I have missionary friends in literally every part of the world. These are people who sacrifice much for the sake of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with people who need to know Him as Lord and Savior. Today I’d like you to take a moment right where you are to pray for our international missionaries. Pray for their safety, their obedience, and their families. Most of all, pray that God would use them in incredible ways to impact the Kingdom.

From the comfort of our own homes, it can be difficult to really relate to what many international missionaries endure for the sake of the call. I’ve had the privilege already this month of meeting several new missionary families in person. Their call is evident. Their passion is contagious. Their commitment is clear. Whether here in the United States or around the world, the commission of Christ-followers is to go and share the love and message of Christ at every opportunity. I am immensely grateful for these missionaries who leave their families to go and serve in places where most of us probably wouldn’t desire to go.

If I’ve learned anything at all from my missionary friends, it’s that the love of Christ knows no boundaries and no limits. I invite you to take six minutes of your time right now to watch this beautiful video, put to the world edition of Chris Tomlin’s “How Great is Our God.” I think you’ll be blessed as your heart is drawn to the unreached people all over the world.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17 (ESV)

That’s the essence of Christmas. God loves us so much that He gave the perfect gift by sending Jesus to be our Redeemer. “Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!”

IT’S YOUR TURN!
Is there any particular people group or region of the world that your heart is drawn to pray for?

A number of churches and small groups across the country will join this event live where they are, thanks to the miracle of modern technology. Platt has held ‘Secret Church‘ for several years, and it has now become part of the disciple-making DNA of this local church. Held twice each year, Secret Church continues to draw people from all over the country — so much so that overflow seating is necessary on-site. This in-depth time of Bible study, worship, and prayer is intended to help us identify with the many Christ-followers who meet in secret all over the world — not so much out of fear of persecution as devotion to Christ.

As was the case on Good Friday of this year, LifeWay Christian Resources has partnered with Platt’s mission organization, Disciple-Making International, to make this experience available on a whole new level. Platt had originally planned to speak on the subject of ‘Heaven, Hell, and the End of the World.’ And that is a topic of great interest and certainly worthy of discussion. However, Platt decided to shift the focus for this session to ‘Family, Marriage, Sex, and the Gospel.’ He says that this change was made in response to many of the issues showing up in major ways throughout American society today. As a pastor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I must say that I am absolutely thrilled to see someone willing to take on topics such as marriage, divorce, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, singleness, adoption, abortion, and pornography — just to name a few. During six hours of intense study, Secret Church participants will receive biblical teaching and instruction regarding issues that, quite frankly, many pastors — even in evangelical churches — are afraid to tackle for fear of offending others. I am reminded over and over that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is and should be offensive, because we are all sinners standing in need of God’s mercy and grace.

Now I understand that Friday nights in the fall are full of lots of possibilities for activities and entertainment. High school football is still king, especially in the deep South, and many school systems are also enjoying a few days for ‘fall break.’ However, I’m going to challenge you to shift your focus for this one Friday night. We have lots of people sitting in our pews every Sunday who honestly have no real clue about what the Bible has to say about some of these specific issues that are plaguing our culture today, bearing constant evidence of the steady and accelerating decay of Christian values. It was just yesterday that someone said to me, “How do we know homosexuality is wrong? Aren’t people just born that way? The Bible seems to contradict itself.”

Friends, we not only need to know what we believe; we also need to know why we believe it — and how to communicate the truths of Scripture to those in our circles of influence. I’m convinced that it’s only when each individual believer decides for him- or herself to be the salt and light Christ calls us to be, that we will ever see spiritual renewal in our land.

In a recent interview with Trevin Wax, Platt recounted this powerful quote from author Daniel Heimbauch:

“The stakes in the current conflict over sex are more critical, more central, and more essential than in any controversy the church has ever known. This is a momentous statement, but I make it soberly, without exaggeration. Conflict over sex these days is not just challenging tradition, orthodoxy, and respect for authority in areas such as ordination, marriage, and gender roles. And it does not just affect critically important doctrines like the sanctity of human life, the authority and trustworthiness of scripture, the Trinity, and the incarnation of Christ. Rather, war over sex among Christians is now raging over absolutely essential matters of faith without which no one can truly be a Christian in the first place—matters such as sin, salvation, the gospel, and the identify of God himself.”

