Be Still

The Metamorphosis Church

The word "metamorphosis" derives from Greek μεταμόρφωσις, "transformation, transforming", from μετα- (meta-), "change" + μορφή (morphe) "form".


I believe the church is always changing, growing, transforming into being the Bride of Christ; the Body of Christ.

It is more than just an Emergence or Emerging Church movement and yet knows about modernity and post-modernism.

The Metamorphosis Church is one that really is just trying to be the Church Christ wants us to be. To love others and love God.

Imagine if the church put the Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission into practice?

In alot of ways the Church needs Christians to be transformed as mentioned in Romans 12:1-2.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

How about it?

Top 10 Things for Short Term Missions Trip

This Friday I leave for a short term missions trip with Hope Missions. We will be working with Diamond Willow Ministries in a native reservation in South Dakota.

Here are some reminders I've come across since preparing for this trip.


I. Get your funds early.

II. Don't forget to get organized and all the necessary paperwork together. I've used a binder and read up on the mission and what we'll be doing before hand.

III. Don't forget to pray. Pray like never before. I've been using the book, Through the Eyes of Christ, A short term missions journal by Donna Thomas (http://www.cvministries.org/) to help me prepare.

IV. Talk to your family about the opportunity. My wife's response was "You have to go ..."

V. Get packed early. I've had to buy some last minute items and am packing this week.

VI. Get something to read. Keep your mind alert. Those long bus or plane rides (Mine is a 21 Hr Bus ride) have to be filled with time fillers.

VII. Don't forget the reason you are going. It isn't about You but about God using you.

VIII. Enlist others to pray for you during the trip.

IX. Have a commissioning service. At the end of our service on Sunday, one of the church leaders prayed over myself and the team going from our church. (We're partnering with another church to go and only myself and another man (Jeff is his name) are going.

X. Have Fun. Be yourself. I'm looking forward to this trip. There will be obstacles ahead. We leave this Friday. (I'm going to miss my family)

Any others you would add?

Lessons from a Blind man.

This Sunday's sermon comes from John 9.

Amazing Grace History/"Amazing Grace" By Wintley Phipps

Chris Tomlin - Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

I Need a Person like .... who Taught me .....

So I've been thinking about some of the past people who I've encountered over the years and what they have taught me. Here are a few highlights. (sorry if I've missed your name ... I know you taught me a thing or two along life's journey as well)

I need a person like .......            Who taught me ....

Dave Wallace                              Serving
Shari                                            Children's Ministry
Sandy B.                                       About being organized
Penny                                            About loving students
Alice Christy                               Encouragement
93yr old Marie Ward                   Being a prayer warrior/ Pie baker.
Carl Christy                                 Compassion
Fred Gurney                                 Leadership
Access Teens                                Worship
Jason                                             Missions
Dan R.                                           love for God's Word
Church Leaders (I've worked with)      Patience and understanding
Wife                                                Family
My Children                                           Importance of Mentorship
Dan                                                  Stewardship
Home Church                                   Appreciation/ Honor
School                                              Respect/Adoration
Jesus                                                 Grace and Forgiveness
You                                                 (Being on the journey together we call life and faith)      

Praying Hands.

Visiting Boyds Bear Country

So this past weekend I took my children to a birthday party that was atBoyds Bear Country
(Think Fancier Build A Bear Store)

Think it was a good experience.  What was the last place you took your family to?

Social Gospel, Social Justice, Get Rich - Oh MY!

What does the Social Gospel

the Prosperity Gospel
(Otherwise known as the Health and Wealth Gospel?) and the

Social Justice Controversy
have in common.

Well, when you mention any of them they tend to take the focus off of Jesus. The Social Gospel has alot in common with the Social Justice ... helping others. The problem is the social justice focuses on benevolent acts alone with no discipleship efforts. Social Justice can lead to evangelism efforts. Both the social gospel and the prosperity gospel tend to fall short of the gospel and what it is Meant
.

Should the church be supporting places that are helping the poor, and thus social justice issues? Sure. We just need to be careful how that concern can be taken off the Author and Perfector of our Faith: Jesus.  We need to be the hands and feet of Jesus, not just "Hands and Feet."

Lots of good work have been done in the name of Jesus. Some even anonymously.
The reason: People knew who they were Serving. Not these people. But Jesus. That is why organizations that I know personally like IDES, etc. try to be Jesus to others. Notice I didn't say any Government organization. Sometimes the best "Community Organizers" in the midst of crisis are those involved already in the Body of Christ.

