Called Out

I don't know that I even know what to say . . .

Two headlines in our news today:

Wal-Mart worker trampled; two shot at toy store

Indian official: Terrorists wanted to kill 5,000

I know we, in America, like our "stuff", but seriously!!! I don't know where to begin. My heart has been wrecked by this stuff that's happening in India. But, somehow the perspective on life still doesn't seem to hit home with the bulk of our society.

There are travesties and injustices all over the world, and we can't stop our self-indulgent consumption long enough to make sure the guy we're (literally) stepping on/over is alright.

This disturbs me.

It also motivates me. As the stories pour in from Black Friday in the midst of the worst economic crisis we've seen in decades (say some experts), it is overwhelming to me the reality that our world needs Jesus more than ever.

He has a better way to live. It doesn't have to be like this. He came to redeem it all, and has invited us to take part in the work.

That's what I want to give my life to. I have no desire to perpetuate this system of doing things.

God, may Your Kingdom come, may Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven . . .

Seriously, what else do I need to say?

Here's the question that I've been asked a lot lately: what's different about Indian Creek - Gardner?

I think that question is coming from two different angles:

1) How will it be different from Indian Creek - Olathe?
2) How will it be different from other churches in the Gardner area?

I'm going to tackle question #1 today, and #2 later this week.

Let's just be blatantly clear for a moment. We are planting another campus of Indian Creek Community Church. That means we're one church in two locations. Maybe another way to think about it is this: this fall, we added a Sunday night service at 5:00pm in Olathe. In 2009, we'll be adding services in Gardner.

Our vision and mission won't be changing. In fact, it's the whole reason we're expanding to a new location. We are completely committed to helping people find their way back to God. That's what we're about down the tips of our toes. It's our driving vision.

When we talk about how we're going to do that, we simplify it down to six words: Love God, Love People, Live Out. That's our mission, our way of life.

As we plant locations all across the KC Metro, these things aren't going to change.

However, at every location, we will have a series of objectives, strategies, and tactics that may vary, as we see fit. After all, every community has its own unique needs, opportunities, and challenges.

As I dream about Gardner, I get excited about a helping build a community of people who genuinely and authentically love their neighbors and long to see them know Christ. I get excited about being at the forefront of a movement of justice and generosity throughout the community. A movement sparked by a community of people who intentionally, generously, and sacrificially serve their city. A community that meets the needs it sees, combats the inequities that it faces, and warmly welcomes anyone as a part of the growing family.

What about you? What do you see in Gardner?

Sarah and I met with Wayne Janner tonight to fill out all of the paperwork to put our house on the market. If all goes as planned, the house is officially for sale this Friday. We're praying that God does what only He can do, and everything moves quickly from here.

It's almost surreal to be in our home these days. We've made so many improvements and changes over the past couple of months, that it almost doesn't seem like our house. On top of that, we've moved furniture around, hidden stuff that is normally out for easy access, and packed things away in boxes. It's almost like we're living in someone else's home.

We've never sold a house before, so this is new for us. But, in all of the strange thoughts, there is definitely an underlying sense and feeling that this is the right thing to do.

Please pray for us. We are definitely excited about everything that's around the corner in our lives. We're praying for God's guidance and discernment in all decisions.

We feel privileged to be on the ride of our lives!

Been loving the thinking of Ed Stetzer lately, here's an excerpt from one of his blog posts:

We can put ourselves in a position to talk about the gospel through an understanding of culture. Paul didn't ask the people to come to him; he went where they were. He listened. He examined. He learned. Then he spoke. We can do the same thing.

It's called cultural engagement. But not in the surface-level, doing-what's-hip-so-people-will-like-us variety that we sometimes see played out. It's being relevant in the look-at-what's-happening-at-the-core-of-who-people-are-variety. It's loving people as they are but then showing them a better way.

In Athens the culture of the day was one of debate. That may not necessarily be the best mode of conversation in your circles. But maybe a helpful approach is to look deeper at the themes of films as a way of entering into talks about what seems to be driving or motivating humanity today--and then having conversations about a new way of life. Maybe it's time to read books of substance so that you might have conversations of substance. Maybe you need to go to the places where real people live real (and sometimes messy) lives and have honest conversations. Regardless of the method, it's about meeting people where they are and then giving them the choice to go further.

Wander through your own Athens. Look at the cultural idols. Let this burden your mind and spark your imagination. Let godly passion drive you to say "Give me Athens or I die." Then confidently share the gospel with those who may see its uncluttered message, trust its validity, and receive its Savior--Jesus Christ. You don't have to make the gospel, God, or the Bible relevant. They're already relevant. But we need to find relevant means to communicate that eternal truth.

