"Good" Problems

"Good" problems...isn't that an oxymoron?

I've been reading Acts 6:1-7 over and over again this week as I prepare to preach from this text on Sunday at New Beginnings. Here we see that the early church has exploded numerically as literally thousands of people have confessed their sins and believed in Jesus of Nazareth as the crucified and risen Messiah. In 6:1 we read, "Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews not from around Jerusalem) arose against the Hebrews (Aramaic speaking Jews from the Jerusalem area) because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution" (ESV). What we see here is a conflict and its cause. The number of disciples in Jerusalem at this point, just a few months after Jesus' resurrection and ascension, had risen to perhaps as many as 20,000. With so many people coming to faith, and with so many needs due to harsh conditions and a lack of means, the apostles faced what could have amounted to the first church split. A certain group's widows were being neglected and something had to be done.

Clearly this was a problem. But, how was it a "good" problem? [If you want a verse-by-verse exegesis of this passage, feel free to join us this Sunday at New Beginnings. We meet at 10:30 AM...ha!] Rather than looking at this conflict from a merely a human perspective, try to think about what God intended for His precious community of children.

Romans 8:28, a familiar verse to many people, reads, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Here's the deal: Sometimes God purposefully allows trials and problems to come our way so that we will learn valuable lessons which in time will bring God more glory. Simply because something is "hard" or "a problem", does that necessarily mean that it is bad? Not at all!

Part of what we see in the early chapters of Acts are the different ways that God was moving the early church towards the fulfillment of their mission. Whether it was internal strife or sin, or external pressure, God was moving His people out with a marvelous new message: Jesus is the resurrected Messiah.

Do you have any "good" problems in your life? Has God been trying to teach you something through seemingly difficult circumstances? Feel free to share...if you want...

Church Life

It is true that sometimes the life of a pastor can be pretty challenging. (Hey, isn't it true that everybody's life has its "highs and lows"?) While I have certainly had more than a few opportunities to see the "ugly side" of life in the visible church over my 31 years, I continue to be totally in love with and totally amazed by all the beautiful aspects of the body of Christ. Listen, I don't know of any institutions or organizations that are completely problem-free. When fallen human beings (even those who are in the process of being conformed into Jesus' image) are involved, there is always the possibility of fireworks. However, there is no place I'd rather be than in a community of people who are learning to trust God and love others.

What is your favorite aspect of being a part of a local church? How has being a part of God's family helped you?

Miss Karen

Sometimes in life you come across an unusually gifted person who possesses an uncommon passion for the Lord as well as a relentless drive to see others come to know Jesus as their Savior. "Miss Karen" is one such person.

Last week we were privileged to have Karen Boorse with us during our Vacation Bible School. Karen travels from place to place sharing the Word of God with children through her dramatic storytelling and painting. It is incredible to witness children (and adults) become captivated with the Bible as its stories come to life through Karen's paintings. As each Bible story unfolds before your very eyes, "Miss Karen" drives home its central point by revealing a phrase that captures the heart of the story. No matter how many times you see her do "her thing", Karen always manages to surprise you.

I don't want you to misunderstand me today. It is not my intention to lift up Karen Boorse. Rather, I am grateful to the Lord for how He uses people like Karen to accomplish His purposes. You see, Karen is simply an instrument in God's hands. Certainly Karen has had to submit to God's will for her life and to choose, personally each day, to serve the Lord. But it is God's very life flowing through Karen that makes the difference in the lives of children every where she goes.

What about you? Do you realize that God can use you in your own unique way to lead others to Himself? God has a special purpose for your life. It may be to reach only one person with the gospel. Or, it may be to reach thousands. Either way, it will only be as you commit your life to God's will and control that you find yourself making a radical difference that will have eternal implications in the lives of people around you.

"Spiritual" Friends

Being a part of the body of Christ means that you don't have to walk this life's journey alone. (That's a comforting thought, huh?) The Bible talks in many places about our "mystical union" with Jesus Christ (cf. John 15; Romans 1:6; 12:4-5). God presently indwells all true believers (2 Corinthians 6:14-16; Ephesians 1:13-14). This new relationship, which begins when we place our trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, is the foundation of what we Christians commonly call "eternal life". Eternal life is not simply "never-ending life", though this is certainly true. Eternal life is more than that. It is the sort of life which matures over time and seeks daily to conform to God's will for God's glory and His pleasure.