In his sermon series, Attachment: The Gospel and Our Families, David Platt said,

“There is no question that the picture of a Christ-centered family in our culture is under attack. And there’s no question that the things the Bible teaches us will set us, in many ways, against the culture in which we live. We’ve got to decide from the very beginning whether or not we want to be molded into what our culture says is right, or if we want to be molded into what God says is right. This is not about cultural convenience.”

I couldn’t agree more. All that said, let me share a few comments from respected Christian leaders that help shed light on the fundamental importance of tonight’s topic of study:

ON DIVORCE

“There no longer seems to be much of a stigma attached to divorce; it is now seen as an unavoidable rite of passage. Interviews with young adults suggest that they want their initial marriage to last, but are not particularly optimistic about that possibility. There is also evidence that many young people are moving toward embracing the idea of serial marriage, in which a person gets married two or three times, seeking a different partner for each phase of their adult life.” – GEORGE BARNA, The Barna Group [Full Article Here]

ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

“Our authority to speak to the needs of our nation today is the Scripture. The Scriptures teach that there are absolutes and that there is such a thing as right and wrong. Truth is never tolerant of a lie. The real battleground around this debate on homosexual marriage begins with the question: Who is your authority? We believe that the timeless truth of Holy Scripture gives us the authoritative blueprints for life. We respect those who wish to deny the truth of Scripture. We would ask for a mutual respect in return.” – DENNIS RAINEY and BOB LEPINE, FamilyLife Ministries [Full Article Here]

ON PORNOGRAPHY

“The reality is that pornography is the most abused ‘drug’ in our country and sexual addiction is the addiction of choice among Christians. Based on surveys conducted by Christianity Today, 47 percent say porn is a ‘major problem’ in their homes and 51 percent of ministers say it’s their biggest temptation. For 37 percent, it’s a current struggle.” – MARNIE FERREE, Recovering Sex Addict, Marriage Therapist, and Speaker [Full Article Here]

As the above statements indicate, barring divine intervention, the moral collapse of our culture is imminent. We can and we must do a better job of studying God’s Word, applying God’s Word to our daily lives, and communicating the truth of God’s Word at every opportunity. I have no doubt that your participation in tonight’s session of Secret Church will help equip you to do just that.

The Secret Church Simulcast is scheduled for tonight from 6:00 p.m. to midnight (CST). Click here to find a host site near you.

Watch the brief promotional video:

1. We must view these so called ‘doomsday predictions’ as opportunities. First of all, as believers we know that the long-anticipated return of Jesus Christ will be a day of great rejoicing and celebration — not a doomsday. The media really seems to enjoy that term. Over the past several days I’ve read and seen a number of tweets, Facebook posts, and online article comments regarding this prediction. So many of these remarks remind me that our culture is spiritually blind. The mainstream Christian community is pretty unified in seeing Camping as a heretic, a lunatic, or just a well-meaning but seriously misguided soul. However, our tendency to join the world in making light and poking fun at Camping’s strange teaching might be a lost opportunity to share the truths of Scripture with regard to the return of Jesus Christ and end times prophecies.

2. We must filter such predictions through the lens of Scripture. Of course, that means we must know and believe the Bible. This is where so many Christians fall short and feel inadequate to explain its truths to others. Nobody knows when the Lord will return — not even Him.  This is a truth spoken by Jesus Christ himself:

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, or the Son, but the Father only. (Matthew 24:36, ESV) [Read whole chapter]

However, just because others, like Camping, have speculated many times before in no way negates the fact that Jesus is coming again. We must remain watchful and hopeful for the day of the Lord. And we must live each day as though it were our last on this earth — because we never know when that day will come.