As we look toward planting a campus of Indian Creek in Gardner, this ideology is at the core. How do we meet people where they are? How do we share the timeless truth of the love and hope of Jesus Christ in a way that directly intersects with the needs of those around us?

There's really only one way: be with people. Know them. Become invested in their lives. Hear their joys, struggles, triumphs, and pains. Celebrate the good, grieve the loss. As God's messengers to the world, He's asking us to get up-close and personal with people. But, how?

Want a simple idea?

Have your neighbors over to your house. Keep it simple. Invite a few families over for a low-key Christmas dessert reception, a simple time of getting to know one another at a personal level. Invite one family over for dinner.

It doesn't have to be fancy. It just has to be real.

That's what we're longing to be able to do in Gardner. Meet people where they're at, and share the transforming love of Christ with them in how we live our lives.

Would you join us on the journey to reach Gardner?

We're addicted to safety aren't we? For some reason, our default setting, as people, is to gravitate toward the predictable, the risk-free, and the secure. But, why?

What do we have to lose? Money? Status? Power?

I think the missing consideration for most of us is what are we putting at risk by choosing the safe path?

Is it possible that the most exciting, most fulfilling, most meaningful moments in our lives will only happen if we actually risk the things that we so often strive to protect?

These days, I'm seeking to seize the moments that God puts in front of me. I want to be available for the divine to unfold from what appears to be mundane. However, to do that, I have to be available. I have to be ready to take a chance. If I hold everything back, if I keep things risk-free, it is unlikely that I will ever experience the full life that God has for you and me.

So, here I go again. Hands and heart open, ready to seize the moments that cross my paths.

Will you join me in the adventure?

One of my critical shortcomings as a person is my tendency towards independence. All of my life, I have been a "do it yourself" type of guy.

Back in the school days, when a group project came about, I did a majority of the work, allowing many people to ride my coattails, so that I could get the grade I wanted. I didn't want to place any of the determining of my success on the shoulders of others.

As I transitioned into adulthood, the tendency remained. There weren't many goals that I set in life that I didn't figure out a way to achieve. The culture around me encouraged this behavior. (George Barna reports that 92% of Americans claim to be independent.) Earn it yourself. Achieve it yourself. Figure it out yourself. If you could do that, you're considered an "achiever" or "entrepreneur" or "go-getter". It becomes a slippery slope. Noble independence can easily become prideful, arrogant, and egotistical living.

The problem is, when you head down this path, there is a lot about life that is merely a charade. Truth be told, I don't know all that I need to know about almost any situation. There is always more wisdom and insight to gain. I don't have all of the skills I need to navigate life's twists and turns. There is still a lot of room in my toolbox for more life tools. I don't have all of the resources (time, talent, treasure) to address the obstacles in my path.

And I think God wants it to be this way.

I spent some time in the book of 1 Corinthians 12 this morning. Go ahead, read what it says.

I like the way that Craig Groeschel put it in his book It:

You can't experience it alone. God wants you to share it. And yet for so many, the goal is to be independent. These well-intentioned people fail to realize that to be independent is to be distinctly non-Christian.

The fact of the matter is this: I NEED You! It's true, I do. In every way, shape, and form my life will be at it's max when I am in an interdependent relationship with you and a dependent relationship with God. The same is true for you. You NEED Me. That's how God made us.

So, I'm opening my life up to more and more people. I'm being as real and honest as I know how to be. I'm trying to love others in a genuine and compassionate way. I'm putting myself out there, believing it's a better way to live. I know that will lead to some pain in my life. But, I think it will be worth it.

So, how about you? You living life independently? What if you could engage in real, authentic relationships with others? How would that change things?

We all love a freebie, don't we? I do. I love when I get something that I didn't have to "work" for. It's a nice treat.

On Election Day, I stood in line with 30 of my closest friends (translate that as: "people I've never met before") to get a free 12-oz. cup of coffee from Starbucks because I was wearing an "I Voted" sticker. My wife went by Chick-fil-A to get a free sandwich from her sticker, but passed it up because the line was nearly as long as the day that the restaurant first opened. Yesterday, I heard several people bragging of their free sandwich, donut, scoop of ice cream, etc.

We all love a freebie. Check that, we all want a freebie.

Millions of people play the lottery each week or shove money into casino slot machines. What are they looking for? A freebie. Millions of dollars that didn't have to do a thing to earn.

Whether it's sandwiches or money or success or fame, we see how it is that our culture seems to want things . . . as a freebie.

I think we do the same thing spiritually. We go to church, turn on the radio, open up our Podcasts, or meet with our pastor looking for a free dose of the Word of God. After all, isn't it more efficient to get my plate full of Jesus at the drive through window than to actually mix it up in the kitchen of life and get engaged in the process?

