How Would You Respond

A battered and intoxicated man stumbling and wandering around your church’s parking lot. How would you respond? The classic duck and weave and through the front doors as if you hadn’t noticed. Or…perhaps with some good old fashioned compassion. Well…Pastor Tommy Jackson had the same question and decided to play the part. He stumbled and wandered while being disguised as battered and intoxicated. And he played the part well. Well enough that no one recongnized him. He even went as far as having the cops called in. How did his congregation respond? A local news cast has the footage. Check it out here and let me know your thoughts. A pretty wild idea. I like it. Until next time. Jed.

Jesus Between Our If Then

Do you remember the if followed by a then? But, as noted, Jesus must come between our if then. If Jesus, then…

Today, I seem to be nostalgic. You see…I’m on the move. Off to a new career. A career that has been rooted within my heart and soul for nearly a decade. A career where the past roads have paved the way. And who paved these past roads? God and God alone. Without doubt or question. Although I had doubts and questions more often than not. God still paved. God is and was faithful.

I look around and then turn inward. Who am I? A wretch. A sinner. Deserving unto death. But…don’t forget that Jesus falls between my if then. As the Psalmist notes, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” I know. Do you? Simply put…we’re blessed and loved. John 15:15 notes, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.” Wow! Don’t you feel blessed and loved to be known as a friend of God!

Life will be life. Hurdles and trails will come. Doubts and questions will follow. But, God will still pave. God will still be faithful. Put your life and your trust in Him…into His hands…the author and perfecter of our faith.

I hate to burst the bubble. But, we’re ordinary. Me and you. However, place Jesus between our if then and we remain ordinary with an extraordinary God in tow…as our friend. How cool is that! Until next time. Jed.

The Grand Curtain

There is a time for everything as Solomon says. A time to build, dance, heal, laugh, mend, speak, refrain, and so on. But…what would these words look like today? A time to blog, email, message, post, surf, text, tweet, and twit. We’re flooded with information and often driven by technology. Last night, I had to chuckle and somewhat frown all at the same time. I walked through the door and waited for my running hugs. You know…the ones that all fathers cherish. Instead, my five year old asked for my phone. Why? She wanted to play a game (Super Monkey Ball). Little red parent flags started to waive and she is now fasting from my phone. Fortunately, my two year old did not let me down. Man…I love those hugs.

Time is given to all. Employees, families, friends, kids, parents, spouses…me and you. So, are we present in the present or propelled by the if only? Ever play the if only game? It’s a fun little game. Let’s give it a shot…

- If only my car was way cooler.
- If only my commute was a little closer.
- If only my knowledge was somewhat sharper.
- If only my house was a little bigger.
- If only my muscles were a tad larger.
- If only my office was a few floors higher.

Now, what follows the if only? The then. You fill in the blank. Then…I’ll be better, happier, healthier, and/or wealthier. Conquer one if only and guess what’s waiting around the next corner. Yep. Another if only. Corner after corner. If only after if only.

Ready for the grand curtain? If only I knew Jesus, then I’ll be blessed. Present in the present and trusting in the Lord. We’ll dig deeper within upcoming posts. Until next time. Jed.

By the way…my sister-in-law has started a blog and it’s great. I’m proud of her. Check it out here.

Young Adults And The Church

My father-in-law recently passed along the following email from Jeff Meyers. Check it out.

Two years ago Tobin Belzer, Richard W. Flory, Nadia Roumani, and Brie Loskota conducted a study entitled "Congregations that Get It: Understanding Religious Identities in the Next Generation." Their study was published in a book called "Passing on the Faith: Transforming Traditions for the Next Generation of Jews, Christians, and Muslims," edited by James L. Heft (New York: Fordham University Press, 2006).

The authors studied several churches that seem to be successful in attracting young adults and passing the baton of godly faithfulness to them. They conclude that young adults are basically looking for six things:

1. Young adults want to feel that their presence is valued. They want to feel that they are a part of the body of Christ, that they are needed, and that they will be missed if they don't show up.

2. Young adults want a sense of ownership in their congregations. They want to have the opportunity to walk alongside leaders and have opportunities to have their ideas heard and acted on.

3. Young adults' interests in religion are multi-faceted. They want a place where they can be part of a community, obtain emotional support and guidance (mentoring), develop their personal and professional network, and learn about tradition and rituals.

4. Young adults thrive when they are "met where they are." Many of them haven't grown up in church. They don't want to feel judged or be ashamed about what they do not know.

5. Young adults welcome opportunities to feel emotionally affected. They want to be moved by music, a connection to their history, a sense of cultural heritage, and nostalgia.

6. Young adults respond to a theoretical and practical balance between the particular and the universal. They want to be free to ask hard questions and they shy away from people who show a lack of respect for other religious traditions.

Good stuff and completely lines up with my recent read by Dan Kimball (They Like Jesus But Not The Church). Until next time. Jed.

God's Pie

An intriguing video. Money aside…this video can apply to all walks of life. Especially your time.

The Speechless Sin

Ever been lost for words? Tongue tied? Speechless? Perhaps with good news such as the birth of a child or promotion at work. Or…perhaps with not so good news such as a diagnosis or layoff. Your mouth opens and nothing comes out…followed by nothing again.

Forget the good or not so good. What about sin? Wait, wait, wait…time out. Let’s not talk about sin. Who struggles with sin? Not me. Must be you. What’s that verse again? Something about a log in my eye. Right…

Sin often cripples and leaves us speechless with blame and shame. Who wants to talk of that? But, we have a voice. We have an advocate.

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But, if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (1st John 1:1-2)

It is not either or. It is both and. We must cling to Christ if we are to experience the free life and when sin hits we have an advocate who will speak on our behalf and has already paid the price. So simple…yet so impossibly amazing!

No more wallowing in silence. Lift your head and praise the Lord. And let’s not forget the world. John Piper says it best. Don’t hog Jesus! Families, friends, and neighbors wallow day in and out. Share your advocate. Share Jesus! Until next time. Jed.