Not too long ago I was daydreaming about a cruise and in the midst of it I started comparing a cruise experience to that of a church experience.  Let me share some of my thoughts with you.

1. This first one is obvious.  You go on a cruise for rest and relaxation.  You go to enjoy the scenery.  You go to take some time to sit by the pool, take an excursion, read a book, eat more than you need, and sit.  That’s not why you go to church.  We go to church to worship.  We go to serve.  We go to encourage and care for one another.  Church revolves on and thrives in active participation.
2. On a cruise, when you compare the number of crew to the number of cruisers it’s disproportionate.  You have a couple of  hundred on the crew and you have a few thousand on the ship.  Unfortunately, too often that percentage is duplicated in the church.  It’s the old adage of “20% of the people doing 80% of the work.”  That ratio might work great on a boat, but it’s a lousy way to experience a church.
3. When you first get on a cruise (even before it heads out to sea) they have the participants practice getting themselves and others into a lifeboat.  In my experience, very few of the cruisers see this as important, necessary, or even worthwhile.  It’s more of a nuisance.  Once again, I’ve met some in the church that feel the same way about evangelism.
4. On a cruise the spirit is “all about me.”  Can someone get me another piece of pizza?  Is my massage scheduled?  On one cruise they said the average amount of weight gain is approximately 5 pounds per cruise.  In a church, it’s all about Him.  It’s a cyclical pouring out of what He is already pouring in.  The psalmist said, “He anoints my head with oil, my cup overflows.”  That’s not an image of stagnation or gluttony.  It’s a picture of being blessed to the point of sharing with others.

I’m sure there are a number of other comparisons.   Can you think of some?  If so, share them with us.

Here you go:

This is the essence

This morning I spent two hours on the Mount of Beatitudes-the traditional site where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

After some general information about the location we were told to simply go spend time with God.  I spent the next several minutes reading through the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5-7.  And then I reread it . . . only this time asking God to speak into my life.

Matthew 7:12 came alive to me: Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.  This is the essence of ALL that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Okay, at a very young age I memorized the Golden Rule.  Perhaps that’s why I don’t pay too much attention to it.  It’s for little kids.  Didn’t Jesus say, “Unless you become like a little child . . .” Hmmm.

So I wrote in my journal:

If I were an orphan I would want someone to adopt me.

I were ill I would want someone to care for me.

If I were elderly and alone I would want someone to visit me.

If I were oppressed I would want someone to fight for me.

If I were wealthy I would want someone to teach me how to invest for eternity.

If I were addicted I would want someone to love me unconditionally.

If I were to win I would want someone to celebrate with me.

If I were on a journey I would want someone to walk beside me.

If I were weeping I would want someone to hold me.

This is the essence . . .

Then a few verses later he writes, “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome.”  (Ephesians 3:12 NLT emphasis added)

As I read those verses I thought, “God is not only building us into his home, but he has on top of that given us complete access, open access to spend time in his presence.”  That’s a better deal than we can get at the White House!  If we go there there are certain places we can’t go.  There are certain rooms they have made off limits.  We (probably) aren’t going to be invited to stay for dinner nor is President or Mrs. Obama going to be there to greet us.  If we asked someone, “Why?”  They would likely respond, “They have so much to do.  There’s no way they could be here for you.”  That’s different than what read about God.

It’s a better deal than we get at our boss’ house!  I mean, if we go there he’s not going to want us to put our feet up and really relax.  He may say, “Make yourself at home,” but my guess is he’s going to be more than a bit reluctant and nervous when we just go over to the refrigerator and without asking make ourselves something to eat.  That’s different than what is described in Ephesians.

It’s a better deal than we can get by watching “Cribs” or even the old “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”  In those experiences they don’t mind showing us what they have.  They are excited and proud of their resources, but they only want to share them with us through the safety and security of the big screen.  According to Scripture, God wants to get closer than that.

Sometimes people ask what does a sponsorship really do and I think the best way to explain it is through the words of student I met when I was down there in the past.  He said, “Here in Ecuador we have a public school system.  So, kids have the freedom to go to school.  But on the other hand we are required to have a uniform, school supplies, and to purchase our books.  So, in my case, my parents couldn’t have afforded for both my brother and me to go to school.  They would’ve had to choose . . . but because I was sponsored we both got to go and even better than any of that we both had the chance to meet Jesus.”

As a parent who is on the verge of having 3 kids in school I can’t imagine the scenario where we would have to sit down and say to one or two of them, “I’m sorry, but we can’t let you go.”  I also can’t imagine growing up in an environment where because of that very situation my greatest aspiration is to just survive, make it another day.

Why am I writing about this?  Simply this:  When our group from FCC returned they brought with them a handful (9) child sponsor packets that features some of the children they served at the project.  I need to send them back to Compassion within the next few days, but I thought in advance of sending them back I would make it known and see if anyone would be interested in sponsoring (cost is $38/month) one of these kids.

If you are, contact me at the church office.  I can help.

Also, later this summer (August 23rd) we will be having a child sponsorship day where you will have another opportunity to consider being a part.  Currently FCC sponsors over 200 children in Ecuador.  My prayer is after the 23rd of August that number will be over 300 and we can continue our quest to make a difference for Christ in Ecuador.

The second piece of background is that I had a conversation with someone a week or so ago and he made the following statement, “I’m never going to be a part of any of those social network sites.  They are dumb.  I don’t even like to e-mail.  So, I’m sure not going to sit around and do that.”  Now, I’m not going to make an evaluation of his comment (although it did strike me that probably had he been around in the early 20th century he may have felt the same way about the telephone), but it did lead me to think about this question:

How do you communicate?  How do you stay in touch?

The way I see it there are several avenues you could use.  Some may even use multiple avenues.  I’d love to know what ones are most popular with you.

The avenues:

1. Face to face — You are someone who goes out of your way to meet with people and talk.  You go through the drive through bank rather than the ATM because you value talking to people eye to eye.
2. Letters and Cards — Maybe you are great in utilizing the traditional birthday card.  Perhaps on occasion you’ll drop someone the “Thinking of You” type of card.  Or, maybe, you annually put together the full blown (complete with pictures) Christmas letter.
3. Telephone — Although as a rule this avenue has been monopolized by teenage girls some people do prefer to talk on the phone.  Ironically they are usually also the ones who are driving in front of me! :-)  BTW:  Have you heard about the new “malady” that is afflicting some people who talk a lot on their cell phone?  I’m not making this up and it has nothing to do with the brain being altered by the electronic waves, but they are describing it as “cell elbow.”  Apparently if you talk too much on your phone it can effect a nerve in your elbow and make your hand (temporarily) go numb!  Teenage girls beware!!!
4. E-mail — This method caught on about 10 or 15 years ago, but it’s still going strong.
5. Text Messaging — This is a cross between e-mail and telephone.  It’s done on the phone, but it similar in form to e-mail.  Most people keep the messages short and they use a lot of abbreviations to communicate (JK!  Lol!  TTYL! L8r!).
6. Social Networks — This is the newest form.  Sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, My Space, and Twitter are all linking people together and keeping communication constant.  For those who aren’t familiar I don’t want to take the time to explain it here.  So, either ask one of your k ids, a coworker, a neighbor, a spouse, a grandparent, or simply the person standing in line waiting to get into an event chances are they are in the process of posting some random comment about what they are currently doing or have just completed.

For me, in an ideal day, I’m a nominal user of the Social Network but I utilize e-mail and text messaging a lot.  I don’t like to talk on the phone but I love to meet with people face to face.

So, what do you use?  How do you communicate?

Here you go:

Several years ago, a relatively unknown comedian, named Jeff Foxworthy, struck it rich with a routine called: YOU MIGHT BE A REDNECK.

Jeff has had his own radio show, TV program, sold tons of CD’s and DVD’s, done stand up tours all over America and made millions of people laugh with his trademark You Might Be A Redneck one-liners.  Here’s a brief sample:

“If you consider duct tape a long term investment . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If you’ve ever financed a tattoo . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If you consider a six pack of beer and a bug-zapper quality entertainment . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If your house doesn’t have curtains, but your truck does . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If your dog and your wallet are both on a chain . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If you got stopped by a state trooper and He asked you if you had an I.D. and you said, ‘Bout what?’ . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If you carried a fishing pole into Sea World . . . you might be a redneck.”

I was thinking along similar lines this week.  But my thoughts weren’t about rednecks.  I was thinking about people who are moving away from the Lord and His church and may not even recognize it.

In Matthew 24, Jesus said one of the things that would characterize the last days would be “the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).  Backsliding is a real deal and Jesus said, as we near the end of this life as we know it, backsliding will become a real epidemic.

So how do you know if you are a backslider?  Paul told the Corinthians to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  If no one else is asking us we at least ought to be asking ourselves, “Am I where I need to be as a Christian?  Or have I become a backslider?”

Jeff Foxworthy’s one-liners are funny and intended to entertain.  Mine are not funny at all and are intended to get us to examine our own hearts.  So, without any disrespect to Mr. Foxworthy or to rednecks anywhere, here we go.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE A BACKSLIDER?

“If you can’t remember the last time you had a quiet time . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you find yourself being critical (finding fault) instead of worshipful (focusing on God) when you go to church . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you’ve stopped growing spiritually and blame others for it . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you’re praying the same prayers you were praying a year ago . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you’re less involved in your church now than you were a year ago . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you don’t remember the last time you shared your faith . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you find yourself reading other books, newspapers, etc., more than your Bible
. . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you aren’t regularly praying for your lost friends and relatives to come to Christ
. . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you discover you get offended more easily now than you used to . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you don’t recall the last time you gave sacrificially, above and beyond a tithe, to your church . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you haven’t confessed your sin to God and asked for His forgiveness in the last seven days . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you find yourself resenting God’s blessings on others . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you’re offended and think this blog was written specifically for you and has no application to anyone else . . . you might be a backslider.”

SO WHAT’S THE CURE FOR BACKSLIDING?

Jesus said the most important commandment was to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” (Mark 12:30).  If there ever was a time when you loved God more than you do now, there’s no ifs, ands or buts about it – you are a backslider.

So how can you get out of the backslider’s rut and back on the right road? The short answer: turn back to God.  In 1 Kings 19, when the backslidden prophet, Elijah had run away to a cave, God told him to “go back the way you came.”  Go back to the basics and start doing what you used to do when you were on fire for God.  In Ezekiel 37:23, God said, “I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them.  They will be my people, and I will be their God.”

David, in his great prayer of repentance in Psalm 51, asked God to “restore to me the joy of my salvation.”  David didn’t just want to laugh at some funny one-liners.  He wanted genuine joy that would last.  That kind of joy only comes from God and is only given to those who are walking with God.

David wrote in Psalm 1 that the “blessed man” is not the backslider – that’s the miserable man.  Rather, the “blessed man” is the one who delights in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night . . . Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3).

One last one-liner . . .

“If you’re thankful for this blog even though you’re convicted by it . . . you might be a redneck.  But you’re not a backslider.”

Will Eternity meet my expectations?  Can Heaven deliver on its promises?

John 14:1-2 says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

Heaven is being uniquely prepared for each of our arrivals.

Genesis 28:16 tells us that after Jacob got a glimpse of Heaven he responded, “How awesome is this place!  This is none other than the house of God.

Isaiah 14:21 tells us evil won’t be present.  It will never be mentioned again.

Isaiah 25:6 tells us there will be a feast of rich foods for all peoples.  Prejudice, bigotry, racism, class envy will all be gone.

Isaiah 35:10 tells us everlasting joy will crown our heads and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Hebrews 11:40 tells us God has prepared something better so that together we would experience perfection.

Overall, Heaven is described as:

Matthew 5:11 — A great reward

Romans 8:18 — A place where our present suffering won’t be worthy to be compared to the Heavenly glory.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 — A place where eternal glory outweighs everything.

It’s with this in mind that the Apostle Paul is able to write in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

After church I drove my boys over to Morton, IL to meet their grandparents.  They are going to spend a few days with them and probably get spoiled.  Oh well . . . I guess that’s one of the perks of being a grandparent.

As I was driving back I found myself thinking about the new service and I quickly realized that as exciting as it is to think about the future and what God would do through that venue He is already doing some great things.

So, here is my Top 10 List of “Good Things God’s Doing at FCC” (By the way, these aren’t necessarily in any particular order)