My Jesus Year: Review.

Just got finished reading this book entitled: My Jesus Year. It is a story of a non-christian's view of the Church. (Actually a rabbi's son)

It was a very amusing and almost SAD look at "Christianity" as a whole. What is amusing is the whole take of the "Christian Industry" side of things of which the author finds both amusing and SAD. Things like being caught up in the holidays around Christmas - but having nothing to do with Christ, nor the real reason for the holidays.

And one that stood out to me about Easter pg. 180 on a pastor shortening his service "Sorry Christ. Congrats on the whole coming back from the dead thing. That's really great and all, but it's freezing up here, so God bless and we'll catch you back at the gift shop." WOW.

And then there was the focus on the wrong things. "We build a monument where God was, not not where God is." pg. 70

And then the author's observation of a church service "In some ways, this felt more like a concert performance than a religious service." pg. 38.

Though the author interacts with Christians, He still decides to remain true to his Jewish roots. There is one statement that gives me hope, and may it be true of us and any one that is a follower of Christ, that is observed. "Not because I witnessed Jesus, but because I witnessed something far more inspiring - His people." pg. 59.

I've noticed lately I've been reading books from a perspective of those outside of Christ and their take on Christianity. (Unlikely Disciple, My Jesus Year, I sold my Soul on Ebay) It seems I'm trying not to be caught up in my own "Christian" bubble but really try to take people from where they are.

An American Symphony - Mr. Holland's Opus

Star Trek Generations - Data Sings "The Life Forms Song"

Afterall God wants your Best.

I cannot tell you the number of times I've heard this or similar phrases.

"Give God your best." "Do all things with excellence" "Let's be professional"

I've been caught up in the lies.
This myth of somehow God wants your best. So what do people do they either don't give God  their best, or say forget and don't give God anything at all.

God doesn't want your best. He already owns everything. He wants us to be good stewards of what we have and manage it well sure. God has got everything. What God wants isn't the best, He wants YOU!

Sometimes I think we focus too much on the show. Best style of music, best dress, best musicians, best speakers, websites. We spare no expense.

Problem is that God sees through all that. They are all tools, just tools. Even our buildings are just tools to the ultimate goal changed lives to love God and love others.

I've been through the mistake of this. Do all things with excellence. Fact was one of my past ministries Mission statement had that in their mission.

The issue then becomes taking it too far. Balance. The thing is we are indivine, not the Divine. We tend to put God in this little box. We package ministry. Excellentify it. Thus we can depend on our own ability rather than God's availability.

Thus we get into the whole debates of Dress. (Should one wear their "Sunday best" or not?)

We get into debates of styles of Worship (Actually music and who is to say what Music is best - God is the creator of all music and thus all music whether just sound, vocal, instrumental or not or a certain style can glorify Him) And even with styles of music - the lost don't know the variety of styles of music of Christians. We say contemporary  but is that Christian hip-hop, rock, pop, country, (Trust me the Christian Music Industry
is
a near billion dollar entreprise

Worship should be an attitude. Giving our best to God is up to you. Personally, there are times I don't give my best. I want to see the best done, but it isn't always the best. Could we do better? Sure. But if we get so caught up in excellence ...we miss the point. What did Jesus see in the 12? how about the woman caught in adultery?  Even with the story of the  King David - God looks at the heart. How about Paul? How about Jesus' last words on earth? to Go and make disciples. Jesus didn't say bring me your best disciples, or Go and do your best ... He said: "Go and make disciples."

Jesus doesn't want a "Hit me with your best shot."  Sometimes we have to let God use us. Use us and recognize that God's ability is beyond our own capability.

Otherwise, if we depend on doing our best; doing it depending on our own skills and abilities - it would lessen what God is able to do even moreso.

I've been amazed at services and times when I felt that sermon didn't go well, or that didn't go off as planned that God used it. 

Some questions to consider:

How is God using you?

Are you putting on a show, or are you focusing on the audience of ONE?

Should we give God our best?

How about coming to Christ, does one NEED to be sinless and be the BEST to come to Him?

Why is it that God seemed to use the Misfits of this World to change it? Those whose lives were messy?
(Noah, Moses, David, Paul)

What is it about our own messy lives?