3. We must take seriously our responsibility to evangelize the world. The days in which we live are extremely urgent. The conversations I’ve read and heard in recent days powerfully underscore the fact that there are many people in our nation and around our world who not only poke fun at Camping but also at the perceived folly and gullibility of Bible-believing Christians. Many of them indicate an utter disdain for God’s Word and a total disbelief that this world will one day come to an end. Many of them also indicate total disbelief in an afterlife. My heart breaks for those who do not know Jesus Christ. When the trumpet sounds, we know that there will be many people who are left behind. Some of them will be our family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Because the days are urgent, we must be faithful and diligent to share the love and message of Christ at every opportunity.

4. We must be willing to endure persecution for the cause of Christ. Jesus Christ was mocked, spat upon, rejected by mankind, and ultimately crucified for each of our sins. As disciples of Christ we should expect nothing different. And we should be prepared to die for our faith in Him. It’s really easy to want to distance ourselves from conversations that force us to defend our faith. Our society places great value on not being ‘weird’ or ‘strange’ or ‘different.’ However, Jesus said that those of us who belong to the Kingdom of heaven are aliens in this world and that we would face persecution as His followers:

Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! (Luke 6:22, ESV) [Read whole chapter]

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:18-20, ESV) [Read whole chapter]

If we are living lives that honor Christ, then the world will ridicule us, attempt to marginalize our influence, and even hate us. In his renowned work, The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer challenges believers to understand that when Jesus calls one, He bids him ‘come and die.’ A more contemporary author and pastor, David Platt, suggests in Radical that the cost of non-discipleship is even greater — for ourselves and for the world that stands in great need of the truth.

Regardless of when our Lord returns, may He find us ready. May He find us faithful. And may He find us working to reach the world that He died to save — all because of love.

If you liked this post, consider sharing it with a friend.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
Have those in your circles of influence been talking about this latest prediction? How are you responding to their comments or questions?

Indeed the first one-third of this year has been full of trials for many all over the world. From the political uprisings in the Middle East, to the earthquakes and tsunamis in various places, to the violent and deadly storms just this week, the news reads like a dramatic screenplay of Matthew 24.

In times like these I often ask the question, “How do people who have no faith in God make sense of the trials of this life?” I don’t necessarily know the answer to that question, but I do know that He has placed believers in this world to be the hands and feet of Christ to a world that very much needs to know He is real.

It’s easy in a world populated by some six billion people to have a diminished sense of responsibility. How often have you thought — or even said — to yourself, “Someone else will do it?” Friends, what if we are that someone? Now is not the time to roll over and say, “Woe is me.” Now is the time to stand up to the challenges at hand, with full confidence and faith in Christ that He will work through us to help usher in His Kingdom on earth.

In his book Missional Small Groups, author M. Scott Boren writes:

I find it interesting that Jesus told His disciples, “You are salt, . . . light . . . a city on a hill.” He did not say, “You should be . . . ,” “You would be if . . . ,” or “You could be if . . . .” He declared who they were and equipped them to live in a way that fit this declaration.

Jesus never promised His followers that this life would be easy; quite the contrary. His words in John 16:33 are clear: “In the world you will have tribulation.” Thankfully He doesn’t stop there. “But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He will walk with us through the storms of life, and that brings me great comfort.

I also love this reminder from Psalm 46:1-3:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (ESV)

No matter what happens in this world, we can be assured that God is still fully in control.

Whatever trial or trouble you may be facing today, know that if you belong to Christ, then you need not worry about the things of this life because we have the promise of ultimate victory in Him. Just know that the trials we face often provide us with a context in which to connect others to the redemptive message of the Gospel. Let’s be diligent to not squander such opportunities.

I’m mindful today of the words of this familiar chorus:

People need the Lord. People need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door.
People need the Lord. People need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord.

(Phillip J. McHugh & Greg Nelson, 1983)

A number of churches and small groups across the country will join this event live where they are, thanks to the miracle of modern technology. Platt has held ‘Secret Church‘ for several years, and it has now become part of the disciple-making DNA of this local church. Held twice each year, Secret Church continues to draw people from all over the country — so much so that overflow seating is necessary on-site. This in-depth time of Bible study, worship, and prayer is intended to help us identify with the many Christ-followers who meet in secret all over the world — not so much out of fear of persecution as devotion to Christ.

For the first time, LifeWay Christian Resources has partnered with Platt’s mission organization, Disciple-Making International, to make this experience available on a whole new level.

Why would a church-going American want to give up six hours on Good Friday night to participate in this event? That’s the basic question I’ve heard ever since announcing that my own church would host this event. With that in mind, I offer these five reasons to participate in Secret Church:

1. You will be exposed to the vast lostness in this world. Most Christians in America live in a bubble. We live busy lives that intersect with our own churches at many points. Consequently, we often find ourselves surrounded by people who are, for all intents and purposes, just like us. Secret Church will give you an opportunity to see and hear how other believers live out their faith.

2. You will be challenged to re-evaluate your priorities in light of Scripture. Many Christians in America are every bit as self-centered as those who do not belong to Christ. We routinely argue over such trivial things as music styles, ministers’ clothing choices, and the temperature of our multi-level church buildings. We spoil ourselves with the latest and greatest gadgets and complain if a worship service goes a few minutes longer than anticipated — yet wonder why the presence of the Holy Spirit is not sensed more often and more deeply.

3. You will be compelled to know and appreciate God’s Word. Most Christians in America possess several copies of the Bible — but don’t read it regularly. In fact, a 2009 study by the Barna Research Group found that Christians are largely apathetic when it comes to regular reading of Scripture. Still, each year thousands of bibles are smuggled into nations such as China, where there is a deep hunger for the Word of God. David Platt’s love for the Word drives his missions mentality and heart for evangelism and will no doubt anchor his teaching on Friday night.

4. You will be convicted to pray more fervently for the persecuted Church. We have a responsbility to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters — and to share in their sufferings just as they share in the sufferings of Christ. I can think of no better time than Holy Week to pause and reflect on the price Christ paid for our sins. He was persecuted. He suffered. He was killed mercilessly on a cross that was meant for you and me. All this, and yet so many church-goers wouldn’t want Secret Church to get in the way of their weekend holiday plans.

5. You will be emboldened by believers who risk everything because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Persecution of Christ-followers is real, and Christians in America need to realize that fact. So often we take for granted our ability to gather freely to worship and study God’s Word. This is a stark contrast from the reality of millions of believers around the globe. In fact, 100 million Christians live in areas where they face persecution on a regular basis. 400 million Christians live in places where there is threat of persecution. Though perceived as a long shot at present, the fact is that our country could one day become such a place.

Just think what God could do if only a handful of people at churches all across our nation got radically serious about their faith! Renewal? Revival? Restoration of the Church as ‘salt and light’ to our culture and context? All that and more is possible, if we live out what we say we believe. I don’t know about you, but I’d insist on being a part of such a movement of God.

In Radical Together, Platt writes:

True faith in Christ inevitably produces great work for Christ, not works fueled by the flesh in an attempt to earn our way to God, but works fueled by faith in a life that is abandoned to God. And all of it is by grace.

Wherever you are — and whatever you have planned — I hope you will consider making the Secret Church Simulcast part of your Easter weekend. Who knows? It just might be a catalyst for helping us get more serious about living the abundant life Jesus wants us to have — and sharing His message and love with others.  Click here to find a simulcast location near you.

I’ve always been a real fan of fall. I love the colors and the transition from hot temperatures to cooler, more bearable weather. However, the older I get, the more I love springtime. Having grown up in the deep South, the return of spring was hailed by frolicking wildlife seemingly celebrating the end of the hunker-down season. I remember watching squirrels at play, almost overnight shedding their poofy winter coats for something a little more tailored. The red robins do a similar change of wardrobe that I’ve always found fascinating.

