John Bishop

WILL TODAY MATTER?

Thinking about time today. With Christmas, we will spend the equivalent of 13 full days preparing for, shopping for, decorating for, cleaning for, wrapping presents for Christmas.

Good verse to keep us centered.

Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us to  make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom."

In my Bible I wrote a couple questions down:

1.  What if I gave God my calendar?  What would He want me to do differently?

2.  What if I only had six months to live?  What would I do differently? 

Big questions, big thoughts, big implications. 

Our time is truly limited.  I think we live sometimes like we have all the time in the world, but in reality we don't.

Not only is our time limited, but we can't save it up.  It all gets 'spent'.

The book of Job talks about our days being numbered.  "You have decided the length of our lives.  You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer."  Job 14:5

James 4:14 says, "What is your life, it is a mist that appears for a short time and then vanishes."

Back to the question, why not allow God to have my calendar? It's not a what would Jesus do thing, it is a do what Jesus did thing.  Live like He lived.

People are what matters most.  Christmas is all about people and yet with so much to do sometimes it becomes about the list.

So today, and everyday, maybe ask will today matter?  Will I allow God to interrupt my life at work, at home, in the airplane or wherever to pause and see the people He created? 

My kids are into games.  So Katie has purchased several.  Not much of a game guy, but when we played Taboo we laughed and had a blast.

Play the game, write the card, say the prayer or pause to send the e-mail. It will feel inconvenient, but in the end, you will be glad that your time was well 'spent'.

See you this weekend.

John

PS
A lot of clutter donations.  So cool to see people give things that can be used to bless others around this community.   If you haven't, bring your clutter in to church this week.

A LIVING (HOPE) SET

Christmas Clutter.  Our new series is off to a good start.  We had some fun, saw what clutter can physically do to a home's space.  We also talked about how one of the prevailing emotions with clutter can be anxiety or stress.  Something not resolved.  Something seemingly out of control. From a faith perspective, anxiety or worry is simply my attempt at controlling things or in essence playing God.  I think we spend too much time thinking about (and trying to change) the past and also worrying about the future.  We do the ONLY IF or WHAT IF stuff.  I know for me, when I live in the past or the future, I in the process, miss living today. I miss living in the 'present'. Worry about nothing, pray about everything.  When we worry it is a bit like a warning light that something is beginning to 'clutter' our faith.  When I pray I am not only de-cluttering, but giving control back to God.  One of the greatest gifts God has given us is to live today.  It is really all we have. 

We spent time talking about how we can not only have physical clutter, but a cluttered faith.  I am excited about the series. 

We began the series with cluttering the stage with our own clutter from our storage at our Brush Prairie campus. So much 'stuff'.  Mostly we won't use or need any of it.  Did you know that clutter experts say 80% of what you have in your closet you will NEVER wear? 

I began to think...we all have stuff we don't use or don't need.  We all have clutter. I began to think about what the first church looked like.  In Acts chapter 4 it says, "All the believers were one in heart and mind.  No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had...(as a result) there were no needy persons among them."  Acts 4:32-34

A church that was serious about each other made a difference that changed their world and we are reading about it over 2000 years later. That church made history.  Love it.

What if at Christmas we lived these words?  What if what we had wasn't viewed as "ours"?  What if we could give what is really extra and God would use it to bless others?

I surfaced the idea at a few of our weekend services, people seemed to like it, so I thought, let's bring what is extra.  Let's bring what we don't use or need and let's bless others. 

Our Living Hope clutter is cleaned up, some things stored, some stuff thrown away.  You guys get to build the set for the next two weeks.  You bring what you have and we will build a set and then we will give away to others who have needs. 

When I announced it, so far we have had three cars donated from people in the church.  Think about a car being donated, cleaned up and put in the hands of a single mom or a family that otherwise wouldn't be able to have a car.  There have been people who have donated refrigerators, washers, dryers, clothes, and other "things" or perceived "clutter" that will bless people.

BRING STUFF TO CHURCH WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY.  There are things already donated and we will build the set this week.  THEN, God will build His Kingdom as we give to others who have needs. 

It will go for a couple weeks or so, we will see what God does.

