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All week, we live, act and spend as consumers – empowered by society and by our resources to get what we want… when we want it… how we want it…  Or else!  Or else we leave and shop somewhere else.  Or else we criticize.  Or else we complain, confront, critique, and mock.

One might say, “In spending and consuming, we live and move and have our being.”  Not endorsing it, just observing it.

If we aren’t careful, the consumer mindset invades how we view God, and how we view church.  Our expectations, preferences, and evaluations can sabotage our ability to experience “church” as God intended.

For example…

- Is “Church” about pleasing me, meeting my personal needs, or helping me feel better about myself?  Not exactly.  It’s about bringing glory to God, caring for the needs of others, and spreading the Good News!

- Is “Worship” about hearing my favorite songs or melodies or thinking about the people around me?  Not exactly.  Worship is about escaping earthly distractions and giving our hearts to the Lord in song, in Word, and in service.

- Is the “Mission” of the church about catering to those who already believe in Jesus?  Nope.  Christ empowers all of His disciples to spread His love, truth, and Gospel to all nations, including our own!

I’m glad that God isn’t a predictable product for us to package or promote to appease consumers.  Rather, He invites people of all ages, backgrounds, and even different church traditions – into life-changing relationships with Jesus Christ!

May Jesus help us escape the “consumer mindset,” and help us become His people, for His purpose, for His glory!

It was going to be one of those days.  A dreary Wednesday morning in central Ohio.

I couldn’t sleep.  I felt sick.  Oh, and I had an early morning breakfast meeting scheduled.

Flesh says, “Dude, just call or text someone else to lead the meeting.  You need to sleep in and catch up on your rest.”

Spirit says, “Dude, don’t listen to ‘flesh’, just wait and see how you feel later today.  Flesh is a wimp anyway.”

Fortunately, I forced myself to get up and go to Quarterback Club.

“Quarterback Club” is our Wednesday morning Bible Study at Buehler’s restaurant here in Delaware.  It’s no Akron Family Restaurant, and that’s fine by me.  It’s better in some ways, like free WiFi and the connected grocery store and the chance encounters with Zach Younkin.

My son asks, “Did you see all the quarterbacks today?”  “How was Braxton Miller?”

I get to explain that (A) it isn’t for real football quarterbacks and (B) Braxton had to skip out on us again to practice with the Buckeyes and (C) I don’t really know Braxton Miller, and that’s okay and (D) “Quarterback Club” is my nostalgic tribute to Knute Larson’s Chapel Tuesday morning group circa 2002 when I was his intern and he was offensive coordinator to about 30 non-quarterbacks each week.  Except Tom Kot, who actually played quarterback back in the day.  Great job, Tom Kot!

Anyhow, I went to Quarterback Club.  This morning it was six of us with Bibles and bagels or bacon.  We opened up Romans 5 and talked about the Gospel.  We shared some observations about the passage and some deep lessons from the text.  Even better, a few guys opened up about some questions we had and some struggles with actually putting our faith into practice in real time.

Questions like, “How has God used suffering in your life to help you grow?”

Questions like, “How do you keep God and His Good News as an important message for your life everyday?”

Questions like, “Are you trying to perform for God or are you actively depending on God?”

I won’t share any of the personal details that I or others shared.  What happens at Quarterback Club….

But I will say it woke up my heart and soul.  Time with God and the guys was well worth it once again, and I’m not surprised.  God loves it when we come together to spur and encourage one another on.  There was almost no “small talk” about the weather or sports or television.

We all need that kind of group, where God is present and where the talk is real. 

Even without the quarterbacks.

This very week, kids of all ages practiced “trick or treat” and braved “inclement” weather in the quest for good times and free candy.  As usual, some of the Halloween décor and costumes were chosen to provoke or celebrate fear.

On a personal level, fear is much more than a costume or dark night.  In everyday life, each one of us deals with fear in some form.  So I’ll ask…

What are you afraid of?

If you’ve had a bad medical report, you may wrestle with fears about ongoing pain or how quickly your body is falling apart.

If you’re struggling financially, there’s the stress about providing for your family, “making ends meet” and how you’ll pay the bills.

If you have children, you deal with a very unique and personal set of fears regarding their health, their choices, and their character.

If you watch the news, you may experience conflicting fears about next week’s election or Superstorm Sandy or political unrest in the Middle East.

If you’re pursuing a new career path, starting your own business, or trying to win someone else’s love, the fear of failure can be a driving or crippling force inside.

If you’re in an abusive relationship… fear is always there.

If I continue listing fears, I’d eventually get to something locked deep inside you.  You may be afraid to admit that you’re afraid of something, and that’s common too.

