The Way God Works

So you've heard that old cliche, "God works in mysterious ways." At this point I feel like I've heard that statement enough times out of context, that more often than not it makes me want to stick my finger in my eye and swirl it around (Sorry for the less than tasteful imagery). 9 times out of 10 when a person makes that statement they are referring to some sort of earthly blessing that they have decided must be connected to God working in their lives. It's usually something like this...

"So last week as I got in my car to drive to work, I noticed that my gas tank was on empty. I was super late, and was just angry with myself for forgetting to do it the night before. So, with a disgruntled attitude I sped my way to the closest gas station. I got out quickly, filled my tank, and sped away as quick as possible. When lunch rolled around, I headed across the street as usual to grab a bite from the local B-B-Q joint, amazing ribs! I ordered my food, watched the cashier ring my up reached for my wallet and my worst nightmare was realized. I had lost my wallet. I proceeded to run out of the restaurant in a panic, convinced I had left it at the gas station that morning. When I arrived at the gas station I ran in, and sure enough the cashier pulled it out from behind the counter remembering me from earlier that day. As I walked out the door, I looked down, and saw a lottery ticket lying in the street. I bent over to pick it up noticing it had not been scratched. To make a long story short, I had found a winning ticket, and won myself $500. All that stuff that I thought was a major head ache, led me to find $500 laying in the street. Can you believe that? 

God Works in mysterious ways!"

As you attempt to continue reading this while you search for blunt object to jam into your eye, you are likely thinking what I am thinking. God doesn't care about you being rich! It's true, God cares about you being His!

All that is really to say that although that statement has grown tired, it doesn't change the reality that it's true. It's not true because God miraculously makes every hard circumstance with a happy ending, it's true because God is in the business of changing lives, and any time broken sinful people find new life in Him, it is, "MYSTERIOUS!" 

I feel like the last week has shown me many of these kinds of situations, God has been moving in my midst, changing lives, healing hearts, drawing people to himself for all of time, but this week I have been blessed to be apart of that mystery in ways that I have rarely had the opportunity to experience. God is a mystery, and when he applies His grace to the life of a broken sinner, it is a wild ride. You can bet on it being ugly, hard, painful, and long, but you can also bet on it being exciting, and most of all mysterious. 

If you feel like you have seen God in action, and don't stand in silence wondering how on earth that just happened, you have not experienced God. 

He is unexplainable, all powerful, and beyond anything we have ever known in this world. 

Truly, God works in mysterious ways.

The Means cannot become the end!

I recently heard a commentary on church planting that mostly had to do with creativity, vision, and innovation, three words that have always been values of mine... at least in theory. I want to be apart of a movement that is fresh, vibrant, and innovative. I think everyone does, in fact I would go as far as to say, what's the point of starting something new if it's just a carbon copy of something that already exists. These thoughts launched me into a thoughtful brainstorming session in my own mind and heart, a practice that has become somewhat habitual for me. I started asking myself questions about these ideas. You see, the church planting movement in America has really latched on to the concept of innovation in churches. It has become one of the driving values for all the, "Material," out their on church planting, and while I agree with the value, I am wondering if there is a danger connected to holding this as a very high value. 

I recently attended the largest church planting seminar in North America,  called exponential. It was a fantastic time learning new methods, being encouraged by those in my same shoes, and hearing from leaders who have been successful in planting, and learning what gave them the best opportunity for success. So much to learn! Anyway, the most staggering element of this conference was the vast number of resources available for church planters in America. We are talking innovation at it's best. The church hosting the conference had some 5,000 sq feet worth of booths and displays each having a new innovative approach to church programing. We are talking about cutting edge innovation. Hi-tech people counting software, nursery check-in programs, advertising strategies, and many more. It was quite a sight to see. One of the things I wonder constantly, is have we gotten carried away? Does God really care about all this? Does He hold it as a value? Did the great fathers of our faith care this much about dreaming, creating and innovating? 

As I look at scripture I can't help wonder what Paul might say if he were to gaze upon the light shows, media presentations, and hi-tech programming we are using in churches these days. Would he appreciate it? Would he hate it? I don't know, but the one thing I do know is that he would be fine with any set of means that justifies the end. What is Paul's end? People finding Jesus. We see his heart 

Acts 20:24


However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Again we see a very simple one track mind from Paul in 1 Corinthians...

but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

Paul's focus is uncanny. He has not lost sight of what matters most, and yet at the same time is willing to do anything to help people find Jesus. 