1. God is bringing people together — This summer I will have been on staff at FCC for 9 years.  I cannot remember a time when there has been a stronger sense of unity among us.  Before Jesus went to the cross he prayed for the unity of his followers and that prayer is being answered at FCC.
2. God is drawing people to himself — Scripture has told us when we will honor Him and proclaim Him He will draw people to himself.  We can see that happening.
3. God is healing wounds — It seems like FCC goes through seasons when individuals and families reveal deep hurts and difficult struggles.  We’re in one of those seasons, but the encouragement is that in the midst of those experiences people are seeking to get well.  I was telling this to a friend of mine who works with those who are struggling– and his words were, “FCC seems to be a hospital for the hurting.”  That’s really a good thing.
4. God is making stronger connections — We have never had stronger ministries to men and women and families than we do right now and it’s in the midst of those efforts that we see people having their connection to God grow more solid and real.  In some ways it’s like watching storm clouds build because behind those clouds you know there is a power that is waiting to be unleashed.
5. God is keeping the leadership connected — Leaders that don’t have the Spirit of God working within them (generally — not always) seem to wander away from other leaders.  They look for space to spread their own wings and do their own thing.  On the other hand, leaders that are established in God seek partnerships and co-laborers to share in the effort.  It’s a joy to watch the leadership of FCC stand shoulder to shoulder with one another and know each of them is looking out for the heart of the other.
6. God is growing another generation — Every time I turn around I’m bumping into an Elementary or Jr. High or High School student who is doing something significant.  You can tell he/she is here for a purpose.  I have no doubt God is going to use that energy and enthusiasm and excitement to continue His work.
7. God is making FCC a fun place for everyone — It doesn’t matter whether you are looking at the playground that is packed or you’re sneaking into the Seniors Room there is fun happening.  Last week I had a few minutes and I played some cards with our Seniors who were there for their Tuesday Afternoon Games.  I lost . . . but I had fun.
8. God is keeping us financially strong — In a time when many of the prognosticators were predicting doom for churches FCC is flourishing.  The church is being faithful to the commitments we made this past fall.  Tithing is happening and as a result ministries have the opportunity to continue to pursue the vision while we also have the opportunity to more rapidly seek our release from the bondage of debt.
9. God is meeting needs — Sometimes we aren’t fully sure how He is going to do it, but he always does.  Sometimes it’s in the form of an unexpected volunteer going above and beyond the call.  Sometimes it’s in the form of someone giving an unexpected gift to someone who is facing a difficult test.  You never know how it’s going to happen, but the more I’m around FCC the more confirmed I am that it will happen.
10. God is making himself known — There is a conversation I’m hearing more and more often.  It usually sounds something similar to this, “I don’t want you to think I’m crazy, but I see God doing something in my life, and I think I’m going to try and see what He wants me to do with it.”

Anyway, I was interviewing them for an article that’s going to appear in our March Newsletter.  In the interview I asked them to share things they remember and how those things are different from what we are doing today.  I don’t say this in jest, but listening to them talk and share was a “holy” experience.  It really was.  Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”

As I listened to them talk I was reminded again of how strong the foundation of faith at FCC really is.  People have been giving their hearts and their faith to this endeavor to “Glorify God by helping people to surrender to Jesus and become more like Him” for a really long time, and God has honored those commitments.

Two other things stood out to me from our interview:

1. Children’s Ministry at FCC has been a top priority throughout and it remains true today.
2. FCC has consistently been guided by leaders who are looking for creative ways to reach out to those who don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus.

I hope you will take the time at the end of this month to read the article.  I think it will give us all a greater appreciation as well as the knowledge of the responsibility we have to carry forward what many others have worked to establish.

P.S.  Easter is just 6 Sundays away.  Our theme for that day will be “You Bet Your Life.”  I hope you will choose to invite your friends and family to be our guests for that weekend.

An aside (or two):

• For those who aren’t familiar with Lent you need to know it is a practice by some churches and Christians to take a time (40 days) to make a sacrifice in order to remember the sacrifice Jesus was preparing to make as he prepared to give himself on the cross.  The season of Lent starts today and it is called “Ash Wednesday.”  You may have actually seen people walking around in your office or workplace with a smear of ashes on their forehead.  If so, that’s the reason.  They are recognizing and participating in Ash Wednesday.
• As a church we don’t formally participate in the Lenten season.  We certainly have some folks who take advantage of the opportunity it provides and choose to participate in one form or another and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Now, back to the question, “What are you giving up for Lent this year?”

The truth is it hadn’t even crossed my mind.  I hadn’t thought about it.

So, over the course of the afternoon I’ve thought . . . and I’ve considered . . . and I really didn’t know.  I could give up sugar.  I could give up TV.  Once I tried to give up sleep, but that didn’t prove to be wildly successful.

Anyway, none of those really seemed to be “it.”

That’s when I decided I’m not going to give anything up.  I’m not going to stop doing anything.

Instead, I’m going to serve more.

Here’s my thought:  Jesus went to the cross to serve me.  He did it to make a difference in my life.  It didn’t benefit him.  He didn’t need to die and resurrect for himself.  He did it as a service for me.

So, I’m going to follow in His steps.  For this season of Lent I’m going to take an opportunity to serve.  Daily I’m going to find away to serve someone.

Today my service was taking Kadyn lunch at school.  It saved him from having to eat in the cafeteria and endure Salisbury Steak.

Tomorrow it will be something else.  I don’t know yet.

What I like most about this exercise is that it leads me to live with a more constant awareness of seeking who I should serve.  My guess is God already knows and He will bring them to me each day . . . it might be you.  So, I’m going to keep an eye out and see where I need to serve.

What about you?  What are you doing for Lent?

P.S.  Easter is only 46 days away.  Have you decided who you are going to invite to be your guest for our services?