The pastor and intimacy

In class on Monday afternoon, we talked about the importance of creating intimacy as a key role for the pastor. The fact that most people hear intimacy and usually think only - or mainly - about sexual activity reveals an underlying struggle in the battle to foster intimacy with those to whom we minister.

We live in a world where intimacy has been redefined to the point where many people struggle to understand what intimacy is really supposed to look like. Over the last 100 years, our society has changed significantly, both for the better and the worse. While I acknowledge many benefits from our "advancements" over the last century, I want to focus in this post on some of the things that have been lost.

The advancements in technology have significantly changed the way we communicate. A little over 100 years ago, you basically had two ways to communicate. You could talk face to face with someone or send them a letter. Today, we can call, Skype, text, email, and use a variety of other methods of communication. With social media websites like Facebook, we are able to maintain "friendships" with thousands of people. While there are benefits to these changes, there is a significant downside that we often fail to recognize, or at least acknowledge. One of the casualties resulting from this myriad of communication options is the lack of depth in most relationships. While many people have a lot more "friends" thanks to Facebook, few - if any - of those relationships develop to the point of real intimacy. I may know what musicians hundreds of people like. I may get to see their pictures from a sporting event or read a catchy quote from the book they are reading. But do I really know them?

Study after study shows that while this generation of young people is the most connected in history, this same generation experiences levels of loneliness, depression, and abandonment that have never been seen before. We know more (people), but we know less. Our relationships have become much more shallow. When friends communicate mostly though texting and messages, they lose the ability to see one another's expressions, read body language, and build the level of intimacy that only comes through spending time in one another's presence.

Is it any wonder that more and more people feel disconnected from God and have a hard time developing a deeper relationship with God? The Bible is not a catalogue of text messages. The Holy Spirit seeks more than an occasional status update on how your life is going. The Father does not just want to get an occasional call from his children. God desires deep, significant intimacy. And in a world where we seem to be moving 100 miles an hour and multi-tasking, developing that kind of intimate relationship is extremely challenging, if not impossible.

In addition, the saturation of marketing as a part of our society has created an environment where almost everything is measured on a surface level. Magazines spend hours perfecting their cover photo. People pay thousands of dollars to have surgery so they can look a few years younger. The label on clothing seems to be more important that the person inside the clothes. We are told over and over again that our value is determined by what car we drive, what pants we wear, what we drink, and a variety of other products that will make us the best person possible.

We have to be careful. This is the same attitude that led to things such as Hitler's campaigns of euthanasia and genocide. I am not saying that we are all headed for mass murder, but when we determine someone's worth based on their appearance, we are focusing on the wrong thing. The reality is that things haven't changed much, even after thousands of years. God told the prophet Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) While this has always been a struggle for people, our societies overwhelming focus on the surface has made it even harder to listen to and live according to the words spoken to Samuel.

The third leg of this stool is the immense sexualization of nearly everything. It's nearly impossible to watch TV, listen to music, or even walk down the hallways of a school and not be overwhelmed by the ways in which sexuality is shaping our society. A recent study determined that "92% of the 174 songs that made it into the Top Ten in 2009 contained one or more reproductive messages, with an average of 10.49 reproductive phrases per song." Sexuality is everywhere and almost nothing is off-limits anymore. I am not trying to be a prude, but this kind of exposure can be destructive emotional, socially, and spirituality.

Our society is teaching us to pursue immediate gratification. This onslaught of messages for cheap and easy intimacy is welcome news to a generation starving for attention, affection, and acceptance. Like a child raised on Cheetos and candy bars, this steady diet of a message that teaches short-term, immediate satisfaction develops a habit of "consuming" whatever brings happiness at the moment, regardless of the long-term "nutritional value." The very "solution" to loneliness that our society parades before us is actually making things worse.

So into the midst of this mess steps the pastor. She brings a message that is contrary to the one the world is screaming out. As voice after voice cries out in anguish, grasping whatever quick fix is available, the pastor seeks to share a message that brings true salvation, but also requires real intimacy.

People ask me all of the time why so many young people are leaving the church. I could probably list off dozens of reasons, but the scenario listed above would probably be at the top of the list. When we swim in water that is polluted with shallow relationships, surface assessments, and a sexualized view of most everything, we are sure to get sick.

So what does the pastor do?

Does he ignore everything around him and cluster his people in a bunker? No. We are called to be salt and light to the world. We cannot hide our light under a bushel.

Does she embrace the world and simply deliver the message of God by dressing it up in the clothing the society offers? No. What good is a salt that has lost it's saltiness?

The pastor must start by examining his own heart and mind. While he cannot dictate how everyone else should live, the pastor can dictate how he lives. He must set expectations and standards for himself that allow him to maintain his saltiness and shine his light. This will not look identical for every pastor, but the principles cannot be ignored.

Then the pastor must live her life in a way that reflects the light of Christ. She will not be perfect, but she must pursue perfection. Without judging others, she must present her life as a living sacrifice that embodies the character of God. When she does this, the light will expose the darkness in her midst, both in the lives of others and (here is the scariest part) herself.

This is not an easy journey or calling. Being a pastor is an immense blessing, but it also carries significant challenges. As I wrestle with all of the questions raised by the challenges above, I don't have all of the answers. But I will, in the words of Paul, "press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12)

shine!
Jason

Journey with Jesus

For the month of October, our students are invited to take a “Journey with Jesus” by reading through all four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I am going to encourage students to focus on one Gospel each week. Here is a guide for the month:

• October 2-8 --> Matthew


• October 9-15 --> Mark


• October 16-22 --> Luke


• October 23-29 --> John

On the morning of Sunday, October 30, we will celebrate the students who completed the “journey.”

If we want to live like Jesus, we need to get to know him better. There is nothing that can help us walk like Jesus better than knowing him. Shortly after that first Pentecost when 3,000 people were baptized, the believers were already faced with challenges. As a matter of fact, Peter and John were put in jail for preaching about the resurrection of Jesus.

They were brought in front of the rulers, the elders, and the teachers of the law, including the High Priest. These fishermen from Galilee found themselves being questioned by some of the most studied biblical scholars of their day. It would be similar to you being brought before the Supreme Court and then told to defend yourself.

In spite of the challenge before them and the fact that they were outnumbered, look at what Luke writes about the situation: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

This is why I believe the “Journey with Jesus” is so important. It is a chance for you to spend a month being with Jesus. As you read the story of Jesus from four different perspectives, you can gain a better understanding of who Jesus is, and, who you need to be. This isn’t just an exercise in gaining knowledge. It is a crucial way to gaining wisdom and learn about the One you are supposed to follow.

It may seem like a lot of reading, but it will likely be some of the most important reading you will ever do. It may not be for a grade, but what you receive will be far more important than an “A”. You will receive words that will shape and transform you into the image of the One who created you.

 

shine!
Jason

Loving your enemy

Earlier this week, one of my students posed this question:

"On todays lesson, how would we have people we call enemies if we always love, never hate?"

This is a great question and I thought I would spend a few minutes responding. First of all, here is how the dictionary defines enemy: "A person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something." So based on that definition, an enemy would be someone who is opposed to or hostile towards you. So we would call them enemies, regardless of how we treat them.

But, let me get to the heart of the issue that may or may not be behind this particular question. I will begin by sharing a portion of the passage that was central to our conversation in class, Romans 12:17-21:

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

No matter how much we love people, some will continue to choose to hate us. We may always love others, but that doesn't mean they have to return the favor. I believe this is what Paul is trying to say in the above passage. As much as we are able to, we should seek to live at peace with others. We should even extend love towards them regardless of their response.

But even if we could always show love - which, at least in my life is more of a goal than a reality - there will be times when people don't show love back. But God's desire is pretty clear. Regardless of whether others treat you as a friend or an enemy, show them love and grant them peace.

