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Raising the Dead!

September 3, 2012 in Family, Love, The Church, Worship with 0 Comments

It’s Labor Day, I know.  I haven’t blogged in a long time, so what better day to jump back into the swing?

The next two months at Midway Church, we’re reading thru the book of Acts as a part of the Midway Journal.  It’s just a unified reading plan that we encourage all the members of Midway to experience each day.  So, the first two chapters of Acts are quite interesting.  Well, I suppose thats an understatement; I should say they’re world changing.

When you look down through time at the ripple effect of that day, as far as our ability to minister to each other is concerned, if staggering.  Set aside some of the controversy for a moment and let’s look at what happened and to whom it happened.

1.  A word from Jesus himself was fulfilled.  He promised a comforter, an infilling of God’s Spirit.  It happened on the Day of Pentecost, it was witnessed by many and was the stone thrown upon the still waters of the early church.  It’s effects are eternal and still cause life change today.  I’ll share my thought on this later.

2.  Who was there?  There isn’t a complete list of names given, but from all we know it was a group of those who followed Jesus and the disciples through at least part of Jesus’ life.  It was those who had decided to become a follower of Jesus, and it was those who were seeking a greater understanding of what His life meant.  It was also for those who were waiting on the comforter.

What does it all mean?  I don’t even begin to be able to answer that question or questions is raises.  But, here’s something that I’ve been thinking about in the last few days;

What if the power of the Holy Spirit was given for many purposes…not the least of which is to raise the dead?

Can a dead person be brought back to life physically?  Absolutely.  There are literally thousands of accounts of those who’ve been “on the other side” of death and been brought back to give an account.  (A book that is very popular right now is called “Heaven Is Real” and is an account of a child who endured a traumatic event that caused him to pass and then back again to life.  The book is written from experiences that the little boy conveyed to his parents in the months and years after this experience.)  I recall as a young man meeting one who’d fallen from a building and died, only to come back and give a very detailed account of the afterlife; Heaven, hell and even people that he was allowed to meet.  Now, it doesn’t really matter what we think about these accounts or even if ALL the accounts are legitimate or accurate; the question here is does the Holy Spirit give power to bring life again?  YES!

You see I believe that God has called and equipped us to raise the dead; the spiritually dead!  Ok, put down your stones.  Hear what I’m saying, and set aside for just a moment your opinions on Calvinistic doctrines and their implications to this idea.  Believe me when I say, I’m a 4 point Calvinist (if such a thing exists…lol) so I am familiar with those ideas.  What I’m saying is that as believers that follow and hunger after Christ and His truth, the scripture clearly tells us that His power dwells on the inside of us.  For what!?  Just to make us feel better?  No, it’s to love those around us to life.  I don’t think there is a place we can go in this world where God and His Power can reach us and His love doesn’t lead us.  Consider the scriptures…

Romans 8:38-39

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I can’t think of a more comforting scripture!  In context of bringing life, consider a passage earlier on in that passage of Romans 8…

Romans 8:6

6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

If we have ANY power what so ever, we’ve got the power to lead people to a Spirit led life.  We have the power of the Holy Spirit that guides and directs those who are aligned and on-line with what He wants in our lives and in the lives of others.

We have, through the Holy Spirit, the power to raise the dead.  Don’t get lost in controversy.  Don’t get overwhelmed with guilt or confidence.  Run from ideas that lead you to thinking it’s any more than God’s mercy and grace alive in you!

Prayer:  Lord let me be a life giver!  As Romans 8:6 declares, remind me to life by the Spirit that lives on the inside of me.  Remind me of who I am because of Christ.  Remind me that I am filled with You when AND because I seek You.  You’re my source and strength! For God You are good and Your mercy endures forever. Amen!

Marriage and Ministry: Lessons I’ve Learned

February 14, 2012 in Family, Life, The Church with 6 Comments

I’m a firm believer that God will not give you to bear that which you are not capable of bearing. That being said, my wife and I have often said that God must have inflated confidence in us. I say that tongue-in-cheek because God is never wrong.

