUZKs

I went to the zoo recently. Amidst all the wonderful elephants, leopards, and cobras, I noticed two themes being propogated on signs, displays, and literature. First, were the references to evolution. Second, were the promotions to protect endangered animals. I was confused. Wasn't the concept of "survival of the fittest" inherent to evolution? Weren't those species not strong enough to survive (through evolution or adaptation) not worthy to survive? There appeared to be a contradiction in what I was reading. If I believe in the "survival of the fittest," then why protect animals from extinction?  It just doesn't make sense to me. On the contrary, if I embrace Biblical creationism, then I am compelled to care for all of God's creation. None are weak and worthless. The call God placed on mankind in Genesis 1 is to manage, lead, and care for God's creation. Therefore, it's not ours to abuse, but to cherish and use wisely for His glory. That to me, sounds like a valid reason to protect and care for the endangered and the weak.

After our softball game last night, I posed a question to the team. What is the difference between an actor who plays a ballplayer and a ballplayer? Their answers included "commitment," "passion," "heart," "practice," "discipline," "he thinks about ball all the time."

Then I followed it up with another. What is the difference between a religious person and a true follower of Jesus? There was a long pause and then someone said, "Heart, it comes from the heart. He wants to do it." I pondered aloud how he also said the same about a true ballplayer. That got the guys thinking and the same answers became obvious, "commitment," "passion," "heart," "practice," "discipline," "he thinks about God all the time."

Reading from Isaiah I saw some parallels with the Jews. They were quite religious. They were meticulous about their rituals and worship. But in Isaiah 1:13-14 God tells them how much he hates their religiousness. It was a facade, a charade that covered their hypocrisy. Outside their religious setting they did whatever they wanted.

• they cheated
• they lied
• they gossiped
• they took advantage of people
• they played around with sexual immorality

Basically they settled for meeting what they thought were the minimal requirements of their faith.  Instead, God sent trouble their way and urged them to come clean and be real. In Isaiah 1:18-20 God calls the religious people to reality.  Our faith has to be real, it has to permeate our entire lives, it has to involve "commitment," "passion," "heart," "practice," "discipline," and "constant thought."  If not, at the end of our lives we'll look back and admit that when it came to being a Christian ... we just played one on TV.

I spent the week at EXPONENTIAL '08 The National New Church Conference in Orlando, FL (www.exponentialconference.org/). It certainly got my juices flowing about starting new churches and reinvigorated my vision to create a consortium of churches that work together to start new churches in South Jersey and into Philadelphia. There was, however, one nagging truth that hounded me all week; it was never really clearly laid out by any speaker, but I really felt that for this to happen I need to pray more. I was convicted that I don't nearly pray enough for the larger issues affecting God's kingdom in South Jersey or transforming this local region.

It is so easy to get consumed by my own life issues or those affecting my local church. I want to keep my eyes (and heart) looking forward into the future, to pave the way with prayer. I shouldn't be surprised as 16 years ago it was prayer that birthed Hope Chapel amidst resistance. Whether or not others join me, I will be praying for new churches to sprout up in our region, churches that will be used of God to transform both hearts and communities.

You can get a glimpse of our drama & music at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW7AujB3Ius

Wolves, Bobcats, and Churches

I took my kids up to the Lakota Wolf Preserve yesterday for a field trip. I was fascinated by some of the information our guides taught us about wolves and bobcats. One particular characteristic stood out as vastly different for each animal. I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between the animal behaviors.

As you already know, wolves live in packs; they are highly social animals and amazingly very compassionate. The pack, it seems, is very open to new pups joining the pack. It doesn’t matter if the pups are not from their pack, they are welcome. (It doesn’t even matter if the pups aren’t wolves as they take in dog puppies, as well!) All these pups are adopted into the pack and treated like those born in that pack. They are nourished, fed, and raised just like their very own. As they grow, they take their rightful place in the pack.

Bobcats are so much different. They are solitary animals who prefer their space; some males claim 20 square miles for themselves! When they have babies they nurse them for only a brief time and then kick them out to fend for themselves. Their children are never welcomed back nor are any visitors allowed in their territory.

Now, I know that wolves are usually used to describe negative traits in people or churches, but the stark contrast between these two animals left me wondering if I couldn’t learn something positive from them, as well.  How do churches come across to people? How do Christians come across to new people? How do I come across to people?

• Like a Bobcat? “Stay away! Don’t bother us!” Strangers and newcomers aren’t welcome. If you’re different, don’t bother coming. Any new people just end up being tossed aside.
• Like a wolf pack? “Come on in. Let us nourish you and raise you.” It doesn’t matter if you’re different. You can join in and find your place. We’ll help you … know God, connect with us, and impact others the same way.

Big difference. Big impact.