Why I blog.

To blog or not to blog… that has been my question.  So, why blog?  Well, I think my mom would pay attention and am curious about if anyone else in the world would.  I am making the jump into a blogger because I believe that it is a useful tool to help impact students and those who might work with students.  I have a desire to be a part of shaping the next generation of youth workers.  How I do that?  Great question.  Once I figure that out I will let you know.  So, my desire with this blog is to allow you to see why I do what I do and hopefully use these words to influence others.  Thanks for your time.

What makes it right?

I was recently told that abortion should be legal because if it is not, that will send women into the back alleys and dark rooms for abortions… Something isn’t right simply because if you disallow it, people will do it anyway. Just because someone is going to do an act doesn’t mean we make that act legal so it is safer for that person. The implications for that logic are severe. We don’t give handgun classes to someone who wants to commit a murder so that they don’t miss and strike a bystander. Rape isn’t legalized to make it easier for the rapist. The job of the government is to protect the innocent. In the case of abortion, the innocent is the unborn child and the aggressor is the intiator of the abortion. Government limits people’s rights to do what they want with their body all the time. I can’t use my body to hurt yours. I can’t use my mouth to slander your reputation. The bottom line with the abortion issue is when does life begin. Conception or Birth. The hypocrisy of the abortion issue is the outlawing of partial-birth abortion. They recognize that its a baby at that point. If life begins at conception then, it is murder from that point on. If not at conception, it is inconsistent to say it begins at viability because that is not a determinable or consistent time. So the only other option is birth. And, if a pro-choice person is consistent then they have to be willing to abort a baby seconds before it could come out full-term. The pro-choice position is logically incosistent and flawed… aside from it being murder.

Feeling discriminated against…

I have long since felt discriminated against. Is it for my color, my gender or my lack of hair? Nope. It’s for the way I do ministry. It seems to me that there is a general awe of churches that are non-traditional. There are churches identified by hip-hop, truck stops and flip-flops. These are then labeled as cutting-edge and relevant. While they very well may be doing great and effective ministry to a segment of society, labeling them as cutting-edge and relevant has some interesting implications. The implication is that if doing certain things is what makes them relevant then if you are not doing those things, you are not relevant. Within the church growth circles, there is no greater sin than being irrelevant. As a Pastor at a church that would likely be described as fairly traditional, I resent being deemed as irrelevant simply because my Senior Pastor wears a suit instead of ripped jeans. My concern with a church’s identity being wrapped up in a style (type of music, casual clothing, etc.) is that styles inevitably change and people change away from a style. At my church, we strive for it to be our love and sense of community to be what draws people to our church. I’d rather be known for our love then for what we wear. Anyway, Isn’t it by our love that they will know we are Christians?

How to be Pro-Life and Pro-Women’s Rights…

I recently read a Facebook comment about how could Governor Sarah Palin consider herself a feminist/crusader for Women’s rights and also be pro-life. While I am not sure of Palin’s logic, I would consider myself someone who is pro-life and someone who is in support of women’s rights. First, I think we need to define what it means to support women’s rights. I think that means wanting women to be able to do what is best for them and to live free of harmful restrictions. This does not mean that women be allowed to do anything and everything they want. For example, this does not mean that women be allowed to blow themselves up in crowded restaurants or bus stops… no matter how bad they want to, if their religion says it is ok or if they think it is something that will really help them in life. So women’s rights is wanting the best for women and wanting them free of harmful restrictions. Unfortunately, women’s rights has almost been redefined to mean that you are pro-abortion. The problem here is the underlying premise that abortion is even good for women. I think the issue of how abortion is bad for women has been discussed well and explained by better people elsewhere on the Internet… Here: Lutherans for Life Site and others… So, if abortion is bad for women then someone who is pro-women’s rights SHOULD be opposed to abortion. It’s ironic that women, who are hurt by abortion, are often the most vocal proponents for abortion.

Need a Missions Trip?

I emailed another youth pastor who is considering coming to Southern California to serve our church… Here’s a sample schedule that I came up with.
Sunday
Arrive Sunday early evening.
8:30 PM:Arrive Liberty Church, Meet & give you history/idea of who we are..
9:15 PM: Depart for Host Homes/Hotel/Sleep at Church.