Here's the point I think Paul would look down the hall of booths and tables at exponential, the church planting conference, and have one thought... "Is this stuff doing the job of bring the light of salvation to as many people as possible? If the answer is yes, then keep doing it." I don't think he would get caught up in who's presentation is better, which sign looks cooler, and which program is more cutting edge. 

Our lesson as church planters, and visionaries from Paul, is to not let the means become the end. If we ever get to the point where we value innovation and creativity in ministry more than, or even equal to what matters most, people connecting with God, and being saved from the pit of hell, we have gone off a dangerous cliff. 

We need to consider all things as optional tools to meeting the ultimate end, and never over value the means. Some people get to the end through street evangelism, some through huge in church programs, others through personal relationships. Some are more effective than others, but the only thing that makes one right and another wrong is the motive. 

Are you in love with your means? or are you in for the end result?

This is the pivotal question for a visionary kingdom laborer!

 

Big Day

Tomorrow I am going in for ankle surgery, I am not looking forward to being down for 2 months, then beginning 3 months of rehab. I am however looking forward to having a working ankle again for the first time in almost 10 years. 

I think we should probably approach God's grace this way

Lyrics to Forever Holy : Glorious unseen
God, You stand when all has fallen
You embrace the long forgotten
I guess it's just hard to believe
The Grace You've poured out on me
I guess I'm just starting to see
How You're working in me

This is what makes my head spin
You're forever Holy
God of all creation
Pour Your life into me
This is so overwhelming
You're forever Holy
God of my Salvation
Clothe me in Your Glory, yeah

God, You hold when all is breaking
You restore the tired and aching
I guess it's just hard to believe
The Love You've poured out on me
I guess I'm just starting to see
How You're working in me, whoa Lord

This is what makes my head spin
You're forever Holy
God of all creation
Pour Your life into me
This is so overwhelming
You're forever Holy
God of my Salvation
Clothe me in Your Glory

Clothe me in Your Glory
Clothe me in Your Glory

This is what makes my head spin
You're forever Holy
God of all creation
Pour Your life into me
This is so overwhelming
You're forever Holy
God of my Salvation
Clothe me in Your Glory
(2x)
Clothe me in your Glory 

Listen here

It's a new era...

Yesterday afternoon, at about 3:30 pm, I found myself in a place doing something I never thought I would do. I have never been one to cry at movies, I don't cry for much of anything truthfully. But yesterday, I was sitting at, are you ready for this? You could lose all respect for my in this moment... I was sitting at the Hannah Montana movie, and found myself in tears. It's true, I can't go on living a lie, the world must know, I am a pretty little girl. 

The truth is, I left that movie believing that every father should go see that movie with their daughter, and I dare you to hold back the tears that will be fighting to get out. 

I think the largest cause of the tears was the constant theme of a father watching his little girl grow up and become independent. As fathers we want to see our kids learn to make their own decisions, and we pray with all our might they will be the right ones. Decisions that will keep them safe, pure, and protected. At the same time when we begin to see them making decisions on their own, it is one of the scariest things on earth. When those decisions are the right ones, there is this very strange mix of emotions that vary from pride all the way down to fear and even anger. 

From the day our kids are born it is a slow, yet consistent movement toward losing them. All of life grows continually closer to independence. It's natural, it's right, it's God's design. So I ask myself, how are we supposed to let them go, at what age, when is it a good thing? The answer, I am convinced, is from day one. 

I have another daughter on the way, and all I can cling to for hope in a world that seeks to destroy innocence and purity at the earliest possible age, is that the God of the universe who formed my children in the womb, knows each by name, and tends to the smallest details of their lives, is in fact always keeping them as His own. I can't always be there, I can't always know everything, yet He can... He does... at all times. He never turns a deaf ear, nor does He ever turn His back. as the Psalmist say, 

"Where can I go to escape your presence? I go to the depths of the sea, you are their..." 

In this moment, I am even slightly choked up simply because I am so amazed by the majesty of my God. His providence is perfect, His arms are love, and His hand is steady. I can attempt to control my children, stress over their decisions, do everything in my power to protect them from the world, and in the end, are they any safer? 

No, instead, I will put them each in the hands of my faithful, loving, magnificent God, and I will rest easy knowing that He is able. 

Yes, my God is able.