Truth is, Christmas is about giving.  God so loved, He gave...  So bring your stuff, God will use it, others will be blessed.  It will be a Christmas where we will give to the One who gave everything to us.

Let's live the values of Christmas that matter most. Let's bless those in our faith community.  Let's bless our city and our world.

Cheers to de-cluttering our lives!!

John

PS
We will be giving 'stuff' away from the stage all weekend for those who have been asking.

Surviving Christmas Clutter

Funny title for a blog, but I am intent on staying in the 'sweet spot' of Christmas this year.  I love everything about Christmas.  I just want to be about Christmas. Friday AM.  Shopping.  My kids are old enough to take up the annual tradition of shopping for the early sales.  Can you believe that shopping started this year at 4:00 AM in some stores?  Did anyone wake up at 2:30 to shower and prepare for the 4 AM sales?  My girls promptly woke me up at 6:00 AM for a goodbye and a few dollars to shop.  Then they nicely re-woke me up at 8:00 AM to show me all the 'deals' they got.  The first year they were on their own. We have decided, as a family, to do our best to stay centered and enjoy what it is about.    Christmas music is playing, we are still digesting turkey and hanging out today. Incredible day outside, so much to be thankful for.

Couple things about the new Christmas Clutter series I am starting this weekend. 

1.    Clutter is real.  Like who doesn't deal with it?  I think our faith can become cluttered.  We will learn together this weekend about having an uncluttered faith.  I am the ultimate Christmas guy.  LOVE everything about it. 

2.  Anyone old enough to remember the show "Let's Make a Deal"?  Remember how they asked for weird or odd things from people's purses and pockets?  Wouldn't it be fun to do a clutter thing, where we could maybe ask someone if they have a new pair of scissors or something not everyone would have?  Maybe we will do that this weekend.  Come prepared.

3.  CLUTTER CONTEST.  Show us your clutter!  We're having a contest to see who has the most incredible clutter. Just send us a picture of your clutter (please include your name, email, and best phone number to reach you at) by clicking here.  The deadline for entries is December 2nd. Winners will be announced the weekend of December 8th & 9th.  Go to our Clutter Blog to see all the entries. Here's some we've already received:

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  SO MUCH to be grateful for.  See you this weekend.

John

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving.  So much to be thankful for.  So many people that I thank God for.  11 years of Living Hope history, 24 years of marriage history.  22 years of daddy history.  40 years of friend history.  God knowing me my whole life history.  So much to be thankful for.  So much to reflect about.   

I was thinking today how easy it is to get worried about what isn't, stressed about what has been and lose track about what 'is'.

Today is the day to simply live in and be thankful for.  Today at our staff lunch, I simply looked around and prayed, thanking God for all He has done through your lives.

Tell people.  The history of being thankful dates back thousands of years.  Being thankful has nothing to do with what circumstances are, and everything to do with who.  Rejoice 'in the Lord'.  Live in just these moments.  They are all we have.

Below are some facts and some verses for your Thanksgiving reflections.

SO excited about the new series.  Found the winner of the clutter contest.  God has shown me some stuff about cluttered faith.  Hopefully we will see you this weekend.

JOHN

The First Thanksgiving
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. This harvest meal has become a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonists and Native Americans

Foods of the First Thanksgiving
Seafood: Cod, Eel, Clams, Lobster
Wild Fowl: Wild Turkey, Goose, Duck, Crane, Swan, Partridge, Eagles
Meat: Venison, Seal
Grain: Wheat Flour, Indian Corn
Vegetables: Pumpkin, Peas, Beans, Onions, Lettuce, Radishes, Carrots
Fruit: Plums, Grapes
Nuts: Walnuts, Chestnuts, Acorns
Herbs and Seasonings: Olive Oil, Liverwort, Leeks, Dried Currants, Parsnips

What Was Not on the Menu
Surprisingly, the following foods, all considered staples of the modern Thanksgiving meal, didn't appear on the pilgrims' first feast table:
Ham: There is no evidence that the colonists had butchered a pig by this time, though they had brought pigs with them from England.
Sweet Potatoes/Potatoes: These were not common.
Corn on the Cob: Corn was kept dried out at this time of year.
Cranberry Sauce: The colonists had cranberries but no sugar at this time.
Pumpkin Pie: It's not a recipe that exists at this point, though the pilgrims had recipes for stewed pumpkin.
Chicken/Eggs: We know that the colonists brought hens with them from England, but it's unknown how many they had left at this point or whether the hens were still laying.
Milk: No cows had been aboard the Mayflower, though it's possible that the colonists used goat milk to make cheese.

Source: Kathleen Curtin, Food Historian at Plymouth Plantation

Fact: The original feast in 1621 occurred sometime between September 21 and November 11. Unlike our modern holiday, it was three days long. The event was based on English harvest festivals, which traditionally occurred around the 29th of September. After that first harvest was completed by the Plymouth colonists, Gov. William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer, shared by all the colonists and neighboring Indians. In 1623 a day of fasting and prayer during a period of drought was changed to one of thanksgiving because the rain came during the prayers. Gradually the custom prevailed in New England of annually celebrating thanksgiving after the harvest.

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 50:23
But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 136:4-9
Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles…Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully…Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters…Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights... the sun to rule the day…and the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and shield.I trust him with all my heart.He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Psalm 57:9
I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.

Psalm 75:1
We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Ephesians 5:20
And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Colossians 2:7
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

CHRISTMAS CLUTTER

CLUTTER.  We all deal with it.  It causes stress.  Studies have been done about it.  Oprah has a show about it...

One of those things we need to talk about.  So we will for a few weeks.

Call it Christmas Clutter or maybe seasonal stress. 

I am excited about our new series as we enter the holiday season.

It seems we get caught up in clutter during this time of year more than any other. I hope during these few weeks you'll journey with us, through the clutter, to find what really matters.

In honor of our new series I want to announce a contest to find the most cluttered junk drawer, garage, closet, attic, under the bed, purse, car, etc. that you have! There will be prizes!

Send a picture of your best clutter by clicking here.

We will be posting them on our "Clutter" blog. Visit often for the lastest pictures.  The deadlline for entries is Sunday, Dec. 2nd.  I got a picture today of someone's garage.  I can feel the stress, especially from the husband that didn't want to have a picture of his garage e-mailed to the church.  We certainly won't share any names.  No worries.   

This will be a series about how to deal with stress.  When you think of this season, we love it, but also become so stressed out because of it.  There is a bit of 'clutter' we need to deal with.

Send in your stories and pictures. Go ahead, be honest.  We will love you anyway.

Funny thing about clutter, we never want anyone to know.  I mean how many people have someone over to their house and after watching a movie you are invited to check out the clutter closet or drawer.  I mean, it is a drawer that can close, a closet that can be closed.  As if when we close the door the clutter goes away?  Out of sight out of mind?  Probably not.

There are some cool things being planned for this series.  Hopefully in the end, we can learn how to deal with stress. Jesus had a lot to say about it.

See you this weekend.

John

THAT PLACE

You know those 'places' where you can rest and just hang out?  The place that somehow energizes you, refreshes you and helps you?  Ya for me it is sometimes a restaurant, or maybe Starbucks or a bookstore.  Someplace where I can just sort of 'be'.

That said, I have never visited Powell's Bookstore in my life.  Drove by it lots of times, but never actually been to it.  So today is the day.  Mark it down, I officially am writing this blog on the free wireless internet (on my Mac) in the World Cup Coffee and Tea Cafe in Powell's.  Pretty cool place.  Began in 1971 in Portland, and now has seven Portland metro locations selling used books, new books, and textbooks.  It is listed as one of the World's great bookstores.  Nice.  The website is www.powells.com.

I just love being able to get away from normal routine to think, write, prepare sermons and get my 'bearings'.  I have been feeling led to write a book and have been trying to find time to think and write for the last six months, and this last week (including today) I actually worked on it a little bit.  Yes, right here in Powell's.  Sweet.

Can I ask you, where is that 'place' for you?  I think we are all wired alike, yet are all so different.  There is that thing in all of us where we need to get alone and pause to simply think or in some cases 'remember'.   