Fear is part of our human condition.  The question is not about whether we will feel fear – we will!  The ultimate issue centers around how we handle our fears.

Jesus said it so clearly – “in this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33).  Yes, it is a world of trouble.  Life is going to be hard.  It is tempting to fear the worst or to be overcome by fears at any stage of life.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.  A healthy relationship with God is the clear and powerful remedy for our fears.  Not even the worst-case scenario – your eventual death – is beyond God’s invitation to fearless living!

Throughout the Bible, we find everyday people – just like you and me – who make the decision to trust God in the midst of their fears.  To admit them and name them in prayer.  To invite God’s help, healing, power, comfort, courage, and wisdom.

Look at the writer of the Psalms, and how he makes a conscious choice to trust God…

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You (God) are with me” (Psalm 23:4).

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1)

“They (people who love God) will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are stedfast, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:7).

What are you afraid of?  How are you coping with or addressing your fears?

When you think the sky is falling, look to God – maker of the sky and everything else!  Start reading the Bible again, and you’ll find that God gives you hope and direction in all things.  Psalms and John are great places to start reading!

When dark nights of the soul tempt you to fear the worst – that’s when you need God the most!  Start talking or writing your prayers out in a journal to God.  Share your fears with a trusted friend or two – perhaps they are facing the same fear!

When rainy days and sad music convince you that you’re the victim of some evil and destructive scheme… remember that, indeed, we will have trouble in this life.  God never promised that this would be easy and that we’d never long for a different life.

Instead of rainy-day music, get some God music on your playlist.  Feed your heart and mind with truth and the reality of God’s presence – He’s always with you!  He invites us to seek Him and spend time with Him and be filled with His Spirit!  And His Spirit is not a “spirit of fear,” but a “Spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

After reminding his fear-struck friends the plain truth that we all face trouble in this world, he said the words we must cling to in the face of all fears…

“Take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

(copied from today’s Delaware Gazette – Pastors Perspective Column)

Nothing makes our society’s collective blood pressure rise like a presidential election.  The televised debates are already being critiqued and rehashed in our living rooms, board rooms, and chat rooms.

As a Christian and a Pastor, I am grateful that our ultimate realities are never won or lost at election polls, but rather, at the Cross.

If a Christian is by definition a believer and follower of Jesus Christ…

If a Christian is someone who trusts in the Sovereignty of God…

If a Christian trusts God with his or her future – this life and the next…

…then a Christian would want to honor Jesus in thoughts, words, and actions during an election year.

Jesus clearly calls us to follow Him and share His “Good News” in our world.  He gives a crystal-clear charge to be his “witnesses” to the very ends of the earth (Acts 1:6-8).  He reminds us to be prepared to talk about the hope we have in Jesus Christ – and to do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)!

Though it was written during the reign of the Empire-building, blood-thirsty Romans, the New Testament pays little attention to government or politics.

Not once does the Apostle Paul write, “I’ve had it up to here with our Emperor and his violent ways.  We must speak up against political injustices of our time!”  Not once did the disciple, John, pray, “Lord, please take Roman rulers away and give us a leader who will make our society better!”

Not once.   Why?   Here are a few possibilities…

Because followers of Jesus should view current issues in light of God’s eternal plan.  Do we really need to fear or fight about the temporary future when our God is forever “for us” no matter what happens?

Because followers of Jesus should not be easily worried or provoked to anger.  If you’re filled with worry, remember that Jesus promised that our world would experience trouble.  If you’re quickly angered, please take a deep breath and thank Jesus for overcoming the world.  No matter who wins the election, God is still ultimately in charge.

Because followers of Jesus should remember that we are not “of this world.”  Can you imagine an election season where Christ-followers are easy to talk with, and not easily baited into heated arguments or Facebook battles?  What if others could see your humble and quiet confidence in God, no matter what is going on in the world?

I read somewhere that Christians are to be “in the world but not of the world.”  I heard that followers of Jesus are actually a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” – regardless of where they live or how much they like their earthly government.

Let me affirm that we should all be informed about the issues and seek God’s wisdom in how and when to voice our opinions.  By all means, get involved in ways that reflect your Christian values and help work toward solutions that benefit society.  Tread carefully, though, because even the best intentions to help in this intense and volatile area of politics can result in divisiveness, name-calling, and unchristian behavior.

We must remember our true “home.”  Peter writes, “I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the unbelievers that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us” (1 Peter 2:11-12).

God is looking for Aliens and Strangers – people who recognize that their home and hope are in Him, and not in this world.  Their lives reflect His goodness, His authority, His hope!

