Called Out

There are some times in life when happenings around the globe grip us at a core level. For some reason, the recent earthquake in Haiti has gripped me in that way. I find myself thinking about Haiti, a place I've never been. Crying and praying for people I've never met.

Yesterday, I recorded a couple of my thoughts and a prayer with the help of my good friend, Fred.



The two best things we can do for our friends in Haiti are to pray and give.

Pray for:

• Physical Needs (like food, water, shelter, medical treatment)
• The Removal of any obstacles that would prevent help from reaching the need
• Peace
• Strength
• Courage

And don't forget to give. Here is how we're responding at Indian Creek Community Church:

1. 100% of personal or corporate contributions to Indian Creek’s Live Out Haiti Relief Fund will be forwarded directly to the relief effort. Give online and designate the funds where it says “Other” and write Haiti Relief in the “comments” section. We will also take a special offering this Sunday.
   · In the coming days, we will partner with others such as Heart to Heart International's Global Distribution Center work in KCK. As we have news about the volunteer mobilization, we will pass it on. If we hear of opportunities to provide on-the-ground assistance, we will pass them on, but with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army taking on major roles, civilian opportunities to serve may be limited.
   · We will gather supplies for Care Kits containing a specific list of practical hygiene items as soon as an Indian Creek leader steps in to lead it. We have all the instructions to accomplish this as a church! If you want to lead this effort contact Dave Geenens at Dave@inhancedleaderhip.com
2. We have a partnering relationship with The Church of God in Haiti, The Church of God (Anderson), has a significant presence in the country, with 233 congregations and 32,000 constituents. You can make an immediate donation to the Disaster Relief Fund by clicking here.
3. We are friends with Troy and Janet McMahon who lead Restore Community Church in Kansas City, MO. They partner with C3 Missions- the Global Orphan Project, http://theglobalorphanproject.org/, to build orphanages and clinics for children living in extreme poverty.

We continue to look for the best ways to help the most people. After all, that's what it means to follow Christ. We are his hands and feet of love, compassion, mercy, and provision.

You know, there are times when I come across a song and it inspires me in an unnatural way. These days, that song is "Someday" by Rob Thomas. Besides the fact that I simply love his voice and the way that this song is arranged, the lyrics inspire something deep within me.

Maybe it's the idea of hope. Or, maybe it's the contrast of emotions represented. Maybe it's the charge to make a difference. Whatever it is, this song inspires me, and makes me think. Take a look:

Rob Thomas "Someday" from Snap Films on Vimeo.

Personally, I'm tired of the "complain mentality" that's so prevalent in our culture. You know, all is not hopeless, all is not loss. There is redemption for it all. I love the chorus:

And maybe someday we’ll figure all this out
Try to put an end to all our doubt
Try to find a way to make things better now that
Maybe someday we’ll live our lives out loud
We’ll be better off somehow, someday

I believe that "someday" is today. And Jesus is the one who's paved the way for it to be a reality. Jesus didn't just come to secure the presence of a few people in heaven, Jesus came to repair that which had been broken. Jesus came to redeem that which had been lost. Jesus came to restore that which had been damaged.

Namely: you.

Me.

Us.

Humanity.

Creation.

All of it.

Truth is: you ARE someone. Just as you are.

Now, go LIVE like it.

Just curious, what does this song inspire with you?

So, my friend Judy Sturman has a blog, and she does something she calls "Three Word Thursday". I'm totally stealing her idea. Except, I'm going with Two Word Tuesday. After all, less is more, right?

So, for my first installment of Two Word Tuesday, it's been running through my mind all day:

Holy, Holy

As a part of the 10-4-10 Challenge at Indian Creek Community Church, I'm re-entering the world of the blog (hopefully to stay). I'm going to share what it is that God is teaching me and how He's stretching me.

This past weekend I shared how God has a life of spiritual adventure for each of us. I spent quite a bit of time unpacking the adventure filled life of Joseph found in Genesis 37-45. I told the story and then made a couple of observations.

The first observation that I made was: Joseph Never Gave Up.

Honestly, I'm pretty astounded by this. By all rights, Joseph should have given up. Seriously, the dude couldn't catch a break! First, his brothers hated him. Then, they beat him and sold him into slavery. Then, Potiphar's wife fabricated a story against him resulted in an extended stay in jail. And just when it seemed as though a trip out of jail was in order, the cupbearer completely forgot about the guy who had his back.

