I told someone a couple of weeks ago that I wasn't remotely ready for Thanksgiving, let alone Christmas. And yet...here we are! I guess there's no sense in whining about it now, is there?
So here's what I'm hoping for during this Christmas season for us as a church:
1. That people would connect with the message series, focusing on the gifts of the Magi and what they mean for us today.
2. That people who don't know Christ would come to call Him King!
3. That we would have at least one Sunday where we celebrate baptism in December!
4. That our hearts, as a whole, would be broken for those who are worse off than we are, no matter our situation. If God is for us, NO ONE can stand against us, right?
5. That we would fully understand that He came to serve, not be served. And that we would realize we are here for the same purpose - to serve others!
6. I pray that we can let the Spirit work in our hearts during this season and direct our energy, attention and passion toward the things that move the Kingdom of God forward.
I look forward to seeing how God uses the artists', the technicians, the teachers, the greeters, the leaders in various positions to grow the Kingdom for His purpose and His glory in our little corner of the state.
See ya in church...and if you need a place to plug in and serve, drop me a note and I'll get you connected with the right folks!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Give Your Gift!
God gives us gifts to be used for His glory, to draw attention NOT to us as artists', but for us to point others to Him. When we use our gifts to honor Him it is a beautiful thing - a beautiful offering. What we feel on the inside is often times indescribable. When I'm in that place there is a genuine sense of knowing that I am doing and being who God created me to be! Humbling.
Where can artists' share their gift if they don't have a regular place to share it? How about giving it away as a gift to others this Christmas?
We get so caught up in trying to find the right gift for someone and get sucked into the materialistic side of the universe. "Has to be this...has to be that...I have to spend this much or it won't be..."
Create something from your heart to give to someone and include a verse that spoke to your heart as you were working on it. If you sculpt, create a piece and use Ephesians 2:10 which speaks about being His workmanship (masterpiece). If you write, create a piece that reflects the heart of what you were saying in your piece. If you write/craft music, pick a Psalm that references the idea of singing a new song to the Lord.
Whatever you do, find a way to share your gift with others AND share with them that you understand where and who your gift comes from. Let's not, as artists', get caught up in the worldly view of artistry and allow our ego to be fed lies about how great we can become through our gifts. Instead, going against the world, let's give our gift away!
Have a blessed and merry Christmas!
Where can artists' share their gift if they don't have a regular place to share it? How about giving it away as a gift to others this Christmas?
We get so caught up in trying to find the right gift for someone and get sucked into the materialistic side of the universe. "Has to be this...has to be that...I have to spend this much or it won't be..."
Create something from your heart to give to someone and include a verse that spoke to your heart as you were working on it. If you sculpt, create a piece and use Ephesians 2:10 which speaks about being His workmanship (masterpiece). If you write, create a piece that reflects the heart of what you were saying in your piece. If you write/craft music, pick a Psalm that references the idea of singing a new song to the Lord.
Whatever you do, find a way to share your gift with others AND share with them that you understand where and who your gift comes from. Let's not, as artists', get caught up in the worldly view of artistry and allow our ego to be fed lies about how great we can become through our gifts. Instead, going against the world, let's give our gift away!
Have a blessed and merry Christmas!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Growing Opportunity
Recently I heard a story about an issue that is growing at an alarming rate in our country. At first I wondered if and how it would impact us here in Pocatello, of all places. We are not a huge city, nor are we a small town. We're rather average and have less than average issues as a city. Or so some of our leaders think.
We have the same problems and challenges that most cities across the country have - gang issues, homelessness, crime (which is relatively low), abuse, etc.
The one that is catching my eye and my heart at an alarming rate now, as confirmed by this news story, is hunger. We have people in our own town, in our own CHURCH, who are lucky to get one meal a day, let alone more than one a week. Nationally, there has been an increase in people visiting food banks, shelters, etc. because of job loss, health issues and addictions.
Here's my question: if we've been blessed - and we have - why would we allow this in our own town, let alone our own country? How can we sit down to eat a meal and not be even the least bit concerned about the family sleeping in their car, going without food? YES, this is happening in Pocatello and every other city in the country. So what are we going to do about it?