I forget so easy.  God knows that about me, and can probably say that about all of us. I can get pretty focused on what I am doing or where I am going, and forget to pause and thank Him for all He has done, and for who He has put in my life.  I can get so busy 'doing', sometimes I forget to just 'be'.  Maybe that is why we are told to 'remember'.

You can be still.  It is in these moments your soul reconnects with God and in those moments He 'restores' you. 

Find that place, get there, rest and see Him.  Rejoice, be thankful, remember and connect.

Good to remember some things and I think good to forget other things.  When I get in that 'place' I can do both with a lot more clarity.

See you this weekend.

John

11th hour

Sunday, I was watching FOX news and at exactly the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month, they had a dedication/remembrance of our Veterans. It was pretty cool.

Interestingly they reported how there are only 3 living veterans living from World War I.  There are between 1200 and 1300 veterans from World War II dying every single day.  We are losing the memories from a generation who for four years put their lives on the line. 

When I think of veterans, I am grateful personally for their willingness to do whatever it takes for the freedom we enjoy.  Regardless of how any of us feel about any war, the truth is the men, women and young adults who willingly sacrifice is amazing.   

Thank you to our Veterans.  Thank you for your love of country and honor.  Thank you for your willingness to sacrifice your very life for our freedom.  We don't tell you enough, thank you.

To the thousands who are currently serving here and abroad, thank you.   I constantly pray for God's protection for your lives and for you to make an eternal difference in the lives of those you are serving with.  You will be home soon.  Keep trusting, stay focused and one day you will be home.   

To the families and friends of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their very life.  I am sorry for your loss.  The pain I have seen countless times is always the same.  A proud, tired and confused heart.  God is bigger than the pain.  In moments where you feel so lonely, just be still and know that God is sitting next to you on the couch.  He is the God that knew and knows.  He will never leave you.  Cry out to him, thank Him for your son or daughter or husband or friend.  For those in Christ, one day there will be a reunion.  If there is anything we as a church can do for your family, don't hesitate to ask. 

To all of us.  Let's pray more, love more, be there more and trust God more. 

I think there should be a level of thanks to our troops that brings encouragement to them wherever they are serving and whatever they are doing. 

Always in the 11th hour a hero rises up to meet the need.  They serve and give selflessly.  They have no thought or regard for themselves. 

Heroes are like that. They are about helping others.  They are about freedom.  They are about life.

Heroes are in the best company.  We are never more like Jesus than when we are giving and sacrificing for OTHERS.

THANK YOU TO OUR TROOPS. 

John

PS
We are doing some stuff for soldiers for the holidays.  If you want to help out, you can call the church or go on line and get more information.

What's new and what works and what's next

I think people spend too much time focusing on the past.  Especially in terms of missed opportunities, failures and poor decisions.

The past is just that.  Past.  It seems so many people get so 'stuck' in the past, they (we) can't seem to experience the life abundantly that Jesus talked about. 

Truth is:  For those who have surrendered their lives to Christ, they are new.

1.  WHAT'S NEW?

I love 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

For those of you who are new in your faith, if you have surrendered your life to the leadership of Jesus, everything is new.  The old life is gone.  You have to begin to not just believe that, but live it.

Verse 19 says, God...no longer is counting people's sins against them..."

That is a great verse to read, isn't it?  We love things that are new.  Why is it so difficult to believe it?    We get the proverbial mulligan, the do-over, the new start. 

What's new?  YOU ARE.  You are a child of God.  You are His precious son or daughter, adopted in His family.  That is what is new. 

For some who are still seeking, still curious, you could take a look at a simple little video I made called "Where are you with God?"   It is on the side bar of this blog.  In fact, you can e-mail it to friends who are still searching.  It may help you take the steps to trust in the completed work of Christ.


2.  WHAT WORKS?

It is by His power that you are changed.  God will always finish what He starts.  I am a guy who will start cleaning out the garage and get discouraged and quit.  God always, always finishes what He starts.  If He began a 'good' work in you, He will finish it.  His power, His timing, His strength, His Spirit. 

Zechariah says, "Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit says the Lord."  Zechariah 4:6

Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

So many people quit way too soon.  It's almost as if we aren't 'there' yet so we just give up.  He will continue to work out what He began.  I love this promise from God.