Have you ever met someone that just couldn't catch a break? That was Joseph.

But, Joseph didn't throw up his hands and quit at the first sign of adversity. (Or the second. Or the third, for that matter.) He TOTALLY could have, but he didn't. He could have quit. He could have turned to God and said, "Forget you! I'm taking matters into my own hands! Following you has NOT gotten me what I wanted!"

But, I got to thinking, in the end, things turned out just like God had promised him. The dream that Joseph had as a kid came to be, just not like he thought it would be.

What if the only path to the dream that God has for you is one filled with challenges and trials to go along with the thrills and celebrations?

I think we have a tendency to want to give up when things get hard. We dream of a life where things only succeed, where it all goes up and to the right. But, that's not really how it goes is it?

Sometimes, we have tremendous dreams about what could be. And sometimes those dreams are about things that would give honor and glory to God. And sometimes, those dreams don't turn out like we thought they would.

You know, just because it hasn't gone like you thought it would go, does NOT mean that you are a failure!

Once upon a time, God gave you a dream. It may not be going like you planned for it to go . . . don't give up.

Don't lose hope! Don't settle for a lesser dream! Don't jump overboard when things get rough.

Sometimes, the only way to that peak is through the valley.

Can I be honest for a moment?

Those words aren't just for you, they're also for me.

In April, we launched the Gardner Campus of Indian Creek Community Church. And within me was a dream. A dream to see a movement of grace and compassion explode in front of us. A dream to see hundreds of people find their way back to God. I believe God gave me the dream.

Here we sit, a couple of months later, and it hasn't happend like that . . . yet.

But, the dream . . . the dream is still alive. I believe as much today as I have ever believed that the passionate desire of God is to unleash a movement of grace and compassion. I believe with all of my heart that He is working in silent and mysterious ways. I believe countless seeds of love are being sown deep within the heart.

When I prepared those words to share this past weekend, God simply reached down and tapped me on the shoulder.

Ben, those words are for you. Don't give up. I am still very much at work here.

This morning, I heard those comforting words again as I spent some time in the book of Romans. Take a look at the words of Romans 8:31-39

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us
right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have
trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say,

“For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)

37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, what about you? How is God speaking to you? What is He saying?

Thoroughly enjoyed my time at Indian Creek Community Church this morning. Personally, I felt the presence and encouragment of the Holy Spirit. That being said, all day long I've had two songs running through my head nearly non-stop. The first, Fire Fall Down, is a song that our worship team taught us today. The second, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, has been a personal favorite of mine for quite some time.

Never heard the songs? Take a quick listen:

Fire Fall Down - Hillsong United


Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - Hillsong


Specifically, there is a portion from each song that I just can't escape. First, from Fire Fall Down:

I'll never be the same.
No, I'll never be the same.

Because I know that You're Alive
You came to fix my broken life
And I'll sing to glorify
Your Holy Name
Jesus Christ

In so many ways, those first four lines describe my life. I am forever grateful for the way that Jesus has absolutely changed my life. You know, I'm not exactly sure where I'd be if it weren't for Jesus. He's given me hope. He's given me comfort. He's shown me what true love looks like. I'll never be the same.

Which leads me to that second song. I think I have found more comfort through the encouraging words of that song than nearly any other.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

You know, I've discovered those words to be so true. All of my problems don't instantly disappear. Everything doesn't magically work out the way I want it to. However, as I fix my eyes on Jesus, as I press into His heart, I regularly experience that the things that I wrestle with become much dimmer. It's strange, really. They were so bright, so domineering of my perspective. But, compared with the light of the grace and glory of Jesus, they seem dim by comparison.

I'm just reveling in those words tonight.

This fall at Indian Creek, we're pressing into the heart of God. We're placing our trust and hope in Him alone.

God, what adventure do you want to take us on?

What bold risks do you want us to take?

What dream have you written on our heart?

I'm struck by these words from Karl Barth today:

This week, I am committing to spend an hour every day in the Prayer Room at Indian Creek as a time of personal dedication, consecration, and worship. I truly believe with all of my heart that prayer is the the single most under-valued tool in the arsenal of a Christ follower.