For those of us who live here in Poky, let me throw out a challenge to you. I know many folks have lost jobs or have had hours cut, so take this challenge ONLY IF YOU ARE ABLE.
EVERY week you go to the store to buy groceries, pick up ONE CASE of some canned food item- tuna, soup, chili, Dinty Moore stew, etc. - and donate that to the Idaho Food bank, to the food pantry at here at FBC, or to some other agency that you know helps people out in our town. This is not just a seasonal thing to do. This is where people live EVERYDAY, right now! They need our help.
As Christ followers, we're called to be a blessing, to show God's love to anyone who has need. I think this qualifies, don't you? Let's make a difference in the community by being obedient to what God has called us to do!
Got to go now...heading to the store to grab some groceries - and a case of food.
See ya in church...
We have the same problems and challenges that most cities across the country have - gang issues, homelessness, crime (which is relatively low), abuse, etc.
The one that is catching my eye and my heart at an alarming rate now, as confirmed by this news story, is hunger. We have people in our own town, in our own CHURCH, who are lucky to get one meal a day, let alone more than one a week. Nationally, there has been an increase in people visiting food banks, shelters, etc. because of job loss, health issues and addictions.
Here's my question: if we've been blessed - and we have - why would we allow this in our own town, let alone our own country? How can we sit down to eat a meal and not be even the least bit concerned about the family sleeping in their car, going without food? YES, this is happening in Pocatello and every other city in the country. So what are we going to do about it?
For those of us who live here in Poky, let me throw out a challenge to you. I know many folks have lost jobs or have had hours cut, so take this challenge ONLY IF YOU ARE ABLE.
EVERY week you go to the store to buy groceries, pick up ONE CASE of some canned food item- tuna, soup, chili, Dinty Moore stew, etc. - and donate that to the Idaho Food bank, to the food pantry at here at FBC, or to some other agency that you know helps people out in our town. This is not just a seasonal thing to do. This is where people live EVERYDAY, right now! They need our help.
As Christ followers, we're called to be a blessing, to show God's love to anyone who has need. I think this qualifies, don't you? Let's make a difference in the community by being obedient to what God has called us to do!
Got to go now...heading to the store to grab some groceries - and a case of food.
See ya in church...
Monday, November 2, 2009
Leading...a Lonely But Worthy Task
Someone once asked me why I wouldn't let them 'get closer' as a friend, why I would only allow people to get so close to me and then I would back away. It's a tricky spot, and one that I've chosen to be in because of my make up and leadership style.
My comment to them was simple - "One day, I'm going to have to be your pastor and not your friend and you're not going to like it. This is who God has called me to be and how He has shaped me to serve in this body." That didn't settle well, unfortunately for them. We're still friends. But only as far as I feel it's safe to be. I take what I do as a pastor very seriously because I believe it is a very serious calling.
Does that mean that I don't have any close friends? No. They just may not be a part of this church family, but I have them. I've watched too many leaders fall because they allowed people they work with to get too close. When the time came to be the leader, it caused more conflict than was necessary. There has to be some boundaries that, as a leader, we can't compromise on. There are many people in the ministry who don't buy into this logic, and that's okay. They're entitled to their opinion and I respect that. This works for me and it's how I roll.
As we lead in today's church, we need to pay attention to who we allow to be 'close' in our lives. We have to keep an eye toward the future, knowing that someday we'll have to be a pastor to this same person who wants to be our friend. We had a similar situation here not too long ago where someone wanted to see their friend, NOT their pastor. Sorry...can't separate the two.
It may sound lonely, and at times it is. But I do this for the one who called me and for no one else. I love what I do - most of the time - and thank God that He has me where I am today for what He wants me to do.
Lead out of the things you love with the gifts He has given You - and enjoy the ride!
See ya in church...