3.  WHAT'S NEXT?

Once you really 'get it' that you are new, then you can rest in the completed work of Christ.  I rely on the numerous promises of God to finish what He starts.

What's next?  One 'next right' decision at a time.  Making a decision is a forward/future sort of thing, but also is a current reality thing. 

This is one of single best things I have applied to my life.  To make the decision right now that would honor God and/or others.

Jesus' words bring a bit of clarity to the importance of 'now' in making decisions.

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."  Matthew 6:34 Message paraphrase

When I get too hung up on what was or what may be I lose track of today. I was thinking, did today matter? 

Ephesians 5:15-17 gives some perspective about decisions and today. 
15 "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."

What is the 'next right decision?'

This is by no stretch an exhaustive study about salvation, sanctification and personal holiness.

It is a simple answer to the questions people have been blogging and e-mailing about.

It seems if I can believe I am new and let go of what was, realizing God is the power in my life that will bring about change, and then my part is making the next right decision.

What's true, what works and what's next. A few thoughts.

Who is with you?  God.  He has never taken His eyes off of you.  If you are a Christ Follower, the two most powerful words are Christ "in you" (Colossians).  He is with you, has never left you, isn't disappointed in you and is FOR you.

Hope this gives you some help.

John

I DARE YOU

What if it worked?  No really, what if the God that put breath into your body wanted to do something immeasurably more than you could imagine? 

Seems that little kids are good at dreaming and hoping and asking.  I think that God has put something in us that honestly, when life comes crashing in, the dreams get stomped out of our lives. 

First time you don't get the job, or can't get into the college you applied to or the business dream you had begins to fade into history.  OR, the family that you have dreamed about your whole life... Ya, that one.  The dream with two (and a half) kids, little dog and a white fence around the yard. 

What happens between the dream and our current reality?

I think it is called life.  There could be street signs "Avenue of Broken Dreams". Probably some of us would want to live there.  Why not?  It defines how we feel and how things 'are'.

I dare you to stop living in the past and begin today to dream like it matters. Living Hope has been built by God's presence, purpose and promises.  One life at a time.  I dare you to let go of the past and start just making the next right choice.  I dare you to pray, to ask, to begin to allow hope to consume you.  I dare you to breathe in God's presence deeply and securely.  He is the author of life, the perfector of yours and my faith.  He is our leader, and our King and our Friend. 

For so many of us, we have a dream crushed or we fail and we want it to define us. It doesn't.  In fact, once you begin to live again for God's purposes, you will feel the burden drop from your soul. 

In Ephesians 3, there is a prayer from a pastor to the people he loved.  Paul writes to a church he started in a city called Ephesus. On his third missionary journey he actually stays there for 3 years, teaching and leading. 

I have read and re-read these words and want you to know Living Hope I pray these words for you and your families.

"When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father...I pray that from his glorious resources he will give you mighty inner strength...and I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, how deep His love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, through it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God."  Ephesians 3:14-19

What if it works?  I mean really, what if?  What if Christ was not just in our hearts, but more at home in our hearts?  What if we could begin to understand the depth, length, width and height of God's love? So what if we could experience it?  One of our highest values is that every weekend ought to be Easter and for every gathering we pray that everyone would 'experience the love of Christ.'

What if?  Sounds like crazy love to me.  If it is true we can re-imagine.  If it is true we can no longer be stopped by the past.  If it is true we can begin to dream again.

Look what Paul says AFTER these verses. 

"...By His mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."  Ephesians 3:20

There it is in black and white.  His power is able to do more than you can think about or ask.  In fact infinitely more...

What if we together stop letting our present troubles or our past history prevent His power to work in our lives.

He is God that is radically in love with each of us.  Once we begin to let that sink in, and Christ is more and more at home in our hearts...you know what would happen?

History would be made, families would be restored, churches would be started, marriages would be stronger, students would risk more, churches would sacrifice more, men would lead more and we would see Heaven touch earth and we would no longer let history define our future.

I dare you (or maybe God does?).

