Another Great Post By Perry

Another great post by Perry. I cannot tell you the amount of times people would call me asking me these very questions....Well said.

Ten Questions That Unchurched People ARE NOT Asking!
Posted: 31 Mar 2010 04:13 AM PDT
#1 – “What do you do to disciple people?” (This question is usually asked by people who want to ‘microwave” spiritually, not understand that they themselves actually became mature in the “crock pot.”)
#2 – “Who is speaking this weekend?” (They usually don’t care about the WHO…it’s the WHAT that matters to them.)
#3 – “Are you reformed in your theology?” (Most of them have no idea what in the heck this means!)
#4 – “Is your church spirit filled?”
#5 – “What version of the Bible do you use?” (Many unchurched people don’t even really know there are different versions!)
#6 – “What denomination are you affiliated with?”
#7 – “How many different activities can I sign my family up for in order to add to the insane schedule that we already have?”
#8 – “Does your pastor teach exegetically through the Scriptures?”
#9 – “Are there lots of crosses and pictures of Jesus in your church?”
#10 – “Are you guys pre trib, mid trib, post trib or partial trib?”

Napster Playlist

Been listening to a ton of new music over the last few months. Here's the top 5 CD's on the Renner playlist

1. Robbie Seay Band-Miracle....Awesome worship CD. Very well written and thought provoking as Robbie usually is with his writing.
2. Daniel Doss Band-Love the song Great God.
3. Kari Jobe-Love the song You are For Me. So simple, so worshipful, and so darn good.
4. Danny Gokey-Yes, he was on American Idol. What can I say, the boy can flat out sing. Besides, my cousin is his keyboard player....
5. Alison Krauss-Just love that voice and the new grass sound.

I know it's an eclectic collection but hey, I can listen to what I like right?

Hurting, Forgiveness, Love, and Trust

Like most people, I have experienced my share of pain, hurt, and disappointment. I've felt let down by pastors, friends, and often those closest to me. I've often heard it said "why is it that those closest to me are the ones that hurt me the most?"

There is a simple, yet quite profound answer to that question. The simple answer is that people that aren't closest to us don't have the kind of access into our lives that is capable of causing serious pain to us. It's a tough world and sometimes people outside of our lives will say cruel things to us but we can usually just blow that off right? But I am talking about the daggers that come from those we love and care about. How do we handle that? That's a little harder to do now isn't it?

When trying to answer and deal with this question it's important to understand one principle. Hurting people do hurtful things. I have never, ever met a really well adjusted person with no axe to grind, that would live to say and do hurtful things. Never once. If someone is hurting you they are more than likely hurting themselves and displacing their unhealed hurts onto you and most likely others.

When that happens you have a choice. You can hold it in and start the process of allowing the cancer of hurt to take root in you, or you can offer forgiveness. Most likely forgiveness is the last thing you'll feel like offering but it's critical for your health. Don't hang on to other folks pain. Now that doesn't mean you have to allow them to continue to hurt you. It simply means don't hold it against them. It's for your good not theirs!

Here is a principle I have been wrestling with lately: Forgiveness is immediate and permanent. Trust is earned and re-earned over time. That means that those who have hurt you can regain your trust but it takes time.

I've got some hurts just like you. I can't and won't allow those hurts to define me, control me, or set the agenda for my life. I have to allow God to be on the throne of my life. He says forgiveness isn't optional.

Politics and the Church

Anyone that knows me knows I play around on Facebook daily. It's a cool place to keep up with friends both new and old. It's also a fun place to play games like scrabble and just plain have a laugh. One of the things that have really grated on me lately is when Christians that I know spend countless hours wrapped up in posting really hateful political statements (especially in light of the current health care debates) on social networking sites. Here are just a few of my personal thoughts and reflections:

• Why do so many of you condemn people that you disagree with politically? I have seen post after post with comments like "I hope they burn in hell for this." Where is the love of Christ anywhere in that statement?
• God isn't a conservative or a liberal. He's God. He loves and died for us all. Everything on this earth will pass away.
  