I'm challenged by the words of the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, this morning:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

I'll be honest. I'm that guy that sometimes simply looks for a freebie from someone else rather than put in the effort on my own.

But, I want to be a man of discipline. I want to be a man who is consistently approaching the Throne of God. I want to be a man who is personally asking, seeking, and knocking longing to hear from God's heart. I want to put in the work that is required. I don't want to survive on freebies alone.

You know, freebies are nice. I love reading and hearing what other people are learning. There is a TON that I can learn from other sojourners who are following God. There is nothing inherently wrong with subscribing to blogs, listening to podcasts, or reading books. There's nothing wrong with having a TON of spiritual conversations with pastors, mentors, and friends. However, if that is the total of our spiritual lives, I think we'll end up feeling disappointed and empty.

We must spend time reading the Bible ourselves. We must spend time in personal prayer. We must engage in individual reflection and evaluation. And, like an athlete, we all need to find the "training rhythms" that work best for us. For me, it's first thing in the morning. For you, it might be something different. It's not about simply plugging into a formula. It's about engaging in an intentional relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

If that's something you struggle with, I'm right there with you. Spiritual discipline and personal ownership is an area that I'm growing in these days.

What works for you? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Nearly 24 hours ago, I watched with millions of others around the country and around the globe as Obama was crowned President Elect. New media stations took us from location to location around the country showing parties in the streets, people weeping with joy, and others showing us their Obama-love.

I will say this, many of the tears of joy I celebrate in too. I'm proud that we will finally have an African-American President. It's a shame that it took us this long to get to this point. Race is still a HUGE issue in the U.S., and I pray that this will take us one step closer to the dreams that Dr. King so eloquently shared in years gone by.

But, as I watched last night, I was struck with an odd, nagging feeling that pulled down my spirits. I couldn't fully identify it. But, I was tired, so I went to sleep.

When I woke up this morning to spend some time praying and reading from the Scriptures, that same nagging feeling was still there. So, I took it to prayer. And, here's the realization I had:

Barack Obama is just a man.

As I read the articles, listen to the interviews, and see the recaps of the celebrations, I've come to see that many people (maybe millions) are putting their hope and trust in Barack Obama. They are desperate for something better. A bad economy, volatile real estate market, unaffordable health care system, and an uncertain future has sapped them of their hope, confidence, joy, and peace in life. They've listened to this brilliant man's words, and they've placed their hope in him. In many ways, they've made him their . . . savior.

That makes me sad.

Not because they chose to put their hope in Obama, but because they have chosen to put their hope in a man and a man-made governmental system.

Consider the words of Psalm 146:

Praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,

the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,

the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.

The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.

At the core of my being, I believe that only God can save us from what ails us. Only God can be counted on to provide lasting hope and help. This is the message that the Church has been given to bring to the world!

We have the message of hope!

We have the message of security!

We have the message of peace!

We have the message of purpose!

We have THE message. We have been chosen by God to be His messengers.

Church, please be salt and light to this world that is searching and longing for hope and help. Please be the hands and feet of the body of Christ to those who need a hug and to those that need a ride on your shoulders. This is OUR job, not the government's.

I want to be a part of a community of faith that boldly proclaims the message of Christ through our actions and attitudes in the world. I want to be a part of a community of faith that loves without exceptions. I want to be a part of a community of faith that diligently prays for our governmental leaders, that regularly begs for the wisdom of God to fall upon them. I want to be a part of a community of faith that will reach beyond its walls to those who aren't like them (racially, socially, economically, politically).

I want to be the Church!

How about you? What do you want to be?

Well, yesterday I finally got to publicly share an announcement that has been burning in my heart for a couple of months. It was good to share it then, and I want to share it here as well.

Sarah and I are going to plant a church in Gardner, KS.

This will be the second campus of Indian Creek Community Church, and we've never been more excited for what lies ahead for us. We believe God is up to something BIG. We can hardly wait to move there. We're looking forward to investing in the lives of people that we haven't even met yet.

And here's the deal, there's a TON of uncertainty in this. There are so many questions, so many unknowns, so many variables that could go this way or that way, and yet in the midst of that we feel confident.

Confident in the grace of God. He is sufficient for all our needs. We are confident that He'll provide what we need. From strength to courage to peace to joy. From a home buyer to a home to purchase to a generous supporters who will help us have a salary to live on.

In many ways, we are living in faith.

I've read and heard that verse hundreds of times, but these days, it comforts me a great deal.

I think there's something vitally healthy in living in a state of dependence on God. It sharpens you. It invigorates. I think I had become comfortable, and I don't want to be there again.

I've also been encouraged by this song by Sanctus Real. Take a look at the video: