Love is the greatest

Our challenge at Amarillo First Nazarene over the last two months has been, "love Amarillo." We have been challenged by God's Word as it repeatedly calls Christ's church to a whole different way of living. To live a life of love is the holiness that Christ is looking for in His church. We, the body of Christ, must have a different look, feel and smell from the world. We are to be the aroma of Christ-the aroma of holy love. Patience, kindness, gentleness, self control, forgiveness-God's Word defines this love in very practical ways that challenge each of us. It is a radical lifestyle that requires the work of the Holy Spirit. When we walk in love, we bring life into the situation. When we do otherwise it leads to death. We can be like Cain or like Christ (1 John 3:12). I find it too easy to be like Cain who butchered Abel. The Holy Spirit must be in control. His cleansing presence is not an option. Christ's eternal life in us is a powerful presence to make us different from the world around us, and to help us make a redemptive difference. Self must be laid aside if the world is to see Christ in us. This all begins as we grasp how great the love is that God has lavished on us (1 Jn. 3:1).

Blaming God / Burning Books

As a pastor you hear a lot of excuses for various forms of behavior. A common excuse is the one being exercised by the pastor in Florida who wants to burn the Koran. He is blaming the whole episode on God. "We are only trying to do what God told us to do." No, they are only trying to do what some short sighted man wants to do. It is interesting that the church's name begins with "Dove". The symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit and yet for this man and his people it seems to be only a symbol. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace... We all know Christ told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute-a stretch for any of us. It's easier to burn books, call names, drop bombs, file lawsuits than to love. Let's abandon the "God told me" excuse. This man's proposed actions do not fit with the Jesus way. It is amazing that so much attention has been generated by a single, small church. Yet it is amazing how much hatred, anxiety, hostility was generated by 911-the actions of only a few. A terrible tragedy that left many deep wounds, but only a few expressed the hatred. Hopefully this man will move beyond his selfish agenda, see the bigger picture and ask a simple question, 'what would Jesus do?' The answer: He loved his enemies and calls His church to do the same.

Worship vs Entertainment

The body of Christ in America is in major need of Holy Spirit overhaul. We have become like the world, are really in love with the things and ways of this world. A renewal of worship could be a key place to begin. As Tozer stated years ago, 'worship is the missing jewel of the church.' The American church scene has become inspirational, therapeutic, and entertaining. It is man centered, and presentation driven. It is culturally inspired and no longer driven by our awe of God's holiness, and a humility and brokeness concerning His love and grace twoard us. We are bondage to our cultural climate which is driven by our need to be entertained, stimulated. Lighting, sound, multi-media, all forms of instrumentation-yes it may have its place; however, when we become dependent upon those things to create a certain 'worship experience' we are idolatrous. How much lighting, sound, media is enough? Are we incompetition with Hollywood?

When we worship, whether in a building on Sunday morning, or driving to work on Monday morning, it is an encounter with the living God and brings transformation to our person through the work of the Holy Spirit. The encounter with God, the engagement of His person and the recognition of His holiness brings transformation. Every day is a battle for our worship. Let's focus attention on the living Christ and live in awe and gratitude.

Isaiah was revived as He saw the Lord and worshiped.

Neither Do I...

Words are powerful. I regret saying some things as I look back on life. With maturity comes a greater ability to 'hold the tongue.' Little phrases such as 'I love you', 'you're beautiful', you're special' can lift a soul. The negative phrases can be just as devestating. No telling what names she had been called that day. They placed her in front of Jesus. She was condemned, a sinner caught in the act. It was a religious frenzy. Judgment, condemnation, rules, laws, punishment. Jesus played in the dirt while they squabbled, haggled, and destroyed her with their words and looks. Christ asked the question that shattered their religious pride, at least for the moment. Jesus was the only sinless one in the mix. He could have cast the first stone. He could have been a religious zealot, instead He was the compassionate God come in the flesh. He spoke to her as she had never been spoken to before. There was hope, love, grace in His voice. She couldn't believe what she heard. This couldn't be the Word of God, but it was, He is. "Neither do I." Christ didn't come to condemn the world, but to set it free from condemnation & guilt (John 3:16-17). Christ stands at the crossroads between the law and grace of God. He stands not to condemn but to save. She was given a second opportunity. "Stop doing the things that are killing you" Christ exhorted. Quit sinning. Walk in the light. Walk in life. She could because of His grace. Hopefully she did and we will because of His grace. (John 8:1-11). Neither do I...thank you Jesus!