To be honest, this can be difficult. I don't want to treat someone kindly when they are rude to me. I don't want to show love when someone displays hatred towards me. I don't want to extend peace to someone who is waging war with me. But this is the path we choose when we follow Christ. It isn't always the easy road, but it is the way that leads to the abundant life.

At the end of the day, we may always have enemies, but we don't always have to be an enemy.

shine!
Jason

What are we doing to our children?

This morning I arrived at a local middle school shortly before 7:00am. As I was walking up to the flagpole, I heard a familiar sound. It was a marching band. I looked over to see the high school band on the field, under the lights. Since it wasn't even daylight yet, they needed the lights on to practice on the field.

This got me to thinking and asking the question posed in the title of this post: What are we doing to our children?

I have read various studies that seem to agree on two fundamental things about teenagers and sleep. First of all, they have found that as children move into adolescence, their bodies naturally shift to an later bedtime. When a teenager suddenly wants to stay up later, it seems they are responding to a change that God created to occur. The other thing they have discovered is that most teenagers need 8-1/2 to 9-1/2 hours of sleep each night. These findings are not from one random study. Almost all the studies I have encountered confirm this information.

It seems like our society has chosen to ignore this and keep on going. If we really listened to this data, would we do things like schedule a marching band practice that starts before 7:00am? (Trust me, I am not picking on marching band. I loved marching band in high school. This is just the tangible example I encountered this morning.)

What in the world are we doing? We're either stupid, blind, or so driven by something that we ignore the obvious.

Think about this...

We medicate a significant number of adolescents in this country for ADHD, ADD, depression, and a variety of other mental and emotional issues. (Let me take a time-out before I go any further. I have been working with teenagers for over a dozen years and there are certainly situations where medication is an appropriate and necessary part of treatment. There are students I have ministered to for whom some form of medication was the right response. I want to set the record straight on that before I continue.)

While I am not a doctor (and never even played one on TV), I think that we often use medicine as the solution and ignore the real problem, our inability to be grown-ups. It seems like we often fail our teenagers in several ways. Sometimes, I think that in our desire to help our children be successful, we push them to do as much as they can to build self-esteem, develop skills, fill their resume for college applications, and - if we're honest - to make us look like successful parents.

In addition, we sometimes struggle to tell our children to say no. I am always impressed with the parents who tell their children that they can only participate in one significant sport/activity at a time. I am not sure if these parents do this for their own sanity, to protect their children, or some of both. Whether it's the desire to have our children like us, an attempt to avoid one more thing to fight about, or some other reason, it seems like there are times when adolescents lack someone helping them say no to things.

Add to this the fact that just when adolescents need adult guidance the most, we often seem to be absent. Barbara Strauch, in her book The Primal Teen, outlines some recent discoveries about the development of the adolescent mind that show how physical changes in the brain significantly cloud the ability of teens to see consequences and the bigger picture in their decision-making process. When we ask teenagers, "Didn't you know that would happen if you did that?" and they say, "No," they aren't being defiant (well, at least much of the time). They're brains are going through changes that make it difficult for them to think about the consequences of their decisions.

So whether it's something as severe as a destructive decision or something as (seemingly) harmless as the inability to make wise decisions about how many things to get involved in, teenagers need guidance.

But here's the other side to this coin. They aren't eight-years-old any more. They are entering a phase a life where they need the freedom to make their own decisions, think for themselves, and (more than we would like) to make mistakes. We cannot hold their hand and make every decision for them.

Unfortunately, there isn't an instruction manual for all this. Every child is different and every family will have to navigate their own path through this phase of life. I don't have a teenager yet and I know that I will make my share of mistakes when we get there. I have made enough mistakes as a parent already, but I know there are more in the future.

I have digressed, so let me return to where I started. I am not writing this as a reaction to an individual family, but rather as a reaction to who we have become as a society.

I work with teenagers who struggle with depression, loneliness, anger, and a host of other emotional issues. In the last dozen years I have watched the frequency and level of these struggles increase. We medicate teens. We blame teens. We punish teens. We ask what's wrong with teens these days. We create more activities to keep them out of trouble. But it seems we avoid the real issue and the best solution.

Do we want to reduce teen suicide? Teen depression? Teen loneliness? I have a simple but challenging answer.

Sabbath.

We need to slow down. I am not just talking about our teens. I am talking about us, too. And in saying this I implicate myself. I am too busy. My schedule is too full. I have too many things on my personal calendar. I probably have too many things on my youth ministry calendar.

We are way too busy. In our drive to be successful, we are failing. While we try to build self-esteem, we are destroying ourselves. As we strive to find worth in performance, possessions, and popularity, we often feel worthless on the inside. We can never measure up to the expectations we place before us. We can never do enough. There is always more to do.

We are raising up a generation that doesn't know what rest is. When they're not running somewhere, they're surfing the web. When they're not engaged in some activity, they are listening to their iPod, watching TV, or playing video games. Text messages are sent and received all hours of the day. Nowhere is safe from the invasion of the cell phone.

I don't have an easy answer. If I am going to be completely honest, I often don't want to unplug and slow down either. Our society is addicted to being busy. There is usually time almost every day that I get frustrated with myself for not taking enough time to be still.

And this leads me to a good place to stop (I have gone on too long already). In all of our efforts to pursue happiness and success, we rob ourselves of opportunities to experience joy. In Psalm 46:10, God says, "Be still, and know that I am God." One of the questions parents ask me is, "Why are so many young people leaving the church?" An answer I often hear is that the church isn't relevant. While I agree that we need to communicate in ways that speak to our audience, I don't think that's the ultimate answer.

Maybe the reason so many of our children are abandoning their faith is because they don't slow down enough to hear God's voice. And if we want someone to blame, we should probably start by looking in the mirror.

shine!
Jason

See You at the Pole

This Wednesday, September 28, is the annual See You at the Pole. The theme this year is “Converge” and the focus Scripture is Matthew 18:20 (CEV): Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you. Below is some information I gathered from their website, www.syatp.com:

What is See You at the Pole™?

See You at the Pole™ is a global movement of prayer which is student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led. It revolves around students praying together on the fourth Wednesday in September, usually before school and usually at the school's flag pole. It involves student in elementary schools, middle/junior high schools, high schools, and colleges/universities across the globe. Adults often pray in support of the students on campus by gathering nearby, at their places of work or worship, or at city halls.

Why meet at the flagpole in front of the school?

In 1990 when youth ministers in Texas first challenged young people to meet on a common day to launch their school year in prayer, one of the concerns what how to help those who wanted to pray together find each other. It was noted that virtually every school has a flagpole, and the flagpole provided an easy-to-identify place to gather. Also, one issue that the teenagers were praying about was the spiritual health of their country and their leaders, in obedience to 1 Timothy 2:1–2. Hence, the location and name of the event!

How did See You at the Pole™ start?

See You at the Pole™ was inspired by the initiative of student in one youth group in Burleson, Texas, early in 1990. The teenagers felt led to go and pray at night at several area schools during a weekend youth group retreat. They had a profound time of prayer, and their experience was shared with thousands of other youth from across Texas in the form of a challenge in June 1990 at a large conference. More than 56,000 students on 1,200 campuses in Texas and three other states were documented at the first See You at the Pole™ in September of that year. The movement continued to grow nationally and internationally from 1991 on.

I want to encourage every student to participate in this event. It is an opportunity to join with other Christians in your school to pray for your friends, your teachers, and your school. It is a great chance to be blessed and to be a blessing to others.

 

shine!

Jason

 

Spiritual diet

Imagine you walk into your local Wendy’s to grab dinner. As you sit down, you notice a teenager sitting at a table not too far away. His mom is sitting across from him. No big deal, right? You see this all the time.

But here is where things get a little bizarre. His mom reaches into her purse and pulls out a jar of baby food. You watch in amazement as she pulls out a feeding spoon, opens the jar, and begins feeding her teenager.

Sound pretty weird? I am guessing that would draw a lot of attention and seem a little out of place. You might think, “Hey, shouldn’t he be eating a burger or something? Doesn’t this guy know how to feed himself? Doesn’t he want something with a little more substance than peas from a blender?”

Absolutely!

But here’s the irony. While we would think it’s ridiculous for a teenager to be spoon-fed baby food at Wendy’s, many teenagers think nothing of being spoon-fed spirituality. They continue to look for the soft meals that are easy to swallow and require little effort. These students – and if we’re going to be fair, some adults as well – don’t want to move beyond the baby food when it comes to growing spiritually.

In Hebrews 5:11-14, we read the following: We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Are you settling for the milk – the baby food – when it comes to spiritual growth? Are you maturing as a follower of Christ or are you still sitting in a spiritual preschool?

Sometimes maturing in our spirituality is hard work. It requires us to make sacrifices and change our priorities. It demands that we seek righteousness in our thinking and actions. It will often lead us to places where we must make difficult decisions. But the further we travel down the path, the more we will experience the joy, peace, and abundant life that Jesus talks about.

You stopped eating baby food a long time ago, right? Is it time for you to change your “eating” habits in your spiritual diet?

 

shine!
Jason

 

Ten years ago today

Ten years ago today, nearly 3,000 people lost in their lives in the most deadly terrorist attack in American history. I remember spending much of the day watching news coverage as our nation – and much of the world – stood in shock from the day’s events. The scenes of planes crashing into buildings, people jumping from windows and falling over 1,000 feet to their deaths, and skyscrapers collapsing are forever etched in my mind.

But I also remember moments that brought hope into a dark moment of history. Firefighters, along with volunteers who just showed up, were digging through the rubble looking for survivors. On a plane flying over Pennsylvania, a handful of passengers overcame those who had hijacked their plane and prevented even further death and destruction. Members of Congress – who spend much of their time tearing one another down – stood together in a sign of unity. Across the nation, people gathered together to pray and comfort one another.

While that was a tragic day that changed our nation, the reality is that darkness surrounds us every day. People die from drug abuse. Poverty causes millions to suffer starvation and malnutrition. Children and adults suffer from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The list could go on and on, but we must realize that the darkness isn’t just in the places you would expect.

People in suburbs live in nice homes and have a comfortable lifestyle, but sometimes their lives are hollow and lonely. Families that might look good on the outside, often struggle with anger, resentment, depression, and abandonment. Darkness doesn’t care about your social status, your bank account, or your profession. No one is immune.

We live in a world where darkness occasionally makes it presence known with a grand display, such as September 11, 2001, but where it more often subtly sneaks into our lives and the lives of those around us. As we remember a very dark day that occurred ten years ago, we must also be vigilant every day as darkness seeks to overcome us in ways that aren’t so visible or obvious.

Today, we should take a minute to reflect on what happened ten years ago. We should honor those who lost their lives, whether innocent victims or heroic responders. But we must also take a minute to reflect on our own lives to determine what we are doing today to bring light to a world full of darkness.

In Ephesians 5:8-10, Paul writes, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.”

Whether it’s terrorists flying planes into skyscrapers or the person at your school who is bullying others, darkness is all around us. Live in such a way that your life brings the fruit of the light into every situation you encounter.

 

shine!
Jason

 

The Big Idea

Starting in September, we will be kicking off a new church-wide initiative on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. We will be using The Big Idea as a way to help us think more deeply about a particular theme. Our Sunday morning sermon, adult Bible classes, and teen classes will approach this main theme from a variety of angles and perspectives.

The first theme is “Who We Are,” and will run for the month of September. Here is The Really Big Idea that will drive our theme:

We so what we are. Our activity is the result of our identity. We serve a God who created us for community, called us to greater faith and discipleship, and empowered is to partner with him in service for his kingdom. Especially in times of transition, we need to remind ourselves that as the church we have a mission and calling that is rooted in God. As we transition in our leadership, we are standing firm in our commitment to being the people of God who will live as his people in this time and place – Rochester Church is still a place where people can connect, grow, and serve in Christ.

It is a great time to be the church. As the church, we are the people of God – we are defined and identified by his presence. And out identity points us towards our activity. In short, we do what we are. Put another way, our activity is the result of our identity. In every season, we must remind ourselves that we serve a God who created us for community, called us to greater faith and discipleship, and empowered us to partner with him in service for his kingdom. This is the mission of the Rochester Church of Christ.

Our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening series will both take different angles on this theme. The Sunday morning series, BFF, will consider what it means to make our relationship with God the central piece of our identity. On Wednesday nights, we will look at what it means to make godly love a core characteristic of who we are.

I am looking forward to this Fall and all of the opportunities we will have to explore what it means to live in God’s kingdom.

 

shine!
Jason

 

Just a little talk with Jesus

There is an older hymn called “Just A Little Talk With Jesus.” As we finish our summer series on prayer, I wanted to share the lyrics of this hymn…

Just A Little Talk With Jesus



Verse 1:

I once was lost in sin but Jesus took me in

And then a little light from heaven filled my soul

It bathed my heart in love and wrote my name above

And just a little talk with Jesus made me whole



Chorus:

Now let us have a little talk with Jesus

Let us tell Him all about our troubles

He will hear our faintest cry

He will answer by and by

Now when you feel a little prayer wheel turning

And you know a little fire is burning

You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right



Verse 2:

Sometimes my path seems dreary without a ray of cheer

And then the cloud about me hides the light of day

The mists in me rise and hide the stormy skies

But just a little talk with Jesus clears the way



Verse 3:

I may have doubts and fears, my eyes be filled with tears

But Jesus is a friend who watches day and and night

I go to Him in prayer, He knows my every care

And just a little talk with Jesus makes it right



Chorus

 

At first glace this song might seem a little simplistic. You might think, “Whatever!” Just a little talk with Jesus doesn’t make everything right for me. When I am struggling, it doesn’t help. When life stinks, it doesn’t help.

While I agree that just saying one little prayer may not make it right, I believe that a life lived in conversation with Jesus will.

Prayer is not like a saying “Abracadabra.” It is not like the case on the wall that says “Break Glass in Case of Emergency.” It is an ongoing conversation with God.

Think about if the only time you talked to your parents or a friend was when you were in trouble. Do you think that would be much of a relationship?

Sometimes we pray in emergencies. There will be moments we ask God for help. But it should be in the larger context of a way of life that is marked by prayer.

If our life is filled with moments of having little talks with Jesus, God will begin to transform us. We will be shaped into the people we should be. And in the process, prayer will lead us through life, both the good times and the bad.

Does just a little talk with Jesus make it right? When talking with Jesus is how we live, then our lives will be right. And when we strive to live like that, our lives may not be perfect, but they will be filled with the peace that surpasses understanding that Paul writes about in Philippians.

 

shine!
Jason

 

To know and be known

This past Sunday in class, we wrestled with the idea of unanswered prayers. There were some questions that were raised and we had a great discussion. However, it seemed like at the end we had surfaced more questions than answers.

That might make some people uneasy, but for me it is simply a part of the journey. While God is near and accessible, God is also beyond comprehension. We are seeking to develop a relationship with a God who desires intimacy, but also requires awe.

In his letter to the churches around Ephesus, Paul penned the following prayer…

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Paul realized that God is both within reach and beyond our understanding. In the same prayer, Paul asks for God to live within us while calling us to seek a love that surpasses our ability to comprehend it.

This journey can be frustrating and discouraging at times. There are moments in life when we fail to understand why something happens or where God might be in the midst of the mess.

In those moments, I don’t believe that God wants us to blindly accept reality and just “deal with it.” At that same time, I don’t believe that God wants us to walk away. God weeps when we weep, smiles when we smile, and stands beside us when we can no longer stand. That is where prayer comes in.

Prayer is a way for us to connect with a God that loves us more than we can imagine. God wants us to cry when we need to shed tears and laugh when we rejoice. God wants to walk this journey of life with us so that when our life here ends, we can continue the journey with God into eternity. In the meantime, God wants nothing more than to know his people and for God’s people to know him.