• Wondering if some of us in the church are placing our faith, even if it's just a little bit, in our country and in our politicians? Our hope has to be found in Jesus and not what any one political party can do for us or the country.
• Does posting hateful comments strengthen or weaken your witness to those you should be reaching. Studies show people know and like Jesus, he was a man of peace. What they don't like are Christians. By your words and actions are you glorifying him? Or your political agenda? By your words are you the picture of the stereotype of the angry Christian?
• I certainly have my feelings about the issues, and for the record, I am against the current health care proposal, but my hope is not found in the president, any political party, or even the USA. My hope rests squarely on the cross of Christ. I care, I vote, but I don't want to speak hate about people.
  

Church Visits

We really enjoyed yesterday visit to Ten Mile Vineyard. I have been personally enamoured with the Vineyard movements DNA for some time and hadn't really had a chance to hang out and observe it in action. Some of the things I personally enjoy are that they (Vineyard) tend to focus on many of the things that drew me to starting RL. As a movement they focus on worship, teaching, and relatioships.

Here are some of my observations from yesterday:

• Worship was a big part of the experience. They started with 5 songs. A few fast songs and a few slow songs with weekly communion built into the actual worship service itself. I actually enjoyed that aspect as a way of personal time with God in the midst of a crowd of people.
• Teaching was expository. Although I generally teach topically there were quite a bit of references back to the personal needs we all have as humans.
• Relationships seem to be built into the DNA of the local church as there is an emphesis on getting involved and building relationships.
• There was a very casual feel and most people were dressed in jeans and tee shirts. That's a big plus for me :)

We're going to go back in two weeks.

Sunday Thoughts

• This morning we are headed out to check out a church I have been curious about for quite some time. I actually had coffee with the pastor of the church a few years ago and he seemed like a good guy and I really liked their story and mission so this morning we are going to pay them a visit!
• Spent a little time praying for many churches and their pastors this morning. Praying they bring it and God manifests himself in their churches this morning.
• God's been working on my heart about forgiving some people this week. One thing God has been revealing to me is that forgiveness is instant and permanent. The trust that they have violated requires rebuilding on their part but that has nothing to do with the forgiveness part.
• We think we might have found a new van. Stay tuned the answer will come Monday if the price is right.
• Really enjoying playing music again.
• Been great for the last 5 months not being tied down on Sunday mornings. I have actually thought about doing some church reviews on a separate blog for people that are actively seeking a new church. Anyway, just kicking that idea around right now.
• Nice being able to catch up with old RL friends over the last few weeks. Good meals and good conversation.....nice!
• Looks like it's time to head out to check out that church. God bless!!
  

Rules!

Read this blog post by Steven Furtick and thought it was dead on.....enjoy!

Make the rules

Posted: 09 Mar 2010 01:00 AM PST

I read a post by Seth Godin in 2005 about how smart companies make new rules. It was all about redefining markets and challenging the status quo.
I never forgot it.

It got me thinking about different approaches to the Christian life:
you can either keep the rules, break the rules, or make the rules.

Most people associate Christianity with keeping the rules. Don’t murder or commit adultery; do serve & give to the poor…etc.
Of course, God’s laws are perfect, and His principles should be honored.
But Christianity is so much more than a set of rules to keep.
Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law. We live by grace, through faith.
When you try to be a rule keeping kind of Christian, you always come up short, and will probably eventually burn out. You’ll also miss the essence of the Gospel.

Some people opt to reject God’s Word altogether and break the rules.
We’ve all seen people who profess to be Christians drift off into rebellious, sinful, destructive behavior. Sometimes they even justify their loose living by claiming that they’re expressing their freedom in Christ. Of course, this is nonsense. How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Carnality is the worst form of bondage-and the furthest thing from freedom.

I believe Jesus came to make the rules. New rules. To upgrade our paradigms and renovate our hearts in His image. Jesus redefined religion. And those who follow Him should be a part of creating and exemplifying this new standard to the world.

Some people keep the rules.
Others end up breaking themselves against the rules.
True followers of Jesus make the rules…set the standard, and change the world.