Could stay in host homes or at the church… I’d recommend host homes because then we can have the host homes provide a breakfast.

Monday
9 AM- Morning Devotion
10-Noon: Door-to-Door Evangelism with our students. Maybe pass out flyers for a Backyard Bible Club/Soccer Sports Camp in a park.
Noon- Sack Lunch in a park
1-2: Door-to-Door…
2: Head back to church. Get off feet & relax/open up game room.
3: Head to LA Rescue Mission to serve & eat dinner. Do Evening Chapel service.
Return around 10pm.

Tuesday
9 AM- Morning Devotion
10-Noon: Door-to-Door Evangelism with our students. Maybe pass out flyers for a Backyard Bible Club/Soccer Sports Camp in a park.
Noon-3: Backyard Bible Club/ Soccer Sports Outreach Camp-
3 PM: Host Homes pick up or back to church to relax. (May want to shower though from soccer)
5 PM: Dinner in the host home.
6:30 PM- Meet at church
7 PM: Head to local shelter for battered families… Bring ice cream and work with children.
9 PM: Back to church and then to homes.

Wednesday
9 AM- Morning Devotion
10-Noon: Door-to-Door Evangelism with our students. Maybe pass out flyers for a Backyard Bible Club/Soccer Sports Camp in a park.
Noon-3: Backyard Bible Club/ Soccer Sports Outreach Camp-
3 PM: Back to church.
5 PM: Dinner at the church
6:30 PM: Wednesday evening Bible Study- You guys lead entire thing… testimonies, P&W, lesson, game, etc…
8 PM: Head to Homes

Thursday
9 AM- Morning Devotion
10-Noon: Door-to-Door Evangelism with our students. Pass out flyers for Block Party
Noon-3: Backyard Bible Club/ Soccer Sports Outreach Camp-
3 PM: Back to church.
3:30 PM: Head to Laguna Beach (with our students) for Bonfire & P&W on the beach
11 PM; Return to Church/Head to homes.

Friday
9 AM- Morning Devotion
10 AM- Community Beautification Project (Work at Edgemont Elementary School? Paint Play area?)
Lunch on Site
3 PM- Back to church
4 PM: Go to set-up for Block Party
6 PM: Block Party at the Church or a member’s home… Chick-Fil-A cater?
9 PM: Back at church/ Head to homes.

Saturday
Disneyland/Hollywood- Play

Sunday
9 AM- Lead Sunday School
10 AM- Worship Service
Noon- Fellowship Meal at Church.
Afternoon off-
6 PM- Student Bible Study
8 PM: Head to Homes

Monday
Depart. (If afternoon flight, then you can do Hollywood in the morning…)

Want to come to Southern California?

Why I do See You at the Pole.

Why do I promote the event: See You at the Pole?
I have recently had some interesting discussions about whether or not an event that encourages students to pray publicly in their schools is necessary and/or biblical… Here’s some benefits that I see:

• Students making their faith public at school
• Students seeing who some other Christians are.
• Students talking about why they stand at the pole
• Students thinking about unsaved students at their school.
• If you linger back, you can interact with the students who are walking by and asking about what is going on…

The key to See You at the Pole is two-fold

1. Training students to be prepared to talk about it. Students need to vocalize to other students what they are doing and why they are doing it. Why are they praying? Why are they not ashamed of it?

2. Having more then just one event/program/service/training/thing to not only train students to grow closer to Christ but also to reach the lost. It’s utlizing it as part of a comprehensive ministry that not only equips and challenges students to live out their faith in both and public and private manner on their school campuses but is an intentional outreach to unsaved/unchurched students on the campus.

Philippians 2:19-30

19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.
Is there someone that I am discipling? Someone that I have “no one else like?” I think it is important that we are being faithful to 2 Timothy 2:22 and the example of Paul and Timothy here.

21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
The two are mutually exclusive. You cannot being looking out for your own interests and those of Christ. This is another exmple of living by faith. When I look out for Christ first, He takes care of me. So in a way, looking out for Christ’s interests is looking out for you own interests because you are trusting Christ to take care of you.

22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
How I hate waiting around to prove myself. Help me to be faithful and live long-term. Help me to prove myself.