 

shine!
Jason

 

Meeting Jesus in Cincinnati

This past week, many of us have been in Cincinnati for our sixth annual mission trip to the Millvale community. It has once again been a very challenging, exciting, and encouraging week with the children in the community.

One of the things I am always reminded of on this trip is that when you serve you are blessed as much – if not more – than those you serve. The smiles on the faces of the children here at Millvale are contagious. You can't help but love them!

This week I have had a glimpse of the world that Jesus imagines and describes in the Sermon on the Mount. It is not a world where power, prestige, and possessions have much worth. Rather, it is a world where the most important things are heart, humility, and hunger for God. It is a place where no one is too good for anyone else and we all live together as a community of people created in the image of Almighty God. Jesus describes the people in this kingdom in the following way...

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Imagine a world with these kind of people. Would it look different than the world we live in today? Absolutely!

But here is the secret. You and I are invited to participate in this kind of kingdom today. God is asking us to become a part of a movement whose aim is to turn the world upside down. It's a world where peace overcomes violence and mercy upends judgement. A place where we seek the best interests of others before we pursue our own desires. It's a kingdom where love and grace replace hate and aggression.

I had a glimpse of that world this week. I saw it embodied by a group of students who sacrificed a week of summer to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a group of people who are often overlooked, ignored, or labelled by much of the world. And that is exactly what the Kingdom of God is all about.

 

shine!
Jason

 

God's family

We all belong to a variety of communities. It could be a group at school. Maybe a club or team. Even your family is a community. But there is one community that we have that is above everyone other. The apostle Peter describes it this way…

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Peter says that we are God’s special possession. You and I are called into a community, a nation, a family of people, who have a special relationship with God. It is a relationship that has, for centuries, brought together people of every race, tribe, and nationality. It trumps every other allegiance we have.

However, many of us fail to live to the calling we have. We allow other things to be more important than the community God has called us into. We often neglect the relationships with the people who are a part of the community that is God’s church. This neglect sometimes results in shallow relationships, but it also can go as far as hurting our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The apostle John wrote, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” (1 John 4:20-21)

Those are pretty strong words, but they are words we cannot ignore. John is stating that we cannot love God and yet hate our brothers and sisters in Christ. We cannot gossip about them, put them down, turn our back on them, treat them with disrespect, or disregard them. This is an essential part of our life as followers of Christ. If we love God, John says that we will love those who are in the family of God.

The most damaging thing for most churches – and most youth groups – is not the influence of the culture, although that is a significant issue. The most damaging thing for many youth groups and churches is the disunity that exists within the family of God. Paul tells us the following…

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

Are you honoring the name you represent, the name of God? Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you show humility, gentleness, patience, love, and peace as you interact with those who are a part of the body of Christ? The answers to these question may be some of the most important as you consider how to live as a member of God’s family.

 

shine!
Jason

 

Whose mind is changing?

Why is it that we so often pray hoping that God will change his mind, but rarely do we pray to God asking for him to change our minds?

People like to say that prayer is talking to God, and that is true. But I think that our language reveals something important about our prayer life. I think that most of us look at prayer as a one-way conversation. We talk to God and expect God to answer our prayers. The answer we expect is more like the answer we expect at the McDonald’s drive-thru than when we talk to a friend.

At McDonald’s, we talk to the little speaker and hope than when we pull around to the window, we will be handed what we asked for. Often we do the same with God. But instead of paying at the first window, our “payment” to God is that we go to church.

But what if we looked at a prayer more as a conversation with a friend? What if we spent as much time – if not more time – listening for God as we do talking at God? How would that change our prayer life?

Prayer is praise, confession, petition, and submission all in one essential dialogue. Prayer calls us to speak of good and evil, while asking not just for what we want, but – more importantly – what we need. It is a dialogue, a conversation, where we have the opportunity to interact with the Creator of the universe.

We have made prayer the opposite of what it was intended to be. Most of the time, we ask God for things hoping that he will be shaped into our image and provide our desires. The reality is that prayer should be transforming us into God’s image and helping us ask for God’s desires.

In Psalm 46:1,10-11, David writes the following:

¹God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble…

¹⁰He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Maybe the reason we often don’t feel like God is an ever-present help is because we are so busy talking, that we don’t take time to listen. Be still…the LORD Almighty is with us.

 

shine!
Jason

 

Perspective from 14,110 feet

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit with the Eastside Church of Christ in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is the congregation Patrick will be moving to next month. They had asked me to come out and preach on Sunday morning as well as teach their teen class, since their youth minister was out of town. It is always an encouragement to meet other followers of Jesus.

Two of my favorite parts of the week were our visit the Garden of the Gods and our trip up to Pikes Peak. There is nothing quite like having an opportunity to witness the majesty of God’s creation. There is something amazing about standing in front of a rock formation several hundred feet tall or on top of a mountain whose peak stands 14,100 feet above sea level.

I want to share with you a portion of Psalm 65 (verses 5-8), a psalm write by David:

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.



As I think about God forming the mountains, I think about the amount of power to create something that majestic. When I was younger, I used to love to play in the sand and create small “mountains.” Typically, these mountains would stand less than a foot tall and would fall apart pretty easily.

Our God created mountain upon mountain. He formed the mountain I stood on that is over two and half miles high. He created all of the mountains I saw as I looked out from the summit of Pikes Peak.

This same God created you and me. The Creator who formed every mountain by his power also made you and me. The same David who wrote Psalm 65 wrote the following words in Psalm 139:13-14:

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

I stand in awe of God because he formed the incredible mountain I stood on last weekend. But I also stand in awe of God because God created each one of us. You and I are fearfully and wonderfully made. The same power that created majestic mountains created us. We are not only created by God; we are God’s most prized creation. We were created in the image of God and God was willing to sacrifice all he had to redeem us. That is more incredible that any mountain. Let these words from Psalm 36:5-6 resonate in your heart and mind…

Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.

 

shine!
Jason

Back where I belong

Last Sunday, June 26, we announced that I was returning to my role as Minister for Families with Youth at Rochester Church. Below is what I shared with the parents and students that morning...

Let me begin by extending a thank you to this church and to our elders. Thank you for your ongoing support. Thank you for the opportunity to explore a different role here at Rochester Church. And, thank you for allowing and affirming my return to the role that I believe God has designed me for.

So how did we get here today? Let me start near the end of the story.

Four weeks ago today, Michelle and I were in this very room setting up tables and chairs for the annual Backyard BBQ. As many of you know, that became a basement BBQ because of the rain that had fallen and the threat of storms.

How many of you have seen the movie The Sixth Sense? If you haven’t, I apologize because I am about to ruin the ending.

Anyway, in the midst of setting up chairs, I had a moment very similar to the one Bruce Willis’ character experienced at the end of that movie. I froze, looked at my wife, and said, “What are we doing? Why are we walking away from THIS?”

At that moment, so many situations from the last nine months flashed before my eyes. I thought of times of excitement like Winterfest, Illuminate, and 30 Hour Famine. I remembered one-on-one conversations with students. It was much like Bruce Willis’ character when he realizes he has been dead the whole movie. Suddenly, a bunch of otherwise random moments of joy, frustration, and depression all fit together.

That started a week of prayer and discernment. I contacted several close friends in ministry and asked for their wisdom and guidance. I asked them to pray for me. I asked them to ask me all of the tough questions. I asked them to join with me in sorting through what I was thinking and feeling.

One of the most interesting conversations was with David Rubio. David is the youth minister at Otter Creek Church where Josh Graves now ministers. About two years ago, David began a transition at Otter Creek where he was going to move from youth ministry into working with pastoral care and small groups as Josh came on board to oversee preaching and teaching.

Just short of a year into the transition, the search team at Otter Creek had narrowed their search down to two candidates for the youth ministry position, and they were about to bring these two in for on-site interviews.