Do you think we like to put on a mask to be the best?

Ric Flair
use to say "To be the man, you gotta beat the man." Seems God is saying to be the man or woman of God, I've already got you beat. I've given my Son for you. I just NEED you to follow Him.

The Revolution.

Here is the video shown from Sunday. A few of our Youth Sponsors put together having fun, and then afterwards was a skit promoting our Wednesday Nite Children's and Teen Ministry gladly entitled: The Revolution. Enjoy.

The Gospel Journey

I've met Greg Stier. Actually I've met him a few times though he might not ever know it. I read his blog, and have several of his books. The thing about this video series is it seems to be very simple, very authentic and good for those seeking Where is God? We just finished Session 2 on sunday morning for our teens. Great stuff. Especially for those wondering about what is the gospel, what about Jesus? etc.

Gets young adults to read the Word, look at how it applies to them today.

NHL Playoffs 2010 Thoughts and beyond.

Western Conference

VS

Sharks in 6

VS

Chicago in 6

VS

Vancouver in 5

VS

Yotes in 7

Eastern Conference

VS

Caps in 7

VS

NJ in 6

VS

Buffalo in 6

VS

                                                                   Pittsburgh  in 5
 
Western Conference Winner: Vancouver.
 
Eastern Conference: Washington.
 
Series to Watch in the First Round.
 
Phoenix and Detroit. (Young versus old.) Phoenix the Cinderella story ...weren't even to be projected to make the playoffs at the beginning of the Season
 
Capitals and Montreal. Goaltending versus Ovie.
 
Devils-Flyers. Rivals. Flyers just make the playoffs versus One of the Greatest Goaltenders in the NHL. Can Boucher keep up his own hot goaltending with the Flyers or be outmatched by Brodeur?
 
Other notes: Jimmy Howard's first playoffs could make an interesting storyline. Don't forget Crosby. Also the Sharks have something to prove that they can finally make it to the Big dance.
 
History will be made but it is a matter of time to say whose history.
 
Already focus has been on the MVP and hardware for individual players. Crosby got 51 goals, so did Stamkos. Ovechkin got 50 with 10 less games played. H. Sedin got the most pts. (Art Ross). Question is who is the MVP? Ovechkin? Stamkos? Sedin? Crosby? some have mentioned a few goaltenders as well ...Ilya Bryzgalov  and Ryan Miller.
 
Is the MVP the most who contributed to their team or to the league as a whole?
 
Crosby might win the MVP (since the Favourite) though I would foresee Miller bringing more contributing to both Buffalo and USA Hockey and ultimately the NHL as a whole. Sure people think Crosby and the Pens and Canadian Hockey. Problem is IMHO he isn't the face of the NHL despite being marketed that way. One thing is for sure ... I don't think Ovechkin will win MVP this year.
 
Then there is the whole draft which is it Taylor or Tyler? In the 2010 draft
The issue I take is with the TML's trading for Phil Kessel. (who hasn't done much of anything  ... and the Bruins get the #2 pick.  I think the Leafs lost out in that trade)
 
Then there is a future draft pick of Nate the kid
called the Next Sidney Crosby. Possibly to be Drafted 2013.
 
Lots going on. Game on. history will be made.

Is the Cross a symbol of life or death?

So what is the Cross

a symbol of?

Seems a lot of people associate it with a symbol of Death
.

Others of Cruelity


And others of Violence and status


Seems weird that people wearing Cross necklaces
are wearing a symbol of death. Seems the Cross of Christ is where the symbol of life begins. You see Jesus died for us. And if He stayed dead, the cross would be meaningless. Our message would be foolishness. Especially if there was no resurrection. But Jesus didn't stay that way and so the Cross seems to be a symbol of life, hope and love. Ultimately the symbol of the Cross is the message of Grace. God giving us something you don't deserve. So ultimately the Cross is a symbol not just of life and death but ultimatle of love and Grace and to that I am thankful.

A Bit of Irony!

Fresh Water for Dry Souls

This Sunday's sermon is from John 7. Hope you can join us.

Jesus 101

His Birth – Humanity


His Ministry – Reality of God with us.

His Death – A Sacrifice

His Burial – Finality.

His Resurrection – Victory

His Coming Again – Hope.



Our Reaction: Celebration and Anticipation.

