My Blog Has Moved!

My blog has moved! It is now being hosted by Alameda's new website at www.alamedacofc.org. I will also be updating it more frequently. I hope you'll check it out and keep reading.

My Life Convictions

I recently finished my sermon series entitled "Convicted," in which I challenged our congregation to write out their life convictions - those beliefs that guide their actions, attitudes, and decisions. Here are my life convictions/principles:

1. God created every human being, in his spiritual image, to live in close communion with him.
2. Jesus Christ is the hope of the world because he has the power and willingness to forgive our sins, heal our wounds, and redeem our suffering.
3. The Bible is God’s Word to humanity that reveals God’s character, our purpose, and life’s meaning.
4. My wife and daughter are gifts from God and should be treated as such.
5. God blesses us so that we can bless others. A life of service and giving is a life filled with contentment and joy.
6. Success is best measured by fulfillment. You are only successful when what you are doing is satisfying and gratifying. Successful people are happy with who they are and what they are doing. Success cannot be measured by money and things – only by the joy you receive along the journey.
7. Big achievements come with small steps. Being faithful in the “little” things prepares you for “bigger” things.
8. Always take responsibility for your life. While you cannot control everything that happens to you in life, you can control how you respond to what happens to you.
9. Treat others with respect and you will be respected; be a friend and you will have friends.
10. Laugh often and you will enjoy life more. Laugh at yourself and with others.
11. God rewards hard work and also prescribes rest. Work hard at whatever you do, but not so hard that you miss out on what makes life worth living – relationships, beauty, serving, ministry, and enjoying God’s blessings.
12. God desires that Christians shine like stars. Stand out from the crowd by having a character that is formed by faith in God; by doing your best in all that you do as your worship to God; and by encouraging others with the love of God.

So, what are your life convictions?

God's Will

Last night at Life Group we got into a fascinating discussion about God's will. We had some different views, so I pose the question to you:

Do you believe that God has a specific will for each specific individual or that God's will is the same for every person but manifested differently through each person's personality, experiences, decisions, etc.?

A Prayer for President Obama

Dear Lord,

Today we welcome a new President to lead our country. May you fill him with wisdom to make good and right decisions; courage to stand up to tyrants; strength of character to act justly; and humility to listen to the people he leads. May you guide him and use him to accomplish your will on this earth. To you be all glory and honor, and may your name be great among the nations. In Jesus' name, amen.

Quitting Church

This past Wednesday Darin and I started a class based on Judith Duin's book "Quitting Church: Why the Faithful are Fleeing and What to Do about It." The class got off to a great start with some lively discussion. Here's two questions we asked the class, and I would love your feedback.

1. Name three reasons why people "quit" church (in general).
2. Name two reasons why people "quit" the Church of Christ.

The responses we got were very insightful. So, what do you think?

The Greatest Social Need

The latest edition of Christianity Today magazine had an interesting article that stated something I have believed for a long time. Here's an excerpt from the article:

The most profound social problem facing humankind is alienation from God. It is in fact the first social problem. After Adam and Eve eat of the tree in the midst of the garden, the Lord God - with whom they have had warm fellowship - seeks them out. But they hide in fear and shame. From this, the bibilical story unfolds to reveal murder, lust, greed, loneliness, pride, oppression, and a host of other evils that plague humankind.

The biblical picture is clear. The breakdown of society is rooted in the breakdown of our relationship with our Creator. And the biblical response is equally clear: The way out of social chaos begins with people being restored to God. This won't solve all social problems immediately. But transformed individuals go hand in hand with transforming social networks.

I truly believe that one of the reasons why the church has lost some of its influence in society is because so many of us Christians fail to intentionally live out our stated beliefs. In 2009 my preaching will center around this theme of restoring people to God and giving people tools that will help them live more consistently and transparentally with God.

Merry Christmas, Son

Eight Christmases ago, Mitzi and I were buying each other baby gifts and nursery furniture as we prepared for the arrival of our son Cooper. However, we never got to bring home from the hospital - as he died five days after his birth. And a little over a year passed before I stepped foot again in the beautiful nursery we had prepared for him.

Every Christmas our family replaces the flowers at Cooper's grave with a Christmas tree complete with baseball ornaments. We also put a stocking with his name on it right beside ours and Hope's...but I still miss him.

Merry Christmas, Son.