23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
Sometimes I whine about doing the menial tasks, yet you can tell by what Paul says that Timothy is willing to even just be a messenger. Timothy was trained by one of, if not the, greatest church leader and rather then demanding his position, he is willing to be a gopher. God help me keep myself in perspective to the cross.

25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
Epaph was willing to risk everything for Christ… because of that he was to be welcomed with great joy and honor. It’s also interesting to see that Paul not only cares about the spiritual lives of the people but he is concerned about the emotions and feelings. He wants to send them Epaph so that they will be glad. He could of said, “Buck up and deal with it. I need him here.” But, he doesn’t. He’s concerned about the whole person.

Philippians 2:12-18

Ever have one of those moments/days where you don’t feel like doing anything? That’s me right now. My kids are in bed and I was wanting to be likewise. But, I knew that I needed to refresh myself spiritually more then physically. So, let’s look at Philippians 2.

12Therefore,
Because Christ humbled Himself, because He will be exalted, because of everything I just said…

my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—
Paul is saying that our obedience should be motivated by Christ’s obedience. Being like Christ means being obedient. It’s an integrity issue. Not only in Paul’s presence or in our public life, but we are to be obedient to Christ in our private life. That’s where our character is truly tested when we think we can get away with it- then what do we do?

continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
This is obviously not saying that our salvation is something we have to work/earn. It doesn’t say work FOR your salvation. It is not a matter of becoming one of Christ’s but becoming like Christ. We have a human responsibility to work towards coming like Christ. We can’t sit down and just hope that God will poof… transform us into something we aren’t. Moreover, it is to be done with fear and trembling not some arrogant notion that we are greatness. Fear and trembling comes in my life when I realize who I am, what a wretched sinner I am and then I look to who God is and how holy He is. That provides the fear and trembling out of holy respect for Him and a desire to grow because I don’t want to be the same anymore.

13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
“We see divine sovereignty and human freedom in blessed cooperation.” Liberty NT Commentary. Ultimately God is in control and God is at work effecting change in our lives.

14Do everything without complaining or arguing,
Interesting that complaining and arguing set the stage for blamless and purity in vs 15. How often do I complain and think nothing of it?

15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation,
Our end goal is to be pure, blameless and above reproach.

in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life—
Notice that it doesn’t say that the stars shine for their own glory but we are to be holding out the Word of Life. We have to recognize that it’s not about us or for us or for our recognition. God, help me when I want the pat on the back.

in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
BOAST can also be translated REJOICE. Paul’s not saying he wants to brag as we think of boasting but rather that he wants to glory in and exult Christ in their lives.
The word RUN means to completely spend all of one’s energy in producing fruit.
The word LABOR means to work and toil with wearisome effort.
How hard do I work for the gospel? Am I completely spent? Am I holding back some reserve for myself?

17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
I hear Paul’s heart as a minister. There’s not much more encouraging then seeing someone you discipled or led to Christ serving Christ. Those are the high points and Paul is rejoicing with the church at Phillipi in what Christ is doing in their lives as they shine brightly.

Philippians 2:1-11

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
He has just finished talking about where his priorities are and challenges them to live as citizens of heaven. Unity, Hope, Fellowship, Tenderness & Compassion… these are foundational and elementary characteristics of what a Christian should be.

2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Often times we are competitive or want our way within the church. Paul tells us to strive for unity. I think unity is more then just not fighting or “agreeing to disagree” [which is a dumb non-idea for not wanting to deal or struggle with an idea.] unity means not just working to avoid problems but working to be on the same page. Same page in what we love, same spirit and same page on what we are to be about. This can be tough for me sometimes because it means constantly recasting the vision so people understand and come along.

3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Part of unity requires a willingness to lay our lives down. Paul had just finished saying in Ch 1 that he knows that the Philippians need him so he wants to serve them above his own desires. Now he tells us to do the same. What a neat image it would be when we are looking after each other’s needs in an unbroken circle of love.

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
What follows next is the “very marrow of the Gospel.” (Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary, Vol 28, pg 321)

6Who, being in very nature God,
Diety of Christ. Can’t get more clear then that. Very nature God.

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
Grasped, held on to, clinged to… What in my life do I cling to and don’t want to let go? Pride? Sins? Reputation? It is hard to comprehend that Jesus was willing to leave heaven, in all its glory and magnitude, and come to earth, in all it’s sin. That is a fact that will become even more amazing and real when we step into eternity. Christ loves us so much.