My comment to them was simple - "One day, I'm going to have to be your pastor and not your friend and you're not going to like it. This is who God has called me to be and how He has shaped me to serve in this body." That didn't settle well, unfortunately for them. We're still friends. But only as far as I feel it's safe to be. I take what I do as a pastor very seriously because I believe it is a very serious calling.
Does that mean that I don't have any close friends? No. They just may not be a part of this church family, but I have them. I've watched too many leaders fall because they allowed people they work with to get too close. When the time came to be the leader, it caused more conflict than was necessary. There has to be some boundaries that, as a leader, we can't compromise on. There are many people in the ministry who don't buy into this logic, and that's okay. They're entitled to their opinion and I respect that. This works for me and it's how I roll.
As we lead in today's church, we need to pay attention to who we allow to be 'close' in our lives. We have to keep an eye toward the future, knowing that someday we'll have to be a pastor to this same person who wants to be our friend. We had a similar situation here not too long ago where someone wanted to see their friend, NOT their pastor. Sorry...can't separate the two.
It may sound lonely, and at times it is. But I do this for the one who called me and for no one else. I love what I do - most of the time - and thank God that He has me where I am today for what He wants me to do.
Lead out of the things you love with the gifts He has given You - and enjoy the ride!
See ya in church...
"Aunt Bea" Has Gone Home
For those of you connected to FBC, Pocatello, we have lost a long time member, Bernice Feldsted. She passed away Sunday at the age of 96.
Just met with the family today for service planning and have some info to pass on to you.
We will have a service THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5th at 11 a.m. here at First Baptist. There will be a time of greeting friends at 10 a.m. There will be a graveside service as well and that information will be available at the service.
We are also providing a meal for the family following the graveside service, at roughly 1 p.m. If you would like to provide something for that or you would like to serve, please contact Stacy at the church office as soon as possible, 232-6305.
Please continue to keep the family in your prayers. Loss is never easy, no matter who has gone. But we can take comfort in knowing that our strength and our comfort comes from the One who knows our pain in a very intimate way.
See ya soon...
Just met with the family today for service planning and have some info to pass on to you.
We will have a service THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5th at 11 a.m. here at First Baptist. There will be a time of greeting friends at 10 a.m. There will be a graveside service as well and that information will be available at the service.
We are also providing a meal for the family following the graveside service, at roughly 1 p.m. If you would like to provide something for that or you would like to serve, please contact Stacy at the church office as soon as possible, 232-6305.
Please continue to keep the family in your prayers. Loss is never easy, no matter who has gone. But we can take comfort in knowing that our strength and our comfort comes from the One who knows our pain in a very intimate way.
See ya soon...
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Fever-Boy Speaks!
I cannot be held responsible for the somberness, the apparent sense of "I don't care" attitude, or any other resemblance of NOT me. I am still fighting fevers daily which has impacted my thought processing and reasoning. In fact, the only reason I put it to video is so I could remember!
Listen to my heart...(cue s0ng)
Listen to my heart...(cue s0ng)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Being Real
I could use your prayers.
NO, I'm not going anywhere...I'm not having marital problems or kid problems...I'm not in trouble with the law...
And NO, I'm not writing this to get pats on the back or be told how I'm doing...so please don't!
I just feel like I'm hitting my head against a wall in the church and in my ministry. There has been this sense that something is just about to break - it's coming - it's almost here...and still we're waiting. I feel like some of us are expecting God to do the next big thing, and there are many others standing/sitting on the sidelines just watching to see what happens. There's a BIG difference.
When you expect something, you look for it. When you watch to see what happens, you're usually waiting for the crash! (Anyone ever watch NASCAR?)
We sing a song at times in worship titled "Come Expecting Jesus" by Don Moen.
I come expecting Jesus to meet me in this place.
I come expecting to receive His mercy and His grace.
When I eat the bread and drink the wine, it will be a holy moment in time.
I come expecting Jesus to meet me in this place.
Folks, that's my prayer EVERY Sunday as we get ready for worship. I want us all to encounter this Great, Awesome God of ours and let Him change our lives miraculously! I say it and I mean it with all I am that I don't want us to leave the same as we came in. I WANT GOD TO WRECK OUR LIVES IN A GOOD WAY!