As Christians, let’s trust God and not lose our cool over the presidency.

Let’s pray for our country and for our leaders, regardless of whom God allows to lead.

Let’s act with the love of Jesus and treat people with respect, dignity, and compassion regardless of disagreements.  “For God so loved the world…” – and this includes Democrats and Republicans!

Let’s evaluate our own “personal rights” and “freedoms” in light of the One who surrendered His own rights and was nailed to a Cross – for us!

Let’s thank God for our country and the countless blessings He has allowed us to experience.

Let’s become God’s “aliens and strangers” – embracing the higher calling to follow Jesus and lead others to Him.

A million years from now, nobody will remember this election.  But everyone will kneel and worship a true King.  And may Jesus Christ, the perfect Leader, be honored by actions, words, and thoughts that demonstrate that He alone is our Hope!

Tonight, at Delaware Grace, we’re starting a series of “one night electives” on various topics and issues about the Christian faith.

Because it’s so important to “major on the majors” and being able to understand and explain what I believe.

Because it’s important for those of us who have a foundation or solid understanding of our faith to learn how to discuss and share why we believe what we do… and to do so in a natural, non-preachy way.

Because many of us are depending far too much on the church and Sunday mornings for spiritual growth, when we should also develop the skills and habits to follow God better each day of the week.

Because it’s too easy to get distracted by minor issues like sports, music, or our busy schedules – and we need reminders of what’s most important and why.

Because God is always speaking to us, and too often we “cover our ears” and shut our Bibles.

Because God’s Word is truly “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and deserves our loyalty, teachable hearts, and humbled minds (Psalm 1).

Why read the Bible?  Because, without question, it is God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

How should I read it?  Regularly.  Personally.  Reflectively.  Humbly.  Anticipating that this living book, this “Sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6) will be used by God in powerful ways to transform our lives.  Handle with care, but do learn to handle it!

It’s Wednesday.

Usually for me, that means a few meetings at work or meetings with friends from our church or community.

I enjoy the one-on-one meetings where I can really hear a person’s heart or what they are going through.  I also appreciate the chance to learn from someone else and soak in what I can.  The time can fly, but I enjoy the chance to connect, to encourage, to be encouraged, to listen, and to learn.

I like the group meetings – our church staff meets today at 10:00AM.  Pray for us if you feel like it.  This time is nearly always great for brainstorming, praying together, talking about what’s going on here at Grace, and “game-planning” for the next week or month.  We are blessed to have a team of people who really love what they do – we love investing in people!  We love seeing God go to work in the hearts, lives, schedules, families, and decisions of people connected to our church.

Perhaps your Wednesday is “hump day,” and you’re thinking about just getting through the week.  Or not losing your mind or energy in the midst of back to school chaos.

For at least this day, I relish the priceless opportunity to invest in others.  To listen more than I talk.  To build up rather than tear down.  To encourage rather than criticize.  To understand and notice rather than rush past.

I’ve heard it said that your life is the sum total of your relationships and what you make of them.  Well, I’ve been blessed to have some wonderful people invest in my life – and so have you!  Let’s make this day… this “hump day” Wednesday… about encouraging and investing in the people and relationships closest to you.

This week, I started reading Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas.  I remember reading through it in 2003 and 2004, shortly before Allison was born.

The book makes the thoughtful and helpful point that parenting is a journey of faith.  While we are loving and teaching and protecting and providing for our children, God is loving and teaching and going to work in our own lives.

It’s true.  So many times, things I have experienced as a Father or parent have brought to mind the tremendous role and movement of my Heavenly Father in my own life.  God is always at work, even in the pain.

The author challenges the notion and all-too-common tendencies of parents to “coddle” and “provide” for their children in extravagant ways.

We want our kids to be safe.

We want our kids to be happy.

We want our kids to like us.

We want our kids to have what we had (or didn’t have).

We want our kids to feel accepted at all times.

We want our kids to be special (at the expense, sometimes, of other kids.)

Are any of these things we desire for our kids actually going to help our kids mature and learn about life in the real world?

Are these desires tied more to what we want than what our kids actually need?

Are these the kinds of promises and efforts God guarantees for His children?

Or is there something more to this?  Something lasting and worth fighting for.  Something difficult and yet worthy of our endurance and sacrifice.  Something painful yet ultimately strengthening and character-forming.

In other words, are we parenting for temporary comfort or for long-lasting character?

Are we parenting to avoid pain or to embrace it and learn from it?

Are our efforts to protect and provide actually filled with fear, cowardice, and a self-centered desire to insulate ourselves from real world challenges?