Just days before they bought tickets to fly these two people in, David had a moment where it “hit him” that he was moving away from the ministry he was most passionate about and most gifted to serve in. He approached his leadership and asked if he could return to his old position. After a brief period of prayer and discernment, David returned to his role in the youth ministry, where he has been serving for the last year. He told me it has become clear to him that he made the right decision and God has affirmed that.

While I realize this is a different church and I am not David, it was eerie to me how similar our stories were. If nothing else, my conversation with him helped me see that I was not completely crazy (or that at least one other person was a crazy as me).

It was also during that week that spent some time with God in my backyard. Don’t picture some quiet, serene scene with me sitting under a tree. No. I was mowing my yard. Mowing is a spiritual event for me. I typically put in my earbuds and pull up my Chris Tomlin music while I mow. Normally, I sing along as I mow (much to the chagrin of my neighbors who might be listening). However, this time I took a slightly different approach. I decided to simply listen. Listen to the music. And listen for God’s voice. What was it that I needed to hear in this time of prayer and discernment?

What I heard over the next hour and a half was very clear to me. I kept hearing this voice saying to me, “You’re a youth pastor. You’re a youth pastor.” This was yet another confirmation for me.

In addition to my conversation with David and my lawn mowing experience, I talked with ministers, missionaries, friends, and spiritual mentors. They did ask me tough questions. They challenged me with their comments and inquiries. But, after talking with them, each of them affirmed (either at the end of our discussion or later), that they sensed this was the right decision.

It was at the end of that week that I called Jim Randolph. Michelle and I went to his house on Saturday afternoon and spent several hours talking with Jim. He asked some of the same questions I had heard throughout the week. He listened to our hearts. We talked at some length about why Michelle and I felt this was where we should serve.

That Wednesday evening, I met with the eldership and again shared much of what I have shared with you this morning. They also asked some of the same questions. They also listened. They were both loving and diligent in our conversation and I appreciate and love every one of them for their love for me, my family, and this church.

Over the next week and half, they continued to engage in prayer, discernment, and discussion. Last weekend, we gathered together and they affirmed my return to the role that I know that God has called me to.

I stand before you today having experienced some of the same frustrations and disappointments that many of your have experienced. As a matter of fact, it was just a few months ago that I sat in this room on a Wednesday night and shared with the teens here that night that I felt I had let them down. I wasn’t as present with them as I wished I could have been during the season following Nancy Milligan and Jeremy King’s deaths. In spite of the many events we continued to offer, I know that they sensed I had divided attention. That has weighed on my heart for some time and I look forward to a renewed season of attention completed devoted to students and their families.

I realize that this transition raises questions, and while I can’t anticipate every question, I want to answer a few questions that seem to have come up a number of times in the last month.

What about your passion for the other job?

This is a very fair and good question, and it’s one I myself have wrestled with over the last month. I think there are a few things related to answering this question. The first one is that I firmly believe that the things that are a part of that role are important to me. I am a huge proponent of small groups. I feel that good pastoral care is important for every family in this church. I believe that it is crucial for us to get new members connected. I believe in the LifeStage model and desire that every LifeStage ministers to and equips its families. These things are not any less important to me than they were a few months ago.

We have made a lot of headway in these areas. Mike Thomas and I have been working together to reinvigorate our LifeGroups and things are moving towards a Fall launch. Ramie Robinson and I have been working to refine our Pastoral Care Ministry and we are in the process of adding some additional aspects of pastoral care for families in crisis. We have been seeking and developing new methods for improving the way we connect our new members. The full-time and part-time staff members anchoring each LifeStage have been working together to improve interaction between LifeStages.

For me, the issue is not that I don’t think those things are important. As a matter of fact, we have accomplished a lot while still providing a significant, albeit reduced level of ministry for our families with youth.

What has become abundantly clear to me over the last month or so is that my deepest, most significant passion is still ministering with and to families with youth. I love students. I love their parents. And I love watching families connect, grow, and serve. As a matter of fact, most of the highlights of the last year for me have been moments spent with students and their families.

Are there any other underlying reasons?

Another fair question. We have been through a lot of changes over the last nine months. We stood with a family who lost a wife and mother after years of fighting cancer. We experienced the untimely and tragic death of a staff member. We walked with a family through the death of their young child. We are in the midst of a staff change as Patrick moves to Colorado and Adam begins his season as Minister of the Word here at Rochester Church.

If anything, I believe these events and changes clouded my ability to listen to God about my role here at Rochester Church and my passion in ministry. I love this church family and one of the reasons I began this transition into this other role was because I sensed there was a void in some areas at a congregational level. The leadership team and I felt that I had the gifts and abilities to help fill much of that void. I chose to accept this new role because I wanted to do what I felt was in the best interest of this church.

What I discovered as I began to move into this new role is that while I might have the gifts and abilities to accomplish the tasks before me, I was serving outside of my core passion. One of the things I missed the most was being involved in people’s lives. I found myself spending more time in the office and less time with people. As matter of fact, to be completely transparent with you, I considered an opportunity at another church several months ago. Looking back, I am convinced the main reason I even considered that opportunity was because some of my core passions for ministry were feeling neglected.

As we are moving into a new season of ministry as church, I am confident that God has provided – and will provide – the right people to help serve this church family in the years ahead. I look forward to being a part of that team for many years in my role as Minister for Families with Youth. I have made a commitment to our leadership, and I make a commitment to you, that I will be serving the families with youth in this congregation for many years.

While I have already shared with you many of the lessons I have learned over the last year, let me share with you a few key things I am taking away from this experience.

Listen to my wife

From the beginning of my transition last Fall, Michelle has always felt uneasy about my moving away from ministering to families with youth. She was always supportive, but at the same time, she would question the transition from time to time when we had conversations about my change in roles. I did not listen to my wife enough. She has been a quiet voice all along asking me to think about the change. Instead, as a somewhat (ok, very) stubborn man, I plunged into this transition without listening to her voice of wisdom. As most of you know, Michelle is one of the most loving people on the planet and she has a heart for people and ministry. I should have been quicker to listen to her and her heart.

Live into your calling

There is something to be said about doing what you love. Now, I realize that sometimes out of necessity, we must do something to earn a living that we may not love. However, I am blessed to have an opportunity to do what I love. Other than being a husband and a father, there is nothing in this world I am more passionate about than teenagers and their families. For the last dozen years, I have walked along teenagers in the midst of tragedy and sorrow. I have rejoiced with teenagers as they experience moments of celebration and success. I have listen to teenagers pour out their hearts, their pains, and their dreams. I have sat in hospital waiting rooms with parents who children are sick and suffering. I have walked the streets of places all over the world, including Rio and Cincinnati, walking alongside students and parents alike as we serve together.

For some reason, along the way, I lost sight of what God called me to be. Outside of my family, you are the people about whom I am most passionate. I sometimes stay awake at night reflecting on a text message received at 11pm. There are mornings I wake up with expectation to head off to coffee with one of your children. I find some of my greatest joy in watching teenagers love on a child in inner-city Cincinnati or have an “a-ha” moment in the middle of a Bible class.