But I'm not so sure many of us - in FBC Pocatello and beyond - are really expecting anything. Is it a faith issue? Is it a communication issue? Is it a leadership issue? Is it a heart issue?
It gets very frustrating at times when we hear God telling us to do something and there's this buzz, this excitement at first of people saying YES! But when it comes to crunch time, people let us down. Actually, I believe that people let God down.
So, I'm asking for your prayers - wisdom as I direct my leaders; clear communication from all of the staff and leaders about what's coming; a rising up of people who will say, "I will go, serve and be Christ to this community/school/office/home."
Pray also that I would stand strong against discouragement. That is a tool that Satan likes to use to tell me how much of a failure I am or how much of a disappointment I've been to the church.
I know it's a lie...I just need to be reminded at times.
By the way, I'll be here in Post Falls with some of the staff at the annual Pastor's Retreat and will be posting some key points from the sessions. Should be great and the timing couldn't be better.
Hmmmm...wonder who set that up?
NO, I'm not going anywhere...I'm not having marital problems or kid problems...I'm not in trouble with the law...
And NO, I'm not writing this to get pats on the back or be told how I'm doing...so please don't!
I just feel like I'm hitting my head against a wall in the church and in my ministry. There has been this sense that something is just about to break - it's coming - it's almost here...and still we're waiting. I feel like some of us are expecting God to do the next big thing, and there are many others standing/sitting on the sidelines just watching to see what happens. There's a BIG difference.
When you expect something, you look for it. When you watch to see what happens, you're usually waiting for the crash! (Anyone ever watch NASCAR?)
We sing a song at times in worship titled "Come Expecting Jesus" by Don Moen.
I come expecting Jesus to meet me in this place.
I come expecting to receive His mercy and His grace.
When I eat the bread and drink the wine, it will be a holy moment in time.
I come expecting Jesus to meet me in this place.
Folks, that's my prayer EVERY Sunday as we get ready for worship. I want us all to encounter this Great, Awesome God of ours and let Him change our lives miraculously! I say it and I mean it with all I am that I don't want us to leave the same as we came in. I WANT GOD TO WRECK OUR LIVES IN A GOOD WAY!
But I'm not so sure many of us - in FBC Pocatello and beyond - are really expecting anything. Is it a faith issue? Is it a communication issue? Is it a leadership issue? Is it a heart issue?
It gets very frustrating at times when we hear God telling us to do something and there's this buzz, this excitement at first of people saying YES! But when it comes to crunch time, people let us down. Actually, I believe that people let God down.
So, I'm asking for your prayers - wisdom as I direct my leaders; clear communication from all of the staff and leaders about what's coming; a rising up of people who will say, "I will go, serve and be Christ to this community/school/office/home."
Pray also that I would stand strong against discouragement. That is a tool that Satan likes to use to tell me how much of a failure I am or how much of a disappointment I've been to the church.
I know it's a lie...I just need to be reminded at times.
By the way, I'll be here in Post Falls with some of the staff at the annual Pastor's Retreat and will be posting some key points from the sessions. Should be great and the timing couldn't be better.
Hmmmm...wonder who set that up?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Worship Wars Rage On!
I hope that, at some point in my lifetime, I'll get to see the end of what has become known as the "Worship Wars". This is that battle that has raged on and on and on and on and on...you get the point. Churches fighting over, you guessed it - music.
"It has to be traditional, with an organ...It has to be contemporary, with drums...It has to be ancient...It has to be blended...It has to be (something)" It drives me absolutely NUTS!
Truth be told, it really breaks my heart. Too many churches have split, and will continue to split, over something that should be an awesome, incredible event in our lives. At the root of it all - every time without exception - is selfishness. Every conversation is laden with "I want" comments.
Very seldom does anyone stop to consider what it is that God, the audience to whom our worship is supposed to be for, would want or expect out of our worship.