John

Party in Heaven

TENNIS BALL THEOLOGY

I wanted to take a moment and thank so many people who have sacrificed over the years for the vision of reaching lost people.  Recently Living Hope was named the 7th fastest growing church in America (Outreachmagazine.com).  That's a cool thing, but the better side to the story is the vast majority of the growth has been through conversion.   

This last weekend almost 300 people were baptized, which makes this the year we have seen over 1500 people baptized.  Many more prayed to receive Christ.  In an auditorium that only seats 500 people, we had close to 2700 people in three services this last Sunday (including kids).   Saturday 3 PM and 5 PM still have room?? 

In the Pacific NW, 90% of people DON'T go to church.  Big number.  My (our) focus is the 90%.  Jesus came to 'seek' and 'save' LOST people.  He talked about it, illustrated it, told parables about it and lived it.  God loves people and it is our mission to go into the world with greater focus and help people come home to God's arms.  Guys like me, Lloyd (see previous post) and so many others.   

I am more resolved than ever in my life to reach more lost people.  I am excited for the opportunities we have to have community and spend time together as Christ followers, but mostly I want us to be a 'reaching' church that will do whatever it takes. 

To me, honestly it ought to be normal.  When lost people come home to God, they immediately go out and get their lost friends and bring them to church.  I saw this happen over and over all weekend.  Someone would come, find Christ, get baptized and come back the next day with their friends or family. 

Mission always costs something.  It just does.  Thank you to so many who have sacrificed.  You won't know until eternity.  Thousands of people who will be in eternity.  Then you will know for real and forever.

I wanted to share a verse that says it so well. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-13 says,

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”^[a] 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,

   “They share freely and give generously to the poor.
      Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”^[b]

10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity^[c] in you.

11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem^[d] will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. "

Couple thoughts.  Giving is something that is talked about more in the Bible than believe (272), hope (185) or love (733).  Give or giving appears over 2200 times in Scripture.  1/2 of all the parables are about money or stuff.  One out of every 10 things Jesus says is about money or possessions.  It isn't what we own.  It is what 'owns' us.

Our giving matters to God more than we can know.  It is for sure a tool to reach more people.  I would say also it is a test of our faith.  "Your generosity will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ."  Interestingly, it is the only thing we are told to test God in (Malachi 3:8-15). 

Paul thanks and asks the church in Corinth to give.  In chapter 8 he says, "Since you excel in so many ways - you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm and such love for us - now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving."  2 Cor 8:7

This isn't a blog about guilt, but as we enter a new chapter of Living Hope, I want to see us excel in the gracious ministry of giving.

Personally, I am glad to be part of a church that is clear and focused on mission.  I am excited about the days ahead.  I am grateful to God for allowing us to see Heaven touch earth over and over.  I am tired, but probably Jesus was too...

The last verse in 2 Corinthians 9 sums it all up, "Thank God for his Son - a gift too wonderful for words!"  2 Cor 9:15

Mission always costs something. It cost God everything.

John

Below is a few minutes of a talk I gave during our Prison Break series.  It is Tennis Ball Theology. 

DAD KNOWS BEST

Last Thursday Katie had a pretty routine pre-surgery consultation at Kaiser.  Because Michelle and I have both had malignant melanoma cancer (me 18 months ago, Michelle 18 years ago), all three of our kids are scheduled to see the dermatologist.  There are genetic tendencies, so we are erring on the side of safety and early detection.

Katie 'went first' and what seemed to be a pretty simple appointment turned a corner when the doctor suggested we take the mole off right then.  Katie suggested we shouldn't take it off at all.  She was a bit worried, I could see it in her eyes. We would have been OK NOT to take the mole off, and we would have had to take pictures of it, measure it, have it checked annually, etc. 

I stood there as the conversation continued between doctor, mom and Katie.  Then, I simply suggested that it needed to come off, and today was as good a day as any, so we should to do it.  Albeit to say, Katie wasn't that happy with her daddy.  Weird, because I can't think of even five times she and I have had noticeable conflict?  Of course, then I am a guy and miss a lot. 