Yep, it’s a great book – again.  If you want to read it along with me, let me know!

Wilson is one of the young adult leaders in our partner church in El Salvador!

Last April’s visit to El Salvador made an impression on me that I didn’t expect.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, actually!  With our church’s “Hand in Hand” schools in Africa, I experienced a world of emotions and observations about the impact of physical and spiritual poverty on our world.

Too often, my North American eyes are insulated from the kind of suffering that people are facing today.  The Central African Republic has a powerful grip on my heart, and I thank God that our church has been able to partner with Project Hope & Charite’ for several years there.

With the new “Church-to-Church” partnership in El Salvador, we hope to connect many more of our people with this kind of experience, this kind of friendship, and this kind of compassionate work of God.  In Eastern El Salvador, our partner church faces challenges regarding economic hardship, gangs and drugs, and even extreme weather.  Just a few months ago, thousands of people were literally chased out of their homes due to many days of flooding rain.

In April, our church will send twelve people on a missions and discovery trip to El Salvador.  I couldn’t be more thrilled with the team God is putting together here.  Led by Dave and Esther Pacheco, our team also includes RC & Deana Arsenau, Jordan Emmons, Shelly Ward, Jami Hinson, Fred Durant, Kim Mengerink, Billie Lang, Derek Hunt, and um, me.   If you’re interested in following the partnership we’re building with the Church of God, Springs of Eternal Life in El Salvador, check out our blog – grace2es.wordpress.com!

This past Sunday, we wrapped up a sermon series at church entitled, “Things We Don’t Talk About in Church.”  For five weeks, we covered issues with our past, our families, our sexuality, our money, and our failures.  It was great to dig into these issues on Sundays and then process them with people throughout the week.  Our staff and elders and many others enjoyed some fruitful conversation and also some much-needed times of prayer.

At times, I love reading and teaching through a book of the Bible (like Titus or Ephesians or Habakkuk).  But there are certain times where you really have to focus a Sunday (or series of Sundays) on unpacking real-life topics from a Biblical point of view.

Each week during the “Things We Don’t Talk About” series, our hope was to cover key passages or thoughts from Scripture on that issue or category from Genesis to Revelation.  Week 3 felt like a true Biblical Theology on Sex.  Week 5 unpacked a Biblical invitation and response to our failures.

On a personal level, if you’re seeking to draw close to God, then you can expect growth in spiritual life and every other area.

Last night, we read Jesus’ greatest commandment to our kids at home – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…”

Well, heart, soul and mind leaves no part of my life untouched by the grace and truth of God.  Can’t hide past pain.  Can’t cover up family feuds.  Can’t stuff sexual frustrations somewhere that God won’t see.  Can’t say I love God and then ignore Him every time I use money.

All of these are great areas for discussion and reflection in light of God’s love and God’s truth.  And there are so many more areas to cover!  Perhaps one day there will be a sequel series…

Until then, everything should be fair game.  Let’s talk about it in church – with grace and truth – and become a people who recognize how much God loves and forgives us – to the point that we love and accept and forgive one another no matter what.

My first real overseas trip was a short-term missions team to Russia and Ukraine.

Simply unforgettable, so why not blog about it?

Yeah, I know it was 19.5 years ago.  1992.  Right after the fall of Communism.  Russia was very open and interested in America’s culture and faith and resources.

So I joined a team at The Chapel called “Operation Doulos.”  We planned and prayed.  We learned some basic Russian.  I watched Rocky IV again.  LOL.  We did some basic training on serving and helping in cross-cultural settings.  We raised support for the costs of the trip.

For about 8 days or so, my friends and I were in Russia and Ukraine.

I’ll never forget our first day, passing out hundreds of Bibles in Red Square.  For a country that once (and sometimes still) opposed Christianity, it was crazy to see literally hundreds of people asking for Bibles or literature from America.

I’ll never forget our last day, saying emotional goodbyes to wonderful families and believers we met in Ukraine, who opened up their homes, churches, and lives to us in so many ways.

I’ll never forget Ginnadey Medvedev, the father in my host home, who was a retired communist soldier now serving as a full-time deacon at his church while running a small business.

I’ll never forget Tom and Marcia Bennardo, Tony and Dolores Kijanko, and Dave and Guida Sweitzer.  The amazing adult leaders who carried the burden of coaching, encouraging, and protecting us on that remarkable journey.

So here’s to Russia – a blast from the past when we didn’t have blogs or even the Internet.

And if you get the chance to travel to a faraway place as part of a team that wants to encourage others and make a difference somewhere else in the world, don’t you dare pass that up!