Having returned to the real South from Texas (which I dearly love) nearly two years ago, I’ve again fallen in love with the sights and sounds of spring. Just in the past few weeks, the hills of Arkansas have come alive with flowering trees and shrubs, beautifully brilliant daffodils and tulips (my wife’s favorite), and mysteriously majestic dogwood trees, all of which announce the end of winter. I absolutely love my backyard because of the dogwood that for a period of just a couple weeks transforms the landscape with its bright white blossoms.

Not everything is so cheery in life. If you’re anything like me, you’ve largely given up on finding any good news on TV. In fact, too much time with that can make me quite depressed. I’ve found though that while man is destined to disappoint, God is faithful to do just what He says He will do. Just as his eye is on the sparrow, we can be assured that He is watching over His children. My recent visit to Israel was filled with so many amazing sights. I think my personal favorites were the lilies of the field (seen at left). Jesus himself said that “even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matt. 6:29, ESV) As you can see, judging from this photo, who could argue that?

In a world filled with so much hurt, pain, sickness, calamity, brokenness, grief, and loss, it helps me to look around and again “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8, ESV). When you feel all alone and begin to  think all hope is lost, lift up your head and cast your eyes on the evidence of our Creator — and know that He cares for you. If you’re reading this and don’t know what it’s like to have peace in the midst of the storm, I encourage you to contact me, and let me help you discover new life today. Whatever you may be going through, God can give you just what you need to persevere.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What is your favorite thing about spring? How do you stay focused on good in a world full of evil?

To be completely honest, I have to work at being intentional to get out of my own comfort zone and meet people who aren’t in the church . . . people who aren’t like me . . . people who think and feel differently about news and current events . . and people who basically process life through a whole different lens.

The reality though is that there are many people who call themselves Christians but don’t appear to be any different than the rest of the world. Spiritual immaturity is one of my biggest frustrations as a discipleship pastor — and also the very reason that I’m so passionate about spiritual growth. David Platt, in his book Radical, makes a real case for how Christians in America have in many ways missed the whole point of the gospel. While believers in many other countries are being imprisoned, persecuted, and tortured because of their faith in Jesus Christ, Christians in this country often spend their time arguing about music/worship styles, debating carpet colors, and shopping around for churches that best accommodate their consumer mentality.

I know . . . because I hear these things in my Christian bubble. Often. That’s just one more reason I’m happy to look for avenues to build relationships with non-believers and unchurched people. I believe that it is an absolute sin to focus so heavily on our wants, needs, and preferences to the eternal detriment of those in our communities who are without Christ.

Listen to these words from Platt:

“I think with the way we have unprecedented material blessing, with the way we have a culture built on self, self-esteem, self-confidence. All of these things we begin to twist the gospel into something that it is not. We make it look like us and fit into our lifestyle instead of adjusting our lifestyle to the gospel. In the process we make following Jesus more American than it is biblical. As a result there seems to be a major disconnect between what it means to follow Christ in the first century and what it means to follow Christ in our definition in the 21st century America.” – Christian Post, May 15, 2010

(To read a transcript of David’s interview with the Christian Post, click here.)

Those words are as convicting to me as they are to anyone else. I admittedly have a long way to go in my journey as a disciple. Discipleship is a process; it doesn’t happen overnight. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you don’t have the luxury of deciding whether to be a Christian-in-name-only or a faithful disciple. Being a little bit Christian is just like being a little bit pregnant. You’re either with Him, or you’re without Him . . . and the margin for error is not what you want your eternal destiny to hinge upon.

The times in which we live are absolutely urgent! There are many in our own country who still have not heard the truth of Jesus Christ. As believers, we have one mission in life: to go and preach and make disciples. We are all to be ministers in our own context. May we be diligent to share the Good News — the reason for our blessed hope — while the Father’s mercy provides us the opportunity to do so.

And the next time you hear another Christian complaining about something trivial in the church, take a moment to pray for him or her – and then say a prayer for those brothers and sisters who truly understand what it means to share in the sufferings of Christ.