The doctor looked at me, Michelle, and Katie.  We made the choice for the sake of peace.  Ya, a little bit of pain, but once we get the results of the biopsy back this week and find out it ISN'T anything, we will all be able to rest in the peace of knowing for sure.  The doctor agreed, Michelle and I were good, Katie... not so good. My daughter gave me the look I can still remember.  Her eyes told the story of what she was thinking.  She was saying without saying, daddy, how could you allow them to hurt me?  You are supposed to protect me.   I knew that I was doing the right thing for her.

Michelle and I stood with her, as they prepped the room for the procedure.  Then we stood next to Katie and as the doctor cut on my daughter I held back tears.  We both stood with her, watching and looking, but really could do nothing more than hold her hand.  She looked at me, and one little single tear fell down her cheeks. One of the moments, where I know the decision was right, but I hated that Katie was the one being cut on. 

The procedure was only 15 minutes.  Katie came home, to flowers I had bought for her (hoping to soften the relational strain). She is doing well now, other than the uncomfortable wait to hear the results.  I know it will all be good. 

Parent moments where you see your child being cut on or in pain, or worse yet die?  I can't fathom most of those thoughts.  For me, it was a simple little procedure to remove a mole that didn't look so good.  For others it is unbearable.  It is hearing the word inoperable cancer, where hope isn't there so much.  The pain that weighs down your heart and soul.  Pain that becomes your life because of the pain you see your son or daughter going through.  I can't imagine.  It isn't the way it is supposed to work.  It just isn't.  Parents aren't supposed to bury their sons or daughters.  Life doesn't mostly work that way and when it does, it must be SO difficult to walk through.

This was the first time anything like this has happened to her.  We should know this week, and I know so many people go through horrendous situations watching their kids have surgeries, or endure radiation, or even the parents I know, like Pastor Rick and Kathy who had to walk through the horrifying reality that their son died.

Before I end this post, I have one more thought.

I wonder what it felt like for God to see His son being beaten.  I wonder when Jesus was walking through the night to trial after trial what He felt like, as mostly He didn't even speak.  What went through his mind?  What about when the Roman soldiers beat Jesus, scouraged him to the point just before death.  Ribbons of flesh hanging from  God's body?  Then walking to the place of execution, carrying the cross beam that his wrists would be nailed to?  How did God feel?  Can we imagine?  Talk about a moment where a daddy's heart is heavy.  I bet that was one of those moments.

In the moments you feel like God doesn't know, He does.  He knows you the best and loves you the most. He wants you to tell him how you feel. Remember, most of the psalms are psalms of 'lament' which basically means to complain. 

He is the God that when you are going through pain, He is the God that holds your hand.  I can be a little like Katie and get mad at God, but when the day is over, as He allows me to be 'cut' on, I trust that my daddy knows best.  The more you trust Him, the more you find Him trustworthy.  Faith is a relational journey that each day we grow and walk closer to our Father.

Katie eventually thanked me for the flowers and I just hugged her as she left for school.   

I hope everyone has a good week.

God knows best.

john

Lloyd

ONLY GOD kind of weekend.  So many stories of people who come home to the arms of God. 

One story that touched my heart so much was the story of Lloyd.

As we were almost done with the 3:00 PM service Saturday, I see this woman who, crying tells me she has been praying for her father for 20 years.  She says that today he came to Christ and is (was) in the process of getting into the pool to be baptized.  SO COOL.   

I remember Lloyd.  The look in his eyes told the whole story.  Lloyd received Christ this weekend.  He surrendered his one and only life to God, and was all about getting baptized.  It was (so far) one of the highlights among so many.   

I hope we never forget moments like these.  It is so easy to get mission drift.  So easy to forget why we (the church) exists.  So easy to stop risking.  So easy to be like the older brother and get frustrated.  Jesus ALWAYS looked for what was lost and mostly it was to the exclusion of what was found.  For 2000 years, the church has been given a mandate.  'GO' and make disciples.   I love being part of a church that does whatever to just reach one guy like Lloyd.   

Before he was baptized, I looked him in the eye and said, "all of Heaven is rejoicing at this very moment"  He smiled, and you could see in his eyes a sense of relief. 