American Church

You've heard of American pie, let's talk American church. I was reading this morning in 1 Cor.1 where Paul speaks of preaching the cross and of desiring not to empty the cross of its power. I have often thought on that phrase and prayed over it because as a preacher the temptation is to use 'words of human wisdom' as Paul says in 1 Cor. 1:17. The American church has few similarities to the N.T. model. Today, a majority of church goers have made their most recent choice based upon style of music, style of preaching, programs for children and youth, etc. As a pastor I have seen the subtle but radical shift so that it's about man, not about God. The gathering of the saints that we call 'church' is to be a time of corporate celebration of God's holiness and grace. A time of equipping and encouragement. A time of accountability and exhortation. A time of sharing our journey, passing the faith along to the next generation, praying for one another. Today the challenge is to create a better entertainment model than the church down the street. American church is about entertainment and feeling good. It is man centered instead of Christ centered. The result is we have emptied the cross of its power. The mega-church model with all its hollywood show and feel has become the coveted model. As a pastor it is fun to be the church in town people want to come to; however, I know too many come because they 'like' the singing or preaching, etc. Paul goes on to say God choose the lowly and despised things to use for His glory. There is nothing wrong with the mega church or with a hollywood style presentation-at least I'm going to say there is not. The motive and intent are critical and only God measures that. Those of us in the church must be cautious about what we are looking for in a church-we are the church. It's not about music style or preaching dynamic, it's about the power of God and the wisdom of God. Our boast must be in the Lord. Think about it church. Have we emptied the Gospel of its power with our desire for personal gratification?

Roadstar Ride

I just completed a 3000+ mile motorcycle ride from Lubbock to Ohio and back. If you think that is crazy, I had lunch with a pastor from Indiana who had just done a 6000 mile ride. The open road, wind in your face, road kill stench, and a good strong rain storm will make you wonder if you made the right choice. It sounds like a long distance, but it takes place one mile at a time. It's a lot like life. One day at a time, one step at a time, one choice at a time, but the cumulative effect is startling. The key in all of it is to know what road you are traveling, and to know what your intended destination is. Each day the road is the pathway of Jesus Christ. Each day the goal is to be like Him and bring glory to His name. At the end of the journey the goal is to know you have lived life well, and been His good and faithful servant. Sometimes the journey is a blue sky and winding roads of creation beauty. Some days it's raining and you can't see through your goggles. The key in all of it is to stay focused and move forward in faith, motivated by a radical love for Jesus Christ because you have discovered and tasted His radical love for you. The biker saying (I'm not a biker but I like to ride) is ride to live, live to ride. Paul, has a better version, "For me to live is Christ..."

FATHER'S DAY

Father's Day has come and gone. This Father's Day marked the first for my wife without her dad and my seventh without my dad. Being a dad is a challenge, maybe one of life's greatest challenges. Maybe I should rephrase. If you desire to be a good dad and lead your family and train your children to be persons of character and follow the Christian faith, it is a monumental challenge. I am thankful for a dad who did his best to train, lead and provide. I am forever a debtor to Joseph Donnerberg, and Karen would say the same about her dad, James Blankenship. I am grateful for my earthly father's love and life, but I am also grateful for a Father in heaven who loves to give good gifts to His children. A heavenly Father who knows what I need even before I ask, who gives the Holy Spirit as a most precious gift. The gift I cherish today is the presence of my heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit living in me. My Dad's presence is a distant memory. But my Father in heaven is here, with and within me today. That presence leads, guides, provides, disciplines, encourages, sanctifies, strengthens. His Spirit witnesses with my Spirit that I am His child and He loves me.