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 2:3, ESV

For news and  information about persecuted believers, visit Voice of the Martyrs.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What’s on your heart today? How is God speaking in your life? What are your thoughts about Christianity in America today?

Protests turn violent in Egypt

Unless you’ve been comatose, stoned, or hiding under a rock, you’ve no doubt seen and heard about the civil unrest going on in Egypt. So many people I’ve talked with seem to have a nonchalant attitude regarding these late-breaking and ever-changing events.

I want to encourage you to be in prayer for this tense situation, and for all the people involved. Already more than one hundred individuals have died and at least 2000 have been injured in violent protests. In a nation crying out for more freedom, you can imagine what the government’s decision to block or interrupt internet connections and cell phone service has done to further incite a violent response from these people. Then there’s that little issue of the 4:00 p.m. nationwide curfew.

I was only eight years old when former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat was assassinated in October, 1981. Even as a child I had an insatiable curiosity, particularly as related to news, politics, and current events. Therefore, it’s probably not surprising to learn that I actually remember watching the special news coverage of the late president’s funeral. At that time the world seemed a lot bigger than it does today. With 24-hour streaming news and information, the internet has served to bring the world together in ways not terribly unlike the failed Tower of Babel.

“Now the whole world had common language and common speech.” – Genesis 11:1

As a third grader, I had no idea how much deeper I’d come to understand the implications of Sadat’s assassination as it relates to the hope for peace in the Middle East. Now raising a fourth grader, I shudder to think what things my own children might come to understand — and experience — in this life.

The situation in the Middle East is always volatile, always dynamic, and always fodder for newspeople, politicians, pastors, and historians. As I prepare to embark on a study tour to Israel in the coming weeks, the intensity of the violence and political-civil unrest in Israel’s next-door neighbor to the southwest are particularly sobering and concerning. Still, as one who trusts in God, I realize that nothing in this world is a surprise to Him. He is working out His ultimate purpose just as is promised through the prophetic texts of Scripture. And something about that gives me a deep-seated peace that passes understanding. 

Today I want to encourage you to take time and pray sincerely for Egypt and the world. Here are five specific things for which you can pray regarding the current situation:

• Pray for the safety of the Egyptian people. These people are not terribly unlike you and me. They have a deep desire for change and a strong drive to experience greater freedom than has been the case over the last three decades.
     
• Pray for the tourists, American and otherwise, who are caught in this period of unrest. I can only imagine how frightening things must seem — especially when travel and contact with the outside world is limited.
     
• Pray for the missionaries who are serving in the region. In recent years, various Christian missionary organizations have reported a huge movement of God’s Spirit in the hearts and lives of Muslims in these nations. Pray that the present chaos will serve to move many toward faith in Christ. Pray also for the safety and well-being of those brave missionaries who serve faithfully on the front lines of what is as much a spiritual battle as a physical one. (Some of you may be unaware of the vast influence of Christians in Egypt through the years. Here’s a great summary.)
    
• Pray for world leaders to have wisdom in their response to the current situation. Pray that they will demonstrate great wisdom in both their words and their actions, knowing that in such volatile situations there is little room for misunderstanding.
      
• Pray for the nation of Israel. The disturbing reality is that Egypt is Israel’s sole friend in the Middle East. Every other surrounding country is at best unhelpful to Israel — and at worst, openly disdainful. No other nation has demonstrated more utter contempt for Israel in recent years than Iran, and the Iranian leaders are salivating at the possibility of having Egypt fall into the hands of militant Islamists who will not interfere with the malevolent plans Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has for the nation of Israel. Regardless of differing political philosophies, Egypt has long been an essential ally of both Israel and the United States. The dissolution of that relationship would have significant negative implications for not only the Middle East but also for the entire free world.

As believers, the very least we can do is pray. For the majority of us, it’s also the most we can do. Let us be faithful to do just that. Our burden for the Middle East needs to be about far more than oil and trade; we must remember the lives at stake — and that God loves each one of them, just as much as He loves you and me.

Click here for more information about how you can Stand for Israel.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are your thoughts about the current events in the Middle East?
How do you find yourself praying in times like these?