Some have asked, are you really back? How long do you think you’ll do this? My answer is, yes, and for a long time. I thank you for your patience with me for getting a little distracted along the way. But I also ask for your help and prayers as we move forward. Today is the beginning of a new season. A chance to both restore what we have had in the past and reach for even more. We are partners in this journey and I realize that I have not been the partner you have needed. I am pledging to you that I am excited about this new chapter that lies before us and I look forward to working with you as we all seek to connect, grow, and serve as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

shine!
Jason

The Magic Kingdom and the Kingdom of God

We enjoyed a wonderful week away with family at the DisneyWorld Resort, but it is also good to be back home. Any of you who know me well, know that have a bit of a cynical side. I must admit that that part of me didn't take a vacation last week. I do want to admit upfront that I did thoroughly enjoy my time with family and my experiences at all four Disney theme parks. That being said, let me share with you one thought coming out of my week.
There is a song that you will often hear, especially at the Magic Kingdom. Here are a few lines from the chorus:
Just believe and if you imagine,
Just believe and your dreams will come true.
While these words make for great fairy tales, they don't always work out in real life. Unfortunately, I believe that many people, often followers of Jesus, apply this idea to life. But life is not a fairy tale. Dreams don't always come true. We don't always get what we imagine if we just believe. Real life doesn't work that way.
In the real world, people sin. In the real world, people let us down. In the real world, there is pain and suffering.
This doesn't mean we don't imagine. It doesn't mean we can't dream. But it does mean we must acknowledge we live in a broken and suffering world. We cannot escape this world. Rather, we must embrace the reality of this world and encourage one another along the way.
I like stories with a happy ending. I will even sometimes cry at the end. But, I cannot allow myself to buy into the lie these stories seem to convey that everything will also turn out the way we want.
I try to live life by the following mantra: "Hope for the best, plan for the worst." I like to call it cautious optimism. Not only does it shape my outlook on life; it shapes my approach to prayer.
When I pray with an attitude of "Just believe and if you imagine, just believe and your dreams will come true," then I am setting myself up for disappointment. God is not like a theme park built with decorations and facades. God was upfront with the realities of life. God lived these realities in the person of Jesus Christ.
Because of God's willingness to live in our world, we have the ultimate promise of a place where there will be no tears and no sorrow. We live in the tension between what is and what is to come. But until that day comes when we experience the return of Christ, we must live in the reality of our world. Our prayer life must balance the brokenness of today with the promise yet to come. That's not a fantasy; it's the reality of God's faithfulness in a world waiting to be redeemed.

shine!
Jason

No Rock like God

In the midst of her prayer shortly after the birth of Samuel, Hannah says, “There is no Rock like our God” (2 Samuel 2:2)
What does it mean for God to be our Rock?
I think we often think of God more like a lucky charm. When we need the charm, we pull it out and wish for what we want. I don’t think that’s what Hannah had in mind when she called God a Rock.
A rock is steady. Whether the waves beat against it or the waters are calm, the rock remains. Come rain or shine, the rock remains. A rock can be a place to stand that does not move and provides stability.
Yes, Hannah’s prayer was answered. But Hannah’s response is different than a lot of our responses. It seems as though people tend to have two responses to prayer. Either they get upset when God doesn’t answer or they forget to give God credit or fulfil their commitment to God when the prayer is answered.
I think the reason that Hannah’s story is so incredible is that she kept her commitment to God after the prayer was answered. Many people would have probably said something like the following: “Thanks for the child, God. I appreciate you answering my prayer.” That was not Hannah’s response. Hannah said the following:
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:27-28)
The next time you pray and God answers, remember that God is the Rock who knows and provides for us. But God is not our personal genie. We must not forget “that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good.” (Romans 8:28)
God does not answer prayers for our individual, personal benefit. God moves in ways that consider all things and the redemption of all of Creation. Prayers are not a collection of individual requests that stack up for God to grant. Rather, prayers are a collective cry of Creation seeking the One who can make all things new.
Hannah must have had some understanding of that. When Samuel was born she did not keep him. Rather, she gave Samuel to the Lord and realized that her prayer was not answered just so she could be a mother. Rather, God used her prayer as a way to bring forth a mighty prophet who blessed the entire nation of Israel.
May we be people who seek an attitude like Hannah’s and offer prayers that frame our individual needs and desires in the larger framework of God’s mission to rescue all of Creation.

shine!
Jason

Begin with the end in mind

In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the second habit that Steven Covey discusses is, "Begin with the end in mind." I appreciate Covey’s purposeful consideration of a long-term view on our decisions.
So often, in our spontaneous and immediate culture, we fail to look much beyond the immediate impact of our decisions. We often choose a course of action not in the context of a larger idea of what our life is about, but rather, we decide based on what is best in the moment.
YouTube, Facebook, text messaging, and a variety of other aspects of our current culture often seem to encourage us to say and do something that will bring immediate results and attention. How many hits will we get? How many people will “like” or comment on my post? How quickly will my text be answered? These are questions that often drive us today.
We could learn something from Covey’s focus on the beginning with the end in mind. But, this is not some new idea that comes out of the business world. There was another writer, Paul of Tarsus, who penned some similar thoughts a few thousand years ago.
The last document we still have that Paul wrote is what we call 2 Timothy. This is a letter that Paul wrote to his “son in the faith,” Timothy, near the end of Paul’s life. It included a number of words of wisdom to Paul’s student and friend.
Near the end of the letter, Paul said the following…
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (1 Timothy 4:6-8)
This was not some sudden realization that Paul experienced as he neared death. The good fight. The race. Keeping the faith. These were the end that Paul kept in mind from the beginning. They were markers that shaped his decisions throughout his life.
When Paul wrote these words to Timothy, he must have been reflecting back on the thirty or so years he had spent as a follower of Jesus. From the dusty Damascus road to his house arrest in Rome, Paul has lived a life of purpose and focus.
What words would you like to write in a letter at the end of your life? If you looked to the end of your life, what “I have…” statements would you want to make?
Life your life in such a way today, that those would be your words tomorrow and in the years to come.

shine!
Jason

The Word became flesh

One of the most amazing things about the incarnation of Jesus is the fact that God took the more of a human being a lived with us. Some of the most powerful words in the Bible are found in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

The implications of this statement seem to be endless. Jesus showed us what it means to be truly human. Rather than sitting back and waiting for us to him, God came to us. The Creator came to the creation. The Maker lived within the world he made.

Our God understands what we experience. God has intimately experienced life as a human. If you think God doesn’t understand what it means to be a child, think again. When Jesus was a baby, Mary would have had to do the first century equivalent of changing his diaper. When Jesus was a child, he probably understood what it meant to feel as though he was invisible to adults. When Jesus was a teenager, he had to experience puberty. As he entered his adult life, Jesus certainly would have experienced disappointment, frustration, and anger.

We see Jesus’ humanity when he cries with Mary and Martha as they mourn the death of Lazarus.

We see Jesus’ humanity when he displays his anger by turning over the tables in the temple.

We see Jesus’ humanity as he weeps over Jerusalem before the triumphal entry.

The God of the universe didn’t become human just so he could die on a cross. He also came to show us what it means to be truly human and then prepared the way for us to follow him. When Jesus calls us to pick up his cross and follow him, he doesn’t speak those words from a distance. He speaks them as a human being who himself experienced the pain and suffering of rejection and death.

But it doesn’t end there. Jesus was raised from the dead. And, in the words of Paul, “if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5)

The humanity of Jesus guarantees that God understands our sufferings today, but it also guarantees that we too will one day experience resurrection. We can find hope in a God who suffers with us today and offers us a new life in the age to come.

 

shine!
Jason

Die that I might live

It doesn't matter how much I study or how much schooling I have. Information about God alone does not constitute Christianity. It is so much more.
Kallistos Ware states it well when he writes, "Christianity is more than a theory about the universe, more than teachings written down on paper; it is a path along which we journey - in the deepest and richest sense, the way of life."
If we want to know God, have a relationship with him, we must walk the same journey he walks. We will not experience the same details on our journey; the scenery may look different. But the essence and destination are the same.
Paul writes, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10-11)
Self-sacrifice. Humility. Holiness. Those are the attributes of this journey. Our suffering must lead us to death. It may not be a physical death, but it must be a death of will. Our will must succumb to the will of the Father. Our desires must reflect the desires of the Kingdom. We must be willing to die that we might live.
The journey is often hard and the path is often the one less traveled. But God is our refuge and strength. He will be our fortress. When the road is rocky and the trail seems narrow, God will carry us through. And at the end of the journey, we will experience new life, resurrection. But there cannot be resurrection without death.
God, help me die that I might live. Amen.

shine!
Jason

Honoring mom

In his letter to the churches around Ephesus, the apostle Paul wrote, “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3) He was echoing the words of The Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.