And the whole time we fight, Satan is having a field day watching the church act just like the world. He wins - God loses. How is that even right? We are supposed to be the change agent for the world, not the other way around. Yes, I am saying that way too many times the world has the influence on the church in a very negative way.
And I'd even say that many of you who are fighting in this battle have allowed the idea of what worship should be for you to become the idol of your worship. You've lost sight of what it's all about and whom! You have a worship style idol! Burn it...cut it up...get rid of it now or it will consume you and it will cost you greatly.
In about a month, I'll be doing a workshop to help churches with their worship transitions, going from one style to a different one and do so effectively for the body as well as their community. You have an opinion on this that I would love to hear. So what do you think our worship should be? What do you think would honor God?
Shoot me a comment here or at my email karl@fbcpoky.com...
"It has to be traditional, with an organ...It has to be contemporary, with drums...It has to be ancient...It has to be blended...It has to be (something)" It drives me absolutely NUTS!
Truth be told, it really breaks my heart. Too many churches have split, and will continue to split, over something that should be an awesome, incredible event in our lives. At the root of it all - every time without exception - is selfishness. Every conversation is laden with "I want" comments.
Very seldom does anyone stop to consider what it is that God, the audience to whom our worship is supposed to be for, would want or expect out of our worship.
And the whole time we fight, Satan is having a field day watching the church act just like the world. He wins - God loses. How is that even right? We are supposed to be the change agent for the world, not the other way around. Yes, I am saying that way too many times the world has the influence on the church in a very negative way.
And I'd even say that many of you who are fighting in this battle have allowed the idea of what worship should be for you to become the idol of your worship. You've lost sight of what it's all about and whom! You have a worship style idol! Burn it...cut it up...get rid of it now or it will consume you and it will cost you greatly.
In about a month, I'll be doing a workshop to help churches with their worship transitions, going from one style to a different one and do so effectively for the body as well as their community. You have an opinion on this that I would love to hear. So what do you think our worship should be? What do you think would honor God?
Shoot me a comment here or at my email karl@fbcpoky.com...
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Take God Seriously!
I get the privilege of teaching for chapel at one of our Christian schools here in town tomorrow to a group of junior highers. Pray for me!
Seriously, it will be fun to share with them about worship and what it means from God's perspective. They have a theme verse that I think will just help move the conversation in the right direction in Micah 6:8 - "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
In short, live your life as a daily, committed act of worship to your Creator. God's Word is not a secret on what to do, how to live and where to go for advice. It's as simple as black and white.
Lately, I'm getting more and more disgusted with churches that are fighting over music, historical traditions, preferences and the like because these people think it's all about them and what they want. Sorry. Wrong answer. It's all about what God wants and what God desires. When we, the church, get caught up in all that crap, tell me how that helps us to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. Don't see it.
Whenever we, the church, let stuff get in the way of what He desires for us, we fall short. We put us ahead of Him and that is the same as sinning. Micah said it nicely, but one way to take the last part of verse 8 is this - stop taking yourself so seriously and TAKE GOD SERIOUSLY! He's already made it clear as day how to live, so go do it! Live for the King - make a difference for the Kingdom!
See ya in church...
Seriously, it will be fun to share with them about worship and what it means from God's perspective. They have a theme verse that I think will just help move the conversation in the right direction in Micah 6:8 - "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
In short, live your life as a daily, committed act of worship to your Creator. God's Word is not a secret on what to do, how to live and where to go for advice. It's as simple as black and white.
Lately, I'm getting more and more disgusted with churches that are fighting over music, historical traditions, preferences and the like because these people think it's all about them and what they want. Sorry. Wrong answer. It's all about what God wants and what God desires. When we, the church, get caught up in all that crap, tell me how that helps us to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. Don't see it.
Whenever we, the church, let stuff get in the way of what He desires for us, we fall short. We put us ahead of Him and that is the same as sinning. Micah said it nicely, but one way to take the last part of verse 8 is this - stop taking yourself so seriously and TAKE GOD SERIOUSLY! He's already made it clear as day how to live, so go do it! Live for the King - make a difference for the Kingdom!
See ya in church...
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