I was raised a preacher’s kid.  It was expected that I would by default be in the ministry myself.  I never really resisted, but I felt the weight of knowing that I needed to build my life and family around a wife that was just as passionate about ministry as I was.  God’s greatest blessing in my life along with my children, is the woman He gave me. She is what I call my attractive opposite.  In almost every way she’s my balance.  I’m the emotional high energy one.  She’s the steady never-too-high and never-too-low rock and anchor I am tethered to.  I’m always in a hurry, always moving quick.  She slow and steady…but she’d agree with me that she wouldn’t win many races.  I don’t care.  She’s the balance for me, and I am for her.

Here are three big lessons WE have learned together about being a ministry family.

1.  My wife carries the burden of ministry with me.  It’s important that I remember that, and that those that I’m close to in life and in ministry are aware of that.  I give my life for what I do and those I serve, and she gives me to that task every day, without fail, faithfully and willingly.  She has to love and be steadfast in what God has called me to do in a way that so many others have no concept.  We have a large family, but she gives up the expectation and many times she never asks for the help she needs and stands tall in the shadows.  Do not underestimate or take advantage of that rock.  Remember, behind every man of God is a woman rolling her eyes at him.

2.  A thriving ministry does not a happy marriage make!  I almost lost my marriage 8 years ago because I foolishly believed that building a ministry and a church would ultimately lead to a better life for our family.  I worked way too much, she worked too hard.  It was such a dark time and  all I wanted was a better life.  It’s a trap, and it’s so easily sprung on us.  The creative side of us is such a sucker for the bliss found in the “what could be”.  Not that that is unimportant; on the contrary it’s what makes life worth living.  My mistake was living in what could be, and neglecting what was.  I hated coming home to a house that was chaotic and messy (at the time we had 4 children, two under the age of 4 all under the age of 10 and it was overwhelming to my wife). She hated me coming home and being stressful over petty things that just needed my energy and effort rather than a critical eye.  We moved further and further apart.  Thank God for a friend and pastor who patiently walked us thru, helped us mature and basically got my head back on straight. I’m called to be a husband and father first; not a minister.  As worship leaders we’re gifted people.  Thats how God made us.  We must remember to never allow our gifting to take precedence over our calling.

3.  I really like my wife.  Seriously.  I mean, if you asked me who I would like to spend time with more than anyone else on earth, it would be her.  I guess this isn’t a “lesson” so to speak, but for anyone who’s planning on being married at all, my advise is to marry someone you really like! I love my children love the time spent being with them.  But SHE is my best friend.  Nothing would make me happier than to be with her. We laugh together a lot and I know that is a key to a healthy marriage.  It’s a good thing she likes me, because I can be a real pain in the back side some times.  Actually…a lot.  But this woman has the patience of Job and the heart of a saint.  ”Love” and “like” are two different things and I think to have a successful marriage, ministry or not, you have just got to have both.  The real key of getting along is being able to be honest about frustration and perception, and we know that our perception is our reality.  It’s good to be able to keep it real with a person you both love and like very much, and this has been a key to our marriage.

There isn’t a perfect marriage.  There are usually lots of flaws that we all have to deal with in each other.  That is certain; but what I like best about a great marriage is grace.  A gracious person is hard to offend and easy to reconcile with.  May God continue to grant us the honor of serving Him together and with long life to love our children to love Him.  Thats our true calling and it goes beyond our gifting.

 

KILL IT or Start Over?

July 15, 2011 in Family, Life with 8 Comments

So we’ve bought a house this week. Needless to say we’re excited about having a house big enough for our clan, and in a community we love. After what seems like forever of being transients, we’ve laid some roots and couldn’t be any more excited.

As parents of 6 children who love the water, it was a thrill to have the bonus of a pool at the new place. There’s just a slight problem, as you can see here.

Yeah, it’s kinda gross. This picture, was actually taken a couple of weeks ago so it’s even more gross now. So me and the Mrs. are trying to GUESS what to do. I’ve never had a pool, and my dad only got a pool after we left the house…which I find hilarious.