And while I personally enjoyed the distraction, I must admit that it will take more than fireworks and franks to get my mind off these colossal issues that threaten to choke the very life from our republic should a sharp and effective course correction not be made — and soon.

If you read this blog often, then you know that I am a huge advocate for personal responsibility. In contrast to the philosophies opined in the news media, pointing fingers and assigning blame is truly of little help. That’s where the church comes in.

You see, I believe that Christians have a responsibility to do something phenomenal in today’s American society — something that could radically transform the face of the Church as we know it. And yes, I understand that few facets of our economy have been so hard-hit financially as churches and non-profit organizations. When the budget gets squeezed at home, those expenses are among the first deemed ‘discretionary’ — like it or not. Just yesterday I was contacted by yet another ministry colleague whose staff position will be eliminated at the end of the year.

As a realist and a pragmatist, I struggle with optimism. I’m a pretty black-and-white kind of guy. I’m fine with calling a spade a spade, although I probably won’t waste my time trying to convince those who don’t necessarily see things my way. But here’s what I think: I believe that the church in 21st century America has the potential to transform society in ways not seen since the days of the early church, as described in the book of Acts.

As states follow the nation’s lead and assume higher and higher levels of debt, vital services will be significantly reduced, if not eliminated altogether. These services include healthcare, counseling, education, and childcare. And there are ways for the Church to step up to the plate and assume responsibility for filling in the gaps that, quite frankly, it should have been doing all along.

Somewhere along the way, the American Church began to take on the attitude of its typical parishioners. The Church began to believe that its effectiveness was largely dependent upon some of the most superficial things — like state-of-the-art facilities, larger-than-life personalities, highly specialized niche ministries, and entertainment-based programming.

In fact, I would argue that this is still the model of the local church that many so-called pastors, priests, or shepherds would esteem as the pinnacle of success.

They would be wrong. Dead wrong.

As American religious life evolved, many of the seeker-sensitive churches of the 80′s and 90′s made a very subtle, in fact, almost indiscernible transition. They moved from seeker-sensitive to consumer-driven. I suppose that once these churches reached ‘seekers,’ then those individuals continued to expect church to be all about them instead of all about Him. Consequently, the landscape of this great nation is now littered with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of churches that don’t know what to do or how to cope when the money goes away and the lights go out.

I have an idea. I think that it’s then that the Church should best be positioned to tell the world, in effect, “It’s showtime!”

It’s time to show the world that this Gospel we preach is real, is relevant, and is right here. It’s time to show the world that the message we carry is not hindered by a weakened economy — not if we’re really passionate about the message in the first place. It’s time to prove once and for all that if a few ordinary fishermen with no formal training and no budgetary funds can reach people for Christ, then so can we!

Will things improve in America? Well, I guess that all depends on how we define improvement. Do I think the economy is going to take off again and let us enjoy the perks and privileges of being a nation of plenty? No, I emphatically do not believe that. We have essentially kicked God out of our schools, our courts, and our public gatherings in order to satisfy the outcries of a few literally misguided souls. Consequently, I think that God is working out His purposes, and our comfort level is of no concern to Him whatsoever.

However, I do believe that the Church is going to see drastic improvement. I think that improvement will center around four major shifts in the life of our local churches, some of which are transitioning even now:

1. Ministry as we know it will look and feel very different than it does in many of our churches today. We will be forced to view our budget in the light of greatly limited resources. The glitz and glamour of entertainment-based programming will be replaced by ministries that meet the very real physical and spiritual needs of people who are discovering what humility really means.

2. Ministry will become increasingly community-based. In fact, many churches will have no building at all.

3. True believers will be identified only after the faux ‘Christians’ fall away. I hate to say it so bluntly, but the churches in this nation are filled with people who will be stunned and amazed to find that their pet project or ministry must take a back-seat to more hands-on and real-world ministry. The sad truth is that our churches will be better off without them, because to the faux ‘Christians,’ it was never ‘all about Him’ in the first place.