7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
LIKENESS is a different word then FORM that appears in verse 6. Christ was 100% God as He lived as a 100% man. Devotionally- Imagine the whiplash. Going from being the one worshipped for all of eternity past and now you are the servant. How great the Savior’s love. Thank you Jesus for loving me so much.

8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Attributes of Christ that I need: Humble, Obedient, Self-Sacrificing.

9Therefore…
Because of Humility, Obedience and Self-Sacrifice…

…God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The truth is that there is a day when all people will bend the knee to Christ. The question is whether or not it will be as a result of first choosing Him as Savior. If Christ is in the highest place, then He is what I should be about. His name is above my name. I need to make the focus on Christ and not myself. Am I willing to lay aside my aspirations for greatness and take on the lowest form… for Christ’s glory.

God,
Keep the cross in front of me. Help me stay focused on your preeminence and not my own. Help me live by faith and trust that if I look after the needs of others that you will look after mine. And in those moments where I am afraid that my needs aren’t being met, remind me of your control & that my needs and my name is not the highest name… not even close.

Philippians 1:12-30

12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

I like Paul’s perspective here. Is the Gospel what we are really about? Is it truly our top priority? Do I care more about the security of my future or the preeminence of the Gospel? It’s like the issue of my wife’s job being cut because of budget cuts- Do I care more about job security or God using this situation for the furtherance of the Gospel?

13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

It says “As a result.” I think that comes back to Paul’s perspective. Because He had the Gospel as his top priority, everyone else sees Christ, is encouraged and the Word is spoken more.

15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

I think this is interesting line of thought that no matter why someone preach, the end
result is the Gospel is preached. I don’t think the ends always justify the means or the ends justify the motivation but it does challenge me to not be so critical if I think someone is serving for the wrong reasons. Perhaps Paul is ok with this because the act of sharing the Gospel will
speak to their hearts and correct their sinful motives.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

Still in prison… still rejoicing. I whine and I am not in prison. Lord, help me.

19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20I eagerly expect and hope that…

Listen to the Hope and Trust in his future in that excerpt:

- “I know”

- “will turn out”

- “eagerly expect”

- “hope”

Paul really believes and knows that God will come through him. His faith is solid. That’s
what I want. Almost where faith seems like just a natural thing: “Of course God’s going to come through for me!” I have that in areas but there are time where my heart gets riled up and I have to remind myself of the faithfulness of God. I settle down then but it seems like Paul was so solid and not fazed despite being in prison.

…I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

One Word: Perspective

2^nd Word: Values

22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

You see Paul’s love for the Philippians was greater then his love for himself. What would have been best for him was to go to Heaven but he wants to serve and encourage them more because he knows they need it. Also, you don’t see a defeatist attitude here. He’s not sitting down and saying “Woe is me.” His eyes are on the needs of others over himself. This is why we have to be about serving and witnessing because it takes our eyes off ourselves.

27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

This passage sounds awfully familiar to what he told the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 4:1- “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” What’s interesting about these 2 passages is the verb used to tell them about living/conducting a life worthy…

In Eph 4:1 the word LIVE in the Greek is peripateo: to tread all around; to walk at-large.

In Phil 1:27 the word CONDUCT in the Greek is politeuomai: to behave as a citizen; let conversation be.

He was just talking about heaven and that he is willing to lay aside all his desire to be a citizen of heaven to serve them so… they should (vs. 27) behave as citizens of heaven living a life worthy of the Gospel.

Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel

Paul always stressed unity in the church. This not only means that we strive not to fight with everyone else but that we bring the slow along with.

28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

He says our willingness to stand and not back down is a testimony issue.

29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

“Granted to you to suffer” What is my perspective on suffering? Do I view suffering as some trial or hard time that I just have to go through? When something is “granted” to someone, that is usually a good thing. So, Paul’s view of suffering is that it is a good thing to the recipient. How do I view suffering? Wonder why I am going through this? Beg God to make it stop? Those don’t sound like bad things necessarily but they aren’t actions that are shared by Paul or ones that would characterize a life that believes in the preeminence of the Gospel or the blessing of suffering. So, do I want a blessing? Do I really want to pray God bless me? Make me suffer so the Gospel is furthered? Wow.