Today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, let’s make it more than a day to buy our mom a lunch or give her a flower. Let it be a reminder that we should honor our mother every day of the year. Honoring our mom’s in not about a lunch or a flower, it’s about being thoughtful in the words we say and the way we act every day of the year. Mother’s Day should lead us to reflect the other 364 days of the year.

It’s no mistake that Paul’s words in Ephesians 6 are found in the same letter where Paul wrote, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:29-32)

Last month marked the twelfth anniversary of my mom’s death. As I think back to the time I spent with my mom, especially during my teenage years, I realize there are times that I didn’t always honor my mom. I didn’t need to always agree with her to honor her, but there are times I wish I would have disagreed or argued in a way that was honoring.

Whether we are 16, 36, or 56, we should always seek to honor mothers in the way we treat them. While my mom wasn’t perfect, she was the woman who invested her heart and soul in me and my life. Mom’s will do things we don’t like a disagree with. Sometimes we will be right. Other times – most of the time in my case – mom was right and I should have listened.

Honoring someone is not about giving in to them or saying they are always right. It’s not about giving up our individuality. Rather, it’s about acknowledging the other person in a way that treats them with dignity and respect. We all want. We all deserve that. When Paul said that we should honor our father and mother “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth,” he was providing a life lesson. The way we treat our parents will often determine how our relationships will look for the rest of our lives.

Take time today to tell your mom thank you and honor her. Take her out to lunch or give her flowers. If she is no longer here, take time to thank God for the memories you do have. If you mom is still alive, make today an opportunity to remember that honoring her is not a once-a-year activity, but a lifelong practice that will reflect the character of God of prepare us for being representatives of His Kingdom.

 

shine!
Jason

What's your story?

What is your story?

There are two aspects to this question. Before we can share our personal story, we must address the larger question of what story are we a part of? It seems popular today for people to share their testimony. While there is nothing wrong with that, if we are a part of God’s family, there is a larger story from which our story emerges and into which our story merges.

From the beginning, God has intended for human beings to enjoy relationship with God and with one another. In the Garden of Eden, God created a world for humans to enjoy and care for. In the blink of an eye, that world was disrupted and sin entered the picture. Through Adam and Eve’s decision, all of creation was subject to the curse.

Since that fateful day, our world has suffered. Paul writes in Romans 8:19-23, “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.”

We are a part of that story of redemption. Starting with Abraham and culminating in the person of Jesus Christ, God was unfolding the story of redeeming all creation. While the incarnation of Jesus Christ is a key part of the story, it is not the end. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He did mean that God’s redeeming act had been accomplished. However, our part in the story is not finished.

You are I are called to join God’s story. This is not our story; it is God’s. We are called to join God’s ongoing work of redemption and reconciliation. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

As characters in God’s story of redemption, we are representing the Creator of the universe. We are acting in behalf of the one who created us and the world we share. We are not hear to live our own story. Instead, we must live lives that resonate with God’s greater story of making things right in the world.

What’s your story?

shine!
Jason

It changes everything!

The resurrection changes everything!

Think about the apostle Peter. When we meet Peter, we meet a young, impulsive man who thinks before he acts. And in spite of Peter’s willingness to look before he leaps, when Jesus is arrested, Peter runs for cover…

Then seizing [Jesus], they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62)

Peter was the only apostle to attempt to walk on water. Peter was the apostle that pulled out his sword when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus. But when he was faced with the opportunity to claim his relationship with Jesus, Peter was cautious and even vehemently denied his association with Jesus.

It’s only weeks later that we meet a different Peter; he is a changed man. This disciple that denied Jesus in a small crowd in the middle of the night now stands before thousands and declares his commitment to Christ. He goes as far as to tell the crowd, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:36)

What happened between Luke 22 and Acts 2? What would have so significantly altered Peter’s willingness to proclaim Jesus?

The resurrection.

It changes everything.

Instead of fear, it brings hope.

Instead of disorientation, it brings salvation

Instead of death, it brings life.

The resurrection calls us to a new way of life, both now and in the future. The resurrection is not just about some future hope of eternity with God. It is about the reality of the presence of God today. We live for the future and move towards the future now.

When we make Christianity about remaining faithful so we can have eternal life some day, we are missing so much. I believe that is why so many Christians are miserable and feel so incomplete. They are missing out on God’s desire to renew Creation today, not just when Christ returns.

God’s invitation is not just to accept a “get out of hell free card.” It is an invitation to bring heaven here now. It is an opportunity to change the world.

As you think about what it means to encounter the resurrection in your life, reflect on the words that Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1-17…

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

shine!
Jason

The mystery of God's love

This past weekend was our fifth annual Illuminate Youth Conference. Once again, dozens of volunteers from Rochester Church came together to make this a great event. In addition, we were blessed by a variety of people who helped deliver God's message around our theme of "Mystery." Wiley Lowe delivered powerful messages, Salient and DeeperStill both lead us in worship. Ambassadors provided engaging drama (in the style of Scooby Doo). There were quality breakout sessions lead by Salient, Ambassadors, Patrick Mead, Pat Pugh, Sara Barton, Scott Ockerman, Adam Hacias, Evelyn Van Sloten, and Jim Calkin.

I am always impressed by the Rochester Church family, but Illuminate weekend is one of the times when they truly shine. We put out a call for a few hundred cans of pop and bottles of water, and they provided over a thousand. We needed housing for youth groups coming from out of town and everyone had a place to say. Registration, security, lunch preparation, and a variety of other areas were all taken care of and done with excellence. This is only because of the dedication and hard work of scores of Rochester Church members.

One of the most poignant moments of the weekend for me came on Sunday morning. While the conference officially ended on Saturday evening, Deeper Still was with us on Sunday morning to lead us in worship. As she had on Saturday, Veronica was singing with the rest of DeeperStill. J.T. Spivy, a member of Ambassadors, came up to provide a message leading us into our time of Communion. One of the key points he shared was how one day we will all be able to sit around the table with those we have lost. It was such a fitting message as I looked up at the men and women standing on the stage. The last several months have been challenging for many of us, especially Veronica and the DeeperStill family. I thought that J.T.'s words were a message of hope and light in the midst of a time still overshadowed by the darkness of Jeremy's death.

Life is indeed a mystery. There are many questions that may never be answered on this side of eternity. But there are some things that are not a mystery. God loves and cares for us. There may be moments of difficulty and pain where it's challenging to see or experience that love, but Love is present. God has given us one another to be a source of compassion and strength. When we find ourselves overwhelmed, there are others who are here to hold us up. that also means that when we see others who are overwhelmed, we must be there to hold them up. We are a family that must love our neighbors as ourselves.

I was reminded this weekend of the mystery of God's love. A love that never gives up in the midst of a world filled with conditional love. A love that gives all when so much love in today's society is more about taking. A love that brings light to darkness and hope to despair. It is not a surface, happy-clappy love that acts like everything is fine. Rather, it is a love that sustains and endures, even in moments where all seems lost. That's the kind of love this world needs and it's the kind of love that reflects the Kingdom of God.

shine
Jason

Fasting from Facebook

I have been thinking about what I could fast from during the season of Lent. While our particular religious tribe doesn't officially celebrate Lent, I thought it would be a great time to make some margin in my life.

I decided to go without Facebook for 40 days. Some of my friends have already reacted with gasps and disbelief. They wonder how I could go without updating my status, posting a picture, or sharing a link to spark some conversation. That's the point. I needed to give up something that would actually be a sacrifice.

Now, granted, going without Facebook is not a sacrifice in one sense, but it will be a distinct change for me. Facebook is a part of the rhythm of my life. I do birthday greetings every day, post interesting articles I come across, and post pictures from my personal life and ministry.

Part of the reason I am giving up Facebook is to create some margin in my life. While I don't sit and spend hours on Facebook, I do check it on my phone and sometimes when I am on my laptop I end up getting sucked into spending more time than I want or should spend browsing the News Feed and people's profiles.