It is our way to connect with Father. It is one of the main ways that God brings our heart into alignment with His.

One of the things that I know about my life is this: no matter how much I pray, more is always a good thing. I don't say this in a legalistic or shame-based way, it's just that I'm not sure that I could pray too much in my life.

The beautiful thing is that I can pray at any time, in any place. Stopped at a red light . . . pray. Walking away from a conversation . . . pray. Heading into a meeting . . . pray.

I don't think God is concerned with whether our prayers fit a certain template or pattern. Ultimately, God simply wants to have a personal relationship with you and I. And prayer is a key component of that.

If you're in the area, I highly recommend checking out the Follow Me 24/7 Prayer Journey at Indian Creek. Reserve an hour for yourself. I think it'll be time well spent.

Against insurmountable obstacles and without a clue as to the outcome, the trusting heart says, 'Abba, I surrender my will and my life to you without reservation and with boundless confidence, for you are my loving father.'
-- Brennen Manning --

Where are you at in trusting God these days?

This has been a huge area of growth for me over the past few months and weeks. I am at a place in my life where I long to put my full trust in the Creator of the Universe. I believe that in His hands is the best place for my life to be. I want to hold nothing back, keep nothing in reserve.

God has given me a dream and a passion to help people find their way back to Him. Honestly, the dream is much too big for me to be able to accomplish or attain on my own. After all, only God can redeem and restore that which is broken. That being said, I believe He wants to use people like you and I in the process. If . . . we are willing to surrender our lives, place them in His loving hands, and trust Him.

As I pray about what God is doing at Indian Creek Community Church as we become one church that meets in multiple locations, I believe that God is calling each of us into this type of trust and surrender in Him. Gary wrote a bit about this on his blog while in China a few days back.

At Indian Creek, we are firmly in the Cycle of Faith. Where are you in the process? Have you caught a fresh vision? Have you bumped up against reality? Have you consecrated yourself? Are you living in provision?

Where are you?

So, last Sunday night we had our first Preview Service for the Gardner Campus of Indian Creek Community Church. By all accounts, it was a great night! Lindsey Phillips, our Worship Arts Pastor, did an amazing job of leading us in a time of worship, I shared a few words that God put on my heart to share, and an AMAZING team of people were there early and stayed late to make it all happen.

This week, I've received two emails that I want to anonymously share.

From one of the Gardner team members:

Ben,

Last night was perfect!! Great music, great message and great
people!! I know I’m right where I should be and so excited for it!! Looking
forward to great things!!

From one of our partners at Wheatridge Middle School:

....glad to be able to work with you all...your group is great for
Gardner....I should know I was born here.....have a great day....

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again. God is up to something B-I-G in Gardner. I'm not sure what it's all going to look like, but I am as convinced of that today as I have been at any point in this journey. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this is what God wants me to pour my life into: to help people in Gardner find their way back to God. To me, that's a vision worth giving it all for.

How about you? What does God want you to pour your life into?

I try to start every day with some alone time in my living room with my Bible, my journal, a pen, and an open heart to God. It's simply my way of trying to dedicate each and every day to the Savior of the World, the Creator of the Universe.

Honestly, some days are AMAZING. Other days, it seems pretty ordinary. I know that's not what I (or God, for that matter) desire, but it's the way it is.

Today was one of those amazing days, a day that calls me to action.

After doing my normal reading, I had this thought pop up that I should read Isaiah 42 & 43. I wasn't sure why, but I didn't figure that mattered. All that mattered was that I go read and listen for anything that would stand out to me. And then I came across this . . .

"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the desert
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,

the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise."

As I read these words, I had this strong impression that I needed to receive them as a message for God regarding the Gardner campus and Indian Creek Community Church as a whole.

God is doing a new thing at Indian Creek. It's a new chapter. A new work of His grace in and through us. In the desert and wasteland of our society (a place where hope is being lost and where what used to placate our need for true life is failing), God is launching a stream of living water for His people. A stream of living water that will lead to everlasting life. I believe the Gardner campus is a part of the fresh work that God wants to do in Gardner. I also believe that God wants to see His streams of living water flowing from the other churches already in the Gardner community. The campus we are launching is one part of the whole, the Church of God, the People of God.