We called in reinforcements. We called A POOL GUY.

His reaction was just as you might expect. It was the controlled “eewwwuuu…” look. After discovering that everything works (pumps, filters, etc…) he began to give us the options. It all came down to two choices; either KILL IT, or drain it and START OVER. So I said, “Whats the catch? Which is least expensive?” Yeah..I said it. I’m the man, I’m the budget guy, I’m the do-it-yourselfer. We decided that the best over all decision was to drain it and start all over.

yeah, it’s basically a Cement Pond. So we’re draining it and starting over with fresh water.

We’re doing a reboot. A do-over. Clear the boards. Wash it all off and start again.

I’m so glad we have a heavenly Father who is gracious and kind. He’s the author of starting again. There are so many things in life that you can’t do-over; there are many things that are permanent when we mess’em up. But the eyes of our Father see us in a new way each morning. See here; Lamentations 3:22-23

22 It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Thank God for His faithfulness!  Thank God for His mercy and limitless grace.  It goes way beyond my understanding, but without it we’re all still dead in sin.

Now.  I’m off to another day of cleaning, painting, fixing and smiling!

Go Ride Your Bike!

June 3, 2011 in Family, Life with 6 Comments

Thanks to Carlos Whittaker for sharing this priceless video!

Now. Go and ride your bike!

Blessed unexpectedly…

May 14, 2011 in Family, Life, Worship with 2 Comments

A few years ago, I recall a Christmas that was especially difficult for us. Money was very tight and we were doing everything we could for the kids. Christmas morning, I opened up a present from my wife that I wasn’t expecting. She had bought me a leather jacket. It was just so unexpected…and it turns out that God had blessed us with an unexpected monetary “payday”. I was so blessed.

Many years later, here we are. More kids, more responsibility and I’m happy to say a lot of happiness. Life is hectic and definitely more challenging but it’s the things in life that take us by surprise that keep the creativity worth seeking.

Being back in the studio is a great thing. It’s been a few years since I worked on a project like this so it’s been fun. But it’s been 15 years since I was able to do a project of material that was originally my own. It’s a surreal place to be, and I have had to get used to the idea of doing music that is solely my own. But I cannot tell you how blessed we’ve been. The results are awesome. It’s been a beautiful journey so far and I believe that it will continue this way. God is blessing. Unexpectedly.

It wasn’t as if I wasn’t expecting things to turn out well. No one starts something like this just KNOWING that it’s going to bomb. It’s like beginning a journey to a place you’ve never been but believing it’s going to be wonderful, and it is. God has blessed through seeking His face, His will and His timing.

Psalms 84:4-5
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

I can’t imagine “dwelling” (the place I want to stay; where my heart calls home) anywhere but in a place that puts God’s will and God’s timing in the highest place. I don’t always succeed in that. Like I said before; life is crazy. It’s often unexpected and unexplained. But, then again so are His blessings.

Finding a Comfort Zone

April 7, 2011 in Family, Life, Love, Worship with 1 Comment

We have a horse lover in our home. Actually we have several horse lovers, but our oldest daughter is the one who’d live and sleep around these majestic creatures. In all honestly, they’re all just pure animal lovers.

For my oldest there was a time when those large animals scared her. There was a time frame where a certain level of comfort had to be reached before there was any real long term learning taking place. I love seeing the joy in her eyes when she’s able to ride and be around horses. A couple of days ago I took a few pictures of her as she rode. (left)

As a someone who is before crowds of people often, there’s a certain level of comfort that has to take place before any real learning can happen for me. It’s the same for us as leaders you see. I’ve had the blessing of reading many blogs in the past few weeks that deal with crowds, the heart of the worship leader, leading thru music, letting the congregation lead us to lead them better…etc…so forth and so on. It’s such a good conversation and I think as leaders of people in a public role we need this kind of reflection and dialogue together.