So...enjoy the next six weeks, Facebook. I will miss you. However, you'll still hear from me indirectly. MyFitnessPal will still let you know when I exercise or lose some weight. I am sure a few people will tag me or post on my wall. But as for me? I will leave your icon quietly sitting on my iPhone and the bookmark tab in Safari will remain unclicked. I am sure I will miss you, but I will enjoy the moments of peace that your absence from my life will offer.

shine!
Jason

Marilyn Manson and church

This morning, a student I know posted the following quote on her Facebook page. From what I could find, this is a quote from musician Marilyn Manson. I do not know the date or context of the interview.

‎"I think church has very little to do with Spirituality. I think it's something you have to find in yourself. It's about expressing your deepest fears and your emotions and putting it in something. It's not about living in fear and praying and hoping you're not going to go to Hell. That's not very Spiritual to me. "

I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert on Manson, nor do I listen to his music, but I was intrigued but what he had to say.

Manson, whose given name is Brian Hugh Warner, has evidently received a lot of negative press because of his anti-Christian message. Again, without having listened to much, if any, of his music, I am not going to make a lot of comments about the message he sends.

However, after a little bit of research, I did discover some interesting things about what may have shaped the view he espoused in the above quote. (I did find this information on the internet, so it's validity is always open to falsehood.) Apparently, Brian attended a private, Christian school most of his childhood. There are also other childhood experiences that may have contributed to his attitude towards Christianity, and I think all of that is important to consider as we listen to what he has to say.

Anyway, back to the quote...

I think that Manson has some valid points. But the question I must ask is which "church" is he talking about?

Is he talking about the living organism God intended, or the organization that has developed over time?

Is he talking about the prophetic people of God, or the product-driven dispenser of religious goods and services?

Is he talking about the living temple of the Holy Spirit, or the building where people gather once a week?

Is he talking about the body created in the image of God, or a group of people creating God in their image?

Depending on which one he is talking about, Manson may be right. To be honest, most of us struggle between the divergent explanations of church that I describe above. We are a broken, imperfect people, often wrestling with our own sins and shortcomings. But that doesn't change who God is or who God is calling us to be.

I don't believe that Spirituality is something that we find in ourselves. However, it is something that must come from allowing God to work within us. I agree that Spirituality is something that allows us to express our fears. The Psalms are full of that kind of language. But Spirituality is not a self-help program or an individual endeavor.

While it is true that everyone travels a unique journey, no one travels that journey alone. That is precisely why the church is crucial, dare I say essential, for true Spirituality. It is only when we live in community with others who are also filled with and led by the Spirit that we can most fully experience Spirituality. Just as a finger cannot live without the rest of the body, neither can one person live without a community.

From the beginning, God created us to be in community. It is interwoven into who we are and how we exist. Yes, broken relationships and damaged trust can lead us to build walls and focus inward, but that is not what God intended, and neither is it the path to an abundant life.

I respect Manson's opinion because I sense he has experienced significant pain in his life, as have many others who reject or question Christianity. I cannot discount what they say, because it is their story. However, I can offer what I believe is a grander, more hopeful metanarrative that offers ultimate hope and redemption. This story is not found primarily in a certain set of beliefs, a specific building, or one particular religious organization. Rather, it is found in the mission of the Father, the person of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the story that I ascribe to and the one that sheds true light in a world often consumed by darkness.

shine!
Jason

Perspective Sunday

Yesterday afternoon, I witnessed a family saying farewell to their 7-year-old son who was tragically killed this past week. Yesterday evening, I witnessed my favorite football team saying farewell to their opportunity for a seventh Super Bowl championship. Typically, I really get into football games, especially one of this magnitude for my team. But last night? Last night was just not the same.

While my attitude about sports, and especially football, has tamed over the last decade or so, I still get pretty passionate watching games. But last night? Last night really put things into perspective for me.

I struggled with what words to share as I spoke at the funeral for a child. There is nothing you can say when you are looking into the eyes of a parent who is facing a lost of this magnitude. As the father of a ten-year-old, I can completely understand their love for their son, but I will never be able to comprehend the loss they are experiencing.

While I was gathered with several hundred people in a room filled with grief, tears, and memories, millions of people around the country were preparing to watch a game. In one tiny corner of the world, a family was experiencing a loss beyond words while parties were in full swing, probably just down the street from us.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not berating all of those who are celebrating. As a matter of fact, those are the very kinds of moments that will provide the memories in the days ahead for this family who will now have an empty seat at the kitchen table. The family gatherings, the trips, those are the things that will bring smiles to often sorrowful faces.

But, yesterday put things in perspective for me in a powerful way.

Contrary to what many athletes say - including many I cheer for - I really don't think God is all that concerned about who wins a game where millionaires entertain us with their athletic abilities.

On the other hand, I believe that God was intimately concerned about a family mourning the loss of a son. I know He was present in that room yesterday and His Spirit was moving among us.

And if that's what God deems more important, which I firmly believe He does, that is where my heart needs to be as well.

Does that mean I will never cheer again for a football team? No. I will continue to enjoy watching a sport that entertains me.

Does that mean I won't get emotional at times when my team wins, or loses? Probably not.

Does it mean that I think entertainment is a bad thing. Not really.

What it does mean is this. That on a Sunday when the world was wrapped up in a sporting event, I was with a family who was wrapped up in the arms of Jesus. And if I am going to be His hands, His feet, and His arms, that is where my heart and passion needs to be first and foremost.

Regardless of which team would have walked away with the Lombardi Trophy last night, I walked away with a refocused perspective on what really matters, and that no matter how "big" of a game it is, it's just a game. Life, on the other hand, is so much more.

shine!
Jason

My Grown Up Christmas List

My favorite Christmas song is "Grown Up Christmas List" as performed by Amy Grant. While there are a lot of Christmas songs that I really enjoy, there is something about the message of this song that gets to the heart of the One for whom the season is named.  Here is a section of the song that means a lot to me:

So here's my lifelong wish,
My grown-up Christmas list.
Not for myself,
But for a world in need.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,(and wars would never start)
And time would heal all hearts.
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up Christmas list.

This is still my list. In a world where we are inundated by TV commercials telling us what we need to be happy, this song gets to the heart of what will bring true joy.

You and I are created to be beings that give and are sent. The Father sent to Son to set us free. He sent the Spirit to empower us to be free. And we are sent to extend this freedom to those around us. Our Christmas list should, in the words of the song, be "not for myself, but for a world in need."

While I will still give presents to loved ones and I will enjoy receiving gifts from those I love, this day and season is about much more than presents under a tree. Christmas is ultimately about the Gift from God that hung on a tree and set you and me free to give ourselves for the benefit of God's Creation.

What's on your Christmas list? At the top of my list is to be more open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to give myself to benefit those around me. May my life be an extension of the Christ who was sent for me.

shine!
Jason

Jesus is my friend?

In the midst of the Christmas season I was thinking about how people view the Christ. I hear a lot of people say that Jesus is their friend. As I started thinking about that, a few questions came to mind.

What if people treated their other friends the way they treat their friend Jesus? What if they only visited him once or twice a week, texted throughout the conversation, paid little attention to what he might be trying to say to them, and gossipped about some of their common friends?

If we are honest, many of us are friends with Jesus because of what's in it for us. Think about how life would be if we treated our other friends like that. What if you only talked to your friends when they were going to do something for you? What if you ignored your friends until you were in trouble and then you got mad when your friend didn't do everything you wanted them to when times get rough? What if your friend tried to give you advice but you ignored the advice because it wasn't what you wanted to do?

Abraham was called a friend of God because he was following God. He wasn't perfect and made plenty of mistakes, but he followed God to an unknown land.

God knows that we will make mistakes. He extends grace and mercy. And he is more faithful than any other friend.

The next time you or someone you know says, "Jesus is my friend," think about the implications in that statement. A friend listens. A friend makes time. A friend respects. If Jesus is really our friend, shouldn't we listen to him, make time for him, and respect him?

shine!
Jason