4. As God allows our nation to go through this period of change, the Church will be marked by renewed passion, sharper focus, and more intentional ministry. As a result, we will see people won to Christ because of a true spiritual hunger that for so long has been numbed by a steady diet of materialism and pride. Talk about feeding the monster!

Now please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not a prophet, a priest, or a king. These are merely my thoughts and impressions, albeit after a period of prayer and searching. I could be wrong. And I certainly wouldn’t claim to lay out a timetable for all this. Besides, God could hear and answer the prayers of His people and restore this land to a place of wealth and luxury that we could only dream of. But when I think about how He lived among us during His ministry, I don’t think of extraordinary; I think of extra ordinary.

Plain. Simple. Humble.

So, I guess the answer to our prayers is entirely dependent upon what it is we’re praying. Are you praying for God to stem the tide, protect your assets, and keep you comfortable and secure? Or are you praying for God to do whatever it takes to get people’s attention, that they might see Him and believe before it is too late?

The truth is that, according to Scripture, sooner or later everyone is going to confess Him as Lord. My job as a believer is to pray that God will do whatever it takes – and use me as He will – to make sure that as many people as possible confess, “Jesus is Lord” on this side of eternity.

When this life draws to an end, that’s the only thing that will matter anyway.

INTERACT WITH US

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You see, a couple weeks ago I was taking a late-night walk through the neighborhood, basking in the quiet, just thinking and talking to God. I’ve never really thought of myself as much of a leader, although throughout my ministry God has clearly and consistently expanded my territory and circles of influence. For a few minutes on that stroll I caught a glimpse of me the way God sees me — as a person who has been uniquely gifted in many ways, hand-crafted by the Creator for the purpose of sharing His love with others. Talk about humbling!

Ministry is a very challenging vocation. It truly is a calling that God has placed on my life, and like the Apostle Paul, I pray daily that He will find me worthy of the calling I’ve received.

One of the things I enjoy most about my work is the variety. I don’t have time to get bored. There are always needs that must be tended, and people who require heartfelt care and concern. I fail at many points, to be sure. In today’s harried culture, sometimes things fall through the cracks. Sometimes needs are not communicated or discovered. Sometimes people demonstrate all too clearly that they are, well, imperfect. Just like me.

I relish the opportunity to be an under-shepherd of sorts, supporting my pastor and staff team, and seeking to do whatever I can to share in the burden-bearing. And as I shared in my message at Wednesday’s church prayer service, I’ve learned along the way that some sheep bite. However, I’ve come to realize that most of those bites are not intentionally malicious.

People and animals have some things in common. Both tend to lash out when they are frightened, when they experience a real or perceived loss of control, and when they feel abandoned. As a minister, one of the things I’ve come to understand is that it’s essential to listen for the meaning behind the stories that individuals tell. It’s important to view them as I do myself — as people who are walking through this spiritual pilgrimage by faith, often struggling, doubting, and fearing the unknown. For many, the prospect of change shakes them to their core. I know because I’ve been there too.

My heart’s desire is to see God breathe fresh wind and fresh fire into His Church. And as the old hymn says, “Lord, send a revival, and let it begin in me.”

The world in which we live is going through some major trials. People are hurting at every turn . . . desperate for hope . . . seeking answers to questions about which they dare not speak. Maybe you’re one of those people.

Life doesn’t always treat us kindly or turn out like we’d hoped it would. But one thing remains forever true: God is in control and is working out His purposes.

Many of you know that music is such an integral part of my life. It is a primary way in which I worship. This week the lines of one particular song have been going round and round in my head. It says simply: “God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind. So when you don’t understand, when you don’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.”

As I lay my head down tonight, I do so with the satisfaction of knowing that my heart is full . . . my life has meaning . . . and I am loved with a love that won’t let go! God is completely trustworthy. My prayer is that you can know without a doubt how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ. Don’t let another moment pass you by. Discover new life today.

I’ve added a new video to my Vodpod at right. It’s one of my very favorites: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.” Check it out!