 

Consider this quote from Paul Baloche

“Even the typical “worship service” setup (platform, microphones, spotlights, etc.), for example, forces its leaders to walk dangerously close to those “rock star” elements while making sure the attention stays solely on God.” (leadworship.com/blog)

I think the hardest part of being “comfortable” in front of people is my fear of being a little too comfortable. But I also think it’s the comfort that comes from being familiar with God’s presence that we should strive for. But you know as well as I do, that comes from being there every day, so that when we step into the public eye, they see our comfort with Him, not so much our comfort with them.

My prayer…

God it’s only in Your word and it’s hope that we find a comfort and a peace for every place and space in our lives. It’s there that I want to stay. It’s there that I find my purpose. It’s there that faith and grace meet in a beautiful display of your love for me and those you allow me to lead.  May my hands and heart follow you alone.

Amen.

Air in my tires

March 9, 2011 in Family, Life with 2 Comments

Crazy day in my world. Work, long staff meeting, my wife gets the 3rd attempt to complete a root canal (long story, but basically the dentist we use believes in multiple attempts), and more meetings. All good. All wonderful.

We completed the daily afternoon living room pickup and put away the clothes. Somehow this energized the kiddos and mom suggested that they go outside (because it’s actually warm today) and ride their bikes. At that point a collective “but all the bikes have flat tires. Dad can you help us?”

I love the compressor/air tank. It took me about 3 min to air up all those tires. Smiles all around.

So as I was putting the compressor up, the thought occurred to me. Sometimes it just takes a little air in our tires. The bike is great; all shiny and pretty. Chain is tight and ready to go. But if our tires are flat it’s really bad.

What is something that puts “air in your tires?” What is it that recharges you and inspires you to do new things…or maybe just to keep on going with a smile?

This Temporary Home…

March 6, 2011 in Family, Life with Comments Off

Next week as a part of the sermon series “To Live Is christ”, we’ll hear the song “Temporary Home”. It’s a powerful song and a powerful image of our journey and the fragility of life.

Today, we spent practically the entire day looking for a home in the area where I’m serving as Worship Pastor. It was exciting and exhausting, fulfilling yet fairly scary. It’s expensive to live, especially in a home large enough for a family of 6 children, two parents, a dog named Lady, and a LOT of stuff.

So after a few hours of thinking thru what’s been going on in our lives, I’ve been reminded that we’re searching for a temporary home.

See, for the last two years we’ve been tied to another temporary home in Houston that is just sitting there…that we’re still paying for…that is just SITTING there. We sold it on Monday and began this week looking for what I was calling permanent housing in the area. But, my friends, it ain’t permanent. It’s just windows and rooms that we’re passing through. If you’ve never heard the song or seen the video, here it is.

So how would it change how we live our lives if we LIVED as if this wasn’t our temporary home? I mean, we’re so busy…maybe I should say that I am so busy, that I sort of “overlook” the real reason we’re here. Yeah, that great commission is pretty powerful stuff. So how should the fact that we’re not permanent residents change how I live and minister? Hopefully not a bit! But sadly it will; it means we must be reminded to be others minded…to be KINGDOM minded.

Looking for a permanent home here? Don’t get too attached.

iPhone funny…

February 23, 2011 in Family with 0 Comments

The iPhone.

According to my wife, the coolest gift I ever got her.  Yep, I’m golden.  At least that day I was.

We got the OtterBox for her phone, because incase you haven’t heard yet, I’ve got a few kids.  The OtterBox is an amazing invention, keeping that delicate little jewel of a toy safe.  I’ve seen the iPhone, incased in the OtterBox, thrown across a room.  It’s truly amazing.

So last night, my two year old decides to see if the OtterBox can protect the iPhone in water.  Yep. She dropped it in the toilet.

In the TOILET.  At least it was a non-tainted toilet…that is to say that it was clean water.  Another small miracle.

At first I thought we’d escaped damage.  Then we realized that the ear speaker (the part that you hold up to your ear) wasn’t working.  I was not amused.

Long story short, if you put your wet iPhone in a bag of uncooked rice, it might bring it back to life…cause the little ear speaker started working again.  Thank God.  Bethany, all is forgiven.