Further, and by extension, through our position "in Christ" and participation in His body, we are connected to all people who recognize their need for Christ and believe in His name. We are literally one GIGANTIC family in God (Ephesians 2:18-22; 1 Peter 2:9-10). This is a tremendous reality. However, in practice, there is often a huge disconnect in how we live this out. Where there should be unity, we often find discord. Where there should be sacrifice, we often find selfishness. And where we would expect to find closeness, we often, and sadly, find distance. However, a consequence of our failings in living out our "shared life" in Jesus Christ is that we miss out on many of the blessings of godly love, care, and wisdom.

All of that was simply to set a context for you. This morning I had breakfast with one of my "spiritual" friends. A "spiritual" friend is anyone who takes a genuine interest in your devotion to God. These are the people with whom your conversations go deeper than the normal, "How 'bout today's weather?", or, "Did you happen to catch the Phillies game last night?" You may have one or one hundred "spiritual" friends. Your relationships with these friends may take a formal or informal shape. You may meet once per week, once per month, or far more (or less) frequently.

How do you know if you are currently in a "spiritual friendship"? Can you answer "Yes" to any of these questions: Is there someone with whom you can be honest about your relationship with God? Is there someone who asks you tough questions about your devotion to God and your family? Is there someone for whom and with whom you regularly pray? Is there someone in your life who gives you consistent, godly counsel? Is there someone in your life who helps you follow Jesus Christ?

Frequently I am privileged to be able to sit down over a meal or a cup of coffee with another brother-in-Christ. Over the years I have had numerous "spiritual" friends. During various seasons of life God brings certain people into our lives who help to encourage, guide, or challenge our journey with Jesus. I've grown to view these relationships as tremendously beneficial and important for my growth in discipleship. To be honest, I have come to view these relationships as essential to my growth as a Christian.

How about you? Do you have any "spiritual" friends? You may have many people with whom you associate at church, but are they truly your "spiritual" friends? Are you developing the sort of relationship with someone else in life--maybe a spouse or a leader at your church--that is centered on growing to glorify Christ more and more each day? If you don't, then I encourage you to pray that God might you lead to someone. We all need "a fellow pilgrim" who helps to pick us up along this bumpy road.

What is your experience with having a "spiritual" friend?

"Is It a Monday?"

I love Mondays. Most people hate Mondays. That's because for most people Monday means the end of the weekend and that it's time to get back to the office, or the "salt mine" as my dad likes to say. However, my work week typically runs from Tuesday through Sunday. Except for the occasional emergency hospital visit or some other urgent meeting, Mondays are the one day a week that I get to completely disconnect from the routine and stay home with Laurie and the children. We all love Mondays around here! In fact, the only bad thing about Monday is that it is usually "Mow-day"...(I REALLY don't like mowing)...

Every morning I get the children out of their beds and make breakfast for them. No, I'm not deserving of the "Father-of-the-Year" award. I mean, how hard is it to stick frozen pancakes in the microwave? Usually by Friday morning of each week my daughter, Gabbie, begins to greet me with the words, "Daddy, is it a Monday?" It's sweet (in a "dagger through the heart" sort of way). I give her a kiss and thus begins the countdown till the next Monday. Usually Gabbie goes to bed on Sunday nights (like she did last night) with a big grin. I ask her why she is so smiley. She says to me, "Daddy, you know why I'm smiling...tomorrow's a Monday!" Seriously, how can you beat that?

It is really easy to get caught up in pastoral ministry. There are more than enough things to fill ten to twelve hours each day for seven days each week. However, over the past few years I have had to grow in the discipline of "rest". (You see, part of the lesson we are to learn from rest is trust in God and to find our contentment in Him.) The Bible clearly teaches us that God calls us to practice rest. God even set the example for us (cf. Genesis 1-2). The reality of the matter is that we need to rest from our labors and refocus on those things which matter most in life.

Well, that's a little perspective from me about Mondays. I'm grateful for every one of them.

What is your favorite day of the week...and why?