Post-Resurrection Lord's Day Thoughts

Otherwise known as Easter. This week has been busy with meetings. We're actually hosting a Women's Ministry event tonite at our facility with local churches planning on coming.

Here are my thoughts:

I. Loved the Sunrise Service. Short and sweet. I'd say over 50% of our attendees came out before 7am.

II. Breakfast, and the Praise and Worship were Great!

III. Was glad to see we had to open the overflow room.

IV. I love preaching. I tend to ramble... but was great the preach the good news about Jesus Dying for You!

V. Can't wait to do it again this Sunday. Afterall, every Sunday is Resurrection Lord's Day. We celebrate that Jesus did indeed Rise from the grave and is coming again.

VI. This Sunday is Scout Sunday. So lots of work to do behind the scenes. Great things going on. Also have my short term missions trip just weeks away. Pray for me. Have a good weekend.

Things They Didn't Teach You about Ministry.

So I went to a Bible College (Now a Christian University) and even went to Seminary. But there are some things that they didn't teach you. Sometimes it is learning only by the school of hard knocks. (I know I've written on this before but would like to update)

I. You and You alone are responsible for your Soul Care. No one else is going to do it for you.

II. Ministry is tough. It is great and rewardful but not meant for sissies. There will be challenges.

III. There will be that guy. You know the one. The one that just gets on your nerves. There will be conflict. The thing is to know to pick your battles wisely. Is this worth fighting for? In the scope of eternity is it worth battling over? (Personally I think things like personalities, music styles, color of carpet do not fall into that)

IV. Facility Upkeep. You will need to know codes: Fire, Insurance, liability, etc.

V. Technology. I'm no social media expert but computer programming, powerpt and that come in handy. Recognize these are only Tools not the goal.

VI. Chaplaincy. I wish I know more and helped more in this area. Hospital calls, funerals, and dealing with death and dying.

VII. Administration. Ministers are responsible for lots of different venues and committees. Balancing the many hats and having to run a staff can be tricky. Money issues, conflict resolution etc.

VIII. Leadership. Leaders are life long learners. Leading isn't easy. Inspite of having good elders, people still look to the minister as the leader of the church. Sometimes it is best to be ready to lead. I admit in my own way that my last few ministries I tended to be more of a follower than a leader.

IX.Copyright and plagiarizing. I've learn more to do research and make sermons my own rather than just use someone's work by itself. I'm seeing some though just go straight to download sermons and spend lots of Saturdays working rather than working smart.

X. Giving God the credit. Sometimes it isn't so much about us but about God being the one in control. I celebrate that my peers are doing great things for the Kingdom and I rejoice I get to do this thing called Ministry. There have been a lot of good people who have allowed me to fail so I can learn and improve and am thankful for those people. Fact is some of the churches that hired me were actually crazier than me to hire me in the first place. The thing was they were crazy but also crazy in love with God to try to trust Him first.

Math Shadow

Day 21 of 21

He is Risen. Luke 24:1-8




1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8Then they remembered his words.



Jesus conquered death. If he stayed in the tomb our faith would be foolishness.

But He has risen, risen indeed. What does this mean for you?

Day 20 of 21

Jesus Burial. Luke 23:50-56




50Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.



Jesus has died for us and was buried but didn’t stay that way. Satan thought that the tomb would end Jesus attraction to the world-or so he thought!

Jesus to Us

Here's a snippet from the beginning of And the Angels were Silent ... "Commonly clad. Uncommonly focused. Leaving Jericho and walking toward Jerusalem. He doesn't chatter. He doesn't pause. He is on a journey. His final journey.



"Even the angels are silent. They know this is no ordinary walk. They now this is no ordinary week. For hinged on this week is the door of eternity. Let's walk with him. Let's see how Jesus spent his final days. Let's see what mattered to God."



His Birth – Humanity


His Ministry – Reality of God with us.

His Death – A Sacrifice

His Burial – Finality.

His Resurrection – Victory

His Coming Again – Hope.



Our Reaction: Celebration and Anticipation.

Day 19 0f 21

John 19:17-30




So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 19Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." 22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." 23When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing."[a] So this is what the soldiers did. 25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. 28Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.



The willing sacrifice, Jesus gave his life to cover all the sin in our lives.

Day 18 of 21

Peter’s Denial. Luke 22:54-62




54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." 57But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. 58A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. 59About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.



Have you ever denied Jesus? What is something you can do to get it right?