I know this can sound like convenient reading of the Bible, picking out something that simply makes us feel good. But, I don't think that is what's going on here. Because the verse that caused me to go back and read the text above was this one:

"Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob,
you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel."

I believe God is calling me, and the Gardner campus, to a place of reliant prayer. Here is what I wrote in my journal:

You are making a new way for people who are far from You in Gardner. That
they may experience Your streams of life. You are doing
the work! But, You desire to use us, Your people. However, we must become humble
before Your throne. Lay open before You. You are asking for total submission, no
holding back. This is not a call to one person or family, but to a
community.

I will be in the Prayer Room at Indian Creek Community Church tonight from 6:30 - 7:30pm on my knees before God. I would love for you to join me there.

Official activity regarding the Gardner Campus kicks off this week! I'm pumped! I'm praying every single day (often multiple times a day) for this effort. It's exciting to see some of the first things beginning to take shape.

Here's a run-down of what's going on:

• Free Hot Chocolate and Coffee - Several folks who are a part of the Gardner campus will be handing out free hot chocolate and coffee to anyone who attends Santa's Workshop, an event hosted by the Gardner Parks and Recreation Department. It's going to be a great time of celebrating Christmas with our community from 5-6:30pm. Come join the fun!
• Neighborhood Christmas Desserts - In the next week two Gardner families will be inviting their friends and neighbors over to their house for a relaxed time of sharing life and tasty desserts. What a perfect way to share the love of Christ with your neighbors! Way to go! Want to host one at your house? Go for it! Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you out.
• Gardner Hour of Power - I'd like to invite anyone who's willing to join me in prayer for the Gardner campus to show up next Wednesday from 6:30-7:30pm. We'll meet in the Prayer Room for a time of seeking God and listening to His heart.

There are a TON of other things coming, and I'll post more on that later. I just wanted to throw this out there now. This is going to be a GREAT WEEK!

What exciting is going on in your life these days?

As most of you that read this know, we are heading towards planting a campus of Indian Creek Community Church in Gardner, KS. A few things have been decided, and many more things are in the works.

We have come to final decision that the campus will begin meeting in April 2009. Hopefully, we will have a meeting location determined in the next week or two. Some very encouraging conversations are taking place.

Do you want to hear the latest about what's going on with the Gardner Campus? Drop me an email, and I'll add you to our update list (the first edition of which will come out this week).

Please keep praying! Exciting things are under way!

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?

So, I'm two days behind in my postings, but there are two thoughts I want to share. I'll handle one this post, and another in the next.

For the next 21 Days, Indian Creek Community Church is going on a journey together. The basic idea is pretty simple: what would happen in your life if you cleared the calendar of some of life's stuff, and intentionally sought God out for 21 Days?

If we were all to do that, I think an amazing work of the Holy Spirit would take place. So, here's the 21 Day Challenge:

1. Read the book of John. For the next 21 days, read one chapter of John per day. Starting with chapter 1 on October 6th, and finishing with chapter 21 on October 26th. It's just that simple. Read one chapter every day. Study it. Examine it.
2. Journal your thoughts. One of the most beneficial personal practices you can engage in is journaling. By having the discipline to write down your thoughts and prayers, it brings clarity and focus to our spiritual journeys. I want to especially encourage you to write out your prayers. You'll be amazed at the clarity that it brings to your prayer life. It's not magical, but it is significant.
3. Fast from something. One of the most ancient of spiritual practices is to fast, to basically go without something in your life that is a privilege. Some will fast a particular meal each day. Others will fast from something specific like pop or candy or Starbucks. The point of fasting is simple: each time you crave that thing you are fasting from, it is a reminder to shift your focus to God. To pray. To express gratitude.
4. Pray that God will speak to you. My prayer is that every person would hear from God every day. One of my daily prayers is "God, speak to me today. Open my eyes that I can see you. Open my ears that I may hear your voice. Open my mind that I may understand your wisdom. Open my heart that I may feel as you do. Open my mouth to speak your truth."

I'm going to take the challenge. I'll be sharing my story here. You can follow the stories of others (and tell your own) at 21days.indiancreek.org.

What would happen if you took time every day to seek God in an intentional way? Better yet, what would happen if you did that every day for 21 Days. Better yet, what would if we, as a community, did that together?

I believe we'd see a movement of God.

So, will you join me for a 21 Day adventure? What excites you about the possibilities?