In short... Lloyd came home to the arms of God.  He 'came to his senses' like the son in Luke 15.  Love that.  I think I love most the picture of a God who has been waiting for Lloyd for his whole life.  His daughter says for 20 years he has wanted nothing to do with church or God.  I can visualize a father so radically in love with his son (Lloyd) that he has just waited.  THEN, the moment comes when Lloyd 'came to his senses' and as he begins to walk home to the arms of God, God begins to run toward his son.

Thinking about this weekend. 

Thinking about 11 years ago, that very first Sunday with just a few families and a deep core belief that lost people matter to God. 

Wondering about the next 11 years.   How many more people like Lloyd? 

The kingdom of God is built one life, one story of someone who eventually comes home and a God who runs to them.

ONLY GOD.

JOHN

PS
Great worship CD.  Thanks to everyone who made it possible.  Awesome.

Worth a thousand words...

So, how is it when you try to 'forget' something (i.e., a Tiger jumping on you) that you can't?

Good article on the front page of Christian News NW. 

Dan Stockdale is here for the weekend.  He is such a blessing to Living Hope.

SO EXCITED about Baptism weekend at Living Hope.  For three years, we have seen God work in ways that have birthed the simple thought 'ONLY GOD'

We had a good staff meeting today, cool to see our staff and pastors praying around the pool in the middle of the auditorium.   

Can't wait. 

My one big idea is what does it mean to come home 'safe' to God?  What is safe? 

I hope you invite someone.    I can't wait to see everyone.

John

You're Invited to our 11th Anniversary Celebration!

       You're invited to our 11th Anniversary Celebration this weekend at Living Hope Church. We'll have a baptism, our first CD release and a celebration of everything God has done the past 11 years at Living Hope. Be sure to invite your friends and family to this event! Send an invitation here.

WHO WILL YOU BRING

I am so excited about the weekend services.  11 years ago this weekend Living Hope began at the Manor Grange, with 5 families.   I remember the simplicity of those days.  One service, potlucks after church almost every week, and celebrating the 'one' life that was changed by God's unthinkable grace. 

Thank you Living Hope for being about the next person who God wants to save.  Thank you for 11 crazy years. 

Paul said to the church at Corinth, "I fear somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Jesus Christ.."  2 Cor. 11:3

That verse says so much with out saying all that much.

Pure and Simple devotion to Jesus...

Jesus was always about people.  Always.  If He came today you would want to be around Him.   Seemed He was so good at simply being about people.   Laced through the stories and parables is the thread that someone or something lost is worth leaving what was secure to find what was lost. 

He was in the 'right' place and the 'right' time and always did the next 'right' thing.   He was the most religious person who has ever stepped foot on planet earth, YET He didn't hang that much with the religious leaders of His day.  He proclaims His Mission in Luke 19, "...I came to seek and save that which is lost..."   

One mission.  Reach people.  Be Jesus to them.  Serve them.  Love them. 

Living Hope has always and will always be about the one lost person.  If we fail in this we fail in everything.  Pure and Simple devotion to Jesus has to express itself in reaching the people He died for.  It is so simple, yet in the complexity of life we can lose focus pretty quick. 

Every person you see around you at school, at work, at family gatherings is someone who will spend eternity somewhere.   Seems that I can forget that reality. 

This weekend, I am going to talk about what it means to come home to God.    I'm excited about the release of our first Worship CD.  So many people have been asking.  Together we celebrate 11 years as a church.   

God will save people and Heaven will be celebrating this weekend.  It is a weekend that will echo into eternity, as the angels rejoice.   I love Luke 15.  I love radical stories of lost stuff being found.  I love that Jesus was about the lost sometimes to the exclusion of the 'found'.  I love to think about the angels in Heaven who will rejoice this weekend because someone you bring to church who will have a chance to 'come safely home'

Living Hope is like a big collection of people who have been lost and now are found, or in the process of being found. 

Please pray for the weekend.  AND, plan on bringing someone to hear about God's love.

This weekend is all about why we do everything we do.  People have been calling (because of the signs) asking about baptism.  People who don't even go to Living Hope. 

Will you bring them? 

Bring them, and see what God may do...

Every person you see is someone that will spend eternity somewhere.

SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND.

John